[Prince Altania: Everyone else thinks you've been hiding your level all this time.]

"Huh?"

Lee Shin-Woo had finished deploying his soldiers, but before he started the operation against Metafel in earnest, he contacted Prince through private chat to get a feel for what the seniors he rarely interacted with in the chatroom were doing, especially Ethan Cruz.

[Prince Altania: It doesn't matter what I say; they wouldn’t believe that you’ve grown that quickly. Lloyd is convinced that you were halfway through level 6 when you first got here. Like Kratia.]

"Well, I really don’t mind them thinking that way..."

[Prince Altania: Moreover, you're close with that girl. They think you're just like her. Of the two, at least you're the one with manners. Apparently, they all think that you didn't want to brag in front of your seniors, so you acted like you were weak.]

"I'm glad they think of me so highly."

[Prince Altania: So what's the truth anyway?]

"What do you think, Senior?"

Lee Shin-Woo countered her question with one of his own. Prince took a brief moment to think.

[Prince Altania: I think it's the opposite. You were lower than level 4 when you first entered the Empire, weren't you? But you lied because you thought it would seem too suspicious for you to level up so quickly, right?]

"...As expected of you, Senior."

[Prince Altania: Humph, as I thought!]

Prince would know. She had briefly witnessed Lee Shin-Woo's unbelievable growth rate firsthand after all. She swelled with pride at getting to the right conclusion and continued proudly.

[Prince Altania: I saw it all! You risk your life and boldly charge forward, and when you decide to do something, you follow through, so there's no way your growth rate would be slow! Moreover, you have a growth buff skill. That has probably been helpful too.]

This adorable girl tended to genuinely compliment other people when she was in a good mood. It was obvious that she'd be embarrassed later when she remembered what she just said.

[Prince Altania: But there's no helping it. Not risking one’s life is part of getting used to the Underground Empire. That's why Lloyd can't believe that you risked your life so many times and grew substantially as a result. He's not particularly jealous of you per se, but he simply believes that, as a hero, you're too reckless.]

"Jealous? Why would he be jealous of me?"

[Prince Altania: Ah...ah, it's nothing.]

And she also tended to say things without meaning to. Once more, Lee Shin-Woo realized that he couldn't tell her his secrets, and decided to move on without paying too much mind to what she had just said.

"Then that's fine. Please keep training hard until we meet again. Kratia's also training really hard right now."

He was trying to provoke Prince, but it was also the truth. Kratia was basically taking control of all the mana in the mountain range.

[Prince Altania: Keuk, of course she is. I'll be the winner next time! Ah, you can't tell Lloyd what I told you, okay? Everyone else has decided to not worry about your level from now on!]

"Of course."

Funny she actually said that. Lee Shin-Woo finished his chat with Prince and looked up. With his vision shared with Rem, he could clearly see where his forces were moving, as well as where the enemy forces were wandering around.

"Huh, they really are lost. At this rate, they'll actually leave the domain."

"What do we do if that happens?"

"Well, they can't leave for real. You see, if they lose track of the flow of mana, they'll never be able to get out of the mountain range."

"..."

Jin swore to never leave Lee Shin-Woo's side as he ran across the steep hill. Covered entirely in ice, the ground was slippery, but Jin used Steel Heart to create Eisen[1] and didn't have any problems running. The iron tool he'd created on the bottom of his hooves kept him from slipping.

"But it's really quiet. I can't believe there are thousands of undead following us in these mountains."

"The Giants are engaged in battle. The Chi Pauls are as well. Shino Rendu is scary as hell. He broke off a cliff to annihilate two corps and is moving on to the next target."

"..."

From an outside view, mother nature seemed silent, but beyond, there was a fierce battle underway. The mana flow played a part in keeping up the facade of peace.

As the space expanded, several places in the mountain range were blocked off, so it was difficult to communicate here, and it was especially difficult to command a huge army like Metafel's.

It would've been difficult for Lee Shin-Woo as well, had it not been for his darkness mana and the connections it allowed him to sustain. And if he hadn’t stolen Metafel's magical device and split it into six pieces, the operation would've been impossible.

"Chi Paul, just go straight. They're behind that small forest. There's a level 7 elite with them. You know this task is really important, don’t you? The Erem corps will attack from behind simultaneously. Kill them together. If you kill the level 7 elite, you’ll deal a great blow to the army."

[I understand.]

