Chapter 93
Chapter 93
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: The Suspiciously Cheap Castle
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"I knew the castle was too cheap..."
My spine tingles. For real.
Grumbling all the while, I still get the job done. I set the entry conditions in the castle management tab and opened up some of the city's buildings.
'Using the Lord's Castle for its original purpose is impossible. The only option is a warehouse.'
Unlike the other buildings, which are all basic single-story structures, the Lord's Castle—more precisely, the Guild Tower—is set to 32 floors for a reason.
'It's mainly for guild members' housing.'
But here, I can't use the Guild Tower for living quarters. These are game constructs, not real buildings.
"It's fine to use this place as a warehouse, but what about the regular buildings? Digging up the ground like before won't be easy now... The buildings and floors are all metal, so how do I even set up plumbing?"
While pondering, I spot bathrooms in the facility list.
"Bathrooms... Was there such a thing?"
I log out briefly to check. They appear starting from Legendary-grade castles.
'It looks like something they added half-heartedly.'
Of course, it makes sense. Few lunatics would build toilets in game housing, but plenty of players might want to see their characters bathe.
But bathrooms in Revenge, where you're auto-farming 24/7? No way.
They probably crammed it in at the last minute, outside the original plan. That explains why something as basic as a bathroom is Legendary-grade.
'Hold on.'
A thought strikes me.
'If bathrooms exist, doesn't that mean there's water supply and sewage?'
I install one.
Rumble rumble rumble!
A partition wall rises in one corner of the top floor, where nothing had been. Cost: 30 Diamonds. That's 3,000 won.
"...That sound carried pretty far."
Meaning this room isn't the only thing that's changed!
Splash!
I turn the handle, and water pours from the showerhead. Water lines connected all the way to the 34th floor. In a place where you buy the whole castle in one purchase, it's not worth nitpicking, but the realism is nonexistent.
Drip drip drip.
The water drains into the sink. Sewage system confirmed.
"It's absurd in so many ways. Still, if it's usable, I should use it."
Of course, this won't connect plumbing to the entire city. 3,000 won isn't much, but not if I need thousands or tens of thousands of them.
But if basic plumbing is in place?
Then I can make use of it somehow. Drill a hole in the side if it looks ugly.
"Alright. Install watchtowers. And the large fountain for only 50,000 won, obviously."
I install the most necessary, cost-effective facilities in bulk.
No need to pour money into defenses like Revenge's megacorps. There are no other players in Ardenia.
Even so.
"Ah."
Diamonds depleted.
"Ah, no money means nothing I can do..."
Revenge's castle lords rake in hundreds of thousands through taxes, but I've taken over more than ten castles and have zero income.
Revenge takes a cut from player transactions and paid services as tax, but Ardenia has zero paying users.
"Right. In the end, I have to earn it all myself."
As I sigh,
Flower: Your Majesty. Coming in.
Flower sends a chat.
Ding-
The elevator opens right after I reply, as if she'd been waiting.
"..."
Flower is always composed, but the cityscape visible at a glance overwhelms even her. She stands there dazed for a moment.
Soon after, she snaps out of it, blushes, and begins her report.
"Preliminary checks are done. A million-strong army? Actual numbers are about half that."
Still fifty thousand—not a small force. Right before Revenge appeared, Ming's total population was around 60 million, so about 1% migrated here.
"And soldiers and warriors make up only a fifth. They're just wearing dead soldiers' uniforms. Malnourished from the long march and battles."
"So their attempt to swallow us whole was a desperate gamble."
"Indeed. Hundred seized their supplies—plenty, but not enough for that many to last ten days."
Of course, Ming Empire remnants wouldn't have collapsed from starvation.
They probably used the useless ones as cannon fodder first or left them behind.
Maybe that's already happened. Among that massive fifty thousand... hardly any elderly or children in sight.
"Did you give them water?"
"Fountains appeared in the waiting plazas, so no issues. Though there was some commotion."
Makes sense. A massive fountain sprouting from a bare plaza would startle prisoners.
"Right... Then we need to feed them first. What kind of provisions do they have?"
"List here."
Flower hands me a paper-bound ledger.
Enough for fifty thousand for ten days.
An enormous amount, but mostly grasses and cabbages. Piles of unidentified root vegetables—not sweet potatoes or potatoes. Meat is rare, noble-level only. At least there's decent grain.
"Plenty. Make stew loaded with meat. Fill their bellies first, then sort into soldiers, technicians, laborers. Scatter mana users among elite troops. And..."
I issue orders.
Luckily, Flower is quick and capable. Give her direction, and she handles it flawlessly.
'Workload's too heavy. Recruit more staff. Copy Earth's admin manuals as textbooks.'
Of course, it won't be hard yet. Not because the work's simple, but because one guild—no, the Human Empire's imperial authority is overwhelmingly strong. No one dares rebel.
'Dictatorship. Beyond dictatorship.'
All finances, military, territory in the emperor's—my—hands. No threatening factions. Rare in history.
'Ah, military.'
That thought leads to another.
"By the way, Flower."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"How's Kasim?"
Flower's face darkens.
"Completely uncontrollable."
"Be precise."
"Ignores orders. Shows hostility if forced."
"..."
New reaction. Plenty of players use pets, but not like this.
'Something different from other pets?'
Two guesses.
'First, level gap.'
Flower and officers' abilities are Rare-grade at best. Not yet Transcendent. Legendary Kasim is too far above.
Maybe that's why. Synthesizing to Mythic could be risky too.
But flaw in that.
