199 – Before the Storm
The past six months.
Ed did a lot of work to build the northern defense line.
In order to build an enormous wall of about 120km, a contract was signed with all the representative workshops of the Dwarven United Kingdom, and the Gryphon Riders of the Isilian Kingdom were recruited to fire white phosphorus from the air.
Is that all?
Afterwards, Ed toured various kingdoms and requested their military cooperation.
In order to strengthen the wall, all special forces possessed by each country were hired.
Of course, in order to hire a kingdom’s special forces, you had to pay a price.
He had to provide economic and diplomatic benefits depending on the circumstances of each country.
“Of course it is possible.”
However, Ed had the power and authority to listen to it all.
Capital power and technology. And there is nothing in this world that he cannot do to gain the emperor’s trust.
[Monthly column December issue]
“A world connected as one”
Now, talented people from many countries have participated in the ‘large-scale northern defense line construction’ project led by Ed.
Several strange phenomena were occurring in Graham’s territory.
Dwarves and elves, who had been enemies for a long time, join together to discuss civil engineering projects, and hostile nations who have hated each other for decades work together.
“It is working out as my brother intended.”
And this was something that Ed induced, as Eve had just said.
A phenomenon where the world comes together around one goal.
This is a step that must be achieved as the devil’s invasion is just around the corner.
“Well, it was about half a success. What about the dynamics of the Devil Cult?”
However, Ed was not satisfied with the current results.
Because we know that the moment we let our guard down is the most dangerous moment.
Even as they were uniting the world, they did not let down their guard against the devil religion.
Eve answered, adjusting her glasses.
“It has decreased significantly compared to before. “The devil religion within the empire is almost eradicated.”
The Devil Church has completely lost its position within the empire.
This was a natural trend that occurred as the empire grew economically.
Originally, the main target group targeted by the Satanic Cult was the hungry and poor common people, but when Ed brought about the ‘Industrialization Revolution’ and the overall standard of living of the common people improved, the route to attract believers disappeared.
In addition, nobles who are blinded by greed and fall into the devil religion are also being condemned by princesses Sephilia and Elena.
There is absolutely no room for the devil religion to spread.
“·····Is there anything that bothers you?”
Even though everything is running smoothly.
Ed’s expression looked dark for some reason.
When Eve asked about that expression, Ed glared into space and said,
“It’s too quiet.”
“·····? “You mean it’s quiet?”
“···The Prince of Hell. Everything is going so well that it feels like the calm before the storm. “There’s no way those guys will just keep quiet like this.”
The great princes of Hell who had inflicted a thorough defeat in all previous rounds.
However, in this episode they were very quiet.
Even though the time is coming when their power will gradually be released.
No premonitory symptoms were appearing.
That’s why I’m even more concerned now that the activities of the Devil Cult are quiet.
“·····But the statistics are all green. Thanks to my brother’s efforts, the economic situation in various parts of the world has improved… And as a result, the number of believers in the devil’s religion continues to decrease. How about being a little more relaxed? “My analysis has never been wrong.”
But in the opinion of Eve, the android assistant, Ed’s worries were excessive.
All data and statistics are pointing to a green light, so there is no need to buy and worry.
“···Well, if that’s you, then that’s probably the case. “Maybe I’m worried for no reason because the failures of all the past episodes remain as a trauma.”
Ed nodded obediently, rubbing his temples.
Eve, who had guessed the numbers in all cases so far and provided answers that were close to the correct answer, said so, so he didn’t seem to have any need to worry.
For now, it was enough to just think about handling releases.
‘···What are they aiming for?’
However, contrary to what he said, Ed’s ‘intuition’ was still operating in a corner of his mind.
An intuition that the great dukes of Hell might be preparing something big.
Ed inferred the anxiety indicated by his intuition and focused on a certain ‘power’ boiling up in his chest.
To the power of ‘power’, his most powerful weapon and secret weapon.
***
【We achieved hundreds of victories. But there wasn’t a single moment that could be called a real victory.】
Destruction.
A giant surrounded by pitch-black smoke said these words to the other giants sitting on the four thrones.
Just as Ed’s hundreds of failed attempts were not a true failure, he pointed out that it was not a true victory for them.
【Why isn’t that victory?】
But at that moment, the owner of the throne expressed his uncomfortable feelings.
Karaan.
One of the six great dukes burning with the flames of evil fire flashed his fire eyes.
【All of those world lines were our complete victories. The human world he tried to protect always collapsed at our hands, and everything he cared about was completely crushed by our hands. Don’t you remember? His screaming face.】
Ed’s face screaming after losing everything he cherished.
The Grand Dukes nodded.
Obviously, they gave Ed a miserable end every time he went back in time, and the outcome never changed.
