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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Then, using a large amount of black water, I saturated the surrounding area with demonic energy, establishing a minimal safe zone.
However, simply scattering the black water wasn’t enough.
It required further stabilization from me, a time-consuming process.
“I’ll have to be stationed here for a while.”
Even after securing this area, Baldur couldn’t leave easily.
I couldn’t leave Golun alone, and continuous hunting was necessary.
Baldur, already aware of this, replied with a resolute expression,
“If multiple underground monsters like the Giant Scorpion appear…”
“As you said, we’ll retreat.”
Golun could handle one, but multiple would be problematic.
Strangely, the underground monsters, like the Giant Scorpion, hadn’t appeared since the initial attack on the tower.
Six months had passed since we entered the Barren Lands.
While there were some minor crises, it had been surprisingly uneventful.
Most of the monsters we encountered were manageable, and despite slaying thousands, there hadn’t been any unusual signs.
‘I expected some reaction after claiming the additional oases…’
But there was none.
Gagar was still diligently guarding the second oasis and even occasionally went hunting.
We hadn’t swept through the entire Barren Lands like House Lineta had in the past, we had only claimed three oases.
While I planned to expand from these three locations, establishing fortifications and a defensive line, it wasn’t surprising that there wasn’t a major reaction yet.
The lack of response from the underground monsters was puzzling, but there was nothing I could do for now but ignore it.
-D-don’t worry. I will protect, Master.
Golun, perhaps sensing my distrust, suddenly spoke.
“I trust you. But if it becomes too dangerous, abandon your subordinates and flee.”
Being directly connected to Golun, it understood my sincerity and replied in a strangely pleased tone.
“How’s the anti-magic artifact?”
It was necessary, as even Experts would be affected by prolonged exposure to demonic energy.
“That’s good.”
A simple base camp had already been established, and after unpacking, we spent nearly a month stabilizing the area.
Early one morning, as I was inspecting the demon-infused land, Athena, who should have been at Desert Shield, came running towards me.
“…What is it?”
I asked, seeing her urgency.
“We received news.”
“News?”
“The Earth Mother Religion has made its move.”
It was much sooner than anticipated.
‘I thought they would spend at least a few years preparing?’
“They’re acting rather hastily.”
“Perhaps the Holy Empire noticed and is applying pressure?”
“It’s a possibility.”
It was a bold move.
While this was the Septran Kingdom, the Goddess Religion’s influence was widespread, and the Empire’s reach extended far and wide.
In the previous iteration, I suspected the ruins I had revealed were likely buried by the Goddess Religion or related factions.
Therefore, I had always been prepared for the possibility of discovery.
Even so, a public declaration at this stage seemed too soon.
“Perhaps because of that, they’re also starting the final settlement immediately.”
Settlement.
In my initial agreement with the royal family, I had stipulated that any items found within the ruins belonged to me.
While they had the right of first refusal for sacred relics or items of historical significance, they couldn’t take them if I refused to sell.
“Any sacred relics?”
“They said there weren’t any.”
‘Sacred relics are rare, after all.’
It was more unusual that I had found sacred relics in every ruin I had explored.
“However, there seem to be many items of historical significance. They want to purchase most of them.”
“We should sell them all.”
“Indeed, they’re of no use to us.”
“Did they find any artifacts?”
Athena grinned slightly.
“There was one.”
“And since it’s what it is, they sent it right away with the news.”
That was good news. The Earth Mother Religion’s public emergence wasn’t entirely bad for me.
Unless they were completely suppressed by the Goddess Religion and failed, the royal family must have had a reason for such a bold move.
The results remained to be seen.
Athena glanced at Kayla and said,
“Congratulations, Master. This is clearly for you.”
Kayla, who had been listening, looked at Athena in confusion.
“What is it?”
“Here.”
As if waiting for my cue, Athena retrieved a shield from her subspace artifact.
“They call it the Shield of Earth. An artifact from the ruins.”
Shield of Earth.
A strangely fitting name, considering the Earth Mother Religion.
‘It reminds me of the castles as well.’
The castle guarding the entrance to the Barren Lands was called Desert Shield, and the one blocking the path to the Monster Forest was called Forest Shield.
It was a curious coincidence that this artifact was called the Shield of Earth.
“It seems the Earth Mother Religion originally intended to make it a sacred relic, but they failed. As you can see, there’s no trace of divine power; it’s a mana-powered artifact. They suspect it’s dungeon-recovered.”
“Dungeon-recovered…”
After hearing about its abilities, I agreed with Athena; it was best suited for Kayla.
As long as the wielder was grounded, it granted earth resistance and had a self-repair function.
Its durability was such that even Aura attacks couldn’t penetrate it easily, and it generated a powerful shield around the user, proportional to the mana used.
“…This is definitely for Kayla.”
Undead couldn’t use it, as it was mana-based.
