Ch.271The Path to the Seraphim Floating Mountains (2)

[“…and so, I believe we can proceed with the business in this manner for the coming year.”]

“Very well. Make sure to submit performance reports on the last day of each month.”

[Understood. Then if that’s all…]

“Hmm.”

I finished my conversation with CEO Karl through the communication device.

Though I call it a conversation, it was mostly about business—how orichalcum production has increased, and how neighboring countries have begun to take notice since we stopped importing orichalcum ore from Centrum.

It’s no surprise. Centrum was the capital continent of the old Empire and would likely remain so in the newly forming Empire.

Its central position, allowing access to all twelve continents, was not something easily given up.

The fact that imports from such a continent had been cut off meant that, unless we were declaring an end to business altogether, we had found a trading partner even better than Centrum.

A trading partner better than Centrum, which, with its imperial descendants, was the only place in this era capable of producing orichalcum ore.

Naturally, this would attract attention, and there would be those salivating over Turianic Industries, which was now producing far more orichalcum than before.

However, the reason there hasn’t been any significant movement yet, with everyone just watching each other cautiously, is that they have no idea who this trading partner might be. Moreover, they risk getting entangled in an unwanted war with other countries also seeking orichalcum.

In the worst case, they could mutually destroy each other in war, never discovering who was supplying the orichalcum ore, and be labeled traitors who sacrificed their national armies just to seize a single company.

Not a bad feeling. So this is what it’s like to be the puppet master behind the scenes…

These foolish humans, chasing after phenomena without understanding anything… Don’t worry.

Soon I’ll free you from the contradiction of self-governance.

*

After ending the communication, I walked alongside Simon, who was dismissing his staff from the bridge, and we began to chat.

“They call it the Floating Mountain Range, but why is it floating? Is it some ancient imperial device?”

“From what I know, the entire mountain range is a mixture of room-temperature, ambient-pressure superconductors. That’s why it can float.”

“The power of superconductors… But that means mining on the mountain range would be impossible.”

“Exactly. That’s why I had us bring ingots. We’ll be able to sell them at a very handsome price.”

Before our departure, Simon, true to his role as our party’s sage, had loaded the Sky Warden’s spare cargo space with various ingots produced by Turianic Industries.

Copper, chrome, steel, and titanium ingots.

Looking back now, it was an extremely rational choice.

The warning that mining the mountains would lower their altitude and lead to destruction meant that their means of metal production was effectively blocked. With no way to procure metals internally, they would have to rely on imports, which meant sellers could name their price.

“It’ll be nice to handle some money for a change.”

“Building an empire requires money, doesn’t it?”

“Absolutely right.”

I grinned, excited at the thought of selling our ingots at premium prices.

It’s not particularly strange for an Apostle to earn money directly.

The Crusaders earned money as mercenaries, and the Librarians earned money for book purchases by providing various consultations and advice.

Who could criticize the Apostle of the Sun for earning money under the sun?

“Anyway, the Floating Mountain Range… Not just a mountain but a range, so it must be incredibly vast… I’m looking forward to this… It must be a breathtaking sight.”

“Hehe. This old man is looking forward to it too. The older you get, the more you appreciate beautiful scenery.”

“Is it similar to how middle-aged people enjoy hiking?”

“Perhaps so. Oh my! To think I’ve grown this old already!”

Simon sighed with a grimace.

Unfortunately, he had set out on adventure too late, having been held back by fear.

But at the end of that fear, he met us and became our Simon, our sage.

When you think about it, the saying that misfortune can be a blessing in disguise really fits, doesn’t it?

If I hadn’t been half-beaten by a yeti in the Crucis Mountains, I wouldn’t have experienced my Aura awakening, let alone heard the Sun’s message.

“What are you men doing?”

As we were chattering away, I saw Lucia approaching from a distance with disheveled hair.

“Just having a conversation women wouldn’t understand.”

“Hmph. How amusing. I bet you were snickering about making some money.”

She said this while shoveling ice cream into her mouth from the container in her arms. Seems like she wants to die from a blood sugar spike before alcohol gets her.

“Damn, you caught us. By the way, why aren’t you holding a bottle? Have you developed a tolerance from drinking too much?”

“What are you talking about… I came out to drink water because of a hangover.”

She’s drinking something other than water, but I don’t bother pointing it out.

It won’t be my fault if she dies.

“Sure… Finish that and find your happiness.”

“Hmph. Whatever.”

Lucia turns away, munching on her cookie dough ice cream, her hair still sticking up in all directions.

By the way, that ice cream… what does she even taste in it?

*

“How much longer until we arrive?”

“Not much longer. We should arrive in about four days.”

“I see. Keep up the good work.”

“Yes, my lord.”

When I’m on the bridge, I notice many soldiers coming and going.

What pleases me is that among them, the number of those wearing the Sun and Moon necklaces has greatly increased.

After the last human experiment confirmed that they were indeed receiving the Sun’s blessing, faith spread like wildfire among the soldiers.

Since the Four Gods would never bestow their blessings upon them anyway, they began to believe in the Sun, which was clearly benefiting them. While I greatly lamented their calculating behavior, I couldn’t bring myself to blame them.

They had lived their entire lives believing the Sun and Moon were dead gods. The fact that their faith changed after just one or two years of experience meant they must have gone through serious internal struggles.

However, this development made the position of the military chaplains who still believed in the Four Gods quite awkward.

Originally, their position should have been vacant, but since realistically we couldn’t leave the chaplain positions empty, we had hired existing priests. Now, as the Sun’s divinity gradually shone down on this earth, their usefulness had come to an end.

Unable to endure this situation, several military chaplains came to me to express their intention to leave the Sun’s army at the Seraphim Floating Mountain Range. Understanding their reasons, I didn’t question them.

“You’ve worked hard all this time. We’ll provide severance pay according to your years of service, so live comfortably from now on.”

“We thank the Luminator for keeping his promise. Thank you for everything.”

I nodded and dismissed them.

Besides this, I discovered a very promising development.

Conversion.

“Aren’t you priests of Karil? Yet you wish to abandon your vows and serve the Sun?”

“Yes. What is the purpose of the Apostle of War? He is a living symbol and incarnation of war, showing that no follower of Karil can match his divine status. But he was defeated by you, and now the darkness of war has receded, and the glory of the Sun shines upon this earth. Please accept our plea.”

“…”

As expected of educated priests, their vocabulary is impressive.

If you think their actions constitute apostasy, you’re right. It’s undeniable apostasy.

However, Karil is the god of war and bloodshed, and a lost war with unspilled blood means Karil has abandoned his followers. Those who no longer hear the call of war have now seen the radiance of the Sun and have finally found the path of true faith.

“Your plea is most admirable. From this moment, you are no longer priests of war. You are now priests of Ardent Light, spreading heat and light. May radiance and fervor protect your souls, so that no evil entity may taint them. The Sun’s teaching is infinite mercy and endless devotion. Rise, those who have dedicated themselves to the Sun.”

As I spoke, the priests of Ardent Light rose.

As sunlight broke through the clouds, their war vestments transformed into brilliant white robes.

“The Sun has heard your plea. Until now, you have served a false god, so you must serve Him with twice the effort. Do you understand?”

“We humbly accept the Apostle’s words.”

“Good. Now go and fulfill your duties. Today is truly a good day, for I have finally proclaimed that the Sun’s divinity has descended upon this earth.”

Ah, it feels great.

Are you watching, Blood God?

Your priests are mine now.