Chapter 76: War Preparation

Sleeping Forest.

Anne called the forest where we were staying by that name.

She said there were seven Lords in the Sleeping Forest, each ruled by a different race.

[The race ruling the Sixth Forest is the Wyvern. Beyond the mountain range to the east of the Dragon Lair is the domain of the Sixth Forest.]

“Ah. I’ve been there before.”

Back when I knew nothing, I’d crossed the mountain with Goblins and Orcs and hunted down the Spider with a Human Face.

It was the place the Goblin found using his search skill.

I remembered catching the Spider with a Human Face in a cave and eating its Inner Core. The image of the giant eagle I’d seen then was still vivid in my mind.

So that was the territory of the Sixth Forest.

[Did you, by chance, meet a Wyvern?]

“No. Instead of a Wyvern, I met the Five Wings that Rule the Sky? Wasn’t it the Tyrant Eagle of the Sky?”

[Ah.]

“What is that creature?”

[The Five Wings that Rule the Sky are a neutral race living in the Sixth Forest.]

“Neutral?”

【Yes. They don’t take part in conquering other forests. However, if anyone invades their own lair, the Sixth Forest, they will act immediately.】

“From the Wyvern’s perspective, that’s a sweet deal.”

Even if it’s not them, there are others who will protect the forest.

[It may be good for defense, but it’s not useful for offense. They won’t help with other forests.]

“That’s true. Then which race is on the opposite side from us?”

[The First Forest is inhabited by Orcs. The Lord of the Forest is an Orc Lord who has lived for thousands of years and is known to be the strongest among the forest’s Lords.]

“Really? Then should we attack the Orcs first?”

Anne hesitated for a moment before she spoke.

[I think it would be best to conquer the Sixth Forest first.]

“Why?”

[With our current strength, I don’t think we can conquer the First Forest.]

“Even with me here?”

[Yes. I don’t know all of your abilities, Master. But still, the Orc Lord is probably a bit stronger. They have thousands of years of war experience and a deep understanding of this forest, so I think we would be at a disadvantage.]

“Is it that bad?”

[At least three forests would need to unite to even have a chance against the Orcs.]

The strongest race in the forest.

That was understandable enough.

But at the same time, there was something I didn’t understand.

“If they’re that strong, why haven’t they unified the forest?”

【Whether it’s stubbornness or arrogance, the Orc Lord is waiting for the one who unites the other six forests to challenge him directly.】

“Like the composure of the strong.”

[So you don’t have to worry about the Orcs attacking first while we’re at war with the other forests.]

“Are you sure?”

[Even in the Twelfth Forest War, when unification was close, they didn’t act, so you really don’t need to worry.]

“Then it makes sense to attack the Sixth Forest first.”

At my words, Anne nodded.

[First, it would be better to deal with the ones in control, then take care of the Wyverns.]

“If we conquer the Sixth Forest, will the other forests find out right away?”

[Yes. If you activate the Tablet, the rulers of the other forests will know.]

“What if we don’t activate the Tablet?”

[To subjugate the Wyverns, you have to take the Tablet and exercise authority……]

Anne’s pupils widened slightly.

[If you use your abilities, Master… you could subjugate the Wyverns without taking the Tablet.]

Appointing the Lord of the Sixth Forest as my Guardian.

With that method, I could bring them to my side without seizing the Tablet.

If I then dealt with five forests and activated all the Tablets, I would have overwhelming power.

[It’s certainly a good plan, but whether such a shortcut will work… we’ll have to try and see.]

“Yeah. Let’s try it first and think after.”

Even if that didn’t work.

If I could conquer the Sixth Forest and immediately the Fifth Forest after, then even if the remaining three allied, excluding the Orcs, it would still be manageable.

[The Guardians are returning from their dispatch missions.]

I smiled at the message that appeared in front of me.

“Let’s get ready and move out right away.”

Returning to the Dragon Lair, I welcomed the Guardians who had come back.

[We’re back.]

[I really almost died out there. Master, look at this.]

[I’m back!]

[Loyalty!]

Orc, Goblin, Fryra, Wyvern.

The four of them rushed over to me, their faces flushed with excitement. It was as if they were dying to brag about what had happened during the Guardian Subjugation. They chattered nonstop.

[We hunted a gigantic elephant. Its hide was so thick, it was incredibly tough.]

[Right. I thought that pig was just stupidly strong, but it was stupidly weak too. That’s why the Admiral was a huge help.]

[You can only find this flower there. Isn’t it cool? This is an Elixir Seed. I’ll raise it quickly and feed it to you, Master. Hehe.]

[I did my best to protect everyone so no one would get hurt!]

Thinking they needed some time to calm down, I called Balak to prepare a meal.

“Wait. I’ll have it ready soon.”

Watching the Guardians follow Balak toward the outdoor dining area, I let out a small sigh.

“Whew.”

“You all right?”

Ropenheim, who had been watching from a distance, came over to my side.

“Yes. I’m honestly curious what got them so excited.”

“They met the Guardians of other successors.”

With his arms crossed, Ropenheim gazed at where the Guardians were.

“They’re all incredibly strong. It made me wonder why they ever needed us.”

“Is that so?”

“There were some who reminded me of my own prime, and even one with skill surpassing that.”

