I Got Reincarnated Into a Game I Was a Top-Ranker in and I Became the Leader of a Villain Group That Will Destroy This Shitty Country - 94

Chapter 94: Determination

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“The Crown Prince is going to wage war against you soon. And well, his specialty is the same as yours. Mind manipulation. Well, it’s best if you start preparing for the war.”

“…What about you?”

“Huh?”

“Are you also going to participate in this war?”

And, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, the monster—Guide—answered with a laugh.

“Of course. Of course I will join the war as well. I have a mission to fulfill, after all.”

So he said before he vanished. Sitting in the mountain, I pondered over his words before returning to the city. 

“A war will break out soon.”

And then, the next day, I went to the strategic meeting room first thing in the morning. The room where the leaders of the Resistance were exchanging information. 

As per the report from the reconnaissance team, there’s a red-black mist surrounding the royal palace. That mist is probably the sign of a black magic taking place inside the royal palace.”

“…A black magic ritual?”

“Yeah. The Crown Prince is probably reapplying the mind manipulation spell and maybe he’s trying to enhance the soldier’s physical abilities as well. Even the nobles have started gathering their private soldiers to the royal palace. Our future battle against them is going to be hard, that’s for sure.”

“…”

“…”

It seemed they had understood. This war wouldn’t end unless one side had been thoroughly defeated to the ground. Needless to say, a lot of people would be sacrificed in the process. We couldn’t ignore the possibility of a complete annihilation either. Although we had the numerical advantage, but we didn’t have many experienced combatants among our ranks. Considering the ratio of combatants, we would definitely be having a hard time fighting against trained soldiers. In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say we were at a disadvantage. They had hundreds of seasoned knights, while most of our ranks were mercenaries and ordinary civilians. 

“It’s alright.”

I shook my head and smiled and all five people gathered in the meeting room all turned to me at once. 

“We have Nia, Chloe, Brien, and Alwyn with us. We also have Rielle, who is in charge of logistic support. We won’t love. We definitely won’t lose.”

Those weren’t merely empty words to comfort them. I still truly believed we had a chance of winning. Besides, the strength of the resistance has increased considerably too, to the point we would be able to put up a good fight against trained soldiers. The members of Resistance had been training diligently in preparation for a war that could start at any time. Their efforts weren’t in vain. 

“I’m not trying to deny the fact that they’re stronger than us. The royal soldiers themselves are already strong and now there are more soldiers from the noble families. On top of that, they’re using mind control magic to eliminate human’s basic nature, fear. So of course, we’re at a disadvantage, but…”

I paused before showing them a faint smile. 

‘Sometimes, I believe that a person who has something to protect is stronger than a mindless puppet.”

“…Kai-sama.”

“I know. It sounds like a stupid idealism. However, please tell everyone. We’re fighting to protect the thing we hold dear. That feeling will definitely become a fuel for them to fight on the battlefield.”

“””Yes, Sir!”””

The five men and women nodded in unison. The anxiety that had been plaguing their faces just a while ago was completely gone. Replaced by a clear sense of determination and loyalty. I looked at each of their faces before I lowered my voice and spoke. 

“Now, let’s begin our meeting. A meeting to find a way to defeat them.”

After spending hours in a meeting with the leaders of the Resistance to discuss various battle strategies, I finally returned to Rielle’s mansion. I immediately summoned all five of them. Nia, Chloe, Rielle, Brien and Alwyn. Once they were all gathered in my room, I told them everything. I told them all the conversation I had with that monster, the Guide. I told them that I was actually a reincarnated individual. I told them about the Guide was born because I disrupted the game’s original storyline. I also told them about the Guide’s true purpose and the fate of this world originally.

“”—And in the end, he said he would join the fight as well. I already told the leaders of the Resistance that our enemies aren’t just the royal army, but the Guide as well.”

“…”

Brien, who had faced the Guide before, immediately grimaced and looked down. She already knew how dangerous the Guide was. 

“And that thing is incredibly strong. It might be stronger than Nia or me based on the magic power I could feel from it.”

“What?! Tha-That’s…”

“..You’ve got to be kidding.”

Rielle and Chloe was blown by surprise, unable to believe their ears. Nia, on the other hand, just narrowed her eyes as she listened to my words.

