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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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Therefore, I had to periodically visit the other oases to build these structures, and in the meantime, the underground portion of the tower, including the laboratory and the darkroom, a resting area for the undead, was completed.
With the Lakes of Blood finished, the defenses around the first oasis, where I was stationed, became more robust.
Every night, I opened a gate and sent Orie to check on the other oases, using the information she gathered to reinforce their defenses.
Since the first oasis, with the Tower of Ghosts, wasn’t facing any immediate threats, I used the accumulating corpses to build additional structures at the second and third oases.
I added another Underground Tomb at each location, along with above-ground graveyards where Zombies spawned, Mummy Pits where higher-ranking Mummies emerged, and most importantly, a Black Altar capable of producing beast-type undead.
Since beast-type monsters were more common than humanoids in this area, I wanted to utilize them instead of simply consuming them as resources.
I invested considerable effort in constructing the Black Altar, and as a result, beast-type undead began roaming the area.
While I indirectly controlled them, their inherent hatred for the living meant I didn’t need to actively manage them.
I had placed the altar at the second oasis, where there weren’t any living humans, further reducing the need for oversight.
Gagar was responsible for periodically offering corpses to the altar, and the resulting beast-type undead proved to be quite effective.
While they occasionally fell prey to the underground monsters, their sacrifices allowed us to pinpoint the monsters’ locations and even occasionally hunt them successfully.
Perhaps because the surface prey was now actively defending the oases, the underground monsters began appearing more frequently.
As the Barren Lands became increasingly stained with blood, Lineta County, having accepted my proposal, began to stir.
Prina Lineta had initially contemplated my offer to invest.
She didn’t respond immediately, and it wasn’t until my next visit that I received a letter from her, inquiring about my intentions.
I replied simply, stating that I wanted them to restore the castles.
Restoring Cross Fortress to its former function as a supply hub, reclaiming Desert Shield, and rebuilding the abandoned villages would significantly improve their situation.
I added that it would alleviate the overpopulation within the castle, and if they were still short on manpower, I could provide Skeletons for labor.
Creating thousands of simple Skeletons wasn’t a burden.
While they lacked combat ability, they could perform manual labor.
If I didn’t want to use my control capacity, I could use structures, or if that was inconvenient, I could use commander-type undead to control a large number of low-ranking Skeletons, creating a dedicated labor force.
Of course, I didn’t know if Prina would welcome the offer.
She might perceive it as a threat.
If the fertile lands between Cross Fortress, Forest Shield, and Desert Shield were reclaimed, Lineta County would undoubtedly flourish.
With abundant farmland, they could achieve self-sufficiency and generate income by selling surplus produce, allowing them to hire mercenaries and reclaim control of the entire county.
‘The royal family could easily connect them with merchants.’
The timing was also favorable.
The Earth Mother Religion’s emergence had brought the conflict with the Empire to the surface.
Even within the kingdom, there were noble houses closer to the Empire than the royal family, and the escalating tensions could lead to territorial wars.
Considering the royal family’s stance, it was unlikely that those territories would simply surrender.
The Six-Kingdom Alliance harbored deep resentment towards the Holy Empire and held little goodwill towards the noble houses aligned with them.
Those noble houses were aware of this, so if war broke out, they would mobilize all their forces, and depending on the royal family’s response, the conflict could escalate significantly.
In such turbulent times, food became a weapon.
Of course, reclaiming land wouldn’t instantly produce food.
Depending on the crops, it would take at least three to four months for a proper harvest.
‘I’m not an expert on agriculture.’
However, Prina Lineta herself had described the land as fertile and had even expanded the castle to utilize it, suggesting they possessed some knowledge and agricultural techniques.
Furthermore, I had already mostly restored Desert Shield.
Prina wouldn’t provide such support without expecting something in return, so she asked what I wanted.
I requested high recognition for my contributions and a lasting, unbreakable alliance once her house regained its power.
I added that providing concrete proof of such an alliance would be even better.
While seemingly reasonable requests, combined with the non-interference I enjoyed while managing the Barren Lands, it was a significant demand.
It meant Lineta County couldn’t interfere with my actions, while I, as a contributor to their restoration, would gain considerable influence within House Lineta.
Realizing this, Prina didn’t respond for a while, and after much deliberation, she accepted my proposal.
‘She said she would prepare concrete proof.’
