14 Little Lolitas and the Cannon Fodder They Pushed

Chapter 14: The Rich Loli and the Cannon Fodder She Pushed Around

Murphy really wanted to go back to Cadman City and discuss escape plans with Triss.

Unfortunately, he had already been conscripted by Fimis Cecilia Lasombra. As a messenger, he could only remain here without the Ranger Commander's permission.

He knew perfectly well that the reason she had conscripted him and his two servants wasn't because she saw his potential or any special qualities. This was purely another cannon fodder mission.

But Murphy couldn't refuse. After all, the young miss had a chieftain for a father.

Salokdar Collinsman Lasombra, the Blood Vulture Chieftain, one of the oldest Grand Dukes of the Bloodkin.

It was said that he was an individual who had lived from the ancient era of the Holy Blood Pilgrimage until now. The "Holy Blood Pilgrimage," which marked the first appearance and dispersal of the Vampire Clans across the continent, had occurred a thousand years ago, at the very beginning of this era!

Over the past millennium, the Blood Vulture Clan had grown from weakness to its peak and then to its current decline. The reins of power had never slipped from Salokdar's grasp.

That man was the King of Midnight for the entire Transylvania region. Even within the power structure of the entire Porsia Confederacy, or even the entire continent, the Blood Vulture Chieftain was part of the elite few at the very top of the pyramid.

Murphy clearly couldn't go against someone like that, even if the person standing before him was just Salokdar's daughter.

However, vampires couldn't reproduce. Therefore, Fimis, like Murphy, had been converted from a human fledgling. Although she appeared to be a pampered loli young miss on the surface, who knew if this girl was actually another ancient monster hundreds of years old?

It was already nearing midnight.

Beside the campfire outside the village, Maxim, wearing a hood, was cooking barley porridge over the flames for a late-night snack. Mirian was helping by roasting skewers of horse meat to fill their growling stomachs.

Although the two were cooperating, their relationship was far from harmonious.

There wasn't much to discuss between a vampire worshipper poisoned by superstition and a future rational scholar. Their life experiences were also worlds apart.

The little players had left hours ago. They might already be enjoying hot and delicious takeout by now, which made Murphy, sitting far from the campfire and only able to eat bland barley porridge, incredibly envious.

After a fierce battle, how he longed for a cold, sugary drink to moisten his throat.

He thought this, but his expression remained impassive. He pulled his hood down further and set his bowl aside.

The campfire, with its dancing sparks, flickered. Although the heat from the flames made Murphy uncomfortable, the human soul within his body yearned for the illumination and protection of the firelight under the night sky.

This conflict between his body and soul made Murphy appear slightly discordant and contradictory in the eyes of other vampires.

Bathed in the firelight, he picked up the Hunting Sword that every Witch Hunter carried and placed it before him. Murphy intended to use it to test his newly acquired [Item Identification] ability.

As he focused, a semi-transparent information tag quickly popped up beside the sword:

Name: Crusader's Battle Knife

Quality: Standard · Veteran

Traits: Standard Sharpness · Psionic Infusion

Item Description:

[This was a defensive weapon crafted by the Avalon Church in the year 675 of the Era for the believers of the Isha Kingdom during the Greeny Island Unification War. Its streamlined blade provided excellent balance and cutting capabilities, while the sacred oak handle, tempered by natural psionics, offered additional damage against dark creatures.

After the appearance of the Witch Hunters, the Crusader's Battle Knife became their standard equipment. However, following the Avalon Church's shameful rebellion against the Guelderland Kingdom in the early years of the Ten Years' War, this classic design has now become a symbol of traitors.]

Murphy rubbed his chin as he looked at the entry.

He couldn't accurately judge the item's value at the moment, so he picked up Natalie, the female Witch Hunter's, obviously more exquisite Hunting Sword with the oak handle.

This time, the entry was indeed different:

Name: Avalon's Blessed Holy Blade [Replica]

Quality: Masterwork · Commander

Traits: Extreme Sharpness · Extreme Demon Bane · Enhanced Psionic Augmentation · Purifying Fire

Special Classification Tag: Faith Blade · Usable only by followers of [Avalon]; will trigger psionic backlash if used by heretics.

