That evening, after we had vanquished the boss monster, cleared out the remaining mobs, and successfully completed the defense mission, a victory feast was held.
Under the sweltering summer night sky, the central plaza of the town filled with piles of food, and chilled goblets of alcohol were passed around.
Somehow, the scene felt nostalgic, immersing me in a sense of sentimentality.
My speech for the night was simple.
"Let's keep this up!"
At my words, the soldiers cheered and raised their cups. I gave them a broad smile, encouraged them to enjoy the party, and stepped down from the podium.
Tonight, I saw many soldiers nursing injuries. It was due to the unexpected close combat with the boss monster.
Soldiers had been bruised blocking tentacles with their shields and had suffered burns from the acid.
My body was also bandaged from head to toe due to immersion in the acid.
'Fortunately, there were few with serious injuries, but the number of minor injuries was unusually high.'
Both Lucas and Evangeline had to rest in the temple tonight, unable to attend the feast due to their various bruises and burns.
'They both gave me an earful...'
Apparently, they had rushed at the Slime Emperor to save me when they saw that I was swallowed without giving them a proper explanation.
Once in digestion mode, the Slime Emperor barely flinched, but they relentlessly attacked its body as it began to harden like a rock.
'In reality, I had a safety net in place.'
In the game, the stomach of the slime was considered a mini-dungeon.
Characters captured had the option to escape on their own, and conversely, one could also use physical attacks to rescue them from this dungeon-like space.
In other words, I could have used an "Emergency Teleport Scroll" from within.
I'd acquired several of these scrolls but had never used one.
Using this scroll would ensure a safe escape, but it posed the problem of losing out on reward items.
Worst-case scenario, it could even reduce the loot from the boss kill.
So, my plan was to evaluate the situation until the very last moment and use the teleport scroll to escape only if absolutely necessary. That was my insurance.
But before I had the chance to use my scroll, Kuilan's punch hit the jackpot, allowing us to escape safely.
I had told Lucas and Evangeline about the safety measures I had taken, but they didn't stop nagging me.
'You really don't take care of yourself.'
A recent conversation with Evangeline flickered through my mind.
'I've always felt this, but you lack the instinct for self-preservation that most humans have. A frontline commander fighting at the vanguard is an extremely special circumstance, you know?'
'Well, the conditions on the front are harsh. There's no avoiding that, right?'
'But you seem too willing to throw yourself into the fray, as if...'
As she chose her words, Evangeline looked at me carefully with her green eyes.
'As if your life doesn't matter to you.'
'...'
Her words caught me off guard, stealing my breath for a moment.
However, I soon smiled and patted Evangeline's hair.
'I'll be more careful from now on.'
'Really?'
'I promise, I promise. I'll take better care of myself from now on.'
'You should promise not just to me but to Mr. Lucas over there, too!'
From the bed next to Evangeline, Lucas was slumped in his hospital gown, wearing a gloomy expression. He'd clearly been worried sick during the almost ten minutes I'd been swallowed by a Slime.
Watching me, he looked as crestfallen as a Golden Retriever hurt by its owner's cruel prank.
Eventually, I made promises to both knights, crossing pinky fingers. I'd be more careful in the future.
Only then was I able to free myself and reach the central plaza here.
'But what choice do I have? The difficulty is set to Hell, and I'm the only one with the experience to clear it.'
Internally, I rationalized my reckless actions.
'Whether it's exploring dungeons or commanding the defense... I have to be the one to act for maximum efficiency, and that efficiency is the only way to clear the path ahead.'
So, to some extent, I have no choice but to take risks in the future.
Even though these actions come with obvious risks,
"Ah, the Imperial Prince is here!"
"He's here, our savior!"
"Lord of our lives!"
"Loyalty! Loyalty!"
...they also have some unexpected benefits.
The Penal Squad, who had been nestled in a corner of the plaza nibbling on food and drink, immediately stood and offered me a clumsy salute as I approached.
I chuckled and waved them off.
"Just relax, guys. No need to put on airs."
They took their seats again, looking a bit awkward. These misfits.
My direct intervention to rescue Kuilan and his party... must have struck them deeply in many ways.
"We've deeply reflected on our actions, Your Highness," one of Kuilan's party members said, bowing deeply.
"We were just pretending to fight, thinking we'd slack off... but Your Highness risked your life for us..."
"I only rescued you guys because I didn't want Kuilan's equipment to get destroyed. Don't get all emotional on me."
I responded coldly, but they looked even happier.
"Heh, acting indifferent because you're shy!"
"I think I'll fall for you all over again!"
"Your Highness, we can betray our captain and follow you now! Accept our loyalty!"
"Don't make me laugh, you treacherous fools."
I responded by lifting my cup.
"Fine, let's drink!"
We all downed a shot.
As the Imperial Prince, as the commander of the empire's front lines, as a human from another nation—me risking my life to save them...
