Chapter 412 – Guide
The Demon King's Golem, the mini golem into which Alpha's consciousness was transferred, was not equipped with any offensive means in terms of design.
Because its size was as small as a doll, it was difficult to produce any meaningful firepower.
Instead, emphasis was placed on defensive performance such as barrier, durability, invisibility, to prevent easy destruction, while also adding scanning and useful functions.
Naturally, it was to be of help to Verden.
The purpose of Alpha, who inherited some of the Demon King's stubbornness, was always clear.
[.......]
Alpha, having turned invisible, hid near the nape of Ainber and gazed beyond the window.
Blue sky, white clouds, worn buildings, unfamiliar voices from afar── every scene was unfamiliar...
The outside world.
A world he had only recognized through knowledge was unfolding before his eyes.
Alpha, for some reason, felt as though his heart was tickled.
A feeling he experienced for the first time since his creation. A sentiment completely different from loneliness, anticipation, or joy.
Alpha unknowingly tilted his head, then turned his gaze toward the eight members gathered in the conference room.
"I will first deliver the news from the Western Continent."
Said Verden, seated at the head.
"The leader of the Black Hour, Amwol, personally launched a surprise attack on the headquarters of the Diamoon Magic Tower. Nearly half of the high command of the tower, including the overall 7th-ranked Diamoon tower master, was killed.
"What...?"
At the tower master's death, Liam and Keirel let out cries of shock.
Merquien remained indifferent, and the others, already aware, showed no particular reaction.
"It is quiet for now, but soon the death of the Diamoon tower master will be known across the entire continent. We will investigate the details at that time. What matters to us now is not the past, but the future."
Verden turned his head.
"What is the current succession structure of the Diamoon Magic Tower?"
"Yes, senior. Originally, the first disciple who had been set as the successor of the Diamoon Magic Tower died together with the tower master, so the qualification has passed to the second disciple, who was the next heir."
"But the tower master of the Diamoon had an only son, and though his pure talent is said to fall short compared to the first disciple, many claim he surpasses even the second disciple, senior."
The seat of the tower master usually passed to a disciple, but sometimes it was inherited through bloodline.
For instance, when the tower master's child showed potential to surpass the talents and capabilities of the tower master's disciple.
This was a chronic ailment of magic towers, with only the DarkWarton Magic Tower, which always appointed a single heir, undergoing succession without bloodshed.
"What is the relationship between the two?"
"I heard they were already at odds due to incompatible personalities, and by now, it should be severely worsened. For the second disciple, the tower master's seat came gift-wrapped, and the only threat to that opportunity is the tower master's son."
"Factional division is inevitable. The likelihood of civil war breaking out within the Diamoon Magic Tower is considerably high."
Information on the internal affairs of the tower flowed smoothly. Those unaware of the existence of the Society were left dumbfounded.
Verden posed the next question.
"Keirel, in the Ownerless Land, which faction is supported by the Diamoon Magic Tower?"
"Ah... it's the Southern Alliance, especially the lord named 'Gideon'. They have close ties."
Currently, the Ownerless Land could be broadly divided into four territories.
The Sovereign of the West.
The great lords of the East.
The Southern Alliance of the South.
And the central conflict region.
Among them, the Arein territory where Verden resided was ambiguously located in the north, on the border between the West and the East of the Ownerless Land.
"The members of the Southern Alliance each have different roles, and Gideon mainly leads dealings with forces beneficial to the alliance."
"Would you say he is their leader?"
"Hmm, not officially, but one could say he is close enough to it."
"I see."
Verden cast his gaze on the map of the Ownerless Land affixed to the wall.
'More than two-thirds of the Ownerless Land is too barren to harvest grain, so it never formed into a nation.'
Only in the field of mining was it an exception.
The yearly volume of mined magic stones and metals was so vast that it drew the world's attention.
Forces across the continent coveted such interests, while also expending enormous resources and weapons through wars, and activating the mercenary industry to maximize profits.
Furthermore, the more barbaric and violent clashes doubled as outlets of desire, to maintain the continent's peace for long stretches.
Thus, the Ownerless Land was heavily influenced by changes in world affairs.