Item Description:

[When the Avalon Church converted from the Druids of the Castilla Peninsula in the year 500 of the Era, the original Council of Elders was bestowed with three Natural Miracle Holy Blades. Although the craftsmanship of those Holy Blades could not be replicated in this era, over the long period that the Avalon Church served as the state religion of the Isha Kingdom, the Gramor Elders Council produced over 150 imitation Holy Blades in various ways and bestowed them upon Saints for use.

It should be noted that this Blessed Blade does not belong to Natalie Finokya Lawson; she only inherited it from her deceased parent, and therefore, she cannot fully unleash the power of this Faith Blade.

Perhaps you should be fortunate about that.]

"Natalie Finokya Lawson?"

Murphy played with the dormant Blessed Holy Blade in his hand and glanced at the female Witch Hunter beside him, who was only wearing her undergarments, tied up, and still unconscious.

The fact that she could carry such an extraordinary weapon clearly indicated that the identity of this gray-haired brute was likely not simple.

Furthermore, by comparing the two weapons, Murphy had figured out the item classification rules in this world.

"Masterwork" was definitely better than "Standard," referring to the craftsmanship. "Commander" was definitely better than "Veteran," referring to the item's quality.

Actually, it made sense. It was more reasonable than the items flashing purple or orange light in his hands, after all, this game's main selling point was realism and hardcore gameplay.

With this clarified, Murphy began to sort through the spoils he had acquired.

He set aside the best few Masterwork items for himself and Maxim. The remaining Standard weapons would be stored to arm the little players.

These cute and capable little players were his foundation. When his personal strength was lacking, the advantage of equipment became very important, so arming them was an urgent matter.

Also, after this round of testing, he had to give them the "Closed Beta Reward."

Although the players' actions were often comical, they were generally predictable. To get along with them, besides maintaining the game's playability, wonderful loot was also a very important part of the gaming experience.

These things can't just be brushed aside; they must meet several conditions:

First, they need to be sufficiently rare.

Players don't like common items.

Second, they need to be sufficiently iconic.

Ideally, they should catch the eye of others at a glance. When you're out and about, you want to look cool.

Finally, it would be best if they had some commemorative value!

Like those with yellow text in their item descriptions – the collection value must be maxed out.

Such items are not easy to find, but the clever Murphy has already come to an agreement with the Young Miss Fimis during their earlier conversation regarding this.

It was like an unequal exchange.

Although he couldn't get everything yet, Murphy had already obtained a portion of it, which could serve as a surprise for the Little Players when they logged in.

"Murphy, come to my side!"

Young Miss Fimis's call interrupted Murphy's thoughts. He immediately put down the Blessed Holy Blade he was holding and stood up, walking towards the Young Miss who was hidden behind the darkness.

The latter, maintaining a "small stature, big attitude" demeanor, didn't waste any time and said directly:

"In three days, a transport team from the Guelderland Kingdom will pass through Transylvania. The specific location is in the narrow Smuggler's Woods near the southern Filthy Swamps."

The Young Miss produced a very precise military map of the Transylvania region, drawing a line in the southernmost area bordering the Dark Mountains. She said to Murphy, who was listening intently:

"The Chieftain's secret order details that these are special military supplies procured by General Loren, who is commanding this invasion, specifically from the Shardo Halflings for his Guelderland Pioneer Legion.

Once the Pioneer Legion obtains these supplies, their covetous military strength will be even harder to contain, so we need to seize this shipment!

Of course, given your very failed performance as a messenger, not only exposing yourself but also attracting the pursuit of Witch Hunters, the enemy is likely already prepared for this. Therefore, the objective has been changed to destroying it.

We need to reach the Smuggler's Woods within three days and complete this undoubtedly difficult interception. I need every Ranger force that can be mobilized, so you and your Blood Servants will also be included.

Have I made myself clear?"

"I understand."

Murphy nodded.

He looked at the military map handed to him, his mind accessing information once more, meticulously considering some of the keywords in the Young Miss's words. After a few seconds, he said:

"As far as I know, the war between the Guelderland Kingdom and the Porsia Federation has been going on for ten years. Both sides are exhausted, as if stuck in mud. Therefore, I'm curious, what kind of military supplies could have such an immediate effect on an army stuck in a quagmire?"

"You ask too many questions, and I don't know the answer either."

