Chapter 215 - Distance (1)

After the end of the battle, the group proceeded to take the elves back to the mountain. Once that was done, they counted their losses. Putting the skeletons aside, they had lost 73 elves. Quite the small number, maybe Cresta went easy on them from the beginning… However, she said something else when they asked about it.

"Your tactic to attack when my army was exhausted was what saved most of your soldiers," Cresta said. "I only decided to wait and see while pulling my punches when I noticed that someone was fighting the other overlord."

Richter didn't like to hear that, even though Cresta didn't say with any malice in her voice. Nevertheless, they talked with the elves about the overlords that protected them. However, Luke still was cautious since they could have been brainwashed. However, if that had been the case, some signs were supposed to be noticeable after a while.

In any case, it seemed that despite her resources, Cresta had quite a cautious nature. It was weird thinking of that considering that she and her friends were fighting against those enemies on a totally different scale. Luke wondered why that was the case, was it because she couldn't suffer too many losses? If that was the case, Luke misjudged the power of the overlords.

Nevertheless, according to them, one day, they found that grove and then the overlords came. A battle started, and they decided to escape. Overlords of both sides feared the power of the elves, but they reached different solutions to that problem. Cresta group decided to give them shelter. Putting them to fight would be too much considering their battle level, but they could be useful in other ways. As for the enemy side, they decided to annihilate them.

"It seems you all have many questions. I will answer them if I have the proper answer, but beware that I don't know everything," Cresta said.

"For how long have you been fighting? Is there an end to this?" Amanda asked.

"For thirty years," Cresta replied. "In theory, there is a way. Just kill all the overlords that are planning to keep fighting and conquering forever. That is pretty harsh to achieve, though. Since every time a new magic world is born, individuals that are bound to be power-hungry are born with them as well."

Amanda didn't like that answer. It was too simple, but yet, unachievable. Can people deal with all the trash in the world without stopping producing it? That was what they were thinking. As for the magic worlds... she was probably talking about worlds where mana suddenly started to appear. Earth didn't have the feeling of being a magical world considering how different it was from the elves, but it was probably because it hasn't been under transformation by mana for long.

"It doesn't seem very hopeful, but the universe is vast, and we are still searching for other options," Cresta said.

"Why do your moving fortress have more options than ours? How do you get your Red Crystal?" Rina asked.

"That is because the moving fortress is created by using our mana, so even if you obtain one from the enemy, you won't be able to control it like the previous owner," Cresta replied. "You can buy the red crystal in the shop in the accessories section for one million gold coins. You can also buy the crystal to invade worlds by two million. Still, they have some limitations."

Luke recalled that Rina said that she didn't use that method because they would be recognized as an enemy, but considering their cost, it was unlikely that she knew that… or maybe she knew because the fairies told her parents. In any case, as one would expect, the overlords knew a lot more about the things one could do with the system. Luke made a mental note that he should get a red crystal. While using it without sacrifices will be difficult, it was necessary. He had created a fortress with the help of others, but that one couldn't move. It only worked against small fries. As for one fortress that could fly, that one had many defensive and offensive possibilities.

"How do you people come to this world?" Celia asked.

"We used a normal crystal," Cresta replied. "The bigger and the more powerful the thing that is being transported, more mana will be necessary. Thus, we had to use a lot of energy to bring our moving fortress to this world. However, it was necessary. That being said, we destroyed the crystals when we crossed. Those who also have those crystals have the power to use the connection between worlds and find our real base, so if you are planning to use them as well, I would advise caution. One mistake, and your planet will be targeted by many more overlords and not the ones on our level or below. Above… way above."

"Why out planet and this planet haven't been targeted by those you speak of?" Luke asked.

"Because they aren't aware of it, probably because they assumed that someone or something worthwhile can be found here or there," Cresta explained. "That is why I recommend being careful. Because once they find something, they will either crush, steal, or destroy it. Our precious leader was someone who got the attention of the wrong beings, and thanks to that, everyone on his and his planet was destroyed, like literally."

That seemed like an exaggeration, as if creatures could have that kind of power… that would be something in the realm of gods. However, Luke had something with that much potential. Once he reaches level ten, he could see Weapon Augmentation destroying mountains… and once he upgrades it, he probably could do much more.

Luke wasn't worried about the possibility of misusing that skill.. Still, he couldn't help but think what would have happened if it had fallen on the hands of someone just a little bit more dangerous maybe that was how dangerous overlords were born.