Chapter 155: Where the Sun Rises (1)

I can’t believe I’m a lord... A lord!

It was a position Kai had never imagined. His intention had been purely to gift this land to ensure the safety of the elves and merfolk, but he wasn’t foolish enough to reject the opportunity that had come to him.

This is an opportunity.

And it wasn’t just any opportunity. Libertia was a natural fortress, surrounded by resource-rich seas, forests, and mountain ranges. This meant that, depending on how he managed it, he could grow this place into a grand city!

Kai exercised the new authority he gained from being appointed as lord.

“Territory management window.”

[Territory Management]

Name: Libertia

Rank: F

Population: 3,845

Monthly Income: None

The management window was so simple it felt almost barren. However, Kai still looked at it with warm eyes as if it were a treasure.

3,845 people... That’s quite a lot.

No longer mere NPCs he had exchanged with, they were now his people to protect.

Kai turned to the leaders of the two tribes who were staring at him intently. “First, we need to address the town’s security, which is in total disarray.”

“What if I cast an illusion spell around the town? No one would be able to enter,” Luteria suggested.

“... But that’s already been breached once by the Church of Muldine.”

“

Hmm

.”

“Revealing ourselves to the world might actually be safer instead of hiding away. Our first goal for Libertia should be to attract strong and numerous adventurers to live here.”

“Then what should we do?”

“First, we need to build at least a low-lying fortress across this vast land. But... you don’t have knowledge of that, do you?”

They all nodded in agreement without a moment’s hesitation.

“Aquavera certainly has a royal palace, but... the dwarves built that for us. We don’t know how to make one ourselves,” Karius said.

Elania added, “We elves have always grown up under the protection of the World Tree, so we’ve never even thought about building a fortress.”

“

Hmm

, then we’ll need the help of human engineers for this. In that case...”

Money would be needed. Kai’s face paled at the realization.

... This won’t be something that can be solved with just a few coins, will it?

As Kai let out a faint sigh, Luteria asked, “But is a fortress really necessary?”

“Of course it is. It makes defending against external threats easier, and...” Kai trailed off mid-sentence.

Wait, is a fortress really necessary?

The elves and merfolk were completely detached from human civilization, each having their own unique way of life.

There’s no need to impose human civilization on them. In fact, it’s better if we don’t.

Players coming to visit the elves and merfolk would be looking for something different. But if the town were to have the same fortresses and buildings as other cities with only elves and merfolk as the residents...

That would be boring. Way too boring.

Kai closed his eyes and delved into thought.

I haven’t visited that many cities in the game, but...

The most popular and frequently visited one was undoubtedly Aquaria. Kai, as well as everyone else, knew why.

The concept is clear, and there’s plenty to do there.

Connected to the sea, Aquaria had a highly developed canal system. Thanks to this, people could enjoy fishing, and couples would go on dates to ride gondolas along the canals.

Just like Venice in Italy is famous as a tourist city.

However, merely copying something successful would only make him an imitator. So, Kai chose to go a step further.

I need to design this city while considering the movements of the elves, merfolk, and eventually the dwarves who will settle here.

Libertia was currently nothing more than a barren wasteland, without even a common storage shed. However, that also meant that anything could be built on this land!

In the end, the key is what players will expect when they visit the town of elves and merfolk.

After a long period of contemplation, Kai slowly opened his eyes. "Luteria."

“Why do you call for me, friend?”

“Is it possible to construct buildings using trees?”

“I am the World Tree, protector of nature. That would be quite simple.”

“... Great.”

With a grin, Kai gave the order and the construction began.

***

Even if people slacked off, time never did. Time flowed silently and diligently, always moving forward.

“No, a little more to the left!”

“Like this?”

“That’s perfect. Right there.”

Kai, the merfolk, and the elves were the same. They were spending their days busily, with no time to indulge in laziness. Their goal, of course, was the completion of Libertia.

“It’s finally starting to take the shape of a village,” Luteria said.

“To live in a place like this... It's truly an intriguing space.”

“This place is beautiful. Lord Kai, did you study architecture?”

Praise flowed continuously out of Luteria, Karius, and Elania. Kai would have burst out in awe as well if it weren’t his own planned city.

This is it. If it’s completed with this level of quality...

He’d be busy welcoming a flood of adventurers; it would be just like the opening day of a summer water park. With satisfaction, Kai’s smile broadened.

Like something out of

Jack and the Beanstalk

, a massive tree trunk now stood at the center of the town. And hanging from it like fruits were thousands of buildings!

To move between buildings, you’ll either have to use the stairs or the enchanted waterway elevators powered by the merfolk’s magic.

