Chapter 89 – LV.Fourteen Orc Vampire Oh Haengbok – [Two]

“Thank you, really.”

“In case of emergency, I will return immediately. Do you agree to let me take you and Kim Rayeon with me then?”

“No, just take Kim Rayeon and escape.”

At Seo Yun’s words, the Troll stared intently at her before replying.

“Understood.”

The continuous ‘thud’ sounds continued. More Paladins were landing.

“So, what’s your Level?”

“25.”

Seo Yun groaned at the number the Troll gave. As expected, ridiculously high.

Meanwhile, Oh Haengun was briefing the village Players.

“I saw in the Rulebook, that ship looks monstrously huge, but its passenger capacity is only two hundred. Among them, the combat force is only seventy.”

“So you’re saying we might not be completely unable to fight?”

“Perhaps.”

“But those seventy include an Epic Level Commander-in-Chief and a Level 16 Vice Commander, right? And right now, we don’t even have our Chief…”

The deafening roar, like artillery shells falling, had stopped. However, the ‘thud, thud’ sounds did not cease.

The landed Paladins began approaching.

Village Players also gathered to face them. Seo Yun, gripping her Flaming Sword, scrutinized the Paladins approaching.

Where’s the Mage among them? If there was a Mage, they’d probably be terrified seeing this Troll’s Level…

Unfortunately, they were all wearing Armor. It seemed there was no Mage. The Rulebook clearly stated that the Crusaders’ Paladin units were accompanied by Mages, but who knows why they weren’t doing so now.

On the other hand, the Troll showed no intention of using any High-Level Magic to demonstrate the presence of such powerful forces here. It had agreed to stay with them as requested, but that was it.

‘This bastard, really just standing there doing nothing.’

Swear words sprang to mind, but she couldn’t demand more. Weren’t dozens of lives already saved thanks to that Troll? That Troll had no obligation to do anything more.

Soon, the two forces faced off.

The number of Paladins was about forty, all clad in thick Armor. So each looked terrifyingly strong, but the over eighty Happy Village Players still had numerical superiority. Moreover, thanks to the Magic Equipment recently bought from the Troll, everyone was decently equipped, though not as well as the Paladins’ Armor.

Perhaps a fight could be somewhat viable. Although the Epic Level Paladin was a problem…

Seo Yun cast a Buff on a nearby Warrior Player and looked at Oh Haengun’s face.

Oh Haengun’s expression towards the Paladins was completely hardened. His lips twitched, and only after a long while did they part.

“We request dialogue. We have no intention to fight.”

Hearing that English, Seo Yun wondered if she had misheard. That guy Oh Haengun, didn’t he just earlier argue that we could fight and that we should?

When they requested dialogue, one person stepped forward from the Paladin side. Judging by the thickest Armor, it seemed to be someone like the Vice Commander.

According to the Rulebook, the Level 16 monster, Sir Marshall, asked.

“Vice Commander Marshall. You say you have no intention to fight, yet you commit abduction?”

“We did detain one of your Paladins, but all of that stemmed from a misunderstanding.”

Sir Marshall’s expression, hearing that, was naturally unreadable behind his Helm. He spoke in a voice that sounded beyond blunt, almost arrogant.

“I don’t understand what misunderstanding you’re referring to. First, bring that knight detained here. Detailed discussion comes after.”

Oh Haengun complied with the demand. He instructed a Player standing beside him.

“Where’s that William guy? Bring him!”

Seo Yun watched the flow of the situation, bewildered.

‘He was furious earlier, saying if we surrender, are we just going to hand over the Chief? But when it actually came to a fight, did he get scared? Or else…’

A moment later, William, who had followed Seo Yun, returned to his comrades with arms spread wide. Fitting for Level 10, William seemed to hold a high position, as his Paladin comrades greeted him respectfully.

“Master William!”

Soon, the Paladins began conversing among themselves. They seemed to be discussing whether he was hurt, what they had done to him.

During this, Oh Haengun quietly asked their side.

“You treated him well during that time, right?”

Seo Yun nodded.

“Yes, but…”

“Then that’s fortunate…”

Indeed, the effort to treat William well had paid off. Sir Marshall, having confirmed his captured comrade was unharmed, addressed them in a somewhat softened tone.

“A misunderstanding?”

“Yes, there are no Vampires or such in our village.”

“Sir William says otherwise. He even claims to have seen one himself.”

“He saw wrong.”

From Seo Yun’s perspective, it seemed they were resorting to stubborn denial. After some back-and-forth, Sir Marshall asked.

“May we search your village?”

“If you guarantee peace.”

Sir Marshall flatly refused Oh Haengun’s demand.

“Any promise will only be made after assessing the entire situation.”

When Oh Haengun fell silent, the Paladins seemed to take it as a kind of surrender signal.

While most Paladins remained here, several Paladins dispersed into the village. They seemed intent on conducting the so-called ‘village search.’

Seo Yun quietly asked Oh Haengun.

“You’re going to let them ransack this village?”

Oh Haengun answered after a considerable pause.

“We have to.”

