Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Power of the God of War

After finishing my meal and sipping some tea, I reentered the game. Murong Shanshan was still online, and the snow in the city continued to fall. I wondered if that girl was still enjoying the view. I quickly sent her a message: “Shanshan, what are you up to? Don’t tell me you’re still watching the snow?”

Not long after, Murong Shanshan replied: “I’m leveling up in the Elven Forest to the east, and I’ve taken on a quest. The reward is a blue piece of equipment, hehe. Don’t bother me for now, I’m grinding for the quest item. I’ll keep you company tonight~”

Keep me company tonight?

My thoughts began to wander, but I didn’t dare ask her how she planned to do so. After repairing my gear, I headed towards Mustang Plains. Along the way, I ignored the level-twenty-something Skeleton Warriors and crossed the suspension bridge. Near the logging camp, many players were already forming parties and grinding. Judging from their levels—barely over twenty—it took a whole group to bring down a level 27 Skeleton Warrior, and even then, the fight was chaotic and desperate. Just before crossing the bridge, I looked back and witnessed a moving scene of life and death: several white flashes rose in succession. No wonder they barely wore any green gear—how could they possibly withstand the Skeleton Warriors’ insane attack power?

Arriving at Captain Roger’s dilapidated camp, I found him squatting by the fire, talking to one of the knights: “It’s been snowing lately, and the soldiers’ winter clothes are tattered beyond repair. At this rate, even if the Golden Knights don’t come to kill us, we’ll hardly survive the winter.”

I hurried over and said, “Captain, I’ve completed the mission and returned.”

“What? You really accomplished what I asked?” Roger looked incredulous, then asked, “Where’s the proof? Your trial token?”

I immediately produced the one hundred Golden Knight badges. The system notification appeared:

System Notification: You have completed the quest “Captain Roger’s Commission.” You receive 240,000 experience, 12 gold coins, reputation +1,400, reward: Power of the Warlord!

Power of the Warlord: Increases the attack of teammates within a certain range. The effect scales with skill level. Passive skill. Applicable class: Archer. Required level: 24.

I felt a bit disheartened. After all that effort, the reward was an archer skill book, and the effect was unclear. Judging by Moonmark Corporation’s notorious stinginess, it probably only increased attack by 2% at best—hardly worth the trouble.

Maybe there was a follow-up quest. Judging from the Golden Knights’ relationship with the kingdom, I doubted things would be resolved so easily. Such storylines were designed to immerse players in the plot.

“Captain, I’ve met their Vice Commander, Lin He.”

Roger looked slightly surprised, then sneered: “That despicable scoundrel who ambushed our main camp? If he hadn’t attacked us from behind, our commander wouldn’t have died a hero’s death!”

The more Roger spoke, the more agitated he became. I quickly explained, “This situation benefits neither side. The Undead Legion in the west is eyeing us hungrily, and our army is sorely lacking, especially in experienced cavalry. Why can’t we let the Golden Knights return to the kingdom?”

“Impossible!” Roger cut me off coldly. “If the Golden Knights return to the imperial army, wouldn’t our commander’s death be in vain? Who will answer for his sacrifice?”

I hesitated, then said, “Should we blame Darke? He only took risks for the woman he loved—what’s wrong with that? The real mistake was the old king’s stubbornness—it was his order to suppress such a capable general that led to this endless conflict!”

“What did you say? How could the king be wrong?” Roger was shocked, and the knights around him had already drawn their swords.

A cold sweat broke out on my forehead, but I forced myself to remain calm and continued, “You’ve been besieged for three years—did the kingdom ever send a single soldier to rescue you? Don’t blame it on the logging camp’s fall. Even if it hadn’t, the old king wouldn’t have sent help. When he learned of your defeat, he’d already decided to abandon the Sky Knights, because to him, you were no longer of any value!”

Roger’s face grew grim. My words were harsh, but there was some truth in them—perhaps they even struck at the core of Roger’s years of doubts.

After a long hesitation, Roger finally said to me, “I refuse to believe the kingdom would forget such a valiant army. Perhaps you’re right about some things—the Golden Knights are indeed the strongest force against the undead scourge. But our commander’s death cannot go unavenged. I want you to bring Darke’s token back to the old king, and have him rescue the last 3,000 Sky Knights!”

System Notification: Accept Captain Roger’s commission—obtain the token of Darke, leader of the Golden Knights, return to the palace, and present it to the king. Fulfill Roger’s wish and bring the remnants of the Golden and Sky Knights back to the imperial army!

This quest was mandatory and unique. Once I led the Golden and Sky Knights away, Mustang Plains would likely return to its former peace, and new monsters might appear.

My only concern now was how to obtain Darke’s token. With my current strength, storming the Golden Knights’ camp was a wild fantasy—I might not even survive the first gate!

Wait, when I left Lin He’s camp, his soldiers no longer seemed hostile. Perhaps I could ask him for help.

Without further delay, I packed up, bid farewell to Roger, and headed for Lin He’s camp. Along the way, cavalry patrols still roamed the area. I dispatched a few groups and restocked some potions before entering the forest. Lin He’s camp was still quiet, and the knights genuinely didn’t see me as an intruder anymore. No one tried to stop me as I entered the camp. I quickly opened my status panel and, sure enough, the Golden Knights were now listed as neutral in the diplomacy section—no wonder they weren’t attacking me.

Lin He soon recognized me and asked, “You’re back—what brings you this time?”

“I was hoping you could help me meet with Commander Darke.”