Chapter 167
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 167
Chapter Title: Just Trust Oppa
"Hoist the sails!"
"Puhahaha! My skills haven't rusted a bit, after all."
"No ordinary storm will ever smash this to pieces."
Excited shouts from the dwarf carpenters rang out noisily at the docks.
Amid the awestruck gazes of the common folk, yet another fishing boat had been completed.
'Just how far do the dwarves' limits go?'
Neruman had once boasted a fair number of shipwrights.
But constant monster invasions and pirate interference had made it impossible to build new ships or even repair the old ones, so they'd all left the territory.
That was why the best they could manage were small rowboats.
But once the dwarves got involved, things changed.
Derbal had brought them a few blueprints, and after huddling together and murmuring among themselves, they'd produced a serviceable fishing boat in just a week.
Then, once we started supplying them with proper timber, they asked the elves to apply enchantments and built massive fishing vessels worthy of the name.
Of course, compared to the over-100,000-ton ships I'd seen in the 21st century, they were still modest, but these large fishing boats that could venture far offshore put me in a good mood.
Man cannot live on bread alone, after all. Cheap, nutrient-packed fish were an essential for the territory's people.
'The priests are sorted out now. The problem is the empire.'
The priests, deeply moved by the Holy Spirit of the Goddess of Mercy, Lady Neran, who had descended upon Armis.
Even as they left, they followed Armis around, repenting their sins like chicks chasing after a mother hen.
They'd tasted the joy of being filled with the Holy Spirit by following her.
Any doubts about my supposed heresy were washed clean, and they departed pure.
On their way out, they came to me and said that, after a temple council, they would build temples in Neruman.
Of course, I attached conditions.
No temples in Neruman could be built or expanded without my permission, and they were forbidden from collecting any donations from the people.
Money and faith must be separated, like corruption and holiness—that was my creed.
In Neruman, I would oversee everything.
Even gods would need my permission on my land.
'It's still a fierce stalemate.'
I knew they weren't the kind of kingdoms to halt their advance at my word.
These people had spent decades or centuries under the Bazran Empire's thumb—now that opportunity had come knocking, they wouldn't let it go easily.
And the Bazran Empire had no intention of sitting idly by while kingdoms encroached on its territory.
Empire was still an empire, no matter how devastating that surprise blow had been.
I'd heard that the retreating imperial and territorial armies had joined forces and were throwing everything they had at repelling the four kingdoms' invasion.
'At least leave the kid with one intact piece of land.'
The empire had to pay for its past luxuries and abuses of power.
Even if it was all because of Poltviran, he had become emperor in the empire's name with the official title.
Bazran couldn't escape that responsibility.
But I couldn't just sit back and watch the kingdoms gain the upper hand, either.
If things kept going like this, Bazran could be torn to shreds, unable to even hold onto its core territories.
'The Rabiter forces are gathering toward the west, one by one.'
According to the info merchant from the Dark Merchant Guild, the Rabiter Empire's armies beyond the Betz Mountains were being pulled toward the Kobiran Mountains.
A far cry from Poltviran's brute, reckless style—this move from the Rabiter forces had me deeply concerned.
Not some no-name empire, but Rabiter, possessor of the continent's greatest military might.
A fateful showdown with them was inevitable.
'But where the hell is that bastard holed up? He's starting to get under my skin too.'
One piece of news that had flown in from Hildrian recently.
The stirring of someone called Altakas, the Black Magic Swordsman of Ruin.
He'd grown strong enough to force the activation of the defensive magic arrays around Hildrian's imperial palace.
Clearly holed up somewhere, plotting some vile scheme.
The fact that no rumors had spread across the continent suggested he was playing it smart.
"Sirs Dwarves, please have some of this."
"Lady Elves, try these strawberries."
Before long, the season had reached the height of spring.
The common folk laid out platters of beer and spring fruits for the sweating dwarves and the elves, who betrayed no emotion on their faces.
"Ooooh! Snack time already?"
"We'll dig in."
These other races, who had once viewed humans as less than the grime under their toenails.
Now they were close enough to share food with Neruman's people.
Once they opened their closed hearts, they treated humans with more sincerity than any other.
'Yes, this is how we should cherish each other to make life worth living.'
