Great Teacher in a Defense Game

#58 Future New City Plan

“What is this you say? Destroying a car?”

“Hmm?”

“Was it Orban who smashed my car to pieces?”

“…Ah, so. I suppose you were still unaware.”

Future Enoch, as if realizing a blunder, belatedly nodded.

Since becoming a mage, his sense of time had grown hazy, the original order of events becoming muddled.

Though, it wasn’t necessarily a dire situation.

He was intending to reveal everything he could, regardless.

Orban too. He could simply explain it all together.

“In any case, we must address that rascal eventually. I shall explain about the Society while we’re at it.”

“Society?”

“The crux of it is this. The ones who blew up your car are a bunch calling themselves the Society. They are the true culprits spreading narcotics through the Empire. Orban has been colluding with them from behind. Your car exploding was merely happenstance. More precisely, they were after the talents of a certain vagrant. Magic of explosions, that’s what they were after, and in the midst of their scheming, your car unfortunately became ensnared.”

The Society, narcotics, Orban.

Information flooded in all at once, a sudden deluge.

Enoch sorted through the words in his mind.

Then, he inquired,

“What, pray tell, is this Society to begin with? Are they people I know?”

“You could say so. Though you might not recognize the organization itself, its members are people you are well-acquainted with.”

“…I am? Are you referring to the Separatists, perhaps?”

Enoch tilted his head, questioning.

Within the original narrative, there weren’t many groups that could be truly called organizations.

At best, it would be the Separatists.

Even they weren’t truly worth the worry.

Mere nuisances, clinging to one’s ankles.

There was no need to grandly call them a Society.

“No, not the Separatists. A separate organization altogether.”

“Separate?”

“I just mentioned it. People you know are involved. Their true identities are… heroes of Eoin.”

“?!”

“The remaining heroes, those you’ve yet to meet…they are already your enemies. They’ve united, forming a new organization. The Empire – or rather, all races – are enemies to this secret society. Orban is entangled with them as well.”

Future Enoch stated, flatly.

Despite the tranquil tone, it was a profoundly shocking revelation.

“I don’t understand. Why would the heroes of the original story oppose the Empire? There’s no reason for it.”

Enoch was genuinely taken aback. Heroes forming a separate organization?

It goes without saying, nothing of the sort occurred in the original tale.

He’d never even contemplated such a thing.

The key figures appearing in Eoin…

Like Lacrina, each of them harbors their own story.

And not one among them is evil enough to actively oppose the Empire.

To protect the people.

To aid the weak.

Each and every one of them held that sole purpose, holding back the monsters at the Empire’s borders.

Yet, these very individuals have betrayed humanity? Why?

“You’re curious, aren’t you? It’s simple. They were swayed by temptation.”

“…Temptation? By whom?”

“The mastermind behind all of this.”

Future Enoch adjusted his posture.

He brought to the surface the questions Enoch held locked within his heart.

First. Why are the monsters seeking Enoch?

Second. Why is Clarene’s vial in the possession of a monster?

Third. Who is threatening the Time Mage?

Finally, what was the cause of his own, future self’s, failure?

“What you were about to ask me. Or the various other doubts that linger.”

Future Enoch summarized all those questions with a single word.

The mastermind.

They were the cause of it all.

“Most of them are tied to that mastermind. Lacrina, Van Richter, and Karen. Aside from them, the rest can be considered to have already turned to the League.”

I wasted time because I didn’t know that.

Future Enoch added grimly, his voice tinged with bitterness.

“That b*stard is seeping into the world without anyone knowing. Wielding influence in the shadows, building his own organization anew. The drugs are just the beginning. A prelude, setting the stage before the monster wave truly begins.”

The monsters’ assault hadn’t even begun to truly unfold.

A monster wave comprised of thirty grueling stages.

A single attack was enough to make the Empire reel.

The only thing that had prevented that so far was the existence of archmages like the Tower Lord, beings of cautionary might.

“But, that won’t last long. You, of all people, must know the reason, no?”

“…Boss monsters, then.”

“Precisely. The bosses that emerge every five stages. When facing them, discard any knowledge gleaned from the original game. By then, not even the Tower Lords will be able to cover every front.”

Boss monsters.

Each and every one, creatures capable of annihilating the very world.

The continent’s trials were only just beginning. The Covenant, in anticipation of the days to come, lay low, biding their time in the darkness.

And the Covenant’s purpose was singular.

Future Enoch pointed a finger at his past self standing before him.

“You must have realized it already, no? The Covenant is after you.”

“Me?”

“Yes. More precisely, the mastermind is after you. After the position of Player itself. Even the monsters are merely pawns in its grand scheme.”

Future Enoch said that as he wrote words on the floor.

Age of Invasion.

The Era of Intrusion.

It was originally a simple game title.

But, ludicrously, it was now the phrase that most accurately summarized the situation.

“Forget the original story. Your enemy is not just the monsters.”

The future was invading the past.

This was that kind of war.

@

The story paused briefly.