“But, we don’t have any other choice. We have to fight. You all heard what I just said earlier, right? About the fate of this world.”

“…Yeah. You’re right. No matter how strong our opponent is, our options remain the same. We have to fight and give it our all.”

“Yes. That’s right… We need to protect the people of this country.”

Brien and Alwyn, the former members of the hero’s party, nodded with a determined look on their faces. Just like what Brien said, we had to give it our all. This was our final battle. If we lost here, there wouldn’t be any future for us. 

I stood up and clasped my hands together.

“Everyone, I’m sorry. I know the fight is going to be a tough one, but I need all of you to join the fight. This war… Well, logically speaking, there’s no way we can this war. It’s not an exaggeration to say the outcome of this war relies heavily on six of us here, including me.”

“””….”””

“This will become the hardest fight we have to face. Our bodies and minds will be pushed to their limits and yet, we have to keep fighting. If we don’t, this war will end in our defeat and… Our demise. After all, we’re at a severe disadvantage in terms of military power.”

Everyone’s faces became tense from the pressure. They already understood the gravity of the situation even without me saying it out loud. We were facing an army full of mindless killers. They didn’t have any fear in their heart. A force of sheer power. A true murderer. While our side was mostly a ragtag group of civilians with no real combat experience. It was obvious which side would come out victorious, but… 

“But, there’s one thing I will swear to you. No matter what happens, I will never let any of you die.”

Just like what I told the leaders of the Resistance. People became stronger when they had something to protect. Even when they were trampled upon or pushed to the edge, they would still keep on fighting relentlessly, all to protect what was dear to them. I swore to everyone in this room with all my heart and my soul. 

“Even if I have to die, I will definitely protect all of you. If anyone were to die, that would be me. I would be the first to die in the worst possible scenario. So, don’t be afraid. Please fight for the sake of everyone else.”

I paused for a moment before I continued.

“Like hell I’m going to follow the storyline of this shitty game. I was nobody in my previous life, but now… In this world, I’ve met all of you. I’ve found someone who is dear to me. I want to protect this bond. I want to make it something that will never fade—something eternal.”

After I finished speaking, there was a brief moment of silence before..

“..Don’t be stupid.”

Chloe’s voice rang clear. Her voice was tinged with a hint of displeasure.

“I won’t forgive you if you die. If you die, I will die too. So don’t you dare say something like that again.”

“…What?”

“That’s right. Allow me to throw your words right back at you. I will protect you too, even at the cost of my life. So, don’t die. Let’s win this together. Alive. Both of us.”

“…”

“Me too. I prefer happy endings over bad ones.”

After Chloe said that, the girls who were sitting beside her, Alwyn and Brien, also added their two cents. Then, all of them stared at me. 

“Right? What are you trying to look cool for? Treasure your own life first, rather than focusing on protecting us.”

“I know we’re not much, but we were once part of the hero’s party, you know! Rather than being protected, we will protect your back instead! So go ahead and fight with all you’ve got!”

…Just when did Brien and Alwyn start trusting me that deeply? How weird…

However, I didn’t have the time to ponder about that since Rielle also spoke. 

“Me-Me too! I-I’m not useful in combat and I won’t be able to protect anyone, but I will do my best to support everyone, including the Resistance!”

“…Rielle.”

“That’s why! Don’t die! You definitely can’t die, okay? You definitely… You definitely can’t die!!”

Rielle, who was usually so timid, was now staring at me confidently. 

…I see. I guess I’m also precious to them, just like they are to me.

I scratched the back of my feed, feeling a bit embarrassed when Nia suddenly stood up from her seat. She stared directly at me and said. 

“I want to be happy.”

“…Yeah.”

“And I can’t be happy without Kai.”

The girl who was once called the Witch of Tears. Her smile was so radiant. The happiness from her smile was almost palpable. Far from her fated title. 

“That’s why… We will win. We will definitely win.”

We will win and make everyone happy. 

Her naive and pure words immediately softened the mood in the room. 

Yes. We have to win. I won’t let the fate of this world turn into that of a catastrophe. We will definitely win and flip this shitty fate. 

I repeated in my mind and gave all five of them a faint, but confident smile.

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