228 – Success:
Translator:Insignia | Editor: Insignia /EndlessFantasy Translation
The War G.o.d really did have the qualities of a War G.o.d.
Even the timing of the catastrophe was planned; it had been scheduled for the Harvest Festival when everyone would pretty much be gathered at a single place. It was only when the meek and the weak gathered together with those who had the capabilities, or resources, to fend for themselves that their chances for survival improve drastically.
The War G.o.d even struck true to Baiyi’s character. He knew that the Fifth Walker would definitely not just watch the innocent suffer without doing anything about it.
The War G.o.d didn’t even s.h.i.+rk his diligence when it came to the details. The Kitty Cat Maid that had been chosen for Baiyi was cute and docile, which was exactly the sort that Baiyi loved. The small Law Fragment which Baiyi had been led to read was almost empty, so Baiyi was able to grasp the concept of the Law, gain experience from reading it, without knowing too much of the secrets that hid within it.
Baiyi suspected that even if he could see through the War G.o.d’s plans, he would still play the game willingly, exactly as the G.o.d planned. He couldn’t possibly give up the lucrative rewards, neither could he give up the chance to save the people1.
This was a conspiracy, but it was not a conspiracy against anyone; it was a conspiracy to save lives. The War G.o.d was truly a G.o.d for the Good, who did not consider the lives which were beneath his maggots and ants for him to play around with. In a universe where G.o.ds did not require belief to exist, this was invigoratingly welcome.
However, why was such a force for good working together with a heretic like Baiyi?
‘I get a feeling that this will be a part of another plan of his…’
This wasn’t the time to ponder on this question, however. Baiyi needed to act fast. He found another two Law Fragments which had appeared during the disaster, and then he discovered that their contents were no different from the first Corrupted Law Fragment that he had read. The only thing he gained was a worsening migraine. It seemed that the War G.o.d had ceased giving him chances to meet more Laws.
No new gains, but no new losses, either. He did not find any more sources of danger. This should be counted as good news, then?
Baiyi teleported himself back to the sky above the Capital City using the War G.o.d’s Sword.
Most of the rocks hurtling down from high above had completed their descent. The people on the ground, with Laeticia’s guidance, managed to form tidy lines and trudge forward to the palace. At the palace, a lot of the n.o.bles’ own mercenaries and royal guards were helping to maintain order. Those who came earlier were sorted into lines first, and those found injured were singled out for theurgical treatment.
Baiyi watched, realizing that his forceful confrontation had helped. While many family members of those n.o.bles, with the advantage of knowing about the portal first, got to stand in the very first few lines, there were also many at the back, too. Even the posh carriages that they had arrived were parked outside, in an empty s.p.a.ce, so that they would not obstruct the path. These n.o.ble families certainly did not dare cut through the line.
If Baiyi had not been aggressive in his approach, he was sure that the situation would have been very different. The carriages ridden by the rich would definitely form long lines, and they would hog the limited time, bringing their own people and property so that they may be transported; it was after this would they give the common people a chance for survival. That would be the only reason why these n.o.bels were seriously against his idea of telling the public this piece of vital news.
Not on the Fifth Walker’s watch, though! He was not going to let his rescue efforts go to waste because of some rich kid’s money.
Of course, down there, there were a few rich families — who had arrived with all kinds of coin, jewelry, and expensive, fancy items — shouting complaints and curses at him. Most of their criticism was levied against him forcing them to wait with the “lowly, uncivilized commoners”. Some women who resembled harpies were crying loudly, howling that they would definitely teach Baiyi a good lesson so that he pays for their losses…
Nah. Baiyi had zero interest in engaging with these troglodytes. Instead, he headed towards the transporter portal.
There were now more people working on the construction — which was as a result of the King’s announcement earlier. The Hammerhead Shark Plus.h.i.+e — which had the Scholar in it — was in a frenzy as she crisscrossed the site, having no time to spare for her friend, Baiyi, who had just arrived.
Not that Baiyi needed her to pay him any attention. They both knew what the other was thinking. Little Mia looked up from her work, flashed Baiyi a grin, and then turned back to her task.
Judging from the current state of the formation, their efficiency seemed to have improved a lot. Everything else was going well, so Baiyi was then able to join in the repair. With the addition of the Fifth Walker in the mix, the efficiency would improve even more.
Just as he was about to start working out the knots that Mia and Tisdale were not skillful enough to tackle, King Rowan arrived from the banquet hall.
Seeing Baiyi, he came forward on his own. His face held a combination of grat.i.tude and reverence. “Master Hope was just as they had said! Even your students are outstanding!”
King Rowan’s speech and actions were natural, making it seem as if what happened in the palace earlier had not occurred at all.
The Fifth Walker crouched at the side of the transporter formation, cracking the ice chunk on his right arm open to expose a wriggling gauntlet.
