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I Became a Tyrant of the Defense Game - Episode 31

◈ 031. [Side Story] Cross Margrave

Since it was late, I decided to listen tomorrow and ate and rested..

I thought that if I had to listen to a problem that couldn't be solved right away, I would just worry about it all night long..

After rolling around in the dungeon all day, I slept well as soon as I lay down. Without even dreaming.

So the next morning. As soon as I woke up, I called Ader to the living room..

“What do you mean, no reinforcements at all??”

When I asked the question, Ader, who had been rolling her eyes, looked at me and answered..

“Isn't that the recent war with the enemy on the western front of the empire?.”

“so?”

“It is said that all spare troops, not only from the center but also from various regions, are being mobilized and concentrating troops on the Western Front. Naturally, there are no reinforcements to send to the monster front here.…….”

“…….”

I narrowed my eyes. Something's strange.

An empire is a country that is always at war. They are fighting with neighboring countries at any time of the day or night, all year round..

But suddenly, troops were withdrawn from cities in the southern region.?

‘Now that I've asked for reinforcements?

“…….”

There's something strangely ominous about it, but it's something we can't do anything about..

I am only the commander of the monster front here, and I have no command over the imperial army. All I can do is ask for support.

So we have to rely on mercenaries..

“What about mercenaries? Do you have any new friends??”

“We hire every single mercenary who comes to the mercenary guild. However, there are not many new people coming yet.…….”

Ader trailed off..

To begin with, only a few days have passed since the last battle. It would be unreasonable to hope that the guild would be immediately filled with mercenaries..

I groaned, clenching my chin in pain..

“Umm…….”

What should I do? Replenishing troops is essential to progress to the next stage..

It was then. Ader looked at me and smiled subtly. What is it?.

“There is room for more troops to come out.?”

“Yes, actually there is one…….”

“If there is anything, you should tell me right away. Why are you hiding it? Please explain quickly.”

“But it must be a pain in the ass..”

“Are my headaches the problem now? The problem is solving the next stage right away. Tell me quickly. Where is the corner where the troops can come from??”

Without erasing her subtle smile, Ader gestured toward the outside of the room..

“Okay. Then follow me.”

Ader took the lead, and I quickly followed behind her..

“Have you been coughing, Your Majesty?!”

At that time, Lucas, who had overslept for some reason, rushed over and joined us. His head is like a magpie, this guy.

I pressed Lucas's upturned head with my fist..

“Did you sleep well, Lucas? You look like you had a great sleep..”

“I just apologize for being late, Your Highness. A person called an escort knight…….”

“Why do you always apologize? Okay, let's go. Looks like Ader is leading us somewhere..”

The three of us went out of the mansion. The morning air is quite chilly, perhaps because it is early spring..

Ader went straight to the stables and brought out three horses..

“It's not that far, but you have to get out of the city..”

Lucas asked, quickly climbing onto the horse..

“Where are you going now, Assistant Ader??”

“To the former lord.”

Lucas and I widened our eyes in surprise. Ader said one more time.

“I'm going to the Margrave Cross's mansion.!”

***

What is Margrave??

To put it simply, it is a count who guards the border..

Originally, an earl was usually a local nobleman and was the actual lord who ruled the area..

However, a margrave has slightly more authority than an ordinary count..

This is because they carry out the mission of protecting the frontier from enemies, monsters, disasters, etc..

In short, he was not just a local nobleman, but also a military commander in charge of the defense of the region..

“The Counts of Cross have ruled the Crossroads since it was first populated..”

Riding out of the city, we headed straight to the southeast. Ader continued to explain in detail..

“In the first place, the name of the fortress was taken from the count's castle..”

Road built by the Cross family).

The fortress built on top of it was named Crossroad..

“This is a prestigious family that has protected this place for a very long time since the fortress was created..”

“But why did the Margrave give up his position as lord of this place??”

I didn't understand so I tilted my head..

This is the southern border, far from the center of the empire..

To put it bluntly, the Margrave's authority here is stronger than that of the Emperor. The ruler of this land is none other than Margrave Cross..

However, he voluntarily gave up his position as a lord and asked to be governed by the central government..

The situation at the beginning of the game is that Prince Ash is appointed to this empty lord's position..

Are you willing to give up the territory that you have ruled for generations? why?

“There were many complicated circumstances. It would be better to hear it yourself..”

Ader gave a tickling smile as if she knew something or didn't know..

Oh, don't do that, please give me a spoiler.!

“Im here. It's here.”

30After talking for about a minute, Ader stopped talking. I lifted my head up and looked around..

An old mansion was built on a hill with an oak forest in the distance..

Ivy grew thickly on the walls of the faded mansion, and the windows were so dusty that you couldn't see inside..

At a glance, it was not managed properly..

“It was originally built as a villa for the Count of Cross. The Margrave moved here after giving up his position as lord..”

“People do live there……?”

“Sure. I regularly send daily necessities here..”

I got off the horse. Lucas and Ader followed me down. I cautiously approached the old mansion..

Why is the margrave, who is supposed to rule like the king of this region, giving up his title as lord and secluding himself in a place like this??

Doubts swelled like clouds..

It was then. As I passed through the fence of the mansion and entered the yard, a very hoarse voice came rushing in..

“What are they doing?!”

When I looked at him in surprise, a skinny old man came out of the mansion and shouted loudly with a red face..

“If you know where this is, just come in! ok?”

He was an old man with rough bones. An unkempt beard covered his chin in a messy manner, and his eyes were bloodshot..

There was a strong smell of alcohol all over my body. Looks like he was drinking a little while ago.

