Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint - Chapter 540



Surviving Means Being Strong

“Is it dog chew for humans?”

“It’s an elixir. I would have liked to give one to all of you, but I thought the king would prefer the dog chew.”

While energy can be increased through diligent learning and practice of qi, that alone is not enough. No matter how blessed one’s body may be, if nutrition is lacking, it won’t grow well. There exists a significant gap between a qi practitioner who has consumed elixirs and one who hasn’t.

Consuming a lot of elixirs doesn’t guarantee improvement, though. The saying that having too much is worse than having too little can only be uttered by those who have experienced abundance. Nations seeking to enhance their power will search for elixirs, leading to a global scarcity of them.

Especially for qi practitioners, elixirs are invaluable, far surpassing the worth of alchemy. Though it was a gift prepared with utmost sincerity from Ende…

“I don’t really need it. I already have plenty of elixirs, and the time for becoming stronger through them has passed.”

Of course, the reincarnator, who was overflowing with wealth, was still making gluttonous remarks today.

“Take it and use it for yourselves… Ugh!”

I quickly covered the reincarnator’s mouth and grabbed the elixir.

“You shouldn’t disregard someone’s goodwill. And is being strong all that matters? I should have some too. It’s selfish.”

“Huh? I gave you an elixir before! Back then, you barely touched it!”

“That time it had no effect, but now it feels different. I have a feeling it will work this time.”

It seems that due to the divine being, I’ve also gained a vessel, so I should be able to accumulate energy in my body now. It would be wise to stock up whenever I have the chance.

“I’m relieved to hear you’ll accept it.”

As I tucked the elixir into my arms, Mayor Triver’s expression lightened, and he smiled. In the exchange of gifts, bonds begin to blossom. Having passed one turn with a gift, Mayor Triver moved on to the next topic.

“The vassal states have yet to respond. The Black Tiger Army, which set out with great ambition, was swept away in the chaos and perished, so they must be feeling quite bewildered. Ende is also still in turmoil. Right after defeating the Wolf King, the shock of being ambushed while rescuing the buried was immense. However, perhaps the silver lining is that there is more anger than despair.”

The enormous absurdity overshadowed the smaller absurdities. In the grand absurdity inflicted by the vassal states upon Ende, all trivial matters were forgotten. The distinctions between pig beastmen and dog beastmen, or between beastmen and humans, faded in the face of great anger.

So, that was all there was to the story.

“I didn’t wish for it to come to this, but regardless, Ende has now severed ties with the vassal states, whether we like it or not. The citizens of Ende will not accept them, and the vassal states will look upon us with disdain. To the vassal states, Ende must appear like a fox backed by a mountain lord. For now, the mountain lord may be too fearful to even throw a stone at the fox.”

“Just a word of caution, it’s best not to think of using the mountain lord.”

Because I’m afraid. As I sincerely offered my advice, Mayor Triver nodded in agreement.

“Of course. You can’t invite a tiger into your room just because you’re afraid of a thief. I’m just worried about the thief that might come when the tiger isn’t there.”

—

“How worried must you have been to confide in a stranger?”

“I’m just a passing guest, so I have stories to share.”

Mayor Triver spoke softly as he took out a wooden box. It was the same kind of box as the gift, but the contents were different. And this flow of events would surely lead to the main point.

Inside the box lay a pitch-black seal.

“The relic of the Black Tiger Corps, the Black Tiger Seal.”

A unique magical artifact is an expression of one’s inner world. Among these unique artifacts, some remain in form and power even after the mage’s death, especially those with a closed-off inner vision.

The Black Tiger Seal was one such relic. It was left behind by someone who had stamped seals throughout their life, and when that person passed away, it became a relic. While it may not have been associated with large-scale attack magic in life, after death, the Black Tiger Seal transformed into a strategic weapon that exerted pressure over a radius of 50 meters. A seal, when stamped above someone’s head, becomes a weapon.

“Relics, especially those that can be used as weapons, are precious. The feudal lords will be blinded with greed to reclaim it, and even the Empire will have its eyes on this relic.”

