Chapter 35: Creation of a Dimension

The last time I observed the dimension was during the war with the other race.

One of the orders I gave the Apostles after that was to continue dimensional research through the Academy.

I believed that contacting new dimensions, acquiring information about them, and subordinating them would accelerate future civilizational development.

That the First Apostle of the Tinyfolk had brought up this agenda meant—

“Did a problem occur in the process of subordinating the dimensions?” I asked.

All it meant was that an incident had happened.

‘…No problem, thank goodness.’

A creeping unease rose again for no reason, and the First Apostle hurriedly said,

There is no problem. I only wanted to report an administrative matter.-

‘…No problem, thank goodness.’

I calmed my pounding heart and asked more composedly.

“What administrative matter? Ah, before that—how many dimensions are currently subordinated?”

There are currently ten subordinated dimensions.-

Excluding the One Direction dimension, that made nine other dimensions.

The number had expanded dramatically from being just one.

“Well done.”

Thank you. But I am filled with embarrassment. –

“Embarrassed?”

The dimensions we found were already exhausted of usable resources. –

At the First Apostle’s words I opened the dimensional map to check.

The subordinated dimensions were nothing but wastelands.

They were not lush green plains or anything inviting.

It was as if no living thing could possibly exist there—only sand.

At most, sandstorms relentlessly swept the surface.

[This dimension is exhausting its dimensional energy and is in the process of disappearing.]

“It was hard to acquire, and we lose it as soon as we get it.”

Looking at the desert dimension made me sour, but the desolation was not limited to just that one.

“This one is only water. Even that water is strange.”

There was a whole dimension composed entirely of water.

“What is that?”

[That planet is observed to be a massive sun.]

“I mean… why is it so close? It’s suffocating.”

[The land of this dimension is being pulled toward the sun’s gravity.]

The only haven in that dimension was at risk of being lost.

Really.

I thought the Blood Noble dimension and the Tinyfolk dimension were special cases.

[Originally those two dimensions were also in the process of disappearing.]

“Because of me, they survived?”

[Yes.]

Hearing that made me feel proud again, but I could understand why the First Apostle worried.

“You worked hard to discover and subordinate dimensions only to find usable resources lacking.”

Hearing that all the investments so far had dissolved into nothingness was a horrifying idea.

Hmm.

“System, isn’t there a way to make use of those dimensions?”

[Analyzing the relevant data.]

[Analysis complete: two methods have been derived.]

“Two methods?”

[One is to transfer dimensional energy from those dimensions to another dimension.]

The system displayed two maps before me.

One was the map of One Direction and the other was the desert dimension.

[By transferring energy from a dimension that is disappearing to another dimension, you can increase the landmass and dimensional energy of the recipient dimension.]

The desert dimension’s map crumbled into powder and was absorbed into One Direction.

As a result, One Direction’s map expanded slightly.

[A dimension that absorbs dimensional energy increases in scale. Continents widen, and new islands appear here and there.]

“So in real terms it’s like the world getting a little bigger.”

[Exactly.]

That was not a bad approach.

I had already thought the One Direction dimension was a little small.

Currently One Direction had six cities.

Even with a few small villages under those six cities, half the One Direction continent was already occupied.

Its production scale had clear limits.

But what if I could expand that limit?

I could add new cities and allow more people to live there.

“Good—keep that option. What’s the other method?”

[The other method is to combine two or more dimensions.]

This time the desert and the oceanic dimension maps appeared before me.

[By combining dimensions that are about to disappear into one, you can create an entirely new dimension.]

The two maps became dust, gathered in the center, and then unfolded into a completely new dimension map.

[In this case there is a high probability that new lifeforms will emerge in the new dimension.]

“Could a new race be born?”

[There is a possibility that organisms adapted to that environment will arise.]

Wow.

So if I craft the environment I want, a species adapted to it might eventually emerge?

[Low probability and requires a very long time.]

“Of course.”

Looking at Earth’s history, it took an enormous span of time for humans to take hold.

Ecosystems must form, and intelligent life appearing within them requires both time and luck.

But the important point was that it was not zero percent.

[Also, a large amount of dimensional energy is consumed in the process of creating a new dimension.]

[Combining dimensions that are in the process of disappearing could result in failure to create a new dimension.]

[The more dimensions consumed, the greater the chance of creating a vast new dimension.]

To raise the success probability, it would be better to use more than two dimensions rather than only two.

In the end it was a numbers game.

“Still, it’s worth attempting.”

There was not much to lose even if it failed.

At worst the cost would be the time spent to access and subordinate those dimensions.

Of course, not every investment could succeed.

This was within the range I could accept.

“Hmm, then this cannot be left to the Apostles.”

No matter how competent a mid-level manager was, such a major decision belonged to the higher-ups.

“First Apostle of the Tinyfolk.”

-Speak. –

“From now on I will decide how those dimensions are used. You focus only on contacting new dimensions and conquering those dimensions.”

