“So, what’s going on with this?”
“Don’t we need to move over there? The guards are pretty tight over there…”
“I’ve confirmed three cracks in space. First, let’s issue a no-access order…”
“Are we just going to ignore it completely now?”
“Why isn’t the Empire responding!”
“Those guys are always like this. By the way, it’s been a while since we issued the summons—”
Lily!
At the Headquarters of the Challenger Alliance.
As I appeared in the bustling area filled with numerous rankers and royal members assisting in the hunt, all eyes turned towards me.
No matter how many buffs, abilities, and good items one has, a disaster is an unbeatable enemy.
Without top rankers like me, Leo, or Yena, capturing a disaster was almost impossible.
‘It’s more advanced than during the Kraken times.’
Back then, it felt like a makeshift forward base; now, it boasted a professionally designed headquarters.
Among the crowd of numerous people, a man surrounded by many approached me while brushing off the people around him—the Alliance Leader, Knight.
“You’ve arrived, Lady Lily. We’ve been waiting.”
[Oh]
[It’s Knight, Knight!]
[Hi, Knight!]
[Nah~]
[Your level skyrocketed, Knight.]
[He’s been through a lot too, lol.]
[The Alliance Leader probably gets sweet rewards.]
I’d seen him several times in rank wars.
His level had increased quite a bit, and he had some decent skills; I knew he was currently ranked among the top ten.
“How’s the situation?”
“As you well know, Lady Lily, it’s quite complicated. We’ve reached out multiple times to the Empire tasked with hunting the disaster, but they only replied that they would handle it themselves and have been stagnant for months.”
“Moreover, they haven’t even dealt with monster spawnings due to the cracks recently. It’s very serious.”
“Oh, Neris!”
“Hi, Lady Lily.”
Master of the Magic Tower, Neris, approached from behind Knight.
A mage who uses mana of various colors.
Though she lacked talent in mana compared to rankers, she was famous for adeptly handling the ‘system’ that users possessed.
Neris shook her head with a dissatisfied expression.
“We should’ve attacked long ago. They’ve been too neglected just because they’re the Empire. In fact, those guys are more dangerous than the disaster itself.”
“That’s true.”
While the disaster threatens the world, the Empire is just as formidable.
The Duke Huangyeol, at the Empire’s center, has suspicious schemes and possesses might on par with disasters.
He has been waging wars consistently for ages, and recently, he even revealed his ambition to engulf the world through ‘Siege Wars.’
‘And he’s of the Celestial Race too.’
Not a half-baked imitation or something similar, but pure Celestial Race.
There’s enough reason to kill.
“Just like with the Magic Lord, they’re trying to stir up something with the Demon Race right now. I’ve warned them a few times, but if they keep this up, I really need to take action.”
[Gasp]
[Lily: I’ll kill the Empire]
[Empire Death LOL]
[But yeah, they crossed the line]
[Lily has been really lenient]
[For real LOL]
The Knight and several Rankers, including Neris, flinched at my statement.
To stop the disaster, I had no choice but to enter the Empire, but originally, the Empire was like a mountain of an enemy.
In the past, both the top-ranked 1st and 2nd were on the Empire’s side, and all the users of the kingdom were struggling against the Empire.
Rankers were staggering under the burden of the Empire’s Knight Order, barely able to stand against the Empire’s Sword known as ‘Eight Swords.’
Of course, now the Sword Saint was gone, and Leo had become independent from the Empire, but the Empire’s power was still formidable.
The Knight showed a slightly tense expression.
“…Honestly, confronting the Empire is a dangerous choice. The reason we haven’t touched the Demon side until the deadline is precisely that.”
“Agreed. To be honest, if it weren’t for Lady Lily, we probably wouldn’t have executed this plan.”
The two ahead turned to me as they said this, and the Rankers here were also waiting for my response.
To face the Empire that seems to support the Demons? I absolutely need to be involved.
Sure, the Rankers have become stronger as they gained levels and equipment, but even one upper-tier Eight Swords wouldn’t fall to them.
I smiled and nodded.
“Don’t worry. I have the most stake in the Empire. I was planning to go, whether I said it or not.”
“Of course! It’s Lady Lily.”
“Thank you!”
“Don’t mention it. It’s only natural…”
“Lily! Lily! Lily! Lily!”
“Dae – Lily”
“Of course it’s Lady Lily. I have no choice but to worship her…”
“……”
Why is this happening?
[Hahahahaha]
[Dae Lily]
[Crazy guys]
[Habitual worship]
[Why are all the Rankers so off their rocker?]
[Damn it, it’s Dae Lily again]
[Totally worthy of worship though LOL]
[For real LOL]
“Lily! Lily!”
“Enough now. Let’s get to the meeting.”
“Ah. Right.”
I left the Rankers calling my name behind and entered the meeting room.
Headquarters of the Challenger Alliance. Conference Room.