The exchanged letters themselves served as a form of proof, so as soon as I received her confirmation, I invested most of the funds provided by the royal family in Lineta County.
My investment, combined with the royal family’s support, resulted in thousands of gold coins being delivered to Lineta County, and I heard Prina was stunned by the sheer amount, a sum she had never seen before.
And that wasn’t all.
The ruins were continuously being excavated, and the income would continue to flow.
Prina began using the funds to purchase food, construction materials, and farming tools.
Furthermore, she was hiring mercenaries and trying to persuade the abandoned villagers to return.
‘Though it doesn’t seem to be going well.’
Naturally, the villagers, abandoned due to their lack of skills, wouldn’t hold House Lineta in high regard.
They likely trusted the royal family more than their own lord.
The intermediary villages had survived thanks to the supplies transported by the royal family to support Lineta.
Most of the villagers who had fled their occupied villages had taken refuge in those intermediary villages, and the surviving villages had formed militias to defend themselves against monsters.
Having been abandoned for so long, and having rarely experienced any benefits from their lord, their resentment was understandable.
‘That’s why she’s personally visiting them.’
Thanks to the presence of Sir Atrok, the once-renowned knight, she wasn’t being completely rejected.
This wasn’t something I could interfere with, so I could only hope Prina would succeed.
Meanwhile, a messenger sent by the royal family came to see me.
“I was quite surprised to hear that you invested most of the settlement money in Lineta County.”
“I want to maintain a good relationship with Lineta County.”
I returned to Desert Shield and, after briefly greeting Thea, met with the royal messenger.
It was a familiar face.
“I hear the number of monsters emerging from the Barren Lands has decreased drastically. I didn’t expect you to achieve such a feat in just six months.”
Of course, he had recognized my exceptional abilities from the beginning, Kriang said with a smile.
“I didn’t expect you to come here yourself, Sir Kriang. I thought you were operating in Doriem.”
“Haha. It’s all thanks to my connection with you, Do Inha.”
After exchanging pleasantries with Kriang, we got down to business.
“The atmosphere in Doriem and the surrounding areas has become quite tense recently.”
“Because of the Goddess Religion and the Earth Mother Religion?”
“Indeed. There’s evidence that Jutus and Iklemba are colluding with the Goddess Religion, and Doriem has sided with the royal family.”
“I was surprised by the Earth Mother Religion’s emergence. I didn’t expect them to make their move so soon.”
“Haha. I understand. Even the royal family was surprised.”
“Was it the Goddess Religion’s doing?”
“Well, that’s part of it, but there’s a more practical reason.”
“A practical reason?”
“We’ve found a way to draw followers from those without a religion or those following the Goddess Religion.”
“…Is that easy?”
Conversion wasn’t a simple matter.
Unlike Earth, this world had divine power, a tangible force, not just personal beliefs.
Furthermore, religious figures wielded considerable power, and established temples held significant influence over their communities.
Therefore, drawing followers from another religion wasn’t easy.
“We’ve found a way to offer substantial and tangible benefits.”
“What is it?”
“Several ancient divine spells of the Earth Mother Religion have been discovered, and they’re quite useful.”
Come to think of it, I remembered hearing about the discovery of some Earth Mother Religion divine spells and the rewards offered for them.
However, if I remembered correctly…
“Weren’t they said to be damaged?”
“The priests of the Earth Religion have successfully restored them.”
Naturally, with the Earth Mother Religion being the predecessor of the Earth Religion, recruiting them was a natural course of action.
“What kind of spells are they?”
“Divine spells that restore the earth’s vitality and enhance the growth of crops.”
“…What…?”
“The Earth Religion already possessed similar spells, but their effects were negligible, not even comparable to the divine power indiscriminately spread by the Goddess Religion. But it’s different now. They’re at least three times more effective, and depending on the priest’s skill, they could be over ten times more potent.”
It was a divine blessing, a direct inheritance of their god’s power, usable only by the priests of the Earth Religion.
“…The lords will be delighted.”
“Indeed. They’ve agreed to cooperate fully with the construction of Earth Mother Religion temples in their territories, and in return, the Earth Mother Religion has promised to periodically bestow these blessings upon their lands.”
While the Goddess Religion also had similar divine spells, their effectiveness was drastically different.
It was only natural.
The Earth Mother Religion worshipped the goddess of earth, and divine spells were heavily influenced by the god they worshipped.
Therefore, the Earth Mother Religion had an inherent advantage in this area.
