bookpower Chapter 155: Where the Sun Rises (1)
Chapter 155: Where the Sun Rises (1)
Chapter 155: Where the Sun Rises (1)
I can’t believe I’m a lord... A lord!
It was a position Kai had never imagined. His intention had been purely to gift this land to ensure the safety of the elves and merfolk, but he wasn’t foolish enough to reject the opportunity that had come to him.
This is an opportunity.
And it wasn’t just any opportunity. Libertia was a natural fortress, surrounded by resource-rich seas, forests, and mountain ranges. This meant that, depending on how he managed it, he could grow this place into a grand city!
Kai exercised the new authority he gained from being appointed as lord.
“Territory management window.”
[Territory Management]
Name: Libertia
Rank: F
Population: 3,845
Monthly Income: None
The management window was so simple it felt almost barren. However, Kai still looked at it with warm eyes as if it were a treasure.
3,845 people... That’s quite a lot.
No longer mere NPCs he had exchanged with, they were now his people to protect.
Kai turned to the leaders of the two tribes who were staring at him intently. “First, we need to address the town’s security, which is in total disarray.”
“What if I cast an illusion spell around the town? No one would be able to enter,” Luteria suggested.
“... But that’s already been breached once by the Church of Muldine.”
“Hmm.”
“Revealing ourselves to the world might actually be safer instead of hiding away. Our first goal for Libertia should be to attract strong and numerous adventurers to live here.”
“Then what should we do?”
“First, we need to build at least a low-lying fortress across this vast land. But... you don’t have knowledge of that, do you?”
They all nodded in agreement without a moment’s hesitation.
“Aquavera certainly has a royal palace, but... the dwarves built that for us. We don’t know how to make one ourselves,” Karius said.
Elania added, “We elves have always grown up under the protection of the World Tree, so we’ve never even thought about building a fortress.”
“Hmm, then we’ll need the help of human engineers for this. In that case...”
Money would be needed. Kai’s face paled at the realization.
... This won’t be something that can be solved with just a few coins, will it?
As Kai let out a faint sigh, Luteria asked, “But is a fortress really necessary?”
“Of course it is. It makes defending against external threats easier, and...” Kai trailed off mid-sentence.
Wait, is a fortress really necessary?
The elves and merfolk were completely detached from human civilization, each having their own unique way of life.
There’s no need to impose human civilization on them. In fact, it’s better if we don’t.
Players coming to visit the elves and merfolk would be looking for something different. But if the town were to have the same fortresses and buildings as other cities with only elves and merfolk as the residents...
That would be boring. Way too boring.
Kai closed his eyes and delved into thought.
I haven’t visited that many cities in the game, but...
The most popular and frequently visited one was undoubtedly Aquaria. Kai, as well as everyone else, knew why.
The concept is clear, and there’s plenty to do there.
“... Then I’ll leave it to you and be on my way.”
Bowing his head, Kai left Libertia.
The elves and merfolk had worked so diligently that the roads were as well-maintained as those of the capital of the Kingdom of Rashion. However, since the roads were made using elven techniques rather than human methods, they felt more like walking along a well-kept country path than a rigidly paved road.
“I’m looking forward to it. Libertia.”
He wondered if it would truly grow and flourish as he hoped. With lingering doubts that were difficult to shake, Kai continued walking.
My destination is the main church of the Church of Solaris.
A place said to be where the sun rises. It would be his first visit to the main church since becoming a Solaris Cleric.
***
Deep underground somewhere on the continent, there was a grand hall. Ominous pillars lined up in rows, and at the far end of the place stood a throne.
A man sat on the throne, draped in a black robe, with almost no trace of life. It was as if he wasn’t human, as though his presence didn’t fully exist in that space.
Shrouded in darkness, the man slowly lifted his head. “My faithful servant, Morak. Did you complete the mission without issue...?”
Snap! Fwoosh!
As the man snapped his fingers, the torches along the walls ignited all at once. At the same time, black smoke gathered and swirled through the hall, transforming into the shape of a person.
The figure immediately knelt before the man, bowing their head to the ground. “Yes, Cardinal Atroc.”
“And the candidate? Was he suitable?”
“As we thoroughly investigated beforehand, he seemed more than capable of accepting the Essence of Darkness,” the man named Morak confidently smiled as he responded.
Cardinal Atroc did not ask further as this servant had never disappointed him before.
“Then proceed with the ritual at once.”
“Yes. However, recently, adventurers have been a growing nuisance.”
“Adventurers?”
“Yes. Their growth rate is extraordinary. While they are still like insects now, given enough time, it is unknown how powerful they may become...”
“Indeed, even Muldine has mentioned them before.”
If anyone on the continent had overheard this conversation, they would have been terrified. The name of the evil god Muldine struck fear into the hearts of the people of the continent.
Cardinal Atroc stroked his chin, lost in thought. Each time his fingers brushed his chin, it made a sound like nails scraping on a chalkboard.
“For our church to stand tall across the continent, not even the smallest variables can be tolerated. And now these adventurers... they’ve become quite the nuisance.”
“What would you have me do?”
“If we cannot kill them, convert them. Spread Muldine’s teachings far and wide.”
“I will obey.” Then, as if recalling something, Morak briefly hesitated before speaking again, “Cardinal, what of the one called Kai? How should we deal with him?”
“Kai...” Cardinal Atroc muttered the name with clear disdain. “That heretic who refuses to understand Muldine’s will—eliminate him.”
“But he is a formidable opponent, strong enough to have defeated the army led by Bishop Haran.”
“At that time, the elves, merfolk, and other adventurers were supporting him firmly.”
Crack.
Cardinal Atroc lightly gripped the armrest of his throne, crushing it as he said, "Send the second candidate to Kai as soon as the ritual is completed. He should make a fitting test opponent..."
At this command, Morak's eyes widened in shock. “Y-you mean to send the candidate for that child?”
"He has disrupted our grand plans multiple times. It's better to eliminate him for sure than to send a half-hearted force."
“... I will obey.” Bowing his head deeply, Morak turned back into dark smoke and vanished.
“Hmm...”
The seemingly bored Cardinal Atroc rested his chin on his hand and casually flicked his fingers. Instantly, the air within the grand hall was consumed, and the flames of the torches were extinguished. As always, the place was enveloped in silence.