Chapter 373

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on March 1, 2025

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“Current situation of the kingdoms?”

“Yes. Something’s piqued my curiosity.”

I encountered Yena wandering around after arriving at the academy.

Yena tilts her head.

“Are you perhaps planning a conquest?”

“Hardly.”

Rapina has taken an interest in the political situations of various kingdoms.

Since we were dealing with raiders this time, it became necessary to learn more about the Abys Kingdom, where the Crazy Guild is located, and its neighboring kingdoms.

Of course, there is also a separate reason for needing to know the information about the kingdoms.

“Soon, the Great Cataclysm, right?”

Actually, we shouldn’t worry as much about the Empires or Kingdoms as we should about the Kraken that is soon to come.

This storm will be far more ferocious than the one during the Sugarado incident.

“Hmm… alright! Speaking of which, I did have a bit of a story about the kingdoms.”

“Then let’s move somewhere else…”

“I’m hesitating because…”

“? What would you like?”

Though I’m fully prepared to pay for the information, I didn’t expect Yena to mention it.

I generally take care of such things myself, and since Yena has learned a great deal at the academy, she hasn’t demanded anything separately before.

Yena shakes her head with a “Ei~”.

“Not that. Are you mistaking me for some kind of money bird?”

“That was accurate, wasn’t it?”

“No no. Let’s have a joint broadcast, a Kingdoms Discussion.”

“Joint broadcast?”

—

It has been quite a while since Yena and I have done a joint broadcast.

In the early days, Yena and I often did joint broadcasts, but recently, it has been more common for me to broadcast with other people or in large group broadcasts.

The next day, I was invited to Yena’s castle.

When I visited last time, it wasn’t as small as its reputation would suggest.

This place must be at least equivalent in size to a baron-level territory and castle, right?

“Has it grown larger than before?”

“Although it has grown in size, there’s not much substance to it.”

“Isn’t Yena almost royalty? I thought you had not joined under any kingdom?”

“Ahh, it’s a bit different. The ‘E-‘ Guild doesn’t have many residents.”

Yena’s guild overthrew the old royal family and took possession of the castle and territory.

They were placed on the blacklist of various kingdoms afterward, but were still recognized as an independent group from the former kingdom, though without an official king.

“Why?”

“Because the formal process wasn’t followed. Although we reached a semi-compulsory agreement, we are still considered part of the kingdom in terms of classification.”

Yena laughed nervously and led me inside.

“Actually, after the Siege War, it grew a bit, but instead, the income has decreased even more… mostly because of the chaos among the kingdoms. I’ll explain this later.”

“Understood.”

Following Yena, I came to a room similar to a setting room.

Though it wasn’t constructed through a network system like mine, it was decently decorated.

In the center of the setting room was a map of the continent, along with various tools and pieces on the back panel that could be used to mark sections.

“Did you prepare this in a day?”

“It wasn’t just one day. I made this when conceptualizing some content, so I just made some minor adjustments and placed it.”

Yena sat at a position that was easiest to be captured by the camera, and then moved a piece from the back onto the southern continent.

A 2/3 scale figurine holding a green dagger in a pose.

It was identical to the emoticon characterizing Yena.

“By the way, I should start gathering masterpieces.”

“…?”

“Because the Great Cataclysm is coming. It would be good to have a post-mythical grade weapon.”

Though the White Guardian might be useful, it can only switch between a spear and a hammer, but its advantage lies in fully containing holiness. It lacks any special abilities.

I’ve already gathered all seven masterpieces except the black one, so collecting one more will complete the masterpiece quest.

The remaining one is held by someone we both know.

Yena, borrowing the Green Hermit, swallows hard.

“Lady Lily?”

“Though it would be nice to receive it from Black, it is his main weapon, so I doubt it would be easily obtained.”

“…Uh, that’s true! It’s tailored to Black’s abilities.”

Black’s Black Destroyer was specially requested and created by the blacksmith Drak of Talikal.

It was created exclusively for Black after he was recognized as its rightful wielder.

Black would not part with his weapon for anything less than extraordinary.

“Which kingdom does Black belong to? I know it’s the Black Moon guild.”

“Ostarun… Surely you aren’t planning a guild battle?”

“Pfft. What do you take me for?”

I don’t do things like that.

Though Rapina might attempt to seize items through an attack if provoked, I have no intention of creating unnecessary conflict to acquire Black’s sword.

Since Black invited me to a practice siege and provided me with information about Talikal, I’d definitely offer him considerably more than just the weapon in return.

“At any rate, this is my character, right?”

“Yes.”

I detached my 2/3 scale character figurine from behind and placed it on the northern continent.

With bright white saint attire and a spear, and blue hair.

As I played with the surprisingly well-made figurine, Yena asked,

“What will you name the room?”

“I’ve just called it ‘Joint Broadcast.’ How about you?”

“My discussion with Lady Lily (Serious and Strict).”

“Ah.”

Serious and strict, huh?

We should live up to it then.

[O]

[?]

[Ying]

[Lilha]

[Unknown string]

[Out-of-nowhere joint broadcast, what’s this?]

