Chapter 108
Chapter 108: Make Me Water (2)
At the request of the Intelligence Bureau, a cooperative investigation of the Lupen River by the Imperial Guard and Intelligence Bureau began. They surveyed the river's course.
"Commander Erica, the empire's border ends here."
Commander of the 2nd Knight Order of the Imperial Guard, Erica Fernasia. Her gaze followed the river's flow. Soon that gaze extended all the way to the horizon.
"How far does the name tag show?"
A name tag [Styx River] appeared on the Lupen River. It was discovered through a [Possessor] operated by the Intelligence Bureau. An Intelligence Bureau agent used the [Possessor] to examine the Styx River.
"The name [Styx River] continues to appear even beyond the national border."
The Lupen River beside the Imperial Capital is like the artery of the empire. That massive river, contaminated by black magic power, had transformed into something that had descended.
"...Yet the river's water source is fine."
Clear water flowed from the starting point of the river's course. However, beside it, a very thin and long stream of black water was discovered.
"That thin stream of water is polluting that massive river......"
A stream of water only a few centimeters thick had contaminated a river dozens of meters wide. It wasn't mere contamination—it had changed the river's very identity to [Styx River].
"For now, that black water stream appears to be the cause, so let's conduct some experiments."
Erica, members of the Imperial Guard, and Intelligence Bureau agents attempted various methods against the black stream. They used aura as a basic measure, as well as magic and various scrolls. Everything was futile. The stream would seem to break for a moment before reconnecting instantly.
"Holy water is useless too."
"Then there's no choice."
Eventually, Erica drew upon the power she had been hiding.
'I never thought I'd have to use this power.'
Whooo!. A blue aura flowed along Erica's blade, and immediately after, a brilliant golden radiance erupted above it.
"C-Commander! Divine Power!"
The unit members who witnessed Erica's myth along with Erik understood that she wielded Divine Power. However, using it in front of an Intelligence Bureau agent was problematic. The Intelligence Bureau agent looked at Erica with mysterious eyes.
"I plan to report this directly to His Majesty."
Erica spoke thus. Her voice was full of loyalty. Because she had established clear standards regarding Erik and the Imperial Family, such sincerity was possible.
'As long as I serve the empire and have faith in Erik, that's enough.'
So she was confident. Rather, she displayed her Divine Power even more boldly and swung her sword toward the thin water stream.
Whoosh! Clang!
With an intense sound of parting air, the black water stream was cut, and the ground around it sank. The Intelligence Bureau agent's eyes widened at the sight.
"How......"
The stream instantly restored itself and flowed into the Lupen River. The saying "cutting water with a blade" existed for good reason. No matter what, this was water made of black magic power...
"Even a blade technique imbued with Divine Power doesn't work?"
This was clearly an abnormal phenomenon. A black water stream unaffected by Divine Power. Moreover, that water wasn't just black in color—it was water that caused terrible curses.
"Drinking it causes the body to decay and the mark of a sacrifice is carved......"
Its intent was nothing short of malicious. The horrifying idea of contaminating the water supply. It was exactly the sort of thing black mages would do.
"The people can't approach the river, and the Imperial Capital Army soldiers are guarding it, but....... we can't just leave this be forever, can we?"
Erica led the investigation team to find the starting point of the water stream. North of the capital lay the Northern Archdukedom. Going further north from the archdukedom, a massive Northern Great Mountain Range appeared. In that mountain range lay a terrible demon realm where the undead lurked.
"Fortunately, it's not from the undead side."
The water stream flowed down from the side of the Northern Great Mountain Range. Following it, they discovered a path extending northeast. And the empire's borders appeared.
"This is the national border."
In other words, the starting point of the black river water was the disputed zone—the middle region between the demon realm and the Three Kingdoms.
"Strange. Doesn't it feel like the water stream is also spreading sideways?"
The black water stream connected from the disputed zone to the empire split into three branches. One headed toward the Lupen River, while the other two spread left and right along the border. However, except for the water stream connected to the Lupen River, all were short in length.
"Just as the Commander said, the water stream is advancing very gradually."
Upon closer inspection, the water streams spreading left and right were also slowly expanding.
"Commander Erica, what will you do?"
Beyond the border, in the disputed zone. There the Astia Religious Order existed, and also the slums of a world called Peran.
Despite being strategically important, the reason this land had no owner was singular. It contained a demon realm with the continent's greatest danger level.
'What would Erik have done?'
Erica recalled the one she had faith in. When she thought of that great and brilliant figure drawing light from darkness to save the world.
