Chapter 98

Chapter 98 – Renia Gate (8)

“The individuals who manipulated the Renia incident have been captured one after another, and in the process, a conspiracy targeting the Fox Clan was involved, which also implicated several officials from the Federation government.”

As I picked up and ate some snacks while reading a newspaper published by the Beastman Federation, I chuckled.

The result was exactly what I had hoped for. Originally, the conspiracy incident was not part of the plan, but due to the hasty actions of the cursed Taizhu, we had gained a very powerful weapon.

Tas would not miss this opportunity. Even the Federation government was unable to support an intervention through rebellion.

Those involved were being apprehended en masse, confessing their crimes, and beginning to face punishment.

The incident that I internally referred to as the Renia Gate had properly erupted and was entering a phase of resolution.

“Moreover, the King has strongly protested to the Federation government, insisting on a thorough internal audit. In that process, if a few members of the Fox Clan are designated as observers, that will allow our people to be embedded in the Federation government until the investigation is completed.”

“All I want is for them to cooperate obediently, not to undermine or weaken that authority. Make sure you explain that well to King Fox.”

“Of course.”

Renia, sitting opposite me, nodded with a faint smile.

Compared to just a few days ago, this time felt like a dream.

A person who had been trapped in a cold prison, waiting for their daily punishment without hope, could now discuss restoring past honors, taking revenge on the wicked, and considering the future of this country once again.

“This is the latest erosion response method that I submitted to the government through the academy. The King is naturally eager to push this forward since it is led by the High Elf, and has decided to announce it to the Federation government as well.”

Renia proudly handed me a document. Seeing the white background filled with text made my head spin for a moment, but I couldn’t let it show.

Pretending to be a 10,000-year-old High Elf was a challenge. If it were something trivial, I could have done as I pleased, but since I was leading this matter, I had to be cautious.

“Currently, the entities that can actively respond to erosion are revealed to be extremely few. The Hero and Saintess secured by the Order of Light, and the High Elf in front of me. Therefore, we decided to divide the response stages and apply the best methods accordingly.”

Renia, who had been researching this for a long time, had created a kind of manual applicable not only to the Beastman Federation but to the entire world.

Even I was impressed as I read through it.

At this level, it could be compared to the response system devised by international scholars when the Towers first appeared in this world.

“Stage 1 is to issue an emergency evacuation order to the surrounding residents upon suspicion or discovery of an erosion site and ensure isolation. Stage 2 is to dispatch an army of sufficient size as quickly as possible and impose a blockade and control of the area. Stage 3 is to maintain the blockade, continually observe, and seek purification methods.”

To summarize as concisely as possible, that was it. It seemed very rational to me, systematically organizing what had previously been done intuitively to some extent.

They had even organized the minimum troop deployment lines according to the scale of the erosion site into a staggering 10 stages.

“If the erosion site and the monsters crawling out of it are left unattended for too long, the number and strength of the emerging monsters will become unmanageable. The key is to organize and maintain the blockade as much as possible.”

“I think it’s flawless. But this plan, the ending part seems a bit lacking, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. In the end, all we can do is seal off the area and wait.”

Renia readily nodded. However, there was one thing that she could not include in this manual, which was how to purify and eliminate the erosion site.

“That issue… I suppose I’ll have to work on it somehow.”

Renia had done her utmost to the best of her abilities. If the manual she created spreads across the world, and if the King and the nobles diligently abide by it, it could mitigate damage and prepare for the apocalypse.

Solving the remaining issues was my role. It was not just for the world but for myself as well.

I couldn’t spend my whole life going around the world purifying erosion sites. That was a life completely opposite to what I had wanted.

“I’m not sure if you’ll understand this explanation, but there are descendants inheriting power that has continued since 10,000 years ago. If they can tap into that power, purifying the erosion site becomes possible.”

I briefly explained the principle. Fortunately, Renia, being a smart scholar and magician, understood my explanation perfectly.

“Ancient powers hidden in bloodlines can prevent the apocalypse of this modern age… that’s amazing.”

Her eyes sparkled. It seemed I had inadvertently pressed one of her switches again.

“If possible, have someone else look for such individuals. Descendants of heroes from long ago. Some of them must undoubtedly trace back to 10,000 years ago, to the Mythical Era.”

At least, it would surely be more reliable than humans. The current Beastmen were all descendants of survivors who had emerged from the Towers.

Though their bloodlines had been diluted over such a long time, within them lay the ancient powers that could manifest at any moment.

The same was true for Elves and other races.

If we searched in this way, we might discover descendants of heroes whom I had not yet known.

“And once they awaken and utilize their powers, it will lessen my workload.”

In theory, this was a perfect plan. As long as everything went according to plan.

“Then, are you headed elsewhere, High Elf?”

“I must persuade other countries to join the Grand Coalition. With the manual you created… the response table. But first, I’ll rest a bit.”

I let out a groan and sank into the plush chair.

In truth, I needed to leave this place immediately and be busy, but I couldn’t bring myself to do so. From the Order of Light to now, I had run without rest.

It had been to save Renia, but in the process, I hardly had any time to relax, leaving me physically and mentally exhausted.

“If you need to rest, then it can’t be helped.”

“Is there something you want to ask?”

Seeing Renia’s face filled with disappointment made me chuckle. It was obvious that she had a personal request for me.

“Please provide any clues to restore and interpret the materials from the Mythical Era. This is a chance to restore a forgotten history.”

Not surprisingly, as soon as I left her an opening, Renia jumped up and knelt before me, pleading.

“Please do.”

I didn’t refuse her request outright.

From my perspective, explaining facts like what this relic is, or how to read this document, wasn’t difficult at all and would actually be an enjoyable experience.

It was intriguing to observe how far-off descendants misunderstood our past.

“A hero wearing a red armor and freely flying through the sky while shooting mana beams? Sorry, but that’s just a fabrication.”

“That can’t be! My Steel Grand Duke…”

Countless people gathered around my every word, anxiously reacting with intense responses.

Those who learned that the history and subjects they knew and were studying were not actual history but fabrications fell into despair, some shocked to learn the truth behind myths like the space rocket myths they had assumed were lies.

‘Ah, this is indeed enjoyable.’

I skipped over parts that were difficult to explain, but every time I opened my mouth, Renia was smiling as the academy stirred with excitement.

“I’ve heard that Professor Renia is bothering the High Elf.”

“I’m doing this because I want to. It’s incredibly fun to see how much has changed over the years.”

During the day, I was surrounded by scholars, including Renia, and at night, it was a different scene as I enjoyed myself at the banquet hosted by Tas, being served by Leorne, freely eating and drinking.

I wondered if I had ever drunk this much since waking in this world. I rubbed my stomach a little, and it felt practically filled with water.

My face was hot, and my vision was swirling. I was thoroughly drunk.

“—.”

“–, —!”

As I got drunk, the spirits became tipsy too. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of the wind spirit patting the back of the earth spirit, who was spewing sand.

“If it were up to me, I would want to keep you here for a lifetime.”

“How can a king think such things? If I stay here, will people listen to you? Watch your words.”

I chuckled at Tas’s words, uncertain if they were serious or not. Regardless of how he personally felt, Tas had to be the representative voice of me in the Beastman Federation.

Thus, I could not infringe upon that authority and power.

“I heard you are going to the Dwarves.”

“Yes. They are also living beings in this land and must join the Grand Coalition.”

Our conversation naturally flowed to my next destination. Dwarves. The mere mention of that word sharpened my senses.