Of course, if one weren’t a resident, they would have to pay a fee to use the waterway elevators. And that wasn’t all. From the massive tree trunk, a pleasant fragrance filled the air, and behind the waterway elevators was a waterfall, creating a beautiful rainbow. It was truly a beautiful city, exuding a dreamy and magical atmosphere!

“There’s no other city like this in the world.”

It was a city that was the embodiment of fantasy itself. It felt like a place straight out of a fairy tale, as if one had stepped into the land of fairies.

Luteria then said, “It seems like completing all your requests will take a bit more time.”

“Yes, but we’re almost there. It’s just the finishing touches now.”

While the area around the tree trunk was stunning, the ground level still felt somewhat bare.

But that’s something the dwarves can fix once they arrive. My work here is done.

It was the sort of reckless attitude one would expect from a student who, one month before midterms, left all their studying to their future self.

The town is nearly finished. There’s nothing more for me to do here now, so...

Now, it was truly time to visit the main church of the Solarian Church.

Kai turned to bid farewell to the leaders of the tribes. “I’ll visit the main church and return as quickly as I can.”

“You don't need to worry too much about this place.”

“Right. We’ll manage it well on our own.”

“... Then I’ll leave it to you and be on my way.”

Bowing his head, Kai left Libertia.

The elves and merfolk had worked so diligently that the roads were as well-maintained as those of the capital of the Kingdom of Rashion. However, since the roads were made using elven techniques rather than human methods, they felt more like walking along a well-kept country path than a rigidly paved road.

“I’m looking forward to it. Libertia.”

He wondered if it would truly grow and flourish as he hoped. With lingering doubts that were difficult to shake, Kai continued walking.

My destination is the main church of the Church of Solaris.

A place said to be where the sun rises. It would be his first visit to the main church since becoming a Solaris Cleric.

***

Deep underground somewhere on the continent, there was a grand hall. Ominous pillars lined up in rows, and at the far end of the place stood a throne.

A man sat on the throne, draped in a black robe, with almost no trace of life. It was as if he wasn’t human, as though his presence didn’t fully exist in that space.

Shrouded in darkness, the man slowly lifted his head. “My faithful servant, Morak. Did you complete the mission without issue...?”

Snap! Fwoosh!

As the man snapped his fingers, the torches along the walls ignited all at once. At the same time, black smoke gathered and swirled through the hall, transforming into the shape of a person.

The figure immediately knelt before the man, bowing their head to the ground. “Yes, Cardinal Atroc.”

“And the candidate? Was he suitable?”

“As we thoroughly investigated beforehand, he seemed more than capable of accepting the Essence of Darkness,” the man named Morak confidently smiled as he responded.

Cardinal Atroc did not ask further as this servant had never disappointed him before.

“Then proceed with the ritual at once.”

“Yes. However, recently, adventurers have been a growing nuisance.”

“Adventurers?”

“Yes. Their growth rate is extraordinary. While they are still like insects now, given enough time, it is unknown how powerful they may become...”

“Indeed, even Muldine has mentioned them before.”

If anyone on the continent had overheard this conversation, they would have been terrified. The name of the evil god Muldine struck fear into the hearts of the people of the continent.

Cardinal Atroc stroked his chin, lost in thought. Each time his fingers brushed his chin, it made a sound like nails scraping on a chalkboard.

“For our church to stand tall across the continent, not even the smallest variables can be tolerated. And now these adventurers... they’ve become quite the nuisance.”

“What would you have me do?”

“If we cannot kill them, convert them. Spread Muldine’s teachings far and wide.”

“I will obey.” Then, as if recalling something, Morak briefly hesitated before speaking again, “Cardinal, what of the one called Kai? How should we deal with him?”

“Kai...” Cardinal Atroc muttered the name with clear disdain. “That heretic who refuses to understand Muldine’s will—eliminate him.”

“But he is a formidable opponent, strong enough to have defeated the army led by Bishop Haran.”

“At that time, the elves, merfolk, and other adventurers were supporting him firmly.”

Crack.

Cardinal Atroc lightly gripped the armrest of his throne, crushing it as he said, "Send the second candidate to Kai as soon as the ritual is completed. He should make a fitting test opponent..."

At this command, Morak's eyes widened in shock. “Y-you mean to send the candidate for that child?”

"He has disrupted our grand plans multiple times. It's better to eliminate him for sure than to send a half-hearted force."

“... I will obey.” Bowing his head deeply, Morak turned back into dark smoke and vanished.

“

Hmm

...”

The seemingly bored Cardinal Atroc rested his chin on his hand and casually flicked his fingers. Instantly, the air within the grand hall was consumed, and the flames of the torches were extinguished. As always, the place was enveloped in silence.