Chapter 303: War of Liberation (2)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Another crisis had come to Arsilan and the southern region of the Dimensional Realm! As if everything the Heroes had done was meaningless, the enemy displayed overwhelming firepower.

No one knew exactly how it worked, but the red beam fired by the Satellite Weapon continued accelerating through dimensional rifts until it reached right up to Arsilan's doorstep.

In reality, the Kalsus Dimensional Empire possessed no weapon of this caliber, nor would it ever be capable of inventing one, but it was perfect for creating a crisis.

Jinwoo had subtly planted information about the Satellite Weapon around the Great Gate and throughout several parts of the Dimensional Realm. According to the setting, its main fuel was the 'Dimension Stone', created by absorbing the energy released when a dimension was destroyed.

The attack shown in the video had contained the combined energy of hundreds of Dimension Stones! He needed a setting like that for everything to add up. This was information the Heroes would have to uncover later.

Time was running short.

That was because, once 25 days had passed, it seemed the red beam would strike Arsilan directly this time. Even if it did not, countless dimensions would obviously be destroyed.

The Named Heroes who had spearheaded the liberation of the Dimensional Realm entered a lengthy meeting. Every Named Hero belonging to a guild or territory gathered in one place.

They held the meeting publicly through a broadcast so that Heroes from other factions could watch as well. The meeting dragged on. They sent out a reconnaissance team composed of the very best Named Heroes to gather information, and managed to determine which targets needed to be attacked.

NorthernGrandDuke, who had the highest level and fame, chaired the meeting and took the lead.

"First, stopping that Satellite Weapon takes priority. According to the reconnaissance team's information, there are devices around the Satellite Weapon that supply it with energy."

As NorthernGrandDuke extended her hand, an information window appeared in the center of the conference room. It showed photos of the Satellite Weapon taken by the reconnaissance team. Everyone in the conference room marveled at the sight of it. It was an enemy weapon, but its appearance was grand enough to send chills down their spines.

"The energy supply devices are generating a shield around the entire Satellite Weapon. We need to eliminate the energy supply devices first, then enter the Satellite Weapon itself."

"Once we stop the Satellite Weapon, we can advance on the Great Gate."

NorthernGrandDuke nodded at the Named Hero's words.

The Great Gate, which was slightly larger than Arsilan, had an obvious point of attack.

The glowing area at its center.

If they attacked and seized that place, which pierced through the planet's core and released enormous amounts of energy in every direction, it seemed they could use it as Arsilan's forward base.

Leon, Emperor of the Sillion Empire, also participated in this meeting.

Jinwoo, inhabiting Leon's body, watched the rapidly progressing meeting with satisfaction. By now, plans were being made on their own even without Jinwoo personally stepping in to lead them.

When Jinwoo extended his hand, another information window appeared. It displayed a Key Card suffused with Arsilan's light.

"This is the blueprint for the Arcane Control Device jointly created by Ella-nim, Helby-nim, and the imperial mages."

It was an S-rank item.

It required such incredibly rare materials that even gathering them looked difficult.

There were physical copies as well.

Jinwoo took two Key Cards from inside his clothes and placed them on the table. The Heroes who used Appraisal on them gulped.

They were treasures valuable enough to buy dozens of large warships with money to spare.

"Whoa, this is...."

"Leon-nim, did the imperial family make these?"

Jinwoo nodded at the Heroes' questions.

"We emptied every imperial treasure vault, but we were still only able to make two. That is why I am providing you with the blueprint."

Everyone was deeply moved by Jinwoo's words.

Leon, Emperor of Sillion, always cared about nothing but the Heroes.

The imperial household was frugality itself, to the point that it would barely have been able to operate without the goods offered as tribute by the Heroes. Even tax revenue was reinvested into Arsilan and the Newbie Heroes.

Of course, Jinwoo's Subspace was packed with every kind of treasure from the Dimensional Realm, with more still piling up even now, but the Heroes had no way of knowing that.

"...I'm sorry. We should have paid more attention."

Even NorthernGrandDuke said that.

Wanting to appear frugal, Jinwoo went around in clothes that looked worn apart from his blue robe. The interior of the imperial palace was simply neat and tidy.

-I have reflected on my sins.

-Can we execute the bastards who keep skimping on taxes?

-Heard even the imperial knight order is running on a shoestring.

-All you big territory owners, let's start sending in loads of specialty goods as tribute.

The imperial family never interfered with legal tax-saving methods.

Guild masters watching the meeting through the broadcast posted messages in chat. Everyone could see the opinions the guild masters typed into the chat as well.

