Pick me Up – Chapter 250 – Assault on the Holy City (1)
After overcoming the 55th floor, Anything didn’t slacken the reins.
The next day, the conquest of the 56th floor began. This time, our main group was in charge. While clearing the sub-stages, which consisted of easy hunting and exploration missions, I gathered information about the 60th floor.
‘The 60th floor will be the assault on the Holy City.’
The Holy City of Delhive.
Located at the southern end of the Taonier continent, it’s a large city that serves as the largest religious center of the empire, being the sanctuary of the Tel Ikar cult. If we manage to occupy this place, we will put an end to the cult that has tormented the heroes for so long.
Floor 59.
I was able to get a basic summary of the assault on the Holy City thanks to my contact with Yoshu.
There were three important points to consider:
First, Delhive is a fortress city that can function as a castle and has defenses comparable to those of the imperial capital.
Second, all the forces of the cult, including the Saint and the Order of the Holy Knights, are concentrated in Delhive.
Additionally, monsters have joined the cult’s army, with an estimated strength that far exceeds ten thousand soldiers.
A robust fortress and numerous troops.
Even for the Princess’s army, which had so far defeated the cult’s army without much difficulty, these conditions were not easy to face.
Lastly, the leader of the Tel Ikar cult, the Blind Saint, Riane, uses an unknown power.
I couldn’t ignore this. I already faced her on the 50th floor. Left Eye that Devastates the Heavens and Right Eye that Devours the Earth, right? Each had the ability to seal senses, skills, and engravings. It was extremely annoying.
‘I won’t fall into the same trap twice.’
Since I mastered the Demon Dragon’s Soul, my abilities have increased considerably.
Moreover, I had already prepared countermeasures in case of emergency.
If the Saint tries to use the same trick, she should be prepared to die.
“So it’s a joint operation with the Princess’s army, huh?”
Strategy room on the fourth floor of the Lobby.
Roderick murmured while observing the map on the table.
Having retired as the head of the Training Camp, he returned to take the position of leader of Group 2 after Edith’s death.
“Our role is…”
“An attack on key points using aircraft.”
I pointed to the center of the map.
There was a circular city surrounded by five thick walls.
In the center of the city stood a large temple that resembled a skyscraper.
It was an aerial view of the fortress city of Delhive.
“The Princess’s army will handle the ground assault. The Taonier attack squad will break the air defenses and penetrate the walls. Then, inside, we will cause chaos by eliminating the enemies.”
I pointed to the outer wall with my finger.
Roderick, with a hardened face, looked up at me.
“And what will you do?”
“We will move on our own. We will go deeper.”
I touched the temple in the center of the city with my hand.
“There will be the key figure of the cult’s army. We plan to eliminate her.”
“…I understand.”
Roderick smiled bitterly.
“I didn’t expect to be back on the battlefield. I don’t know if I can fulfill my part.”
Realistically, this man cannot fill the void left by Edith.
He can only do it partially. The master will have to take care of his absence.
We are no longer in a position where he can just support us from behind, so I think I can have some expectations.
“Then, I will convey the strategy to the other group leaders. Thank you for your work.”
“You’re welcome.”
Roderick left the meeting room.
I kept staring at the map while sitting in the swivel chair.
‘The mission starts tomorrow.’
The current time is late at night.
Anything had finished the last preparations and logged out.
And I had just finished my part.
Crackle.
A scarlet lightning crackled in my right hand.
When I closed my fist, the lightning faded away.
Whenever I had time, I trained with Halgion in the spiritual world. The perception of time was over a year.
At first, this power felt strange to me, but now I handled it as if it were my own.
“…Yurnet.”
I murmured softly.
The space in front of me distorted, forming a human figure made of mist.
<Yes, master.>
“How is the investigation going?”
<It is in the final stage. When you return from the 60th floor, it should be finished.>
“That’s a relief. I thought it would take years.”
<It’s an order from you, master. We can’t neglect it.>
Yurnet covered her mouth and laughed.