The dwarves set down their tools and grinned broadly at the massive beer kegs.
The elves nodded slightly as they accepted freshly baked bread and fruits.
These were the true strength of Neruman.
Flutter flutter flutter.
As I watched the heartwarming scene with a pleased gaze, a familiar wyvern landed beside Bebeto.
'Highness...'
In the time I hadn't seen her, she'd leveled up from cute fairy to busty supermodel.
She landed her gray wyvern next to Bebeto, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Oppa, so this is where you were. Hohoho. I was looking everywhere."
Highness, one of the very few who called me "Oppa" without reservation.
She removed her helmet and flashed me a radiant smile.
"Training's all done for today."
She and the imperial guests had trained relentlessly since arriving.
As always, with her golden hair in twin tails, she smiled with her eyes to signal the end of training.
"Don't overdo it—your skin'll suffer. Take breaks."
Her cheeks looked so soft, you'd think they'd leave powder on your fingers if you touched them.
That cute, adorable face didn't match her figure at all, stirring my worries instinctively.
No matter what anyone said, the image from the Imperial Knight Academy still lingered strongest in my mind.
"Thanks. Who else would worry about this little sister's skin if not Oppa?"
She beamed at my concern.
'She's pretty.'
Her refreshing beauty, like a blue rose blooming in spring, drew the word from my lips unbidden.
A pure compliment on a woman's loveliness.
"But Oppa, I have something to ask you."
"Hm? What?"
"Not here—somewhere else?"
Her bright smile turned serious.
The knights and soldiers on harbor guard duty glanced at her warily, gauging the mood.
It was about 300 meters from the docks, but with me, the lord, watching directly, they were on high alert.
Highness was conscious of their stares.
It was completely out of character for her.
'Something important?'
We lived under one roof, but chances to face each other were rare.
The castle was complete, but there were still spots here and there needing tweaks.
Especially the defensive magic arrays and mana supply arrays for key structures—I had to redo them personally.
Plus, whenever I had time, I practiced the 7th-circle spells I'd newly mastered.
Even the world's nations found 7th-circle magic challenging.
7th-circle spells were worlds apart from 6th.
The sheer amount of mana drawn from the atmosphere demanded not just control, but meticulous arrangement of complex formulas.
And that wasn't all.
As lord, administrative duties were no small matter.
Even with Derbal and the administrative knights handling the important ones, there were plenty requiring my direct involvement.
Neruman was still in its growth phase, accelerating development.
Like young children relying on their parents' hands, it constantly needed me.
"Shall we head to the breakwater?"
"Yeah. Sounds good."
The breakwater where I'd walked with Rosiatte by the salt pans.
Perfect for avoiding people and discussing important matters.
"Bebeto, to the salt pan breakwater."
Kuooooooo!
Bebeto, dozing with eyes closed, flapped his wings at the command.
'Something up?'
Highness wore an uncharacteristically grave expression.
I pondered what she wanted to ask as we soared lightly through the sky.
The warm spring sunlight gently embraced me and Bebeto.
A black stone structure hidden in a deep valley of the Betz Mountains.
All areas except the flight paths and roads opened by the Rabiter Empire were designated forbidden zones.
The self-sustaining monsters in the mountain range, which spanned half a small kingdom, were dangerous, and people vanished without explanation, so imperial law banned entry.
In the most treacherous valley of those Betz Mountains stood a building of black stone.
It took the form of a magic tower.
The broad base was firmly anchored into the ground like it pierced the rock, with layers rising like mountain peaks above.
Moss and vines cloaked it like camouflage netting.
Transparent mana enveloped the tower's surroundings.
A wide-area illusion magic array made it look like just another valley peak, even from the sky.
"..."
In the tower's vast front courtyard, like a garden.
Hundreds of black-robed mages stood in perfect order, each gripping a mana staff.
Not a breath could be heard, as if awaiting someone.
Paaat!
Then, blue mana light rippled from the tower's highest spire.
"Oh, he's coming!"
"Ooooo! Finally!"
The black mages cried out in rapture as the mana shimmered.
Paaaaat!
Suddenly, an immense radiance burst from the dazzling mana light.
"Huh!"
"Urgh..."