"Shino, you're charging too fast. You'll lose valuable troops if you keep on like this. For now, just make sure you collect all the loot. There's a squad at 7 o'clock. Kill them and come back. Remember, you're still weaker than Metafel. Revenge can be served cold. Take your time and do it right."

[Keuk... I understand.]

From Jin’s back, Lee Shin-Woo ordered his troops and kept a watchful eye on the Giants; he couldn't relay his orders to them directly.

The level 5 Giants would draw the enemies' attention, and the level 6 Giants would be responsible for the actual battles. He knew that their strength may not be sufficient, so he had put the level 7 Giants on standby just in case. Lee Shin-Woo had been looking after them so meticulously that the Giants didn't really sustain notable casualties.

[Kuwaaaaaaaaah! How dare you covet the land of the Giants, you lowly humans!]

[How dare you! I'll show you that our fury hasn't waned in the least!]

The Giants reacted to the Imperial Army particularly violently as they charged into battles. While it wasn't difficult for them to overcome their foes, it was difficult to get them to retreat at the right times.

"You've already killed them all! Direct your anger at the Imperial troops over there!"

[Ah, Paul Zero...!]

[Is that so? I got it!]

"Hoo, they're being pushed back over there. Jin, 3 o'clock!"

Lee Shin-Woo had to even account for insubordination and somewhat regretted bringing the Giants under his command. He moved across the mountain range without rest. His nonexistent eyes surveyed the battlefield as he commanded his troops.

[Kuhahk!? T-The Giants attacked first...!]

[Reinforcements... Request for reinforcements! General Metafel!]

Were his efforts finally paying off? The enemy forces hadn’t realized that a war had started, and had been under the attack of Paul Zero Corps and the Giants for a few hours.

At the same time, however, Lee Shin-Woo noticed something strange that made him uneasy. The undead had been wandering the mountain range aimlessly, but at some point, they started to move in a more organized fashion.

As expected... The troops spread out across the mountain range are getting closer and closer to Metafel. What kind of cheat skill is this? They're moving faster than privates being ordered by their superior.

Lee Shin-Woo couldn't figure out what Metafel's ability was. He would be in trouble if he hadn't asked Kratia for help in case of a situation like this.

[Kratia Melloi: Shin-Woo, this is really boring.]

"Yours is the most important job. I'm counting on you."

What was Kratia's job? Her ability to control cold air, which had been amplified to its very limit...

[Keuk... Damn it. Since when did this glacial mountain become so cold?]

[General, the wind's weaker here. Please command the troops to go this way...!]

She dispersed her mana far and wide, and by controlling the cold air, Kratia made sure Metafel's personal guards would lead the main force to where they wanted them. She had to stop Metafel from personally commanding his troops at all costs!

[Kratia Melloi: I'd rather fight.]

"If you think you can kill him with your magic, then by all means."

[Kratia Melloi: ...It'll be a bit tough.]

Kratia admitted. She was well aware of the arcane artifact that Metafel wore. Despite her ice magic being high rank and high level, all she could do was hamper his movements a little.

Of course, if Kratia's magic actually hit Metafel, she would have a chance of winning, but he'd counterattack before she could do it.

[Kratia Melloi: How is it on your end?]

"I did my best, but... It seems like I won't be able to stop the current. We should probably just collect the loot while we still have the chance before they regroup. If you feel like you're at your limit, retreat to a different location and then come back."

[Kratia Melloi: Okay.]

Kratia's mood seemed to have brightened up a bit after he essentially gave her permission to go wild. Lee Shin-Woo finished chatting with her and began moving once more.

Metafel’s mysterious command ability had thrown a wrench in his plan, but with his strategy succeeding, he had cut down their number of 50,000 strong by at least 10,000. He'd have to be satisfied with that for now.

"Go back to your territory. Treat your injured comrades there."

[I got it.]

The Giants' domain, Perlin Elta, was the most heterogeneous area at the center of the mountain range. The level 5 Giant who'd guided him into the village seemed to have grown a little stronger, and Lee Shin-Woo wasn’t seeing things.

The bizarre mana that flowed through the entirety of Perlin Elta invigorated the Giants and healed their wounds. In more extreme terms, it could be said that their 'existences' were briefly alleviated in their domain. The reason behind that was easy to ascertain. It was the Frozen Titan's Heart.

I'm sure the Titan's Heart has a great influence on the Giant Tribe. But what exactly is it?

