I Became the Guardian of Big Shots in the Game

“Cecil, would you explain?”
“Yes, father.”
Cecil calmed her pounding heart and.
Began speaking calmly.
“As I told you, when we investigated the land Ethan-ssi offered… no, purchased, we discovered a mana stone vein beneath the abandoned mine. The quantity is substantial.”
Cecil added that it would be enough to not have to import any mana stones from abroad in the future.
“If we can mine it, that is.”
“Yes, unfortunately, monster colonies have settled inside.”
Environments where high-purity mana resides naturally attract monsters.
“So far, we’ve discovered a total of 3 monster colonies. The sizes are just two small ones and one medium. Fortunately, there were no large ones.”
‘It’s less than I expected?’
The mine-based dungeon ‘Ant Hill’ that Ethan remembered was wider and more vast than this.
Perhaps because it’s 9 years before the main story starts, the scale now isn’t even a quarter of that.
“The number is small, but the problem is reaching the cavern deep in the abandoned mine where their stronghold is.”
Cecil explained while pointing at the map.
“If small and agile monsters like goblins ambush in the passages, it’s difficult for people to break through. Moreover, the tunnels are too long and winding, making it hard to invade.”
“We can’t just go in recklessly.”
“That’s right. So we’ve hired mercenaries focusing on those with dungeon or labyrinth exploration experience, and selected knights and soldiers who are small in stature and agile.”
Cecil’s judgment itself was correct.
They need to reach the center of the colony to eliminate the source.
But.
“That’s not enough.”
With just that, they might be able to reach the cavern, but.
They can’t deal with the queen in the stronghold.
“The colony will only be eradicated if we deal with the queen, the breeding ground that produces monsters. And around the queen will be carefully selected named monsters, her royal guard.”
If they push in with just small and agile people, it will end in total annihilation.
Count Sharian asked for a solution.
“Then what should we do?”
“We need to send in a small number of people familiar with labyrinths or tunnel-type dungeons to open a path. Once the passage is open, while they reach the colony and hold out, the follow-up troops need to quickly catch up to end this without major losses.”
“You mean the explorers who accompanied you.”
“There’s the Douglan exploration team, but my wards are also reliable.”
“Those children?”
Count Sharian unconsciously tilted his head as he answered, but.
When Cecil pinched his side invisibly, he turned his head while enduring the pain.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Father, this person has brought down three noble families with just one word and even neutralized the underworld’s society. These are children he personally brought. You must be careful with your words.’
‘Again with that nonsense.’
‘You have to believe me. Please.’
Count Sharian didn’t fully trust his daughter’s judgment that the man before him was the leader of Serdin’s underworld and had tremendous power.
Not only was there no clear evidence.
According to the count’s long life experience, the man before him didn’t have the impression of someone accustomed to evil deeds.
But because Cecil usually didn’t insist like this.
The count couldn’t help but feel something was strange.
Even when their family was on the brink of collapse, Cecil was calm, but.
She changed somehow after the fall of competing families and the mysterious deaths of underworld organization members.
Saying He helped, that to repay the favor they should hand over about 1/3 of the territory they just absorbed into the count’s domain.
He investigated the land they sold at a low price, and even when a mana stone vein was discovered, he didn’t covet it but rather rejoiced.
The intelligent Cecil was nowhere to be seen, and there was one blind follower.
‘It’s like seeing a fanatic.’
It was a thought he should never have about his precious daughter, but.
The count tried to view the current situation as objectively and rationally as possible.
‘I’ll believe you if just one more thing is confirmed.’
‘Understood.’
The count smiled and said to Ethan.
“Alright, then would it be okay to test it?”
“A test…”
“How about a practice match between the knights I’ve selected and your wards?”
“Hmm.”
As Ethan fell into thought for a moment.
The count inwardly rejoiced, thinking he was right.
‘There’s no way children could win against knights in a match…’
But Ethan gave an unexpected answer.
“Alright. However, I’ll stop the match immediately if it becomes dangerous.”
“Of course. We can’t lose valuable forces before the battle, can we?”
Of course it should be so.
If we accidentally give excellent knights the stigma of child killers, what good would that do?
The count laughed heartily and headed to the training ground.
