The Grand Duelist

Chapter 87: A Battle Deep in the Night

Witnessing the exit of the Pro-NPC Alliance from the Capital City, Reinhardt. Lilium couldn't help but speak up towards Vladimir who had a serious expression on his face.

"Are you just planning on letting them go like that?" 

The clear mocking within Lilium's voice irritated Vladimir.

He wanted to snap back at her and retort, but he knew that everything that he would say towards her at his point in time would clearly be just playing the lute to a cow.

After all, he was already humiliated and nothing could turn back time.

"Do you really think that I can afford to offend the Princess of the Kingdom of Burning Heaven?" 

"Oh? I thought that you planned on using Duke Heathrow as your scapegoat?"

"You noticed?" Vladimir turned to look at her in shock.

"It was pretty obvious. The excitement on your face when you decided on doing that earlier made it obvious that you planned on making Duke Heathrow as your scapegoat. I say that it was a pretty good plan, but I'm curious as to why you didn't do it in the end..." Lilium stared meaningfully at him.

Vladimir sighed, "There's not really any deep meaning as to why I didn't proceed with that plan..."

"It's just that... When I heard that the Princess of the Kingdom of Burning Heaven was really missing..."

"Based on her character, it would make sense for her to come to this place without telling anybody..."

"So in other words, you were afraid?" Lilium revealed a mocking smile. 

Vladimir stared at Lilium but he didn't say anything.

He realized that replaying was the same as applying salt on his wounds.

Earlier, Vladimir wanted to use Duke Heathrow as his scapegoat due to the fact that he wasn't really that sure if the Princess of the Burning Heaven was really within the carriage. 

After all, although it did make sense that the Princess of the Kingdom of Burning Heaven would sneak out of the Kingdom and attend the execution of a Legend without asking any permissions from the Kingdom itself.

It didn't make sense for the Princess to enlist the help of the Pro-NPC Alliance.

Why?

Well, it was because, in the current phase of the game, NPCs possessed far greater strength than players.

It didn't make sense for the Princess to ask for the help of the Pro-NPC Alliance when she had stronger allies... Or NPCs in her disposal.

That was the reason why Vladimir acted so confidently at that time. 

"Hmmph... Think what you want to think, I don't have the obligation to explain to you everything that I want to do. Remember that you are nothing but a mere employee. I am your employer, so you do not have the right to question me." Vladimir coldly replied.

Lilium was taken aback by Vladimir's reply.

Her eyes radiated a dangerous glint as she stared right at Vladimir.

But before she could even say anything. 

A voice came from afar.

"Boss! They tricked us!" 

When the voice reached the ears of Vladimir and Lilium. They turned to look at the player who shouted with frowns on their faces.

"What are you saying?" 

"Those bastards from the Pro-NPC Alliance tricked us!"

The player who brought the message had the name of the guild Crimson on top of his head, so Vladimir knew that he was trustworthy.

But the news that he had with him deepened the frown on Vladimir's face.

"Explain yourself!" He scolded. 

"It's like this boss... Those bastards from the Pro-NPC Alliance tricked us into believing that they were escorting the Princess of the Kingdom of Burning Heaven!" 

"What are you talking about? Aren't you the one that reported to us earlier that the Princess of the Kingdom of Burning Heaven did leave the Kingdom?" Lilium interjected a cold expression could be seen on her face, "Could it be that you're a spy from the other two guilds?!" 

Her words astonished Vladimir, but when he saw the panic and frustration on the player's face.

He stretched his hand out and said: "Don't casually jump into conclusions, Lilium. As for you, explain to us properly about how those bastards tricked us..." He acted calm at the beginning of his sentence, but at the end.

Traces of his anger could be felt...

"Well... It's like this, sir... It's true that the Princess left the Kingdom, but instead of going to the Kingdom of Nether. She went to the Kingdom of Absolute Frost, so she could secretly meet-up with her friend for the upcoming Festival of the Icy Spring!" The player promptly explained.

The Festival of the Icy Spring was a celebration exclusive only for the people of the Kingdom of Absolute Frost.

When the festival happened, the residents of the Kingdom would create numerous icy sculptures that aligned with the theme of "Spring" that they would parade throughout the entire Kingdom.

This celebration only lasted for a few days. Not only that, it only happened once every three years, so it did make sense for the Princess of the Kingdom of Burning Heaven to do such a thing so that she could participate in such a rare happening.

"Hehehe..." Vladimir chuckled, yet his expression remained cold and indifferent.

"It's been such a long time since we, the Crimson Guild has been bullied like this..." An evil smile surfaced on his lips and he stared right at the player before sending his orders.

"Players of the Crimson Guild! Heed my orders... Tonight, we shall slaughter the bastards from the Pro-NPC Alliance! We and those bastards cannot live under the same sky anymore!"

His commands astonished everyone from the Crimson Guild.

But after a few moments of shock, they recovered and started marching towards the direction of the Forbidden Region.

Soon, enough. They finally found the carriage of the Pro-NPC Alliance.

And from the looks of it, a battle was sure to happen since the players of the Pro-NPC Alliance already noticed their presence.

"Damn, so those bastards finally found out that we tricked them? Took them long enough!" Michael clad in the silvery-armor of a Knight said with clear contempt in his voice.

