Ninian Rochini.
He was a warrior who took pride in being a disciple of the Great Duseldrup.
He deeply agreed with Duseldrup’s ideology and believed that to achieve it, one must know the enemy well.
“An Elf Dimension Ship is approaching.”
“Relax your expressions. If you keep that up, who would think we’re envoys?”
At Rochini’s words, the atmosphere of the warriors standing on the deck shifted dramatically.
From sharp blades they became soft cream, exuding a comfortable vibe.
Without mind reading, it was impossible to guess their purpose.
“From now until we leave the Union, stay like this. Don’t bring up our purpose to anyone. I also forbid mentioning it among ourselves. The elves’ eyes and ears are everywhere.”
“Yes!”
“Think of it as sightseeing. A trip to find weaknesses and strategic targets while touring.”
Rochini’s Dimension Ship and the Elf Dimension Ship stopped.
Sierra, on the deck, observed Rochini. He had no weapons, and his attire wasn’t combat-oriented.
‘Is his purpose negotiation?’
What Iselin’s informants had uncovered was top secret, so even Sierra didn’t know.
In any case, considering it safe, Sierra flew over.
Rochini opened his arms in welcome. He looked every bit the envoy.
“Nice to meet you. I am Ninian Rochini, an envoy sent by the Great Duseldrup. Feel free to call me Rochini.”
“Welcome to Marsala, Lord Rochini.”
“I’ve heard much about the Enterprise Union’s reputation. You won the war against the Demon Realm?”
“Yes. The Demon Realm launched a full-scale invasion, but we repelled it thanks to the Queen’s command of the Allied Forces and Lord Outer’s efforts.”
“So did we. We blocked the invasion and counterattacked, crushing the Demon Realm!”
“That’s an impressive achievement.”
“All thanks to the Great Duseldrup. He never fails.”
Rochini bowed toward the direction where Duseldrup would be.
“We have a lot in common. We both fought the Demon Realm, and we both have great heroes. This could be the foundation for developing a good relationship.”
“The Union Council will welcome it too.”
“I’d like to visit the Union Council, but first, may I meet Queen Iselin?”
“Do you know Her Majesty?”
“Of course! She is strong, decisive, and beautiful. A perfect leader! She is already famous in Magrain.”
“As an elf who respects the Queen, I’m glad. I will convey Lord Rochini’s request to Her Majesty.”
Thus, Rochini’s Dimension Ship entered Deraellan in a friendly atmosphere.
Rochini marveled at the scale of Deraellan.
Countless trade ships came and went day and night, and hundreds of warships were waiting in the unseen naval port.
Rochini mentally marked Deraellan as a strategic target that must be destroyed.
After staying there, he was granted an audience with Iselin and moved to Raelena.
It was the most prosperous and beautiful city in Marsala.
Countless elves walked around, and humans, Metra, and Barents Beastmen could also be seen.
Rather than being amazed by the scale and the sophisticated system maintaining it, Rochini was delighted that there was much to plunder.
Rochini was led to a reception room.
The interior of the reception room was elegant and splendid.
He was surprised by the art, which even made him, whose emotions had been dulled by long battles, admire it.
‘I thought all artists were trash. But those who reach this level might be worth supporting.’
Lost in extremely combat-oriented thoughts, Rochini jumped to his feet when Iselin entered.
Iselin’s cold eyes swept over Rochini.
It felt as if his innermost thoughts were being exposed.
But that couldn’t actually happen. He had heard there were spirits that read minds, but he sensed no movement from any spirit.
“Greetings, Your Majesty. I am Rochini, an envoy sent by the Great Duseldrup.”
“Iselin.”
Iselin introduced herself with just her name. Her name carried that much renown and weight.
“What is the purpose of seeking me out first, rather than the Union Council or other elf houses?”
“Personally, it’s because I respect Your Majesty as an excellent leader. Also, the Derael Family holds considerable influence over the Enterprise Union.”
“You’re honest. I like that.”
“Thank you!”
Iselin engaged in diplomatic conversation. She knew that Magrain was busy preparing for war and could guess Rochini’s purpose, but she didn’t reveal it. She planned to use Rochini.
“You want harmony with the Union?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The Great Duseldrup is very interested in trade and the Allied Forces.”
“Is this Duseldrup strong?”
“He is strong. Extremely so. He even subdues Demon Dukes with his bare hands. Even Lord Outer, the Union’s great hero, would be no match for the Great Duseldrup.”
“That’s interesting.”
Iselin laughed brilliantly. Her smile hid sharp thorns within.
Rochini didn’t notice at all. Only Arthil, who was setting down tea, sensed Iselin’s discomfort.
Clink.
Rochini took a sip of elf tea and set it down. If he had drunk it elsewhere, he would have spat it out the moment it touched his tongue. Still, his expression barely changed.
“How is the tea?”
“It has depth.”
Rochini couldn’t bring himself to say it was bad in front of Iselin.
“You seem to like it.”
“It’s not undrinkable.”
“Arthil, give him another cup.”
Arthil quietly placed another teacup down.
Rochini’s brow twitched.
‘Is she testing me?’
As far as Rochini knew, Iselin was a cool-headed leader. He doubted she would suddenly draw a sword just because he didn’t drink a cup of tea. But people like that tend to twist everything if one thing goes wrong.
‘For the sake of my purpose, a cup of tea is nothing.’
Rochini gulped down the elf tea. The peculiar taste that tormented his tongue seemed to linger down his esophagus.
