Chapter 231: Day of Celebration
Translator: imperfectluck Editor: Pranav
“The Great Stone Sculptor started the first battle? Oh my, I didn’t expect her to be so hasty.”
When I heard that the Earth Elental Lords had begun fighting each other, I wasn’t surprised at all. After all, rather than fighting after the Earth Elental Throne revived itself, it was better to clear out one’s enemies while one could still be proactive and gain control of the situation as early as possible.
A battle was never sothing that required both sides to agree to. It could even be said that a battle was never sothing that both sides wanted. As long as one side felt that their side had obvious advantages and could reap huge benefits from the battle, it would only be a matter of ti before a battle exploded.
The current Earth Elental Plane was just like a wild animals’ arena that had lost its manager. All the wild beasts were locked together in a single cage, and when they learned that there was now a spot available for only one of them to rise to the top, the strongest beasts among them began to unhesitatingly get rid of those who were capable of threatening them. The weaker beasts, on the other hand, began teaming up with others in hopes of gaining benefits. And, so, a chain reaction of battles began.
With the lure of becoming the Earth Elental God as the end prize, I could foresee that this battle between the Earth Elental Lords would probably last several hundred years.
While the Earth Elental Plane was busy sinking into chaos, the seemingly peaceful mortal plane was in an even bigger amount of trouble.
Lorci’s death, the Queen of Storms’ promotion, and the shaking up of the Gods that had remained consistent for the past thousands of years was more than enough for those who were waiting in the shadows to begin taking action. Not to ntion that these two Gods weren’t the only two who were either lucky or unlucky.
Emordilorcan’s death shocked the entire world. It wasn’t only that—I had also confird through my channels that the Fire Elental Goddess had also mysteriously perished, which ended up benefiting a certain Fire Sea Demon Marchioness. There were only two out of the four Ancient Elental Gods remaining now, and the two still alive were the weaker two among the four. This caused a chill in the hearts of all those who were undying, and also caused ambitious individuals who weren’t satisfied with the status quo to begin taking action.
However, none of these individuals was the best “newcor.” This glorious title was obviously taken by Wumianzhe. He had been promoted from a city’s judge “that nobody had ever heard of” to the Law God, then from a Weak God to a Middle God, and now he had even obtained the Divine Obligation of Guardian God of the Northlands and was being worshiped by the national churches of the nurous northern countries. The path he took would typically take other Gods over thousands of years to accomplish, but he did it in a re two years. This was far above the level of any epic or legend, and everyone found it inconceivable.
A successful example would doubtlessly bring many imitators, such as the undying ones that wanted to beco Gods themselves, as well as the ancient Gods that were forgotten by history. None of them wanted to miss this “opportunity” that was so hard to co by, so they began taking action.
So of them began organizing various barbarian tribes, so woke up their own tribes from deep hibernation, and so even freshened up their appearances and personally strode forth. In the past month, news about encountering the supernatural had already surpassed the amount of the past ten years’ combined encounters. Various border clashes also reached the highest peak in thirty years.
“Giant Fla Demons have been spotted in the Amu Mountains. They seem to be the descendants of ancient Giant Demons. They attacked the hunters living in those mountains, and seem to be claiming the area as their own territory. It’s said that they possess characteristics of both elental creatures and the living, and are incredibly powerful.”
“A strange creature has appeared on the Kazlan shoreline. It’s reported to resemble an octopus that can walk. These octopuses use wondrous engineering tools and mind magic. They’ve been enslaving the local humans for labor purposes, and they’re building a semicircular-shaped tower reaching the skies.”
“The southwest mountains’ elven kingdoms have made an announcent. They’ve announced an elven alliance, and have begun forcing all humans living within their borders and near them to leave. The Elven Gods have remained silent on this, but without their support, such a thing could not possibly happen.”
“The eastern human kingdoms have broken off all contact and business relationships with the other kingdoms, and have even begun to kick out the other kingdoms’ ambassadors... Ever since they started believing in that strange voodoo religion a hundred years ago, I’ve expected this day to co. Sooner or later, they’re going to transform into sothing inhuman that doesn’t resemble either demon or human.”
“A new type of half-human has appeared on the Aimon Plains. Their adults appear like young human children and are slightly less than half of an average adult human’s height. They have beast ears and are incredibly skilled at beast taming. None of this is the most important—the most important is that their females are all incredibly cute! It’s basically a heaven for lolicons... so many mbers of the Gentlen Alliance have volunteered to be among the first for a scouting or ambassadorial mission, but in order to avoid racial disputes, not a single mber of the Gentlen Alliance was permitted to go.”
“A storm is about to co.” I was certain that even the stupidest person would think this after seeing the many clear warnings of the upcoming war. After the preliminary battles that signaled war were finished with, it was obvious that a major storm was brewing.
