Preparation, Monster Wave! (2)

Some people say ridiculous things—especially those who wear white robes day and night.

Desecration of a corpse? Really. My goodness. Where do such stupid ideas even come from?

So the living should die out of courtesy to the dead? That’s madness. Raise the dead to stop monsters—efficient, indeed, if you’re insane.

―From the diary of the legendary necromancer, Fragrance of Death.

The reception room felt convivial.

It wasn’t late; the sun still hung in the sky, and the open doors let the garden breeze in, carrying a pleasant floral scent and even a hint of concentrated divine power that kept everyone refreshed.

Maybe because of that, what Fabrice Legrand said next was unexpected.

“Hold the northern wall; the Rebound Legion will handle it.”

“……?”

It couldn’t be helped—though he called it the northern wall, its length was immense.

By Korean standards, the northern residential district was the size of a sizable borough, and the northern wall encircled the entire area.

And he wanted fewer than thirty of us to take charge of that whole wall?

“Are you serious?”

“Hoho, of course. You’ve already shown your strength once. I’m not asking you to hold it with just your legion. If you take responsibility for the northern area, representatives will flock there for various reasons. Then you just need to command them.”

“This isn’t choosing a lunch menu—do you really think that’s possible?”

“Then what—did you intend to take orders under others while facing the Monster Wave?”

Of course not.

I planned to face the Monster Wave myself, but I had no intention of commanding other trash or taking orders from trash.

“We could just participate. Or we could intercept them.”

“Hmm. That’s true, for someone like you… Still, this is easier and gives you more credit. You know that, don’t you?”

“Tch. Fine. We’ll do it that way. There are also members from the magic tower.”

“Yes, that’s right. Hohoho. That gives me peace of mind. Hmm. Then I’ll be off.”

Is this old man trying to slip away quietly?

“If we take the northern wall, what’s the reward we get?”

Fabrice flinched at the blunt question. From the start, I was the one in charge here—no need to beat around the bush.

If the northern wall were assigned to some other representatives, it would be chaos within a week—plain as day.

So he was asking our legion, which could mobilize the magic tower, for help. As if doing us a favor, he’d say, “We’ll appoint you as the northern wall’s responsible party.” That was the tone.

“Reward?”

“We get none? Ah, fine then. Monster Wave participation isn’t mandatory anyway; we’ll just treat it as training.”

That’s right. Representatives’ participation in the Monster Wave wasn’t mandatory to begin with.

Some showed up once a week; many didn’t show their faces at all. It’s not like a game that hands out experience points, so why bother? Still, representatives are vain and like to flaunt strength, so more than half usually step up.

“Eh, the richest man in Exorsus is greedy too, huh.”

“Haha. If someone didn’t know, they’d think it’s true. And I don’t need money.”

“So what! What are you asking for! As you know, I’m poor.”

I smiled at Fabrice’s lament, then gestured to Lee Hyo-ju and Hazel. Merus joined us as well.

“This is our strategist, this person handles diplomacy, and this one handles internal affairs. Greet them. I’m the brute who uses muscle—so consult with them.”

Fabrice glared at me in shock.

‘Old man, glaring won’t change anything. I’ve decided to reveal a bit, and I can’t back out now. So please take care of this, patron.’

I feigned ignorance and brought the teacup to my lips.

Meanwhile, the real debate got underway, led by Lee Hyo-ju.

When those three joined forces, logic tended to beat brute force every time.

Even I felt it; for a born-soldier like Fabrice, his spirit was visibly drained.

I laughed silently and sipped the tea. Was it just me, or did the tea taste especially sweet today?

An hour passed…….

“Ha… Seriously, what are those people?”

That was Fabrice’s first remark to me. I couldn’t help smirking; Talis and Bioss were already clutching their bellies and roaring with laughter.

“Hey! You lot!!”

Fabrice, furious and red-faced, bellowed, but we couldn’t stop laughing—his offered compensation was that ridiculous.

To summarize the compensations briefly:

First, during the Monster Wave period, supplies would be provided according to the number of representatives who participated on the northern wall. All supplies would be delivered directly to the Rebound Legion, not to individual participants, and distribution authority would rest with the Rebound Legion.

Second, defending the wall was defending Exorsus, so no extra cost would be charged. However, Fabrice would personally present a military strategy book he had written to Lee Hyo-ju and Merus as a token of gratitude.

Third, taxes on the five magic towers would be waived for five years and halved for the following five years.

Fourth, whether to incorporate representatives who supported the northern wall into subordinate units would be entirely up to the Rebound Legion. If they were not incorporated, they would be recognized as participants but not entitled to any supplies.

Fifth, after a successful defense of the northern wall, Fabrice would transmit an advanced combat technique to the Rebound Legion.

The last one was the jackpot.

The others were almost teasing Fabrice. I made him sweat with every other demand, then hid the thing I really wanted and dropped it at the end.

We had secured a promise that the advanced combat technique would be taught to the entire Rebound Legion, not just to Lee Hyo-ju.

Here, “transmit” was different from the representatives’ privilege of ‘transference’ using a registration card; it meant literal teaching. But it wasn’t entirely without shortcuts.

Anyway, the high-quality combat technique I had thought should be reserved for Lee Hyo-ju—what would happen if the whole legion learned it together? Just imagining it felt good. Very good.

