Chapter 88: Reconnection

Chapter 88: Reconnection

***"How could this be..."

Clatter-

"Was I the frog in the well all along..."

His bones rattled. He had remained completely still while watching the broadcast.

"It's far more impressive than I expected."

Clatter-

The Lich King.

The Pinnacle of Black Magic.

The Ruler of the Dark Veil.

Known by various titles, he lay deep in his throne, looking up at the ceiling.

"A new world..."

That’s right. What other words were needed?

A new world.

This was the Lich King's impression after watching Karlstein's stream.

He rose from his throne and began pacing around it. A habit when deep in thought.

"A civilization that magic could never hope to imitate..."

The occasional alien objects visible in the great hall.

New culture that magic couldn't even begin to replicate.

And that wasn't all.

Just how powerful was it...

Raymond, who had been muttering to himself, suddenly stopped.

Clink-

Creak-

Someone had come to the hall where he was.

"What is it?"

The one who met the Lich King's gaze was covered head to toe in black armor.

A Death Knight, also known as a Knight of Death.

One of Lich King Raymond's subordinates.

-Lord Raymond. The Elven Alliance has come.

"..."

Clear pronunciation unlike an undead.

This meant it was a high-ranking Death Knight that had taken much effort to create.

-They seem to have come because of the mana stone mine discovered recently.

"Haa. That..."

This world was divided between Raymond of Black Magic and the Elven Alliance of White Magic.

"...I see. I'll meet them in the reception room shortly."

That mere mana stone mine.

Raymond was indifferent.

This was a reaction he would never have had before.

Raymond had grown tired of squabbling with the elves. In the past, he had clashed with them in an effort to expand the horizons of Black Magic, but that was now in the past.

"I do not want to obsess over such trivial things anymore."

After seeing a mountain of gold before his eyes, why bother with annoying things just to get a lump of copper?

He no longer cared.

"If it's bothersome, why not just give it to them?"

That's how little he cared now.

***Viola, a High Elf of the Elven Alliance.

As part of the alliance's delegation, she was extremely nervous about meeting the Lich King.

Although a High Elf, she was still young and inexperienced. As such, this meeting with the Lich King was arranged by her clan for her growth.

But that didn't mean it could be handled carelessly.

Especially since this concerned the mana stone mine, she absolutely had to produce results.

"Is this the reception room?"

-....

The black-armored figure that had led her here didn't answer.

Viola, who hadn't expected an answer anyway, slowly looked around the reception room.

Hmm. It's not as dark as I thought.

She had naturally expected a gloomy atmosphere like a Demon King's castle for a meeting with the Ruler of the Dark Veil.

"Then I will wait here."

At her words, the black Death Knight quietly left.

"Their hospitality is terrible."

In truth, Viola being a guest from the Elven Alliance was somewhat of an uncertain position.

She began to slowly examine the reception room.

Is this the Lich King's taste?

A neat-looking reception room.

Many items made of metal were visible.

It’s not... bones.

"Hmm?"

I don't particularly sense any mana, huh?

The faint sound of music coming from somewhere.

And that was not all. There was also strangely comfortable lighting.

It was definitely off when she opened the door, wasn’t it?

"Hmm..."

For now, she sat down on what looked like a chair.

Nothing looks worse than standing while waiting.

Leather? Metal? Wood? A sofa made of a strange material.

As she leaned back...

Poof-

"Ah..!"

She let out an exclamation.

A comfort that gently embraced her whole body without being unpleasant.

"Hmm..."

This is bad. I might fall asleep at this rate.

Viola snapped to attention and straightened her posture.

If she leaned back on the backrest, she felt like she might relax endlessly.

It was a diabolic chair.

What is this?

Is it a specially made sofa to break down mental barriers for negotiation?

Even as time passed, the Lich King didn't even glance at her.

Then he turned his head and said to her.

"As a High Elf, you must know a lot about vegetation, right?"

"Huh?"

What's with this sudden question?

Meanwhile, Lich King Raymond could barely contain his excitement.

He had just confirmed the 'Notice' posted on the Community.

[Notice]

Those interested in World. Those who want to challenge. Those interested in offline meetings. Capable individuals. Friends welcome. Now accepting applications.

Preferred Qualifications:

-Those skilled in construction.

-Those with strong bodies.

-Those confident in cooking.

-Those excellent in geography and mechanics.

-Scholars.

...

-Those knowledgeable about vegetation.

-Anyway, anyone with outstanding skills.

The Lich began to laugh eerily.

Viola began to tremble in fear.

"Hahaha."

The reception room vibrated slightly with his laughter.

The Lich King, now spewing streams of black flames.

"I will hand over the mana stone mine even without such conditions."

The Lich King tore up the negotiation document he had received from her.

"But I have a condition."

"...!"

The Lich King's burning gaze turned towards her.

"You will have to come with me."

"...!"

She struggled to follow the Lich King's conversation.

***"Aria, can I leave the rest to you?"

[There will be no issues.]

The battlefield had been cleaned up.

After Prohiden left with half of the Kaiju legion, dealing with the remaining ones was quick.

The spoils of war were quite substantial.

First, the Kaiju corpses.

Because there were especially many Special-Type Kaiju this time, they were able to obtain useful experimental materials.

Usually, Special-Types didn’t appear on the front lines often, even for their own protection.

And then.

The silver greatsword, half turned to ash.

Or no, maybe it's a wooden sword?

"This... seems similar to what those Sephiroth bastards were carrying."

It was sent to the laboratory through Aria. It would be experimental material to be thoroughly examined for dimensional research.

"And this egg..."

Judging by how precious it seemed to Prohiden, it doesn’t seem to be an ordinary egg...

Although it was absorbing Karlstein's Ether, there had been no other changes so far.

Currently, this egg wasn't reacting to anything else, only to Karlstein. That's why he kept it nearby.

"Anyway, there shouldn't be any problems with the planned 2nd Expansion."

After this invasion, the Kaiju side's counterattacks had noticeably weakened.

They retreated as they were pushed.

"I don't know what they're trying to do, but securing an advantageous position is good for the future."

Even Karlstein didn't think of fully taking over the 2nd Expansion’s territory beyond the Barrier. The area expanded in the 2nd phase beyond the Barrier was likely to become the front line.

"They certainly won't just sit still."

They would push in eventually.

If the Galactic Empire just prepared its defenses well until then, it could reap great benefits on the front lines against them.

"And the tracking coordinates?"

He couldn't just leave that bastard alone.

How dare it strike first and run away?

[About that....]

"Hm?"

Aria had a slightly ambiguous expression.

[The place initially confirmed was 'World'.]

"World, you say?"

Wait, I had to create a new body just to go there.

But this bastard retreated straight there?

How did it do that?

"Is it really because of that greatsword?"

[The Astral reaction is quite unusual.]

"You said we lacked samples... The current one is too damaged."

[We should be able to produce some results, but it will take time.]

"Can't be helped."

Karlstein pondered as he tapped the egg.

"Then what about the newly prepared body?"

[Preparations are almost complete.]

World? Did you think I couldn't follow you there?

Just you wait, Kaiju bastard.

"This one had slightly different characteristics, right?"

[Yes. As per your request, Master, Metal Domination Factors have been included.]

"Hmm... It was tiring to run around directly. And I couldn't use it for long either."

Karlstein rubbed his palms together.

"Anyway, I need to finish this properly this time."

[I have taken the necessary measures.]

"Good. Then I'll leave it to you."

[Yes, understood.]

Preparations for Karlstein's second access to World were complete.