'Didn't listen to Sword Master Hayes either. And... ignoring is one thing, but hostility to my orders is weird.'
In the dungeon, when summoned at once, they ignored their owner but reacted to me.
Second hypothesis gains weight.
'Still sees me as owner.'
Kasim's case is unique. Not bought with Diamonds or Honor Coins.
Duplicated via [Recovery Request] from my original pet. Might recognize me as master.
"...Got it. Avoid summoning if possible. Sudden actions could be dangerous."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
She bows politely and enters the elevator. Impressive composure with her first elevator.
"Anyway."
After sending Flower off, I open the Guardian Spirit window. Fanfare sounds, golden text appears.
[You have conquered the Flower Garden! Mythic Synthesis unlocked!]
[From now on, synthesize 4 Legendary cards (Class, Guardian Spirit, Pet) to obtain Mythic cards!]
※Losing Flower Garden Guild Master status may restrict or prevent Mythic card use.
Synthesis: Fuse 4 duplicate registered cards of same grade for higher one.
I rarely synthesize. Unlike Revenge players who toss low-grades, Ardenia's cards can't be traded, so I'm always short.
"Mythic."
Nemesis's convention Legendary Guardian Spirits and Pets, plus three monthly Recoveries, let me aim higher.
Flash!
Goddess statue's eyes widen in shock. Heart-pounding for gacha, but now serious.
"Wait... Still don't know? Or...?"
Summoning stone glows gold, but ambiguous. Gold starts at Heroic.
Lift it to reveal. Heroic: purple burst in gold. Legendary: brighter gold.
Mythic:
"Ah, right. Miss."
I recall getting Sword God class. Sword form already rainbow-shimmering.
Rumble...
-Calm your heart. Ultimate ferocity begins in utmost stillness.
-When the sword is drawn, all you become a single flash.
Fancy words. Check Guardian Spirit.
Cyclops Samurai (Guardian Spirit)
Enlightened Yehatal (Legendary).
"Miss. Well, better than Awakened Thunderbird."
Same Legendary, but to Revenge users, Cyclops Samurai is elite mob-tier vs. Thunderbird's value. Synthesis rates differ too.
But for non-mage, non-lightning Chakra me, melee support > lightning.
Collection complete!
One-Eyed Peerless Swordsman (Enlightened Yehatal) Strength +2
Ancient Giants (Neverdie. Enlightened Yehatal) Strength +5
Bizarre Freaks (Ogre. Troll. Enlightened Yehatal) Strength +3
"Oh."
One Cyclops Samurai nets +10 Strength. Obvious what Yehatal's identity is.
Guardian Spirit changed!
Awakened Thunderbird (Legendary) -> Enlightened Yehatal (Legendary)
Check new Guardian Spirit description.
[Enlightened Yehatal (Legendary)]
Endless meditation and ascetic days.
Yehatal learned to fully wield his excessive brute strength and untamed spirituality.
Lv5 – Vitality +30.
Lv10 – Mana +30. Strength +30.
Lv15 – Strength +30.
Lv20 – Stamina +30. Agility +30. Strength +30.
Lv25 – Agility +30.
Lv30 – Mana +30. Mana Regen +30. Vitality +30. Ichim (One Flash).
Lv35 – Mana +30.
Lv40 – Strength +40. Stamina +40. Agility +40. Kyuk (Extreme). Ichim (One Flash).
"Oh. Stats are perfect."
Crunch!
Body twists suddenly.
"Urk?"
I crouch in surprise. Feels like I'll burst.
Crunch! Crunch! Crack!
Muscles balloon like inflated. Twist, contract, expand repeatedly. Check stats.
Found the cause.
"Strength over 700 points."
999 is the common 'limit stat.' Not species limit, but [all] beings'.
Dragons, ancient titans rarely exceed 900. 900+ needs [Transcendence]. 1000+ needs [Authority] aid.
'All from Game God, Game Master's view, of course.'
Key: 700 Strength's meaning. Even physical, this enters mystic realm.
In-game, just more phys damage. Reality?
"Hoo."
Muscles calm. Stand up.
Thud!
"Ow."
Banged head on ceiling. Muscle contraction for standing launched me up.
Others would struggle with changed physique.
But I possess [Inexplicable Body Control] even City Hall selectors can't grasp.
"Killer."
Feels like I could fly apart. Could probably smash a Sword Master barehanded, no qi needed.
Regret hits.
"Ah, shoulda centered Recoveries on Guardian Spirits, not Pets."
I did Kasim for emergencies—hand to subordinates for instant use.
Judgment sound: six holy roars ended dungeon assault that should've killed thousands more. But all-rest Pets? Mistake.
If I equip Mythic Guardian Spirit, I'd be...!
"...No. Mythic Pets are insane too."
Shake head, think Meteor Dragon. Right. Mythic Pet level: fantasy races including dragons. Mythic nobles of cosmos as my pets.
So synthesize!
Rumble...!
-Couldn't believe it was a living thing.
-That colossal monster swimming underground!
[Great Earth Worm Heuksan (Legendary)]
Synthesize.
-Fierce burning mane so majestic!
-Can we even communicate with such a being?
[Supreme Flame Spirit Selion (Legendary)]
Synthesize.
Synthesize.
Again.
Result?
"...Yeah, knew it'd be like this."
No excitement. Not surprising.
"Knew it."
Unlocks Mythic synthesis, not guarantees it. What game is Revenge to expect otherwise?
"No, sigh..."
Stand still, gaze at city.
Over twenty Legendaries.
"Fuck."
Down to a few.