She was investigating the matter of El Cid.
The case of El Cid had too many suspicious points from beginning to end.
There were too many doubts to leave it aside as a concluded matter.
<By the way, master. You evolved your engraving.>
“Yes.”
The shadow of Yurnet approached me.
<I always welcome your growth, master. However, it seems you are not satisfied with the current conditions of the engraving. Why don’t you reconsider it?>
“Reconsider? What is there to reconsider?”
<Perhaps you should seek another engraving. Your Demon Dragon’s Soul carries too high a risk if something goes wrong in Taonier. As if the master of your Lobby decided to abandon.>
“I already made the contract, how am I going to change it? That doesn’t make sense.”
<If you order it…>
“Even if I could, I wouldn’t. I will stay in Taonier until the end. Now I can’t back down.”
<But…>
“No buts. This matter is decided by my own will.”
Yurnet fell silent.
In exchange for Halgion’s power, I committed to fulfilling my missions in Taonier.
Even if the contract lost its binding force, I plan to fulfill it.
“Don’t worry. I can take care of myself. I can’t keep depending on you forever.”
<…Master.>
“I will contact you when I return.”
The mist in front of me dispersed.
‘I… am not like him.’
I don’t break the promises I make.
Regardless of the outcome, I will move forward as far as I can.
I gripped the hilt of my sword.
Clank. The blade of Bifröst brushed against the sheath, producing a metallic sound.
The next night.
Following Anything’s instructions, a group was formed to assault the 60th floor.
The number of aircraft designated for the 60th floor was four. Three were assigned to the first squadron, led by the second group, and the last one was for our main group.
[※Attention!]
[This mission requires ten groups. If you lack members, use free or paid summons to gather more heroes.]
[This mission is a special mission that requires aircraft. Gather resources and blueprints to build the aircraft.]
[Tips: You can form squadrons by joining several groups.]
[Tips: You can form fleets by joining several aircraft.]
After the warning messages appeared,
<Open, Rift of Space-Time!>
Iselle extended her hand, and a large mirror appeared in the dimensional rift.
[Climb the tower and save the world.]
[Main Mission: Current Floor – 59]
The deployment order was already given.
The large mirror began to shine.
The aircraft began to rise slowly into the air.
[Main Mission, Current Floor – 60]
[The gate will open in 10 seconds. Prepare yourselves.]
[The mission is being recorded. The records of the game will be preserved.]
The Lucette, in charge of our main group, headed towards the mirror.
I leaned against the railing and extended my right hand.
“Iselle.”
<Yes, sir!>
Iselle appeared, dressed in an impeccable black suit.
She pushed her sunglasses up with one finger and approached me.
<What do you wish, sir?>
“Something clean and heavy.”
<As you wish!>
Iselle turned her right hand.
Sparks of stars emerged, creating an object covered with a white cloth.
I patted the object.
‘This feeling is…’
“Number 137?”
<Yes! It’s ebony with a solid steel interior. Clean and heavy!>
“Good choice.”
I smiled and returned the object to Iselle.
Iselle bowed to me and disappeared.
“What are you doing?”
Kishasha tilted her head, curious.
Well, this should prevent withdrawal symptoms until we clear the 60th floor.
“Leave it. It’s just recharging the War Horse’s energy.”
“War Horse’s energy?”
They looked at me strangely.
It’s just a way to relax before the mission.
I crossed my arms and looked ahead.
The mirror’s light was enveloping the Lucette.
[Warning!]
[Warning!]
[Warning!]
Before the light faded, a high-difficulty warning appeared.
Triple warning message. It means it won’t be as easy as the 55th floor.
Then the objective window appeared.
[Floor 60.]
[Mission Type – Siege]
[Mission Objective – Conquer the Holy City of Delhive.]
A cold wind brushed my cheek.
I squinted my eyes. The Lucette stopped several hundred meters above the ground.
Beyond the bright sky, the view of the large city became visible.
‘That’s Delhive.’
