What the World Obsesses Over and Those Around Me Crave

[Carrying humans! That’s absurd!]

[We’re not camels or mules!]

[How could you even think of such an idea!]

In the afternoon, after lunchtime.

The Death Worms expressed their collective discontent.

Currently, a meeting is taking place deep underground.

On the third day of settling in Akran Village, we’ve encountered an unexpected obstacle.

[This conclusion was reached after sufficient deliberation. So just follow quietly.]

[No!]

A hot-tempered, rough male voice.

Batar, the third Death Worm to awaken, roared loudly.

[If it were noble beings like fairies or spirits, I might understand! But to carry mere insignificant humans! This is too much!]

[Hee, ing~! If I really have to carry humans, I’ll cry and run away from home!]

A seductive yet sadistic female voice, Zorya, the fourth Death Worm to awaken, vehemently protested.

A wicked and playful girl’s voice, Kacha, the fifth Death Worm to awaken, whined.

[Kyaa~! Carrying humans on our backs! That sounds so exciting and fun!]

[I wonder how many we could carry each, given our average length of 30 meters~?]

[Making everyone smile is a hero’s job! Hahahah!]

A high-pitched female voice like an idol, Sharan, the fourth Sand Worm born, shouted.

A husky, sexy older sister voice, Rimud, the third Sand Worm born, was excited.

A hot-blooded foolish male voice, Sivat, the first Sand Worm born, chimed in.

[Why is there such an extreme difference in atmosphere between you all…]

The Death Worms are roughly DC.

The Sand Worms are roughly Marvel.

The difference in atmosphere was truly evident.

Like merciless sharks versus whales among fish species.

A difference in mindset as vast as between Tyrannosaurus and Stegosaurus among dinosaurs.

[Hmm… Sovereign, you surely have some insight?]

Only Tarkhan asked prudently.

Anyway, the Death Worms have a problem with excessive self-awareness.

Anyone listening to their dialogue would think they were dragons.

Subject like worms who only ate dirt before I bestowed my grace.

Three days after settling in the human settlement.

The desert worms now number 320.

From yesterday’s count of 202, they’ve increased by nearly 100 again.

As numbers increase, management naturally becomes necessary.

I called in the first named worms as representatives, but reaching a consensus is not easy.

The Sand Worms generally agree, but the Death Worms strongly oppose.

In fact, I could force commands with my tamer abilities.

Without considering their opinions, making them obey.

Currently, the prideful Death Worms are opposing.

This is the result of granting them freedom of thought.

Even if they were just monstrous worms that ate dirt.

Once subjected to me, I considered them proper individuals.

That’s why I thoroughly respected individual opinions.

…Should I have just forced obedience?

[Of course there is.]

I sent telepathy toward the direction where Tarkhan was buried.

[…Then would you not explain your intentions to everyone here? Even if not all will be convinced, many will understand, I believe.]

Tarkhan’s sinister, deep voice returned.

Assassins riding worms – Worm Riders.

That’s the plan I’m currently pursuing.

Initially, I thought this was a crazy idea.

Desert worms and desert assassins combined?

What drugs was Hakan on to think of such an idea?

But upon reflection, I came to agree.

The problem with worms, including myself, is that we’re too large.

We’re just easy targets for arrow volleys, magic barrages, fighter bombings, and tank shellings.

Assassins are lethal, but they can die and get injured just like humans.

No matter how superhuman a group, they cannot withstand the violence of numbers.

They lack overwhelming power to maintain operational continuity.

I saw an interesting and new possibility here.

If worms rampage first to break morale, and assassins finish the job?

Their strengths and weaknesses interlock, becoming arguably the strongest combat force.

Worms operate in outdoor combat where power is needed.

Assassins operate in indoor combat where stealth is required.

There couldn’t be a more perfect combination to cover each other.

…Ultimately, friendship sprouts between them this way.

It’s just starting with worms and assassins for now.

But I believe it will expand to broader relationships later.

The beginning of genuine coexistence.

A foundation of cooperation is laid, and soil for harmony is born.

Naturally, this directly links to my enhanced survival rate, the ultimate goal.

That’s my survival strategy.

The combination of assassins and worms will be formidable.

I firmly believed tremendous synergy would be created.

[…Listen well. This isn’t just a one-sided concession from us worms. We also gain tremendous benefits from humans. They are…]

Just as I was about to explain.

Rumble-

A ground tremor arose from the eastern horizon.

