[Chapter 203]
[For the Fierce Battle(3)]
Fairy Force Year 21, February.
Finally, the devices were completed.
Eun-ha, who received a call from Byeok Hae-su, immediately headed to his workshop.
"I haven't slept for 16 hours... This is torture. Send me home now. It's too hot."
"...You're working hard."
"Ah, it's the devil. I haven't slept for 16 hours, now I'm seeing devils."
Byeok Hae-su's workshop in Sadang Station.
The employees treated Eun-ha with great hospitality as soon as they saw him.
The days when Byeok Hae-su operated the workshop alone were now in the past.
They guided him to Byeok Hae-su's gem-cutting room.
The environment of the room used for Byeok Hae-su to cut artifacts or inspect quality was very pleasant.
Baek Hyeon-yul was even lying down on the sofa taking a short rest.
"It's fun having lots of pictures to draw, right?"
"...It's the devil. No, it's Satan."
Baek Hyeon-yul still didn't have an epithet.
But as devices produced in Byeok Hae-su's workshop this time are released en masse, Baek Hyeon-yul's reputation would become known along with them.
Of course, Baek Hyeon-yul didn't welcome the situation of work coming in itself.
He made a face of disgust and turned his back completely on Eun-ha.
"Don't bother me. Let me sleep for even 10 minutes."
"Okay, sleep well."
"Beep beep beep baba baba pupu pupu!"
"Kang!"
Baek Hyeon-yul puts on a sleep mask.
He waved Eun-ha off and soon fell fast asleep.
Hyeon-yul must be busy being in charge of kids' device designs.
He was originally a friend who slept a lot.
Eun-ha smiled slightly seeing him.
And shortly after, Byeok Hae-su who seemed to have just been in the workshop with the furnace appeared.
A wet towel was draped around his neck.
"Sorry, am I a bit late? That Hyeon-yul, he's sleeping here again."
"Is it a frequent occurrence?"
"It happens often since it's close to where he works. He seems too tired to even bother going to his room, so he sleeps on that sofa."
"It's your room, but it's become completely Hyeon-yul's exclusive."
"Well, can't be helped. Let him sleep. Originally, creative ideas come out better when you sleep well."
Byeok Hae-su shrugged his shoulders.
Meanwhile, he was holding two long boxes in both hands.
Eun-ha recognized them at once.
He got up from his seat to help Byeok Hae-su.
Then Byeok Hae-su waved him off.
"It's fine, stay seated there."
"Are the swords made well?"
"I can proudly say I can't make better swords than these among the swords I can make now."
Since Baek Hyeon-yul was lying across from them.
Byeok Hae-su sat next to Eun-ha.
The smell of sweat was strong.
Nevertheless, Eun-ha focused on looking at the boxes placed on the desk without minding.
"The length is exactly the same as the two winters you used before. But the weight is a bit heavier."
"How much heavier?"
"Even so, only about 0.3kg per sword?"
"That's fine. It won't take long to get used to."
"Instead, they've become that much sturdier. They should be able to withstand the burden on the swords when using Sacred Territory Declaration."
"Really? That's good then. The winters couldn't withstand the burden of Sacred Territory Declaration as time passed."
Pandora Clan consciousness magic Sacred Territory Declaration.
To use that magic, not just Eun-ha but clan members had to feel enormous burden too.
Of course, high-level mana control was required to unify the image.
They also had to put burden on their devices to obtain the magic's effect.
At least their devices had it easier.
But Eun-ha and Eun-ha's devices at the center of the magic had to feel a much greater burden.
Until now, it was a part that even Hae-su hyung's skills couldn't do anything about.
It's good we made a new furnace.
But hearing Byeok Hae-su's words, it seems Hephaestus' Furnace compensated for that weakness.
Eun-ha was satisfied.
Now he decided to open the boxes.
"Come to think of it, what are the swords' names?"
"If we used winter as a theme last time, this time we used stars and flowers as themes. That Hyeon-yul draws pictures well."
"Stars and flowers?"
"The one-handed straight sword uses flowers as a theme, and the maengoshu uses stars as a theme."
