The news of the Saint’s disappearance spread throughout the capital in an instant.
Everyone was shocked and reacted in various ways.
“We must find him! We have to!!”
There were those who wanted to find him.
“Why? Why did He leave?”
And there were those who questioned.
“Did you not hear something?”
And there were people who went to question those who could be considered his close confidants.
Erpa.
The two princesses.
And people started coming to Vice President Yodel and Jonathan Karma with inquiries.
But their answers were always consistent.
“The Saint has gone to fulfill His mission.”
“You should all return to your lives.”
“Remember the Saint’s will and live by always giving.”
“That’s all we can do.”
“Do not seek Him. It would only interfere with the one who carries out His mission.”
Even after hearing such answers, they could not stop all those who wanted to find the Saint.
“We must find Him!!”
“He must lead us!!”
Some Knights and Priests from the Temple of the Divine united to form an expedition to find the Saint, and the people in the slums began pooling money to find clues to his whereabouts.
Though Vice President Yodel and Jonathan Karma personally appeared and told people not to search for the Saint, the people did not heed them.
While some people were moving on a grand scale to find the Saint, others thought quite differently at the news of His disappearance.
“He will return someday.”
“As long as the Goddess does not abandon us, He will never be gone from our side.”
“Let us all work harder to fulfill His will until He returns!”
People began to live their lives more passionately in their respective stations.
Most of the people in the slums had already embraced the faith of Lilia and prayed every day for the Goddess to protect the Saint and return Him to them someday while living their lives with great effort.
And there were also those who, with such determination, aimed to undertake even greater projects.
“Are you offering to donate the trichromatic research to Karma Company with no royalties in return?”
“Yes.”
Jonathan Karma shook his head at the sight of Erpa before him.
“There is no way we can use such a valuable technology without royalties.”
“Please accept it. I know Karma Company acts in accordance with the Saint’s will. That’s why I’ve come to offer something to help, no matter how small.”
“But…”
“Still, many workers suffer from low wages and excessive working hours. I only hope Karma Company can become a place that can help such people.”
At Erpa’s words, Jonathan paused briefly, then accepted the trichromatic research she offered.
“Magical efficiency. The amplification of power… the potential applications are infinite, from improving mana engine mileage to beyond. Thank you, Lady Erpa. We will surely achieve the Saint’s will with this research.”
Jonathan clenched his fists.
The infinitely producible elixirs.
And the trichromatic research, which allows him to handle the elixirs more efficiently.
With these two factors, he planned to create a massive corporate empire.
He had already planned the name for the corporate coalition.
“Eleos Group.”
The one who shows mercy.
A corporate coalition created to spread His will.
All the necessary pieces were in his hands.
Now, the only thing left was to realize the dream with these tools.
“Could you visit the Temple occasionally? There will be plenty to discuss regarding the practical applications of trichromatic research.”
“Of course. For the Saint, gladly.”
“For the Saint.”
And thus, Jonathan and Erpa formed a cooperative relationship.
A moment that made the power of Karma Company even more daunting.
“Almenes, it hasn’t been long since your body healed…”
Almenes and Iomenes were also doing their share of work in their own ways.
“I need to study. There’s nothing for me while Iomenes has the White Church. I must work quickly to improve my political acumen. I’ve taken too much time off from studying. Your Majesty, there’s no time for play. I need to grow for His eventual return.”
Almenes began studying various subjects, including law, the histories and geographies of neighboring countries, science, and magic.
With a terrifying concentration, she began summoning numerous royal scholars, pushing herself hard even when her nose bled from overwork, leaving both the Emperor and the Empress both worried and proud of her.
“Very well. If that is your intention, then I will help you. Starting tomorrow, you may attend state council meetings with me. Why don’t you learn how the country operates by my side?”
The Emperor did not see Almenes’ resolve negatively.
Almenes nodded and, starting that very day,
She began learning both from her studies and by Almenes’ father’s side about the ways of politics.
Starting with simple paperwork, her meticulous handling skills reassured the Emperor and Empress and alleviated their worries.
On the other hand, Iomenes did not follow her father to study politics or govern the nation.
Instead, she spent almost all her time at the White Church.
“Teach me the ways of martial arts and how to use Divine Power.”
She was trying to grow in a different way there.
“I will teach you attack miracles, various martial arts, and how to defeat evil gods and demons. However, remember that it will be arduous and difficult.”
“I don’t care.”
Iomenes’ resolve was firm.
“The Saint went to fight evil. Though He said He would do it alone, I might be needed someday. That’s why I need to get stronger.”
The Grand Cleric of the White Church, Miromel, smiled at those words.
“As the Holy Maiden wishes. We will teach you the strongest fighting methods based on all the knowledge and experience of our church. By the time everything is over, the Holy Maiden will be stronger than anyone else in our order.”
The Holy Maiden, endowed with significant resistance to most curses and black magic from long exposure, and able to see through hidden entities,
Is a figure of immense strategic value.
