Opportunity in the Game Becomes Reality Chapter 296
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Opportunity in the Game Becomes Reality Chapter 296
62. Crossing the Line (6)
The world is currently facing an unprecedented crisis.
Ea, the god of Sumer, seeking to dominate the world, has joined hands with the Heavenly Tribe and the demon race of Rondel, who were exiled by the goddess.
The Heavenly Tribe and the demon race are forces that have ruled Rondel since the genesis.
However, the two constantly waged war to seize dominance over the world, and the aftermath brought the world to the brink of destruction.
In the end, the goddess, unable to stand it any longer, exiled both races to a remote planet surrounded by a powerful barrier.
Whenever those two races yearned for freedom and tried to escape their place of exile, the world always fell into crisis, and there was even a time when Rondel nearly collapsed because of a single Demon King.
Ea, the god of Sumer, has drawn in such a terrifying race.
Until now, Rondel and Earth have been keeping each other in check and engaging in a war of nerves, but now is not the time for that.
To protect the world in crisis, everyone must join forces.
"Y-Your Highness the King, I have a question."
The lengthy explanation about the Heavenly Demon race and Ea from before is my fabrication.
The reactions of those who heard the story could be divided into two types: half wore blank expressions, and half expressed distrust.
Then a young blonde woman raised her hand.
I nodded and permitted her to speak.
"Who might you be?"
"I am Trisha Watson, a reporter for BNN."
"Go ahead."
For reference, this is currently a press conference.
The reason I suddenly gathered reporters and started spouting lore is that it was all part of a plan to build momentum.
I'm creating the atmosphere myself to instill a sense of crisis in the world.
Among the reporters wearing confused expressions, the reporter named Trisha Watson seemed to have the best grasp of the situation.
That's why I accepted her question.
"I heard that Your Highness the King and Your Highness the Queen are incredibly strong. Beyond the level of humans and dragons, enough to command the kings of the Heavenly Tribe and the demon race, whom you just called a threat, as subordinates. Even with such people, Rondel's military power with its advanced technology, and dragons, could this still become a crisis?"
It was a question that hit the core.
So I had to lay on the melodrama.
What's needed in this situation is acting ability.
"The number of Heavenly Kings and Demon Kings currently imprisoned amounts to thirty. If they all rushed at once, even my wife and I couldn't be certain of victory. And among the Heavenly Tribe and the demon race, there are many beings who, though not kings, rival dragons, and there are more than enough who can bring down the Heaven-Piercing Fortress with a mere gesture. Furthermore, the demon race can supply their own forces from within Rondel. Monsters have a tendency to submit to black mana. I'm not sure whether this holds true in Earth's hunting grounds and dungeons as well, though."
But perhaps my acting was too perfect?
Or perhaps it's because they finally understood what it means to fight the Heavenly Tribe and the demon race?
The faces of the reporters, who had been in confusion just moments ago, turned pale.
It was only natural.
Suddenly declaring a world crisis wouldn't feel real, after all.
It seems the seriousness only hit them on a visceral level after the detailed explanation was added.
I decided to frighten them even more.
"Furthermore, Ea has succeeded in synthesizing the energies of the Heavenly Tribe and the demon race to create a new power. This power, named the energy of Chaos, is extremely strong, and the current Ea now possesses power surpassing that of the Heavenly King and the Demon King. There's no guarantee that more beings like this won't appear."
The press conference hall grew gloomy.
At this level, the atmosphere of the venue would have been faithfully conveyed to every household.
Just then, the female reporter Trisha, who had courageously asked a question, spoke again.
"As an Earthling, it saddens me to say this, but would we even be of help in such a war?"
At her serious demeanor, I curled up the corners of my mouth.
How does she manage to ask exactly the question I was hoping for?
"Of course you would be of help."
After all, in carrying out this plan, the active participation of the people is extremely important.
That way, upon victory, we can drink an even more valuable celebratory drink, no?
Thinking I shouldn't just frighten them, I sprinkled the seasoning called hope over them.
"Rather, I believe Earth's forces could become the ace in the hole."
"What?"
"Currently, Rondel and Earth operate separately. Not just economically, but in technology and military matters as well."
"...."
Everyone expressed doubt.
Apparently, because they had suffered so many humiliations at Rondel's hands, they couldn't understand it.
But their expressions changed once again at my next words.
"Have you ever thought about this? That even just a little of Rondel's magic added to Earth's weaponry would create an enormous synergy effect."
"What do you mean?"
"For example, what if we added speed enhancement, penetration, invisibility, and noise cancellation magic to a missile? What if we teleported a nuclear warhead to make it an uninterceptable weapon?"
Only then did they grasp what I was trying to say, and admiration spread across their faces.
It certainly sounded plausible, after all.
