Arc 2 Chapter 2: Meeting with the Heroes (2)
Subtitle: Me or Them? Who do you pick?
“Well, setting aside the fact that you’re a cheat, I guess you really are Bryan huh.”
“… So you believe that screen more than me?”
“Duh, this is a stats screen. It never lies… mostly. Look for yourself.”
He showed me the screen.
Name:Bryan/Catalea CarletonAge:22Level:Cannot Be DeterminedRace:HumanGender:Male/FemaleSub Race:Clone
Titles:Hero, One Who Lost Everything, Controller of Destiny, Defender of the weak, Puppet (not in effect), Summoner of the Divine, Killer of the Divine, Unshakeable Will, Powerful Bystander, One who shook the world, Godlike Chef, The Angelic Nurse, One who is loved, A groom and a wife
Occupation:Spellcast MarineSub-Occupation:Medic
Stats
CategoriesNumerical ValueStatus
Strength10/9999999Backlash in effect
-Cannot be determinedIntelligence10/9999999Backlash in effect
-Cannot be determinedStamina10/9999999Backlash in effect
-Cannot be determined
Vitality10/9999999Backlash in effect
-Cannot be identifiedLuckUnknownUnknownLeadershipCannot be determinedUnknown
“… This can’t be real.”
I couldn’t help but say that. I mean, based on the information, I supposedly have 99999 of practically everything. If I go back to the stories I’ve read, numbers like these are impossible to have. Even for a cheat character… maybe that’s why they were calling me cheat. I sighed. Yeah, there is no way this chart is right.
“This has to be wrong.”
“You’re saying my appraisal spell is wrong?”
“Yeah, I am. I mean think about it. If I have 999999 strength, every single step I would take would practically destroy this world. Plus, if I had a huge surplus magic around 9999999, how is it that I ran out of it so quick. Think about it for a moment.”
They began talking with one another. Kayden then became the spokesperson of the group. As if to lecture, he raised his finger towards me.
“It is true that having 99999 strength would mean that everything you touch would break. But you could probably control your own strength to a degree. I remember watching something from my old world about a guy who can kill anything with one punch, yet oddly enough, he can still do normal things without breaking anything.”
“… Watching? Were you documenting this man’s daily life?”
Yuusuke shook his head.
“No, he wasn’t. I think it was a popular show in our world… what was it called again… hmm… It’s really been a while.”
He started to enter into a deep thought. Kayden shook him a bit before finally continuing.
“Well, aside from that, you can still live a normal life even if you have 999999 strength. You’re other stats too. Even if they’re all 999999, you can still control it to where you can live a normal life. That’s why you’re such a cheat existence. You didn’t even notice how strong you are, yet these numbers show that you’re as strong as an entire nation.”
Eh! That strong?! Really? And the way he’s saying it, it seems I don’t even need to have a conscious awareness of it. Truly a cheat character, but still… I’m really not convinced that this is my actual stats. Why? It’s because I know that a prerequisite for being a cheat character is first being teleported to another world… wait… ok, maybe I fall under this. They then become a hero. Technically, I am a hero, but I refuse to fight the demons, so I guess I’m not really part of that. Next, a divine being must have contacted you… I did summon Freyja, but that’s different. Right? Hmm… maybe I am a cheat character. Still, the stats chart doesn’t make sense. Ugh… this is a major headache. I’ll just have to come back to this later once I recover. By then, I should be able to summon the stats window and if it is true, I’ll find a way to hide or limit my power. For now, we have more important matters to discuss.
“Ahem… well, let’s just go ahead and put this cheat nonsense aside. I want to talk with you guys about the impending war with the empire.”
They now had a serious expression in their eyes. Before I could continue though, I need a map. I looked towards Lily. She understood my gaze and instantly disappeared. She then reappeared with a table that had a small circle in the middle. All of a sudden, a hologram appeared. It was a map that my subordinates have been feverishly making for the last couple of days.
https%3a%2f%2flingekid.files.wordpress.com%2f201...jpg%3fw%3d2026 [https://lingekid.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/map-of-wessex-military.jpg?w=2026]
The heroes looked at the map in amazement.
“Did you make this?”
“Nope, my subordinates did. They’ve been doing some reconnaissance on the surrounding area and have found some really valuable information.”
“You think they can have the demon continent mapped out soon?”
I shook my head.
“Not at the moment. For one, the demon continent is highly defended on the ground. My men only managed to gather that much before finally retreating.”
“Retreat? You’re men actually had to retreat? I was sure modern firearms would have helped them push on.”
I shook my head again. They really don’t know how proper war works.
“Listen, just because we have modern technology doesn’t mean were invincible. For one, we need supply, something that my reconnaissance group did not receive. Imagine having to send a constant stream of bullets, weapons and other commodities. It’s too much hassle. That’s why they had to retreat. There were too many for them to handle. They soon ran out of supplies and managed to escape without a single casualty, so I’m actually proud for their hard work.”