The old man shook the empty liquor bottle in his hand roughly from side to side..

“Get the hell out of my house.!”

While Lucas and I were frozen in shock, Ader quickly jumped forward..

“Oh my~ Margrave! How are you? It's me, Ada.!”

“Yes? He's not our aide's friend. It's been a while since I drew this.”

Upon seeing Ader, the old man's demeanor noticeably softened..

By the way, Ada, what did you just call this old man? It's Margrave.?

‘Then this old drunkard... … margrave cross?’

The former lord of this city?

Ader continued talking with Margrave Cross..

“I came here because I was worried about how you were doing. How is it that there is nothing uncomfortable??”

“I'm doing well... … However, the alcohol sent is not enough. Starting next month, send me one more cart the size of alcohol..”

“Oh my, you already ate a lot. If you eat more, it will be really harmful to your health.!”

“I've already decided to die from alcohol poisoning. Don't talk nonsense, just send me more..”

After arguing for a while about alcohol delivery, Ader changed the topic..

“Come on, Margrave! Rather, a guest! I brought you a guest.!”

“what? customer? Didn't I tell you not to let anyone find me??”

“It's okay if it's just for a moment, so let's talk. Oh, you are a very precious and important person..”

Ader pointed and introduced me..

“Newly appointed Lord! This is Prince Ash 'Bonhater' Everblack.!”

Margrave Cross's eyes widened when he heard my name..

The margrave's eyes met mine, and I bowed lightly..

“Nice to meet you, Margrave Cross. My name is Ash, the youngest son of the Great Emperor, and the newly appointed lord of Crossroads..”

Even if Ash is the youngest prince, he cannot treat the Margrave poorly..

Because it's similar to a second lieutenant who just transferred to a new lieutenant speaking informally to a chief sergeant..

So I spoke to the Margrave in an awkward way..

“I came here because I have something to discuss with you.…….”

“Let's go out.”

“Eh?”

“Get out. I can not hear you?”

Margrave Cross gestured outside with a grim look on his face. There is even a vague sense of life in his eyes..

I was dumbfounded and just stared at the margrave..

This crossed the line.

The Everblack Empire is a country with a strict caste system..

Even though Margrave Cross is the real power that has ruled this place for generations, how dare he speak informally to the prince upon first meeting him? In addition, an order to celebrate guests is issued.?

“How rude, Margrave! I will tell you clearly the hierarchical relationship between me and you.…….”

Cheolkeong!

I was about to say something when the Margrave lifted something that was lying at the entrance to the mansion..

It was an extremely large cavalry spear and shield. Even with his skinny body, the old man lifted it lightly, as if picking up a can of corn..

“……There won't be a need for it. huh.”

I immediately shrunk..

In the Everblack Empire, a caste-based country, what does it mean to point a weapon at the royal family??

It means you're crazy.

And the answer is to avoid crazy people. This is an eternal truth. Shibeol.

“Turn it all off.”

Margrave Cross growled, raising the tip of his spear threateningly..

“Get out of here when I say nice things! Tell me to go away!”

Lucas got angry and tried to step forward, but I raised my hand to stop him..

“……I will come again next time, Margrave. I hope we can have a proper conversation then..”

I took the lead and left the mansion. Lucas with a dissatisfied face and Ader with a scared face followed behind me..

The Margrave continued to shout hoarsely at our backs as we walked away..

“Don't come near me again! Leave me alone here! okay?!”

***

Margrave Cross. Full name is Charles Cross.

It has never appeared directly in the game..

Nevertheless, the reason I remember that old man is because he is the father of Evangeline Cross, the strongest tank in the game..

Evangeline is one of the most popular characters among the SSR heroes that appear in.

Because of its overwhelming performance, it was definitely one of the top five characters that players wanted to own..

I wanted to get it so much that I skimmed through Evangeline's profile to see if there were any hints about the appearance conditions..

There wasn't much of a hint in the profile, but the name of Evangeline's father, Charles Cross, was also written there..

Thanks to you, I remembered.

‘I have to somehow roast that old drunkard..’

After being kicked out of the villa and returning to Crossroads, I was lost in thought..

‘Solving the troop shortage issue is important, but it may also be helpful in recruiting Evangeline..’

Like other SSR-level hero characters, Evangeline was difficult to recruit..

The probability of appearance was low and the success rate of recruitment was also low. In fact, I didn't get Evangeline even in the Hell Iron Clear episode..

But here is her father.

‘If I do something well, I think there might be a recruitment flag.?’

Crossroads was visible in the distance. I looked back.

“But how can that old man solve the military problem??”

Ader's answer was clear..

“Margrave Cross has a private army in his family. They are elites who are loyal only to the Margrave..”

“Hoo.”

“If you can persuade the Margrave, the private soldiers will also be transferred to the lord's command, and the problem of lack of troops will be greatly solved..”

“I'll have to do whatever it takes to tempt you.…….”

But Lucas didn't seem to like it at all..

“Do we really need to bring in such a ruthless person? Moreover, if it is a native of this place, His Majesty may interfere in the future governance of this city..”

“Even if something like that happens, you have to bring it in..”

Even if problems arise, it's a matter of later, survival is an immediate matter..

“But why can't we even meet face to face, let alone talk? What should I do??”

“There is a way.”

“Oh, what is that??”

Ader smiled heartily, made a sleeping shape with her hands, and pretended to swallow with her mouth..

“Drunkards have their own way of becoming friends..”

What the gesture meant was clear..

I looked like I was chewing dirt and cursed..

“Holy shit.”

I want to live a good and healthy life, but this world won't leave me alone. shit.