Ch.304Sanctuary of Faith and Will. Icarus Cliff (3)

Though everything that needed to be handled here was finished, Viktor still had work remaining.

That work was to issue directives to the Sun and Moon Order’s followers scattered across the world.

It was good that the Sun and Moon had once again risen to become established religions, but after being underground and scattered for nearly 1,200 years, the integration between the various factions was extremely low, and their conditions varied greatly.

For example, while one faction had just barely emerged from underground and could now pray on the surface, another had already swallowed several cities and built massive temples—that’s how vast the gap was.

If this gap wasn’t somehow bridged, it would not only seriously hinder the founding of the empire, but the regions they had established might also collapse due to the absurd factor of “regional animosity.”

“First priority will be aiding the impoverished. Apostle Michael, listen.”

-Yes, Luminator. Please command me.-

“Every human deserves a humane life. That means setting a minimum income threshold where people can eat meat dishes daily, buy clothes once a month, and watch movies whenever they feel like it. Implement support for those who fall below this threshold.”

-Understood. But Luminator, does this apply only to members of the Sun and Moon Order?-

“No. Support all who belong to poor countries. Of course, only those who have sworn loyalty. If we do this, we will gain numerous allies.”

“Understood, Luminator. How shall we fund this?”

“I will inform you of several suitable ruins. Selling the artifacts sleeping within them will provide sufficient income.”

As Viktor said this, he informed Apostle Michael about nearby ruins through telepathy.

Well-preserved artifacts were worth whatever price was asked, and especially since the one with authority was the Sun God himself, the enormous military funds essential for excavating ruins completely evaporated. All that remained was the payment for excavators, which would multiply the profits several times over.

“One piece of advice. When selling artifacts, never discriminate between countries—sell only based on money. You understand why, don’t you?”

-Of course. I am the Apostle of the Wisdom God, after all.-

If one were to sell based on a nation’s character, power, national identity, or history, it would inevitably create resentment.

The span of 1,200 years was more than enough time for emotions between nations to accumulate, so competition between countries to acquire artifacts that could change the course of wars would be extremely fierce.

Therefore, acknowledging only the absolute value of “money,” artifacts would be handed over to whoever paid the appropriate price, whether they borrowed money or raised taxes.

Whether they liked it or not, connections would form and exchanges would accumulate through this process. For Viktor, who needed to reign as emperor of the entire world, these were invaluable things that couldn’t be exchanged for anything else. For this reason, “normalizing” the world was an extremely urgent matter.

*

[…So, they’re also asking for facilities and permission to produce orichalcum. How would you like to handle this?]

“Hmm…”

Additionally, through Turianic Industries, other ultra-large steel mills in the same industry had requested permission to produce orichalcum as well.

These were places no less significant than Turianic Industries in terms of scale. There were as many as four of them. Granting them the authority and facilities to produce orichalcum would certainly provide great strength, but Viktor decided to approach this cautiously.

“Karl.”

[Yes.]

“How did they approach you?”

[Well… they weren’t very friendly. Thousands of them even stormed in trying to steal orichalcum by any means. In the end, they couldn’t steal any, though.]

“I see… Then why did they contact you? It would have been better to contact me first.”

[Ah, those fellows thought that you, Luminator, had transferred the orichalcum technology to us. In reality, we’re just receiving and refining the raw ore.]

“Ah, I see.”

When information is closed off, misunderstandings like this inevitably arise.

From the perspective of other companies who knew nothing, it was clear that Turianic was receiving something via rockets, but nothing visible was coming out, and any spies sent were promptly dealt with—so it wasn’t strange to assume they had been given the core technology.

Moreover, it wasn’t that they lacked rocket technology themselves; rather, this became an obstacle preventing them from conceiving the idea of transporting raw ore by rocket.

The orichalcum produced by the imperial family was also brought by rocket, but that method involved completely filling the spare space of manned spacecraft with iron ingots and then returning with crudely melted raw ore, so it was somewhat different from Turianic Industries’ approach.

In the end, it was a difference in conception… but if this continued, something truly serious could happen.

[How long has this situation been going on?]

[They reacted immediately after we started exporting orichalcum. You might not know this, but among those iron-rice-bowl types, there are plenty who would sell their daughters just to touch orichalcum once, so they must have been quite desperate.]

“Is that so… Then there’s no choice. Call their representatives. I’ll distribute authority to them.”

[…Are you sure about this?]

“We can’t control human desire. If that’s the case, we should at least make use of it.”

Saying this, Viktor summoned the representatives of the four steel mills and received their oaths of loyalty.

Since they could not break contracts established under divine names, Viktor had no hesitation in providing them with facilities, satellites, and rockets to produce orichalcum.

When he bestowed part of his power and delegated control to them, they rejoiced like children. Viktor then ordered them to spread as much orichalcum as possible throughout the continent before ending the communication.

*

“Good. Now it seems all tasks are complete.”

Viktor said this while dusting off his hands, then left the captain’s quarters and ordered the navigator to set course for their next destination.

“My lord, where shall we go?”

“Set course for the Hargal Plains. It’s time to go to Moneta’s ascension site.”

“Understood. All navigators assemble! We’re moving to the Hargal Plains!”

Ding-ding-ding-ding!

The bell rang, and the bridge crew began to assemble quickly.

Soon after, announcements began to sound along with sirens, and soldiers who had been carrying out their duties temporarily paused to focus all their attention on the speakers.

-Attention! Our lord will be moving to the Hargal Plains! All troops are to assemble at their positions within three hours!-

“Company commanders, check for any absences in your platoons!”

“Look at how you’re moving! A little longer and you’d be sitting cross-legged! If you don’t want to eat temple food with monks, move quickly!”

The sound of officers berating their soldiers began to ring out, and Viktor returned to the captain’s quarters to wet his throat with apple brandy.

Alcohol no longer made him drunk, but he could still feel the fizzy sensation of carbonation, making it perfect for quenching his thirst.

“Haaah…”

Viktor looked at his wife sleeping in bed.

An extremely sensual figure and beautiful face, just as when he first saw her.

Viktor sat on the bed and embraced his wife, who was breathing softly.

Seeing her sleeping so peacefully, as if there were no worries in the world, he felt a twinge of jealousy.

Since he had awakened to his own consciousness, had there ever been a night when he slept without worrying about the future?

Viktor tried to recall such a day, but it was futile.

How could one find something that doesn’t exist, even with a god’s memory?

-Notification: All soldiers have boarded. Takeoff preparations complete.-

Around the time he was thinking this, the Sky Warden’s takeoff preparations were completed.

The gas bags gradually began to inflate, and once again, Viktor could feel the Sky Warden beginning to rise into the sky to survey the ground below.

“I’m tired…. Is anyone there?”

“Yes, my lord. Did you call?”

“I will be sleeping with my wife, so don’t wake me unless it’s urgent.”

“Understood, my lord. Sleep well.”

Viktor conveyed his wishes to the soldier and then lay back down in bed, embracing his wife.

If one cannot escape the human world even after transcending humanity to become a god, then what exactly is the difference between gods and humans?

In this world where anyone can become a god if they are immortal and strong enough that no one can oppose them, Viktor could understand why death might be considered a kind of blessing.

Though much of the journey still remained, Viktor was gradually wearing down.

Not Viktor as a god, but Viktor as a human.

When he finally reaches Centrum and ascends to the throne, will he still be able to call himself human?