“What if they capture and torture villagers to find the Vampire?”

Oh Haengun shook his head.

“No, think about it. They use English, how many people in our village can converse in English fluently? Not many. With the language barrier, there’s no way they can conduct interrogations or anything.”

“So you mean they can’t get any information from the villagers?”

“Right. In the end, they’ll just search directly, and if nothing turns up, it’s over. The Chief is in the underground parking lot… and I hid the entrance, so they won’t find it.”

“You hid the entrance?”

“I’m a Rock Specialization Mage, right? Earlier, I used Concrete Manipulation to cover the parking lot entrance. So now, those guys can’t find our Chief.”

Seo Yun nodded at his words. Right, he has his own plan, I see.

However, she didn’t feel like admiring it as a good idea. Not at all.”They won’t just leave even if they don’t find him, thinking ‘Oh, we must have been mistaken.’ William obviously knows there’s an orc vampire here. What if they start using force, demanding we hand over the vampire immediately?”

Seo Yun’s question was answered by Oh Haengun.

“Then we’ll have to fight.”

But there was no strength in that declaration, which should have been fierce. Perhaps Oh Haengun had already given up on resisting.

The troll listening nearby seemed to sense it too.

“Seems like there’s no mood for a fight. I’ll be on my way now.”

Before Seo Yun could even say “Wait,” the troll vanished. Clearly, it had fled to avoid being asked to fight.

Seo Yun bit her lip and looked at the paladins. The paladins, who had scattered into the village, were now returning, carrying something in their arms.

What’s that? she wondered. Evidence that there’s a vampire in this village? No, that can’t be…

They were potato crates. Each paladin brought three crates of potatoes and stacked them in one spot.

Soon, the paladins disappeared into the village again, only to return with more potato crates to stack here.

Seo Yun was dumbfounded as she thought. They said they’d search the village for the vampire, but instead of doing that, what are they doing now?

She quickly realized. Weren’t there people in Korea who did the exact same thing?

‘Requisitioning? The military units did that often…’

Seo Yun realized the paladins were now engrossed in looting, using the excuse of searching for vampires to gather supplies from the village.

At first glance, it was hard to believe. The pillar of light that struck the village was almost like divine judgment, and their declaration from the ship was so devout it bordered on fanaticism. And now, having descended to the Mortal Realm, all they’re doing is extorting supplies?

‘Is that grand Crusaders just the fantasy version of the Dawn Corps?’

William approached from this direction.

“My disciple, are you unharmed…”

Before William could finish, Seo Yun asked first.

“Are your comrades currently trying to loot our village’s supplies?”

The expected term came back.

“It’s requisitioning.”

“That’s the same thing.”

William frowned.

“It may sound like an excuse, but the Crusaders are not affluent. We need to replenish the supplies consumed while flying here.”

So, they were indeed looting now. Damn it.

Only after pondering the Rulebook’s setting further did she barely understand their actions. According to the setting, the Crusaders operate across the entire Old Continent, the main stage of the Immortal Kingdom, but they don’t truly rule the entire Old Continent. Currently, it’s the vampire lords who rule the Old Continent and govern its inhabitants. Like independence activists during the Japanese colonial period, the Crusaders merely procure food, personnel, and such to secretly descend into villages and operate while evading their notice.

Given that they’re in such a hiding situation, it wasn’t hard to guess that they’d be dazzled by Happy Village’s abundant supplies. Whether they’re the eternal adversaries of the Kingdom of Immortals or whatever, they’re in dire straits just trying to survive.

Even William, who seemed imposing when first met, turned out to be a scrawny, pitiful sight once his armor was removed. For all the grandeur of the Sun Ship, the Crusaders are probably in a similar state…

The fact that the paladins’ ‘search’ lasted over three hours, with only potato crates being diligently moved, proved that speculation.

When Seo Yun stared intently at William, he finally flushed.

“The requisitioning is excessive. I’ll go and have a word.”

Just then, Oh Haengun approached. He spoke to William in an urgent voice.

“Hey, William. I may have treated you harshly, but these people haven’t, right? As far as I know, you’ve been living quite well lately, haven’t you?”

William looked at Oh Haengun and nodded.

“I can’t deny that. So?”

“I won’t say anything about them taking those supplies, so please, just tell your comrades to watch their mouths.”

“Watch their mouths?”

“For example, don’t say things like I sought advice on how to restore a vampire to sanity, okay? Anyway, your comrades came to rescue you, not because they’re particularly interested in rooting out vampires…”

William didn’t deny that. And perhaps feeling ashamed of his comrades’ actions now? He let out a deep sigh and answered in a weary voice.

“I’ll do that. Tell the villagers not to resist. So they don’t get hurt.”

The paladins’ search continued, and the potato crates they gathered kept piling up here. Seeing the quantity, Seo Yun was horrified.

At a glance, it seemed they’d taken everything from the warehouse. Since this village isn’t within their sphere of influence, are they planning to take everything without any consideration?

And after gathering all the village’s food, the paladins soon coveted the village’s people.