However, the jet-black giant seemed to think differently.
【But isn’t it back to square one?】
【Then that’s all. If he runs away to the past, he will only cause despair to repeat itself forever.】
【Do you think that will work this time too?】
【Of course. The future does not change.】
【······.】
A jet-black giant quietly glaring at Karaan, who does not back down an inch.
Soon, he twitched the corners of his mouth and spoke.
【Karaan. That’s for naught.】
【······.】
【Forgot? What kind of being are the celestial beings that the humans of the disgusting new world uphold?】
【······.】
Karaan was speechless for a moment.
I cannot bear to answer the question of the nature of celestial beings.
Because the person he looked down on and ridiculed so much was once a figure no different from his father.
【···Don’t forget. We are not trying to ravage a disgusting new world, but to save our own. From those who abandoned us.】
【······.】
Karaan’s brightly burning fire began to fade.
They recollect the meaning of this war they fought in the distant past and organize their minds.
Soon he nodded and answered.
【···I see. You’re right, Melphirn. We had forgotten our mission.】
Karaan accepts Melphirn’s opinion in a calm manner.
Mel Pirn nodded his head and said.
【There is no need to bow your head, Karaan. This is because it has been distorted for too long. Hatred toward them has eroded our hearts.】
【······.】
【We just need to focus on winning. The idea is to be alert. Although he has achieved hundreds of victories, in the end, it is his heart that accepts victory and defeat. If we lose even once, everything will be decided.】
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The other princes nodded at Melphirn’s words.
As he said, in the end, it is up to Ed to decide whether he wins or loses.
Because if you lose, you can go back to the past, and if you win, you can live while maintaining the current world line.
【So Melfirn. Do you think we will lose this round? We swallowed up the new world with ease every time?】
Therefore, Melfirn’s opinion preaching the ‘fear of regression’ was no different from the fact that this episode was dangerous.
Because if the repertoire was the same as the hundreds of previous episodes, this wouldn’t even have been brought up.
Following the existing strategy, they would have moved to crush Ed’s mentality by inflicting a thorough defeat.
【Yes.】
And as expected, Melphirn obediently admitted it.
That he is afraid of Ed in this episode.
【The guy in this episode is different. He abandoned the body of a third-class noble he had always possessed and possessed the body of a commoner. But the results are worlds apart. The world is uniting around him, and the Kingdom of Entica, which served as our outpost, was destroyed by his hands. Count Gyro, who should have risen to the rank of cardinal by now, died at the hands of this guy, and the Elf King who had sworn loyalty to us also disappeared. Many things are changing.】
The great dukes of hell are gradually losing what used to be their capable cards.
However, compared to the power they had, they were nothing but new blood.
Even if you don’t have those things, there is no problem at all in conquering the world.
【So there is no harm in being careful.】
But Melphirn was wary of even the slightest change.
They are well aware that if they mess up just once, it’s over.
【So Melfirn, what do you want to say?】
At this point, another Duke of Hell asked for his opinion.
This is because Melfirn always raises problems with a solution in mind.
Melphirn spit out his solution as if he had been waiting.
【He must be sealed.】
【······.】
【It must be sealed by any means possible. I can’t predict how far the guy in this episode can grow. At this point, we must seal him and solidify our victory.】
【······.】
Silence fell in the Grand Duke’s hall.
This is because sealing Ed, who has the most powerful power among the Celestials, requires a huge amount of energy as well as a sacrifice.
And the offering meant ‘large supply’.
【Then the sacrifice will be me.】
But still, there was a grand duke who offered to become a sacrifice.
It was Karaan, a giant burning in the flames of eons.
His anger burned fiercely.
【The sea I hope for. I will pour out all my hatred in one space until his soul disappears.】
Karaan reveals his strong will and burns the flames of his entire body.
Finally, Mel Pirn nodded her head.
He turned to everyone and said.
【Good. Thanks to Karaan’s noble sacrifice, we can finally achieve our cause. From now on, we will prepare for the sealing ceremony.】
***
December 17, 476, Imperial Calendar.
The day has finally arrived.
It is time to carry out the operation ‘Conquer the Northern Territory’ that Ed had been planning for a long time.
And Ed was carefully looking at the screen inside the crystal ball, measuring the ‘invasion timing’.
Now Adrian Graham is moving to be sacrificed to Lilith.
We are waiting for the right time until her hidden abode is revealed.
【·····You’re here, Graham’s child.】
How many times have you looked into a crystal ball like that?
The moment I’ve been waiting for has finally arrived.
As Adrian arrived in a cave, Lilith’s sinister and ominous voice began to echo.
Ed said, looking back at the operation personnel.
“Let’s prepare. “Lilith will appear soon.”