Ch.354The Beginning of Extinction. Truth City (2)

“Haaa…”

As Viktor sighed and removed his hand, people around him began to glance nervously.

Though they had done nothing wrong, the whims of a god could drive humans to ruin. One never knew what might happen if they disturbed his mood.

Fortunately for them, the reason for Viktor’s sigh had nothing to do with them.

The Liberation Era… the Regeneration Era… Despite many good calendar systems to choose from, the fact that the Extinction Era was ultimately adopted meant that all achievements created by humanity had been extinguished. This could not sit well with Viktor, who was also the guardian deity of humanity and civilization.

But it couldn’t be helped. Just as he couldn’t be held responsible for things that happened before his birth, he couldn’t blame those who had decided to use the Extinction Era calendar.

Even now, 1,200 years later, traces of destruction and legacies of the end times still flowed everywhere. What must it have been like in Year One of the Extinction Era? Considering the Pale Forest, where biological weapons had created entirely new species, the Thirteen Continents must have still been burning.

“I don’t want to acknowledge it. That this tragedy occurred due to my inaction.”

The sun is both one and two. Though the earthly sun and the cosmic sun were now disconnected, they still shared the same essence. Therefore, even though it happened under Nariakira Saburo’s reign, Viktor could not turn a blind eye.

Likewise, Saburo could not let Viktor die. That would be killing the sun’s own essence.

“Vladimir.”

“Yes, O Sun. Command me.”

“Is there anything else for me to see in this city of Truth?”

“Regrettably, no, Your Majesty. Besides this ruin, we don’t have any other notable historical sites.”

Viktor nodded at these words.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t disappointed, but it didn’t particularly matter.

It was a lord’s duty to make up for his subjects’ shortcomings.

“Then I shall stay at the finest place here and contemplate ways to make your city even stronger. Lead the way.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. We are overwhelmed by your grace.”

With those words, Vladimir hastily guided the Iron Walker party to the best hotel in Truth City.

People cheered with each step of the god, and whenever he gazed at the scenery, they sighed in admiration.

This was the power of a god—the radiance emanating from humanity’s true master, whom the humans of 1,200 years ago had tried to erase.

Master of Ecstasy, Guardian of Civilization and Humanity… He had many titles, but none could fully describe his power.

He was the successor to the ancient empire, the one who had brought down the sun and would raise it again from the earth—a god created from humans who would establish an empire named after victory.

Upon reaching the hotel entrance, Viktor spoke to Vladimir once more.

“Bring me your government’s reports. Population. Gross domestic product. Industrial structure and trade balance. Everything related to real estate and land.”

“Y-yes, sir.”

One must know to help, and one must learn to identify problems.

Although his rule was based more on overwhelming technology and material support than sophistication, in this world, that was often enough.

If it wasn’t, he could always borrow the power of the Apostles of Wisdom.

*

Flip… flip…

Reading the black text printed on white paper that still retained a faint warmth, Viktor was analyzing Truth City’s financial situation and industrial structure.

Though he could feel his wife’s skin against his right arm, Viktor remained focused on reading the documents without even glancing at her.

“Phew…”

After reading everything, Viktor frowned at an inexplicable fatigue and embraced his wife.

Stretching her cheeks like taffy gave him some relief from the fatigue, but he wondered about the source of this weariness.

Having already attained a divine body, he shouldn’t feel physical fatigue like mortals. This must be mental fatigue, but why would he feel mentally tired when he hadn’t done anything particularly taxing?

Suddenly, his eyes fell on the reports on his desk.

Viktor realized that those reports were the source of his fatigue, and he let out a long sigh.

It wasn’t just reading those characters that tired him. It was knowing that when he became emperor, he would have to review such documents from all across the Thirteen Continents every day, with little improvement to show for it.

Every landmark he visited received help, which meant he would have to help other landmarks too. Because if he showed favoritism, they wouldn’t submit to the empire.

He must help those who seek his salvation and assistance. Because if he didn’t save them, people wouldn’t obey the empire.

Even now, the joy of setting foot on new land had vanished from his mind, replaced by thoughts of how to improve and reform Truth City.

“…I see. Is this the original sin of all gods?”

Gods born from humans are ultimately bound by human ideologies, thoughts, interests, and losses.

Even the creator of the world would remain the master of an empty world forever without humanity to perceive and enjoy it.

But what could he do? Having already become a god, he must fulfill his divine duties.

With that thought, Viktor rose from his seat, activated the communicator, and summoned the CEO of Turianic Industries.

*

“Vladimir Zelensky.”

“…Yes?”

“The Master of Ecstasy summons you. Go to him immediately.”

“Ah… understood.”

It was the Sun’s Honor Guard who delivered this information with an arrogant and haughty tone.

Dressed in white uniforms, they sent Vladimir up as if they were messengers of the gods, and he entered the elevator without protest.

The reason was simple—they truly were messengers blessed by the Sun.

Soon the elevator reached the top floor, and before him stood the imposing door to the lavish suite he had rarely visited.

‘This… door wasn’t this intimidating before…’

Indeed.

It was merely that the divine presence of the transcendent being lurking behind the door had seeped into it, severely pressuring Vladimir, who was just an ordinary person.

“Huff… huff…”

His heart ached.

It felt as if something was binding his heart with ropes to prevent it from beating, pressing down on his lungs to keep them from expanding—a sensation of being overwhelmed transmitted through his spinal nerves.

Indeed.

It was only natural that a human could not maintain their composure before a god.

But he had been summoned by the god and had to respond.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Enduring the indescribable pressure, he knocked three times.

Soon he felt something glaring at him, and sure enough, a voice came from inside.

“Enter.”

Vladimir grabbed the doorknob and pushed forward, revealing the Sun and Moon seated in chairs.

He entered the room, bowed while closing the door behind him, and responded with a bent waist.

“You called for me?”

“Yes. Sit there.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As he sat down, the atmosphere eased considerably. He would likely never realize that the Sun had slightly withdrawn his aura.

The Sun returned the reports Vladimir had brought and proceeded to discuss Truth City’s economic vulnerabilities, inefficiencies in its industrial structure, the real estate market bubble, and the lack of future growth engines.

“My loyal subjects will redesign your city. Neglected residential areas will be transformed into vibrant mixed-use complexes. The outdated industrial structure will be innovated with new technologies. We will burst the real estate bubble, endure a temporary economic downturn, then support the unemployed through large-scale civil engineering projects, nurturing them over time from day laborers into industrial technicians. The struggling tourism industry will be improved through corporate-run grand hotels rather than individually operated inns.”

And he spoke of what he could do for this city.

It wasn’t what he could do, but what he would do—yet who could refuse the divine command of a god?

“If you do all that, the citizens of Truth City will follow Your Majesty unconditionally.”

“Then as my subjects, you shall enjoy the prosperity I promise. I’ve outlined the details in these documents. Take them and show them to the influential people of this city.”

“We are overwhelmed by your grace.”

And so, Truth City too transformed from a city of citizens to a city of subjects.

Praise the might of the Sun. We shall all live under His eternal radiance.