The only part that was worthy of celebrating about was that the Northlands, which had just experienced a battle, was now abnormally quiet; in fact, it had beco abnormally isolated.
“It seems that killing our enemies off has been effective. At least, for the ti being, no fools will be rushing to attack the Northlands.”
Perhaps in the eyes of most of the undying, the Northlands had already beco Wumianzhe’s territory. At least, for a short while, nobody wanted to challenge this new hotshot rising star.
This temporary peaceful respite was also what I wanted. In order to truly rule over all the nurous northern countries and establish the Mist Alliance, even if it was a rather loosely-regulated alliance, it would require a lengthy amount of ti.
However, rely passively responding to threats was a bad idea. This was just like playing chess. Even if you managed to establish control over one tiny corner, if you lost the entire ga because of that, there would still be nothing you could do.
“Using the na of East Mist or my na to interfere with affairs may cause many troubles, and Wumianzhe’s intervention would likely cause the other Gods to team up to attack him. I need a more neutral identity... perhaps that rcenary group Absolute Gentlen Alliance will be useful here. It seems like it’s ti to have a good discussion with Beifeng.”
After so consideration, I felt like that rcenary group, which I established just for the fun of it, was probably the best identity for to intervene in the continent’s affairs. Although the Gentlen Alliance had an excellent relationship with East Mist, thanks to Beifeng and the others’ efforts, their finances and organizational structure were all independent. It could be said that they seed governntal but actually weren’t governntal at all. This type of rcenary group definitely had the potential to act across borders and was the most appropriate group through which I could take action.
“I almost forgot! I’m even the leader in-na of that rcenary group. Yep, it would seem like there’s plenty of tricks I can use.”
Actually, it was only when I finally returned to the mortal plane that I learned that this joke of a rcenary group had already beco the most renowned rcenary group throughout Eich, with branches in every country. Those bastards used my na while hiring more mbers, and every official in every country had to give them face. Probably, in most outsiders’ eyes, this rcenary group had beco my private soldiers.
Of course, this was doubtlessly sothing that most lords feared. In history, there were plenty of examples of how rcenary leaders beca kings or emperors themselves, but there was a unique, special internal relationship within East Mist. Mainly, Reyne and I had a subtle relationship, and most of us were happy to see this rcenary group expand. In fact, they even viewed the Gentlen Alliance as a type of backup governntal official.
Governntal military troops were always going to be limited. In this era where the strong ruled, military might for self-protection would forever be necessary. rcenary jobs would always be popular, but if they lacked a well-disciplined organization, it was possible for rcenary groups to only occasionally be rcenary groups and turn to thievery during peaceti. This was especially true if you hired so rcenary groups to transport valuable goods—you would have to worry about the rcenaries themselves turning into bandits.
And if the rcenary group received an ill reputation, they would just have to change locations and continue doing what they always did. In this world where conflicts never ended, people with martial prowess would never fear not being able to find a job.
However, compared to most common rcenary groups, the Gentlen Alliance had an excellent reputation in the eyes of the public.
“Although they charge high prices, their overall strength is quite strong, and they’re very trustworthy. Although their mbers are rather strange, they’re all good people. Even if there are complaints about the strange habits of their individual mbers’, there are currently zero complaints about them regarding professional work ethics. Their employers’ reviews about them are also very high.”
This was the rcenary Guild’s review of the Gentlen Alliance, which further improved their trustworthiness.
“Yep, that uncle volunteered to help find my cat. He didn’t even accept my spare change. He said that I only needed to hold my doll and smile at him for paynt. And they always have candy in their pockets! They’re so nice.”
This was the strange statent that ca from a loli who hired their services. The people that heard this statent had even stranger expressions afterwards.
“Most of their grunts are local youngsters and retired soldiers, while their middle and upper ranks have many well-known strong individuals that are even heroes from this recent war against the beastn. The most important part is that the leader of this rcenary group is actually His Highness Roland. Even if they charge slightly higher fees than average, it’s reassuring to know that they’re trustworthy. However, there is one rumor which says that the mbers that join them will beco stranger and stranger... that must be a rumor spread by those who are jealous of them.”
The Gentlen Alliance was considered trustworthy, strong, backed by the East Mist governnt, and always had familiar local mbers. Not to ntion that countless numbers of people hired them, and the most important of all, they had many achievents racked up from the war against the beastn. It would have been strange if they weren’t able to make it big with all these factors.
And, so, even though this rcenary group had an absentee leader (), and the number two leader (Beifeng) always acted ridiculously as he pleased (he always only did the things he was interested in), this strange rcenary group actually managed to have excellent internal organization and keep expanding. Now, it was the largest rcenary group in all of the Northlands and was well trusted by the citizens. It imperceptibly beca a faction that could no longer be ignored.
