V4: Chapter 13:

…

Why can't we just print out guns like crazy and win?

The answer is that the guns manufactured by the Citadels are fucking gigantic.

According to the forums' resident gun nuts, the guns in the game were ridiculous, because they were meant to be used by far stronger people against monsters that needed the likes of Conquerors to put down.

Hell, the guns would have to work against Conquerors too.

I'm not a gun nut, so I didn't know the exact details, calibers, or whatever, but I did know that an ordinary human firing the regular pistol produced by a Citadel would break both their wrists and find the gun flying into their face. The semi-automatic rifle would blow your shoulder apart and your eardrums would burst. Finally, their version of a hunting rifle was closer to an actual cannon you'd see mounted on a tank.

Not an armored vehicle.

A goddamn tank.

The Ancients were on some serious genetic therapy and light power armor most of the time, so any one of them could use these weapons.

Their military-grade small arms would be considered naval artillery.

So, using them directly was out of the question.

The guns and the ammo produced by the Citadels were research material, and a good way to get amazing, refined propellants for cannons and cartridges… until the late-game.

But, for now the research and powder were more than enough. I was looking forward to getting troops smaller versions that fire more 'normal' rounds. The loss in stopping power, compared to the fuck-off giant weapons used by the Ancients, was fine. The whole point of the weapons was so that I could leverage more of my population and train them more quickly, as well as improve the defenses of my territory substantially.

In short, the massive, fuckoff huge guns with perfected ammunition are for later, for the real big bad enemies.

For now, we were going to develop guns solely to take the rest of the Citadels, and stave off the initial waves of the oncoming crises.

Now, I just had to hide the former fact from my current allies.

…

It took almost two entire months for the army to get the city around the Citadel into working order, but once everything was 'normal,' the outputs of the Citadel were as expected.

Massive.

"This is difficult to believe. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes." Celia just decided to show up in my office with Conquest and Sirena in tow in the first days of the occupation. Since we were lacking in administrative staff, I asked them politely if they wanted to help. They accepted, and since that day I'd been trying to hammer into their skulls that I needed this third Citadel for more than a year. Thankfully, Conquest stated that the city wasn't considered handed over until she and her people left it, and only started planning to leave once the situation was stable and the region was clear of enemies. "With this output, the famine will be a non-issue. Many will go hungry, but not starve."

"I believed in my studies and understanding of the Citadels, but this exceeded my expectations, too." I did my best to play at being humble. I was sure it wasn't working. I was sitting behind a massive table laden with documents of import that required my signet and I technically controlled three of the most massive and powerful structures this world had. Even if I decided to kiss ass with every breath I had, there was not hope in coming off as humble. This situation was untenable and there was no way the other factions weren't going to take it from me after I decide to not honor the year-long lease. "With this, we can all rest easy that all shall be fed… however there is the concern regarding the growths my Citadels have had."

Citadels levelled up. In-game, its bonuses and flat additions to your Citadel increased, but its looks also changed. The more Citadels you had in your network, the larger they grew, as they shared power, information, and collaborated with one another. This Citadel wasn't networked, yet it threatened to annihilate the region by just shaking off a few pieces. Over the last couple of months, the Citadel grew some more along with the others under Khanrow's control, until one collapsing would be a problem for the neighboring regions, too.

These things were the 'roots' of a massive fucking Ancient superweapon that stretched into space when they were altogether, so of course they were just going to get more and more ridiculous the more you had on your side.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

That stuff's seven to ten years away at the earliest.

"It's entirely likely that even after I hand this off to the Conquerors, that I will have under my control two of these Citadels. The Conquerors shall have one, and perhaps their own will replicate it, but the rest of the continent shall be left with single Citadels at their first stage." Every representative of another faction has been going over the numbers for the past couple of days with me. I made them see just how much this Citadel was producing. Where we could previously produce a few hundred pounds of food and materials to support the cities outside of the Citadels, we were now pumping out metric tons. These supply centers were part of a network that supported the whole planet, a large chunk of the solar system, and almost a trillion people all over that territory. "If at all possible, I would like to work with each of you in turn to embolden you Citadels. The process takes just a handful of weeks, then the balance of power can be somewhat maintained."

