The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Chapter 99

After his conversation with the mayor, Raul left the hotel and headed towards another sector located on the outskirts of the city.

There, a mansion far larger than the Count Ashton’s estate in the capital stood—it was the headquarters of the First Knight Order’s Mira branch.

Enclosed within a large property equipped with high walls and watchtowers, were dozens of houses built exclusively for guild members.

Moreover, the premises were fitted with various facilities including a swimming pool, bathhouse, wine bar, and a private tavern, as well as a spacious training ground and a magic circle for training illusions, similar to those installed at the academy.

Astonishingly, the mansion even had an artificial lake within its grounds, and a mock battlefield suitable for cavalry training had been constructed, showcasing its immense scale.

“To be honest, isn’t this training facility much better than the one at the Count’s main residence? Do you think there was a need to build such a large facility here in Mira, instead of in Calix?” Raul remarked.

“It was a decision made with foreigners in mind. If we recruit them, it’s better for them to settle here instead of Calix.” Jake immediately understood what Raul meant.

“Ah, I see. It would be troublesome if we brought foreigners to Calix only to have them betray us. Still, I can’t help but be jealous of these facilities.”

Jake lamented that there were too many pressing constructions needed in Calix, so they hadn’t been able to focus on training grounds or welfare facilities yet.

“Don’t worry too much, once constructions progress, we’ll attend to the facilities at the main residence as well. Besides, the facilities in Mira are meant to be the flagship of our First Knight Order. They need to be impressive enough to make anyone envious. Seeing your reaction, it seems we’ve achieved that,” Raul reassured.

“If that was the intention, then it’s a complete success. You have to send me here for my vacation!” exclaimed Jake.

As Raul and Jake finished touring the guild branch on horseback and returned to the mansion, Palmer, the branch manager, greeted them.

“Welcome back, Master. Did you enjoy the tour?”

“Yes. It seems the branch manager has taken great care of the facilities. I’m very pleased.”

“What have I done? I’ve merely followed the Master’s orders. With generous funding, ample manpower, and the designs you provided, it would be a problem if I didn’t manage at least this much,” Palmer modestly responded, causing Raul to smile sheepishly and pat his shoulder.

Palmer, who took up the role of First Knight Order’s Mira branch manager, was one of the servants Raul had brought with him when he left his family home.

Like Bernard, Palmer was adept at administration and accounting and had a talent for working with stone. Initially selected for such talents during the recruitment of non-knight personnel at his home, the other servants brought over at that time were also serving as branch managers in various free cities.

“Only a few days left until the foreigners arrive. Please ensure that the guild members adhere to the precautions meticulously.”

“Of course. I’ll take good care of everything to prevent any concern,” Palmer assured.

“And keep a close eye on the individuals listed in the names I’ve sent you.”

The branch managers had been sent a list by Raul, detailing recruitment candidates and those under surveillance.

Though there were no immediate plans for approach or recruitment, it was crucial to gather information in advance to prepare for when the players began their active engagements.

‘I hope there won’t be any major upheavals…’

Honestly, I wasn’t sure this life would unfold exactly like my past life. I had no way to gather information on how the Earth was progressing in this life.

Of course, I wasn’t particularly afraid of any changes that might occur—I had prepared thoroughly, after all. However, I deeply wished that those who had hindered me and even taken my life would log onto Connect.

“I’ll make them pay dearly.”

As I reviewed my plans for revenge and settlement of debts, time flew by, and before I knew it, the new year was upon us.

* * *

With his heart fluttering, Ilwoo glanced at the clock. In just a few minutes, he would finally be able to use the object in front of him.

“I never imagined such luck would come my way.”

It was a moment worth commemorating in a life of 25 years that had seen hardly any good fortune.

Whoosh.

As he pressed the button, the lid of the capsule, as big as a bed and sleekly white, slid open silently.

“Huh.”

Ilwoo took a deep breath and carefully laid down inside the capsule. He had run test operations a few days earlier, but it still felt strangely unfamiliar.

“A real capsule…”

He had never imagined that something that seemed to belong only in movies would appear in reality, and that he would be the one to use it.

The community was already rife with various rumors—claims that it was a sham capsule with only a flashy exterior, a training module used by the military, a leaked piece of equipment for human experimentation, and other baseless rumors were spreading.

Among all this, those who had actually received the capsules kept quiet. It was hard to believe, but this capsule was far from the shoddy item people imagined.

It was a product of over-technology, armed with new technologies that seemed to leap generations ahead.

“I was amazed just by testing it, but how will it be when I actually run a game?”

There was a sense of anticipation among the capsule winners, and Ilwoo was one of them.

