The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Chapter 101

Although I checked the update window, I had no immediate plans to head to the Free City. After all, for the time being, players wouldn’t be of any help, and there weren’t any quests or missions in the Free City that Raul could undertake right now.

“The capable players will be taken care of by Kane’s information department and the guild branch, so there’s no need for me to rush in.”

Players posed a threat only when they formed guilds and left the Free City.

For now, it was necessary to check out a new scenario.

Explanation: The Gate Outbreak has struck the Connect Continent. Many villages and territories that failed to respond properly have been swept by monsters’ invasions, leading to the loss of vast territories by humanity.

Moreover, due to the machinations of a certain faction, the ancient seals that were suppressing dimensional gates have all been broken. In the process, the guardians protecting each kingdom have been annihilated, leaving the royal families powerless.

As the balance of power crumbles, the once silent strongholds begin to stir.

Amidst the impending chaos and cutthroat world, what will be your choice?

Raul’s expression darkened slightly after reading the contents. Images of the upcoming situations flashed through his mind.

It was true that the unprecedented event of the Gate Outbreak had brought significant damage to humanity. However, it wasn’t as catastrophic as one might think.

The ones predominantly affected by this incident were the powerless barons and their subjects. Those from prestigious families managed to mitigate the damage to a reasonable extent since the monster levels weren’t exceptionally high to begin with.

Following Raul’s advice, Viscount Ashton evacuated all the villagers to the castle, minimizing casualties, and the territories that were overrun by monsters were reclaimed within a month.

This was possible due to the presence of a powerful knight order and soldiers, a sentiment shared by other noble families.

“That’s the real issue.”

Although for now attention was solely focused on containing the dungeon-fied gates and restricting the movement of troops, once the situation stabilized, everyone would come to realize it.

“Come to think of it, there’s a lot of unclaimed land, isn’t there?”

While there were existing lords or nobles asserting their rights over the land, there were also those who abandoned their territory, property, and people to flee. But did they have the capability to protect that land?

Ideally, the royal family would have balanced and mediated the issues between the nobles. However, the royal family suffered significant losses due to the recent events.

Losing the guardian who secretly protected the royal family, in particular, could be deemed fatal. Although the nobles were unaware of the fact at the moment, it was only a matter of time before it would be revealed.

“Caldenas used to gather the masters every year to assess their achievements and provide advice.”

Given that they all claimed to be the masters’ mentors, it was an expected ritual, but there was also a warning aspect to prevent them from getting too presumptuous.

However, now that Caldenas was no longer in the royal palace, it was inevitable that the masters would notice. Raul was skeptical.

Certainly, the prestigious families, who not only valued honor and tradition but also possessed power and influence, would likely begin to make moves.

The opportune moment to unleash the power that had been accumulated over decades of peaceful times had arrived. Unattended lands.

Lands that could easily be taken with a knight order to drive away monsters and a few soldiers. Greedy nobles who wouldn’t just leave that opportunity be.

“Well, I’ve already gained control of three territories anyway.”

Of course, Raul had paid a fair price. But would other nobles think the same way? Would they also pay a fair price and make their moves?

Perhaps Raul had unknowingly sparked a dangerous fire. Regardless, he had no regrets.

“This is the flow of the times anyway. It’s not like I can stop it alone. So, I should ride along with it and gain as much benefit as I can.”

Raul was not a passionate young man overflowing with altruism and sense of justice. He had no intention of judging right from wrong by modern standards or harboring any ideals to change the world with certain beliefs.

All he desired was the peace and happiness of himself and those within his domain, with a sprinkle of past vengeance added on top.

He simply chose the most efficient and optimal path to achieve his goal. And even before this incident erupted, it was because of his activities in the capital.

“Whether they like it or not, the stability of the royal family is essential to minimize chaos. Regardless of what the king does, the central army in the capital and the residents alone can impose pressure on the nobles. I never dreamt there would be such a significant variable as a guardian…”

“Anyway, I managed to minimize the damage to the residents, who were dying off by more than half in my past life, and by intervening in the royal palace, I also saved a considerable number of palace guards and knights. The royal family will not become completely powerless as it did in my past life.”

And that was sufficient. After all, what Raul wanted the royal family to do was to restrain the nobles from moving too recklessly.

“And to cultivate the strength to resist those targeting our family during that time.”

In the original history, it is likely that Count Ashton would be the first to be sacrificed in this scenario. There wouldn’t have been prey as delicious as a weakened prestigious family like his.

Of course, thanks to Raul’s intervention, Count Ashton’s family hardly suffered any damage during the Gate Incident. Not only that, their reputation in the capital was rising, gradually regaining the glory of the past.

But would the conspiracies against the Ashton household really come to an end? Raul was convinced that it would not.