The movement of many footsteps and horse hooves.

Enough for all buried worms at the surface to detect.

“Enemy raid! Enemy raid! Lord Hulani of Tasham’s banner identified!”

Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-!

Warning bells positioned throughout the village began to ring.

These emergency bells alert of monster attacks, bandit raids, or enemy assaults.

“Warrior Corps! Assemble at the barricade!”

“Gather available personnel sequentially!”

“All able-bodied men and women, assemble! Non-combatants including children, the sick, and the elderly should disperse to designated shelters according to wartime protocols!”

Thump, thump, thump!

Loud footsteps sounded from the village.

Akran’s assassins were running around.

I tuned my ears toward the various sounds.

Though I couldn’t see them, the sounds were as vivid as if heard right beside me.

[Hmm, something seems to be happening.]

[Some army appears to be invading in force?]

[What! From where? What reason could there be for the village to be attacked!]

Tarkhan and Batar exchanged words, and Sivat asked in surprise.

[Ahahahahah! Perfect timing! I was getting angry about the White Sovereign’s ridiculous proposal!]

[What, has a real war broken out?]

[…Shouldn’t we check first?]

Kacha immediately burst into bellicose laughter.

Sharan’s reaction showed she still didn’t understand the situation.

Rimud cautiously suggested checking the situation.

The rest of the lurking worms all showed signs of wanting to surge upward at once.

[Stop. I’ll check.]

If all 320 worms surged at once, the aftershock would be no joke.

I immediately dismissed the worms’ collective action.

Then I began flowing through the ground.

Around Akran Village, underground spaces for worms had been secretly created.

It was a perfectly constructed location that didn’t overlap with underground waterways.

Worms could move anywhere around the area through these passages.

Only surging within the village itself was prohibited.

However, there was a more perfect space just for me.

The slanted blind spot behind the western side of Akran Village.

Boulders and piles of stones were scattered around.

After completing my movement, I raised my head.

Pushuk-

I peeked out just my head from the ground and observed.

Blending with the background surroundings, a perfect camouflage.

Though quite noticeable due to my size, at this distance visual identification is impossible.

People would just think there’s some strange white hill covered with rocks.

Eventually, my line of sight diagonally captured the eastern rear of the village.

Armed assassins gathered heavily at the wall encircling the village.

On the horizon in front of the village, many tiny black dots were visible.

I listened to the sounds coming from the village.

“Nnng, is this because of what we did yesterday?”

Hakan, with arms folded in his outer garment sleeves, was just mounting the barricade.

“What should we do, Village Chief?”

Bajid, one of Akran’s Great Warriors, surveyed the horizon with a hand shading his eyes.

“We’re completely surrounded.”

Kasim, also a Great Warrior, reported coldly.

“What else can we do but fight?”

Hakan’s answer was utterly nonchalant.

Beside him, the armed Nadia was also visible.

“Treacherous rebels who committed the heinous crime of murdering Tasham Treasury’s dispatched official! Black Scorpion Samara bloodline! Rashka of Akran, hear this!”

Suddenly, a thunderous shout echoed from far beyond the village’s front horizon.

I watched beyond the horizon where the sound came from.

At least 1,000 troops were arrayed.

The voice was positioned in the center.

A figure on horseback is visible.

“I am Zuladin, a military magician belonging to Tasham Provincial Magic Academy, aide to Lord Hulani and attached to the lord’s army! In place of the busy lord, I’ve come to hold you accountable for the crime you committed yesterday!”

An elderly man wearing a ruby-embedded turban and a lavish violet kaftan with geometrical patterns shouted commands.

In his hand not holding the reins, he held a crystal ball presumed to be a magical tool.

His long white beard dangled in sync with his thunderous shout.

“Rashka of Akran, disarm yourselves! Surrender immediately! Then your lives will be spared!”

The old magician’s voice, amplified with sound-enhancing magic, thunderously echoed to the distant horizon.

Around him were similarly dressed magicians and knights presumed to be his personal guard, also mounted on horses.

“I thought scouts had been lurking since early morning… this is the result. An army of as many as 1,000 soldiers.”

“But how did they know we killed the official? I was sure there were no witnesses? Was someone watching yesterday?”

Bajid and Kasim whispered as they examined the Khanate army.

“Water already spilled. There’s no turning back now.”

Nadia observed the Khanate army with a cool attitude.