“Indeed. Whether it’s the Empire or the feudal lords, it’s a tempting prize they won’t hesitate to chase after. What should we do with it?”

“If it’s a dog, I would gift it, but if it’s wolves, I would throw it far away. So they can’t even cast a glance this way.”

Mayor Triver closed the box again and extended it toward us. In terms of value, the elixir could be dismissed as ‘just that,’ but it was too burdensome a gift to accept outright.

So this was why he had given us a gift first. He created a natural flow for handing over the present. Cunning indeed.

“Ende needs time to heal and stand on its own. This Black Tiger Seal is both a precious item and a seed of discord. I would like you to handle it.”

“Such a precious item? Even a rough sale would fetch a good price.”

“If you have a place to live after paying that price, then yes. The only place to buy a strategic weapon-grade relic with a revealed history is the Seven-Colored Guild. They do not deal in stolen goods, so there’s practically nowhere to sell it. And I can’t just hand it over to a fence as the mayor of Ende, so I’ll leave it to you instead.”

“I won’t refuse a gift, but….”

It could be sold to another feudal lord. However, the closest feudal lord to Ende is the Lilac Feudal Lord, and selling it to a rival feudal lord would be tantamount to declaring war. The black market? Is there any black market for strategic weapons other than for cultists or rebels?

It certainly is difficult to handle. I understand the desire to pass it off.

“What do you think? Would you like to use it, Shay?”

“It’s not bad, but… honestly, it’s not that great either. I have Cheon-aeng and Jijan. Why don’t you use it instead?”

“I would like to, but it doesn’t really suit me. Unlike the Demon God, this consumes a significant amount of magical power.”

The Demon God is the principle inscribed in the world. The power of the Demon God I wield utilizes that vast rule through contact. The target is merely the world’s rules, but essentially, it’s akin to stealing someone else’s unique magical artifact.

In contrast, a relic is an honest transaction that exerts a certain effect by paying with magical power. It doesn’t suit me, who is lacking in either energy or magic and has no choice but to resort to trickery. A con artist’s profits drop if they stop conning.

“It can’t be helped. I guess I’ll have to sell it.”

“Do you have a buyer?”

“Yes. I just thought of a faction that needs the Black Tiger Seal.”

Naturally, I picked up the wooden box and extended it. Mayor Triver looked at the returned box with a puzzled expression.

“I’m selling the Black Tiger Seal. I haven’t used it even once since acquiring it.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Just what I said. It seems you need it, so I’ll sell it to you.”

—

I resold the item I had just acquired. I brazenly extended my hand toward Mayor Triver. He looked uncomfortable at the sight of my empty palm.

“Ende needs time to recover. I’ve already explained this.”

“Yes. I heard that too.”

“But are you saying we must fight the vassal state for the possessions?”

“I didn’t say we must fight. I’m just letting you know that you’re not in a position to choose a fight.”

When I faced Marquis Raphaeno, I briefly read his thoughts. From why the Black Tiger Army had come to Ende, to what the vassal state was preparing. I didn’t delve deeply, but I grasped the general outline.

I revealed what I had inferred as if I had read his thoughts.

“The Black Tiger Army is the power of the vassal state. The army that realizes the will of the vassal state has come to Ende because Ende needs something.”

“It was a foothold to obtain the elixir of nations, wasn’t it?”

“To be precise, it’s because the ‘ownerless’ elixir has suddenly become ‘greatly’ needed.”

The elixir is precious. Therefore, the talents to consume the elixir are also carefully selected. Only descendants of noble families or apprentices of guilds are given some, and even then, if they don’t produce results, they only get a taste.

However, since exceptional talents are as valuable as the elixir itself, a balance between supply and consumption is carefully maintained. The vassal state’s disregard for the ruins beyond the Engor Plains is for this reason. The results are unstable compared to the resources invested, and even if they were obtained, consumption cannot keep up.

“A vassal state that was maintaining stable governance hurriedly summons and sends troops upon hearing news of a fight with the Wolf King? If they were that desperate for the elixir, they should have acted from the start, why the sudden urgency?”

“Are you suggesting there’s another reason?”

“It’s simple. They’re preparing for battle or war. They might also be conducting some practical training.”

