Chapter 525. Invite (5) |
Then I'll come back tomorrow.
Sure, Lemming.
No, by the way, couldn't you call me by the identity name I'm using now instead of that nickname? I don't exactly prefer my past name.
Is it because it reeks of your lowborn status?
It's not that, but...
To my ears, the past name sounds much better.
Sigh. Fine. Do whatever you want.
I'll skip the explanation of the brief chatter that followed. I returned to the house by the beach for a while to organize my thoughts.
Hmm?
***
Engineer!
I roared.
Inside a space where the surroundings were entirely stark white. Suddenly, the shout of a man in his twenties rang out. For reference, this was a vibration I produced with my vocal cords.
I've just gained additional information by investigating the organs—what on earth is the meaning of this?
The meaning of what?
Those damn culprits who created the Gates! Apparently, they plan to visit Earth at least once within this year?
Ah.
It seems their plan is to survey the Magic Points pooled in this planet's strata and move some of the condensed resources to their planet. The plan is recorded quite accurately right here in this corpse!
To think the enemy from 3,000 years in the future was this close. Panicked by the new information, I questioned my fellow tribesman.
By the way, did you happen to know about this?
But Kang Changho maintained his relaxed attitude.
I didn't.
Hey, you punk!
But that's something the Magic Master doesn't necessarily need to step in and stop.
Sip.
I wondered why he hadn't been seen for a while; it seemed he had grabbed a drink from a machine in the meantime. Kang Changho took a sip of the coffee in his mug and continued his next sentence.
First of all, the Alphaurins 3,000 years from now live in a structure roughly like this.
The following information this was likewise obtained by investigating the organs of the one who had tried to inhabit a human shell.
« Class System of the Migrated Alphaurins »
[Lower Citizen -> Elite Class -> Final Administrator]
For reference, the owner of the heart we've been investigating bit by bit every day is—
A lower citizen. I know.
It was concise. The enemy targeting this world had gone through processes such as planetary migration and wasteland reclamation. At first, the population would have shrunk to fit the barren environment, but later, they must have managed the number of citizens to ensure that the limited resource of mana was shared only among themselves.
I briefly speculated on the circumstances of the new Alphaurins and remained silent for a moment.
However, even within this small population, the people who are sacrificed are always fixed.
Really?
The ones drafted for this Magic Point survey will be Lower Citizens, nine times out of ten.
Are you sure?
You know as well as I do that stepping into an unknown region with less mana evolution is a practically a suicide mission.
Mmm.
For the time being, the other side will use Lower Citizens as disposable pawns.
_-If those scheduled to visit here are only the uneducated and the weak, then there's no reason to force a confrontation with them.
I gradually came to understand the Engineer's argument.
In any case, they won't have much more information than the body we're currently investigating.
Indeed, even assuming there are individual differences, the information obtainable within the same rank is ultimately limited... As the saying goes, if you want to obtain Earth's scientific information, you must first capture a scholar who has devoted much effort to academics. As he said, a conflict with those who make up the bottom of the pyramid was meaningless.
More than anything, the feeling of discomfort was a major factor as well.
I understand perfectly.
The thought was brief. After finishing the heart investigation with magic, I stroked my chin with my hand.
Indeed, just as you said, we won't be able to obtain high-quality information just by catching small fry.
Right.
Furthermore, from my perspective, the act of slaughtering the weak feels extremely unpleasant.
Hmm?
By the way, what should we really do about this? Even if their power is weak... I don't think I'll be able to kill those mere lower mages used by the upper class of the binary star system right away.
Why?
It'll leave a bad aftertaste.
But a rebuttal popped out at this point.
What do you mean, a bad aftertaste?
Clatter.
Kang Changho placed the diluted coffee he had been drinking for a while on a nearby table. Drinking a beverage that smelled like alien adhesive in a space where golems were being assembled. There were many things I wanted to nitpick, but for now, I focused on the next words Kang Changho would utter.
Back when we were on that planet, of course, there was a distinction between civilians and soldiers. But not anymore.
He spoke while rolling his Dragon's Eye.
Those who built a new civilization on a new planet—their entire population is in a state of armament.
Every single one of them knows how to use attack magic?
No matter how lowborn they are, they need at least a minimum of strength to maintain themselves in a world facing destruction. In the first place, those things are pouring all their resources into escaping the binary star system. They are beings who don't even have the will to leave normal weaklings behind.
Hmm.
And last time, we only barely won because the opponent was in an incomplete form, wearing the skin of a mere mammal. They might fundamentally have better fighting skills than I do.
Indeed, looking at the character of Alphaurin's ruling class, it was entirely possible. They would never have shared limited resources with the weak. When forming their society, they would have naturally and strictly 'selected' the residents.
Honestly, I was hoping that some kind of revolution might have occurred but as history accumulated...
This is why rotten gene pools are no good. Listening to the additional things Kang Changho muttered, it seemed that certain race sharing roots with me had even seen their egoistic tendencies strengthened.
Then a rebellion against superiors must have happened 100% of the time, but because anyone who climbs to the top looks the same, it just doesn't show.
What kind of hellscape is this?
It would have been a relief if the opponents were simply strong.
It was then, while I was frozen, imagining the new modern Alphauri, Kang Changho looked down at me as I stood still and spat out his remaining words.
He was now sitting with his hands clasped together.
Lemming. As you know... intelligent life is rare in this universe.