"With yourselves and the Conquerors with two Citadels, each forged from the union of six, while two of us have one each?" Celia snorted and almost smiled, while I raised my hands at her observation. Drat, I was hoping that she'd fall for it at least. Her saying that had Conquest and Sirena shake their heads as well. Guess that was too much of a reach. "However, I would not be adverse to working with the Conquerors and the Wardens to elevate ours Citadels to greater heights."

And, now they were cutting me out of my idea.

I really need to learn to shut up sometimes.

Still, though, it would be better for them to have upgraded Citadels than not.

"With the coming terrors, I advise that the three of you speak amongst yourselves and do as you plan." Strengthening the people that I'll have to defeat and steal from later? Yeah, you could see it like that. However, unless all three of them worked perfectly together after elevating their Citadels to 3 out of 8, they'll still have only one each, while I'll have 3 at the same level. Reminder: no way in hell I'm giving this one back to the Conquerors. Anyway, they'll be able to fight the first wave of the incoming crises better with higher levels of Citadels, and they won't be able to unify and take me down. I'll kill at least one of them in the opening exchange first, so it'll be two 3/8ths vs four Citadels at 4 out of 8. For them to win at those are odds, they'll need to use save scumming and have meticulous battlefield micro and perfect build templates, all of which didn't exist. "Don't worry, I'll speak to my advisors and calm them if you do such a thing."

Celia frowned at my words, just as Conquest voiced her opinion on the matter.

"I know not whether you trust in us, or if you see us beneath your notice, King of Wisdom." Over the last few weeks, I'd managed to piece some things about Conquest. The most prime piece of information was that her abs were like warm marble—I mean, that she's smarter than she lets on. And, the second most important fact about her, was that she wasn't below being sneaky and cunning when she had to be. Like a combination between a devilish rogue and an honorable warrior, but both were willing to do what needed to be done to win. "But know this: the Conquerors are not to be underestimated. You and your people will submit to our rule one day, and the whole of the continent shall be united under one banner."

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Sirena was quiet and didn't respond. The Warden's Saintess was a lot more quiet nowadays, and I had a feeling things were going to change with the Guardians once she returned to them.

This is after I showed them the whole planet is going to come after us by the way.

It just goes to show that after centuries of constant warfare, bigotry, tragedy, and all sorts of fucked up shit, everyone left was allergic to forming alliances and joining together. Those who were willing to ally and to work with others were weeded out in the first couple of centuries. Hell, they were probably the first victims of full-scale cultural genocide and all sorts of other nasty stuff, since no one could remember them. Ultimately, it was going to take a lot of time and effort to bridge the gap between everyone… neither of which I had at my disposal.

Unfortunately, it looked like my only option was to conquer my former allies once we all went our separate ways.

Hm.

That'll be pretty hard, so why don't I go after the others first?

The Goblins had to go seek asylum somewhere, and hunting them down and beating whoever sheltered them was good enough reason to go to war.

Yeah.

And, if they didn't, well I could make it seem like they did.

What?

I'm American.

False flagging enemy nations and setting up casus belli is part of my culture.

Nothing better to stimulate a war economy than smaller wars!

And, if you never stop having wars, you can stay on the war economy forever!

Win-win, except for those who lose!

…

Interlude: Crusher.

…

News of the King of Wisdom's victory travelled across the land like a wildfire through desert plains. The papers transported by his messengers travelled all over the continent and spread his tale, while the voices of those who spoke against him faded into obscurity outside of city walls. Our city, the Holdfast, was in high spirits knowing our soldiers and my daughter ventured with the King of Wisdom to bring low the Scholars and that their trickery and plans were undone.

However, my own daughter's writings pervaded the thoughts of me and my fellow officers.

Through cunning and ruthlessness, the King of Wisdom turned the Citadel of the Scholars against them. Like a master of the minds and hearts of people, he roused the population of the city into feverish protests that turned into riots, and conquered the greed and selfishness of criminals to use to his own ends. As the city was paralyzed, as the Scholars were forced to deploy their strongest warriors, they were undone by a mere handful of Champions at the right time and at the right place.