According to his investigation, the conspiracy against the Ashton household had been prepared for a very long time, and the factions involved were not to be underestimated.

He could either poke at them like poking a sore spot or maybe even rush in with a decisive blow. The important thing was that the bomb aimed at Count Ashton had already been planted. It was just a matter of when the detonating device would be pressed.

Despite his efforts to delay that time as much as possible, he couldn’t continue living with the threat hanging over him indefinitely.

“If we can’t crush those who planted the bomb in the first place, then we have no choice but to dismantle the bomb first.”

And also get rid of their lackeys while we’re at it. Raul planned to complete this task by the end of this scenario, or at least before the next scenario ended, while ensuring the safety of his family first and foremost so that he could move on to the next stage without worries.

As Raul reviewed his plans for the future, Rabel was connected to the updated Connect system.

“What on earth is all this?”

New bulletin boards had appeared in the community section, which she thought was exclusive to Raul and herself, with unfamiliar faces of people appearing and engaging in discussions.

But what caught her eye was the newly appeared browser icon. Alone, she felt an inexplicable urge to press the sparkling icon.

Ssshhh.

As the tip of her extended finger quietly made contact with the icon, a whole new world unfolded before her eyes.

“… Bell. Rabel!”

Someone calling her snapped her back to reality. Rabel, with a vacant expression, disconnected from the Connect System and revealed herself on the Skill Directory.

“Rabel, what’s wrong? I called you several times and got no response, I was worried.”

Raul asked with concern, and Rabel sat quietly on the directory, looking at Raul without saying a word. Then, as if her heart had calmed down, she cautiously opened her mouth.

“Raul, did you know?”

“Know what?”

“That the Connect System is connected to another world.”

“… I knew. I was actually going to talk to Rabel about it. I’m sorry, but just a moment.”

Shooosh.

Raul’s Power Armor, regnator, activated and covered his upper body with a golden glow.

“Caldenas, if it’s not too much trouble, can you join us for a conversation?”

At his request, a shadow extended from the core of the Regnator and soon transformed into a translucent figure of a man. The figure was undoubtedly the Guardian of the Ruben Kingdom, Caldenas.

“This is not a training ground. Is it such an important matter to skip training?”

“Yes, there is something I must tell you.”

“Oh? If you are insisting this much, it must be truly important. Huh? Rabel is here too.”

“Long time no see, Cal.”

Rabel waved her hand lightly from the Skill Directory and greeted him.

Six months ago. In the depths of the royal palace’s seal chamber, facing his final moments, Caldenas decided to walk a new path with Raul.

Following Rabel’s guidance, he settled in the core of Raul’s power armor, regnator.

Although only his soul remained and he could no longer exert power in reality, in an exceptional circumstance, if Raul activated Regnator, he could appear in reality in a semi-physical form like now.

As Caldenas integrated with Regnator, not only did its grade rise by one but the performance also improved, which was a bonus.

[Regnator: Power Armor]

Grade: B+ -> A

State: Bound (Raul), partially open, sealed.

Output: 1.6 -> 1.8 CP (Core Power)

Operating Time: 60 -> 120 min/max

Operating Form: Self-recharge.

Defense Formula: 6 Circles. High-grade Mana Blade defense barrier. 70% reduction in elemental effects.

Special Features: Condemnation (amplifies effectiveness against sworn enemies by 200%), stealthy Predation (can mimic the functions of lower-grade power armors absorbed), illusory Wings (energetically imbued wings are generated), Ego (the power armor can move on its own even if the owner loses consciousness)

Awakening Time: 15 seconds -> 30 seconds

As a token of gratitude for allowing him to reside within, Caldenas decided to watch Raul’s swordsmanship during the daily activation time of the power armor.

While Raul’s swordsmanship did improve considerably, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for only being able to spend two hours training per day.

Nevertheless, Caldenas didn’t mind. After all, he had spent long periods asleep in the seal chamber before, and even when awake, watching the Masters’ training was the same old routine.

Besides, raising Raul’s skills urgently required attention. In Caldenas’s eyes, Raul, who hadn’t even reached the level of a Master, was still like a fledgling.

Should he die unexpectedly in a fierce battle, wouldn’t Caldenas also be at a loss? Moreover, Rabel’s words about expanding Caldenas’s operational range if Raul’s skills continued to improve and Regnator’s grade rose further made sense.

Above all, Raul showed a uniqueness. Not only did he possess remarkable talent, but he also had two treasures close to divinity and a special power bestowed by the gods.

‘If it’s him…’

Raul didn’t even realize he might truly liberate Caldenas from the constraints that bound him.

And so, Caldenas, like Rabel, became a comrade bound to Raul by both spirit and soul, and it was only today that Raul finally revealed the secret he had hidden all this time.

(To be continued)