Do Flowers Bloom Even in Abandoned Lands? (1)
It's not empty talk. These words come straight from the heart. Middle school chuunibyou at that age? You're really something else.
Ryu Ojuncheon. That bastard. I should've realized it every time he called himself "this seat"...!
Anyway, it looks like he's scheming again.
In this mess, he's trying to snag some spoils?!
This is why track records matter. Thanks to them, just a few lines of messages let me guess what Cheonha Tongil was aiming for and why they declared "nation-building."
In short, Cheonha Tongil is trying to live up to its name.
The current Arcana Continent is like a boiling crucible. Led by the empire starting its reconstruction, countless factions pouring out from the Omen are sprouting new buds. To put it simply, it's like the Warring States period.
For Ryu Ojuncheon, who's not content with the Monarch class and has even advanced to Tyrant, the Arcana Continent is like fish in a barrel.
He must've been watching the continent through Yong Seong Rak and made his judgment.
The problem is mistaking goodwill for a right. I'm not opening portals to Arcana for your benefit.
Of course, Ryu Ojuncheon can't return to reality from the Arcana Continent through normal means. His connection device is basically a one-way ticket, and as for using the Mage Tower's portals...
Ryu Ojuncheon is one of the few humans who can make Grandfell's patience explode.
You think I'd just sit back and watch you use the Mage Tower portals?
Cold words slipped from my mouth.
"Imitation does not grant possession."
...Hold on, Grandfell.
You're mad about that?
The four families and five counts. They do give off a similar vibe. Above all, Ryu Ojuncheon must know about the four families since he was watching through Yong Seong Rak's eyes. And of all things, five counts—maybe he's consciously making it one more than my four to one-up them.
However.
Please don't get some weird rivalry going, Grandfell.
Theirs is a black history, while ours is lofty pride, right?
But my plea fell on deaf ears.
For Ryu Ojuncheon, who was no different from a demon, Grandfell's pride could only be merciless.
"However, abandon any thoughts of rampaging on the Arcana Continent."
The verdict was swift.
"High El, Diend. Answer the call."
"High El answers the lord's call."
High El bowing their head before me, and Diend shrouded in darkness. Their identical speech and actions sync up so perfectly it feels like they've influenced each other, leaving a bitter taste... but I commanded my loyal right and left hands.
"It is time to engrave upon these arrogant fools who the true master of the continent is. Ensure they grasp nothing without my permission."
It was only natural, not just from Grandfell's pride, but from my perspective as Lee Hoyeol.
The Holy War Alliance's buffs strengthening those on the Arcana Continent? I'd welcome them with open arms.
But Cheonha Tongil is a clear enemy faction.
Especially that bastard Ryu Ojuncheon—what's so pretty about him that I'd let him enjoy the buffs I sweated blood to spread?
In that sense, Grandfell and I were in rare agreement.
Thanks to Curse, Darkness Understanding, I'd glimpsed about ten percent of Grandfell's past. For some reason...
...Should I be happy or sad?
Whether it was realizing pride or being tainted by black history, it was all a matter of perspective.
And I had no time for such philosophical musings—the weight of my current burdens was burden enough.
"High El shall follow the lord's will."
"Diend shall uphold the lord's command."
High El and Diend returned to the Arcana Continent, and I dove back into my work.
That's right. Fusing the Dragon Heart into the portal isn't some ancestor granting free wishes.
『Search, Intervene, Manifest』
I alternated imprinting the structures of the Mage Tower's portal and the Dragon Heart into my mind.
Only I, who had entered the realm of the anomalous just like the Dragon Heart—a being of 『Strange』—could comprehend and wield it.
Absorbed in the task, I suddenly murmured,
"Include obstruction of official duties in the punishment as well."
...One thing's for sure: your grudges run deeper than mine, Grandfell.
*
I learned of Cheonha Tongil's fate after finishing my afternoon work that evening.
It wasn't High El or Diend bringing the news.
Yusra Kingdom, Golden Palace.
Ahead of the Holy War Alliance meeting, while surfing the internet as usual during my anomaly exploration, I caught the breaking news faster than anyone.
Annihilated? That doesn't add up.
Cheonha Tongil had broadcast their scheme to the world via the nation-building message. I figured the media would have plenty to say about it... but there are no articles, no comments, no community posts?
I couldn't figure out why.
But Cheonha Tongil's nation-building was a major incident that even moved Grandfell's heavy pride. Especially since a message appeared, the player communities should be buzzing...
Players were only focused on Cheonha Tongil's downfall.
The old me would've been clutching my head in agony right now, trying to pierce through what schemes lay in the nation-building and annihilation.
But not anymore.
"Cheonha Tongil has vanished."
The Holy War Alliance has reliable people we can trust in situations like this.
Especially players who know Ryu Ojuncheon better than I do.
"Tell me your thoughts."
Nam Taemin and Hisagi Kazuma, guild masters of Gaon and Inazuma respectively.
Hisagi spoke first at my question.
"We cannot confirm the rumors until we see his corpse. Even before the cataclysm, Ryu Ojuncheon was known as a man who trusted no one."
Nam Taemin nodded vigorously in agreement. Strange harmony between these rivals.
It must mean Ryu Ojuncheon is that repulsive.