"I heard that the Diamoon Magic Tower was quite involved in the conflict region."
"That's right. The dealings between the Southern Alliance and the Diamoon Magic Tower involved firepower and magic item support in the conflict region..."
Keirel suddenly faltered.
The death of the Diamoon tower master and the subsequent changes in the Ownerless Land... she faintly began to understand why this meeting was convened.
It was the beastly intuition of a demi-human.
"Now that the Diamoon Magic Tower is in an emergency, the weakening of the Southern Alliance's power in the conflict region is inevitable. And other forces will not miss that chance."
"...Surely the Sovereign of the West and the great lords of the East won't just sit back. Unless their intelligence was fatally damaged by a head injury."
Keirel partly acknowledged Verden's prediction.
"But if the Southern Alliance yields part of its interests, instead of a major war, only confrontations between the West and East will continue for a while, excluding the South."
She added.
"Overall, it will not be any different from the current situation. Even though one of the tower masters has died, the balance established by nearly twenty years of power struggle cannot be shaken easily."
"Of course."
Verden nodded.
She was right.
But he already knew.
From the start, there was no thought of gaining great results solely from the death of the 7th-ranked tower master.
A small crack to wedge into was enough.
'The strong take all.'
While keeping the rules of the Ownerless Land, as always, he would never cross the line he had set for himself.
Within his own rules, Verden would create what he desired── the foundation, the ground, and the place to return to, within the Ownerless Land.
The decision was long since made.
"In that case, we should intervene."
"I understand what you mean, but we lack too much knowledge. We've barely set foot in the conflict region. With Arein's limited liquid funds, we couldn't even dream of acquiring useful information."
"How much do you need."
"Uh, well, at least four billion Elk in cash..."
Verden opened subspace.
Chwararararak.
An overwhelming flood of bundles of banknotes poured out, filling the empty center of the conference room without a gap.
***
The peculiar paper smell of cash pricked the sensitive nose.
Even at a glance, Keirel's eyes shook, realizing the sum was far beyond four billion Elk, almost twice as much.
Before she could ask, Verden answered.
"It was acquired legally, so there is no need to worry. Exactly eight and a half billion Elk. With this, there should be no shortage of funds during intelligence activities."
"...That's true."
Not four billion, but eight and a half billion Elk, enough that even after buying a major artifact, several billion would remain.
Even if information was bought at a premium, it would be more than enough to uncover the hidden and unfolding circumstances of the conflict region.
The budget issue was solved.
"Liam Arein."
"...? Yes!"
Suddenly called by Verden, Liam straightened his back in shock.
"I will grant you ownership of the city of Dallehin, where I serve as lord. By managing two territories, can you gradually raise your own prominence, without provoking other forces too much?"
It meant, do not rashly join hands with those who show interest in the city, but instead stall for as much time as possible through negotiation and words.
It was not a command, but a question.
Liam instinctively realized this was some kind of test. If he refused, he would remain a minor lord for life. His judgment was fairly quick.
"I, I will do it, Master Asher."
"Good. Then let us sort it out."
Verden went on to explain in greater detail the roles assigned to each.
"From this moment, Liam is the master of two territories. It will not be easy to govern, but in Dallehin, there is the Vampire Dumal, who manages the city on my behalf, so if you actively receive his assistance, it will be of help. He is quite capable."
"I will keep that in mind."
"And Keirel will be the hub of intelligence gathering. It will not differ much from what you have been doing, so I suppose you do not need further advice."
"The scale is incomparably larger, but… fine, I understand."
"What about us? What do we do?"
Beside her, Cain and Unia had brightened eyes, filled with eagerness to take action with their strength.
Verden fully grasped their inner desire.
"Cain and Unia, draw soldiers from under your command to guard Liam and Keirel, and act freely while aiding Keirel in gathering intelligence. For the sake of the future main stage."
"The main stage...!"
Unia grinned.
"Fine, leave the intelligence war to us. We have never done it before, but we can do it well."
"I will restrain Unia's reckless actions, senior."
The leadership of the Society affirmed they would follow Verden's plan.
Thus the distribution of roles ended.
At that moment, Merquien asked.
"Wait. Is that it? Then why did you call me? And what about you three?"