-Understood.-

“And inform everyone in advance; small changes may occur within the dimensions so prepare accordingly.”

I will relay this matter to all the Apostles.

After the First Apostle’s consciousness left, the Apostles immediately began to act.

***

In One Direction time, preparations were finished in about an hour.

“System.”

Is there something you want me to do?

“Absorb the dimensions I just mentioned into One Direction.”

Nine dimensions excluding the Steel (iron/ore) dimension.

I selected five of them.

“Absorb these five dimensions into One Direction.”

[Transforming dimensional energy and absorbing into the dimension.]

Five dimension gates that had been open at the sanctum closed.

Those dimensions disintegrated and flowed into One Direction.

With a massive earth-shaking, changes swept across One Direction.

The edges of the land stretched a little further, and the great sea expanded its scale.

“Oooh…..”

A new continent rose from the middle of the ocean, and fertile land spread across that continent.

At the poles, icebergs that had not existed before formed one by one, creating new terrain.

The sight was truly majestic.

“Creation of heaven and earth.”

Heaven and earth were born, and the world came into being.

The grand and ecstatic scenery made an involuntary exclamation escape my mouth.

“This is amazing.”

Eventually I would become used to such spectacles and feel indifferent.

Still, the admiration I felt right now in this very moment would not be easily forgotten.

[Transfer of dimensional energy complete.]

[The scale of the One Direction dimension has increased.]

After the cataclysm subsided, the quakes quieted.

The Apostles reassured all beings in each city, and the consciousnesses of the First Apostles were immediately connected.

Oh Lord of the dimension, what was that earthquake just now?

“You have more land now. New land has appeared—gather those who will relocate to broader lands and construct new cities.”

If the land increased, a new city ought to be built as well.

The First Apostles realized the creation of heaven and earth and showed reverence.

Glory to your transcendent form, Lord of the dimension!

Meeting you is our eternal joy.

I felt a little embarrassed receiving such excessive praise.

All I had done was give an instruction.

“Then show them one more thing. System?”

[Begin dimension creation?]

“Yes.”

[Four dimensions will be consumed. Creating a new dimension.]

The remaining four dimension gates at the sanctum closed.

Those dimensions all turned to dust and entwined into one.

The form looked like an egg.

[Dimension creation has begun.]

[Success probability: 49%]

[Progress: 0%]

[The creation will take a total of 100 days of real-world time to complete.]

“Forty-nine percent… that’s not as high as I expected.”

Tsk, perhaps because they mixed dimensions that were already disappearing.

To be more certain, it would be better to mix more dimensions than this.

Still, I felt anticipation.

Would it beat the 49% chance and unfold into a new dimension?

If a dimension formed, what kind of other race and what kind of civilization would be born there?

“It reminds me of a Tamagotchi I used to raise.”

It might die before even being born, though.

Pushing aside the gambler’s feeling, I summoned the First Apostles.

“Apostles.”

-Speak. –

“Expand the Academy and invest more resources into dimensional research than you do now.”

Understood.

“Since war can break out at any time, don’t neglect military development. Create new armaments and continue the relevant training.”

I will keep that in mind.

“Finally, do not slack on advancement. You can progress further than you are now.”

The civilization era had reached the late Iron Age.

That meant it was time to transition into the late classical and early medieval period.

With a little more thrust we could race quickly toward a Renaissance.

“Hmm.”

I gazed at the still-empty warehouse.

I rented that warehouse the moment I heard news that new dimensions had been subordinated, but unfortunately it would remain empty for a while.

It had become a foolish expense, but thinking of it as an investment for better news later didn’t feel so bad.

“It’ll be filled eventually.”

Yes, only a matter of time.

Time flew quickly.

It had been half a year since Ribbon Corporation moved offices.

In that interval I had been solidifying the business’s fundamentals.

***

First, I increased the franchise stores of <The Neighborhood Bakery> to 60 branches.

I built a development laboratory for baking R&D and hired professional patissiers.

The brand <The Neighborhood Bakery> was now one of the must-visit stops on domestic trips.

Thanks to that, <The Neighborhood Bakery> safely turned a profit.

Third-quarter sales alone reached 60.5 billion won, and operating net profit was 1.5 billion won—an unprecedented franchise miracle.

The success wasn’t limited to <The Neighborhood Bakery>.

With wheat production increasing dramatically, flour production naturally rose as well.

We released the flour we previously consumed internally onto the market.

The flour brand <Our Neighborhood Wheat> gradually secured market share.

Ah, Gangi Milling eventually closed and I absorbed the factory.

“Now the capital is a bit more comfortable.”

<Our Neighborhood Wheat>, <The Neighborhood Bakery>, iron ore.

With the company’s three parts running smoothly, we secured a considerable amount of spare funds.

Now we could respond to most incidents that might occur.

That meant—

“It’s time to start a new business.”

It was time for Ribbon Corporation to climb another step.

And which market to enter next—

[The First Apostle of the Tinyfolk calls the Lord of the dimension.]

Reliable people would let me know.