Jinwoo shook his head.

"This is for the sake of the Dimensional Realm. My only regret is that I cannot do more for you. If this Key Card is inserted into the Great Gate's control device, you should be able to seize complete control of it. We tested it using equipment from the Kalsus Dimensional Empire's forces that the Heroes brought back."

Jinwoo calmly continued his explanation.

This Key Card was the most important item in the coming decisive battle.

"The power created through the combination of magic and Sacred Spells should be beyond even the Kalsus Dimensional Empire's technology to defend against."

Now that the Key Card, which would play a crucial role, had been provided, the operation quickly took shape.

In broad terms, it was very simple.

Neutralize the Satellite Weapon and seize the Great Gate. Naturally, General Gord's legion would not simply sit back and do nothing during the process.

"Still, the number of Heroes we can deploy into the Dimensional Realm has increased significantly."

"Our levels have risen dramatically too."

"We won't be helpless like we were before."

NorthernGrandDuke was closing in on level 300, and quite a few Named Heroes had already passed level 250 by a wide margin. They burned with fighting spirit as they vowed revenge.

The finer details were established and relayed to every guild and territory in Arsilan. Having already fought countless wars, they had a solid command structure in place, and everyone joined up smoothly and skillfully.

As the meeting drew to a close, Jinwoo stood from his seat and bowed his head with an expression full of apology.

"I'm sorry I cannot help you more."

As Leon was the Emperor, he could not leave Arsilan.

That was also why Leon, who had always fought alongside the Heroes, could not enter the Dimensional Realm. Furthermore, unlike the Heroes, the people of Arsilan could not resurrect in the Dimensional Realm.

With that setting in place, the Heroes would probably all desperately stop Leon if he said he wanted to participate. Leon had not appeared at all in Episode 6, but he still held first place in the popularity rankings. The gap between him and second place was enormous.

"I wish to stand beside the Heroes as well, but... everyone opposed it. It saddens me greatly that I cannot lend you my strength. If you should need my power...."

At Jinwoo's words, the Heroes sprang from their seats in alarm.

"N-no, that's all right."

"Your Majesty, please protect Arsilan!"

"Please support us from the rear! That's more than enough."

The Heroes desperately tried to stop Jinwoo.

Jinwoo merely bowed his head once more, wearing an expression full of guilt.

"The operation is set. We begin preparations now. How much time do you need?"

"We need to service all the ships and equipment, so it'll take at least a month...."

"Cut it to 20 days."

"Hmm...."

NorthernGrandDuke gave the order. It was an unreasonable demand, but they had to pull it off. This war was a race against time. They had to pour everything into preparations and depart as quickly as possible.

"The imperial family will also do everything in its power to assist. Ella-nim and Helby-nim will help as well."

At Jinwoo's words, every Hero in the conference room looked visibly relieved. They were grateful enough just to receive such full support.

Jinwoo smiled gently as he looked at the Heroes.

The final stage of Episode 6, the Liberation War.

It would undoubtedly be a fierce war fought in an atmosphere as solemn as its scale demanded. However, it would be a problem if the mood became too heavy. Unlike the liberation of the Dimensional Realm, where the Heroes had genuinely played the leading role, this entire stage was a performance, basically WWE.

It had to be fun.

It had to be moving.

And through those many experiences, the Heroes had to nurture the light within their souls.

'Being a clown is nothing to me.'

The dignity of a god had never existed to begin with.

As long as the Heroes had fun and the people of the dimensions could be saved, that was enough. Just as he always had, Jinwoo would gladly become the clown who made everyone laugh.

Jinwoo continued acting as though he was deeply saddened by the fact that he could not accompany the Heroes. Each time, the Heroes comforted him, but Jinwoo never let the regret leave his expression.

'They're going to be shocked, aren't they?'

He was building up to something that would shock them all!

***

Everyone in Arsilan spent 20 days diligently preparing for war. Ships were repaired, while captured vessels were rapidly reassembled and reborn as ships for the Heroes.

They were fitted with new weapons, and the Magic Armor was upgraded as well. Compact engines based on the Kalsus Dimensional Empire's technology were installed, allowing them to maneuver even in outer space. There had not been enough time to properly test them, but apparently, that was how they worked.

After 20 days had passed, everyone assembled in front of the Dimension Gate. Countless ships filled the skies above Alusion, shining like stars. Several fleets had been formed around the large warships.

Jinwoo came out in front of Alusion with the knights and looked up at Arsilan's ships.

