Chapter 431: Stage Lock 1


    The group readily accepted the idea of heading north together.


    The main quest had hit a wall because they''d blocked the entrance like a Terran[1] building bunkers, scrambling to prepare defenses against our rapid advance. And when gamers hit a main quest lockout, they naturally turn to side quests.


    Han Se-ah and her viewers were gleefully excited about the prospect of traveling to the northern Empire with the Ice Cross Knights to enhance Katie.


    The others tended to follow without question when the party leader, Goddess-chosen hero, and genius mage Han Se-ah suggested something. Plus, since I''d brought up going to the Empire as a way to overcome my past trauma, everyone nodded in agreement despite their concerned looks.


    As for the Ice Cross Knights...


    "Hahaha! The Sibedev domain will absolutely welcome the heroes!"


    "Why don''t we go through Friedrich domain? Since Margrave Sibedev''s territory is on the frontline, the Magic Tower in Friedrich would be perfect. I can even make gate reservations to the Empire under my name."


    "Man, must be rough for those without Magic Towers in their domain!"


    When the hero party casually mentioned wanting to experience monster waves, they enthusiastically welcomed the idea with open arms. The northern Empire trip was unanimously approved without a single dissenting vote.


    I could worry about getting all the Ice Cross Knights to floor 60 later. No matter how hard I wracked my brain now, the perfect solution wouldn''t just pop out like I was some intelligence 99 character.


    The only option was to somehow build camaraderie between the Ice Cross Knights while completing Katie''s character quest so they''d fight together through floor 60. The quest would be cleared even if they returned home to protect their domains after floor 61.


    "Our domain is famous for apples! One glass of kompot made from them makes the cold winter wind feel like nothing!"


    "It''s just apples preserved in honey! It''s not the apples that taste good, it''s the honey and sugar!"


    "Women love sweet things, you bear-brained idiot!"


    Watching them, bonding clearly wouldn''t be an issue.


    Somehow they were all like Olek, or maybe growing up together had infected them with his personality - all 20 Ice Cross Knights were chattering away boisterously.


    Alisa, the sole woman, cleverly used her "fellow woman" position to get on casual speaking terms with our party members. The other 20 knights forgot gender differences entirely, acting like neighborhood uncles bragging about their hometown to a favorite celebrity.


    Not like obsessive fans sending creepy love to idols, but like uncles trying to feed a skinny singer who came to perform at a local festival.


    I looked up kompot and found it''s a traditional Russian drink made by preserving fruits like apples or cherries in honey and sugar. A tea made with fruit preserves would definitely be sweet. They were busy bragging about their domains'' sweet desserts like apple pies and molasses cookies.


    Though they were enthusiastically clamoring, there was no creepy undertone, so even the sensitive Grace just laughed awkwardly and exchanged glances with Han Se-ah. It was hard to push them away when they were full of good intentions, not trying to hit on beautiful women but genuinely excited about heroes visiting their remote domains and giving the residents something to be proud of.


    It''s easy to reject those approaching with ill intent, but harder to turn away those sincerely wanting to show hospitality. They weren''t asking for anything - just wanted us to travel through their domains and let them treat us to local specialties.


    "Say, doesn''t Sibedev domain have a Magic Tower? I''d like to go directly there if possible."


    "Vice-captain''s tyranny! That cuts our domain out of the route!"


    "Do the paperwork yourself if you''re jealous!"


    Maybe it was because they were all similar ages who''d trained together for over a decade since childhood, but their closeness made it hard to tell if this was a knight order or a class reunion. While Olek and Alisa were branded as childhood sweetheart types, really all 21 knights were basically childhood friends.


    Anyway, Alisa confidently smiled after silencing the jeers with one shout. Though with a build slightly smaller than Katie''s, her appearance inspired more admiration than intimidation.


    "Oh? So we can''t go straight to Sibedev domain?"


    "It''s because of when the Magic Towers were built. Our domain''s tower was built behind Sibedev domain before it was properly developed. The Magic Tower built there to research monster waves, then people gathered and our domain formed."


    "Then Sibedev domain came after?"


    "More like it expanded. Our domain stayed focused on supplies, while the previous Margrave Sibedev came to support us and expanded the territory by pushing back monster waves, becoming Margrave."


    Though Han Se-ah''s mind was full of "hurry up" thoughts wanting to clear the quest, she nodded resignedly at Alisa''s logical explanation.


    A Magic Tower wasn''t some toy building that could be instantly mass-produced like in a game when territory expanded. Actually, thinking logically, it was strange to have a Magic Tower right behind a Margrave''s domain where monster waves hit.


    Who would believe it if Samsung built a semiconductor lab in the Korean DMZ?


    "So we teleport to Friedrich''s Magic Tower first, then move to Sibedev domain from there?"


    "That''s the fastest way."


    The knights who''d been jeering quickly fell silent, apparently not having been serious. Watching Han Se-ah chat while surrounded by Grace and Katie made them look like middle schoolers getting shaken down by high school and college students.


    From floor 56 to 50, then out of the tower through the gate to the Magic Tower. Moving as a group naturally drew people''s attention as they chatted.


    "Hanna, we should report to the guild first. We can handle the Magic Tower when moving through gates or leave it to the guild."


    "Report? Ah right, we should let them know the gate from floor 56 to 57 is blocked."


    "Whatever they''re trying to accomplish by blocking the gate, at least people won''t be kidnapped anymore."


    So I just said it outright.


    In the street with hundreds of listening ears, I announced that the Demon King''s army had blocked the door to floor 57 and gone into hiding. The hero party saying it openly would help stop anxiety-inducing false rumors.


    ---


    [1. raei: starcraft]