The heroes began to nod in understanding.
“So, even you care about your men. Wait, didn’t you say that they’re automatons? Isn’t it fine to lose one or two for…?”
Cynthia began quieting down. Why? Probably because I was drenching the entire room with bloodlust.
“Please do not refer to them as things to be used. They are beings that think, talk and act just like you. That’s why, it is only right to treat them as such, understand?”
She began nodding her head vigorously. The other heroes also followed suit as they all joined in. They kind of look like wobble heads. I began to cancel out my bloodthirst. They all took a deep breath as if they couldn’t breathe before.
“So… that was you from earlier huh.”
“To think you had that much bloodlust… you’re a pretty scary person.”
I shrugged. I then thought about it. Maybe I should apologize for my earlier leak of bloodlust. I bowed my head.
“I’m sorry for earlier. My bloodlust just came out after remembering some… things.”
“Ahh… it’s ok. Rather, were sorry for thinking that your men are just tools.”
They all bowed back towards me. These heroes… they really aren’t like some upstart heroes from that one story I read.
“Now then, back to the meeting. If you look at the map. This is our current situation.”
Lily immediately gave me a laser pointer. I then used it to point at the blue line around the western part of the kingdom.
“Currently, we’re trying to increase the defenses of our borders. To match the empire, we’ve begun constructing forts that ran parallel to theirs. We’ve also began setting patrols at several key points around these forts.”
I then pointed it at the yellow line.
“The other kingdom is also holding out. They’ve already established a defensive line against the empire, but right now, they’re fighting two wars. One against the empire, and one against the demons.”
“Wait? I thought the demons were only attack Wessex? What happened to the barrier around Malzur’r?”
“Based on their letter, the crystal that was supposed to be protecting them was destroyed. They don’t know who did it, but suspicion is going towards the empire.”
“Would the empire really do that?”
It was Yuusuke who spoke up. I wonder why, he looked calm but his fist were clenched tightly together.
“I really don’t know if it was the empire, but it would make sense. Force a country to fight two directions, that’s the fastest way to deplete their manpower and resources.”
“Isn’t that wrong?”
“In war, there is no such thing as right and wrong. It’s just a matter of who survives”
He stayed silent as he found no ways to refute me. For this long, they’ve been fighting the demons with this mentality. How idealistic can you be?
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“Now then, going by the rate they’re defending, Malzur’r will fall soon. That’s why, it’s the perfect time to strike them.”
“You want to attack the Empire?”
“Well, not me… like I told Yuusuke, I will not be participating directly in this war.”
“WHAT!”
The three heroes stood up. Only Yuusuke, who understood my position, kept sitting.
“Why aren’t you joining? With you powers, we can…”
“Stop!”
Yuusuke immediately quieted the group. With a shocked expression, they all began sitting down.
“But, Yuusuke… I don’t understand. Why…?”
“It’s a long story, but try to understand. Bryan will not be joining us in the field. Instead, he’ll be giving us support.”
“Support? How? With his army?”
“Well… I actually don’t know. I believe your explaining that right?”
I smiled. He really knows how to keep his group level headed.
“Well, this is what the meeting is for right?”
He then nodded, asking me to continue. I pointed at the circle with the number 20 besides it.
“Before I can actually support you guys, I want you all to take your men and capture this area.”
They stared at me with a blank face.
“You want us to attack them headlong?”
“Yes… and no. For one, you are not attacking them headlong. I’ll provide you with transports for this part. Your only job is to take this area and secure it.”
“Hmm… ok, so far I’m following. But why do you want us to take this specific part in the first place?”
It was Horie who spoke up. All four of them seemed to be getting interested rather than distraught at the fact that I won’t join them in battle or the fact that they have to capture this area with minimal help.
“It’s simple. For one, it’s a strategic place that we can set up a headquarters.”
“That’s understandable. With a high place, you could probably see everything around you. I believe you have some kind of surveillance system that can help scan the surrounding areas.”
I smiled at Kayden who once again showed great intelligence. They’re starting to catch on to my workings.
“Yes. For now though, the said device will remain a secret. Now as for my second reason… well, it’s better to show you. Lily, if you may.”
She smiled as she walked up to one of the tables. She pulled one of the drawers and reached inside. My room began to move as the walls began changing. The heroes were surprised as they held on to their chairs and their eyes began to open wide with shock. My once peaceful room was now inside our command center. People could be seen walking back and forth the area. In the middle, a huge screen could be seen.
“Master, preparations are ready.”
“Good. Commence drill in ten seconds.”
“As you wish.”
Lily passed me some noise cancelling headphones just as alarms began blaring off. This headphone was designed by her to block out any unwanted noises. On the other hand, I could still hear conversations perfectly. In this way, no headaches.
“What’s going on Catalea?”
“Look at the screen.”
They all focused their attention to the screen. It was an isolated mountain area that looked very peaceful. Nothing seemed to stir… though that was due to both Freyja’s and Lily’s efforts.