And, in the distant Northlands, the things that I wanted were actually well in progress.
As my hand-picked “substitute,” Elisa perford as expected. After receiving all those reports about the abnormal, Elisa unhesitatingly sent out a huge number of scouts and spies. In fact, it was at her request that the Gentlen Alliance began building branches in all the other countries and that the Administrators of Justice from the Church of Law began traveling to other countries.
“Waiting for news to co to us while we shut our doors is definitely unfeasible. Right now, we need a large amount of information. The more the better. Especially information regarding the undead as well as the Bardi Empire.”
Actually, there were so things that still hadn’t been reported to yet. Among the chaotic amount of information that ca in, one piece of information that had been treated as an urban myth attracted Elisa’s attention.
“The Bardi Empire discovered a large skeletal door constructed of white bone. According to the records, it seems to be a dinsional door from the Undead Plane! Not only that, this dinsional door seems to have already existed for a year and a half.”
This piece of information was only a tiny secondhand rumor, but Elisa viewed this information as incredibly important. While the other countries were still treating the upcoming Undead Calamity as a joke, she had already sent out her own informational resources.
“Summarizing the abnormal movents recently happening in the Bardi Empire, if the truth of this report can be verified and if this dinsional door’s existence can be verified as well as the fact that it has remained peacefully in the Beldi Empire for over a year, then there are many things that we need to reconsider.”
But before she finished any of her preparations, a new order interrupted all of her current preparations.
“A celebration? At such a ti? Has Roland gone crazy again?”
Yep, a letter had just arrived for Elisa across dinsions. This letter explained in detail that a celebration should be held at the end of winter for a holiday I terd as the “Day of Peace.” I also ntioned the programs that should be perford during this holiday, such as organizing a circus performance, a military parade for the citizens, an end of winter hunting competition, and inviting diplomats from various countries to a banquet.
“There’s less than a month until the set date, so how could things possibly be finished in ti? We haven’t even resolved our long-term food supply issues, and now we’re supposed to arrange an extravagant celebration? During a celebration, food resources will be used up at three tis the normal rate!”
Just the diplomacy and business negotiations required for the Mist Alliance were already overloading the East Mist Communal Country’s governnt officials. At such a ti, giving them less than a month to prepare a national-level celebration seed absolutely impossible.
It was said that after seeing the contents of my letter, there were nurous governnt officials that were so shocked that they collapsed on the ground, and the hospital ran out of ergency beds.
“His Highness Roland is trying to kill us. Even if we work our hardest, this can’t possibly be accomplished.”
This was already what everyone was thinking in their heads, but a certain person forcefully suppressed all complaints, worked overti to create a list of tasks for everyone, and forcefully succeeded in advertising this holiday.
“Sister Kelly, there’s no need for you to listen to Roland’s ridiculous request. There’s no way this plan can be carried out in ti.”
Yep. As the highest-ranking female governnt official, and Kelly was, in actuality, the civil official in East Mist with the highest authority. Only she could force such a plan by using her longti authority and accumulated respect. But even Elisa couldn’t bear to see all the governnt officials that had fatigue and frowns on their faces. And, so, she decided to directly co find Kelly for a discussion.
Kelly suddenly broke out into laughter at hearing this.
“You still don’t understand Roland well enough. It’s whatever if others think that he’s being ridiculous, but if even you think so as well, he’s going to be very sad.”
Elisa didn’t understand. Was there supposed to be sothing behind this sudden celebration?
“You see, this may seem ridiculous, but it’s actually sothing really important for us. Organizing an end of winter major hunting competition, this matches with one of our original goals. By the ti spring arrives, the hungry wild beasts will naturally begin dispersing, and it’ll be much more difficult to deal with them. But now that the war is over for now, it’s obvious how much distaste the soldiers and citizens have for military things right now. Organizing the soldiers on a large scale to hunt down the beasts may not be a good thing for us, but if it’s sothing like a hunting competition, that’ll easily motivate everyone.”
“Then, what about inviting all the other countries’ important diplomats for a banquet, as well as organizing a grand military parade? We haven’t even resolved our food supply issues! Isn’t it too wasteful to be spending extravagantly right now?”
Kelly shook her head at this. She elegantly turned around and gently caressed her hair—it seed like she was secretly laughing. She seed to be exclaiming at Elisa, and her eyes appeared to be filled with a mature seductiveness.
“When I first saw his request, I didn’t understand it either. But after closer consideration, this is a marvelous move to solve our current diplomatic and business negotiation problems. It seems that even if little Roland hasn’t been personally participating, he’s always been considering our problems.”
“Huh? What? How is that even possible?” Rather than questioning, this was more like complaining. It would seem that Elisa had accumulated a significant amount of complaints against .