Sir Marshall approached. He commanded Oh Haengun.

“Now, gather the village’s boys here.”

Oh Haengun’s eyes widened.

“Why the boys?”

“We’ll take them to the ship for interrogation. Grown-ups are cunning and will fabricate what they know, but children won’t be able to do that.”

Having just witnessed the ‘requisitioning,’ that statement could also be interpreted differently. Seo Yun shot at William.

“Under the pretext of interrogation, you’re planning to conscript them. Right? If they’re taken now, they won’t return.”

The lack of an answer suggested she was correct.

Seo Yun glared at William, then looked at Oh Haengun again. Naturally, Oh Haengun tried to refuse the demand.

“No, absolutely not!”

And Sir Marshall didn’t expect Oh Haengun’s permission anyway. At his signal, the paladins moved.

“Stop!”

Oh Haengun shouted, but the paladins ignored him and kept moving.

“I said stop!”

Oh Haengun shouted that and chanted some spell.

Gargoyles flew in from the direction of the fortress wall gate. The K-2 rifles in their hands aimed at Sir Marshall, but just like Oh Haengbok’s armor, Sir Marshall’s armor was thick enough to deflect rifle bullets. An empty threat; the paladins merely looked at the gun barrels with disdain.

Unable to bear it, Seo Yun urged.

“Are you going to fight, or not?”

Oh Haengun evaded the question.

“I…”

“What, you?”

Oh Haengun didn’t answer that question. As if asking why torment him when he’s already suffering, he glared this way but ultimately averted his gaze.And Seo Yun understood why that mage was acting so frustratingly in such a dire situation.

‘After all that tough talk earlier about fighting and whatnot, when it actually comes down to a real fight, it seems he’s scared to make that decision himself.’

A delay to escape a troublesome situation. That mage has always been like that, since the old days. That’s why he’s not leadership material.

Moreover, isn’t Oh Haengun the very one who forced the situation by kidnapping the Paladin, bringing the Crusaders here? Given that this entire situation was caused by his own mistake, it must be difficult for him to strongly demand that everyone risk their lives and fight.

In the end, the K-2s held by the gargoyles only fired a few warning shots into the air and did not shoot the Paladin.

It was a threat worse than not making one at all. In the end, whether the gargoyles aimed their guns or not, the Paladins moved as they pleased.

A group of Paladins seized a boy.

“Let go…”

It was Park Taeyang. Did they recognize him as a Sun Priest?

Park Taeyang resisted, not wanting to be dragged away. When a Paladin struck his stomach with an iron gauntlet, he screamed.

“Stop!”

A Warrior Player stepped forward, and Paladins blocked his path.

And still, Oh Haengun could not make a decision. Oh Haengun looked at the trembling Park Taeyang, then averted his gaze. Seeing that avoidance, Seo Yun was horrified.

Is he going to abandon him? Really?

Perhaps Oh Haengun thinks he’s making a cool-headed judgment right now. Isn’t survival the top priority in this era? Rather than stopping the village boys from being taken to protect the village’s pride, he might have decided to prioritize the village’s survival, even if he gets criticized for it later.

But in Seo Yun’s view, that judgment is wrong. Right now, they are threatening not only the village’s pride but also its survival. The situation where they’ve taken all the provisions and are now trying to take the precious Sun Priest can only be interpreted that way.

It’s a situation that must be stopped, even if some people die.

However, it seems Oh Haengun’s mind is now filled only with the thought that he cannot take responsibility for the deaths of the village Players. As the current decision-maker for the village, he cannot be trusted or relied upon.

Then who should make the decision?

Because Oh Haengbok was such a dictator-like figure, that power was not distributed, so there is no one in the village who could be considered a third-in-command. Originally, the Level 10 Priest Lady played a similar role, but she retired after dementia set in…

So Seo Yun stepped forward instead. She recited a Mind Control Spell, imbuing her voice with power, and said:

“Stop. Release that boy.”

The Paladins all turned to look this way.

Bearing all those gazes upon her, Seo Yun continued.

“You said you wanted to interrogate someone? If you have questions, ask me. Not these weak boys here.”

She deliberately spoke in a theatrical manner, fitting for a medieval fantasy NPC.

Sir Marshall asked.

“And what are you?”

And Seo Yun answered.

“I am the leader here.”

She knew it would be ridiculous for a little girl to make such a claim. So she would need an easily recognizable authority. What kind?

Seo Yun activated her halo, which had recently become something of a panacea. Feeling the gazes of the Paladins pour onto the light behind her and the Ring of Fire, she declared:

“The Angel of the Hearth demands an end to all this mischief! As the leader of this village, I demand your withdrawal!”

Now, not only the Paladins but also the Happy Village Players were looking this way. Amidst this, Seo Yun kept thinking.

She must avoid a full-scale war that results in one side being annihilated, but she must still make the threat that it could happen. She must act as if she will fight. If things go wrong, even if it’s not an all-out battle to annihilation, she must attempt some resistance where some forces clash.

Thus, the responsibility for the death that would follow must be borne by herself. Seo Yun was prepared for that.