“Haha, if they knew what backing we’ve acquired, those Khanate fellows would be shocked. 1,000… that’s certainly a lot. In normal times, this would be a situation where we’d have to prepare for battle…”

Hakan, stroking his beard with folded arms, snickered.

“It’s been really fun lately thanks to the White Sovereign. This too will work out somehow.”

The Khanate army led by military magician Zuladin and the assassins of Akran Village faced off.

A heavy tension began to hang in the silence.

Zuladin waited for quite some time.

Of course, the assassins didn’t surrender.

During this time, I carefully examined the Khanate army.

But… an army of 1,000?

I’ve fought forces greater than this?

Exactly on the first day of my previous life.

The bloody battle with the desert whale leading a pack of 10,000 desert sharks.

To my eyes, rather than a great army, they looked like children gathered with toys.

“…So, you won’t surrender after all!”

Zuladin growled with an angry voice.

He turned his head and shouted.

“Kashir!”

“Yes, Assistant Magician.”

At Zuladin’s call, an imam in military service wearing a snow-white turban and an equally pure white bisht stepped forward.

Specific markings were embroidered on the epaulets on both shoulders and down the center of the bisht.

A red sun rising in the blue sky background.

It was the symbol of the Sun God Zanitra.

Various religions exist in the Western Continent of Arubian.

The Sun Religion worshipping Zanitra has an Earth-Islam feel.

While it’s a monotheistic system, the difference is that it allows worship of holy pictures, icons, and relics.

For the Rashka’s Desert God Karayan and the other religions, the old-fashioned systems of temples and priests with idol worship are maintained.

“Blessings and consecration for the crusaders embarking on a holy war!”

Zuladin directed vigorously.

The imam, holding a holy book in one hand and a crescent sword in the other, shouted.

“Advance! Noble spirits of Tasham! I saw a great sign in the solar divination at dawn! The result of the great struggle was our certain victory! Because the Sun God guides us!”

“We shall be victorious!”

“We will definitely win!”

Faris knights, equivalent to the Central Continent’s knights, drew their curved swords and raised morale.

Khanate soldiers armed with spears, swords, and shields grew enthusiastic.

“There is no god but Zanitra, and He is great!”

“Zanitra! Zanitra! Zanitra! Zanitra!”

“The Sun God watches over us!”

Zuladin extended his hand not holding the crystal ball.

“Attack! Strike down and demolish that fortress of demons!”

Puuuuuu-!

The trumpeter blew his horn.

Udududududu-!

“Uwaaaaaa-!”

“Uooooooo-!”

“Waaaaaaa-!”

The Tasham Khanate army immediately began to surge forward.

Cavalrymen spurred their horses, and infantrymen ran on foot.

The 1,000-strong otherworld Arab-style army charged, pressing down turbans, flashing scimitars, waving banners with Sun God teachings inscribed and all kinds of sacred objects depicted.

Lord Hulani’s banner, with the mountain goat face mark surrounded by a halo, was the largest and clearest.

Clop, clop, clop-!

The loud hoofbeats of the cavalry amplified.

Pale dust swirled around the Khanate army.

Infantrymen carried ladders in pairs, front and back.

They were clearly prepared for a siege, intending to capture Akran Village.

A very difficult type of enemy force – fanatics armed with religious faith.

Pushuk-

I hid my head below the surface again.

I immediately swam beneath the surface, crossing the village.

Reaching the front of the village’s southern entrance, I surged upward.

Kwassss-

[Stop. I am protecting this village.]

Upon emergence, I sent telepathy to all members of Zuladin’s Khanate army.

Kwarrrrr─────!

“Hu, aaaak-!?”

“Wh-what is this!”

“Hee, ing-!”

The advancing Khanate army all halted.

Infantry and cavalry entangled in disarray and stopped.

Amidst the ensuing chaos, I sent another telepathic wave.

[If you retreat immediately, there will be no bloodshed.]

The mouth of Zuladin, commander of the Khanate army, gaped open in shock.

“Wh-White Sovereign……!?”

As expected of an intellectual from the Magic Academy, his reaction was immediate.

He was aware of who I was.

“……”

A heavy silence descended on the battlefield.

The invading Khanate army had stopped.

What choice would they make?

“At-Attaaaack-!”

Zuladin, with tears in his eyes, shouted.

“I-Indeed, the Rashka have allied with demons from beneath the desert! That white exterior! That horrific mouth! The White Sovereign being with them is vivid proof of this!”

Zuladin encouraged his troops who had frozen at my appearance.