“You see, inviting the important diplomats to a banquet here is doubtlessly an excellent chance to solve so diplomatic issues currently on our plate. And as for showing off our soldiers in a military parade, that’s also the perfect opportunity for them to observe our new weapons, troop types, and combat chas.”
“You’re saying that arms deals will be made?”
Elisa truly began considering things for the first ti. Being a supporting army in na but actually making arms deals was a task that had long since been on the list of things to do, even higher up than ensuring the steady supply of our new products or resolving the food supply shortage. According to the original plan, making arms deals should have been put in place right after the beginning of next year’s spring via middlen rchants.
Logically reasoning it out a little, now was a chaotic ti, with all the countries all preparing for possible combat. East Mist had beco well renowned from its recent battle, and if they organized a military parade with the goal of showing off their newest developed weapons and technology, perhaps it would attract many important officials from other countries to their banquet. At that ti, it would basically beco an auction house, where they could raise prices as they pleased and make massive profits.
After she ca to the conclusion, Elisa finally understood and looked at Kelly with a complex expression. In a way, for Kelly to understand Roland better than herself who was supposed to be Roland’s girlfriend made her feel a little jealous.
“At least that circus parade is just for the heck of it, right?”
Kelly shook her head. In her mind, that was the most important part of all.
“Actually, when I saw it at first, I also thought it was just his whim. But thinking over it more carefully, we overlooked his intention. Roland must have noticed so things that we didn’t because we were too close to affairs here.”
Kelly walked up to the window as she talked and opened it. Things outside were flourishing; redevelopnt of the older city areas and the construction of new city areas were proceeding at full speed. With plans for new crops for the next year and the reorganization of the military, everyone outside was busy for various reasons. Although most appeared to be tired, they still seed to be in high spirits.
“Too many things have happened recently. Although everyone is working hard for the future, a string that’s too tightly wound will snap easily. There will be so many things to be done next year as well, so we’ll be even busier in the future. If we can have a year-end celebration to help everyone relax and celebrate our victory for a few days, it’ll help everyone to ntally end this chaotic year.”
Elisa fell silent for a mont before she nodded in agreent. “Perhaps Roland has another aning behind this as well. Actually, the Red Hunting Hounds have acted in a circus before at Sulfur Mountain City, and Roland wrote in the letter that he intended to personally watch the performance. He probably wants to use this circus as an opportunity to establish a closer relationship between the living and the undead.”
Kelly couldn’t help but chuckle.
“I didn’t think of this. As expected of little Roland’s girlfriend.”
Alright then, this sudden direct attack caused Elisa’s cheeks to flush red, and she seed like she didn’t know how to react. Soon, however, she adjusted her glasses and cald down. It was just that she was now looking at the letter that seed so thin yet contained such deep aning.
“Let’s begin; we don’t have much ti. We must prepare the most marvelous celebration before Roland returns.”
“Yep!”
And several days later, when a thick celebration plan arrived in front of via the gnos’ expensive dinsional transportation device, I had complex feelings about it.
“...We will do a good job with the preparations. You can relax. We didn’t expect that you would take so much into consideration.”
Harloys read the addendum at the end in a tiny voice, and she spoke up with a tone of astonishnt right afterward.
“Oh my, I never expected your celebration to have so many objectives. You’re really amazing! And they actually understood what you wanted. You’ve picked up such excellent subordinates.”
After a mont of hesitation, I decided to tell Harloys the truth.
“Actually, I didn’t think of anything at all. I just wanted to have a grand party...”
“Then why did you want to have a celebration? And on that particular day?”
“...It’s just to celebrate our victory; I didn’t think into it at all.”
“That’s all?”
Harloys’ was filled with disbelief. Since she was connected to in heart and soul, she could sense that I was still hiding sothing. I felt awkward about being stared at by a loli like her, so I could only nod helplessly.
“That day... is actually my birthday... Why are you looking at like that? I worked so hard and achieved so much; I can’t even have a grand birthday party for myself? My requests aren’t really that much! I just wanted to watch a circus, have so fun while hunting, and attend a banquet. This isn’t too much, is it!”
Harloys wiped away so cold sweat as she glanced over the three hundred and forty pages of the celebration plan that definitely contained far more hard work and sweat than I ever put in. She was now beginning to sympathize with the normal people working under Roland even more.
This plan covered everything and was incredibly detailed. It couldn’t have been completed without at least forty or fifty individuals working overti for two weeks straight, but it was actually finished in just three or four days. It could only be said that its creators definitely made it with blood and sweat, with all their passion.
“This ti, you’re forbidden from telling the truth. Just do as it says in this plan. Otherwise, even I will want to beat you up.”
I could only nod at this. What else was I supposed to say?
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