But what if they need immediate power? What if they must quickly train and reinforce spirit masters? The ruins of the nations, where all kinds of resources and treasures lie dormant, provide a good excuse to mobilize troops.

“Luring the lost beastmen into the army, obtaining elixirs and treasures from the nations, creating a reason to move the legions, and even enlisting the master of the Beast faction. It was a perfect opportunity, wasn’t it? Though it ended in failure.”

“War…? With whom?”

“I’m not sure, but it certainly won’t be Ende. The disparity in strength is too great to call it a war. If it weren’t for the compatibility issues, the Black Tiger Army would have trampled Ende.”

Compared to the vassal state, which is a single nation, Ende is merely a border city. If they were to confront each other directly, Ende would be easily swept away.

Mayor Triver’s expression darkened as he gauged the odds. He knew the objective power difference between Ende and the vassal state. There was no chance of victory, but.

“But will you all leave this city as the vassal state commands? Will you vacate your place, leaving all your money and land behind?”

“That cannot happen. Ende is the land of the beastmen. Just like humans, beastmen can also form and develop a civilization.”

“Well, I suppose that’s true.”

Even if weak, one cannot just sit and die, right? Even a worm wriggles when stepped on. It’s not that they can withstand the weight of humans, but because that’s all they can do.

“You can negotiate, or you can take hostages and threaten us. You’re already seated at the table, and you need at least one more card. How you use it is up to you.”

“…Is there no way to avoid a fight?”

“No matter how powerful the vassal state is, they can’t fight against the dead.”

Mayor Triver let out a deep sigh.

A distant branch of the imperial family. A bloodline that would be treated well anywhere, yet for various reasons, had been pushed all the way to Ende. It’s ironic that being pushed down to the position of a city’s mayor. Well-versed in the political situation between the empire and the vassal state, he realized that this peace would not last long.

—

—

“There’s no place for you in this order. If you want to create a place, you must stir up chaos. Surviving in the crumbling order means becoming a new order, and if you fail, it ends as just a fleeting spark.”

“You’re returning it in a way I never expected. I’ve learned a thing or two.”

“Learned? No, I’ve learned from you.”

The kind and benevolent mayor of Ende. He truly possesses such a character, but to avoid the darkness, one must first understand it well. Surviving means being strong. Mayor Triver had the cunning of a seasoned politician.

“What if we receive the Black Tiger Medal? The eyes of the vassal states will turn toward us, and when Ende and the vassal states inevitably clash, we’ll have no choice but to side with Ende. Trying to forge a powerful alliance out of useless goods—quite clever, isn’t it?”

They are packaging the mountain lord as Ende’s guardian deity and spreading rumors that the Black Tiger Army has incurred the wrath of the tiger. Ende is already utilizing every means to survive. Entrusting the Black Tiger Medal was likely part of that strategy.

Mayor Triver responded calmly, even after his intentions were laid bare.

“An alliance? Rather, I intended to entrust a precious item to the hero who saved Ende.”

“I understand your intentions. However, we are not as reasonable as you think. We won’t follow your thoughts. Even if the vassal states invade Ende, we won’t have the time to care, and if the vassal states pursue us, we won’t be overly concerned.”

“Then your refusal of the Black Tiger Medal was purely a favor for us. Thank you for your kindness.”

I firmly grasped Mayor Triver’s wrist as he tried to gather his belongings again.

It is indeed a kindness. But I never said I would give it away freely. I spoke decisively.

“It seems you’re not grasping my words. I said I’ll trade. Bring me one more elixir.”

You used the Black Tiger Medal as bait, didn’t you? If you fail, you must pay the price. You can’t expect to take something for free.

At that moment, Aji nudged me with his paw. When I turned to look, Aji dropped the remnants of a nearly consumed chew toy. I added,

“And a chew toy, too.”

The elixir must be precious to Ende as well, yet Mayor Triver readily offered it. It was something he had prepared from the start. With this, I now had three elixirs. Each type has varying effects, but in my current state, I have not a shred of energy. Even this nameless elixir is valuable.