“There are higher-level spells, but they require a Cardinal to cast.”
“We won’t be seeing those anytime soon.”
That wasn’t all. There were also spells to enhance physical strength, toughen skin, and other useful spells for mercenaries.
“And… there’s also a spell to enhance… virility.”
Seeing my incredulous expression, Kriang chuckled.
“Yes, what you’re thinking is correct. It seems the Earth Mother Religion also governs fertility and abundance.”
Fertility.
That made sense.
“While the potency varies depending on the priest’s skill, it’s a divine spell usable by all priests.”
“…That’s certainly an advantage.”
It was no wonder they were once such a powerful religion.
If the restored spells were this potent, I could only imagine their power at their peak.
On Earth, certain animals were hunted to extinction due to rumors of their aphrodisiac properties, and it was the same in this world, so I suspected many followers of the Goddess Religion would discreetly visit the Earth Mother Religion temples once they were established.
“A temple of the Earth Mother Religion will also be built in Lineta County.”
“Ah, there’s no need to worry. While the Earth Mother Religion isn’t particularly fond of warlocks, they’re not in a position to be picky right now, and I’ve discreetly informed their highest-ranking members about your… involvement.”
Kriang glanced at me cautiously and continued,
“Since you prefer to avoid… attention…”
“No, I understand. The royal family wants to prevent any conflict between me and the Earth Mother Religion.”
Kriang nodded in relief, agreeing with my assessment.
I preferred to avoid the spotlight, as it would make me a target of the Empire.
However, I couldn’t hide everything from everyone involved.
Thanks to this, I could avoid direct conflict with the Earth Mother Religion.
“This is actually quite fortunate. I had asked them to restore the fields in front of Cross Fortress as part of my investment in Lineta County…”
With the fertile land further enhanced by the Earth Mother Religion’s divine magic, Lineta County’s revival would be accelerated.
‘A stable food supply and sufficient funds will significantly improve their situation.’
Since most lords in this world relied on mercenaries, with enough money, they could quickly regain their former power.
‘With all the attention focused on the Earth Mother Religion, and with the royal family’s backing, it’s practically a smooth path.’
As a high-ranking count’s house, they needed to train a standing army and knights, a process that usually took time and often attracted unwanted attention.
However, with that attention diverted to the Earth Mother Religion, it was a boon for Lineta County.
It seemed I had invested at the perfect time.
“The royal family is quite pleased with your investment. They hadn’t expected you to be so proactive… And with their resources stretched thin, their support for Lineta had been decreasing, so His Majesty is very grateful.”
He added that the King had wanted to formally invite me to the capital but decided against it, respecting my desire to avoid public appearances.
He relayed the King’s message that I would receive appropriate rewards in the future.
It seemed my already high standing with the royal family had reached new heights.
‘At this rate, they might even offer me full membership in the Royal Magic Tower.’
Of course, it was just a possibility.
A warlock officially recognized by the Royal Magic Tower… I doubted there had ever been such a case in its history.
“I’m glad His Majesty is pleased.”
“By the way, I’m curious about Annelise. How is she doing?”
“She’s doing well. She’s currently operating at one of the other oases.”
Her interactions with Athena and Kayla had decreased recently, and she seemed to have formed a decent relationship with Baldur.
“Thanks to frequent combat experience, her skills have improved considerably. She can even imbue her arrowheads with unstable Aura. But why did Annelise suddenly…?”
“Actually, we received a message from the Demihuman Alliance.”
The Demihuman Alliance.
The news Kriang relayed was rather strange.
“The Demihuman Alliance sent a messenger secretly?”
The Six-Kingdom Alliance and the Demihuman Alliance weren’t on bad terms, but they weren’t exactly allies either.
While the Annelise situation suggested some connection, it didn’t seem particularly strong.
“They said they’d like to discuss matters after seeing our kingdom openly challenge the Empire and support the Earth Mother Religion.”
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
That seemed to be their logic.
“They’re responding rather quickly.”
“They must have informants within the kingdom.”
The Six-Kingdom Alliance likely had informants within the Demihuman Alliance as well, though they kept it hidden.
“Even considering that, given the distance between our kingdom and the Demihuman Alliance, it seems they have some form of special communication method…”
The speed was the problem.
‘It’s almost like real-time communication.’
To communicate in real-time across such a distance…
Perhaps even the kingdom possessed such technology.
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