And about 5 minutes later.
“I-I surrender!”
“Okay, stop Ponya.”
“Ethan-nim! Did I do well?”
“Excellent.”
Count Sharian had to see it.
“Aack!! Save me!”
“That’s enough! Stop, Hwaryon.”
“Okay, big brother!”
Young knights who had been appointed for at least 5 years.
The sight of them being defeated one after another by mere children.
5 losses in 5 matches.
Both the knights who received such an astonishing score card.
And Count Sharian who had believed in those knights.
Were equally flustered.
“What…”
The count’s left eye twitched as he.
Turned his creaking neck to look at his daughter.
“H-How did this…”
“Father, do you believe me now?”
Cecil lightly covered her mouth with a fan.
“That we will only be miserably defeated if we oppose Him.”
Beyond the fan.
Cecil was smiling.

Ethan was also surprised.
Excluding Borka, who might blow away the castle if matched up, and Elyssia who was non-combat personnel.
Levi, Hwaryon, Ponya, Greg, and Kenny stepped up.
Especially Kenny, who went last, had excellent physical abilities but had never properly learned combat techniques.
So Ethan was about to throw in the towel, but.
-No, I’ll just do it.
-Will you be okay?
-Yes, I don’t avoid fights I’ve walked into.
Saying that, she stepped forward alone holding only the hammer she usually uses.
-Shin, knee, pinky toe, knee again.
-Aaagh! You little brat!
She dodged the heavily armored knight at an amazing speed, hammering his whole body, and won in the end.
As a result.
‘Are they weak because they’re NPCs?’
Ethan had a slight misunderstanding.
‘If so, our kids will have to work harder.’

The operation start date was set for tomorrow.
On Ethan’s side, the wards and the Douglan exploration team would be deployed.
On Count Sharian’s side, they agreed to deploy those with labyrinth or dungeon exploration experience first.
After pioneering the passage, it was decided that the remaining forces would immediately support as the second wave.
The day seemed to be wrapping up like that.
After dinner, Ethan called the children to his room.
“I have something to tell you.”
The children nodded while munching on cookies they each received.
“As you heard earlier, we’re going to the abandoned mine tomorrow. We’ll be hunting monsters. Levi, Hwaryon, and Ponya will go with me. The other friends can just watch from behind. You can opt out if you don’t want to.”
“Then I’ll opt out!”
“Alright, Kenny can play inside the castle.”
It’s better for Kenny to see a wider world and act freely.
Ethan decided to give more inspiration to the genius inventor.
“Borka, Greg, Elyssia, you can stay here too if you don’t want to go.”
The three hadn’t decided yet, and.
Ethan didn’t want to pressure the children.
“Well, that’s enough talk about that.”
So he decided to change the subject.
“You all did well today, so it’s gift time!”
“Gifts!!!”
The children’s eyes widened.
Even Greg, who rarely shows any change in expression, opened his eyes wide.
‘As expected, the word gift is effective.’
Ethan opened his spatial backpack and took out all the equipment and skill books suitable for the children.
“Take whatever you like.”
“Wow!!!”
Starting with shining swords, spears, bows, and staves, to armor, shields, and helmets.
And that’s not all. Skill books and various recipe books tempting enough for Kenny or Borka to rush at were spread all over the floor.
Borka excitedly picked up a staff and struck a pose, but.
When her eyes met Ethan’s, she turned around shyly.
Greg put down the old rapier he had been wearing since coming to the mansion and.
Was admiring the high-grade rapier Ethan had brought from the report.
Then, as if something occurred to him.
He scurried over to Ethan and asked.
“Do I have to go fight if I take this?”
“No, no. That’s up to you, Greg.”
“It’s up to me?”
“Yes. If you want to join in eliminating monsters, that’s fine. There’s enough equipment and you can learn skills with skill books. But I have zero intention of sending you to the battlefield in a hurry.”
If the kids get hurt when they’re not fully prepared, it leads to a big loss.
Ethan still had plenty of time and had no intention of pushing things.
“I promise. So don’t feel burdened and choose freely.”
“Thank you.”
Greg seemed to like the rapier, as he stared at it for a long time without even glancing at other equipment.