"The fusion of Rondel's arcane engineering and Earth's electromechanical engineering can produce a great synergy effect. But because they come from different origins, they've been unconsciously rejecting each other and simply haven't tried. Shouldn't we tear down that wall in the face of a crisis?"
"Ooh."
"This is undoubtedly a great crisis unlike any we've ever experienced. But I don't believe our odds of victory are necessarily low."
As if to ask whether I was wrong, I shrugged, and the reporters began nodding their heads vigorously in agreement.
"Naturally, the best course is to find and deal with Aea before Helgate opens. But unfortunately, finding him now far more powerful is no easy task. A national leader must always prepare for the worst, so I hope we can join forces for our survival."
With those words, I solemnly gave the Rondel-style salute.
"Now I'll continue taking questions. Please raise your hands freely."
And then came the Q&A session.
Unlike before, I could see the reporters had become proactive.
'This should be enough.'
* * *
Adrian's press conference was more than enough to throw the world into chaos.
"Did you hear that story about the world being in crisis?"
"Who hasn't? Because of that, the hoarding going on everywhere is no joke."
"What do you think? Does it seem real to you?"
"Then would it be a lie? Grand Duke Lawrence Your Highness isn't the kind of person to talk nonsense."
"That's true. But suddenly saying the world is in crisis it just doesn't hit home."
"Is it fine that you can see another world when you look up at the sky?"
"Right, we've certainly entered an era where you can't judge by common sense alone."
"Still, if it's Grand Duke Lawrence Your Highness won't he resolve this situation for us?"
"You're right. His Highness is someone who doesn't know failure."
Even amid the chaos, the reactions of Rondel and Earth were sharply divided yet strangely, Rondel, which knew well about the Heavenly Tribe and the demon race, remained calm as above.
"Repent!"
"Blessed are those who believe in God!"
"Isn't this happening because Grand Duke Lawrence needlessly provoked Sumer's god?"
"Maybe he just wants to smear his enemies. Chaos this, world crisis that what is this, being an edgelord?"
"The government needs to come up with countermeasures now!"
Earth was Chaos itself.
This was by no means because Earthlings were stupid.
Compared to Rondel, a status-based society, their excessive individuality was also a factor, but the bigger problem was the lack of trust in Adrian.
The one saving grace was that even though public reaction was sharply divided, the heads of state were quickly attending the Peace Organization and coordinating their opinions.
However, before long, Adrian began manipulating online public opinion, and eventually the divided public's views also began to change.
"There's no way a national leader would talk nonsense."
"Maybe the reason Grand Duke Lawrence was so hell-bent on catching Aea in the first place was because he foresaw this situation."
Rondel's Hollywood System and Earth's artificial intelligence Sicily.
The ability to dominate public opinion using these two systems was extremely powerful.
As a result, Rondel and Earth were able to join forces without major problems.
"This is insane…."
But the one who hadn't expected this situation at all was the person himself and he was flustered.
None other than Aea, who had hidden underground.
Watching the outside world rush by in urgency, he had to rub his temples.
He was the protagonist, yet it felt like he alone had been left out something like that.
Moreover, "domination of the world" at his own goal, now so exaggerated, he could only let out a hollow laugh.
"So, you intend to make me a common enemy?"
He had done his best for Earth in his own way, but now only survival instinct and rage remained.
"Adrian."
Clench.
Grinding his teeth, he thought of Adrian.
Adrian thought of him as nothing more than a chess piece, but Aea had no intention of ending up as a mere chess piece.
* * *
Aea is probably grinding his teeth right about now, isn't he?
I was receiving reports through my subordinates about Rondel and Earth bustling with activity, and I let out a hollow laugh as Aea crossed my mind.
If Rondel's Heavenly Tribe and demon race joined forces and invaded, what would be Aea's side's odds of winning?
Even being generous, it wouldn't exceed 1%.
Honestly, I think it's 0%, but I allotted 1% out of pity for Aea, who must be struggling.
'I'll take this opportunity to tear down the wall between the two worlds, and while I'm at it, acquire a skilled technician.'
Once this matter is settled, Aea won't be able to escape from my side.
After all, he'll be completely branded as the world's public enemy.
Then I'll lock the bastard up in a workshop and use him as my personal blacksmith.
'Ah, that's not to say I'll keep him confined, though.'
Everything is going according to my will, everything is flowing exactly as I predicted.
The feeling of being the mastermind behind the scenes wasn't bad at all.
[Adrian.]
Amidst the urgent flow of time, having delegated the work to my capable subordinates, I was enjoying my leisure alone.
But then.
Suddenly, a familiar yet cold voice that chased away drowsiness rang in my head.
My expression hardened, and I sprang to my feet.
"What?"
"What's wrong?"
Bug and Maryang, who had been quietly doing adult coloring books in my office since being captured from America, wore startled expressions.
I waved my hand telling them not to mind and headed to the room adjacent to my office.