From the large temple in the center of the city, thick walls extended in layers.
On top of them, countless soldiers gathered.
[Cult Soldier Lv.???] X 7615
[Cult Knight Lv.???] X 2174
[Legion of Corrupt Monsters Lv.???] X 3739
[Cult Army…]
Yoshu’s words about the concentration of cult troops weren’t a lie.
<…There are many.>
I heard Roderick’s sigh.
“We also have many soldiers.”
I responded to the communicator while looking down.
[Human Mercenary Lv.???] X 21548
It was such a large army that it filled the vast plain.
Each carried their group’s flag, shouting as they advanced towards the fortress.
Behind them, moving, were catapults, battering rams, and other siege machines.
[Master, the two forces are in combat.]
[Help the Princess’s army to exterminate the cult’s army. Bring peace to Taonier!]
A red arrow appeared in the sky.
Anything was organizing the tactical formation.
<…Han.>
I heard a familiar voice near my ear.
It was Pria. It seems she found us and sent a magic communication message.
I smiled and murmured.
“We should keep professional and personal matters separate.”
<Understood. We’ll talk after the battle.>
I cut the communication and looked ahead.
The other aircraft, except the Lucette, were advancing towards the fortress.
They seemed to be faithfully following Anything’s instructions.
“Should we go too?”
Jenna looked at me and said.
I shook my head.
“You go first.”
“Huh? Why again?”
“It seems they need reinforcements here.”
I directed my gaze towards the fortress gate.
[Corrupt Black Knight Lv.71] X 13
Black knights, with black plate armor and large swords, were indiscriminately massacring the mercenaries.
Although there were few, they were slowing down the advance considerably.
“Can’t we ignore them? Anyway, the gate will open.”
“If we want to use them later, we must minimize casualties. We’ll meet in front of the temple.”
I put a foot on the railing.
“Wait, we’re in the sky…”
I jumped off the aircraft.
Immediately, the fierce wind hit my body.
‘The distance to the ground is… about 200 meters.’
The view of the plain began to expand.
“Halgion.”
<So soon you call me!>
I snapped my fingers.
Crackle. A scarlet lightning enveloped my body.
I landed without making a sound.
From 200 meters high, I landed without receiving any impact.
“What-what is that beast?”
“Aaaah!”
Thud.
A severed human leg fell in front of me.
Splash.
Blood gushed like a fountain, staining the nearby ground red.
‘It seems they have no chance.’
Screaming, the black knights wielded their large swords in the middle of the plain.
There were already dozens of bodies scattered around them.
“Who are you? How did you fall from the sky…?”
“Step aside.”
I pushed the man blocking my way.
<Brother.>
“Yoshu?”
<Yes. As expected, you came. I’m contacting you by magic communication.>
“What about those guys…?”
<They are the elite soldiers of the cult’s army I mentioned. They have significantly slowed our advance.>
I see.
They wielded their large swords, weighing over 100 kg, as if they were branches.
It’s impossible for an ordinary human to stop them.
The broken armor and weapons, as well as human remains, were scattered on the ground.
<Uoooooh…>
One of the black knights, upon crossing his gaze with mine, approached.
<You are… a dog of the goddess…>
“Dog of the goddess?”
<Traitor… traidoooor… Kraaa!>
Whooong!
The knight lowered his large sword.
<Hmph, insignificant creature.>
Halgion murmured coldly.
I raised my right hand.
Crackle.
A scarlet lightning enveloped the black knight’s body.
At that moment, I clenched my fist.
‘Compression.’
Crash.
Blood and remains flew everywhere.
When I completely closed my fist, the black knight turned into a crushed mass on the ground.
“Traitor? Such harsh words.”
<…>
<Kill… that one first…>
I don’t need to draw the sword.
With a quick kick, I lightly touched the black knights running towards me.
<Traitor…>
Then, I lowered my hand.
Crash.
As if they were crushed by a giant press, the twelve black knights were compressed and stuck to the ground.
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