‘Having done this much, she should be satisfied.’
Rochini set down the cup.
Iselin’s expression didn’t change, but inwardly she was amused by Rochini’s suffering.
“Give him another cup.”
Arthil set down more tea.
“That’s enough. I ate before coming, so I’m full.”
“It would be a great rudeness not to drink this.”
Arthil quietly added to Iselin’s amusement.
Rochini squeezed his eyes shut and drank the tea.
Iselin’s smile deepened.
“You are a man ready for conversation.”
“Yes. For the harmony between Magrain and the Union…”
Rochini, having built rapport with Iselin, left her mansion.
As soon as he got into the carriage and passed through the gate, he furrowed his brow at the taste of elf tea still lingering on his tongue.
‘I’ll have to burn down every farm that produces elf tea.’
Thump.
As Rochini ground his teeth, the carriage shook.
He assumed it was just a normal bump.
But in fact, it was caused by a Central Stealth Scout landing on the carriage roof.
The carriage, carrying the Central Stealth Scout, gradually moved away from Iselin’s mansion.
At that moment, Choi Kangjoong was searching a Dimension Kraken habitat.
Dimension Krakens were also skilled at camouflage, making them hard to spot with human eyes.
“There it is… there.”
Still, they couldn’t block heat or mana waves, so they were clearly visible through Apocalid eyes.
Beneath the dimension, Dimension Krakens ranging from 10 to 100 meters were clustered together.
“Let’s eat.”
Choi Kangjoong summoned Fighter Giants and Fighter Warriors.
Fighter Giants took on Dimension Krakens over 50 meters, and Fighter Warriors took on those smaller.
At the Apocalid’s approach, the Dimension Krakens flinched awake. Then they bent and extended their legs, charging at the Apocalid, thinking it was prey.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
The Chitin Cannons, fired by muscle power, were relatively quiet compared to Mana Cannons. But that didn’t mean their power was lacking.
Thud!
Chitin Spikes pierced through the Dimension Kraken.
Keeeeeeek!
The Dimension Kraken screamed.
Choi Kangjoong could feel a wave spreading out.
“Is this calling bigger ones?”
As more Dimension Krakens died, the remaining ones began to flee. But escaping the flying Apocalid, which had fleet characteristics like Distortion Flight and Rapid Mobility, was impossible.
[Cold Utilization Evolution Code Decryption Rate: 72%]
“A bit lacking. If I wait, will they come?”
Choi Kangjoong summoned a Skyeye Giant to watch all directions.
Sure enough, a Dimension Kraken was coming. It was larger than any other attached beneath the dimension.
“That must be 150 meters.”
A Dimension Kraken bigger than a Light Titan extended its legs to wrap around a Fighter Giant.
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
When the Fighter Warriors fired Chitin Spikes, the Dimension Kraken’s legs writhed wildly.
“Let’s try eating it first.”
Choi Kangjoong summoned a Super Titan.
Startled by the sudden massive form, the Dimension Kraken fled in the opposite direction.
The Fighter Giants chased it, cut off its legs, and threw them into the Super Titan’s mouth.
Crunch.
The Dimension Kraken was crushed by the Super Titan’s teeth, and the Walker put the remains into the Soil Pit.
“It looks like an octopus, but tastes similar to squid.”
Having discovered the taste of Dimension Kraken, Choi Kangjoong sent the Super Titan back to its original position. With the Super Titan around, other Dimension Krakens might not come.
“It’s here!”
Another Dimension Kraken approached. This time it was 300 meters.
Choi Kangjoong summoned Titans and Super Titans.
That Dimension Kraken met the same fate as the previous one.
The next one and the one after that followed the same path.
The nutrients gained from Dimension Krakens were substantial.
[Cold Utilization Evolution Code Decryption Rate: 100%]
The Evolution Code decryption was finished. Yet Dimension Krakens kept coming.
A while ago, a 3-kilometer one came, and now a 5-kilometer one appeared.
“I wonder how many servings that one would make.”
Ku-eong was summoned, and the 5-kilometer Dimension Kraken was crushed inside Ku-eong’s mouth.
“No more coming?”
No matter how long he waited, no other Dimension Kraken came. That was because the 5-kilometer one was the largest individual in this habitat.
“If I go farther, there might be bigger ones.”
Choi Kangjoong opened a Gate and moved to the next Dimension Kraken habitat.
He wiped out the Dimension Krakens there too and moved to another habitat.
Doing so, he ended up at the edge of the map Iselin had given him. Neither Iselin nor Choi Kangjoong knew what lay beyond.
“I’ll eat just up to here and go home.”
Soon, he found Dimension Krakens. As expected, the smallest ones were over 100 meters.
He sent flying Apocalids to turn the Dimension Krakens into nutrients, and larger ones flew in.
From the start, it was a 10-kilometer one.
Choi Kangjoong cried out in triumph and tried to summon Ku-eong.
But that Dimension Kraken abruptly changed direction and moved away from him.
“What?”
Choi Kangjoong followed it. He was curious why it was running and where it had come from.
After following for about a minute, the Dimension Kraken reached a massive mass.
It was over 100 kilometers long, so Choi Kangjoong thought it was a dimension. Looking closely, it wasn’t a dimension. Its surface was smooth and glossy. It was a Dimension Kraken as huge as a Super-large Dimension.
“Jackpot!”
Choi Kangjoong was delighted to find a 100-kilometer Dimension Kraken.