[Item Name: Piercing Blue Flame Rapier]
[Effect: Penetration damage increased by 40%, Immune to burns]
“Ethan-nim, Ethan-nim. I don’t really need weapons, but do you have any crafting equipment?”
“Hmm, yes. This would be good for Kenny.”
He handed over a shining hammer as if he was working as a Santa at a department store on Christmas.
[Item Name: Sheilak’s All-Purpose Golden Hammer]
[Effect: Success rate of all item crafting increased by 25%]
It’s an item perfect for the inventor Kenny.
“Wooooow! Thank you!”
Kenny tucked the hammer into her belt and.
Staggered out of the room carrying recipe books stacked higher than her height.
Ethan also distributed skill books according to each one’s characteristics.
Magic skills to Borka.
Healing skills or auxiliary buffs to Elyssia.
He invested more in defensive skills for Ponya who was in the vanguard, and let the rest increase agility and attack skills.
But.
“Kids?”
“Yes?”
When the children didn’t use the skill books he had just distributed.
Ethan tilted his head.
“What are you all doing?”
“Reading books.”
“They’re skill books though?”
“Yes, skill books.”
Borka flipped open a skill book with an expression of not understanding why he was asking.
“But why are you reading them?”
“We have to read to learn, right?”
“Huh?”
“What?”
Ethan picked up one of the remaining skill books from his backpack.
A passive skill book that increases defense.
“Look, this is a skill book.”
“We know that.”
“And if you put your hand on the skill book.”
Light burst out and.
The book scattered and was absorbed into Ethan’s body.
“You can gain skills this easily. Simple, right?”
“……”
But contrary to his expectations.
The atmosphere turned awkward.
“…What?”
“How did you do that?”
“Big brother, that’s so cool!”
‘Wasn’t this how you’re supposed to use them?’
A moment later.
Even Teacher Yuria, whom Levi brought, showed a dumbfounded reaction.
“Skill books are ordinary books containing arcane knowledge. Of course you have to read and study to learn skills. But absorption? There’s no such easy method… is there? What on earth are you, Ethan-ssi?”
‘So this wasn’t how you’re supposed to use them.’
As Ethan was about to tell them to slowly read and learn.
The first root of the World Tree spoke to him.
[The first root of the World Tree whispers that it has a good method.]
‘What is it?’
[The first root of the World Tree activates the skill ‘Thought Acceleration’ on the entire current space.]
‘…Are you a genius?’
If they have to read to learn.
Why not make them speed read?
[The first root of the World Tree boasts, demanding more worship.]
That night.
The children each learned 3 skills and fell fast asleep.

Deep in the abandoned mine.
A woman took off her hood and mask, taking a deep breath.
“Phew!”
Horns that shouldn’t be seen and pitch-black eyes were revealed, but.
There were no humans here to be frightened by that sight.
“Grrrr!”
“Krrrr!”
There were only monsters all around.
“Quite a lot have gathered. That bitch Slaua was good at preparation.”
“Yes, but that’s all she was good for. Weak thing.”
The man who entered next also took off his hood.
He too had a similar appearance to the woman.
They were once human, but.
Beings who had given up on being human.
The type commonly called demon worshippers.
The man asked.
“So, how long do you think it will take to fill the entire mountain with monsters?”
“Hmm? At least 10 more years, I’d say?”
The woman was quite optimistic.
As if it wasn’t her job.
The man was irritated by that.
“Take this seriously.”
“Okay~ Okay~ Ah! Wait a moment.”
“…If it’s another pointless story, I won’t let it slide.”
“No, not that. Footsteps. Quite a lot of humans.”
“What?”
The woman put her ear to the wall for a while.
“It’s certain. Walking on two legs, heavy armor and weapons, and carts pulled by horses too.”
“Has our plan been discovered?”
“Nah, I don’t think so? At most, they’ve probably organized a monster subjugation team.”
The man agreed with that opinion too.
But.
“There’s always the possibility, so be careful.”
“Yes sir! But what do we do if they come all the way here?”
“You ask the obvious.”
He put his hood back on and took out his weapon.
“We’ll deal with them.”
“Yay~ We’ll get to taste blood after a long time!”
The woman followed the man, laughing creepily.