Chapter 294

〈 Preparation for War (1) 〉

A neatly organized flower bed as if it had been maintained by a skilled gardener.

Countless small creatures living within it were writhing and moving their bodies diligently.

A natural ecosystem where creatures such as ants, butterflies, ladybugs, and earthworms live in harmony.

In some ways, they could have been viewed as just insignificant creatures, but the sight of the members of that small world doing their best in their respective positions to somehow survive was enough to evoke a strange feeling.

“…cute.”

And there was someone who was particularly strongly impressed by such a sight and muttered to himself without even realizing it.

It was Riesta Saint Hatianus, a silver-haired woman from the main church who was squatting down and looking down at the flower bed.

“Hmm~ Hmm~♪”

She wasn’t satisfied with just looking at them, humming lightly and blessing each one of them.

Several hours had already passed since she had been like this, but there was not the slightest hint of boredom on her face.

It simply looks down at the creatures in the garden, its pair of golden eyes shining brightly, as if observing something interesting to play.

‘It’s also amazing.’

What small, adorable creatures are these?

Riesta, who had invested all of her free time in a long time into her hobbies, smiled a little.

‘I’ve been busy in many ways these days…’

The main church has been having a very busy time since the death of former Pope Hatianus II.

Externally, he had to continue to take the lead in stabilizing the continent as before, and internally, he had to pay attention to filling the now vacant position of the Pope.

‘A clear decision will be made soon.’

Currently, at the Grand Cathedral of Roselia, only six cardinals from the entire denomination were gathering together to hold a conclave, an in-depth meeting to elect the next pope.

If saints and saints were representatives chosen directly by God, then the Pope was closer to an elected representative among God’s followers, so this was a necessary procedure.

‘No matter who it is, it won’t take that long. Still, in the current situation, if the cardinals are absent for a long time, they won’t be able to respond immediately when an accident occurs…?’

While Riesta was enjoying the calmly flowing air in her small shelter.

She suddenly felt some discomfort.

Soon, an unidentified ominous feeling that stimulated instinct and intuition, regardless of reason, began to surge into the accident.

‘…Ugh, this can’t be…?’

As she already had experience, she was able to immediately figure out what the cause was.

A revelation from the Lord.

It was a phenomenon close to an unexpected realization or self-awareness.

As she was staggering around, holding her head, an uninvited guest flew into the garden from outside.

Poodduk—

While she was unconscious, a crow with black feathers was snooping around the flower bed.

After exploring the surroundings for a moment, he found bugs that had grown plump and fat thanks to the saint’s blessing, and quickly began eating them one by one.

Caw—caw—

as if they were tasting a delicacy, they continued to let out exclamations of bird noise.

“Whew…”

Riesta, who had just come to her senses after recovering from the revelation, frowned slightly when she saw the crow, but then relaxed her expression again, wiping the cold sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

In fact, it was not that uncommon for birds or insects from outside to visit like that.

For the sake of ease of management and aesthetics, it would have been better to completely isolate the garden from the outside, but this would have resulted in it just being a slightly larger model garden.

Isn’t the law of the fittest also a natural providence arranged by the Lord?

‘Anyway…’

She soon took a deep breath, regained her normal condition, and slowly approached the small intruder.

Caw—caw!

Poodddeuk –

A crow that flinches when a human approaches it and then flaps its wings repeatedly to try to run away.

However, it only flapped its wings a few times and eventually froze in place, unable to fly until it landed right next to her.

“Now, you’re a good boy.”

In response, she carefully wrapped the crow, which soon became calm, with both hands and gently stroked it.

Even if Riesta was a non-combat group, there was no way that a mere creature could handle that level, so it was not strange that this phenomenon occurred.

She was a great person who could literally knock down a bird flying in the sky with sheer will.

‘It’s outside…’

After petting the crow a few times, she stopped and looked at it again.

Of course, I had no intention of doing anything with this guy.

Holding it like this was just a whim as my mind became complicated.

