EP.108 Forces of Greed
“A danger significant enough for to take action?”
As the Wind Spirit King furrowed his brow, fierce winds began to blow around him.
All the wind spirits present could sense it.
Ah, he’s angry… they thought.
And rightfully so.
A Spirit King is, as the na suggests, the ruler of all spirits.
A symbolic existence.
That’s why, no matter what war breaks out, a Spirit King never takes direct action.
Unless the opposing Spirit King acts first.
Naturally, such occurrences have been extrely rare, so Spirit Kings simply continue to rule over spirits eternally.
It has beco an unwritten rule that they do not step forward.
If there were any other reason for them to act, it would only be in the face of an imnse crisis where their territory itself was at risk of annihilation.
“So you’re telling that so exiled spirit is claiming there’s a crisis on the level of territorial annihilation?”
Anyone would find this absurd.
It would be more credible to say that the Fire Spirit King had started moving directly.
“We, we’re sorry. We also thought it was ridiculous, but the details were so specific…”
A shadow as black as pitch.
Born with top-tier strength from the start.
An extre terror recognized at first sight.
The testimony about the birth of a top-tier spirit of fear was incredibly detailed.
Detailed enough to make one believe it might actually be true.
“This happened in the Barren Ravine. They’ll handle it themselves. We don’t need to go there yet, do we?”
After the war 20 years ago.
The fire spirits have not started another war since then.
Given that they weren’t at war with other territories either, it was clear they were gathering strength.
Not a single spirit in this world believed that the Fire Spirit King had given up on war.
Anyway, it wasn’t ti for war in the Barren Ravine yet.
Even if a threat of the level Dalpo ntioned had appeared, it wasn’t sothing that particularly resonated with the wind spirits.
It was an issue for the spirits of the Barren Ravine to resolve imdiately.
If they couldn’t contain it and it started affecting the wind territory, then it would be ti to step in.
“Tell this Dalpo: You’re no longer a spirit associated with us, so live there and figure it out yourself or run away.”
“Yes, understood.”
And so, the Wind Spirit King dismissed the signal sent by Dalpo, a high-ranking wind spirit.
#
“But to create a faction, we need to gather spirits. How do we gather them?”
At my question, the ash spirit Oldi and the twin spirits of wrath, Lupi and Rats, showed troubled expressions.
“Are you really thinking of creating a faction?”
“This could really be serious trouble, boss…”
Well, I guess they would be worried.
Even if I have overwhelming strength compared to them, they probably think I’m definitely not stronger than the top-tier spirits who have established their power and lived here for a long ti. ṛἁ𝐍ǑʙÈṩ
Honestly, I don’t know how strong they are either.
I just think they might be similar or slightly superior to .
But still, aren’t I a newborn spirit that just ca into existence?
If I gather more magical power and grow, I’ll surely be able to beco much stronger than them.
If things don’t work out, I could use my authority… Ahem! Well, anyway.
“Well, let’s just start and see how it goes.”
As I said that, the ash spirit Oldi, who seed to be pondering for a mont, asked.
“If I may ask, what do you plan to do once you create a faction?”
“Hm?”
What will I do once I create a faction, he asks.
How will I rule that faction, is that it?
Hmm… honestly, I haven’t thought about it.
I just want to explore and enjoy the spirit realm as much as possible.
I’m only trying to create a faction and dominate this place because it seems fun.
Of course, if I say that, no one would want to follow .
Honestly, I wouldn’t want to follow soone either if they said they’re risking their life to create a faction just because it’s fun.
“I’ll create a new territory where various spirits can live freely together. And even if it becos a battlefield for fire and wind, I’ll make sure spirits are no longer caught up in it. We’ll just reap the magical power generated from the war from afar.”
I just paint an idealistic picture.
Well, if I say I’ll create a peaceful land that doesn’t get involved in wars, many spirits will co to this place overflowing with magical power.
The more spirits there are, the more enjoynt I’ll have in exploring.
“……”
But they show expressions as if it’s sowhat unexpected.
“Honestly, it’s unexpected. I thought since you’re a spirit of fear, you’d rule through fear or sothing like that.”
Ah, right.
Co to think of it, I am a spirit of fear, aren’t I?
Well, of course, that doesn’t an I have to do everything through fear.