Every force that had liberated the southern region of the Dimensional Realm was gathered here. It was the first time all of their forces had assembled in one place like this.

'Feels like yesterday when there were only 3,000 of them.'

Jinwoo remembered the early access days.

It felt like only yesterday that they had lined up to go hunt boss monsters, yet now countless ships decorated the skies of Alusion.

What kind of sight would unfold after even more time had passed?

The possibilities were so limitless that not even Jinwoo could predict them.

-Damn, that's a lot!

-Now this is a war!

-This looks freaking insane with everyone gathered together.

-How much did all of this even cost?

Communications between the ships were activated, and Jinwoo's voice was connected to every vessel. The noisy comms fell silent as everyone waited for Jinwoo's order to deploy.

There was no need for a long speech.

From Episode 1 all the way through Episode 6, every word Jinwoo had spoken until now remained within the Heroes' souls.

Jinwoo extended his hand toward the Dimension Gate.

"Arsilan Liberation Army! Move out!"

The moment Jinwoo gave the command, brilliant light erupted from the Dimension Gate and created an enormous dimensional rift. The rift stretched from Alusion all the way to the far edge of Arsilan's sky, taking on the appearance of a gigantic door swinging open.

-LET'S GOOO!

-Combat's gonna start the second we break through, so be ready!

-Stick to the plan!

-This part's always the best!

The three largest ships in Arsilan's fleet moved ahead and passed through the Dimension Gate, and the entire fleet followed behind them. Once the fleet that had filled the skies above Alusion vanished, Jinwoo nodded and disappeared as well.

At last, the Liberation War over the fate of the southern region of the Dimensional Realm had begun!

***

The Heroes crossed into the region containing the Great Gate.

The fleet emerging through the dimensional rift was truly a magnificent sight. Countless ships appeared like comets, drawing long trails behind them, and those tail-like streaks shattered into particles of blue light.

NorthernGrandDuke stood with her arms crossed, staring ahead.

She was aboard the central vessel of the three colossal warships. It was a ship constructed together with the Romance Heroes.

Far in the distance was the planet containing the Great Gate, and beside it floated the Satellite Weapon. The planet and its satellite were unnaturally close together, as if defying the laws of physics.

How many dimensions had vanished because of that thing?

The sight looked incredibly mysterious, yet profoundly threatening at the same time.

The moment Arsilan's fleet appeared, the forces of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire also revealed themselves in front of the Satellite Weapon and the Great Gate.

A wave shimmering with red light came into view.

Countless ships of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire filled the space before the Satellite Weapon, lined up in endless rows like the grid of an enormous game board. Every single one was at least a medium-class vessel.

"...There are a lot."

Tension seeped into NorthernGrandDuke's voice.

She had participated in countless wars and led them to victory, but even she had never fought a war on this scale before.

This was a full-scale battle where force would collide head-on with force.

-Whoa! There's a freaking ton of them!

-Are those the newest ships?

-Those look slick.

Excited voices came through the comms.

Naturally, not a single Hero was afraid. The only ones who felt regret were the Heroes whose levels were too low to participate. Haebyul, standing beside NorthernGrandDuke, kept her stream running at all times for those Heroes.

"We proceed according to plan! Advance!"

RRRRROOOOM!

Massive amounts of energy erupted from the Mana Engines, and Arsilan's entire fleet surged forward. The Kalsus Dimensional Empire's fleet began responding in kind.

"Energy concentration detected from the Kalsus Dimensional Empire fleet!"

"Enemy ship cannons confirmed!"

"Simultaneous attack incoming!"

The Heroes seated at the controls assessed the enemy's movements through Appraisal and analysis skills.

"Shield status?"

"Perfect!"

They had to reduce speed in order to fire their ship cannons.

NorthernGrandDuke gave no such order.

Closing the distance came first. Every part of their strategy began with that.

"Full speed ahead!"

"Relay to all fleets. Full speed ahead! I repeat! Full speed ahead!"

VVVVVRRRRMMM!

The entire fleet began charging toward the enemy at full speed.

"Enemy fleet has fired its cannons!"

"Four seconds to impact, three...."

"Shields to maximum!"

NorthernGrandDuke let out a long breath and stared straight ahead.

Through the information window, she could see a barrage of red beams fired simultaneously by the enemy fleet. They filled her entire field of view as they rapidly surged toward them like a tidal wave.

They looked less like light and more like flames.

Perhaps because they contained tremendous dimensional energy, they moved more slowly than expected, but even then, they were far too fast to avoid through evasive maneuvers.

"Brace for impact!"