The black mages groaned and squeezed their eyes shut against the blinding intensity.
As the afterimage faded from their retinas, they slowly opened their eyes, lifted their heads, and gazed at the top.
"Kekekekekekeke..."
A low, resonant laugh, as if infused with mana, echoed quietly.
The sinister laughter reverberated through the valley, on the cusp of twilight's plunge into darkness.
"Children who love the cold, icy mana of truth—your master has arrived. All kneel! Children of darkness~!"
Whiririririring.
The laughter stopped, and a man stood atop the tower, proclaiming to the black mages that their master had come.
With his words, thick black radiant mana poured from his body, swiftly enveloping the tower.
"Oooo!!!"
"Such immense dark mana!!"
The black mages shuddered at the unimaginable dark mana they'd never encountered before.
They cast aside their arrogance and looked upon him with awe.
Anyone witnessing this would be horrified.
Who were black mages?
Like light and darkness unable to coexist, they wielded dark mana through vile sorcery in shadowed places.
They'd once coexisted on the continent, but each time they hit a circle wall, they consumed blood essence to accumulate impure otherworldly mana, and soon they were driven out.
The continent's people wouldn't forgive those who sacrificed even fellow humans for growth.
Though their destructive black magic overflowed with power, allying with them meant bearing the continent's wrath, so even power-hungry fools dared not hire them.
For a thousand years, black mages couldn't set foot on the continent openly.
The moment one appeared, they were deemed humanity's common enemy and slaughtered.
But black mages were far from weak.
They emerged when people grew forgetful, sowing chaos.
Far stronger than white magic, they opened demonic dimensions to summon beasts and even demons, cursing the earth.
Though few in number, if dozens appeared at once, they'd wreak no small havoc on the continent.
Here were hundreds.
And even the average ones wore several red bands on their black robes' cuffs, denoting high circles.
"Kneel! Submit to the dark mana! Follow me. I will etch your Shining Magic Tower into every soul on the continent with runes of blood! Proclaim that the true masters of mana have returned!"
"Waaaaaaah!!!!!!!"
The words every black mage yearned to hear most in their lives.
They'd chosen dark mana, but no one wanted to live in darkness even from the world.
Though they topped the continent's Seven Great Magic Towers, the Shining Magic Tower's black mages couldn't operate openly—they roared with bursting hearts.
An 8th-circle black mage's otherworldly black mana swirled like a vortex above the tower.
With that, they feared nothing.
A continent without even Idal, the golden-eyed reaper—the sole human to reach 8th circle.
Allied with the Shining Magic Tower, which had amassed power in darkness for a millennium, conquering the continent would be no challenge.
Moreover, the elder's revelation of his identity.
Even non-black mages of the Kalian Continent would kneel before him.
Worthy of all worship.
He who had taken over the Shining Magic Tower in an instant was the empire's...
"Oppa, you'll help, right?"
"Hmm..."
On the breakwater, walking with Highness.
Amid the waves crashing with low foam, she dumped a dilemma on me.
'I have to help, but...'
Blood is thicker than water, as they say.
The Petrin Viscountcy, one of the Bazran Empire's blindly loyal houses, brutish though they may be.
And Highness, their only daughter.
She was asking me to resolve the Bazran Empire's crisis.
But the problem was I couldn't leave this place.
If I emptied Neruman Village like last time, those fox-like spies would sniff it out and advertise it everywhere.
Then the Rabiter Emperor, itching to devour me and Neruman, wouldn't stay quiet.
'How to handle this.'
But I couldn't just hole up in the territory forever.
Aegis was my responsibility, but I couldn't turn the empire's legitimate prince into a rootless orphan.
"You don't want to?"
Highness, always direct.
She sensed my hesitation and hung teary droplets in her eyes.
"It's not that I don't want to."
"Then why? If only Oppa helps, we could rebuild the Bazran Empire. Can't you help? Ah, Princess Aegis loves Oppa—can't you even do that much for her?"
She bit her lip hard, bringing up Princess Aegis.
'Argh, so frustrating. It's not about that!'
If I could, I'd lead all of Neruman's Sky Knights, fly to Bazran, smash Poltviran's smug nose, and crown Razsion emperor.