While Baldur could use it, it wouldn’t be as effective as it would be for Kayla.
“Considering its power, it’s tempting, yet they sent it without hesitation. It seems the royal family is indeed trustworthy.”
I wasn’t just any warlock, I was the recognized warlock of Lineta County, an important figure to them.
Furthermore, I had consistently delivered significant benefits to the royal family. They wouldn’t jeopardize that relationship for a mere artifact.
‘Unless they intend to kill me.’
Noble houses valued honor above all else, and the royal family stood at the pinnacle of that system.
They had to maintain a certain image, at least publicly, and sacrificing their honor for a mere artifact wasn’t an option.
“…I already have many artifacts.”
Kayla hesitated slightly.
However, this artifact was clearly best suited for her.
Furthermore, its ability to generate a wide-area shield, proportional to the mana used, extending beyond the shield itself, would be invaluable for her escort duties.
The earth resistance was also a significant boon.
Therefore, despite her reluctance, Kayla accepted the shield.
“I will protect you with all my might, Master.”
I appreciated her words.
Now then…
“I’ll write a letter. Can you return to Desert Shield once more?”
“A letter?”
“It’s not a difficult task, but it seems quite important.”
“It’s time for Lineta County to start working.”
“Working?”
“…You’re planning to have them expand, aren’t you?”
“Indeed. I’m also planning to invest.”
“Expand? Invest?”
Athena tilted her head, seemingly confused.
“The money we’ll receive from excavating the ruins.”
I intended to sell any relics or useless artifacts to the royal family.
The income would be substantial.
Especially artifacts recovered from Earth Mother Religion ruins would fetch a higher price if sold to the royal family.
Therefore, I planned to sell everything through them.
And most of that money… would be reinvested in Lineta County.
“…You’re going that far?”
“We need to invest as soon as we can. Now is the perfect time.”
Such investments were most effective when made at the lowest point.
That’s when the potential returns were highest.
Furthermore, with the royal family preoccupied with the Earth Mother Religion, investing now would secure a favorable position within the county once House Lineta recovered.
It was a sound argument.
“I intend to become indispensable to Lineta County.”
While they would always be suspicious of me due to my nature as a warlock, having a powerful and influential ally was a universal desire.
‘So I have to nurture them.’
While also implementing safeguards to prevent betrayal.
“Considering their history of failures, will they accept the investment?”
“Do you think a lord lacks ambition? They only act that way because they have no other choice. If they see an opportunity, they’ll seize it.”
Human greed was a powerful force. And Prina Lineta seemed to genuinely care about her house.
‘She also said she didn’t want to resent her ancestors.’
Furthermore, I had already laid the groundwork by predicting Lineta County’s revival.
I believed she would accept.
“Hmm, if you think so… It’s not a difficult task.”
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
Athena agreed to my request and, after a day’s rest, departed for Desert Shield once more.
Kayla, perhaps to familiarize herself with the new shield, often sparred with one of the Elite Living Armors while I was saturating the area with demonic energy.
Since it involved borrowing one of Baldur’s subordinates, I needed his permission, which he readily granted, allowing Kayla to have a sparring partner.
After about a week of testing, I deemed the area stable and returned to the tower.
From that day forward, the true struggle for survival in the Barren Lands began.
After a few months of holding back, perhaps realizing we had fully claimed the oases, the monsters began attacking in droves.
It seemed it took them some time to realize the territory was vacant due to the initial clearing and the subsequent deaths of the monsters.
Bloodshed became a daily occurrence, and new monsters constantly arrived.
And as the surface monsters dwindled, the underground monsters began to emerge.
While all of them were high-ranking, they seemed to be solitary creatures, as they never attacked simultaneously, allowing us to maintain a precarious balance.
The underground monsters weren’t necessarily trying to reclaim the oases, they seemed to be drawn by the influx of surface prey.
The slain monsters became valuable resources, and using the accumulated blood and corpses, I finally succeeded in creating Lakes of Blood at all three oases.
A Lake of Blood.
It was something I had always wanted to create, and its function was that of a warp gate.
‘Though the conditions for use are rather restrictive.’
The ability to use it was what mattered.
Transportation consumed a large amount of demonic energy and blood, and it was less effective during the day.
While not unusable, its efficiency decreased. Considering the already high cost of opening a gate, conservation was essential.
Opening a gate and transporting someone through the Lake of Blood consumed both blood and demonic energy.
While primarily intended for undead, who required far fewer resources for transport, the cost varied depending on size, weight, and the undead’s level.
‘It’s invaluable in emergencies.’
However, it required a constant supply of corpses, it couldn’t be used again until replenished with blood, and the demonic energy consumption was so high that even I could only open a gate once a day.
Naturally, it could only connect to other Lakes of Blood, and there was a distance limitation.
While the range depended on the mage’s skill, at my current level, I could freely travel between the three oases.
I wouldn’t have bothered creating them otherwise.
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