"Is there a problem, my queen?"
Hearing Arthur's voice that he had never heard of, Nash wanted to shout loudly but it was stopped because he would cause unnecessary chaos.
Not just making a sound, even Arthur in front of him who should be an NPC can express as if he was a life creature. His mouth moves like a normal person, but not for an NPC.
It is common knowledge in Yggdrasil that NPCs cannot communicate with players, and that will never happen.
" My queen? "
Arthur continued to talk to Esmeralda, demanding an answer, but that only made Esmeralda's mind more chaotic. The masterpiece, which she made that should only be able to move in accordance with the program she had entered acted like a normal human being.
'This is impossible. 'Thought Esmeralda.
"Are you OK, my queen?"
Hearing Arthur's voice for the third time, Esmeralda realized from her mind, she then watched Arthur's appearance for a moment, then squatted in front of him which immediately made Arthur surprised.
"Eh? My queen, what are you doing, please stand up."
Sweat was visible on Arthur's forehead, and there was a great change of expression on his face, it was not separated from the sight of Nash who watched them from the darkness.
'That was surprising, I didn't know what to say, but, all the actions and behaviors that Arthur showed in front of me right now were something that had never crossed in my mind. '
Meanwhile, Esmeralda aggressively examined every inch from Arthur, she put her hand on the Arthur's cheek and stroked it.
She then made a plain expression with flat eyes and said.
"Woah, this is real."
* Pow *
Esmeralda then pinched Arthur's cheek and moved it, Arthur's face looked stupid and it almost made Nash who saw him laugh.
"* Muni * What's wrong with my face * Muni * my queen?"
Arthur could only surrender when he was treated like that by Esmeralda, there was no trace of anger or rebellion, he was like a child being spoiled by his mother, instead, in the depths of his heart he was very happy because he got the attention of his creator.
However, although Esmeralda's actions can be questioned, in fact she is currently conducting an examination of Arthur's body.
'The pulse is beating, this is impossible. His body temperature is warm, I can feel it, this feeling is very real, it no longer feels like being in a game. But how? '
Hearing Arthur's words, Esmeralda then stopped, she then stood up and glanced at Nash who was behind her.
The two of them stared at each other for a moment then Nash turned his attention and he then tapped on the empty air using his index finger. However, nothing came out of it.
'As expected, the console didn't come out, and also ...'
Nash touched his ear to get the Chat and GM call options, but it was all in vain, Nash then glanced back at Esmeralda who was still waiting for his answer, and Nash shook his head.
Friendship between Nash and Esmeralda has reached where they both can understand and chat with each other Only with a look. It was actually not because the two of them could read their minds each other, but because of the experience of fighting together during the days in Yggdrasil.
It is important, to make an action by reading the movements and actions of fellow colleagues to make the battle organized and compact. Moreover, at this time Nash could clearly see the expression and gaze given by Esmeralda. Not the rigid expression of a robot like in Yggdrasil.
Esmeralda who saw Nash's answer then turned towards Arthur and said.
"Arthur, return to your position."
" Yes, your majesty. "
And in an instant, Arthur stood up and walk down the stairs to return to his initial position, he then knelt before the other Round Table Knights.
Then, Esmeralda and Nash discussed each other above in a quiet voice so as not to be heard by the Knights, because they both knew, the Knights were no longer the NPCs they knew before, especially Arthur.
"So what about him, what changes happened to Arthur's body?"
"That... after checking it, I felt a pulse and a very clear flow of blood flowing in his body."
Hearing that, Nash put his hand on his chin. He was confused whether he should be surprised or not, the current situation was beyond his wildest imagination.
"So you mean, he is a living thing now?"
Esmeralda shook her head, her eyes glancing slightly at the Knights, especially Arthur whom he had examined himself.
"I don't know, this is very confusing ... aren't they supposed to be just NPCs that don't have souls and life, but in reality right now, I can clearly communicate with him like a fellow living thing. His body temperature is also warm, and his gaze has light in it. ... I'm confused Nash, what should I do. "
Nash then smiled a little and that made Esmeralda feel strange because they usually talked to each other expressionlessly.
"Just do as you normally do, after all, you're the Camelot queen, right?"
Nash's words were intended to lure Esmeralda into his "Queen Mode", because he needed it right now. The knights who were kneeling before him were they still loyal to Esmeralda or even Camelot? Nash will check it from observing the actions they take later.
And Esmeralda who heard Nash's words closed her eyes, her mind churned and the feelings that often appeared in her mind overflowed out. Then Esmeralda opened her eyes and Nash knew what kind of eyes they were.