"So what are the names?"
"Which one do you want to see first?"
"The one-handed straight sword first."
"Open the box in front."
Byeok Hae-su pointed to the box in front.
Eun-ha opened the box.
"""...."""
Buldak and Kang were curious too and poked their heads towards the box.
Eun-ha carefully appreciated the sword.
...It's pretty.
That was his impression of the sword.
It was a sword that changed Eun-ha's thinking that design doesn't matter as long as a sword is sturdy and cuts well.
Byeok Hae-su's pursuit of simplicity and.
Baek Hyeon-yul's pursuit of design were harmoniously blended.
"The blade is pitch black, right? It seems to have been influenced by the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword."
"So what's the name?"
"Hundred Flowers Blazing in Chaos (百花燎亂). Doesn't it look like all sorts of flowers are in full bloom as the name suggests?"
Eun-ha carefully took out the sword.
The blade was pitch black.
Red flower petals were engraved on the blade's edge as if fluttering in the wind.
It looks just like fluttering in the night sky.
It's said to be Baek Hyeon-yul's handiwork.
"The effect is almost the same as Winter Blooming Coldly. It nullifies the effects of long-lasting magic like buffs and debuffs. It can also make one attack have power equivalent to up to 7 attacks. Ah, but you have to infuse mana."
"Wow."
"Do you like it?"
"I like it a lot?"
"I'm glad you like it."
It was an enhanced version of Winter Blooming Coldly.
Sturdier, with increased attack power.
It also seemed to maintain the effect of raising allies' morale.
Probably the debuff cancel magic effect became stronger too.
A smile spread on Eun-ha's face.
He wanted to test it right away.
But there was still one more sword.
He reached for the other box.
Then he opened the box.
"""...."""
"That's the sword made with stars as a theme. Remnant Moon Dawn Star (殘月曉星). It means the moon and stars at dawn. Plausible, right?"
The maengoshu's blade was pitch black too.
Particles of light were sparsely engraved on the blade.
It was reminiscent of stars in the night sky.
And the pattern formed by the gathered light particles evoked moonlight.
It was a design that revealed its existence quietly without being too flashy.
"I like this one too. What was the name again? Remnant Moon Dawn Star?"
"Yes, Remnant Moon Dawn Star."
"What's the effect of the built-in magic?"
"Like Hundred Flowers Blazing in Chaos, it has the effect of making one attack have power equivalent to up to 7 attacks. Above all, this sword cuts and absorbs magic."
"Cutting and absorbing means doing the same work simultaneously?"
"Should I say it like that? This sword has a strong property of resisting magic even without using the built-in magic. So it will cut through most magic. And it means it will automatically absorb fragments of the cut magic."
"Then what if I activate the built-in magic?"
"You can shoot out sword strikes that release the absorbed magic. On top of that, maybe because it was made by separating the Seven Stars Demon-Slaying Sword, when used together with Hundred Flowers Blazing in Chaos, it can produce similar effects. Then starlight will flutter."
"When used together with Hundred Flowers Blazing in Chaos?"
"I was surprised too since this is my first time doing this. Should I say the two swords combine and elevate the magic to a new level?"
"..."
"How is it? Killer, right?"
"It's amazing."
An upgrade of Winter Crawling Snow.
Eun-ha was satisfied as he caressed the mountain-shaped guard.
The hilt was made to be easy to grip too.
"Thank you for making good swords."
"I just listened to what the materials wanted to be made into. Other than that, the furnace and Hyeon-yul put in the effort."
He obtained new swords like this.
Eun-ha who put Remnant Moon Dawn Star back in the box expressed his gratitude to Byeok Hae-su.
Eun-ha wanted to quickly check the performance of the new swords.
The corners of his mouth reached his ears.
"Please... Let me sleep quietly."
"Hyeon-yul, it's time to go to work now. Get up."
"Ah, come on...."
Thanks to this, Baek Hyeon-yul had to wake up soon after falling asleep.
☆
Fairy Force Year 21, April.