‘Invaders from the external dimension…’

It was clear that the being that the Lord himself had warned about just a moment ago would not be so easygoing as this bird.

Isn’t the main lord the one who never gave a single word no matter how many people from this world have come and gone here?

‘…Could it possibly be related to the Immortal King this time?’

Although it was a reasonable inference, it was also not certain.

In any case, the important thing now was that it was necessary to prepare in advance for the revelation in some way.

Caw—caw!

Pudding—

Riesta flew the bird that was fluttering in her hands high into the sky again and turned around with a stern expression on her face.

First of all, a trustworthy man who can immediately consult about the current revelation.

To talk to Saint Heinrich first.

***

Little by little, but steadily without stopping.

Time passed like running water.

A lot of things happened during that period of time, which I felt was longer than others, perhaps because I was operating multiple bodies at the same time.

“Long live Her Royal Highness Riley Carte Azerion!”

“Hehehe! Congratulations, Your Highness. Now all that remains is to finish it properly.”

“Oh my! You look even more beautiful today, Your Majesty. Even the flowers of the mighty empire lose their vitality in front of you.”

First, in the capital of the Azerion Empire, Jeroen, Riley finally officially ascended to the position of Crown Princess.

He successfully brought down Prince Simon, who was now almost forgotten, and was officially recognized as the successor to the empire.

‘The current emperor’s health doesn’t look that good, so he may be able to abdicate within a few years.’

The level of authority that Riley has now as the Crown Princess has changed from when she was simply leading a large faction as the Fifth Princess.

As the current second-in-command and the next first-in-command in name and reality, he was able to more directly mobilize the power of the empire and the imperial family.

It was evidence that her long journey, which began after meeting Lee Se-ah 10 years ago, was slowly coming to an end.

Additionally, such changes in the continental situation were not limited to within the empire.

In the free city of Dracal, a land of mercenaries located in the southeast of the continent…

Quang—!

“I heard there’s a guy named Harley here! I’m here to learn a lesson from Stallon of the Blood Fog! Let’s compete properly…”

“Huh? “What is it again?”

“…uh?”

“Sniff! I don’t know if it’s blood fog or blood shells. “If you’re going to attack me, do it quickly.”

It was as if a contagious disease had spread in this city where people would die if they failed to prove that they were manly men, even for a second. Rather than being amazed by Harley’s reputation from the beginning, there was no shortage of people coming to visit with a burning desire to win.

Even though mercenaries are radical by nature and it is common for them to be ignored if they cannot appeal their strength, this feels a bit harsh.

‘Of course, I’ve never seen anyone maintain that attitude consistently even when face to face with this body.’

It was Harley’s spirit that was visible now that made even the highest-ranking members of the mercenary guild and the most powerful men give up the moment they faced each other.

But there’s no way that someone who hasn’t even reached that level can overcome that, right?

What happened after that went smoothly.

The eyes of the large man who confidently kicked in the door were wandering back and forth, and Harley walked up to him and stood next to him, putting his forearm on his shoulder.

The other person was not small by any means, but standing next to him like that made me look like a middle school student being ripped off by a scary older brother.

“Do you want to be beaten until you turn into fine minced meat, or do you want to buy fine minced meat?”

“…I will buy it myself.”

“Good choice! Then guide me to the store you think is the best! If I don’t like it, I’ll bend over backwards, so you’ll have to choose wisely, right? Haha!”

Actually, it was true that I was being ripped off.

Harley patted the man on the back and led him forward.

Of course, there were some people who were blinded by fear and rushed at them recklessly, but after receiving a little loving physical therapy, those people were soon reborn as civilized people who could think normally.

Of course, Harley, who is kind-hearted and generous, took care of these guys and even created a place where they could have a meal together and resolve any misunderstandings.

“hmm! As expected, the quality of meat in this area is excellent! “Isn’t this quite surprising?”