It was the eyes of a ruler and a calm person, Nash who saw it more clearly and even a little surprised, he did not think the chuunibyou syndrome could change one's personality to be like this.
He just smiled bitterly and thought in his mind.
'Looks like I don't need to worry about you now ... I don't know to be happy or sad to see your other side, Esmeralda-san. But since I first saw your Queen Mode, I started to respect you, you really deserve to be our leader, there is no doubt about it, whether in battle or party matters, that's what made the four of us follow you all this time. '
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Nash smiled slightly at that, he then patted Esmeralda's back and said.
"I leave the matter of analyzing the situation inside the castle to you Esmeralda-san."
Nash said as he walked forward, and Esmeralda was a little confused seeing that.
"Where are you going, Nash?"
"I will check the conditions outside, whether we are currently still in Midgard or not. You just take care of matters within the palace, and the knights in front of you at this time."
Nash then glanced back, and his eyes and Esmeralda's eyes met.
"I will meet you in your room later to exchange information, so I trust you."
" Leave it to me. "
Esmeralda heartily nodded, and Nash then resumed walking before he at a speed that could not be followed if the eyes had reached beside the knights who were kneeling.
Nash then glanced at a Knight and called out to him.
"Sir Agravain."
Then, the knight stood and knelt behind Nash, although Nash and he had the same position as a knight, but that did not change the fact that Nash was one of the 5 creatures that created them.
And although he was created by Esmeralda, Agravain's highest loyalty was belong to Nash and that fact was absolute.
"What is your command, your honor?"
Agravain had the appearance of a man in his 30s, he looked more mature than the other knights, his black hair was neatly combed backward so as to produce the impression of a gentleman. The armor he used was jet black and the blue robe flowed from his shoulders.
His gray eyes signaled high intelligence and obedience, his obedience and stoic expression. He is also slightly taller than Nash.
"Follow me, we will go outside to check the situation around Camelot's Holy Castle."
"As you wish, your honor."
Then, Agravain stood and walked beside Nash, before they both disappeared in an instant.
And the knights' attention was again drawn by Esmeralda who stood looking at them from above.
Esmeralda then looked at his knights and began to carry out his duties as a queen and ruler of the Holy Castle of Camelot.
***
Nash and Agravain had now come out of the Camelot castle environment and were at the peak to look around. And the scene that he and Agravain saw at this moment had changed, this was not the scene he normally saw.
There is no meadow, and in front of it is a vast expanse of green forest, it is one of the most striking changes. But what made Nash most sure that Camelot Castle was no longer in its original place was the mountain range behind them.
'It seems like the whole castle has been moved to this place, but where is this, the mountain range in front of it has small hills and wilderness? '
As Nash said, the holy castle of Camelot has now been moved to the foot of a mountain that Nash does not know about.
'Well I'll ignore it for now. '
The night wind blew and shook the hood of the robe that covered Nash's face. The smell of the forest and this feeling made Nash believe that he was not in the Virtual world but in the real world.
It was strange to think about it but there was nothing to deny. The NPCs acted as though they were alive and acted like humans. Nash could also feel the smell of grass and the wind that blew as if this were the real world.
In fact, it would be strange if Nash still denied the truth. He had also tested the use of his skills before, for the time being the conclusion that Nash was able to activate was still the same as he used to do in Yggdrasil.
He can still use his Embodiment of Shadow and teleport like he did in Yggdrasil. Although the real feeling when teleporting makes him want to throw up.
Nash then glanced a little at Agravain behind him from behind his hood. There was a little worry in his mind, whether this NPC, no ... the Round Table Knights would still be loyal to Esmeralda or Camelot?
That is the question that is currently bothering Nash's mind.
Especially Agravain, although he looked like someone who was calm and calculative, but deep in his heart, Agravain was a cruel and merciless knight.
He is a knight who does not follow the code of ethics of the knight itself, a knight without a soul of a knight. A man who will do anything to win.
That was the character arrangement that Esmeralda gave to Agravain.
"How? Do you feel any signs of life around here?"
Agravain then pointed towards the small hill in the wilderness in front of the Holy Castle of Camelot.
"By using Greater Magic Detection, I can feel dozens of signs of life a few kilometers into the depths of the forest in the 11 o'clock direction. They seem to be in a battle of life and death because some signs of life suddenly disappear"
"Dozens of signs of life huh ... can you identify their race?"