Thump thump!
Her heart raced. And the holy light enveloping her seemed to become clearer. That sacred heart filled with the right thoughts.
"The disputed zone is land without an owner anyway......"
It wasn't something else—it was water. Land and water, trees. The very sources of nature itself. And things that must never be seized.
"We will continue the investigation."
***
The situation was resolved in an instant. Imperial household attendants came out and quickly tidied the great hall, covering the broken walls with cloth. At a glance, it appeared perfectly fine.
"Your Majesty. I have returned from reporting to the Imperial Household as instructed."
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister personally led attendants and brought an enormous amount of gold for Erik. Only then could Erik finally receive true compensation.
“As expected, Your Imperial Majesty......"
Erik gazed at the enormous treasure chests lined up before the throne and swallowed hard.
A desire to absorb them immediately rippled through him. However, because the Imperial Prince was taking his time, an opportunity never came.
"Erik, Captain of the Guard, I apologize that my greed was excessive......"
Looking at the enormous fortune piled in the center of the great hall, the 1st Prince stroked his chin. Those rough hands stroking his chin bore a striking resemblance to the Emperor's.
"I hesitate to give you this great sum of money."
After a moment of contemplation, Leonardo muttered.
“The one destined to become emperor is frantically eager for a mere hundred billion gold......"
Erik narrowed his eyes and glanced sideways at Riferoze. Then.
"Prince, have you still not regained your senses?"
She abruptly threatened the Prince.
"I truly appreciate you checking on the General's condition. The same goes for helping us conquer the highest level."
The Prince responded boldly without panic. He gazed at Riferoze with unwavering eyes. His expression was very serious. The Prince continued confidently.
"However, in my position of representing the empire's Emperor, this is something I must verify."
The Prince was genuinely curious.
"Where exactly are all those vast sums of money disappearing to?"
The money Erik had received thus far had essentially evaporated. Leonardo's red eyes moved from the white girl to the golden-haired man.
"Erik, Captain of the Guard, the construction budget for Earthtown is being allocated separately from the Imperial Palace. Furthermore, the publicity costs of this prayer gathering were also charged to the Imperial Household."
From this brief exchange, Leonardo roughly grasped the nature of this person called Erik.
'He is very bold and radical, yet never takes a loss.'
He wasn't the type to hoard money for eternity. In fact, his past actions had been the same. He consistently spent his earnings on land usage rights or massive expenditures for constructing buildings.
'Such a person has had zero expenditures recently. His Majesty deliberately covers this up, but......’
The Prince needed to know. Seeing the curious Prince, Erik laughed deeply.
"I am using that money to make the heart of the great empire more solid."
He spoke with confidence. Erik genuinely believed this.
'There's an appropriate excuse for it.'
His clear golden eyes gazed upon the red eyes.
"Your Majesty, why not check the Intelligence Bureau's report?"
The Prince tapped the armrest of the throne as he had heard from the Emperor. Through the power of moonlight, numerous pieces of information flowed into his mind.
The location of the Continental Unification Army heading toward the battlefield, the progress of investigation regarding the anomaly in the Lupen River, and so on. Or news from the distant allied nations of detecting suspicious movements.
'Could it be......’
Among the numerous pieces of information, there was clearly one that seemed to be related to Erik.
[The World Tree is being relocated toward the Imperial Capital.]
However, it was difficult to confirm the true meaning behind it. The Imperial Intelligence Bureau's information possessed 100% accuracy, but he was still unfamiliar with it. So the Prince asked.
"Is it true that such a massive tree is being relocated to the Imperial Capital?"
His face showed disbelief even after hearing the report.
To be fair, from the perspective of someone who didn't know, it was incomprehensible how such an enormous tree could be moved.
“And the idea that they would uproot the tree and move it manually by hand would be even more unbelievable......"
Erik also understood this sentiment. But would he be able to make them understand even if he explained? So he just blurted out whatever came to mind.
"Moving something that large wouldn't cost just a couple of pennies, would it?"
He spoke with a casual tone. In truth, the condition for relocating the World Tree was simple. Children of the Earth Mother Goddess. The so-called Elves directly using their bodies to carry the Earth Mother Goddess. However, very few knew this fact.
"I see. Since you paid such great sums of money, you were able to move that massive natural force."
In the end, the Prince was convinced.
"Installing the Earth Mother Goddess as a system....... That's why you described it as making the empire's heart more solid....... Ha!"
Now this person called Erik appeared clearly.
