Level 0 Master

It would be nice if the princess declared war first.

Since the ruler said that it was okay to do whatever they pleased. And… half a day later, a messenger brought the message.

"The princess has formally declared war through the temple! We will have a battle this month!"

"Oh ho."

"Hahahahahahaha."

"She is trying to make a desperate move while the ruler is absent, which is a great opportunity for us."

"This is great. The princess has taken her final steps."

"If we win, she will be our prisoner."

"And we were told to do whatever we pleased."

If the Blood Ruler had been a king the princess would have been 'offered', but the Blood Ruler was a queen.

So amongst the many treasures they could get, the princess' 'beauty' was something they could share between themselves.

They exchanged glances with each other.

Classy yet glamorous, chic but gentle—the knight princess's body was an appetizing trophy.

None of the three had any intentions of holding back.

"Ha. Good. After our victory, we will take the princess in order of our achievements. You all agree, yes?"

"That sounds fair."

"Yes. I agree."

Victory was a given. The only important matter was the problem of who would first take the princess. All three of them felt the burning desire to conquer that innocent body. Getting leftovers was too boring.

"Haha, don't complain if I completely destroy her."

"Ha, who said we would let you go first?"

"You will both bite the dust. Keke, there will be nothing left when I'm done."

Their laughter echoed loudly around the bleak castle.

At that moment, every hero thought exactly the same thing. The princess would be defeated without a doubt. Whatever she did would be in vain.

One of the three would finally pluck the virginity of her beautiful body.

Damn it.

They all swallowed because they had wanted that body as well. Although they had known that their chances wouldn't arrive and therefore had imagined all sorts of things, even that was coming to a close.

With this absolute difference between their military strength, it was clear who would win. They had heard that a Level 0 had joined the opposing side, but that wasn't worth paying attention to.

"So until that day, who should I take instead," Nart murmured while browsing the girls behind the bars.

Receiving such a gaze, the girls lowered their heads.

The girls knew that becoming an ingredient for the Blood Ruler's bath was painful and miserable, but becoming a plaything for the three knights was not too different from that.

"Number 37, 39, and 72. Come out."

They all had names were called by numbers instead. It was because the hero classes saw them as 'living objects', and found it convenient to call them by their numbers.

The three knights were going to throw them away once they were broken by their harsh toying.

I want to go home...

I miss my mom…

Hopeless wishes brought about more pain.

The battle between the princess and the three knights was just one day away.

Until dawn, the princess tossed and turned.

Can we really win this war?

She thought of the strategy meeting she had right before the declaration of war.

"Our enemies are stronger than us. Considering their level, strength, and experience, their military power is better than ours by 50%. By the norm, we shouldn't have attacked first," Ereka explained patiently to Sungjin.

When there was a battle, the battlefield was decided as the defending side's territory. The defending side had the right to change the geography through a [territorial reconstruction]. The rumour which said that such a rule was fair due to its symmetric construction was made out of ignorance. Even a child would know, between the side which had to observe the region at first glance and the side which researched the region in its building stage, which held the advantage.

"But... when the Blood Ruler comes back awakened, the difference will become extreme, and the advantage will be useless to discuss. I think this is the only chance to take over the capital."

"I get the situation. And the battlefield at the capital is a 3:3 map, so you want me to find a tactic to win under the given conditions?"

"Yes, please."

Rittier, standing next to Ereka, looked at Sungjin as if to say that an extra like him was not capable of that, but Ereka ignored this look.

"Got it. You can count on me and declare war."

Sungjin promised without even a second of hesitation.

Ereka sighed again.

Sungjin promised, but is it really possible?

Of course, his military tactic to defeat her using Jenna was revolutionary, but for an "attack," the same tactic could be tricky to execute. But there was no way to win without him anyway.

Huh, it is true that Sungjin's secret tactic is our only hope.

In the meantime, unlike the princess, Sungjin was relaxing in a chair. There was a paper with their battle tactic on it for the next day in front of him.

Our opponent is 1.5 times stronger than us. On top of that, there's a penalty that we can't study the field before the battle.

Objectively, this was an unfavorable condition.

It will be a breeze.

That was what Sungjin thought of this battle. Of course, without him, it was clear that the princess couldn't win, but with him, this was clearly a winning game if there were no other hidden criteria other than the given conditions.

Right at that moment, someone quietly opened Sungjin's door. But Sungjin turned around right away as if he was waiting for the person.

"Oh, welcome."

Rittier was standing there. He glared at Sungjin as if he was going to kill him.

"Ha, I knew you were coming."

Sungjin easily matched the homicidal look from Rittier, and that upset Rittier even more.

How dare you, you are just an extra.

If it was just Sungjin being arrogant, that would have been bearable, but the real unbearable thing was something else. A cocky extra commanded Rittier's dearest princess, and on top of that, had gained the power to bargain half of this country as the victor's compensation.

The former was a disgrace to the princess' honor, and the latter could put the kingdom in danger once more.

"You should just go to sleep!"

Without any further explanation, Rittier attacked Sungjin. His sheath hit Sungjin's head, and Sungjin fell down and passed out.