As the military was disbanded and new Twelve Seats members became accustomed to their work, the political situation was stabilizing.
Therefore, the Fairy Government started discussing the follow-up recapture war.
Since we pacified Uijeongbu and part of northern Gyeonggi in the last Uijeongbu Recapture War, now we need to occupy the remaining northern Gyeonggi.
As a cocoon was installed in Uijeongbu.
Now there were no more monsters in Uijeongbu.
But monsters were trending to regenerate in northern Gyeonggi.
If northern Gyeonggi was left alone like this, the monsters that had been reduced would increase and occupy northern Gyeonggi, and further invade Uijeongbu.
So, both the Fairy Government and citizens all agreed that the follow-up recapture war must begin.
Accordingly, players and stakeholders moved actively.
"─This is an official document sent from the Mana Management Organization. It seems clans wanting to participate in the recapture war should choose one of two."
Jung-gu, Pandora Clan Hall.
Eun-ha visited Han Seo-hyun's office.
Buldak and Kang were already in the office.
Those guys are with Seo-hyun these days?
Are they going to Seo-hyun because clan members' hearts are going to Lala?
They should just stay by my side instead of interfering with Seo-hyun's work....
Buldak sits on Han Seo-hyun's shoulder and rubs her cheek.
Kang sits on her lap and makes contented sounds.
Eun-ha showed displeasure seeing the two spirit beasts monopolizing his wife.
Perhaps reading that expression, Han Seo-hyun smiled slightly.
"Why? Jealous feeling like I've been stolen?"
"Do you think I'd be jealous of spirit beasts stealing you?"
"Then what's the meaning of the color I'm seeing from you now?"
"..."
Han Seo-hyun rests her chin on her hand.
She smiles with her eyes.
Eun-ha couldn't say anything.
Instead, he pulled up a chair and occupied the seat next to Han Seo-hyun.
"Is this the official document?"
"Yeah. You take a look too."
Then Eun-ha read the official document from the Mana Management Organization.
It was roughly about recruiting clans to participate in the follow-up recapture war.
There were two recruitment divisions.
One was pacification of northern Gyeonggi.
The other was attacking the Northern Gyeonggi Government Building. In other words, it was a force to attack the 2nd rank monster Maegu.
"How's the situation with other clans? Is everyone in the mood to participate?"
"Though there may be dissatisfaction with the Fairy Government, they can't not participate. The groups sponsoring the clans are also recommending participation, so the response is hot."
"What will S-rank clans do?"
"It seems Regulus, Dark King, East Sea, and Samra Clans will participate in the division to pacify northern Gyeonggi."
With the achievements from the 2nd Uijeongbu Recapture War.
Pandora Clan stepped into S-rank clans from this year.
As a result, coordination with S-rank clans increased much more than before.
Moreover, due to the situation and background of Eun-ha being considered the representative of players, other clans wanted to form close relationships with Pandora Clan.
Thanks to this, Han Seo-hyun could easily grasp the trends of clans.
Chang-jin hyung must have helped too, so Seo-hyun's information power would have increased.
By the way, why is that Kang rubbing its head on Seo-hyun's stomach?
Though Eun-ha's gaze went elsewhere because of Kang in the middle.
Eun-ha organized his thoughts while listening to Han Seo-hyun's words.
The reason players and business groups are trying to participate in this follow-up recapture war is because they're keeping the future in mind.
The situation was clear.
The Fairy Government had to complete the follow-up recapture war and develop northern Gyeonggi to regain public sentiment.
But due to frequent disasters, the Fairy Government was in a situation lacking funds needed to develop northern Gyeonggi.
Then how will the Fairy Government gather the lacking funds?
The method of collecting taxes from citizens wasn't good in a situation where public sentiment was just stabilizing.
So there was only one way.
They have no choice but to borrow the hands of business groups and players.
Business groups and players.
Borrow money and power from them.
In return, the Fairy Government gives up effective control rights over northern Gyeonggi.
It could also be called business rights.
Actually, a similar situation unfolded before the regression too.
Naturally, the Fairy Government's influence could only decrease.
Nevertheless, that was the best option.
