"Please, come in."
Apparently, my identity had already been registered as a guest of the Tripathi family, because I was able to enter the mansion without needing to present the Tripathi family insignia.
"You've arrived. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I came to discuss something important."
"Now you've piqued my curiosity. This way, please."
Upon meeting Ganesha Tripathi, I immediately got to the point.
"I'm planning to open a new trade route."
"...A trade route, you say?"
"Yes."
At first, Ganesha Tripathi seemed slightly flustered but soon showed interest.
"What exactly do you mean by a trade route?"
"I intend to establish a massive trade route connecting the west of the Ark to the old Kronos territories in the east of the Ark. And if possible, extend it even further."
"Is that... even possible?"
Given that a member of the Tripathi family would openly voice doubt, it was clear that creating such a trade route seemed close to impossible at the moment.
In fact, originally the Silk Road episode would only have been triggered much later in the mid-stages of the game.
"I can do it."
Nevertheless, I declared with confidence.
Though it wouldn't be easy, I was convinced I could advance the Silk Road episode even now.
"If that's truly possible... then perhaps we can solve the Ark's severe resource shortage."
As Ganesha Tripathi said, the resources currently obtainable within the Ark were extremely limited.
Thus, to secure more resources, it was necessary to look beyond the Ark.
However, extracting resources from outside was no easy task.
But what if we worked with those already living outside the Ark?
If we could establish a trade route with groups like the Sandstorm Caravan or the Kronos Union, the Ark would become far stronger than it had ever been.
"However, there's a major problem."
Ganesha Tripathi's expression darkened.
I already knew what he was about to mention.
"The Church of Morte, right?"
"Yes, exactly. For the trade route to function, it would need at least a minimal level of safety, and for a route of that scale, the Church of Morte would almost certainly intervene."
Indeed, the biggest obstacle to the Silk Road episode wasn't beasts or monsters.
It was the Church of Morte.
The time to clash with them directly had finally arrived.
"Until now, it's just been a taste."
More accurately, I had avoided provoking them directly.
The power dynamics outside the Ark were entangled like a spider's web, and any careless move could trigger unforeseen chaos.
So far, I had only targeted branches of the Church of Morte that were somewhat isolated from major power structures.
"But that's no longer the case."
Until now, I had evaded the Church of Morte like dodging a pile of dung.
But I could no longer afford to do so.
"You don't need to worry about the Church of Morte."
"...Are you planning to handle them yourself?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure? I know you're strong, but they're still the Church of Morte."
The Church of Morte's reputation inside the Ark was nothing short of horrific.
For many reasons.
Undying bodies, fanatical worship of monsters and beasts, grotesque appearances granted by their so-called blessings, and more.
"They really are like zombies."
The Church of Morte's blessings, like the Snake's Blessing that regenerates flesh, only further cemented their nightmarish reputation.
Not that the Church of Morte had any right to complain.
Their danger matched their hideous appearances.
"No need to worry."
"...Alright. Since it's you, Carl, I'll trust your word. So, what do you need me to do?"
I proceeded to explain to Ganesha Tripathi the detailed steps necessary to establish the Silk Road.
"...That's no easy task. I might be able to handle the Red Line, but persuading the White Line will take considerable time."
"That's fine. I'll need plenty of time to prepare as well."
"A major long-term project, then."
"You could say that."
Ganesha Tripathi nodded.
Just as I expected, there was no need to persuade him further.
His trust in me was already strong, and the purpose behind my actions was clear.
"Carl, I have a question."
"What is it?"
"Why are you going to such lengths?"
"For the Ark."
"Of course, but... is that really all?"
"Yes."
Ganesha Tripathi smiled faintly.
It was obvious he didn't quite believe me, but I was entirely sincere.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Take care. I'll be busy soon, so I won't be able to see you off."
"That's fine."
Leaving the Tripathi mansion, I hurried onward.
Having completed the first task, it was now time to meet Brigadier General Victor, the commander of the Blue Line defenses.
["Imagine that. We're actually going to see him first."]
'I was going to visit him soon anyway.'
["Because of that Möbius thing?"]
'Yeah.'