“Anyway, I can make all spirits tremble in fear just by existing. So I don’t care what happens around . Rather, if it becos a peaceful land and many spirits co… I’ll have more opportunities to gain emotions of fear.”
I try to make a sowhat plausible excuse.
…Actually, if you just change fear to exploration and research, it’s almost the sa idea.
Anyway, Oldi nods as if he finally understands.
His eyes start to sparkle.
“Instilling fear, but at the sa ti offering freedom, abundance, and peace. It’s such an idealistic picture. What you’re envisioning, boss.”
As he says, it is an idealistic picture.
Nurous spirits and factions.
There’s no guarantee they would all follow my will.
But an ideal is sothing beautiful that everyone desires, that’s why it’s called an ideal.
“From now on, I’ll follow you, boss. The spirit of fear… the faction of fear!”
“……”
Seeing this, the twin spirits of wrath also hesitate for a mont, but then nod as if they’ve made up their minds.
“Ah, whatever! I’ll follow you too!”
“Argh! We can’t rise above a certain level in the faction of greed anyway. We’d rather be your first subordinates, boss!”
In the end, it seems they’ve decided to join as well.
These guys, they have bigger dreams and guts than I thought?
But there is a problem.
Even if we create a faction, gathering mbers is the issue.
“How about subjugating everyone with your fear, boss?”
“If we don’t subjugate them periodically, I think there might be rebellions.”
“How about gathering mbers slowly at first? There are quite a few who are dissatisfied with the current three factions.”
“That seems like it would take too long, and if we get checked by others, it’ll never end.”
As we were earnestly sharing opinions like this.
Suddenly, I had a thought.
“Why don’t I just join another faction and then consu it from within? That way, we don’t need ti to gather mbers one by one. Since they were already loyal to one person, if we just change the target, we can build loyalty all at once. And we won’t be checked for building a new faction.”
Oh, I think it’s an excellent idea even if I say so myself.
“Oh! That’s great, boss. Build up strength under soone else and then devour them. It’s an excellent strategy.”
“As expected, you’re amazing.”
With that conclusion, I decided to join the faction of greed, which was their original affiliation.
“One thing that concerns is the imbalance of power. If you’re as strong as you say, comparable to faction leaders, then the faction of greed that you join will beco overwhelmingly powerful.”
“Yes, if that happens, there’s a possibility that the other two groups might join forces.”
Hmm, that could happen.
Wait? But isn’t that even better?
“Then when I consu the faction, I can take down two birds with one stone.”
Isn’t that a win-win?
“……”
“……”
When I said that, Oldi, Lupi, and Rats looked at as if they couldn’t believe what they were hearing.
Why?
Am I not right?
“To think you’re even considering devouring both of their alliances at once.”
“Your ambition is on another level, boss.”
Hmm… Was I too ambitious?
Honestly, I’m confident though.
Whatever happens, for now, it’s decided that I’ll join the faction of greed.
Since I have power equivalent to a top-tier spirit, they’ll surely welco , right?
#
“Why would soone of your caliber want to join my faction? Honestly, you have enough power to create your own faction.”
“……”
The Faction of Greed, Sook, the highest-ranking spirit of greed.
He was a spirit with nurous arms, emitting powerful magical energy that shimred with a golden light.
Do those many arms symbolize the deep greed to grasp everything in one’s hands?
Anyway, he didn’t welco .
Rather, he was looking at with suspicious eyes.
He was questioning why a spirit of my caliber would willingly join his faction.
Hmm… what should I do?
How should I persuade him?
Oldi, Lupi, and Rats, who are next to under the pretext of bringing here, are trembling and unable to say anything in the face of Sook’s powerful aura.
Ugh, I don’t know either.
“If I create a faction on my own, the other three factions will try to keep in check and bring down. It’s already tough enough with the three factions checking each other, and it would be troubleso if another one appeared.”
“……”
He was quietly listening to my words.
“Rather than wearing myself out and collapsing, I thought it would be better to beco the second-in-command of another faction. And for that, I thought you were the most suitable, since you want to make everything your own. I figured you’d want to possess even , who might potentially threaten your position.”
As I finished speaking, Sook, who had been listening quietly, grinned and said,
“Kukukuk, welco to the Faction of Greed. Your na?”
“…Athos.”
It was the mont when I, Athos the spirit of fear, beca affiliated with the Faction of Greed.
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