Shadow Seer (Rogue Merchant Book #3): LitRPG Series by Roman Prokofiev (english reading book TXT) 📗

“No announcements?” Tentacle asked, yawning. “Why, boss?”

“We’re afraid of a leak. There must be spies in the clan,” the PROJECT leader replied. “It’s going to be just the old guard this time.”

“Why such a strange time?” Svoy asked. “Low enemy activity when everyone’s asleep?”

“Yes, but not just that. Our allies insisted on this.”

The war started by the House of Darkness didn’t come easy to PROJECT. The seven group leaders who met to talk looked tired and sleepy. They were forced to spend up to twenty hours a day online, and raids, attacks, and battles came one after another. Still, for most of them, it was far from the first all-out war. All of them were hardcore veterans and never complained, and the ever-growing kill rating was the best impetus. Tao had kicked most of the dissenters from the clan back during the first week of active combat.

“I’d like to hear details,” Mirgus finally said. “Who are we fighting? Where’s the attack? What are our forces?”

“The target is the Golden Fairs,” Tao quietly said after looking over everybody present. “The capital of the Kingdom. Ananizarte wants to cut off the snake’s head. They have four hordes: archers, strike troopers, and two airborne divisions, plus three player raids: us, Legion, and Heretics.”

For a few seconds, everyone stood in stunned silence. Tentacle walked to the window, opening the stained-glass folds, and fresh morning air burst into the clan hall, raising the corners of the Dorsan map pressed to the table by many brass soldiers.

“So it’s the Fairs. It will be a hell of a scuffle,” Illith concluded, a fiendish grin on his face.

“A war with Phoenix? I’ve always wanted to kick those punks’ asses,” Svoy said.

“Are you even serious?” Mirgus spoke up, his head bent above the map. “Either I don’t get something, or this offensive is a completely reckless gamble!”

“Well, then tell us your strategic vision!” Tao said, smirking.

“No problem. All right, first, the Golden Fairs is the largest city of the continent and the capital of the most powerful NPC Kingdom, the forces of which, I remind you, are on alert. Allied troops, like Arveonian riders, were pulled there as well. The time of the attack doesn’t matter, as NPCs don’t care about that. The local garrison has powerful mages and defensive artifacts. By my estimation, four Irchi hordes, only one of them heavily armored, are nowhere enough to capture the city. We’d need many more people to win—maybe even all of the House’s forces!”

Tao smiled, nodding at him to continue.

“Second, it’s no secret that Phoenix owns the Fairs. According to our intel, they’re on high alert and preparing for war. The Fairs is the main regroup point of the Reds and all southerners, too. Most of their players are soulbound there, so regrouping won’t take much time. They also have access there to any number of artifacts and gear sets. In theory, even if they lose, they can change equipment and rush back into battle. In short, they have endless reserves.”

“Next, I’ve been spying on the events there,” Mirgus continued, walking up to the table. He covered the area along the Long Sea with his palm, mercilessly scattering the brass warriors.

“I brought you up to speed, remember? I repeat—the Phoenix have put stationary stonejammers in each essential outpost. In Fairs, they have some long-range artifact that blocks all portal magic. So what does that mean? That the closest we can open a pentagram is a hundred leagues from the city! A surprise attack is out of the question; they have a two-hour head start to get ready. The third and worst problem is their numbers. They have lots of refugees who lost castles—Silver Guard, Chaos, Hunters, Goethia, Shadows... I expect the entire host to make up at least five thousand people, and that’s on top of their allies—the Watchers, I mean the Northern Alliance, will send at least a thousand, just as the Horde. Basically, they have ten times as many players, Tao! Most of them aren’t newbies, either, even if they’re below our skill level. Considering their superior numbers, they’ll crush us down with cannon fodder!”

“Seven thousand kills? Sounds good,” Tentacle said with a smile. “Right, boss?”

Tao didn’t reply. He perched on the corner of the table and looked at his analyst.

“That’s right, Mirgus. I know the odds, and so does SHE. The plan comes from her. Also, to make it clear, SHE’s going into battle with us.”

Silence fell again, and Mirgus finally laughed.

“Now this is an argument!” he said. “Ananizarte is a goddess and our trump card, but... Seven thousand players, Tao. Can you imagine the incoming DPS? She’ll wipe them all once, twice, thrice, but eventually, they’ll find the key. I remind you, their regroup point is just a few steps away. In this battle, I wouldn’t bet on Ananizarte! If I were her—”

“Listen, how about you tell all of this to her yourself?” Tao suddenly flared up. “What you’d do if you were her and other wet dreams! Let’s cut the crap! Tomorrow, half-past three! Only the old guard, we’ll call the youngsters later. Is this clear?”

“Ananizarte...” Tentacle came up to Tao and looked him right in the eyes. “Tell me, what is she like?”

Tao raised his gloved hand and slowly crooked his fingers.

Chapter 20

“HANDS BEHIND YOUR HEAD! Let’s go! Don’t talk! Don’t stop!”

The second I slowed down, the Maidens’ spears pricked my skin. I hadn’t expected this turn of events and kept throwing confused glances at Svechkin. Intercepting his gaze, I pointedly looked down at the hilt of my sword. Maybe we shouldn’t allow them to treat us like that and use force? The developer shook his head—don’t worry, it’s fine.

Several corridors full of scurrying Maidens, a long way down, and we were given a hard push into