A Core Ship From The Start - Chapter 1296 - Chapter 1296 Chapter 874 Frontline Battlefield

Chapter 1296: Chapter 874: Frontline Battlefield Chapter 1296: Chapter 874: Frontline Battlefield One must admit, Duanmu Huai is indeed fortunate this time.

Following the path pointed out by the village chief, they arrived smoothly in the Kingdom of Paretia. Initially, Duanmu Huai worried whether they would need some form of identity verification, but to his surprise, the guards merely checked and then let the three of them in.

At first, Duanmu Huai thought it was sheer luck, but after entering, he realized there was a reason for the guards’ actions.

It so happened that the northern border of the Kingdom of Paretia had become a battlefield.

Led by the Demon Clan, a massive army had completely blocked the passageways of the Northern Land, even sporadically sending demon beasts to harass them. Fortunately, as a major power, the Kingdom of Paretia was surrounded by ancient magical barriers created by great magic users from ancient times, which prevented aerial attacks by the Demon Clan like before.

Well, but conversely, Duanmu Huai and his companions could no longer leave.

No, strictly speaking, it wasn’t impossible to leave, but there was a precondition.

That was to recapture the fortress ahead.

Simply put, during the previous attacks by the Demon Clan, the fortress in the Northern Territory, responsible for defense, was conquered by the Demon Clan, and the barrier was lost as a result. Now, the Kingdom of Paretia was confronting the Demon Clan behind the second barrier, with three layers of barriers in total–the first being the border wall, the second being the Royal City where Duanmu Huai and others were located, and the third at the Royal Palace.

Since the first barrier was breached, the Demon Clan could invade the territory within the Kingdom of Paretia. Thus, to reclaim the lost grounds, the Kingdom of Paretia had recruited adventurers and troops to repeatedly charge towards the Northern Fortress.

But it is undeniable that…
“It looks like we’re thoroughly trapped here now.”

Duanmu Huai smashed the last demon beast with his hammer, then helplessly looked around. The main job of adventurers was to act as the vanguard and clear threats ahead. However, after several consecutive attacks were repelled by the Demon Beast Army, it left Duanmu Huai rather displeased; honestly, if it were just the three of them, they would have run away long ago. But they always had to cover others’ retreats–although they did kill a significant number of demon beasts and members of the Demon Clan, this back-and-forth tug-of-war was not to Duanmu Huai’s liking.

“The last demon beast is also taken care of, let’s head back.”

Duanmu Huai turned his head and glanced at Ogis sitting on his shoulder, who nodded slightly, then Duanmu Huai turned around and walked back the way they came.

The adventurers’ station was on the edge of the city, gathering adventurers from all over, who had also come here to resist the Demon Clan and the Demon King’s Army–well, no wonder that guard didn’t ask them for any identification documents earlier and just let them in.

When Duanmu Huai and Ogis returned to the inn, it was already sunset.

“Ah, you’re back, Steel Warrior, little lass.”

Duanmu Huai pushed the door and entered the inn, quickly greeted by the calls of the adventurers around.

“How was today?”

“Same as usual, the vanguard collapsed again.”

Duanmu Huai took off his helmet and sat on a chair next to him, the well-worn chair making a miserable noise under Duanmu Huai’s weight, but still managing to hold.

“But everyone else made it back safely, thanks to you.”

Seeing Duanmu Huai in front of them, the surrounding adventurers were quite respectful. After all, every retreat required someone to cover the rear, and Duanmu Huai took on this responsibility every time–then massacred the pursuing Demon Clan.

Over time, just seeing his steel-like figure gave the other adventurers a lot more reassurance.

“But speaking of which, what does the Kingdom Army plan to do? It’s been several days, and the orders given are unclear.”

“They said they were going to assemble troops, but why is there no movement?”

After exchanging greetings, the topic among the adventurers quickly returned to the ongoing war against the Demon Clan. At this moment, a small-framed adventurer, who looked like a rogue, came over and spoke in a mysterious tone.

“Hey, speaking of which, I heard some little tidbits.”

“Little tidbits?”

“Yes, heard that this counterattack might have the Prince Highness personally leading the team.”

“Huh? Are you kidding?!”

Hearing this news, other adventurers were immediately shocked.

“What are you joking about? This is a battle concerning the fate of the Northern Land, how could they let a greenhorn command the battle? Isn’t that sending him to his death?”

“That’s right, it would be more believable if it was the Princess.”

“That’s the problem… ”
“What are you talking about princes and princesses? What does this have to do with our current battle situation?”

Duanmu Huai, who also asked the waiter for some pastries and drinks, voiced his confusion. Hearing his questions, the adventurers glanced at each other.

“Oh, you probably don’t know about this… ”
Soon after, the adventurers briefed Duanmu Huai, and through their explanation, he finally came to understand the situation of the country.

According to these adventurers, the King of the Kingdom of Paretia has a son and a daughter–nothing strange about that in itself, but there was an issue.