As the second hand finally pointed to the new year, Ilwoo pressed the button like he had been waiting to do and began his full dive into the virtual reality.

-Thank you for using the Connect System.

A simple greeting appeared, and a new icon twinkled in front of his eyes. With a trembling heart, he touched the icon labeled ‘Connect’, and soon passed through the introductory guide on how to operate and the character customization process.

And then, finally.

-Welcome to the world of Connect.

When Ilwoo opened his eyes, a completely new world unfolded before him.

The sense of reality and vitality was so perfect it was hard to believe he was inside a game, along with a novel world spreading out before him.

‘Ah…!’

An unknown power overflowed within him, giving him a curious sensation as if he had been reborn.

Ilwoo didn’t know this, but he was experiencing a new sense known as ‘mana’, something humans had never encountered before.

And this sensation became clearer the higher one’s assimilation rate was. In that respect, Ilwoo possessed an unusually high rate of assimilation.

As he savored these new sensations and feelings, he looked around to find several others, like him, moving their bodies in wonder.

‘Is this… a square?’

A grand square with a magnificent golden eagle statue atop a fountain greeted him. And in the square, players dressed in various medieval outfits were looking around.

The excitement of the new environment was short-lived; he couldn’t just stand idly in the square.

‘Hmm, isn’t there a tutorial? Then, the usual thing to do would be to find the village chief….’

In such a vast city, finding a guide like a village chief didn’t seem straightforward.

Just then, the sound of horse hooves came from the far side of the square, and around ten knights leading dozens of soldiers entered the square.

“What, what’s this?”

“Wow, the presence is no joke.”

While the players made various comments, the group surrounded the square, assuming a posture as if waiting for someone.

‘What’s this? Some event just as I arrive?’

Ilwoo observed the knights and soldiers with slight tension when a group of people, escorted by the knights, appeared.

“Greetings, strangers. I am Reynaldo Hart, the mayor of the Free City of Mira. Me and the Free City of Mira sincerely welcome your visit!”

As Reynaldo spread his arms and secretly signaled, citizens who had gathered around the square scattered flower petals, and some soldiers displayed large banners with welcome messages from every direction.

‘What’s that?’

‘What kind of unique opening is this?’

‘It feels quite awakening…’

In front of the players, who had mixed expressions, Reynaldo began his speech with an emotional voice. In these times of grave peril on the Connect Continent, a brave…

Even though it was apparent that an important figure was giving a speech, the players had no choice but to stand there.

However, many couldn’t hide their boredom and yawned openly. Thankfully, an astute secretary cut Reynaldo’s speech short, possibly preventing players from quitting the game within the first 30 minutes of their connection.

“Ahem. For those visiting for the first time, we’ve prepared some light refreshments and an information session. Attendees will also receive a small gift, so we hope to see many of you there.”

As the mayor concluded his speech, villagers, as if they had been waiting for that very moment, approached and handed out small pouches.

Inside these pouches were simple snacks, a map of Mira, and informational booklets. Then, knights stepped forward, guiding the players onwards.

“To assist in your endeavors, a joint information session has been organized by the various associations and temples. For those interested, there will also be opportunities to receive training. Please, follow us!”

Like students following a teacher, players found themselves unwittingly trailing behind the knights.

“Something feels off?”

It was a far cry from what he had expected the game’s beginning to be like. He had heard it was set in a fantasy world, and yet, this felt more like an orientation.

Nevertheless, Ilwoo thought it was better than going in blind and quietly followed the knights.

The information session was excellent. It not only imparted essential knowledge about the world of Connect but also detailed the various monsters inhabiting the region around Mira.

Depending on their unique characteristics, players received advice on training directions and skills from their respective job associations. The highlight of the session was the combat demonstration.

Knights from the ‘First Knight Order’ drew their dazzling mana blades and engaged in mock battles that seemed all too real, leaving players wide-eyed with amazement.

This was followed by a small-scale group battle, including soldiers, and mages demonstrated spellcasting techniques to defeat opponents. Players continuously cheered as they were shown live captures of monsters, learning about their weaknesses and how best to combat them, making no one feel like their time was wasted.

Despite the inclusion of advertisements for the free city of Mira and the First Knight Order, virtually no one felt uncomfortable or pressured.

Being used to product placements in the modern world, this was perhaps an expected reaction.

After the session, players recorded their personal details and were officially registered as residents of Mira.

Supported by the mayor and the First Knight Order, all players were offered free meals and lodging for a week.

Moreover, those interested could receive guidance from instructors at temporary training centers set up by various associations and guilds.

Initially bewildered, the players settled into their first night in Mira, satisfied with the benefits offered.

Their reviews ignited not just the gaming community but various online communities with excitement.

(To be continued)