Chapter 107. The City of Bread and Steel (4)

The Outer Gods of the Order.

Transcendental beings who move for the purpose of the world's destruction.

They are the ones who have heralded the end in thousands of worlds already.

To them, who are beyond common sense, the current world must be just another repetition.

If there is a being in this game comparable to a demon or an evil god, it would be them.

However, perhaps it's a habit from watching from beyond the monitor.

Since falling into this world, I have developed a tendency to use everything.

Even a god-like being is no exception.

In fact, they have their uses.

A prime example is their knowledge, which is comparable to omniscience.

‘…Destroyed worlds, you say.’

They won't know everything.

They are grand destroyers, not delicate and loving observers.

So, I know more about the past and psychology of each hero than they do.

However, the events I call 'crisis events'.

They must know far more than I do about the major events that guide the macroscopic flow of this game.

Furthermore, the worlds they destroyed are not the past versions I experienced, but the world of World Scenario 4.0.

It means they know elements I don't, regardless of past, present, or future.

That is knowledge I must obtain to clear this game.

‘Why do you ask such a thing? And why now?’

“Because I need it.”

‘Master, I have existed for countless eons and have passed through the hands of numerous humans. The number of humans who have obtained my Sacred Relic alone exceeds hundreds of thousands.’

“Really?”

I nod my head and ask myself.

Why haven't I asked until now?

About the destroyed worlds and the knowledge gained from them.

The answer is simple.

I couldn't believe it.

In World Scenario 3.0, these guys were monstrous beings that would raze villages, cities, and entire regions just by descending in part.

Is it possible to take it at face value when they suddenly start sucking on sugar and cosplaying as pets?

‘Interestingly, they all had something in common. Do you know what it was?’

I've been watching for a long time.

To see if the creature has other ulterior motives.

I've already collected 3 Sacred Relics, but there are no signs.

At least, there have been no signs so far.

So I've just decided to use it.

Risk?

It certainly exists.

However, my way is to use it if a minimum level of verification has been completed.

Not using something because you're afraid of the other party's hidden intentions is nothing more than a contradiction of walking a confirmed downhill path to avoid the worst-case scenario.

If you think like that, you won't be able to find any tools, people, factions, or knowledge that can be used in this world.

“No.”

The writhing tentacle gently set down the cookie.

‘They all, with their short-sightedness, wanted omniscience that looked down on the forest from the high sky.’

Although the octahedron and the tentacle have no face, I could see its expressionless face and a sneer with only the corners of its mouth raised.

‘And they all died.’

“I see.”

‘I know the master is different. You are the first I have called master in the eternity I have existed. But even so, nothing changes.’

“Why is that?”

‘Didn't I tell you about the previous contract?’

I know.

That there are restrictions.

The Outer Gods connected to this land through the Sacred Relics have various restrictions based on a 'contract' when they divulge certain information or exercise their powers.

In fact, if there were no such restrictions, this world would have already fallen into the hands of the Order.

It means that there are not just one, but fourteen, who have obtained the knowledge of beings close to omniscience.

The civil war would have been lost to Marquis Ricardo from the start.

I would have been torn to shreds the moment I met the Princess of Blood, long before that.

But I didn't bring this up without even thinking about that.

“Do you think I would just ask you to tell me? Listen for a bit.”

‘Hmm?’

“Let's do this.”

I don't know the details of the contract conditions.

But based on past experience, let's make a few guesses.

First, some of the Sacred Relic's abilities are forbidden to be used on other guardians.

Furthermore, directly divulging information about the Order, the Sacred Relics, or the Outer Gods is also a taboo.

Divulging future information is also forbidden.

However, there is one premise regarding knowledge.

“Isn't it okay if it's something I already know, or something I can easily find out?”

‘We-well, yes. But how…’

“What do you mean, how. It was obvious. You slowly talk about things I might know, no matter how secret they are, and you keep your mouth shut or keep changing the subject when it's something I might not know.”

A one-sided explanation is just one way of conveying information.

Affirmation and negation, and sometimes even silence, can be useful tools.

“I'll talk about what I know first. You listen to my story and only talk about the things you can talk about.”

‘……Hu-huh?’

“In return, I will give you one cookie for every piece of useful information I get.”

The so-called twenty questions method.

With a tempting prize.

***

‘……Master.’

“What.”

‘How on earth do you know all this?’

“?”

‘The genealogy and food culture of the dwarf hold dynasties are one thing, but the existence of the Steamforge… ha… right, you wouldn't tell me. Anyway, I've answered everything I can.’

Kkumteuli's bundle of tentacles shivered and then went limp.

As if it was utterly disgusted.

I somehow sensed a sign that the 'Kkumteuli's Twenty Questions Counter' was about to close, so I hurriedly said.

“Wait. I still have more to ask…”

‘Please! Isn't this all for a living? Master, I have rights too! Let me rest a bit!’

Is business closed?

If its will is firm, it can't be helped.

Without pressing any further, I put the promised number of cookies in a separate leather pouch.

The creature embraced the cookie pouch with its tentacles as if holding a precious object and scurried into the depths of the subspace.

“…….”

Well, it'll probably open again when the snacks run out.

For now, I've obtained enough of the information I need right away.

We had a twenty-questions-style discussion for about two hours without a break.

The characteristics of the nine holds distributed across the nine mountain ranges.

The political relations between the holds.

Potential risk factors such as the whereabouts of renegade dwarves, the structure and weaknesses of the Steamforge, and the amount of pollutants accumulated in the Mana Lake.

Furthermore, even trivial cultural elements such as the baking technique of stone-bread.

‘There's a flow to conversation and questions, you know. Asking this and then that, making it so confusing. And cutting me off before I'm even finished speaking, ha, really!’