Many of our strategists had believed the King of Wisdom's forces and all those sent would be spent against the Scholars and their Citadel.

Yet, now, we knew that those armies were whole, hale, and the King of Wisdom has been one of the few injured in the campaign.

The only blood spilled was that of the Scholars and their ilk.

I reached the same training ground where I typically met with the Deliverer, and found myself buffeted by what felt like a storm gale.

But it was not.

It was the swings made by the weapon that the Deliverer swung.

As a gift, the Deliverer was rejuvenated via the alchemies of the Ancients, and now he loomed over us all as a Conqueror in his prime. I barely reached his navel in height now, and his gnarled skin was replaced by bright green hues. Not a wrinkle remained on his face, and his gaze was sharp and a deep gold. All his intellect, skill, and wisdom remained, but now in a body that could last for centuries and centuries more.

The King of Wisdom sent fear into our hearts, yet with another move he rekindled hope long thought lost.

Truly, I understood how he was able to turn the Scholar's own city against them.

"What news, Crusher?" The Deliverer addressed me, his voice like rumbling thunder, and he placed his axe on his shoulder and let his massive tower shield lower onto the floor. Unlike many Conquerors, he wore armor. Heavy armor, which necessitated her train with it often. Clad in all of it for training, he was a titan of white armor forged from the Citadel's foundries, and he weighed himself down with satchel after satchel of sand. He intended to fight from the beginning and end of any battle, a titan with towering shield in one hand and pure destruction in the other. "Has your daughter returned?"

"She draws close. A rider came from our border."

"Set a feast of victory for her return. Even with the coming famine, her victory should be celebrated." The Deliverer spoke and a pair of servants walked to him bearing a great barrel filled with water. He took it in one hand and drank from it deeply, until it was finished. He nodded in thanks to them, as they took it away. "Speak of your concern. They will only be addressed, if we speak."

He saw through me with ease and speed he never had before, yet his renewed strength, skill, and clarity did little to quell the concern with my heart.

"Deliverer, are our plans unchanged? Will we face the King of Wisdom and his forces? Challenge them for the right to rule through combat?" Such was the will of the Deliverer. Once we accepted the challenge of the Guardians, as we believed their goal similar to ours. To lose to them and fight with them, would be little different from our own ends. However, the King of Wisdom and his people were not the Guardians. Many of them enslaved our people. They wronged us, as many did before. Treating us as little more than meat for the grinder of war and beasts of burden. "I advise against it. We need more strength, if we hope to win, and even then he will array against us more than we can imagine."

The Deliverer pondered my question, as the sun set in the distance, and he placed a hand on the top of his shield before answering.

Those who kept him the longest were the people of the King of Wisdom, and he waged war against them for hundreds of years.

"What will you do, if I say yes, Crusher?"

He addressed me, and I spoke without hesitation.

"You remain my king and my lord and no other deserves my loyalty. Your word is that which I follow."

"My thanks, old friend." The Deliverer nodded, before speaking again. "My plan has changed. My intention is different now. It shall not be a battle of armies, but that of kings. His Champion against me, with our lives on the line, and our kingdoms"

"The Kingslaying Rite." The words of the trial the Deliverer spoke left my lips unbidden, as both pride and fear filled my heart for the man I chose to follow. In a year's time, he will either rule over the largest kingdom of the Continent or perish with his legacy at his opponent's mercy. "Are you sure, Deliverer?"

This time, the Deliverer did not pause as he spoke.

"I am. This is the only path we can now follow, as the world entire is filled with our ancient foes." The Deliverer brought up his shield and lowered his axe. He looked in the distance, mighty and strong, yet willing to lay his life for the future nonetheless. "Either I shall be victorious and rule over the strongest nation, or my death will make it so the path to creating that nation shall benefit our people more."

His life is truly for all of us and not his own.

"Now, old friend, what say you aid me in winning the duel that lies ahead?"

My answer was instant.

I went to my friend, my mentor, and my king with every intention of fighting him until I could no longer.

It was all that I could do now for the man who wished to give us everything, regardless whether he lived or died.