[Yena?]

[Yena land???]

[Lily and Rapina, explain please]

[Go ahead]

[Clear]

[Lily is truly Rapina]

[What? They both turned their broadcasts on at the same time?]

[Discussion about what?]

“Hello…”

“Hi everyone~ I’m having a joint broadcast with Lady Lily today. An incredible Kingdoms Discussion!”

“…Didn’t we mention we’d be serious?”

“Aww, the start should be fun, at least.”

Yena giggled and moved her figurine.

Yena’s figurine moves towards Yena’s kingdom.

[?]

[kekkekkek]

[Out-of-nowhere joint broadcast, what’s this?]

[Turn on Lily’s support]

[Kingdom Discussion?]

[Sudden?]

“Right. It feels like we should do a little something. The Great Cataclysm is also approaching.”

“Correct! That’s why we’ve prepared this discussion today!”

Yena nodded, pulling out a long stick.

I turned my eyes to the map as the stick moved.

The continent can be roughly divided into four major powers.

The first one is the ‘Empire’, which has absorbed Central Continent and other regions.

The Empire is the dominant force of the continent, possessing the strongest power and territory, but it has quieted down somewhat following recent failures.

“The Empire… everyone knows it, right?”

[Yes]

[Aren’t they trash?]

[They lost to Lily]

[Why are we doing this?]

[The kingdom that lost to Lily, returned all their stuff, and paid compensation]

[Still, we can’t ignore the Empire]

Yena nodded, looking between the chat and me like a professor.

“Correct. The Empire is the continent’s strongest country. Although Lady Lily defeated them, they are still a powerful group. They can’t be ignored.”

“That’s true. I should visit them soon.”

“Huh?”

“Yes.”

“Huh?”

[?]

[kekkekkekkekkekkekkekkekkekkekkek]

[Lily going to conquer the Empire?]

[Lily) going for some ‘education’ at the Empire]

“Just out of a need for conversation. Please don’t worry.”

“…I feel like I should.”

The second major power is the kingdom union stretching long across the north, the ‘Eden Federation’.

It’s a coalition of kingdoms in the northern region, where the Angel Guild, the top guild in Deoen, is located.

They were also key players in blocking the Empire’s war during the siege.

“The Angel Guild… I have no specific ties, but it’s the group most akin to a true ‘coalition’ out of all the kingdom alliances. Lady Lily knows them well, right?”

“Of course. We fought together during the siege.”

Their name doesn’t entirely sit well with me, but they’re still a decent group.

[Angel Guild!]

[Angels get a nod from me]

[Lily the Angel kekkek]

[Michael! Michael! Michael! Michael!]

Yena picked up the angel figurine located in the northern continent.

“As you know, the strongest guild in Deoen. Lady Lily aside, they are the only ones capable of facing off against the Empire, although they would likely lose in a true confrontation.”

“They have good skills nonetheless.”

While they were outnumbered, they managed to block one of the Eight Swordsmen, Blood Fight Lord.

Since they haven’t applied separately to the academy, it might be interesting to teach them something if the occasion arises.

The third major power is the coalition located in the west, a kingdom association where Black and other large guilds have gathered.

While not as closely united as the Eden Federation, they still maintain acquaintances and their own exchanges.

“Just as you might expect. Though things have been a bit cool recently.”

[Whoa]

[Is that okay to say?]

[kekkekkekkekkekkekkekkek]

[Huh?]

[Yena speaking freely]

[Yena) The Western factions are internally conflicting]

[Yena) Poor collaboration among the Western factions]

“Heck.”

“Why are you ‘heck’ing, Lady Lily?”

“Because it feels like something I should address.”

“Huh? Is now really the right moment to bring that up?”

[kekkekkekkekkekkekkek]

[Lily is a devil dog]

[Devil Lily kekkek]

[Lily) No, I am Rapina]

[?]

[kekkekkekkekkekkekkekkekkekkekkekkekkekkekkek]

“No no, wait. What I said wasn’t wrong, was it? Everyone’s like this these days! And isn’t this discussion supposed to cover topics like this?”

Yena suddenly stood up as if having an outburst.

She gathered several figurines located in the west into one spot.

The figurines struggled to stand in the same place, then gradually fell and tumbled over one by one.

“Recently, even the brothers up there. And Lily’s fans know as well. With the economy, taxes are increasing along with travel fees. Do you feel it, Lady Lily?”

“Umm… Yes, I have noticed it.”

Even for someone like me who rarely engages in economic activities, it’s obvious that the economy has been unsettled lately.

Although Elbrite is in a somewhat unique situation, it hasn’t been too heavily affected.

[That’s correct]

[Seems true]

[The taxes have been skyrocketing]

[The Kingdoms’ greed has risen]

“‘Is it alright for the kingdom to keep going this way?’ This is actually the real topic of today’s discussion. So. Lady Lily, your thoughts?”

“Hmmm…”

The economy, rising sharply.

The whales known as great nations are restraining each other while the common people and users suffer.

If there were a solution…