“You bastard! Why are you grinning too!!”

I calmed the increasingly agitated Fabrice and wrapped up the Monster Wave discussion.

Just as Fabrice was about to leave, the wind-tower lord Lubeit reported on the outside situation.

“Is that so?”

I felt like joking, but held back. A prank here that caused casualties would ruin every bit of goodwill I’d built.

Instead, I gave Lubeit a few instructions and saw Fabrice off.

When Fabrice stepped outside, thousands of people instantly rose as if about to rush forward at the sight of me.

Their movement made even me, who had been briefed, flinch—imagine how Fabrice and the guards felt.

Before anything could happen, I signaled to Lubeit.

The mages quickly approached the citizens, handing out warm drinks and bread. They insisted on giving coins to street vendors and the people who had served food. To those who tried to refuse, the mages pleaded and, if necessary, forced the money into their hands before moving on.

Only then, realizing nothing serious had occurred, did the citizens begin to relax and accept the food and drink.

A thousand citizens clustered and sat in rows along the main road—a sight rarely seen outside this world.

As I prepared to leave after telling everyone—men, women, and children—that it was safe to rest and go home, something tugged at my trousers.

‘Wow, even though I let my guard down, someone slipped past my senses?’

I looked down to see a scruffy little girl holding my trouser leg and looking up at me.

Her gaze held boundless reverence and goodwill.

This girl’s longing wasn’t like Lee Hyo-ju’s or Hazel’s. Her child’s eyes were those of a devotee staring at a god.

I crouched to meet her eye level.

“What’s the matter?”

“This.”

In the girl’s grimy hand was a ring woven from flower petals.

The roughly woven ring looked as fragile as the child who offered it—seeming as if it would crumble under the slightest pressure.

I took it carefully and placed it in my palm.

“You’re giving this to me?”

“Yes. I made it!”

Her confident voice reminded me of Naruan’s, but there was no ulterior motive—only joy and gratitude.

“Really? That’s amazing. Wait, then I should give you a present too… But where are your parents?”

“…I don’t have parents. They went to the place where the gods live. It must be a nice place, right?”

Something rose in my chest at the child’s hopeful face as I pictured a beautiful fairyland.

I cast a light enchantment on the flower ring she had given me, then slipped it onto my finger in front of her.

The little girl’s smile was so pure it could have been a photograph.

I stroked her head and asked about her situation. Could a six- or seven-year-old really be living properly on her own?

“Do you live alone?”

“No. Hehe. I live with my little siblings and older sisters and brothers. There are many grown-ups who help. They say it’s all thanks to Mr. Kim Han!”

“Who said that?”

“The grown-ups and the older sisters and brothers.”

She was endlessly bright, which made me feel a bit sorry for her.

I wondered if it would have been better if she’d been orphaned before the Battlefield of the Gods began. Stroking her dirt-streaked hair, I called to Lubeit, who had been waiting nearby.

“Phew… Lubeit.”

“Yes.”

“Find some children like her. I want them helped.”

“Understood.”

But then I heard someone sobbing nearby. Not just me—Lubeit and the other mages who had been about to move were taken aback.

“Why are you crying?”

“Is it because you pity us?”

To be honest, yes.

If they were of working age, I wouldn’t have helped. As a representative, I’m busy with my own life and have no intention of solving Exorsus’s unemployment problems.

But this was a child just beginning to show herself, and she had caught my eye.

I couldn’t tell her the truth.

My quick mind ran the numbers, and a line from a famous advertisement popped into my head.

“Child. It’s not because you’re pitiable, but because you are the future of Exorsus and need help. And since the being you call a Messenger is me, it’s naturally my duty.”

“Hoo…”

There were murmurs, but my attention stayed fixed on the child.

She wiped her tears, nodded, and bowed her head.

“Thank you.”

Her adorable expression made my chest ache.

As I stroked her head to hide the sting in my nose, Lubeit approached and spoke.

“Then find the largest house adjacent to our manor. Also send a mage to educate the children. Lubeit will take responsibility.”

“Yes!”

Lubeit’s eyes sparkled as she answered louder than ever.

Well, Lubeit was an old grandmother, but she was still a woman. Seeing a cute child, maternal instincts inevitably flared.

After nodding, she headed into the manor. From behind, a woman called out loudly.

“Mr. K-Kim Han!”

“Hm?”

“Why, why do you care for us so much? Other Messengers aren’t like that.”

The girl asked in a tearful, pitiful tone. I almost answered casually, but I thought again before speaking.

“Care for, huh… I’m not capable of that to such an extent yet. It’s simply because you’re visible to me. That’s all.”

Six hours had passed since we entered the manor.

As the sun began its swift descent, Lubeit returned after assigning a house for the children and reported in an excited voice.

“My goodness. In the history of the Battlefield of the Gods, no one has ever received a title three times during the training period! It’s incredible!!”

“…So what are you saying?”

“Isn’t it the perfect title for Mr. Kim Han, who gives generously?”

“…Damn!!”

“Hoho, don’t be shy. Chivalrous Giver!”

“Get out!!”

‘Battlefield of the Gods’ Year 4, October 1.

Representative Kim Han—promoted from Divine Hero to Exemplary Giver and then to Chivalrous Giver.