Previously, I had borrowed Möbius's strength to prevent a Shadow Order assault on the White Line.
In exchange, I owed Möbius a few favors.
'Well, knowing Möbius's personality, those tasks probably won't be too bad...'
The issue was that I was extremely busy now.
Thus, meeting Victor first was necessary but also a bit of a headache.
"The Commander is currently out on patrol at the eastern front."
Regrettably, when I arrived, Brigadier General Victor wasn't at his post.
Since I didn't have the luxury of waiting indefinitely, I had no choice but to head to the Blue Line front to find him.
'Hmm...'
Upon arriving at the Blue Line's front, it looked similar to other fronts I'd seen, yet somehow different.
The biggest difference was the soldiers' aura.
'Not quite as intense as the Rose Line, but definitely sharper than the Red or Orange Lines.'
Veterans among veterans.
Indeed, some among them were even rare elite forces like Skull Knights and Ether Soldiers.
Clearly, practicality was beginning to outweigh prejudice.
["What's with the stares?"]
Some Ether Soldiers flinched upon sensing Esther's presence.
Even among the elite, few could withstand her overwhelming aura.
'Hmm.'
As I took in the sight, I soon found myself face-to-face with Brigadier General Victor.
Thanks to prior notice, he was already waiting.
"Well, look who it is. If it isn't the rude Carl Marcus."
"Long time no see."
"What brings you here? You're not the type to make social calls."
"I have something to discuss."
"Hmm, let's hear it."
We moved to a different location — atop the fortress walls, overlooking the Blue Line front.
From up there, the first thing I noticed was the carnage.
Corpses of monsters and beasts littered the ground.
Fires burned here and there; signs of bombardments and shelling marked the landscape.
And below the walls, fallen soldiers, either dragged away by flying beasts or felled in battle.
"What do you think?"
Victor spoke first.
"About what?"
"Despite the heavy losses, we defended the Ark once again."
"It was an unavoidable sacrifice."
"Sure, that's easy to say. But I still hate that word — sacrifice. Dead is dead."
The smoke from Victor's cigarette drifted heavily through the air.
Though his words carried bitterness, I had no time to dwell on it.
"I have something to say."
"I figured. You're not one for idle chatter."
Victor chuckled dryly.
His tone remained bitter, but I proceeded to explain my plans for the Silk Road.
"...Ho."
Even the battle-hardened commander of the Blue Line couldn't completely hide his surprise.
"You really think it's possible?"
"If everyone cooperates."
"Hmm..."
Victor turned his heavy gaze back toward the front.
"If it works out, it could change everything. Maybe our soldiers won't have to bleed as much."
"Will you cooperate?"
"There's a lot to consider. I trust you, but not everyone will. And there's another worry."
"You don't need to worry about the Church of Morte. I'll handle them."
When I said it as if it were obvious, Victor's expression briefly flickered with surprise.
Exactly as I expected.
"...Ho."
The Ark's leadership wasn't stupid.
The main reason they hadn't developed external trade routes was precisely because of hostile forces like the Church of Morte.
'There are other reasons too, but the Church of Morte is the biggest.'
For me to offer to deal with them personally would inevitably draw their interest.
While building trade routes outside was hard, once established, they would bring immense benefits.
'There will be those who try to exploit the situation... but the Shadow Order can handle them.'
The Ark's underworld.
Though the Shadow Order wasn't what it once was, its power remained formidable.
Especially now that I had joined.
I would use it to eliminate anyone scheming in the shadows.
There was no hesitation.
It was all for the Ark.
"Ah."
As I mulled over these thoughts, Victor spoke again.
"Since you're here, we might as well discuss something else."
"Let's save it for later. I'll be busy."
"No, I insist."
Victor, uncharacteristically forceful, insisted.
Even though he knew that usually wouldn't sway me.
"What is it?"
"There's a lot to do outside the Ark for that trade route. While you're at it, I have something else I'd like you to handle."
"A favor from Möbius?"
"Something like that."
"Hmm... I'll hear you out."
I already owed Möbius, so if I could handle it while advancing the Silk Road, all the better.
"About a month ago, a Blue Line recon team disappeared during a mission. I'd like you to find them — whether they're alive or dead."