El-Lam and the evil deities.
Their relationship was clearly antagonistic.
While maintaining an antagonistic relationship, they were wary of each other’s expanding influence.
Moreover, even the entities classified as “evil deities” did not always cooperate with one another.
Even in the Demonic Realm, forces that followed different evil deities had divided territories.
Resina pointed this out while moving her lips.
“We may not be able to fully penetrate the realms beyond the stars…”
Nevertheless, it was possible to discern that the beings roaming beyond the stars maintained a state of mutual checks and balances.
Because these beings beyond the stars were hostile to each other and kept each other in check, they could not recklessly endure “losses.”
If they carelessly allowed losses, they would become targets and be torn apart even more severely.
This was one of the factors that more definitively constrained their interference in other dimensions.
Interfering excessively in another dimension required a price, and such losses were a significant burden to them.
But if, for some reason, the beings beyond the stars temporarily ceased their conflicts… if they could more easily endure losses than in the past…
The consequences would not be trivial.
“Your existence is sufficiently threatening. It’s provocative enough to make them collude.”
Resina looked at Luna and grinned mischievously.
“If the beings beyond the stars start enduring losses under an agreement, they might be able to do things they couldn’t before. Like they did 600 years ago. Perhaps even more so. And undoubtedly…”
Resina was confident that it had already begun.
Of course, their collusion could not last forever and was bound to be unstable.
Given the possibility that they could break their implicit agreements and attack each other at any time, they would inevitably have to continuously check and guard against each other.
Even if a temporary collusion was formed to exclude Luna, they couldn’t endlessly endure losses based on mutual trust.
Thus, fundamentally, this was little different from a game of strategy.
“They will observe your ‘progress’ and attempt to interfere in this world.”
The term “progress” Resina mentioned referred to Luna’s growth rate.
What Resina had advised Luna to conceal was also her growth rate.
“You need to hide the moment you reach the realms beyond the stars. The closer you get to transcendence, the more extreme their reactions will become… You need to create illusions. You need to make them complacent. If you want to achieve transcendence without hindrance, that is.”
After saying this, Resina smirked lightly.
“Even if I didn’t give you this advice, you’re probably already aware of it.”
“…”
Luna hadn’t exerted much effort in taking control of the Imperial Capital’s system during the past five years.
Despite knowing that successfully restoring and controlling the system inherent in the Imperial Capital and the Imperial Capital itself would significantly expand her range of actions, she prioritized other matters.
There was a clear reason why Luna had set this as a lower priority.
The foundation of the system embedded within the Imperial Capital involved the power of the Ancestral Dragon, and to control it indirectly rather than through appropriate means, she would ultimately have to alter the power forming the basis of the system.
Though it belonged to a dragon rather than a transcendent being beyond the stars, power was still power.
It was uncertain whether Luna, in her current state, could successfully modify it.
Furthermore, if it were possible, attempting to alter the power and succeeding would inevitably alert El-Lam, the entity who had bestowed the power upon the dragons.
Exposing her rapid growth like that would strongly provoke the beings beyond the stars.
The results of provoking those beings beyond the stars would certainly not be positive.
Luna avoided investing effort into controlling the Imperial Capital’s system for precisely this reason.
Resina, looking around the depths of the Obelisk anew, continued speaking.
“You must plan to use the Obelisk as your central point to wield influence across the continent, instead of relying on the Imperial Capital.”
To control the Obelisk smoothly, the remnants of Resina’s will were somewhat helpful.
After all, Resina and the remnants of her will were the ones who designed and operated the Obelisk until now.
Resina, who seemed to have roughly grasped Luna’s intentions, bowed her head lightly with her softly glowing silver eyes.
“Let me place my legacy in your hands, and while endlessly ruminating on pain that will never fade, serve you faithfully as a loyal servant.”
Resina transferred all means of controlling the Obelisk to Luna.
Now, the remnants of Resina’s will were completely nullified.
“…”
Luna turned away silently, as if having achieved her goal.
As Luna was about to leave the depths of the Obelisk, Resina moved her lips.
“You… don’t fail.”
600 years ago, Resina had failed.
She helplessly lost someone most precious to her.
Recalling the irretrievable past, she wandered aimlessly, harboring terrible emptiness and hatred in her heart.
Blindness without direction endlessly roamed, turning Resina into a wandering spirit.
The spirit left behind by Resina, even amidst endless waiting where it wasn’t clear what it awaited, continually reminisced about that day’s pain, merely wandering.
That spirit… hated the Empire and despised all beings living on the land but could not oppose them. Dreaming of revenge in delusions, it could only helplessly watch as beings beyond the stars ravaged the continent.
