Chapter 944 |
Chapter 944
"My assistant said that your ability is one that could be tremendously helpful to the world. This is just the beginning."
Marin, who had been composed until now, suddenly faltered in her gaze.
"He... said that?"
Kishiar continued calmly, as Marin struggled to find more words to say.
"Up until now, everything he has evaluated about the Awakeners' abilities has been spot on. Let's see how these trees, which have already delighted the people of the South simply by their existence, will prove helpful today."
In a previous game unknown to her, Marin had not created trees that brought happiness to people, but a red field filled with poisonous thorns where no one could set foot. The red field that blanketed the South remained gloomy and grim for a long time, evoking memories of blood-red hatred in those who saw it.
But now, the forests that Marin had painstakingly grown over several days, despite exhaustion, in collaboration with members who wielded the powers of water and earth, were proudly displaying their lush and sturdy presence in various locations designated by Yuder.
"..."
Marin saluted in the style of the Cavalry without a word. Kishiar left the forest she had created and headed to another location.
The shelter provided by the merchant groups and nobles, who had been behaving themselves since being reprimanded by Yuder, was now under the care of the soldiers and officials of the Herne family. Their orderly movements seemed to have a reassuring effect on the people, who appeared a bit frightened but relatively calm and comfortable. The prior advisement to always be ready to take shelter, considering the possibility of a situation like the recent hailstorm, likely contributed significantly to their orderly demeanor.
General Gino's southern troops, dispatched to various locations, were busily setting up protective tents around buildings that appeared dangerous.
After the hailstorm, the priests of the temple, who had faced severe criticism for fleeing, were this time unable to escape and were dragged out to set up temporary medical stations in a few high-elevation temples. Leading them was Priestess Galleum, who had previously helped people without expecting anything in return. She was busily preparing holy water, medicine, and bandages with the Cavalry members assigned to protect the priests. Upon spotting Kishiar, she was taken aback but greeted him with a simple nod instead of making a fuss, her dignified nature evident.
'I'm surprised and regretful that such a talent, despite her connection with First Princess Myra, has been living obscurely in the South. If things go well this time, I must ask her to take charge of the medical unit of our Southern branch.'
It was rare to find a priest who treated the Awakeners as ordinary people without fear. Frankly, it was harder to find such a priest than one with exceptional divine power. That was why the capital's medical unit had yet to recruit any priests other than Lusan.
However, this situation couldn't continue forever. Kishiar planned to establish separate medical units in each branch and recruit people as soon as the second batch of members was assembled.
While Kishiar was conducting his inspection, a large shadow circled in the sky. It was not a bird, but Elpkins, the winged Awakener. Having been rescued from an illegal fighting ring and given a new life, Elpkins had practiced and could now fly for extended periods. Today, he was using his abilities to the fullest, patrolling the area and reporting on the situation.
As he ascended higher, he could see distant areas in one glance, but the danger increased proportionally. Currently, Elpkins, viewed from the ground, was almost as small as a fingernail, indicating that he was flying at an altitude nearly as high as a small mountain.
When Kishiar shielded his eyes with his hand and looked up, Elpkins, sensing his gaze, changed direction and drew a circle in the air. This meant that, for now, there were no major anomalies in the area he surveyed. Despite being human and not immune to fear, Elpkins' flight embodied a sense of boundless freedom.
"Ah, my Lord, you have arrived."
On the outskirts of Charloin, a familiar voice greeted Kishiar as they reached an area particularly low in elevation, a pathway connecting different regions. Hellem, donned in her usual mage's robe and holding a staff, welcomed him. Beside her was a weary-looking Alik.
"Ah, hello there..."
Kishiar turned his head to observe those who were busily compacting the soil and preparing something around them. They were members of the Sapphire Mage Union, previously seen investigating magical energy flow changes due to the anomalous crack in front of the Southern branch of the Cavalry. Their eyes, now more exhausted-looking than the fish on display at the market stall, reflected the harsh treatment they had received since meeting Hellem in the South. So much so that hardly anyone was surprised at the sudden appearance of Duke Pelleta, Kishiar.
It was unusual for a man who usually attracted attention whenever he appeared before people to smile and start a conversation.
"It seems the preparations are going well."
"Yes. We've prepared diligently to avoid suffering from magic power exhaustion like last time. It's worrying how these young ones seem to have less stamina than an old woman like me, but we'll manage somehow."
The mage union was narrow and closed off, with clear hierarchical structures. Sapphire Mage Union, who was fearless when dealing with Awakeners or other ordinary people, could not muster their pride in front of Alik, an elite from the Pearl Tower, and Hellem, whom Alik revered as a mentor.
Whatever her past, Hellem's prowess in water magic at her age, her immense knowledge displayed in debates with younger mages, and the legendary feats she performed with Alik on the day of the hailstorm had all left a significant impact.
After the hailstorm, when she suddenly called them to do a good deed for the people near the Charlama Sea, how could the mages dare to refuse her invitation?
Moreover, they were already being heavily criticized by the people of Charloin for selfishly hiding away during the hailstorm. In a way, they were brought here on a similar path as the priests who were now running the treatment centers.
The task Hellem and Alik assigned to the mages was the creation of magic devices. The poison extracted from the long-tailed monster Penpen, refined by Hellem, and the burglary prevention mist sprayers modified by Alik, resulted in devices capable of detecting enemies within a certain range and spraying poison.
'A single droplet of poison in each device might seem insignificant, but in water, even a droplet can have a greater effect than expected.'
In essence, these devices were created to filter out monsters that might emerge from the water if the area became flooded.
Affected by Penpen's poison, one's skin turns dark, momentarily dulling their movements. Even the most stealthy monsters, once their color changes due to the poison, become easier to counter.
Naturally, it was Yuder Aile who had facilitated the conception of this countermeasure. He had previously suffered from this poison in the West, spending a long period with dark blotches on his skin and eyes. Had it not been for the urgent accumulation of information about this poison while seeking a cure, this strategy could not have been prepared so swiftly.
Additionally, information about monsters from the previous game, particularly those from the Southern Earthquake that was adept in stealth causing significant damage, and stories about the Charlama Sea were immensely helpful.
Now, hundreds of these magic devices, thus created, were being buried in the vacant land facing the sea.
"I'll trust you two with this and take my leave. Please continue the good work. And remember, even if the preparations are not complete, evacuate to a safe place immediately if the situation in the sea becomes dire."
"Of course. I may have lived long enough, but we must take care of the young ones' lives."
"Oh, come now. Your life is just as precious to me. Didn't we promise to live another 50 years?"
"Ah, my Lord. Fifty years is too long. I've already lived plenty."
Hellem chuckled and shook her head, then suddenly turned towards the sea.
"The vibrations have been intensifying since morning. Yuder is over there, isn't he?"
"Yes."
"You must be quite worried."
"Hmm... It would be a lie to say no, but he promised to return soon, so I'm waiting."
Nathan Zuckerman, his adjutant, rarely asked deep questions due to his serious nature, but Hellem was different. Her straightforward inquiries were met with a smile and a relaxed response from Kishiar, who playfully retorted.
"And you, Hellem, asking about Yuder's wellbeing, seem quite worried yourself. Aren't you?"
"In my age, there's nothing as difficult and enjoyable as watching young jewels blossom."