"Honestly, thinking about his sleazy personality, this mess might be Cheonha Tongil's own show. At first glance, it looks like they were attacked, something happened to Ryu Ojuncheon, or he fled... but..."
Nam Taemin continued, genuinely curious.
"Who in the world could pull that off? Zero Mountains, maybe, but invading China—Cheonha Tongil's home turf—and wiping them out without a trace?"
Harcon Kingsguard, examining the injured, murmured softly.
"Indeed, swordsmanship of this caliber is rare."
His meaningful expression...
He seems to have a guess who did it.
As Lee Hoyeol, I wanted to grill Harcon right then, but if even he was holding back, there must be a reason.
I'll ask him when we're alone.
Besides, it was time for the main topic.
Discussing Ryu Ojuncheon and Cheonha Tongil? Not agenda material for the Holy War Alliance meeting.
To Grandfell, Ryu Ojuncheon was no different from a demon—beneath consideration.
Yes, the real issue was elsewhere.
"You may begin."
"Yes, sir! Grand Commander!"
Glasses pushed up with enthusiasm. Nam Cheolmin hurriedly opened his laptop and projected a hologram into the air.
"As you know, China is the only country in the world that hasn't signed the AAU pact! With the mega-guild Cheonha Tongil's power and aggressive use of modern weaponry, they've handled internal rifts on their own until now."
The scene from Zero Mountains. That level of coordination isn't achieved in one or two tries.
Of course, relying heavily on modern firearms meant Cheonha Tongil players couldn't gain full experience.
However.
It was all for one man.
Ryu Ojuncheon. To him, such things were trivial.
He was the type to sacrifice guildmates as fodder for greater evils.
He wouldn't care about his guild or his countrymen's growth.
A festering wound like that doesn't heal easily.
It bursts at a moment like this.
Tak-tak-tak— The keyboard clacking brings up estimates on the hologram.
"At minimum, 200 million. That's the projected casualties if China's rifts are left unchecked for the next month. And if undead-type monsters with expansion traits appear..."
Swoosh— The graph shoots toward the ceiling. Past 300 million, 400, 500...
You all suspected this outcome.
I saw the nation-building message. I know this is part of their plan.
No good could come of it. Truly disappointing to the end, Ryu Ojuncheon.
I murmured,
"Even the seat one leaves must be beautiful."
...Not wrong, but why quote a restroom sign from a highway rest stop now, Grandfell...!
At least the only Koreans here are me, Nam Taemin, and Nam Cheolmin.
Seizing Nam Taemin's puzzled tilt, I continued.
"A卑劣 and irresponsible exit."
Bragging about being "this seat" with his own mouth, then vanishing irresponsibly, abandoning over a billion people. At this point, he's outdone Raymon Sean, Ryu Ojuncheon.
Pathetic.
Tarim Eber, captain of the Goddess Church's holy knights, stared at the holographic map and spoke.
"Geographically, China borders most nations by land. If rifts collapse, not just China but neighboring countries will suffer massive damage."
Time for some realism.
China was the sole non-signatory to the AAU pact. They'd leveraged that for diplomatic superiority over the world.
Of course, "superiority" was polite—it was basically "screw you."
Now, with Cheonha Tongil's collapse, China's downfall was clear.
What would AAU and the world do? Public reaction said it all.
Obviously. As a mere player, I don't grasp the full emotional chasms between nations. But I know many countries suffered headaches from China's actions. Even AAU condemned Cheonha Tongil's aircraft carrier stunt at Zero Mountains.
Yet, as Tarim said, rifts are catastrophes. Unpredictable outcomes force AAU to aid China at the right time.
But they'll demand enormous compensation.
Whatever form it takes.
I understood. That's real-world politics.
But would Grandfell tolerate it?
With hundreds of millions of lives at stake, Grandfell's uncompromising pride wouldn't sit idle.
And everyone here in the Holy War Alliance knows Grandfell's temperament well.
No need for me to say it.
A new hologram rises.
"I've designed a China rescue operation accordingly!"
The entire Holy War Alliance focuses on Nam Cheolmin's words. Seeing that eases my mind.
I'm not the only one steeped in pride.
Then Harcon spoke up.
"Cheolmin. Could you hold off on the explanation briefly?"
"...Yes? Ah, of course."
"Thank you."
He turned to me meaningfully.
"I have something to say, Grand Commander."
"About what, Harcon?"
"About the 'most suitable person' for this crisis."
...Most suitable person?
As expected of Lion Heart's knight captain, Harcon. Someone had already come to mind.
*
Garden of Dignity.
Elcidoir leisurely tended the flowers.
He couldn't tell what flower that arrogant human had planted, but perhaps due to his touch?
"Heh."
A haughty chuckle escaped.
"At this level, it rivals Sisli's blooms."
But Elcidoir's self-praise didn't last.
Elf's keen hearing picked up a sound.
Click-clack— Something pricked at him.
"Ahem."
Elcidoir feigned composure.
Kinber, the trash, had said no one could guess their actions. No evidence left behind, for some reason.
But Elcidoir wasn't as shameless as the others.
A chilling voice from behind.
Turning, there was Hoyeol caressing a flower.
At the following words,
Clink!
Elcidoir dropped the trowel.
"It seems you've weeded out the trash, Elcidoir."
"...!"
This man sees through everything...!!