The instant NorthernGrandDuke shouted the order, the enemy attack slammed into the fleet's shields.

KRAKOOOM!

The red beams struck the shields but failed to penetrate them, instead refracting and ricocheting away.

"Shield loss at 30%!"

"All fleets report no problems!"

NorthernGrandDuke nodded.

-Daaaamn!

-That's Arsilan's Sacred Spells and magic for you!

-Take that, you primitive tin cans!

The shields were imbued with Ella's Sacred Spells and Helby's magic. Perhaps the enemy was flustered, because they immediately began preparing another attack. This time, an even greater amount of energy gathered.

"Three minutes until we enter firing range!"

KRAAAAAAM!

Another enemy attack followed. The shields endured, though 80% of their strength was lost.

"Enemy fleet entering cooling state!"

"Just as predicted!"

They might have been the newest model of warship, but they had not overcome the inherent limitations of ship cannons. Because they had recklessly fired successive volleys, they now had to go through a cooling cycle.

They had predicted that even with the latest technology, two attacks powerful enough to penetrate these shields would be the limit.

"Satellite Weapon energy supply devices confirmed!"

"We're within firing range!"

The fronts of the three colossal warships opened, revealing their cannons. The cannons aimed at the energy supply devices floating beside the Satellite Weapon.

"Fire!"

KRAAAAAAM!

Mana particle beams shot out in long, straight lines. The energy supply devices were protected by shields as well, but those shields could not completely block the particle beams. Flames erupted from the three supply devices struck by the blasts.

"Satellite Weapon shield deactivation confirmed!"

"Th-the energy supply devices are still operational! Estimated ten minutes until the Satellite Weapon's shield reactivates!"

They had failed to completely destroy the energy supply devices. The devices immediately began evasive maneuvers and rapidly moved behind the Satellite Weapon.

But it was not the worst-case scenario.

For now, the shield was down.

That was enough.

Arsilan's fleet did not possess ship cannons powerful enough to destroy that Satellite Weapon. But they had something just as powerful.

The Heroes themselves.

"Everyone to your positions!"

When NorthernGrandDuke looked toward Haebyul, Haebyul and the Named Heroes nodded and immediately moved.

The undersides of every ship opened, revealing multiple cannon barrels. They were not barrels meant to attack enemy ships. They were designed to fire the Heroes aboard the ships.

Haebyul and the Named Heroes formed parties of several members each and climbed into bullet-shaped capsules.

"Hm?"

Haebyul looked to the side and tilted her head.

It was because someone dressed in white seemed to have entered a capsule alone. There was no Named Hero wearing white aboard this ship. Moreover, the person's build, height, and overall silhouette felt oddly familiar.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

When UruBear asked, Haebyul shook her head and climbed into the capsule. She fastened her seat belt and gripped the handle.

UruBear grinned at Haebyul.

"How many do you think will make it there alive?"

"Wouldn't we count it as a success if even 20% make it?"

"Hehehe! This really is one hell of a stupid plan."

"Well, we'll just respawn on the ships anyway, so we're basically throwing numbers at it."

They would fire the Heroes at the Satellite Weapon like bullets.

Naturally, there were no safety mechanisms whatsoever, and if the operation proceeded smoothly according to plan, they would crash into the surface of the Satellite Weapon at tremendous speed.

They had to survive it themselves using items, magic, and durability.

It was practically a suicide mission.

Haebyul, UruBear, and the Named Heroes grinned. That only made it even more exciting.

CLANK!

The capsule vibrated as it was automatically loaded into the cannon.

There were several separate communication channels.

When Haebyul connected to the assault team channel, several voices came through.

-See you down there, everyone!

-Let's meet up alive!

-LET'S GOOO!

-Guys! We're on the news right now!

-Ah, maybe I should've redone my Character Customization. Kinda embarrassing looking this much like a Veteran.

-Think we'll get famous if we do well this time? HoHoGamMan even got on a Yoo Jae-suk variety show last time.

-If this operation works, this'll make one hell of a story later.

This scene was being broadcast on Earth right now too!

"Huh? What the? Someone's in there?"

"But this is supposed to be our turn...."

"Hello? Come out of there!"

Those voices came from outside the capsule.

The white clothing Haebyul had seen earlier bothered her, but the thought soon slipped from her mind.

[Fire!]

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The capsules became bullets and rained down toward the Satellite Weapon.

There were so many of them that they looked like falling rain.

*****

If you enjoy this novel, please review and rate it at Novelupdates. Thanks! 😊

To receive the latest update notifications or report mistakes, join our Discord server linked below.