“De Dracal is a barren land, so it is difficult to farm, but in other ways it is not bad. First of all, it is a major center of trade, and the meat of the cliff goat, which is a specialty of this region, is also excellent. … The price is a little high, though.”

“It’s as you said, brother! …But we’re out of meat again? First of all, I will order 10 more servings… no, 20… sorry, 30 servings. Ha ha ha….”

“Tsk, stop the flow. If they think they run out of meat, they will order it again. “That guy is so clueless.”

An unconventional move that shook the entire city upon visit.

In addition, sightings and rumors of the famous Harley, who had only been heard of, spread rapidly in Dracal society, resulting in further raising his awareness and influence.

‘No matter what, mercenaries are ultimately people who sell force. Overwhelming power is more important than complex politics. In this respect, it’s similar to the South.’

In the end, it could be said that this Dracal is a perfect place for Harley, whose very existence can be said to be the embodiment of violence.

Moreover, the situation not only here but also in other regions was developing in a much more favorable way than initially expected.

‘Not to mention the south, the expansion of the eastern base led by Obaipo is going smoothly. Also, the kingdom of Thalia in the west has officially established diplomatic relations with neighboring kingdoms and has entered the stage

of expanding its influence…’ The Hubert Company, which had begun to encroach on the entire west beyond the Tulk kingdom, was deeply involved in the expansion of influence that began in the west. It was a natural progression to do it.

The biggest factor in the Hubert Company’s market encroachment was the rare metals that were supplied indefinitely from the north, and each country was an excellent customer, competing to purchase such materials that could help increase military power due to fear of the immortal army. .

‘In fact, the entity supplying those items is the Immortal Army.’

A situation where military supplies are traded between the two camps solely for profit, regardless of enemy or enemy.

Isn’t this what they call ‘merchant of darkness’?

I somehow felt like I had stepped into a new world.

‘however.’

Not long ago, in a situation where everything was going smoothly, I heard some shocking news.

‘A second-dimensional intruder worthy of warning from the Lord?’

It was a revelation from the main priest delivered to Saint Riesta.

‘…As expected, there’s only one guy that comes to mind.’

A monster that travels across multiple dimensions and eats the source of the world.

Beoncheonhoeju.

‘How dare you come here?’

If it weren’t for Riesta, I probably wouldn’t have even gotten this much information.

Instead of having time to prepare, you might have panicked and collapsed due to the sudden situation.

Since she was a saint, she must have been able to interpret the revelation this way.

Since I didn’t know the mechanism by which it crossed dimensions, I couldn’t figure out where it was and what it was doing.

However, it would not be the method of reading the memories of the target of origin and moving on to “Summon the Otherworld Transfer Jin” like himself.

When I thought about his abilities when I encountered him in Japan, I thought he might have found a way to hone his unique skills in managing space to the limit.

‘But that’s not what’s important now.’

Yes, now ‘how’ was a secondary issue.

What was important right now was that the place that the monster was targeting and trying to invade was the stage that I had carefully set up.

‘This land…in Outerica.’

My stomach was boiling.

After all, that was absolutely unacceptable.

It was known outside that the Immortal King’s army and humanity were at war with each other, but that was not true.

Because both sides were like my limbs.

It might be unimaginable to others, but for me, controlling the flow of the world was easier than anyone else.

Because I have influence over most of those who rule this Outerica.

The Immortal King and his immortal army, the Vampire Alliance, including the Vampire King, the main church that believes in Heinrich as a saint, Harley, the King of Fighting and the King of Mercenaries, and numerous warriors, Hubert, an elite soldier of the Empire who can move through High Elf Harris and Elven Kingdom Riley. The merchant cartel represented by , etc…

Most of this world was already in my hands.

‘Auterica is—.’

This place.

It’s my land.

It is my territory.

‘It’s mine.’

It was a world prepared just for me, a stage where I could unfold my dreams to the fullest, and a treasure chest filled with precious things.

Still, if you try to crawl in here.

‘You will have to fight the whole world.’

It was time to prepare for war.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om