"Hmph, this is what you are."

Rittier looked down on Sungjin with disdain. Even if he tried all his wits, Sungjin was but a Level 0. He was powerless before a real hero's power.

Defeating the princess with Jenna was just a gimmick. The real cause of the victory was Jenna's power, and there was time to study the battlefield and to place various installations before the battle.

But this time, there was no way Sungjin's strategies were going to work as he would have no time to study the battlefield beforehand to install devices.

Moreover, the lack of experience of the princess made her vulnerable to his deception, whereas the three knights of the Blood Ruler were fully experienced.

In the end, Sungjin was just useless.

For all those reasons above, how could Rittier let Sungjin command the princess and allow him the opportunity to win an unclear victory waged on half of the country's lands?

I will hand the full victory to my princess.

That was why Sungjin was useless. He wasn't of any help at all.

Rittier carried the unconscious Sungjin with one hand and moved in the night. He went into an outdoor warehouse far away from the castle and tied Sungjin to a pillar.

"Stay out of it. For the love my Highness, I won't kill you. I will let you go when the battle is over."

By then, this idiot wouldn't be able to ask for his share of the kingdom as he didn't do anything.

My Highness was fooled by him… But that's why I should look after her even more, yes. The late majesty had asked me to play the good guard dog until she matures, after all.

Rittier left the warehouse, completely satisfied by his own actions. To be careful, he locked the door as well, just in case.

Whatever tactic Sungjin had in mind for the victory, if he couldn't share it with the princess and remained locked in the warehouse, it was natural the tactic would turn futile.

In such a risky situation Sungjin, who was meant to have passed out, opened his eyes as soon as Rittier left.

"Of course, this was your move. Ha."

He laughed calmly as if Rittier acted just as he had expected. In fact, Sungjin had not been unconscious. When Rittier ambushed him, Sungjin tilted his head forward in that slim chance of a timing to minimise the damage to his head.

Sungjin had only pretended to be knocked out.

From Rittier's attitude toward him, Sungjin knew it was possible that Rittier would do such a thing on the night before the battle when the princess had no time to search for him if he went missing.

We're finally getting into an interesting level of difficulty.

There were three enemies in Level 6, 6, and 6. His side had a Level 6, 5, and 4.

However... one was a "troll." In the game on earth, this was a creature that benefited the enemy, and was hostile to its own team or ally.

There were two types of trolls, one was a spy from the opponent whose aim was to defeat its own ally, and the other was one who wanted to win but had the worst judgment. It gave the illusion of being good and smart but made the wrong moves that benefited the enemy and never listened to others.

Rittier was the latter.

In his tiny head, he was doing this for the princess.

Well, now, let's start with this new condition; win this battle with a troll.

The enemy had 3+1, while he only had 2. On top of that, one was a lower level magician with a halved heroic power. And before conducting this plan, he had to escape first.

In this obviously bad situation, Sungjin kept his relaxed smile. He had predicted this kind of reaction from Rittier, and he was prepared.

From now on, the results of each calculation were going to be revealed. He began to move his hands in order to untie himself.

The first clause of victory was to chase after the princess before she was defeated and take back the command.

The day broke. Ereka was on edge after realizing that Sungjin was gone.

"What is going on? We need to go to the temple now."

"Perhaps he ran away because he finds it impossible," said Rittier.

Ereka shook her head at Rittier's words.

"No way, he isn't that kind of person."

"I agree! Sungjin oppa isn't that type of person!" Jenna refuted, raising her tail strongly.

"However, it is true that he is not here. Your Highness, we need to move to the temple to be on time."

"Okay... We should wait for him at the temple. He may come directly to the temple."

They waited at the temple, but naturally, Sungjin didn't show up.

[Both parties enter the waiting room.] The announcement came with a robotic voice.

"Why isn't Sungjin here…?"

"Just the three of us can do this. Your Highness, a level 0 is quite useless anyway."

"How can you say that. You've seen his tactics."

"That was just a one-time gimmick. I'm sure he ran away as soon as he realized there was no way he could do it again."

"No way. But maybe there was an accident... Oh, what if he went back to his own world due to the incomplete summoning ritual...? What should we do? He was our last hope."

"Your Highness. We need to go in. Whatever boring tactic he had, since he is not here, there's nothing that can change the situation."

"Mm, no way. Sungjin oppa promised me to bring us victory."

Jenna shook her tail with uncertainty.

I never thought that Sungjin Oppa was someone who would get cold feet like this.

He proved his impeccable insight to Jenna last night. That was a few minutes before midnight.

"Trouble falling asleep?"

"Oppa, can we really win tomorrow?"

Sungjin smiled as if he had already known she was at unease.

"Of course. But there's something I need to tell you."

"About what?"

"You don't have to pretend to be innocent when there's only the two of us."

"What? Oppa. What are you talking about? Hehehe. You are getting the wrong idea."

Jenna's tail was trembling.

"To place you in the right position, I need to know who you really are."

"How... did you know??"

