Ch.105Perpetrator

The United Federation was prospering.

In cities where just ten years ago, all efforts were poured into building a single waterwheel, dozens of waterwheels now vigorously turned with the rushing currents. From fireplaces that once emitted uncertain wisps of smoke, pure white smoke now rose from fully stocked firewood, as if testifying to their abundance.

Through the recent war, the United Federation, led by Amurtat, had extracted considerable wealth from Fahrenheit. These acquired resources became sacrifices for development, significantly improving the quality of life for the Federation’s citizens.

Homes made of dried mud transformed into sturdy wooden houses, muddy paths were paved, and industries that had been maintained inefficiently due to lack of funds received new equipment.

With just these changes alone, national power could only increase.

It warmed the cold citizens, made fishermen’s nets finer, and blacksmiths’ hammers more durable.

This was the privilege of being the victorious nation, the achievement earned by the 1.2 million soldiers they had raised.

And the citizens of the United Federation had no intention of holding back on enjoying these achievements.

“Ahh~! The liquor tastes good!”

“Everything’s going well today! Innkeeper!! Two more bottles of beer and two servings of ribs over here!”

“Yes~! Coming right up!”

No one ate oatmeal at taverns anymore. The now-affluent citizens celebrated their hard day’s work by indulging in fatty meat and alcohol without hesitation.

As life became more comfortable, laughter naturally overflowed among the people.

Families were harmonious, children giggled every day, and parents beamed with smiles watching their children playing in the fields.

Adventurers and travelers passing by soothed their weary bodies and minds with these idyllic scenes, staying at villagers’ homes and sharing their extraordinary adventure stories.

“So I was going there when suddenly water started dripping from the ceiling. I looked up thinking there was a leak…”

“And then?”

“Well, would you believe it! There was a slime hanging from the ceiling!”

“Oh my goodness!”

“I was so startled that I dropped my lantern and jumped backward. Behind me, I could hear the squelching sound of the slime coming down and chasing me. When the lantern I dropped was consumed and everything went dark in an instant, I thought, ‘Ah, today must be the day of my funeral.'”

“Hahaha. Young fellow, you’ve been through quite an ordeal.”

The children said nothing during the adventurer’s and father’s conversation.

They were eager to hear what happened next.

The adventurer’s tales filled the bellies of children already full from dinner, and as these plump children fell asleep, they imagined themselves fighting slimes.

And so, today too, more children were born dreaming of becoming adventurers.

*

“Another adventurer? Where are you headed?”

“I’m going to Amurtat. I hear it’s quite promising these days.”

“Ah… Amurtat. Well, yes. I’ve heard even village dogs there carry silver coins in their mouths these days.”

“Hmm. Is that so?”

“Well, it’s an exaggeration, but it speaks to how well they’re doing. As you know, since Fahrenheit fell into that state, Amurtat has become the top power in the north, hasn’t it?”

“Indeed.”

And Amurtat’s prosperity was even more remarkable than the entire United Federation combined.

From the beginning, with three yards of currency, they were already affluent. They had extracted productivity, know-how, and various miscellaneous technologies from Fahrenheit, using this knowledge to further enhance Amurtat’s national power.

Even now, with the Magic Tower operating as Bladek’s one-man show, there was little friction because they had taken all the educational knowledge that Fahrenheit’s Magic Tower had accumulated over 300 years.

If one knows what results come from certain actions in given situations, 99% of the world’s affairs can be handled skillfully. Thus, Amurtat was able to adeptly overcome the overload from rapid growth by utilizing various know-how and knowledge taken from Fahrenheit.

The result was Amurtat’s rebirth as one of the northern region’s leading powers, and many refugees flocking to the north did not hesitate to travel long distances in hopes of settling in Amurtat.

The triangular relationship between Woodbury, Amurtat, and Pale Harbor offered three choices to refugees gathering in Amurtat.

Would they live in harmony with nature, within a city created by humans, or gazing at the pale coast?

Amurtat provided options, and those who wished to belong to Amurtat chose one of the three and built their lives accordingly.

A life sheltered by leaves, a life illuminated by streetlights, or a life cutting through waves awaited them, and they would be rewarded for their efforts.

“But Amurtat is a vast country. Where exactly are you headed?”

“To Pale Harbor. I have someone to meet.”

“Oh my. Then my fare will be quite substantial.”

“That’s fine. I have some money saved up.”

The adventurer who boarded the carriage shook a shabby sack, and when the jingling sound of money was heard, the coachman nodded and began driving.

The road to Amurtat was long but not lonely.

From those like him who had people to meet, to those seeking better lives, those looking for new homes, or those wanting to start new businesses—all were heading to Amurtat. The winding, bumpy gravel road was filled with countless carriages hurrying along.

*

Of course, there were orphans in Amurtat as well.

These were either survivors of nomadic people attacked by bandits, unfortunate children who not only lost their fathers before birth but also their mothers during childbirth, or children orphaned by the machinations of angels.

Fortunately, Amurtat’s government provided these children with shelter, food, and opportunities to acquire knowledge, including literacy.

“An Amurtatian is one who lives in Amurtat. Base means like bloodline or language cannot divide us. No matter where you were born or who raised you, if you consider Amurtat your homeland, we will gladly be your home.”

And Amurtat, which still absorbed refugees like a black hole, treated orphans and those without family ties warmly.

“How compassionate is our sovereign? Bestowing daily bread and shelter upon those with nowhere to go—this is the blessing of the entire nation and the pride of Amurtatians!”

Many willingly followed Tiberius’s will, and both poor and wealthy contributed donations to feed the orphanage children well.

This was because Tiberius knew very well what devastation could be caused by children, adolescents, and young adults who were isolated and despised by society. However, people had long ago reached a social consensus to call this “mercy,” and so the children saved by the sovereign’s will felt pride in being part of Amurtat.

“Under the protection of angels, our homeland flourishes and prospers. As sovereign, it is my rightful duty to honor heaven’s grace. The lord of Amurtat commands that there shall be no negligence in places where souls dwell. Cathedrals, chapels, and temples shall be consecrated and approved under the august names of the archangels, whereby all people under heaven shall revere the court of angels.”

“We humbly obey the command of Amurtat’s lord.”

And in nations where the problems of food and survival were resolved, higher forms of culture and art began to flourish, with faith taking the lead in Amurtat.

Whether angels truly intervened in Amurtat’s prosperity, no one knows for certain, but the fact that Amurtat grew from 10,000 to 2 million people in just 20 years was undeniable. Thus, attributing this achievement to angels was not entirely unreasonable.

Eventually, under the sovereign’s command, dozens of new churches began to be built, and the priests of the Angel Order offered prayers of gratitude for the sovereign.

“May blessings be upon His Majesty Tiberius von Adler, the true guardian of faith! Under the anointing of angels, may Amurtat prosper!”

“May glory be eternal! May grace shine forth!”

With the priests’ prayers, crosses rise over the city.

Despite the emergence of so many non-productive outliers, Amurtat continues to prosper—is this not truly the blessing of angels?