Ch.268The Sacred Realm of Countless Gold. Turianic Plains (2)

“Dominion…”

Karl said as he sat down.

“You’re discussing quite a sensitive matter, Luminator. This Turianic Sanctuary is the first place where orichalcum was refined and the largest ironworks on the Yenisei continent. To discuss dominion over such a place is no simple matter. Furthermore, we already have a firm grip on the dominion of this plain. The Turianic Industry, that is.”

“I know that. It’s a story from thousands, even tens of thousands of years ago. But your dominion is unstable. Let me ask you one thing: are you a corporation or a nation?”

“…”

When I asked, Karl couldn’t answer readily.

Corporations cannot hold dominion. Whatever the practical reality might be, formally, corporations are not entities that can govern.

Then are they a nation?

If so, the problems they face will bring them down.

The reason they can maintain 200 million workers is because they are a corporation, but if those workers become citizens, they must provide them with basic welfare.

They would have to spend vast sums to coordinate rationing systems and markets, lead the economy and society, and ultimately serve those they once commanded.

Maximum of a corporation, minimum of a nation.

That contradictory form was precisely what the Turianic Plain had become.

“As you know, I am the Apostle of the Sun. And this place you’ve cultivated is where humanity first forged the Sun’s steel. I need your support.”

“Support… for what purpose?”

“Support for the empire about to be born. Because I need your metals for the empire’s legions, armies, and military.”

“A newly… born empire… the revival of the Nariakiran Empire?”

I shook my head.

Karl’s eyes narrowed, and he briefly rose from his seat to retrieve an ancient-looking parchment from his bookshelf and showed it to me.

“Do you know what this is?”

“What is it?”

“This is the imperial charter granted to Turianic Industry by the Nariakiran Empire.”

“…”

I took the charter he handed me and carefully examined it—a business license granted to them by the imperial court of the ancient empire.

[It’s genuine. It bears the emperor’s seal. It’s authentic.]

I nodded at the Sun’s certification and returned the charter to him.

I know why he showed it to me.

“As you must know, the fall of the Nariakiran Empire was like the end of the world. During the Age of Eclipse, we don’t even know how many warlords tried to force us into submission, and since the beginning of the Era of Extinction, exactly 21,321 rulers have demanded our allegiance.”

“…”

“Kings of kingdoms, lords of cities… all to obtain the largest ironworks on the Yenisei continent. Each time, we refused. We couldn’t hand over a corporation built under the approval of the Nariakiran Empire to those who weren’t heirs of the Empire… Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”

“You’re saying you cannot cooperate unless it’s the Nariakiran Empire?”

Karl didn’t move his head.

Was it half an answer, or half wrong? I dared not question it.

“You said you’re the Apostle of the Sun. I have no objection to that. Rumors spread quickly, and the fact that you saved Lake Ceres and killed the Apostle of War has probably already reached Centrum. So I’ll tell you this, Luminator. Are you saying that despite being the Apostle of the Sun, you won’t rebuild the Empire of the Sun?”

I nodded to him.

The Empire of the Sun was over. What humanity needed now was an Empire of Humanity.

“The Sun suffered ups and downs because of its own contradictions. A world where all humans can flaunt their individuality… is ultimately no different from having no individuality at all. That’s why the empire that maintained its name for 300,000 years perished, and I will establish a new empire carrying the name of the Sun and the flag of humanity.”

“What is this empire? There’s only one reason why emperors and empires don’t return to this world. Because of the glory of the ancient empire. None of us, descendants of that overwhelmingly brilliant empire, dare to usurp the imperial throne.”

“What is an empire? An empire is a universal state. It’s a unified political system that governs all 13 continents. For 51,200 years since the empire’s fall, humanity has repeatedly united and divided. It’s time to unite again.”

“…Your empire. It is not the Nariakiran Empire. Look around the world. People would explore imperial ruins even if it meant their country would vanish. In such a world, you’ve received the Sun’s blessing yet you want to raise the flag of humanity?”

“The reason the Empire of the Sun fell was because humanity betrayed the Sun. And I no longer want the Sun’s one-sided sacrifice. When I build my empire, I will return both the Sun and Moon to human form.”

“…”

When I revealed my ambition, Karl staggered as if shocked.

No wonder. The Sun and Moon returning to human form means the world would again be plunged into darkness.

“Do you understand what that means?”

“Of course. The world would be engulfed in darkness again. The alien gods of darkness would crawl up from the abyss, and humanity would enter into eternal struggle once more.”

“…Then why?”

“That’s why we must establish humanity’s sun. One great lighthouse on each continent, to substitute for the Sun and Moon. Thirteen massive lighthouses with enormous lanterns and light sources large enough to cover the world.”

“…Artificial suns.”

“It’s not an absurd goal. The artificial sun of Jericania still operates and has consciousness. Unlike then, humanity’s technology has developed much further. It’s not impossible.”

“…”

Karl fell silent again.

But this time, it wasn’t from shock, but from excitement.

“If… we could truly save the Sun and Moon from eternal suffering… if we could bring light to this world through our dedication rather than the favor of transcendent beings… wouldn’t that truly be a desirable world?”

“…Light and heat are symbols of the Sun. Aren’t you… one who wields the Sun’s power?”

“And I’m the only one who can talk to the Sun. The only one who can understand his suffering… You know that the most painful thing a human can experience is burning, don’t you?”

“…”

“How great must his pain be, burning for 351,202 years? Even if it’s light that lasts only 1,000 years, we must illuminate not the light of humans but the light of humanity.”

“And we should support this?”

He asked, raising his eyes.

No wonder. It would be their resources consumed for this seemingly absurd plan.

“Orichalcum can also be made with artificial suns. It’s the concept of light and heat projected onto steel. If we arrange the lighthouse structure like a massive furnace, we could mass-produce orichalcum. So make your choice. Will you take my hand and create humanity’s light? Or will you continue to ignore the suffering of just two people!”

“It’s not that simple. Above all, what benefit is there for us? As you said, we’re an industrial entity, and we need definite benefits.”

“Yes, of course. What do you want?”

“We want a stable supply of orichalcum. As the Apostle of the Sun, you can do that much, can’t you?”

“Don’t worry. I’m making it now.”

Already, by my command, numerous steel ingots were hanging in the Sun’s orbit, being reborn as orichalcum, and before the day ended, I could prepare hundreds of tons of orichalcum.

That’s what it means to wield imperial power.

“Making it… how…”

“I mean it literally. How many satellites do you think the Empire launched into orbit over 300,000 years? By manipulating satellites to transform steel into orichalcum, the burden on industrial complexes is instantly reduced… wouldn’t you agree?”

“The… price?”

“Loyalty.”

When I said that, Karl’s eyes darted rapidly.

But in the end, he is destined to be loyal to me.

Providing orichalcum ore for free means immense wealth, after all.

“Pledge your loyalty, and I will transfer the authority over orbital satellites and transport rockets.”

As I said this, his knees bent involuntarily.

Whether businessmen or politicians are harder to persuade depends on the situation and the person, but at least a businessman will offer loyalty if given appropriate benefits.

Just as he is saying now.

“I bow before Your Majesty, Emperor of the new empire.”

He said this and bowed to me three times.

Ah… this is called a loyalty oath.

I smiled as I watched Karl kiss the back of my hand.

This is just the beginning.

My empire, which will end the Age of the Sun and usher in the Age of Lanterns…