After disposing of the ice chunk, one of Baiyi’s unfrozen fingers emitted a burst of mana, and he started working on the formation. Baiyi did not even lift his head when he replied the King, “You flatter me, Your Highness.”
The manner by which he had brushed off the King of the Rodrithelian Empire stirred the va.s.sals behind him. They were just about to say something about his action when the King put up his hand.
He continued, “We thank you for your effort. Our nation would forever be indebted to you and your student.”
At first, the King was displeased with Baiyi’s action.
However, when that beautiful angel had descended, King Rowan was informed that the helpful angel was none other than the mousy village girl who as always by Baiyi’s side; that alone had curbed any disrespect which King Rowan may have had towards the man. At the same time, a furry plus.h.i.+e was working hard on the repair on the life-saving machine, and it seemed to be in charge. Furthermore, Baiyi’s two adorable, childlike students were working hard, making themselves the central force in the repair.
King Rowan’s sentiment was understandably complex.
‘This grey, nondescript Master Hope is nothing short of a messiah. Even his students…! Perhaps this was the only kind of character who could save Isythre from the hands of the Lord of the Abyss,’ King Rowan thought.
Of course, the King may have thought differently if he had known Baiyi’s real ident.i.ty: the enemy of many…
“I cannot iterate how grateful we are for your help. The entire empire owes you a big favor. If we ever escape this, we will —” The King was still babbling when Baiyi, who was now feeling frustrated, raised the ice chunk he had for a left hand. “Save it for next time, please. I need to concentrate.”
The King did not seem to be offended by Baiyi’s att.i.tude. He politely excused himself and led his va.s.sals to leave the site, while starting to strategize how to recruit Baiyi to his side for the rest of his reign. After all, after migrating to Isythre, King Rowan would surely need someone as capable as Baiyi.
‘Give him my daughter’s, or my niece’s, hand in marriage? But he’s a Soul Armature. I have no idea what he thinks about marriage. Oh! Maybe one of my sons could marry one of his students? Oh, yes. This is a good one! The students may not come from a n.o.ble family, but the eldest two are beaus, while the youngest one was just so adorable. My son would not complain about it!’
The King had begun to formulate a plan in his mind, not knowing that if he did put his plan into motion, his kingdom would be suffering wrath far worse than their current situation…
Three hours had pa.s.sed. The core part of the formation had been completed. All that was left was to complete some of the connecting parts.
Little Mia and Tisdale finally had the chance to take a breather. Both girls were so tired, their faces had paled, and their clothes and dresses were drenched in sweat.
A few observant servants had carried a large couch. Baiyi lovingly wrapped his arms around both girls as they sat on the couch, and he said, “You two did great! In fact, you two did really great! I’m just so proud of you, my outstanding students; you’ve saved hundreds of millions of lives!”
“Oh, my head is soooooo groggy… S-Sharkie? Sharkie where are you?” Little Mia, who was still engrossed in her work mood, cried out for her plus.h.i.+e. She looked dazed, completely oblivious to her own achievement.
The older of the two, Tisdale, was similar. She pushed Baiyi away from her and said with a hint of dismay, “Sir, your body is so chilly! That was so cold!”
The situation immediately turned awkward. Forget about his commanding presence and his authority over even the royals — at that moment, he was just a commoner and a very conservative father. He quickly let go of the girls and let them rest comfortably on the couch.
Fearing that they might catch a cold, Baiyi grabbed some comforters from the storage pouch and covered the girls with them.
Afterward, he dashed outside, taking Laeticia, who was still hovering in the chilly air, and Attie, who was busying herself with the rescue effort outside the palace. He brought the two girls back to the site, too.
It was at that moment that the last part of the transporter portal was finished.
The adorable hammerhead shark nodded at the sorcerers — who were all drenched in sweat — and then flew into Mia’s embrace.
Then the Scholar’s consciousness left the plus.h.i.+e.
“I dare everyone to a.s.sess my achievement! Was it not completed within the stipulated time?” The Scholar exclaimed in pride, and cheers and applause erupted in the Void.
“Bah. I didn’t expect those humans to listen to a mere toy. Besides, who knew that the Fifth Walker would be so good at this saving-the-world business, with everything all planned out…” The Lich muttered unhappily at his own misjudgment. If the work was handed to someone else, perhaps it would be different; in that case, even if the transporter portal was completed, the people would succ.u.mb to their primal desire to survive and erupted into chaos.
The Lich had not expected the team-up between Baiyi and the Scholar to be so effective.
“Our success is undeniable. There is no height the Voidwalkers cannot reach!” The Scholar exclaimed again in joy and pride.
“Alright, alright. Let’s talk about something else. We’re gonna start the transporter. Is the fuel enough?” Baiyi cut in.
“Affirmative. I had scrutinized the numbers,” the Scholar replied confidently.
“Great! Let us begin!” Baiyi cried, and King Rowan, who had hurried to the site upon receiving news of the portal’s completion, nodded.