Chapter 97: Invasion (1)

Kim Hyunwoo stared at the missile in front of him with a blank expression.

Obviously, it looked much cruder than any missile he knew, but there was no doubt that it was indeed a missile.

"...This... is a missile?"

When Kim Hyunwoo asked with a face full of questions, River, with a very confident expression, replied,

"Yes! It's that thing you talked about. A missile that takes a conical shape, soars into the sky, and explodes precisely where it's aimed!"

Kim Hyunwoo thought back to their past conversations as River spoke, clearly delighted by his astonished expression.

'I did mention it, though.'

Certainly, Kim Hyunwoo had always shared many stories with River.

That was because, from Kim Hyunwoo's perspective, he had hoped she would improve her blacksmithing skills, but River had delved into her talent as an inventor instead of improving her blacksmith skills.

Thus, whenever Kim Hyunwoo met River, he would often discuss modern-world items, intending to quickly satisfy her curiosity.

...Ultimately, Kim Hyunwoo's detailed explanations of the modern world led River to become even more obsessed with inventing, which, at the time, seemed like the worst outcome for him.

At least now, seeing the missile in front of him, Kim Hyunwoo thought that maybe telling River about modern technology back then was truly a good decision.

"This, does it really work?"

"Of course it does. The issue is that it only operates."

"...? What do you mean it only operates?"

At Kim Hyunwoo's question, River made a slightly troubled expression and explained,

"I mean it literally; I've successfully made the missile based on what you told me ten years ago. Back then, you explained it in such detail as if you wanted me to create it."

Kim Hyunwoo nodded, remembering how eagerly he had explained it to River, hoping to foster her growth as a blacksmith, even going as far as using Wikipedia to detail each part.

"I can say with confidence that I've made the missile just as you described, including the guidance system with the help of magic, and even the propulsion mechanism."

"...So, you've essentially made it all?"

"I thought so too, but the problem is the fuel."

"Fuel?"

"Yes. To be precise, that's the issue."

River made a gesture resembling money with her thumb and forefinger.

"Trying it out, it seems absolutely impossible to launch the missile with conventional fuel. Even if it were possible, it would cost a tremendous amount of resources."

"...So, you mean you can't launch it because you can't find the right fuel?"

"Right. While I can make the warhead by grinding Magic Stones and money, as you mentioned, launching it precisely requires a refined source of energy."

"Magic Stones won't work?"

"Magic Stones are impossible. They're too dangerous in many ways. If it were to explode upon activation, it would be just like self-destruction, so I didn't even consider testing with them."

"I see."

"That's why I called you as soon as the Blacksmith Guild was completed. I thought you might have a way to solve this if anyone did."

Looking at River, who was gazing at him with sparkling eyes, Kim Hyunwoo hummed thoughtfully.

"A way..."

In truth, Kim Hyunwoo didn't really know what would work as missile propulsion fuel.

The only reason Kim Hyunwoo could satisfy River's inventive desires ten years ago was purely because he could use Wikipedia.

However,

"So, you're saying that it would be possible if there was a consistently powerful propulsion system?"

"Yes, it needs to have a certain level of output, but yes. Although, even considering that we can make it, there's still the issue with the warhead."

"There's no warhead?"

"No? We can make the warhead. It's just that it would cost a tremendous amount of resources. As mentioned, the material is Magic Stones."

"Well, then that's not too much of a problem."

Kim Hyunwoo smiled.

At least at this moment, Kim Hyunwoo had thought of a way to solve all the issues River mentioned.

Therefore,

"Listen... How about we try this?"

"So, there is a way...?!"

"There is, so-"

Kim Hyunwoo began to tell River something.

While Kim Hyunwoo was having this conversation with Reneide River,

"That was easy."

Duke Landaron, sitting in the Lord's castle of the Norba Kingdom, gazed at the landscape of the territory beyond the terrace and smiled.

Of course, the Norba Kingdom Duke Landaron was looking at was no longer as vibrant and prosperous as before.

The territory of the Norba Kingdom he was observing still bore the marks of battle, with destruction everywhere.

Even buildings like barracks that housed many soldiers were completely ruined.

From the Lord's castle, the sight of the territory's residents was one of universal fear, with screams occasionally heard from somewhere.

However, the fear of those territory residents was of no significant concern to Duke Landaron.

What mattered to him was that he had single-handedly conquered the Norba Kingdom.

To Duke Landaron, the territory's residents were nothing more than tools that would naturally arise over time.

"Sigh-"

So, Duke Landaron, who was smiling,

"It's a success."

Turning around at the sound of Kelva's voice coming from behind, he spoke,

"Yes, it was a success. There was no reason for failure to begin with, not with my soldiers and the demons' powers combined."

Kelva, looking at Duke Landaron who was wearing a deep smile, subtly averted his gaze.

After all, a faint purple magical aura was leaking from the soldiers guarding him.

"It seems the prepared items were put to good use."

"Everything given must be used."

Seeing Duke Landaron sit down with an air of ownership, now fully relaxed, Kelva asked,

"So, what's the situation with the other territories?"

Obviously, consuming the territories of the Norba Kingdom didn't mean everything was over.

In fact, since Duke Landaron had rebelled and taken his place, he could potentially be branded a public enemy by all territories affiliated with the Norba Kingdom.

Yet, even in such a precarious situation, he continued to speak with an air of ease,

"I've already won over ten lords, including those around here, a long time ago. That's like having 30% support from all 32 territories."

"It seems there are many left, though?"

"Except for two, the rest are insignificant. They will probably comply quietly."

"And if they don't surrender?"

"Wouldn't that be good for you? 'Since you need a lot'."

At Duke Landaron's words, Kelva hummed thoughtfully before asking,

"Then, where are the remaining two places?"

"Tesnoka and Tolan. To be precise, it's only Tolan that matters. The lady of Tesnoka is just a pretty face, that's all."

"And Tolan?"

"There's a Sword God there."

"A Sword God, as in, that Great Hero?"

"Yes. That might make things a bit troublesome."

"Hmm..."

Kelva pondered for a moment at that.

However,

"...Let's handle the Sword God on our side."

"The Sword God?"

A questioning look crossed Duke Landaron's face momentarily following those words.

"Yes, it seems that the sacrifices are already prepared. Instead, you'll immediately raise soldiers and head to Lartania territory."

Duke Landaron - no, now the king, made a strange face at the familiar name mentioned by Kelva without realizing it.

"...Lartania? Why there all of a sudden?"

Landaron also had no fondness for Lartania, but he couldn't understand why they would attack it under the current circumstances, so he asked.

"We plan to clean up the foreign one before the Legion Commander arrives."

"...Foreign one?"

"You don't need to know that. You haven't forgotten our contract, have you?"

Landaron nodded at the following words.

"Let's do that. Then, we'll immediately send soldiers to Lartania. The power of two legions should suffice."

Kelva spoke as he remembered her, the First Legion Commander, thinking of her with a quizzical glance.

"...We'll take care of the Sword God and then head for Lartania."