About twenty people are seated at a long table facing each other, with around thirty more standing behind them. In the front center stands a Knight.
Bang!
As the Knight taps a white board with a yellow feather stick, everyone’s gaze converges in one direction.
“Alright, now that Lady Lily has arrived, let’s begin the 36th Challenger Alliance meeting.”
“Oya~”
“Let’s get started!”
“Could I get Lady Lily’s autograph…?”
“Turn off the local broadcast during the meeting!”
“Pwahaha…”
[LOL]
[It’s even more chaotic inside?]
[Looks like there are more people now]
[Leo, where you at?]
[Seems like a few people are missing]
[So many newcomers?]
“Right?”
I quietly replied to the chat reactions.
There were definitely a lot of unfamiliar faces compared to when we took down the Kraken.
Even seasoned players who know the rankers well, are seeing unfamiliar faces.
It seems that after the Great Cataclysm update, many new jobs and rewards have led to the birth of a lot of ‘Rookies’.
Still, everyone here seems to have the skill to ‘sit’ in this alliance meeting; their confidence is off the charts.
‘Around seven stand out…’
Three familiar faces and about four rookies.
With that many, I bet they could easily get into the top ten before the Great Cataclysm.
“First of all, I want to thank all the Guild Masters and Rankers for joining us… Yes, Lady Lily.”
“Is everyone here the only ones who need to gather? People like Lord Leo and the Angel Guild should be part of the Challenger Alliance, right?”
Although Leo’s relationship with the Challenger Alliance is a bit ambiguous, as a ‘User’, he’s part of the alliance.
The Angel Guild, being ranked number one, is naturally affiliated.
In response to my question, the Knight gave a somewhat troubled expression.
“…Sadly, Lord Leo is not responding. Regardless of his affiliation, we simply can’t reach him. Do you perhaps know anything, Lady Lily?”
“I asked because I haven’t been able to reach him either. Just thought I’d check.”
Leo hasn’t made an appearance since two weeks ago.
He seemed to be doing something ever since he brought out ‘Zeus’ from the Tower of Growth, but I haven’t heard what exactly he’s been up to.
I’m curious, but I feel there must be a reason he hasn’t mentioned it.
It’s the same with Spirit Lord; neither of them seems particularly fond of the Empire, so I don’t expect them to become enemies.
“Then what about the Angel Guild?”
“They’re currently engaged in a ‘World Quest’.”
“A World Quest?”
“Yes. It’s a ‘Guild Exclusive’ group quest, and it seems they’re quite busy… However, they did say they’d help if they found the time.”
“I hear that you seem to be busy in your own way… but you said you’d help if you have time.”
“Oh…”
“[Group Quest ㄷㄷㄷ]”
“[So this means the 2nd and 3rd strongest won’t participate, huh?]”
“[Isn’t the Angel Guild literally coming out as angels?]”
“[I’m feeling uneasy.]”
“[But with Lily here, it doesn’t really matter, haha.]”
“[How about Lord Heavenly Horse?]”
“By the way, Black is unable to attend today due to personal matters but will participate on the day itself. Lord Heavenly Horse is still unreachable and Yena is clearing the ‘Altar’…”
“Hey! How long do you plan to keep talking?”
A sharp voice rang out in the meeting room.
The man surrounded by red spirits glared at the Knight with an annoyed expression.
“We should just move on without those who aren’t here. Why keep bringing it up?”
“Haha… Lily is curious, so I have to answer, right?”
“No. Since the great Lily is here, half of the plan is already a success, isn’t it? Bringing up more just makes it longer.”
“That’s right. Honestly, with this level of power, it’s enough.”
“Exactly. How long are we going to keep catering to those who aren’t coming? They’re all just old professions anyway…”
“Watch your words. Jackal.”
“Eek! I’m really sorry~”
“…Phew.”
The meeting room buzzed.
Clearly, since many rookies had emerged, the atmosphere was different from before.
Especially, the newly formed ‘Rookie’ faction was subtly keeping the established old guard in check.
The top-ranking members of the alliance, like the Knight and Neris, frowned upon this, but since slaying the raid was the priority, they didn’t mention it separately.
“[This is a chaotic family, haha.]”
“[This won’t do.]”
“[Lily, let’s restore some order.]”
“[But with someone like Lily, isn’t she more of a Rookie?]”
“[The old guards are annoying, always trying to grab power.]”
“[For real, haha.]”
“[Oh dear.]”
“[Guild Cup is prohibited.]”
Bang!
The ruckus in the meeting room settled down once more due to the Knight’s stick-like authority.
Still, being the Alliance Leader, he had the authority to expel anyone who caused ‘discord’ within the alliance.
“Let’s talk about that later and I’ll explain the plan first. Anyone who speaks without permission from now on will be removed.”
“Yes~”
“Got it.”
“Phwoah….”
“Now. First, let’s talk about our approach to the Empire…”
‘Hmm… why do I feel so uneasy?’
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