She pointed one by one at Verden, Adrian, and Isabella.
Eyes gathered.
Verden rose from his seat and stopped by the window.
"We are going to the Great Forest."
Merquien tilted her head.
"Going to the Great Forest? All of a sudden? Didn't you say you would delay for months because you had other matters to attend?"
"I was going to, but your mother called."
"My mother became one with nature long ago..."
"I said you guys, not you."
You guys are plural.
Merquien, lost in thought, murmured softly, then drew a deep breath.
For there was only one being who could be called the mother of all Elves.
The World Tree.
As Merquien recalled the great mother, the creator of her race, her bow and dagger, formed of the World Tree's branches and roots, resonated.
***
After the meeting ended, Verden separately summoned Cain and Unia.
"What is it, senior?"
"I have something to give you."
Verden handed them four communication-device bracelets and two memory golems, brought from the Demon King's laboratory.
He also explained their purpose and how to use them.
Cain and Unia, hearing the performance of the devices, wore blank expressions.
"Uh, senior. As far as I know, this is a technology the magic world failed to develop... where in the world did you get it?"
"If you know, you will get hurt."
"..."
Unia fell silent.
As twins, she was quick-witted just like Cain.
"One device should go to Keirel, the rest will be used by the Society. Since discovery would become a huge nuisance, prioritize not letting others find out."
"I understand."
"Understood."
For Keirel, Cain, and Unia, who would operate fluidly and required agile communication, the devices and memory golems were indispensable.
For Liam, as a lord, they were unnecessary, but it would not do to openly discriminate against him in the conference hall.
'He would feel excluded.'
Humans are emotional.
For Verden, who aimed to build a faction, it was a part that had to be managed.
"And if you fulfill your roles and bring about meaningful results, I will grant you a gift."
"A gift? What will you give us?"
"For now, let us just say it is something special."
Most of the spoils acquired from Rayshen and below had already been handed over or loaned to the Society, but the ownership of artifacts had not been divided.
Objectively speaking, many were more suited to Cain and Unia than to Verden or Isabella... but the value was so high, they could not be easily given away.
Cooperation was a relationship of give and take.
"Then keep that in mind. If ever a situation arises beyond your control, call me immediately."
Leaving behind the twins' bows, Verden stepped outside.
It was a clear day.
In the castle courtyard, Adrian, Isabella, and Merquien were waiting for him.
Merquien, frowning, pointed at the two beside him.
"Asher, I understand that you were directly invited by the World Tree. But why are you bringing them along? You only need to go yourself."
"Do not point your finger. Before I break it."
"Human trash. I should have turned you into a porcupine when we fought last time."
She let out a long sigh.
"Well... that human is officially your subordinate, so I can accept it. But that monster you brought, I cannot allow."
"Monster? Me?"
Isabella blinked at being suddenly singled out, and Merquien recoiled.
"She... Asher, she gives off magic power similar to yours, but something is wrong. She makes me think of a rotten tree with eyes all over it. Like a twisted, corrupted World Tree. It is utterly blasphemous."
Through the circle of Defying the Heavens, powered by Verden's pure magic, Isabella had become one with Blood of Resurrection, becoming a new existence.
'Perhaps that is the cause.'
From an Elf's perspective.
Verden found Merquien's impression of Isabella interesting as a mage... but not so for Isabella herself.
Isabella twitched her eyes.
"Elves are as exclusive as I heard. Rude."
"Stay away from me, monster."
Merquien placed her hand on her dagger.
If left alone, they might start fighting in the middle of the city.
Of course, there was a solution.
Verden addressed Merquien.
"World Tree, then I ask you. May I visit the Great Forest with these two?"
From recalling his conversation with the World Tree, it was certain she was connected in some way to Merquien's senses.
'Otherwise, she would not have known that I had no immediate intention of going to the Great Forest.'
Verden's prediction was correct.
Whooong.
The relic of the World Tree trembled faintly.
At the same time, Merquien's stiffened expression wavered with countless emotions.
Even without words, it was clear what the World Tree had conveyed.
"Guide us, Merquien."
Thus, Verden and his companions headed south of the central continent.
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