'Fifteen.'
Age is merely a number. Being a Saint is merely a position. He was a man of righteousness serving the empire, a loyal servant.
'A grand and brilliant existence.'
Before the Prince's eyes stood only the massive Paladin Erik.
“But......"
Having thus resolved himself, the Prince couldn't help but feel bewildered seeing Riferoze tilting her head.
"However....... Riferoze, is there some problem?"
Riferoze was looking at Erik as if he were a madman. That's the look. That's exactly what it was.
"I will use the great sum of money Your Majesty has bestowed with good intent."
However, Erik paid no mind to such a look from his teacher. He simply bowed deeply to the Prince. The smile at his lips was gentle, and his bobbing back showed joy.
***
What is a teacher?
"A being who guides their student onto the righteous path."
What is a student?
"A being who receives teaching from their teacher, practices virtue, and correctly carries out those teachings."
The dialogue between Riferoze and Erik continued in the middle of the prayer hall.
"You understand well. But why did you tell such a lie?"
"Do you know what a white lie is?"
Erik continued casually. That combination of impudence and holy bearing made him seem like the prayer of a sincere believer.
"—Well, a lie told to prevent greater evil, without causing harm to others, is called a white lie."
"White?"
"It's a color similar to Teacher's. Doesn't it have a nice ring to it?"
The teacher nodded. Her face was very satisfied.
"Fine, let's overlook it. Now I need to bring up the next matter."
"The next matter?"
Erik looked at his teacher with a distasteful expression.
'What else......’
He wasn't willing, but there was still much time left before Ruelle's dedication prayer gathering. In other words, this was the teacher's time.
"Erik, you are weak."
"I know."
Riferoze observed her grown student. There was very much to teach.
"But you've become quite strong."
"Thank you."
"However, compared to how strong you've become, you're terribly weak."
Erik looked at his teacher sitting on her knees. Her eyes held a gravity that resembled her proper teaching moments. So he listened attentively to his teacher's words.
"The total amount of Divine Power you buy and use, it has grown tremendously."
She was referring to the 4th Tier. Then the conversation turned to [Skills].
"The reason why [Creation], which costs merely a hundred million, was stronger than the ten billion gold [Skill] you mentioned, let me tell you."
"Isn't [Creation] stronger because it's originally a technique used by the Astia Deity?"
"...That title......"
"The technique originally used by the Great Father, Astia."
"Think back to the chasm incident."
This was referring to the duel where the three-second rule was applied. At that time, Riferoze had drawn her blade at two seconds and declared defeat. Clearly, Erik had used [Creation].
'Is [Creation] strong because of the Divine Edifice?'
[Creation] was a technique, but it was also the power to open a path to the Divine Edifice. In fact, this was something Erik hadn't paid much attention to.
"There is a great difference between what is familiar and skillful, and what is simply wielded after being given to you."
Erik blinked, and his teacher brought up an old story.
"When you were young, there was great effort."
Back then, it was a life with a time limit—your body could burst at any moment. So Erik had desperately built his body.
"But how is it now? You ate some potion and obtained a body. Furthermore, you pay money and buy techniques to use, don't you?"
The point was that such convenience had made him skip important steps that a strong person should go through.
"Building your body, learning techniques, the process of becoming proficient. This is called training, asceticism, or practice."
In other words, his training was insufficient. This was what she meant.
'Now that I think about it, that's true.'
Erik thought carefully. He had reached 3rd Tier and resolved most things with ranged attacks. After obtaining [Skills], he had been busy using them. Moreover, his body—hadn't he achieved a Divine Body through [Level Up Elixir] and reached 4th Tier without it?
'It's true that I've become strong too easily.'
Erik understood his teacher's words precisely. In other words, if he didn't handle this power correctly......
'I'll suffer a gold loss.'
The ten billion gold [Judgment] was blocked by his teacher bare-handed. But [Creation] required drawing a blade to block it. Using ten billion gold and not getting its full value was definitely his responsibility. Fortunately, wasn't there a solution?
'It's a matter of skill proficiency.'
Erik recalled the battlefield in the Southern Great Granary region. He had fought the descended disaster for several days. During that time, Erik had repeatedly spent his strength and recovered. Fighting continuously for twenty-four hours, naturally his proficiency had increased.
"I understand."
Erik gained enlightenment. He thought he had become strong, but beyond the wall lay an even greater wall.
"This is the role of a teacher."
And because there was a teacher standing on top of the wall extending a hand.
Erik picked up his sword for the first time in a while.