Young Miss Fimis said coldly, with a decisive tone that was completely at odds with her petite size and appearance, waving her hand:

"We don't need to know these things. Midnight Hunters act when they have a target! You need to bring your servants as a harassment force to delay the transport team's actions. You proved you have the capability by defeating two Witch Hunter squads.

I don't need you to engage in deep combat!

Delay them, distract them, disperse them! Create an opportunity for me and my Hunters to launch a surprise attack, that's all.

After you've done this, you can return to Cadman City with the commendation order. Lady Triss will be proud of you, and the family will also reward you."

You're so small, like a middle schooler, yet you can lie through your teeth without batting an eye. You wicked little imp!

Murphy cursed inwardly.

As a veteran of society who had been around for almost ten years, how could he be fooled by such child-like coaxing?

So, he directly asked:

"So, in your operational plan, my servants and I are the bait and cannon fodder, right?"

The Young Miss didn't answer, only stared at him, her crimson eyes calm to the point of being frightening.

Murphy snorted and shook his head, saying:

"As expected of father and daughter, the coldness and ruthlessness are so inherited. It seems you also understand very well that as an outsider, I have no right to haggle with you.

Fine, I will accept this suicide mission.

But I need some help."

"I've already given you all my spare Family Ritual Capes and promised you at least thirty sets of the finest Family Formal Wear when we return to Cadman City! That's what we agreed on."

Mentioning this, Young Miss Fimis said with a strange tone:

"Although I don't know what you intend to do collecting these useless items, I've already given you the help you need, Murphy. Don't push your luck."

"Collecting luxurious items is just my personal hobby, and that's not even a weapon! Am I supposed to kill dangerous enemies with my good looks?"

Murphy spread his hands, replying with a hint of sarcasm:

"Look at me, an outsider, willingly sacrificing my life for your goal, and you're not even willing to give a little alms? Is this how your father taught you about the decorum of us Midnight Nobles?

Besides, I'm not asking for much!"

He held up two fingers and waved them in front of the Young Miss's eyes, stating his conditions:

"Twenty sets of Family Retainer Leather Armor and matching weapons, both melee and ranged. They don't even need to be particularly good. I need to arm my servants so they can last a bit longer in front of the enemy.

Don't think this is an outrageous demand either."

"Look, if we all die, you can still reuse these supplies."

"Take back your nasty joke! Murphy, you disrespectful brat! Do you think I'm some beggar on the street? How could I possibly allow my subordinates to use things you've already used?

And you want to take them from dead people?

How undignified!"

The Young Miss, who was extremely concerned with appearances, said coldly with a look of disgust:

"Besides, you only have two servants and three Witch Hunter prisoners. Why would you need twenty sets of armor?"

"I've recruited quite a few Blood Servants along the way who were terribly wronged by the Witch Hunters. As long as I summon them, they'll rush to my side, loyal and enraged." Murphy blinked and then pointed to the group of elite vampires huddled together, speaking softly in the darkness nearby. He said:

"Also, I personally need a set of impressive commander's gear to showcase my status in the eyes of my servants. Perhaps I can borrow a set from them.

In addition, I've been studying Otherworld Creature Summoning recently. If you have any similar Psionic Manuscripts or Family Swordsmanship Manuals, perhaps you could let me borrow them."

This made Miss Fimis look at Murphy strangely. After a few seconds, she said:

"Is it worth it? You only have three days to prepare, Murphy. You're no genius, or you wouldn't have accomplished nothing. Of course, I think the harsh evaluations of you by your family members are somewhat biased.

At the very least, the ambush you executed in the ruins of Morland Village was quite commendable."

The Young Miss's words were indeed sharp.

But she was also fair enough, at least she didn't have the arrogance of other vampires who couldn't see Murphy's victory. After thinking for a moment, she nodded and said:

"Alright, I'll provide you with everything you need, but your Witch Hunter prisoners must be handed over to me."

She pointed to the three Witch Hunters by the campfire and said:

"We captured one before, but it wasn't enough.

My interrogators need to extract all information about the White Oak Legion from their minds. Those guys, who were sent by the Ring Tower and General Loren to cause destruction all over Transylvania, have become quite a threat.

Consider it an exchange, Murphy.

Deal?"

Murphy didn't hesitate much and nodded:

"Deal! Thank you for your kindness, Young Miss. A beautiful and generous lady like you will surely be rewarded. The Mother of Night will surely protect you."