That being–the Princess Highness couldn’t use magic.

As previously mentioned, during the ancient times in this world, the Demon Clan slaughtered and attacked humans using magic, and later humans also mastered magic, thereby stopping the attacks from the Demon King’s Army. Hence, magic users are highly respected, and the Kingdom of Paretia was initially established by magic users. The royal family and the nobility of this country could all use magic, and it was because of their presence that the Kingdom of Paretia was not annihilated by the Demon Clan.

Therefore, a princess who couldn’t use magic was clearly a stain on the royal family.

In fact, it has been rumored among the people that the princess has already given up her right to inherit the throne and is now completely being left to her own devices.

Of course, if that were all, it wouldn’t have any relevance to these adventurers.

The reason they are so interested in this topic is because —- the princess is also an adventurer.

Indeed, even though she cannot use magic, this princess is very keen on creating magical items, so whenever a rare demon beast appears, she would always follow along with the adventurers to subjugate it.

Initially, everyone didn’t have a good impression of the princess, but gradually they accepted her, partly because the princess is cute and lively, and also because she truly has strength. She wouldn’t mind getting dirty with the blood of demon beasts and would always dissect the demon beasts with other adventurers, so everyone rather liked her.

And the problem lies here…

“I heard that among the nobles, some believe that the princess’s popularity among the common people is so high that it could affect the prince’s succession to the throne, so in order to counter the princess’s popularity…”

“So they had the prince lead a team, didn’t they?”

Hearing this, the adventurers couldn’t help but sigh in despair.

“When will these nobles ever do something useful? We’re risking our lives on the front lines every day, and all they do is discuss these boring matters. I think the prince is probably a good-for-nothing…”

“How come I’ve never seen that princess?”

Duanmu Huai thought for a moment and affirmed that he had never seen such a person.

“It’s probably a matter of timing. If you encounter some unusual quests, you can give it a try, maybe you’ll meet her. Oh, I won’t say more, the performance is about to start.”

After saying this, the adventurers turned their heads with an expectant gaze towards the front, then under their watch, a small figure jumped out on the stage at the corner of the hall, smiling and waving at everyone.

“Hello everyone, I’m the adorable Zhenjiling!”

“Ooooooh!!!”

Seeing the appearance of Zhenjiling, the adventurers below instantly started to scream like star-chasing fans, while Zhenjiling giggled, then music sounded, and soon the girl began to sing and dance under everyone’s eyes.

“It seems Zhenjiling is also doing quite well.”

Duanmu Huai leaned back in his chair, watching Zhenjiling hopping around on stage. She doesn’t have the immense strength like Duanmu Huai and Ogis; rushing into the battlefield would be a suicide mission for her. However, Zhenjiling possesses her own specialties and, being one of the most popular idols of the Star Union, she is quite skilled in singing and dancing.

So during this period, while Duanmu Huai and Ogis went off to fight, Zhenjiling was responsible for singing and dancing in the inn, cheering up the adventurers.

After all, entertainment is scarce in this world, and since Zhenjiling is a professional, she quickly became popular among many adventurers and thus earned a good amount of travel money. Combined with the rewards Duanmu Huai and Ogis earned from their missions… Well, now Duanmu Huai and his group could at least break away from being completely broke.

Of course, there were some adventurers with ill-intentions trying to make moves on Zhenjiling.

But then… Zhenjiling is a Horse Maiden.

Normally one kick from her would send someone flying right away.

Zhenjiling’s performance was not long, but the atmosphere of the whole hall had already become lively, and at this moment Zhenjiling also jumped off the stage, coming to Duanmu Huai like a little puppy.

“Ah, big brother.”

While throwing herself into Duanmu Huai’s arms, Zhenjiling looked up at him, her tail also wagging ceaselessly.

“Is everything going smoothly today?”

“I wouldn’t say it’s been particularly smooth…”

“But, Master.”

At this time, Ogis, who was resting on Duanmu Huai’s shoulder also spoke up.

“We can completely leave here and continue heading north, there is really not much need to linger.”

“It’s true, but as a Judge of the Tribunal, we naturally have to protect humans.”

Saying this, Duanmu Huai patted Ogis on the head.

“You must remember, Ogis, the mission of the Tribunal is to protect humans and eliminate all threats to humanity. That is our duty. Although coming to this planet was an accident, the task for a Judge hasn’t changed.”

“But, eliminating the Demon King would also protect humans.”

Ogis tilted her head.

“By eliminating the Demon King and lifting the Barrier, Master could summon the strength of the Tribunal, couldn’t he? That would bring more accomplishments than now.”

“That is only an ‘if’.”

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Duanmu Huai shook his head.

“I don’t like ‘if’s.”

“Thump, thump, thump, thump——–!”

Just then, suddenly, a rush of hurried footsteps came, followed swiftly by the inn’s door being violently pushed open. Several adventurers rushed in and upon seeing Duanmu Huai, their eyes lit up immediately.

“Steel Warrior, we need your help!”