I couldn't precisely gauge the impact of this action on them, but...
"..."
For a moment, I saw glimpses of the sub-party members I had lost over time in these naive and foolish faces before me.
None of the sub-parties under my command had survived intact. They had been injured, died, or were annihilated.
No matter what process you went through, you are now part of my sub-party.
'So don't get injured easily, don't die, and don't get wiped out.'
With a gruff sound, I wiped the corners of my mouth and resumed speaking in a stern tone.
"Going forward, it would be good if you diligently followed my orders. I'll overlook the mistakes you've made this time since you're newcomers, but there will be no leniency next time."
As I stood there, I stared at them in the eyes.
"If you risk your lives for this front line, the front line will risk its life for you too. Remember that."
In other words, this front line has already risked its life for you, so now it's your turn to do the same.
We've already shown our sincerity.
Let's see how these bandits fare in the next defense battle; I'm willing to give them another chance.
"Can we call you 'Boss' from now on?"
"No, you already have your own boss."
"In that case, we'll call you 'Boss' Boss'... 'Grand Boss' it is!"
"Whoa! Grand Boss!"
"You're pulling me into your bandit gang too... Fine."
I looked up, searching for Kuilan, who had been out of sight.
"Where is your 'boss'?"
***
Kuilan was sitting alone on a desolate hill next to the square, drinking like a vagabond.
"You're striking a pose here because you think you did well today?"
As I approached with a jeer, Kuilan chuckled.
"I was waiting for you, Your Highness."
"For me? Why?"
"We haven't had a proper greeting."
Kuilan stood up, clenched his fists in front of his chest to salute, and then slowly bowed his waist.
"Thank you for sparing my life."
I stared at Kuilan silently. Lifting his head, he gave an awkward smile.
"You spared not just me but also my men. You could've executed us long ago, but you gave us another chance and even rescued us yourself. To be honest, I don't know how I could ever repay this debt."
"..."
"Although I may be a bandit who steals in broad daylight, I'm not so shameless as to forget a life-debt."
Still in his salute position, Kuilan spoke earnestly.
"I will repay you in my own way. Whenever that may be, wherever that may be."
I chuckled.
"Then, from now on, just serve diligently on this front line."
"You're consistent in your desires, aren't you?"
Kuilan slowly stepped closer, his towering figure eclipsing my vision.
"... Prince Ash. You said that the creed of this front line is to kill monsters and save people. And that even we prisoners, and those of other races like me, are people you intend to protect."
"Yes."
"Then, by cooperating to protect this front line, am I also contributing to that creed and, in turn, protecting my own race?"
"Yes."
I nodded my head.
"Let me make this clear, Kuilan. This front line isn't the empire's border."
At least, not for the next three years.
"It's a line that protects all people from monsters. If I had to name it, I'd say it's the last line of defense for the world itself."
Kuilan slowly echoed my words inside his mouth.
"The last line of defense for the world..."
"I will protect everyone north of these walls. That includes your brother and the refugees you've been staying with."
"..."
"You said you needed money, Kuilan. Can you tell me why?"
"My homeland."
Kuilan surprisingly answered immediately and without hesitation.
"I plan to buy back the land of my childhood that was taken from me."
A distant longing flashed across his eyes. I nodded.
"Protecting this front line is also a way to protect that homeland."
I chuckled and shrugged.
"You'll gather the money you need soon enough."
"..."
Kuilan cracked a small smile.
"I generally dislike idealists, but I don't mind an idealist who acts like you."
Kuilan gave another hug and bowed slightly.
"I promise. I won't disappoint you in the next defensive battle."
"Looking forward to it, King of the Bandits."
I patted Kuilan's broad shoulders once and gestured toward the area where his subordinates were gathered.
"Let's go. Your men have been waiting for you, necks craned."
I couldn't be certain these ragtag bandits would ever become useful soldiers. However, if these different races, these empire-haters, could find even a sliver of harmony on this front line, then today had its own worth.
I decided it had been a rather fortunate day.
***
[STAGE 8 - CLEAR!]
[STAGE MVP - Jupiter Junior(SSR)]
[Character Level-Up]
- Jupiter Junior(SSR) Lv.55 (↑1)
- Kuilan(SR) Lv.42 (↑2)
- Lilly(R) Lv.29 (↑3)
[Casualties and Injuries]
- Ash(EX): Minor Injuries
- Lucas(SSR): Minor Injuries
- Evangeline(SSR): Minor Injuries
- Kuilan(SR): Minor Injuries
[Items Acquired]
- Slime Legion Magic Stones: 209
- Slime Emperor Mana Core(SR): 1
[Stage Clear Rewards have been distributed. Please check your inventory.]
- SR-grade Reward Box: 1
- Slime Room Key: 1
>> Get Ready For The Next STAGE
>> [STAGE 9: The Arrow that Left the Riot]