She must naturally be trained accordingly.
“Please follow me.”
Miromel led Iomenes deep into the Church’s darkest places.
At the enormous underground training grounds, Iomenes came face to face with massive beings training intensively.
Over two meters tall.
Armor so heavy and thick it seemed impossible to move in.
Carrying massive swords, axes, hammers, shields, and firearms.
Masters of both melee and ranged combat, conducting battle drills, the warriors stopped upon seeing Iomenes, then approached and bowed their heads respectfully.
“We greet the Holy Maiden.”
Miromel laughed and regarded the neatly aligned warriors before Iomenes,
“The strongest hunters the White Church possesses. They are all Knights and combat priests and have been specially trained for over ten years to reach superhuman capabilities through the miracle of physical enhancement. They will be both your instructors and your personal guard henceforth.”
Iomenes looked silently at them, then smiled contentedly.
“Who are these people?”
Miromel wore a proud smile.
“Regioes Catratus. The finest weapons of Dulaneer.”
*
Scrap Yard.
A giant factory city existing purely to mine beneath the ground.
As its name suggests, the city was filled to the brim with steam engines and metal.
A place where any kind of magic, miracles, or faith was rejected, and only human technology and machinery were revered.
The continent’s highest producer of magical metals and home to the greatest technicians.
A steampunk city.
Thanks to that, the metallic smell was thick in the air throughout the city.
I had more than enough money to live for a while.
I planned to avoid contact with people as much as possible.
Just existing quietly.
Living like a ghost and then leaving.
No intention for extravagance.
Just a small house where I could live simply.
The minimum amount of food necessary to survive.
And I planned to spend my gold searching for any black magicians or demon worshippers.
However…
“House? There are only two types of houses in this city. The luxurious estates where factory owners live, or lodgings for common workers who earn day to day. Which kind are you looking for?”
“Both are too extreme. Are there any modest, suitable houses?”
“There were some. Last month, the factory owner’s union tore them down and replaced them with new accommodations, cramming ten families into spaces previously meant for one.”
I groaned after hearing what the curiously shaped dwarven grandmother said.
What new situation is this?
“Alright, how much would the estate cost if I were to buy one?”
“Over 100,000 salreds (around 10 billion). The upper class here is rich, monopolizing all magical metals and technologies from the mines.”
100,000 salreds.
d*mn.
Even selling all the 10 kg of gold I brought wouldn’t get me that much money.
“Then how about the accommodations…”
“From cheap places at 50 leons (about 50,000 won) per month to high-class places around 3 salreds per month. The high-tier ones are usually for skilled technicians with some experience.”
I had no other choice.
“I’ll take the high-end accommodations.”
I had already exchanged my gold for cash at a nearby exchange. After paying with that money, the grandmother arose from her seat.
“Follow me. The technician’s lodgings are built side by side with the cheap 50 leon lodgings. They have no soundproofing and all the smells seep through, but it’s what you have.”
She guided me directly to the lodging where I’d be staying.
“It’s different from the cheap ones. It has a bathroom and kitchen where you can cook. The manager will come on the first day of every month to collect the rent. Pay consistently, and you won’t be evicted. Here’s the key.”
The grandmother passed me the key casually and disappeared somewhere.
The cries of babies, the sounds of couples fighting, and cooking smells shared completely within the structure.
A harsh environment reminiscent of a Korean exam prep dorm.
‘So many options, huh?’
With a deep sigh, I opened the door with the key and went inside.
A dirty bed.
No soundproofing, hearing talks from all directions.
The kitchen and bathroom existed, but laughably tiny and the smallest I’d ever seen in the world.
A cramped and aged space of about 4 pyeong, squeezed awkwardly into a narrow area.
It wasn’t what I wanted, but this was to be my home from now on.
After roughly unpacking my things, I was about to leave the house to buy something to eat when that moment came.
“AAAAHH!! AH!!”
“d*mn labor theorist sc*m! Stand up straight!!”
A terrifying scream came from one corner of the lodging.
Glancing over, I saw police officers brutally hitting a young man with batons and pistols.
“Factory owners’ dogs, indeed! Beat me all you want! The laborers’ paradise will come someday!!”
Even while being beaten, the young man radiated a terrifying, fierce aura. Next to him lay a book drenched in bl**d.
The book, with a red cover, had the title <On Capital> written on it.
“Capitalism prospered through burning the souls and lives of humans but will eventually collapse!! The workers’ heaven will come!!… guh!!”
“Take him away!! This d*mn fellow. Lock him up in a camp until he’s reformed!!”
The police dragged the young man away.
As the commotion drew more workers outside their lodgings, the police dramatically waved the book in front of them.
“No mercy for those who read banned literature!! Report anyone you see with this red book!!”
After delivering their menacing warning,
The police disappeared somewhere with the brutally beaten young man.
Ah…
I’ve seen this kind of scene somewhere before.