“Just watching up close, my heart was pounding. It’s been a long time since I felt so thrilled.”

Speaking calmly, Ropenheim clenched his fist tightly.

“I bet the others felt something similar—overwhelming emotion, a desire to become stronger, things like that.”

“So it’s a bit regretful. I thought it was over for me, but it turns out there’s a realm beyond.”

“I’ll help you dream that dream again.”

“You think it’s possible?”

“You trusted me and came all this way. That much I should do for you.”

Ropenheim smiled and patted my shoulder.

“Thank you.”

“Sir Ropenheim! Hurry over, the food’s ready!”

At Balak’s call, Ropenheim started walking.

“Let’s go.”

Following Ropenheim, we moved to the large wooden table set up outdoors.

The table was piled high with food.

Steaks made from cows and pigs raised at our ranch, salads with vegetables grown by Fryra.

All of it.

Even hamburgers made by combining the two.

There were all sorts of other dishes as well.

[I’ll eat well.]

[Let’s dig in, youngest!!

[I’ll eat well!]

[Can I have mine raw?]

“I’ll enjoy this.”

We all dug into the food laid out on the table.

Balak’s food had Buff effects.

With every bite of steak, strength surged through my body; with every mouthful of salad, I felt lighter and more agile.

[This is it.]

[Our food is definitely better.]

[Balak should have gone and destroyed them all with his cooking.]

While chatting noisily, we finished our meal and then gathered everyone together to explain the plan going forward.

“We’re starting a war.”

At my words, the Guardians’ eyes burned with determination.

Especially those who had just returned from dispatch missions—their eyes blazed as if they would burst into flame.

“The plan is simple. I’ll personally head to the Sixth Forest and open a portal. Then, we’ll all move in together, subdue the Five Kings that Rule the Sky, and take down the Wyverns.”

It wasn’t a difficult mission, so everyone nodded.

“And this time, the Goblin won’t be joining the war.”

[Huh?]

“You have somewhere else to go.”

[Where?]

“A place where you can become stronger than the Orcs.”

The Goblin grinned widely at my words.

[Send me right away!]

A new dispatch mission at the Support Center.

[Hall of Ten Thousand Poisons]

I selected that and sent the Goblin on the mission.

Then I called the Orc over and opened his Status Window.

[Attack Power: S]

[Stamina: S]

[Toughness: S]

[Evasion: S]

[Magic Power: S]

Before heading to war, I planned to raise the Orc’s grade.

If I hadn’t had the materials, I couldn’t have done it.

But the last dispatch mission provided plenty of the materials needed for promotion.

[Attack Power will be increased.]

[Stamina will be increased.]

[Toughness will be increased.]

[Evasion will be increased.]

[Magic Power will be increased.]

With each stat increased, a Guardian Soul and 100 billion vanished.

Mountains of gold and cash that had been stored in the warehouse disappeared in huge bundles.

‘I should raise the skills too.’

I raised all of the Orc’s skills to SS Rank.

[Axe Technique level has increased.]

[You can now use Bugang.]

[You have attained Sword Immunity.]

[Your skin cannot be cut except by Sword Slash.]

The Orc, who had been quietly closing his eyes, slowly opened them and exhaled.

He seemed to be absorbing the changes within himself.

[Desert Crocodile Tribe Orc (S) has fulfilled the Awakening Conditions.]

[Awakening Quest granted.]

[Awakening Quest]

• Desert Crocodile Tribe Orc must defeat an SS Rank monster alone.
• Must gain enlightenment (fulfilled).
• Requires SS Rank Earth Attribute Pill.
• Reward: Guardian Rank Up.

An SS Rank monster was sure to appear soon.

As for the Earth Attribute Pill, I’d already prepared one in advance.

“Here.”

I handed the Orc an SS Rank Earth Attribute Pill.

[Thank you.]

After swallowing it in one gulp, I left the Dragon Lair together with the Orc. Monsters prepared for battle were lined up.

“Everyone wait here. Wyvern.”

At my command, the Wyvern spread its wings wide and crouched low.

As I climbed onto its back,

The Wyvern flapped its wings and soared into the sky, speeding toward the mountain range of the Sixth Forest.

Whoooooosh!

The Wyvern King cut through the wind at an incredible speed. I used magic to protect my face and stayed close so I wouldn’t fall off.

Watching the land rushing by brought back old memories.

The days when I used Haste and ran with all my might.

‘It doesn’t feel that long ago.’

Now, my level was incomparable to back then.

[How far shall I fly?]

At the Wyvern King’s question, I lifted my head and looked at the forest ahead.

The Sixth Forest seen from the sky.

Things I’d never noticed from the ground were immediately visible.

A giant tree deep in the forest.

A colossal nest built high atop a tree that looked as though it pierced the heavens. Winged creatures circled around it.

‘Amazing.’

It was a scene I never could have seen from the cliff where I’d faced the Spider with a Human Face.

Looking at the place that seemed like a palace built in the sky, I checked the location of the Five Kings that Rule the Sky.

[Using Eye of Bluecat.]

Using the sacred relic I’d offered as a sacrifice, I pinpointed the Kings’ location. They were on the opposite side of the Wyvern’s nest.

I directed the Wyvern King to that place.

“Let’s head over there.”