That ancient madness and obstinacy eventually became the trigger that dyed the continent’s skies red.
Resina was nothing more than a failed person who had lost everything. Hence, her laughter was hollow.
And then…
Hearing Resina’s hateful encouragement—”Don’t fail”—Luna stopped her steps and replied.
“I am different from you.”
The level of innate talent differed.
The foundation they stood on was different.
Since Resina had failed, everything she regretted and left behind became the foundation for Luna.
Although Luna inherited Resina’s terrible frustration, because of that, she was different from Resina in every aspect.
Resina had failed to grasp what was most precious to her, whereas Luna had personally held onto what was most precious.
Luna did not repeat Resina’s failure.
The conclusion Luna would meet would surely differ from Resina’s.
So,
Upon hearing Luna’s arrogant assertion—”I am different from you”—
Resina smiled brightly for the first time.
“Of course, it should be that way.”
*
After meeting with Resina.
Having completed the necessary tasks, Luna turned her back on the depths of the Obelisk.
However, before Luna could exit the Obelisk, a heavy rumbling echoed through the space.
Kuooong—!
Luna narrowed her eyes while standing in place.
The Obelisk continued to shake up and down.
It seemed like an earthquake had occurred, but the problem was identifying its cause.
If it were a naturally occurring earthquake, it would have been easier to handle, but if this earthquake was caused by the aftermath of a large-scale magic spell, the situation would be serious.
Since Luna remained in place, Aptel appeared to report.
[It’s not the aftermath of magic. It seems to be a naturally occurring earthquake.]
At least it was somewhat positive news. However, Luna’s eyes glinted coldly as she asked Aptel.
“What’s the epicenter?”
[…We haven’t accurately identified it yet. The information might be inaccurate. Based on the currently transmitted data and field reports, the epicenter is presumed to be near Maisen.]
“…”
Luna’s eyes narrowed again.
Maisen was a geographically sensitive area.
It overlapped with the spheres of influence of both the Empire and the Sacred Country and was also relatively close to the Demonic Realm.
Coincidentally, the epicenter happened to be marked in a region akin to a powder keg.
Was it just a coincidence? That was unlikely.
At least in the ongoing war, there was no room for coincidences.
Everything happening now should be regarded as inevitability disguised as coincidence.
They might have already started moving… perhaps even more aggressively than expected…
Recalling the warning Resina had given, Luna began to move again.
After assessing the situation, if deemed suspicious, reliable forces needed to be mobilized.
Currently, after five years, Johanna was still the strongest and most trustworthy force Luna could rely on.
Recalling Johanna’s face after her long absence, Luna briefly frowned.
*
Not long after returning to the Imperial Capital,
Luna unfolded a map on the table to show Johanna and spoke.
“…There’s an issue near Maisen.”
Johanna looked intently at the map and asked Luna.
“Is this place… a border area? With the Sacred Country?”
“Yes.”
“It’s also close to the Demonic Realm.”
“Yes.”
“What’s the problem?”
“After the earthquake, fault lines in the area have risen. Think of it as a small mountain range forming along this line.”
“A mountain range has formed? I felt the ground shaking in the Imperial Capital for several days. It must have been massive. What’s the issue?”
“While earthquakes can happen coincidentally, the erosion near Maisen has intensified since the quake.”
“Do you think it’s a coincidence?”
“No.”
After Luna asserted, Johanna accepted it without hesitation.
“In that case, we’ll go investigate.”
“…Right. Please join the investigation team.”
Luna moved her finger to indicate areas already eroded and warned.
“It’s close to the Demonic Realm. There’s a possibility of encountering high-ranking demons. It might even be a trap.”
“That’s fine. We’ve fought them countless times; I’m used to it. We’re not entering deep into the Demonic Realm, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Also, there will be friction with the Sacred Country.”
“…”
Johanna slightly frowned and nodded.
With issues arising in the border area, some degree of friction was unavoidable.
Moreover, if we consider influence, the region near Maisen was stronger under the Sacred Country’s sway.
A power struggle was inevitable, and if things didn’t go well, bloodshed might occur.
Johanna disliked environments where humans constantly sharpened their knives against each other.
Areas deeply entangled with the Sacred Country required constant vigilance over allies and civilians alike, as betrayal was always a possibility. This consistently caused immense stress for Johanna.
Still, she nodded.
If Luna asked, it meant there was a good reason.
After agreeing to return, Johanna glanced at Ron, who had been silent behind her.
“Are you coming too?”
“…”
In response to Johanna’s question, Ron remained silent.
A battlefield where humans might slash at each other again.
Johanna didn’t want to bring Ron to such a place and hear his complaints once more.
After pondering for a moment and clicking his fingers, Ron sighed deeply and spoke.