Because the Fairy Government recaptured Uijeongbu and could gain administrative rights over northern Gyeonggi.
If public sentiment towards the Fairy Government improved in that state, they could have reclaimed the control rights taken by business groups.
But unfortunately.
Public sentiment worsened even more as Guma appeared.
In the end, Uijeongbu and northern Gyeonggi fell into the hands of business groups and players as good as.
Eun-ha who recalled memories from before the regression asked Han Seo-hyun.
"Is there no separate talk from the Fairy Government? That they'll compensate participating groups besides what's written in the official document."
"They said indirectly that when developing pacified regions, they'll give some authority. For clans, it would mean giving absolute power to maintain public order in that region, and for business groups, it would mean giving business priority rights."
Public order maintenance rights and business priority rights.
They were rights people would drool over.
He could understand why S-rank clans were trying to participate in the follow-up recapture war despite suffering great damage in last year's recapture war.
Even Eun-ha was tempted.
Maintaining authority in that region means gaining control rights over that region in the long term.
It was understandable that many groups would participate.
So it seemed the Fairy Government knew this and would carefully examine and select participating groups.
Of course, Pandora Clan was an exception.
"And the Fairy Government said they would preferentially arrange a position for Pandora Clan whichever division we choose."
"Really?"
"They're being cautious of Pandora Clan due to public sentiment and the number of Twelve Seats we have. So just say the word. You'll be able to participate in the operation as you wish, and gain some command authority too."
Han Seo-hyun said confidently.
Eun-ha nodded.
There was no need to lobby to participate in the desired division.
The Fairy Government had no choice but to take Pandora Clan's opinion seriously.
"So? Which one will you participate in?"
"Hmm, well..."
In the end, Eun-ha just had to choose.
There was no need to agonize.
Eun-ha's choice was already decided.
There was only one.
"─We have to participate in the Maegu subjugation."
"Hah... I thought you'd say that."
They had to defeat Maegu to restore the Fairy Government's public sentiment.
And only the force subjugating Maegu could gain the authority to control Uijeongbu.
Uijeongbu would become the central area between Seoul and the north as northern pacification actively progresses in the future.
Uijeongbu's value was the greatest among northern Gyeonggi.
So Eun-ha had to prevent other clans from touching Uijeongbu.
Above all─.
─Without On Tae-yang, I don't know how the subjugation will progress.
So I have to fill On Tae-yang's absent position myself.
In the previous life.
The decisive factor that allowed Maegu's subjugation was the presence of
Their strength was needed.
So Eun-ha planned to subjugate Maegu himself with On Tae-yang's party members in On Tae-yang's place.
"Your thoughts really haven't changed?"
"Yeah, I also have a debt to settle with that bastard from the last recapture war.... And we need to expand our influence in Uijeongbu to grow our power in the future."
"Right, that's true. Hah... Alright. Then we'll do that."
Subjugate Maegu.
Eun-ha's thoughts were firm.
Han Seo-hyun seemed to have noticed too.
No, she looked like she had been expecting this.
She didn't strongly oppose.
"Then I'll reply to the Mana Management Organization, and soon hold an executive meeting to recruit participating clan members."
"Yeah, let's do that."
"Beep beep beep baba baba pupu pupu!"
"Kang!"
"What are they saying?"
"They say they'll participate too."
"They've been sticking close to me lately, but now they're going back to my husband's side. It'll get lonely."
"Baba..."
"Kang..."
Saying to take good care of her husband.
She spoke to Buldak and Kang.
Then the two spirit beasts expressed regret at having to leave Han Seo-hyun and go back to Uijeongbu.
Eun-ha clicked his tongue.
"I'm their master, but why do these guys like Seo-hyun more than me?"
"Maybe because you treat them harshly?"
Whether Eun-ha was dumbfounded or not.
Buldak absolutely refused to come down from Han Seo-hyun's shoulder.
Kang kept rubbing its head against Han Seo-hyun's stomach.
"Kang!"
After that, continuously.
It's said the two spirit beasts kept refusing to leave her side at every opportunity.