‘Tick-tock…….’

‘Wheeeine…?’

‘Yeah, what's good about having compatriots? You guys are all I have.’

“…….”

It seems it was stressed out.

Seeing them muttering to themselves in the corner of the subspace.

It couldn't be helped.

When searching for unexpected variables, it's necessary to observe and hypothesize from multiple angles.

It's common for holes to appear in unexpected places.

Thanks to that, I was able to get a rough idea of the dwarves' current situation.

“…It's a total mess.”

Well, I kind of expected it.

From the moment I heard that the surface area of the hold was occupied by an orc horde.

The hold is surrounded?

That can happen.

But the surface area of the hold was occupied by just a few tens of thousands of orcs?

That's ridiculous.

The firepower of the dwarven artillery is at a level where it wouldn't be strange to call it over-technology.

No matter how awakened the Great Chieftain, who is treated as a mid-game crisis, is, the dwarf holds are the ones that hold out even in the latter half of the game when all the human factions have been destroyed.

The dwarf hold, armed with sturdy defensive walls, powerful siege weapons, and self-sufficient production capabilities, is an impregnable fortress in itself.

Even sturdy-bodied orcs wouldn't dare to try and break through unless they push with hundreds of thousands.

If such a fortress has fallen by half, there must have been an unspoken problem.

“…So accidents overlapped and internal strife broke out.”

Simply put, several major internal problems, including conflicts between the holds, are pushing the largest city of the dwarf race to the brink.

Of course, since I haven't seen it myself, it's just a guess.

Nevertheless, as it's the result of combining my rich experience and Kkumteuli's big data, it will likely be correct with a high probability.

I went to see the recovering dwarf prince, Balkan, son of Ungol.

“After in-depth discussions with my strategists, we have decided to postpone the support for the Everlasting Mountains Hold. I apologize.”

“It can't be helped. I understand. You said it's a domain you've just started to build up.”

“I will submit a report to the Imperial court. The Empire and the dwarves are allies, so I'm sure they will provide support in some form.”

“…Thank you.”

Well, it would be a lie to say it's not a waste.

There's no harm in putting the dwarves in my debt.

This long-grudging race does not easily forget favors, just as they do not forget grudges.

The thirty or forty thousand orcs that have surrounded the hold are not easy opponents, but they are manageable.

‘If I make the Viscount's army the main force and strike their rear with my forces, it would be quite doable.’

Drawing a battlefield in my head with a virtual opponent is my long-standing habit and hobby.

The opponent is forty thousand orcs under the command of an awakened Great Chieftain.

Our side is divided into forces of the light and forces of the shadow.

The Viscount's army, the main force of the light, has grown to nearly five thousand.

The special forces have also become noticeably stronger.

Olif's 'Nameless Knights'.

The church army centered on Alina and Tember.

The artillery corps, which has undergone a major upgrade including the [Consecrated Cannon] technology.

In addition, powerful combat mages who will be supported by the Blue and Black Magic Towers, which began construction a few months ago.

The main force on the shadow side is none other than the forces I possess through [Warrior’s Binding].

The Imperial army, Beastmen, Indika, and mercenaries I've preserved from before, plus the nearly four thousand legionnaires I obtained from the Lumer ruins.

If you add the five hundred or so Necro Ogres hidden in the forest, you could say that this force exceeds ten thousand in number.

And not just ten thousand regular infantry, but a grand army of ten thousand mixed with various high-tier units.

However, there are a few major obstacles to sending reinforcements right away.

Above all, the Vampire Archduchy, which blocks the south and east of Wolfskrig, is a problem.

Although I'm maintaining a state of something like a non-aggression pact with the identity of Tribus, officially, the Archduchy and the Empire are in a hostile relationship.

It wouldn't be strange if they invaded tonight.

Creak-

The silent office.

I stood up from my seat.

When I drew back the blackout curtains covering the window, a yellowish light poured in.

The sun had set long ago, but the streets around the lord's castle were bright.

I looked down at the people on the street for a moment.

Construction workers in their work clothes, rushing in a group.

A young boy running towards the blacksmith district with hurried steps.

An old man pulling an oxcart, a woman holding a bag of bread.

A drunkard, a maiden, a middle-aged couple, a young merchant.

People returning home after finishing their night shift, people going to work for night shifts, and people going about their daily lives unrelated to work, all intersect on a single street.

Each and every one of them is heading somewhere with their own purpose and direction.

In that I too have a purpose and direction, I am probably not that different from them.

The only difference would be that on the path I walk, there is a much larger obstacle that I wouldn't even dare to move alone.

“Hoo….”

For half a year since occupying the Lumer ruins, I had been immersed in the peaceful scenery.

Perhaps even my sharp mind had let its guard down a little.

Balkan, son of Ungol, made me look back at myself again.

It's a world dying in the flames of war.

Even the sturdy fortress of the dwarves is walking the path of ruin.

There are still many crises ahead of me that need to be resolved.

The relationship with the Vampire Archduchy.

The invisible power struggles with neighboring domains.

While keeping an eye on the movements of the iron-blooded Emperor, I must also pay closer attention to the Ratmen, from whom I haven't heard any news for some time.

Although they haven't reached here yet, the awakened Lumer Emperor and the awakened Orc Great Chieftain are also dangers I will have to face someday.

Not to mention the trivial matters of public security, smuggling, and conflict within the domain.

I, my fellow heroes, and my faction still have a long way to go.

I must not forget the resolve I made in the inn room after the Battle of Burken two years ago.

Swish.

I closed the blackout curtains again and left the office.

It was late at night, but my schedule was not over.

I have an appointment.

The regular report from Bishop Alina.