“Loading procedures done. Each crew is ready to unload.”
“Start countdown.”
“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… FIRE FOR EFFECT!!”
Muffled explosions could be heard from the distance. I began counting in my head. 5, the heroes looked at one another confused. 4, Lily began to giggle as she looked at the heroes. 3, Sara was also looking at the screen intently. 2, everyone in the room immediately sucked in their breath… wait, I understand the human operators, but also the automatons? 1… explosions began covering the landscape. Smoke covered the entire area as the heroes watched in astonishment. Even Sara looked be surprised. It took a few minutes and finally, the smoke cleared. The forest was on fire and the mountain had many charred craters into it.
“Target hit. Testing is complete. Master, we’ve successfully developed the 12 inch howitzers. Effective minimum range is at 78 miles. Longest range is 150 miles.”
I turned my head towards the heroes. They also turned their heads towards me.
“Well, as you can see. My men have recently built several artillery pieces. Now, they’re ready for use. Oh, and don’t worry about the after effects. The rounds we used are imbedded with a special type of mana stone.”
I pointed back at the screen. The once charred mountain was back to normal. The forest was also back to normal, as if nothing ever happened to it.
“As you can see, the environment is fine… its main target is living tissue. In other words, anything that has flesh is susceptible to being eradicated.”
They continued to stare at the screen, though now it was mixed with a horrified look.
“Bryan. You do know what it means when we introduce these to the battlefield right?”
From Cynthia’s voice, you could hear complete panic. With a calm voice I replied to her,
“It means were completely changing the phase that battles are carried out. Technological warfare will reach new heights and battles will no longer be fought the same way. Yes, I know. But this way, we’ll actually have a chance in winning, especially once we produced enough of the mechanized land rovers.”
They all gave me a questioning look. Yuusuke then spoke out.
“You make it sound as if we’ll lose.”
“…”
I stayed silent as I continued to look at the screen. I could feel that they were confused by my silence.
“Wait? What? You mean to tell me that we’ll probably lose this war?”
“Yes… we would probably lose this war. That is unless we take the chances that are in front of us.”
“… You’re hiding something from us.”
Cynthia gave me a suspicious look. Guess she’s on to me already. Well, it’s not like I have the ability to lie. Everyone seems to see through them one way or another. That’s why I’m usually honest… usually. I sighed.
“Max, can you pull up one of the files into the main screen?”
One of my operators immediately stood at attention.
“Pull up file 021, section 30-4.”
“Gotcha boss.”
He immediately began going through the mana database. I still can’t believe they managed to make a computerized database. Even I didn’t think that I could pull it off, yet these guys managed to create one in a matter of days. Well, it is my fault for giving them the knowledge of it.
“Pulling it out to the main screen now boss.”
In front of us, several images could be seen. This was caught by one of our surveyors. This fully showed how the Empire was able to rise, how it was able to conquer other nations.
“Wait? Aren’t those?”
“Yes… so far, the empire has managed to build about two to three hundred of these. When I first visited the Empire, I didn’t really see any hints or information that these things were being used let alone made. But now, all bets are off. They’re going all out, and if we don’t fight back… well. You get the picture.”
They all stayed silent as they looked at lines after lines of what seemed to be mechanized golems. They all seem to have a pilot which means that all of these were manned. They carried a shield and sword and seemed to had other types of weapons on them. A blue field also surrounded them meaning these mechs were capable of using magic. With these, the empire had an overwhelming advantage probably even against the demons. I then looked at the heroes.
“I may not be fighting in the frontlines, but I will support this kingdom to defend it. That’s why I’ve decided to do this.”
They all stared at me silently.
“This… it’s not right Bryan. We do not have the authority to…”
“The empire doesn’t have the authority to create and use those mechs. Yet they did. I only retaliated by making my own arsenal. As I told you, ‘hero’ Yuusuke…”
He flinched as I sarcastically said the word hero.
“… in war, nothing is fair. It’s about survival, and right now, the kingdom’s survival is at stake. So you tell me, should I change the face of war or them?”
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Author Notes:
Hey guys. So, I finally managed to make this chap with edit/colab. Hope you enjoy this major info dump and major plotline push… I think. Now, the reason I pushed to finish this today is because, I’m not going to be writing for… two weeks… maybe a month. That’s because, I’ll be taking a short break and… I have to start studying again. So yeah, there’s that. Until then, I hope you guys have a great time.
P.S: Screw RR tables. But I have no choice since word wont work TT.TT
P.S.S: This is only one part of the map. Once it’s convenient for me to use, I’ll use the full map :D
P.S.S.S: I might resume earlier depending on schedule, so I might even come back after a week. Who knows.
Editor: Surprise! Everyone hope you enjoy this chapter also the author likes to put Easter eggs in things like little treats for all you to find.
Collaborator: So true but to those how have paid attention you should of known by now something big is going to happen soon also if you want to know what the world looks like ask the author *beware of spoils*