_-Perhaps Alphaurins and Earthlings are the only multicellular organisms living in the same era, or the last brothers capable of communication.
I suppose, since the planets possessing mana are all clustered in that binary star system.
Yet, even knowing the background situation of this world, they dare to try and forcibly take over such a blue star.
Heh.
Kang Changho even inserted a hollow laugh that held little meaning at this time.
Alphaurins weren't satisfied with killing their parent planet with greed, now they are the type of beings who are people who peer into their younger brother's nest.
_-Of course, the number of Earthlings has already decreased significantly due to the [Dungeon Shock] phenomenon.
_-Since they are the ones who crossed the line and attacked first, there's no need to show mercy, is there?
What followed were only words that made perfect sense.
Certainly, even in the memories of the alien creature I am currently investigating, there was no apology toward Earthlings at all.
This topic is not even worth discussing further.
Since I thought that way, I nodded my head lightly.
Am I and that Engineer the only eccentrics who respect the humanity of another planet?
Unlike how I had previously called my acquaintances mammals or bugs, I was one to acknowledge the natives of this planet. My mindset was fundamentally different from those who merely viewed Earth as a new home and sought to invade it.
Then it can't be helped. It's right not to show any consideration even if a large-scale battle breaks out later.
Right. Unless there's a vastly superior difference in skill... Honestly, I'd prefer to capture one or two individuals alive, but...
A short chatter flowed. We looked into the traces of the Alphaurin invasion and shared many words back and forth. In the end, the conclusion I reached was one. I didn't want to hand this livable place called Earth to some unfilial bastards.
Hmm.
Therefore, in order to maintain my life here, I had to prepare vigorously, but... As expected, troublesome problems don't just explode one at a time. Since the ruling class might suddenly appear to lead the warriors, we couldn't just let our guard down.
This is difficult.
The only piece of good news was that this First Archmage didn't necessarily need to go around hiding.
Oh, by the way. Lemming.
What?
For your information, you don't need to be anxious about your identity being revealed to them.
Hmm?
The fact that one of the Alphaurins succeeded in reincarnation isn't exactly important information.
No, seriously, why?
I reflected on the story this compatriot had told me about 10 hours ago.
Because, anyway, I've already leaked all the important information on my end.
...
There's no need to struggle to hide the fact of reincarnation. Unfortunately, in the early days of my migration to Earth, I used my power without thinking and already leaked at the information regarding reincarnation.
This man...
Still, I've figured out the truth of the Gates by myself, so please be understanding.
Even if the Archmage's side had been careful in every matter, the existence of reincarnants had apparently already been found out. Besides, the Alphaurins 3,000 years in the future were already in a situation where their sun was about to explode anyway.
Is it that they don't even have the luxury to pay delicate attention to Earth?
Whether they really recognized Kang Changho properly or not, The opposing side had no particular reaction even after I lost one warrior—the sample we are currently analyzing. Therefore, for the time being, it seemed there was nothing to worry about.
At least until I face them again to collect information.
A conclusion won't be reached just by living in hiding like this. Ultimately, to properly understand the enemies' circumstances, I have to capture someone of a higher rank...
Continuing my thoughts, I made up my mind.
Then let's decide on an observational stance for this invasion and think of possible exceptions in advance?
Good.
Right. Let's go in that direction for now. Kang Changho.
First, we decided to maintain a defensive attitude. Since it wasn't like we were going to hunt down and kill an Alphaurin right away tomorrow, it seemed I should focus on the weapon production I was originally doing.
Hmm.
Immediately after, I asked Kang Changho a simple question. Come to think of it, when would he get me the next material? But when this topic of conversation came up, a new schedule actually came to mind.
Oh, by the way, now that I think about it, it would be better for you to keep the materials... rather than me receiving them.
Hmm?
For your information, the reason I've been collecting artifacts was to disassemble them and create new equipment.
I figured as much.
But honestly, my skill at crafting equipment in this body isn't great. So how about a great engineer does the assembly instead?
Hmm.
It was a natural plan. Rather than one who had only developed magic in a small room, someone who had lived half a lifetime working with machinery would be more dexterous.
I assume you've made a blueprint?
Roughly.
Kang Changho said he would help with the staff production. He revealed his empty schedule and added that I should bring back the artifacts I had given him so far. Well, since the technician himself had given the instruction, it seemed I would have to pack up the materials and come as soon as the sun rose tomorrow...
***
Exactly 24 hours later. It's Tuesday morning with fine weather.
I've brought the materials—
Kang Changho seemed to be putting great effort into managing his 'real' residence. Every time I visited that basement, I had to use a bit of space movement magic.
Mr. Kang!
But no matter how much I grumbled about these security maintenance activities, it wouldn't compare to the annoyance that engineer must be experiencing anyway.
Step, step.
Ah, speaking of the devil, here he comes. A person popped right out from the direction of the basement.
Just leave the artifacts there on the floor.
I glared at my fellow tribesman who emerged in a somewhat dirty state.
Goodness, Hunter Kang Changho. Were you in the middle of assembling something inside?
A few golems.
But what on earth was that outfit he'd been wearing since a while ago? Kang Changho, found inside the mansion, was wearing somewhat peculiar clothes.
Blue. A one-piece top and bottom set. Somehow, there seemed to be information in Kim Gyeol's brain as well.
Clothes used when welding?
When I showed interest in it, the other person pointed to his body and introduced the related content.
This is the attire traditionally worn by technicians on Earth. Originally, it's not something an engineer like should wear...