Chapter 86 – The Centripetal Point (1)
“Iriliana…”
“You’ve done well. It’s just the first step, but the beginning is always the hardest part.”
Wrapped in a cloak, I approached them, and Maria smiled faintly as she saw me. Ian did the same.
Both of them looked obviously exhausted. Melissa was completely unconscious on the ground… Even I could see that the three of them were still inexperienced. They needed more experience and time.
However, the world didn’t allow for such luxuries. It was a harsh reality that these kids would have to continue facing such challenges.
“I have to go somewhere else. I need to inform others about what happened here and find a way to prepare.”
“I understand.”
Maria looked up at me with a trembling voice. She already knew she couldn’t stay with me.
“There’s still so much I need to learn…”
“I’ve given you all I can. The rest, you’ll have to learn from others.”
Even so, feelings are difficult to suppress. I couldn’t bring myself to smile at Maria’s words, which were filled with regret and sadness.
In my past, I might not have left Maria’s side. I might have even taken her with me.
But that wasn’t the case now. I understood what was more important and what needed to be done.
“After all, we’ll meet again soon. If everything goes well, we can meet whenever we like after that.”
“I’ll wait for that time.”
Maria nodded. Our future already had only two possibilities left: to live or to die.
If we could prevent the apocalypse that had continued since ancient times, we would survive and reunite; if we failed, we would simply die and that would be the end.
Maria understood this, which is why she was able to respond so maturely.
‘It’s a shame that even a child understands this, while many fools remain oblivious.’
The problem was that there were more than a few like Deus, who had fallen into corruption.
Even though I had already warned about what was happening in this world, there were countless figures fighting, quarreling, and opposing each other out of greed.
Thinking about those people made my stomach churn.
When the tower appeared, there were such individuals too—religion, ideology, vested interests, and so on. To them, their own importance was greater than the lives of people and the fate of this world.
Even someone like me, who was essentially an outsider, was working hard, so what on earth were they doing?
“To be honest, I can’t imagine it. An organization created by gathering everyone from around the world—could that really be possible?”
“It’s not like I’m asking to unify the world; it’s just about discussing global issues. You can’t even manage that? Has everyone lost their sense of conscience?”
When I shared my plan, Arisa tilted her head in confusion. The concept I proposed seemed difficult for her, an elf who had been separated from the outside world for a long time, to understand easily.
But no matter how I thought about it, I believed it was absolutely necessary.
If people said they couldn’t do it, I believed we had to force them to do it.
“The impending apocalypse is not a mere phenomenon or natural disaster. It is clearly a single living entity or legion moving with its own will. If we respond chaotically like we are now, we will surely collapse.”
People of this age struggled to empathize with the apocalypse, thinking of it as a distant story, but not me.
The world I knew had completely disappeared, replaced by a completely different reality. I couldn’t go through such an experience again. This world, which I had adapted to enough, was now another home to me.
‘It won’t be easy. But I have something too.’
As a high elf who had lived for ten thousand years, I intended to leverage that for all it was worth.
*
“Excluding Ethan’s organization, then we can confirm the alliance of the elves and the Order of Light. The Beastman Kingdom with Renia… and the boy king who fancied Eluria also seems promising.”
Sitting in the carriage, I counted those who could be on our side.
These were people I had scattered like seeds during my activities.
The elves, who had reappeared after a long time, and the Order of Light, which had spread its influence all over the continent, were substantial forces, but from a global perspective, it still felt a bit lacking.
We needed the participation of more countries and powers. However, it wasn’t necessary to persuade everyone.
As long as we made it clear what the ‘mainstream’ was, the lesser ones would naturally follow.
“The Andras Empire, Bataya Federation, Nagara Empire, Beastman Alliance, and the Lexus United Kingdom…”
I listed the core powers that would be included in the mainstream. This wasn’t merely my own thought; it was a compilation of opinions from Leber and local politicians.
“If we combine all the territories they govern, it could reach 60% of the world.”
“That means they’re also among the countries that are vulnerable and dangerous to infiltration.”
Now it was time to find ways to persuade the selected targets.
I didn’t necessarily have to act directly. There were already powers that could move like my own limbs.
The elves, the Order of Light, and even Ethan’s organization. I intended to leverage them as much as possible for persuasion.
If that didn’t work, I would move myself.
Officially, I belonged to none of the existing powers. The logic presented by the clergy Kopellius during Maria’s awakening had resonated quite well.
In this world, who would dare to claim me?
It sounded cheesy, but I decided to push that narrative forward. Those who heard my plan acknowledged that it made sense to unify powers around me as the centripetal point.
“So, where do you plan to go first?”
“The Beastman Alliance. I have people there, so I’ll make sure they’re on my side first and use that as a stepping stone.”
I had already decided on my next destination. It was a busy schedule that required constant movement.
I didn’t necessarily need anyone to acknowledge it, but I secretly hoped they would. Otherwise, no one would know how much sacrifice and effort I was making right now.
“I understand. I know how significant a task a high elf like you is undertaking for this world.”
“It’s a joke. If we don’t do this, everyone dies—what do I expect to gain from it?”
Yet when Arisa spoke with such grandiosity, I felt unnecessarily burdened.
As expected, being the center of attention wasn’t very appealing to me.
I wished that it didn’t matter whether they acknowledged me; I just hoped everything I intended to do would go smoothly.
“…Renia is in prison?”
But the first step started to entangle itself. I had sent someone to check on Renia, who was supposed to be in the Beastman Alliance before leaping forward, and they brought shocking news.
“I couldn’t know the detailed internal situation, but I did receive some news. Professor Renia has been charged with embezzlement, severe misconduct, and unauthorized use of treasures, and she is being tried.”
“What kind of nonsense is that?”
The more details I heard, the more my suspicions erupted.
Embezzlement and severe misconduct? I could understand unauthorized use of treasures, but there was no way Renia would do such things. At least, that was how I had judged her.
“Honestly, considering the chaotic power structure of the Beastman Alliance, it’s not that strange.”
Patrick, whom I hadn’t seen in a long time, provided additional insights based on what the organization’s informant had told him, along with detailed explanations about the Beastman Alliance.
The Beastman Alliance was a federation formed by numerous kingdoms. It was an organization created by various beast races to unite their strengths.
The problem was that each kingdom fought fiercely within the federal government for more advantageous power.
According to Patrick, Renia being framed and put on trial was probably part of such power struggles.
“These crazy bastards…”
My anger naturally surged.
On one side, children were fiercely battling to prevent the apocalypse, while on the other, people were engaging in their usual power struggles.
It was detestable not only that my comrade, Renia, was framed, but the action itself was disgusting.
“W-what should we do?”
Rina looked at me fearfully. I had never been this angry before, so my other companions were also keeping an eye on me.
With the spirits resonating with my rage, the atmosphere around us trembled, and even the water rippled as the earth quaked slightly.
“We’re going to the Beastman Alliance and turn everything upside down. We’ll sweep away anything that stands in our way and create a new federal government centered around Renia’s clan.”
After organizing my emotions, I spoke again.
Was there any reason to hesitate? None. I had long since discarded the brakes.
No matter what excuses they made, I had the absolute justification that I was doing this for the world.