Agravain shook his head.
"Hmm ... then there is no other choice but to identify it directly huh ..."
Nash put his hand on his chin, after thinking for a while he then said to Agravain who was still waiting for his master's next command.
"Then, let's go, Sir Agravain"
"Yes, your honor."
"You don't need to call me like that when we are alone, after all, I am also the Knight of the Round Table just like you, no need to be so rigid, just call me by my name."
"O-of course, Sir Nash."
Nash nodded at this, rather uncomfortable for him to be called the noble or something like that continuously. Nash and Agravain then teleported to the edge of the forest because Nash could not use his Embodiment of Shadow if the target's shadow for teleportation could not be seen by his vision.
In addition, he also intends to identify the contours and environmental conditions around the Castle. After all, he knew very well what Esmeralda would think when she knew that they currently in the familiar but unfamiliar world.
Later, Nash and Agravain began entering the wilderness to the place where Agravain found life signs.
But, what they don't know is, they are currently entering one of the most dangerous lawless areas in the world.
***
Abellion Hills, is an area of wilderness with vast hills that lies between the Slane Teocrachy and the Roble Holy Kingdom. It is inhabited by all kinds of demi-humans who are constantly trying to invade the Holy Kingdom.
There were all kinds of demi-humans in the hill region, yet they did not have good relationships with each other. Rather, they often fought over territory, and apart from cases where Ogres took Goblins as slaves and cruelly used them, these races very rarely worked with each other.
The area consists mostly of a patch of wilderness that consists of mostly hills and wild forests. Its borders make up of mountain ranges in the south, east which neighbors the Slane Theocracy and the north by the Re-Estize Kingdom and by the Great Wall of the Roble Holy Kingdom in the west.
The constant warfare and dangers these demi-human races produce is so troubling that the Roble Holy Kingdom constructed the largest and longest wall barrier on the continent to keep them out. The Slane Theocracy have made numerous attempts to subjugate and cleanse the area, but so far its efforts have only managed to temporarily thin the demi-human population.
One of the many demi-human races in Abellion hills is Spriggan. A race that has the ability to change its body from small to large size, they are friendly creatures basically, their tendency to be evil is very low, therefore they are almost not involved with wars and conflicts that occur day and night in Abellion Hills. Even though it's a different story when they are disturbed.
They are more interested in living quietly in a quiet and remote place. But at this time their calm was completely undermined.
"Damn! That bastard, you jerk Vijar! How dare you order your race to invade territory of the Spriggans."
A creature that is quite small looks angry, and furious, it has a woody body like a tree, but its shape is more human.
His eyes are green and glow like a crystal. And he also wore a crown made of leaves and tree branches on his head. He looked nervous as if he was waiting for news.
And finally, the door to the room where he was currently open opened another Spriggan whose appearance was not much different from him.
What distinguishes it is only the number of roots in their bodies. Spriggans are a race also known as a tree race, their body characteristics similar to tap roots.
"Beluf-sama, this is bad, all the troops we sent to the front line have no more left, they have penetrated and entered our territory, only a matter of time before they actually arrive here."
"Tck, damn it! What about Dehauf? Is he also unable to withstand that barbarous Zoastia bombardment !!?"
The man named Beluf was the leader of the Spriggan race, and he was not a reliable warrior.
The man then looked down sadly, as if he were going to convey the news of destruction to Beluf.
"D-dehauf, he, he was killed, even when he was in Berserk Mode, he could not do much."
"What !? W-who can defeat Dehauf easily like that?"
"Possibly, that is Black Steel, Muar Praxua."
Then, a scream was heard from outside which made Beluf and the man turn towards the sound source. They then left the Beluf residence in the cave.
And the size of Beluf which was only about a few centimeters, turned into a normal human height, he and the man behind him then walked out of the cave. And when he got outside the cave, he saw the trees where the members of his race lived had been burned.
The fire spread very quickly from one tree to another, it was a slaughter for the Spriggan Race.
The man behind Beluf made a horrified expression when he saw his race slaughtered and finished, because the biggest weakness of the Spriggan race was fire.
"Th-this is ..."
Because the characteristics of the Spriggan's body make them flammable by fire and very difficult to extinguish it.
Then, Beluf's crystal green eyes had turned red and radiant, he was very angry and his body began to grow to as high as 4 meters.
Beluf cannot accept his race being treated like this, he cannot accept it, his pride is torn apart. Then, illuminated by the moonlight at night, Beluf roared in his Berserk form.
"Muar !!!!!"