But who would protect the territory if I left?!
"O-Oppa, you've changed... Back at the knight academy, you were this fearless, cool guy afraid of nothing. Sob sob."
'Why are you crying?!'
I had changed.
At the academy, if something didn't sit right, I'd just beat it down and move on.
But now I was lord, responsible for over 500,000 Neruman lives.
It wasn't a decision I could make lightly.
"Highness."
"..."
At my call, she looked up with tear-glistened hazel eyes.
"To you, what is the Bazran Empire?"
"...My destined duty... to protect."
A perfectly knightly house's answer.
"To me, Neruman is the same. It still can't survive without me—it's my destiny."
"Sob... But still..."
I knew exactly what she meant.
Wasn't she too a future lord tasked with guarding house and territory?
"I'm looking for a way too. I don't want the Bazran Empire heading to ruin like this. But I can't recklessly abandon my destiny for the empire. It might sound harsh, but not even for our parents could I abandon Neruman."
If they heard, they'd call me an ungrateful wretch who knew nothing of filial piety—but that's how I felt.
"S-Sorry... Sob sob. But... I have to go back soon. Father messaged yesterday—the northern nobles say they can't help without seeing Crown Prince. So I pushed too hard..."
She couldn't finish.
Her body had matured, but her tearful fragility tugged at my heart.
If only I had two bodies, I wouldn't agonize like this.
"Could the northern nobles drive out Poltviran?"
"Probably. The empire's elite troops are clashing with the kingdoms, so the capital only has essential guards."
'Won't that just hand the kingdoms a win on a platter?'
If ousting Poltviran dragged into a prolonged war, the imperial army would fracture, letting the kingdoms reap the benefits effortlessly.
'It means I need a swift strike to crush that blockhead...'
Not just Poltviran—the kingdoms were trouble too.
Despite my polite request, they still eyed imperial land greedily.
'Distance is the issue.'
Joining the fight was no problem for me, but the massive round trip was.
'Huh! Wait!!!'
Suddenly, a flash of insight hit me.
"H-Highness. Does the Garvity Duke house have a warp magic array?"
"Warp magic array? Probably. A duke house would have one for emergencies. But why?"
She eyed my expression after the question.
"N-No way—from here?"
By her common knowledge, utterly impossible.
No mage on the current continent could handle such long-range warp magic.
Even with coordinates and array aid, mana cost scaled with distance.
It required 1st-grade magic stones plus more precise formulas than known warp spells.
Thus, even imperial families, royals, and high nobles only had short-range ones for emergencies.
No long-range warp formulas from the ancient mage era existed.
'Heh heh heh...'
But I was different.
Who was I?
Idal's top disciple—the golden-eyed reaper who pioneered 8th-circle magic, something no one in continental history had achieved, save perhaps the Black Magic Swordsman of Ruin.
'Neruman has 1st-grade magic stones. We can ignore moderate distances.'
But problems remained.
Warp Gate magic, the safer long-range option, required 8th-circle mastery.
For me at 7th, it was tricky.
A misalignment in coordinates, formulas, or mana could bury me underground or in the sea.
"Then send Lumikar at once to check. Get the exact coordinates of the duke house's warp array."
"Oppa..."
Asking for the duke house's warp array coords, she just murmured "Oppa."
Her mind must be a whirlwind.
"Highness."
"Yeah..."
She looked at me, eyes lost in thought.
"Trust Oppa?"
"Yeah."
"Then that's enough. Do as I say. I'll burn this body for the Bazran Empire."
"R-Really?!"
"Yep."
"Thank you, Oppa!"
Smooch
'Ugh!'
With her thanks, she dove into my arms like a swallow riding the waves.
I didn't get why gratitude required this, but the feeling wasn't bad.
"This is nothing..."
"Sob sob. Thank you so much. I'll never forget this favor. Once the empire stabilizes, I'll grant anything Oppa wants!"
'Guh!'
Not some naive kid, yet she didn't grasp the dangers(?) in her words.
I groaned inwardly but found myself stroking the back of her nicely grown, ample figure.
'Milk really is best for growth.'
Silently thanking the milk that had done its job so well.
This time, I seriously considered gifting a milk cow to Armis, whose chest was a bit lacking.