"Haha. Let's just say that it was my insight."

Sungjin didn't give any details. Actually, he was just feeling her out, but Jenna thought she was busted and gave him the truth.

There were many things to have doubts about. This morning, there was too much physical contact to call it a "mistake." Even though she was the titular head of the maids, the title ran too smoothly in many regards.

Sungjin glanced at Jenna's sharp eyes. He had tried to feel her out, and she was busted. She was still a child.

"Oh... please don't tell the princess. She will be shocked."

"If there's no bad intention, then I don't plan on invading your privacy."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I promise. I know you've tried your best to achieve what you have."

"Thank you, Oppa."

Jenna was currently thinking that the situation was too strange.

Oppa is too confident to run away... Maybe... that old Rittier did something to him?

When Jenna started to have her doubts, the final announcement came out. Now it was too late to doubt.

"Well, the time's up. We have no choice."

Ereka had no choice but to enter the temple with only two members.

Sungjin, what happened?

Rittier nodded his head with content.

Don't worry, Your Highness. Sungjin's gimmick with premade illusions would be useless since we couldn't study the field in advance, but I do have a great tactic to defeat them. Trust me.

And there's no way he was going to allow an extra to inherit half of the kingdom.

I will protect you with my life, Your Highness.

Sungjin was unconscious and hidden in the warehouse, out of mind until the end of the battle.

The three knights were discussing their strategy in the waiting room.

"So the extra brought by the princess is not participating."

"Not surprising. Even a level 4 wizard kid is slightly better than that."

"Hahaha. The inexperienced princess brought half a wizard and then a complete extra to the game. She doesn't have the eye for talent."

The ruler, Schtram, said to keep their guard up, but the three knights were full of confidence.

"Your Highness was a bit too careful. We don't need to worry about an extra."

"Well, I have no idea what he can do, but he is not on the battlefield, so it's useless to even think about him."

[You will move to the battlefield in a moment. Get ready. 10... 3... 2... 1... 0.]

In the meantime, unlike Rittier's thoughts, Sungjin was walking out of the warehouse door he had just broken through. Behind him, on the ground, was the rope that had tied him up.

He was holding a tiny pocket knife that he had hidden inside his sleeve. The knot was tight, but understanding the direction and the distribution of the strength, Sungjin started to slowly slice away at the knot to make some space therefore untying himself. And his trained body was the best tool to use against the locked door to take off the lock with one blow.

He didn't have Heroic Power, but he was able to solve the problem with his own body and brain.

Now, I need to get there in time.

The battle had already started, and the temple was far away, so Sungjin started to run.

Nobody knew whether Rittier's stupidity would destroy them all, or if Sungjin would be able to pick up the pieces before the disaster.

The battle began.

The spirits from both sides were summoned to their campms, and was given a replicate body.

Each donned their gear as they shouted out their successor's name.

Ereka, with a body that better suited to a dress, declared her god's name on the battlefield.

"The protector of humans, the name of wisdom and war. Allow me to have part of your power."

The wind blew, and the air started to vibrate due to her Heroic Power. Her wind-blown blonde hair reflected the brightness of the sun. The spear of victory with an eagle on it was held in her right hand.

"Virtus Successio! Jeanne d'Arc et Protector!"

A golden shield appeared in her left hand.

She called out the name of the young and delicate saint who fought to protect her people in the middle of a tragic war 100 years ago. For some reason, the history told on earth was the succeeded heroic power of this world.

The silver circlet of laurel appeared on her heavily armed body; the simply-made, white gold armor shone like a virgin's body. The rest of her body showed its beauty, protected by golden Heroic Power.

The nobility of her wanting to protect her people from a fearful enemy was shining brightly, showing its beauty and honor.

"Let's try our best and win this war."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Yes, my princess."

The princess' army checked the revealed battlefield.

They would clash 3:3 on the battlefield where three different lanes led to each other, and the forest between lanes had neutral mobs that could be hunted.

"Thankfully, not much changed after they took it."

They were familiar with the geographical features here; it used to be theirs, and they had to retake it.

"Your Highness, I will head to the forest. Your Highness should head to the bottom lane and send Jenna to the top lane."

What would Sungjin do?

Ereka thought briefly, but she couldn't expect a piece of advice from someone who was not there. She had to follow Rittier's directions, as he was more experienced.

"Let's do that."

"Okay, I will go first."

Rittier departed right away. On his way, he calculated what would happen. Their enemy would send Nart, the knight with the highest moving power out of the three knights.

I can defeat Nart.

There was a disadvantage in a 1:1 fight because Rittier was one level lower than Nart, but Rittier was sure he could win. Rittier knew Nart's swordsmanship, habits, psychology, and all else, he was ready to counterattack Nart's skills. He was sure he had the skill to overcome a one-level difference.

I will beat him.

And then, when it became a 3:2 fight, he would use Sungjin's tactic when he defeated Princess Ereka. Use the outnumbering advantage to accumulate the number of items to overcome the level difference.

Hmm, I don't want to bring in an idea from an extra, but anyone could have thought of that tactic, really.