Chapter 34 – Legion (4)
In this land, there exists one mana beast called Latan. It is somewhat different from other mana beasts. In fact, I doubt if there are any in the Demon Realm who would consider this creature an ordinary mana beast.
Because it was a type of mushroom.
However, Latan was clearly a beast that I had consumed and analyzed, and it was indeed a mana beast.
Similar to an ordinary mushroom, it had a cap exceeding one meter in size, while its mycelium existed underground, consuming organic matter. There was one special ability that set Latan apart.
This ability was its photosynthetic capacity, allowing it to synthesize nutrients from sunlight, albeit partially.
“The efficiency of photosynthesis isn’t very high, but what would happen if I intervene?”
Unlike plants, which use such capabilities sparingly, primarily for reproduction or when significant energy is required, I had a different idea in mind.
With my ability to mix thoroughly analyzed genetic information and create new entities, I believed I could amplify and fully utilize that ability.
[Achievement, Paradigm Shift (1) Achieved. Reward: 1 Trait Point granted]
The system seemed to approve of my efforts, recognizing it as an achievement.
Based on this, I used the Latan genome, which I had consumed and analyzed, to create a new life form.
It resembled an artificial womb or digestive system, like something that had been forced to grow and expand as if it were an internal organ.
Its purpose was singular – to obtain nutrients through photosynthesis.
Its appearance was of a giant and thin mushroom cap pointing toward the sky. Below, there were internal organs that synthesized nutrients, which were distributed through tendrils to the entire colony.
If someone familiar with this form were to see it, they might immediately describe it as a solar power generator.
“Interestingly, the more of these you have, the more efficiently they work.”
[By planting these mutated Latans, Solar flowers, on all the lands we’ve destroyed, we’ll be able to secure a massive amount of additional nutrients.]
The only drawback was that a vast number of them were needed to maximize efficiency.
Quite literally, they would need to cover a whole region.
But fortunately for us, we kept acquiring an abundance of land.
The northern continent’s lands, stripped bare and turned desolate due to the consumption of everything on the surface, could be revitalized by covering them with Solar flowers, turning inefficiency into efficiency.
“Proper utilization will take some time.”
Creating the Solar flowers and having them cover the entire region would take time since, like in initial investments in solar power generation, it would require significant resources to establish.
Were we to dedicate all our colony’s efforts to this, it might be possible, but at this point, it wasn’t.
We were no longer the marginalized inhabitants of the borders but were still juggling too many undertakings.
“Has the Oak Baron’s Territory already fallen?”
“Moreover, the Oak Baron himself is likely dead. There are few survivors, and the Dark Demons surrounded the city and carried out a massacre.”
Upon joining the Mercenary Band, my avatar became part of the reinforcement team sent to aid the Oak Baron and ventured north.
However, even before we set out, word had spread that we had already seized and converted the Oak Baron’s fortress into our nest.
Naturally, the furious retainers of the Oak Baron, who had arrived to seek reinforcements, demanded vengeance.
Those intending to send aid also vowed to continue the war, refusing to let the Oak Baron’s land fall entirely into the hands of the beast.
“Hmph, the surrounding lords surely plan to drive out those monsters and take the land for themselves.”
“That’s none of our concern. Let’s focus on how we’ll fight. We do have some say, and if handled well, we could shape the strategy to our advantage.”
The orc warrior Krone, captain of the mercenary band, shook his head at section leader Ken, the werewolf, who was smirking.
Regardless, the mercenaries were eager to claim a significant role in changing the mission from aiding the Orc Territory to retaking it.
“We have approximately three thousand soldiers from the Hobgoblin Count Ludras’ Territory, two thousand from the Lamia Viscount Rozelin’s Territory, and around a thousand from the Gargoyle Viscount Ikon’s Territory. And then the surviving members of the Orc Territory as well.”
Thanks to this intel, I was able to gauge the size of the Demon army headed toward the land I had claimed. It was clear that everyone was trying to claim a piece of the spoils.
“Indeed, it’s not an insignificant force, though it’s uncertain if they will unite and fight as one.”
“Either we can take them down piecemeal or focus on our defense whether they gather together or not.”
Though Syla seemed confident that the enemies would be torn apart and easily defeated due to disunity, I had no intention of forcing a piecemeal strategy.
With a reliable spy already planted inside, I had the upper hand. I only needed to make flexible choices based on the information flowing in.
“But we can’t just hunker down. We have to protect the nest as it can’t be allowed to be destroyed.”
So far, having been on a constant offensive, I hadn’t yet fully prepared any defensive measures.
Even if we took a defensive stance, in the end, it would involve leading forces out to engage the enemy.
‘Perhaps it’s time to prepare.’
Though the resources consumed from seizing the Oak Baron’s Territory were considerable, acquiring new land also provided a great deal of resources, which could be used to create or sustain more soldiers.
We were not in a full-scale war but had accumulated enough resources to comfortably handle forces sent by normal territories.
*
“Some other territories have suggested a joint operation. Given that we alone could not defeat the forces that overtook the Orc Territory, it’s a reasonable proposal.”
“True. Our forces aren’t enough to attack their nest. If the rumors are true, we would need all forces united to have a decent number worthy of a decisive battle.”
The gathered hobgoblin forces took a moment to consider the situation. Several issues were intertwined.
The greatest issue was how much of their true intentions were genuine.
‘His Excellency appears to have no intention to reclaim the entire Orc Territory.’
The hobgoblin mage Delu, serving as the commander, reflected on the orders from his superior and lord, Ludras.
Much as it was an unfortunate reality for the pleading remnants of Zik’s subordinates, now that the territory was lost and the countless residents massacred, there was no longer any real possibility for them to reclaim or avenge their land. The supporting lords, including Ludras, likely viewed reclaiming even a portion of the territory as advantageous.
Indeed, the thoughts of the surrounding lords, who had sent troops numbering merely in the thousands, were blatant.
Their goal was to claim what scraps or advantages they could from this revenge mission.
“Please understand. This mysterious group of mana beasts, the Dark Demons, cannot be ignored. If left alone, they will grow stronger and threaten not only our territory but each and every one of us!”
The ones forcefully advocating for the war were essentially the exiled remnant followers of Zik.
Naturally, despite their aggressive pleas, the exiles had lost all resources, leaving them capable of little.
‘Our numbers alone are not enough for independent action, but if we join with the reinforcements from other territories, we will have to share the credit with them.’
Delu’s deliberation deepened.
In truth, they did not require much effort to achieve a satisfactory collection of spoils and territory if they stuck to an optimal boundary.
‘These guys still haven’t come to their senses.’
Meanwhile, the queen attended this meeting in the shadows, using one of her avatars, among the mercenaries present at the meeting.
From the queen’s perspective, these lords seemed to be preoccupied with trivial concerns.
She actually believed the heartfelt pleas of Zik’s subordinates—the idea that everyone should focus all their efforts to completely exterminate the threat before it grew stronger—were the more reasonable approach.
“Let’s send them a message suggesting we meet and advance together.”
In the end, Delu decided to band forces with the armies from other territories.
The plan was to exchange messages, gather at an appointed location, and then attack and burn down the nest of the enemy.
‘How can we use this to our advantage?’
The problem was that all of this information was being fully relayed to the ‘enemy.’
No one present had any inkling of who Lux the hobgoblin mercenary truly was, nor could they possibly imagine that someone capable of seamlessly communicating with them was secretly among them.