There, Arcia was holding her daughter Kalisia in her arms, singing a lullaby.
"Sepia has summoned you."
"Because of this matter?"
"Probably?"
At my words, Arcia's expression stiffened briefly before quickly relaxing.
She had concluded that the goddess Sepia would never harm us.
She nodded and spoke.
"Let's bring Kali too."
"Kali?"
"Strictly speaking, Kali is also her grandchild."
I was slightly reluctant to bring Kali outside, but I soon conceded.
After all, isn't the goddess Sepia also my Mother?
"Let's go."
And so I extended my hand to Arcia, and the moment she took it, I raised the aura of the Creator.
Then the scenery before our eyes changed.
A vast meadow, and a tea table sitting alone in its center.
It was the 'Divine Realm,' the space where the goddess resides.
[You've found your way here well.]
Following the light, the goddess appeared.
Unlike her characteristic cold voice, her face wore a smile, and relieved by that, I approached the goddess with Arcia.
"This is my first time coming here directly, but I managed to arrive somehow."
[You may come visit like this from now on.]
"Any time?"
[No matter how busy you are, one needs the leisure to have tea.]
She showed immense interest in Kali.
She placed her hand on the child's head and appeared to be offering a prayer.
[I have bestowed a blessing upon the child. She will grow up bright and strong.]
"Oh, thank you."
She was of my and Arcia's bloodline, and had absorbed various elixirs and a portion of the Creator's Authority, so it was only natural she would grow up strong.
But surely the strength the goddess spoke of was at a level beyond our common sense.
Surprised by the unexpected gift, I placed my hand on Kali's forehead, and soon I could sense a clear and mighty energy within.
The goddess guided us to the table and soon served tea with practiced ease.
"Didn't you have something to say regarding the Heavenly Tribe and the demon race?"
However, she merely sipped her tea and gazed at Kali without saying a word, so I brought up the reason she had called us first.
After all, based on timing, I couldn't think of any other reason she would have summoned us.
But the goddess's answer was unexpected.
[They are irrelevant. Do as you wish.]
Perhaps it was because of her declaration that she would no longer involve herself in surface affairs?
She seemed utterly uninterested, as if it were someone else's business.
At that, I had to tilt my head.
Soon, my eyes widened.
"Could it be that you anticipated this situation?"
I asked, just in case.
Wondering if all of this was her plan.
One might think, how could anyone plan such a thing unless they were a god, but.
For one thing, Sepia is a goddess, isn't she?
Moreover, she was the one who created Aea, so I thought she had more than enough ability to orchestrate this situation.
If so, the goddess Sepia's goal is singular.
To clean up the two races in Rondel that needlessly consume so many resources.
By using me, her agent.
[I don't know what you mean.]
She deflected, but my suspicion has already turned to certainty.
The goddess cannot directly kill her own creations.
Whether that is a law or a rule she set herself, I do not know, but she has never violated it until now.
So perhaps she entrusted me someone confined to a corner of the world yet needlessly powerful with the cleanup of those races?
"Then, I will proceed with my plan as is."
[Very well.]
Now that the goddess's permission has been granted, I have no more reservations.
I had been worrying for nothing, and suddenly I grew curious.
What is the difference between me and the other creations in Sepia's eyes?
Whether someday I too will be treated the same as the Heavenly Tribe and the demon race.
At my question, she furrowed her pretty brow and revealed emotion for the first time.
[The Heavenly Tribe and the demon race have been papers that have been together since genesis, but if they are crafts woven by her hands, then you are the child she bore through labor pains.]
"I see."
I had been thinking pointless thoughts.
The goddess's response made me laugh for no reason.
After that, there was no notable conversation between us.
Sepia merely showed interest in Kali; it seemed her only purpose in calling me was to have a cup of tea.
By my sense of it, we were together for about an hour.
She rose from her seat with a satisfied look, as if she had rested enough, and the tea time ended just like that.
[You have worked hard.]
"How could I match Mother's toil?"
Those words, laden with meaning, were our greeting.
* * *
[The ring of blue light that appeared in the space between Rondel and Earth. Could it truly be an omen of the great war?]
[There is speculation that Sumer's god Ea, who was never found, might be in outer space....]
[The blue ring that keeps growing in size. Rondel and Earth are busy with war preparations and evacuation preparations.]
I suppose you could say we have reached the climax?
Ea did his utmost in the mission entrusted to him.
I could feel that the time was near.
The world fell into chaos.
The one who induced that situation was none other than me.
But I have no regrets.
After the impending event, Rondel and Earth will become a community that advances together.
Only one step remains until the peace I envision.
Though it is ironic that the process for peace is war.
[The true identity of the blue ring was a Warp Gate!]
[The armies of the Heavenly Tribe and the demon race have begun pouring out of the Warp Gate!]
And some time later.
"Let's go."
At my signal, the alliance forces of Rondel and Earth set out.