It was bad enough that he had to take on Metafel, but he'd have to study the Titan's Heart at the same time as well. Lee Shin-Woo smiled wryly and got moving.

He'd ordered the Giants to return to Perlin Elta, where their wounds would be healed quickly, so now it was time to take care of his own troops.

"Shino, stop right there! I already have the Giants to worry about for insubordination."

[Keuk, I found traces of another squad while we were returning... I'm sorry. We'll return immediately.]

"Good. But it's commendable that you had the foresight to prepare for an enemy attack and keep the injured safe. Now go back and rest."

He first ordered his troops to return. Then he found the Chi Pauls and the Erems, which were both fighting the level 7 elite.

Fortunately, they had prioritized safety above all else, so they hadn't sustained many casualties. However, they hadn't succeeded in taking down the level 7 elite yet. Then again, it wouldn't be that easy to take down one of the Imperial Army's level 7 elites.

[Who's commanding you...! You're not on the same side as that strange skeleton from yesterday, are you!?]

[Ha, strange skeleton? You really are a poor judge of character. Then again, your eyes are rotten.]

Lee Shin-Woo looked down at the battlefield from a higher plane. The Chi Pauls and the Erems were ripping the enemy forces apart, and in the center, the level 7 Chi Paul was fighting the level 7 elite Corps Commander by itself. That was the undead Lee Shin-Woo had encountered when he was with Metafel yesterday!

"Triple Lightning!"

[Kuhahk!?]

Lee Shin-Woo and Jin descended. While clashing blades with the level 7 Chi Paul, the level 7 elite was caught helplessly off guard by Lee Shin-Woo’s ‘greeting’ and ended up swept away. Since Lee Shin-Woo had simultaneously activated Lightning Sprint and Lightning Shadow, it seemed as though a lightning bolt had fallen from the sky!

[T-This is...the Lightning Shadow General's...?]

"I'll let you see the Lightning Shadow General soon, so stay right there! Ground Lightning!"

Dozens of lightning bolts shot out from the icy ground. The level 7 elite managed to dodge all that despite its hectic movement, but the level 7 Chi Paul had been waiting to strike it from behind with his giant saw-like greatsword.

[Do you realize how rotten your eyes are now?]

[Kuhahk!? If you're truly a knight, you wouldn't do something as cowardly as...]

[Heup!]

"Ha!"

Chi Paul didn't listen to it. Neither did Lee Shin-Woo. As the amalgamation of numerous knights’ souls, Chi Paul’s swordsmanship was essentially flawless. The elite lost its weapon in its attempt to parry Chi Paul's attack, and a Breath of the Lightning God fell upon its head once more.

[Keoheok!]

The lightning and the sharp blade immediately broke through its helmet and burrowed into its skull. At that moment, the Corps Commander realized that there was no way it could escape alive.

[S-Sir Metafel...!]

"Yeah, I'll send him to you soon."

Lee Shin-Woo replied with disinterest and detonated the sword. He was now so skilled in handling mana that even if he detonated the sword right before him, the resulting explosion wouldn't damage him or his allies in the least.

[You have acquired 6,196,550 Perium.]

[You have acquired the Lv7 Ghoul Knight Leader's jawbone.]

Lee Shin-Woo snatched the loot and placed it on Chi Paul's shoulder, who was straightening himself out and standing up. He was going to use Bone Reinforcement on him.

"This is for you."

[But I didn't take him down by myself...]

"And after you absorb this, you'll be able to take down a guy like that by yourself next time, won’t you?"

[...Yes, I’ll make sure of it!]

Jin watched their exchange and idly thought that if this were a game, he would've seen a message like [Loyalty + 500]. Lee Shin-Woo had probably only done it because he thought it was more efficient for Chi Paul to absorb the bone than for Lee Shin-Woo himself to do so!

[Thank you very much, Paul Zero. I feel like I've gotten a lot stronger!]

"Good. In that case, come with me back to the base. We'll move on to the next battle after everyone's been healed."

[Understood!]

After the successful ambush, Lee Shin-Woo led his troops back to the base. Some of the Giants had been slain, but none of his own troops was; it seemed like their tough undead bodies had been helpful, and they were all healed within a few hours.

At the last minute, Kratia returned with a rejuvenated expression after casting a widespread ice spell that crumbled the entire mountain. With her help, they had cut down Metafel's forces by 13,000, including the death of one level 7 elite.

It was a perfect victory.

1. E/N: German for Iron, I assume iron calkins or cleats for horses. ☜