On the way back after the meeting, the reincarnator, who had been silent to avoid showing weakness, quietly asked,

“…Was it Mayor Triver who manipulated the orc army?”

“Well, it’s just a guess. At this point, it’s a trivial matter.”

“No, it makes sense. He’s a figure who was pushed out of power solely because he’s a beastman.”

‘If the plague spreads and the fleeing beastmen are slaughtered at the borders, Ende will be disappointed and side with the Wolf King. Mayor Triver is not a servant of the Empire or the vassal states; he is solely concerned with the safety and rights of the beastmen.’

I’m really slow to think. Well, I suppose the reincarnator thought it was trivial too.

“Why would he do that? It was obvious a commotion would arise.”

“Mayor Triver likely thought a clan for the pig beastmen was necessary. So, he turned a blind eye to support the orc army, even if it was somewhat illegal. He probably didn’t expect the commotion to escalate this much.”

“The commotion grew larger because you incited it.”

“New orders arise from chaos. Thanks to that, I learned how the pig beastmen feel.”

“Anyway, a greater chaos is bound to come; it could have been postponed…”

You’re certain because you know the future. How can you know whether to wait for the greater chaos to arrive or seize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that has come right now?

Unlike you, ordinary people gamble with a past they cannot change as their stakes. The stakes are different.

—

As I was about to leave the Obelisk, someone appeared in my path. The hulking pig-man spotted me and the Regressor, deliberately making noise as he trudged over. It was Grul, the esteemed protector of Ende, who approached us.

“I heard you were injured. Are you feeling any better?”

“This is nothing serious. I could leave right now.”

The Regressor replied with bravado. A master-level expert would be able to assess the situation just by looking, but the Regressor always pretended to be in perfect condition. Grul nodded.

“You’re the only human to survive an encounter with the Mountain Lord. So, where are you headed now?”

“I’m going to a nearby monastery. There’s something I need to find out.”

“A nearby monastery?”

The Enger Plains are wild lands. Ordinary monasteries cannot exist there. The closest one is far to the north, in the northern Enger Plains, at the Great Farmland Monastery.

However, if we’re talking about an extraordinary monastery, there is one to the south of the Enger Plains. The Blood Monastery, protected by the most famous nun.

Grul asked again, his expression one of disbelief.

“You’re not talking about the monastery with that witch, are you?”

“Probably.”

“How bold… No, I suppose it makes sense. You’re not ordinary either.”

“Not ordinary? The Regressor is the only one who isn’t. I’m still within the realm of the ordinary, aren’t I?”

…Honestly, maybe not anymore?

“If you’re heading south, be careful. Strange things are happening in the lands of the old nations. Tribes that fled southeast to escape the Wolf King have gone silent one after another.”

That’s also why the Beast Faction has moved north. Grul added briefly.

“And the priests of the old nations are moving suspiciously. Be cautious.”

“Did you come to warn me?”

“I came to thank you. You did well. If it weren’t for you, we all would have been trampled by the Mountain Lord. Instead, I wish for your safety.”

Having conveyed his message succinctly, Grul waved cheerfully and walked away, as if he had said all that needed to be said. It was a nomadic farewell, familiar with both meeting and parting.

Indeed, my business in Ende was over, but… I pressed the Regressor about the new information I had just learned.

“Wait a moment. The monastery we’re going to isn’t really the Blood Monastery, is it? Not the Monastery of the Golden Tapestry or the Monastery of the Running Wind?”

“Yeah. Isn’t that better for you? The monastery is within the domain of the Holy Court, and you have a strained relationship with them.”

“Still, the Blood Monastery would be uncomfortable for all humans. Especially for me!”

“It’s fine. If it’s her, she won’t dislike you, favored by Tirkanjaka. In fact, she might like you even more.”

“That’s still uncomfortable…”

I feared gaining favor. The other party should be the other party.

Contrary to its name, the Blood Monastery is known to be a very devout place. This raised even greater questions. The one who governs that monastery is someone far removed from piety.

A blasphemer who became an Elder to test their faith. And a zealot who retained their faith even after becoming a vampire.

The Fallen Nun, Sister Yegcheria, was the one who presided over the monastery.