“Attack! Prove the battle and faith of the destined crusaders! Otherwise, all will fall to hell and become more horrific than that thing!”

“Hu, aaaak-!”

“Uwaaaaak-!”

Dudududududu-!

Surprisingly, the Khanate army initiated a second charge.

Terrified Tasham Khanate soldiers charged forward while wailing.

A cross of powerful religious fervor, instinctive fear of death, and concern for the afterlife.

[Then, I shall deliver divine judgment.]

I clearly gave a warning.

Yet they ignored it and charged forward.

I opened my mouth wide and prepared the concentrated power.

Ssssssssuk-

Sand explosively filled my circular-toothed mouth.

The distinctive feeling of it filling my stomach completely.

Finally, my internal sand pouch was fully charged.

“Kyu, hwaaaak-!”

Roaring with a ferocious voice after a while, I released my power.

Pook! Puhooook-!

A yellow sand breath erupted mightily from my mouth like a dragon’s breath.

A yellow sand cannon of tremendous intensity and thickness was fired.

Shwaaaaa─────!

The vanguard of Zuladin’s lord army was immediately engulfed in sand.

I swept the ejected sand cannon across from right to left.

An immense sandstorm comparable to a typhoon arose.

After completing this traverse from right to left.

Puoooook─────!

Sand was emitted again from my mouth.

This time, I slowly turned my head from left to right.

An assault force with firing power like bullets that could penetrate even tanks.

Drawing in sand continuously from my lower body partially buried in the ground, I fire a sand stream with devastating power.

Hwiiing-

Eventually, silence descended.

The Albino Death Worm is the white reaper of the desert.

That fearsome legend was once again realized.

“U-Uwaaaak-!”

Zuladin’s scream immediately erupted.

The lord’s old magician looked around himself, screaming.

“Ooh! Sun God! Sun God! Almighty Sun God-!”

Men and horses alike were ground up into blood puddles.

The ground beyond looked as if painted with red paint.

It was the moment when the Khanate army of 1,000 was annihilated.

Zuladin wept and wailed, scattering tears.

“Zanitra! Zanitra! Zanitraaaaa-!”

1,000 kills.

That was the death count I accumulated with one breath.

To handle 1,000 common soldiers, one sand breath was sufficient.

I disliked unnecessary slaughter, but this was the result.

Only Zuladin somehow survived by casting a protective barrier.

I deliberately fired with an intensity to sweep away just the common soldiers.

[Get lost.]

I fired a final telepathic message to clarify.

So the only messenger to deliver the news would understand clearly.

“Uwaaaak-!”

Clop, clop!

Zuladin immediately turned his horse and began to flee.

The back view of a commander who had lost his army was pitiful.

Yellow liquid splashed on both sides of the saddle.

“U-Waaaaaaa-!”

“Huoooooo-!”

“Kyaaaak-!”

Immediately, thunderous cheers erupted from Akran Village.

“Our White Sovereign! White Sovereign! White Sovereign!”

“The White Sovereign protects us!”

“All worship and praise Him!”

The assassins on the barricade shouted exuberantly.

They embraced each other, jumped up and down, and threw down their weapons.

Nadia with her profound smile and Hakan with his ear-to-ear grin were visible.

“Kyuruuuu…”

Remaining sand flowed from my mouth.

An overwhelming bitterness, as if chewing sand, assailed me.

…No, that expression was accurate since I am a desert Death Worm.

Perhaps I’m just not accustomed to the bitter taste of sand yet.

What will happen from now on?

I’ve killed a thousand of the lord’s soldiers…

This kind of innocent massacre is definitely not to my taste.

If only they had retreated when warned.

I spat out the last of the sand from my mouth.

“Kyurut.”

Let me become accustomed to the death around me.

Let me keep getting used to the death of those who oppose me.

Perhaps the karma I’m accumulating now might be a cornerstone of indifference.

I casually sent telepathy to Hakan.

[Hakan.]

Instead of sinking into depression, I chose a different alternative.

It was regarding the topic I had been discussing with the worms.

“Yes? Sovereign?”

[From this moment, we will begin the Worm Rider training program.]

“O-Ooooh-!”

Hakan cheered and threw back his upper body.

“Kee, eeeeeck-!”

Hakan let out a resounding pterodactyl voice.

It was mysterious how that build could produce such a 7-octave sound.

If I go to Earth, I should make him an opera singer or vocalist.