"Hearing you say that makes me feel like you wanted them to pursue us in the first place." Braum, a buff man who looked to be the brother figure of them all but was actually the youngest said in a joking manner. 

"Of course! Why would I not want them to come for us?"

"The Crimson Guild is only a guild that's strong within the Kingdom of Nether. Although they may have a lot of members. I don't think that they can surpass us when it comes to the quality of our members! The Pro-NPC Alliance is still stronger!" Michael retorted.

He then turned to look at the silent young woman beside Braum who felt like she had no presence at all. In fact, if you didn't stare at her then it would be doubtful if you could even feel her presence.

Her lack of presence was comparable to Tetsuya but with steroids.

"Xueyue, why are you not talking?"

"It's unlike you to not poke fun at your husband in moments like this!" 

Xueyue, the fair lady in question merely shrugged and didn't reply.

"Hmmph... Ignoring me?" Michael rolled his eyes.

"Dear, everyone's already preparing for battle. Can you stop for now and focus on the incoming fight?" Kylyn, who was Michael's wife said in a soft voice. 

"If you say so, my dear~ Then, I will shut up. Thankfully, these bastards are coming for us and I can finally release some stress!" Michael stretched his entire body. His movements made his full-body armor collide against each other, causing a clanging sound to reverberate in the area.

"Mervin, Estimated Time of Arrival?" Jun turned to look at Mervin who then swept his gaze at the incoming enemies.

"About three minutes. Tangos are at least at several dozens in number." 

Jun nodded his head, "Just like in the simulations; Squad Alpha will have me, Vanessa, Paula, and Eagie as members." 

"Squad Bravo will have Bernard, Rexie, Kylyn, and Michael. While Squad Charlie will have Xueyue, Braum, Laica, and Mervin."

"Our Off Tank will still be Eagie, Main Tank is Michael, the Main Damager will be me, Kylyn, and Vanessa. The others should rotate their skills in order while keeping cooldowns in check. As for keeping an eye to our supplies..." Jun turned to look at the flabbergasted Joseph. 

"Can I trust you with our supplies?" 

Joseph made a sidelong glance at the boxes filled with Health Potions and Mana Potions beside the carriage. 

"Okay, let me handle it."

His positive reply elicited a smile from Jun who then turned to look at his comrade and said.

"Everyone, just do everything according to the simulations and I don't think that we're going to lose against these bastards from the Crimson Guild!" Jun Santos declared and everyone solemnly nodded their heads.

Even Michael who normally had a joking expression on his face now had a serious look.

Joseph was entranced by how the Pro-NPC Alliance organized themselves for an upcoming battle.

He couldn't help but admire them and think to himself.

So this is how the pros do their job? Damn, too awesome!

He inwardly exclaimed.

But then a bitter smile emerged on his lips.

Goddamned it, if not for Alice then I could've joined this battle and gained some experience for myself...

He completely forgot the fact that he was still at Level 15 and his enemies had levels of at least Level 100 and above.

It could be said that Joseph became complacent against players due to the fact that he defeated the Number One Grappler by relying on the Slippery Skin Buff that he acquired from the Divine Goddess Rhinna.

"I guess I should just do my job..."

Joseph moved outside and guarded the doors of the carriage where Alice peacefully slept.

The expression on his face indicated that if a hostile person dared to approach him, he would not hesitate to kill!

"3-3-3 Strategy... Charlie, annihilate their healers. Bravo, support Charlie. Alpha, ensure safe perimeter around the carriage. Assassin of the... Night, mow down any stragglers." Jun Santos gave his commands and his comrades then moved according to his orders.

His orders were short and straightforward, although when he reached the end of his sentence, it was clear that he was hesitating on saying the words "Assassin of the Night.".

Though, in the end...

He managed on completing his sentence.

"This is Squad Charlie and Bravo, clear copy. Order completion in progress..." Xueyue took the lead, rushing towards the direction of the Healers that the Crimson Guild segmented based on the 3-3-3 Strategy.

Her two daggers glistened dangerously as her eyes turned cold and narrowed into slits. 

The 3-3-3 Strategy involved segmenting a crowd of players with clear roles and duties into three different squads or segments.

Each segment had a definite leader, so this separation made sense when it came to the chain of command in the middle of battle.

It was an excellent strategy and frequently employed in raids against BOSSes since players could easily rotate their skill cooldowns with their comrade's.

The confusion that often happened when a huge crowd of players only had a single leader, didn't happen if one employed this strategy.

But...

"Those fools... Employing such a strategy that everyone knows about can be considered as a good move. However, using that kind of a strategy against your fellow players? This Vladimir bastard really had gone senile..."

A slender-framed young man carrying an AX-50 Sniper Rifle on his shoulder swept his gaze across the battlefield.

After making sure that he was in a good spot...

He then replied to Jun Santos's orders.

"This is Assassin of the Night, good copy. I'll handle and eliminate every single straggler from the ranks of these fools with my beloved AX-50... Devourer of the Void."

"Ah..."

"My blood boils!"

1. Ghost in the Gym, Basketball Anime.
2. A tank that helps take pressure off the main tank.
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accuracy_International_AX50