Enoch, for now, tried to organize the details he had heard in his mind.

The Covenant, the mastermind, an unknown entity invading time itself.

Enoch focused on that point first.

Having heard advice from his future self, there were a few things Enoch belatedly realized.

‘So *that’s* why. I couldn’t find them no matter how hard I looked; it’s because we were already at odds.’

Enoch had been searching for the other heroes, subconsciously almost.

No wonder he hadn’t had much luck.

The reason, he now knew, was that they were already his enemies.

‘That aside, the future… Seems like it’s someone who knows me well.’

He then pondered the mastermind.

The way they singled him out, the obsession itself, it rubbed him the wrong way.

Enoch considered all possible scenarios in his head, then spoke again.

“Listen. I have a question about the mastermind.”

“What is it.”

“Their identity. Could it be… Lacrina?”

“…?”

Future Enoch frowned.

Is this b*stard serious? Why the sudden drivel?

“Are you being sincere?”

“Why such a reaction?”

Enoch shrugged, as if to say not to take it so hard.

“Just a hypothetical. Considering Lacrina’s talent and personality, it’s not entirely impossible.”

Not just nonsense. There was some basis to the question.

Considering Lacrina’s talents alone, no one knows which direction she might venture.

Enoch merely supported her from behind. The choice, after all, was Lacrina’s to make.

Wouldn’t it be possible that *she*, in the future, might threaten a time mage to rewind the past, all to find Enoch, who had vanished?

Considering her personality and traits, it wasn’t entirely out of the question.

This was even written in the Lacrina Girl Chronicle, penned by the recorder mage, Barto Ulligan.

But judging by the reaction, that wasn’t it either.

Enoch immediately discarded the hypothesis that had sprung to mind.

“… Enough with the drivel. Anything else to ask?”

“A few more questions about the mastermind.”

“What is it.”

“It has been a question nagging at me for a while now, but couldn’t you just tell me plainly? The identity of… that.”

Enoch asked, point blank.

Indeed, that was how it felt. Instead of hinting and alluding to this “black hand,” this “mastermind,” just lay it bare.

Dealing with it would be so much easier that way.

But the future Enoch simply shook his head, as if it weren’t so simple.

“I knew you’d say that. But it’s impossible.”

“Impossible? Why?”

“Time does not allow him.”

“?”

Enoch tilted his head, confused.

Has this b*stard’s personality warped from being alone for too long?

He keeps spouting these nebulous things, and it’s grating.

Enoch wanted to beat up his future self, the one even further beyond Orban, first.

“I can tell from your expression.”

“Tell what?”

“Don’t worry. You’ll get to hit me to your heart’s content later.”

“…?”

“More importantly, let me answer your question first. Seeing it directly will be easier, anyway.”

The future Enoch spoke thus and rose from his seat.

He took a few steps towards Enoch, and quietly moved his lips.

“The identity of the mastermind is—”

His own voice echoed softly.

That instant.

Before the words could fully form, the air within the space momentarily shuddered.

“The identity of the mastermind is—”

“The identity of the mastermind is—”

‘What is this?’

The words repeated, again and again.

It was similar to when the monster called out his name.

Enoch instantly sensed the anomaly, and understood.

It was knowable without needing to trigger a Chain Harmony.

Everything around, even the air itself, was returning to its former place.

Time itself. Time was rewinding.

“…Now do you understand? Cheating is impossible from the start.”

Future Enoch belatedly stopped speaking.

Leaving the bewildered Enoch before him, he pointed a finger at the circus tent’s interior, or rather, at all the surrounding space.

“This space, too, is subject to the flow of time. And the mastermind has already stolen the past from the Time Mage. Every living being is inevitably affected. Of course, rewinding a long stretch of time would be impossible. But a brief, fleeting moment is well within reach.”

Future Enoch is unaffected.

His body is already one with the magic.

But the current Enoch is different.

He’s still a human being, alive and well.

He was bound to be influenced by time.

“…Aren’t you a Phenomenon-class mage who’s surpassed Boundary-level? I’m in your territory right now. This phenomenon of Disappearance… how can time intervene?”

“It doesn’t intervene. It perceives and acts. The moment my answer changes the future, it immediately rewinds the past to undo it. Time solely-“

*Zzzt-*

“…belongs to that b*stard’s domain.”

Time rewound again.

The moment Future Enoch unconsciously mentioned a clue, time turned back to the past as if even that wasn’t allowed.

An attitude that wouldn’t allow a single loophole.

What a goddamn mess.

This feels like some damned brat’s power.

“…I understand, more or less.”

Enoch finally sighed.

He massaged his throbbing head and spoke as if grumbling.

“Honestly, it’s obscure. How am I supposed to face a guy who plays with time?”

“It’s simple. Increase your weight class.”

“What?”

“I said, increase your weight class. In the end, he’s aiming directly for you. Using the monster, intervening in the present… every single one of those actions targeted you.”

At that moment, Future Enoch moved his fingers.

The empty space above his hand rippled, and a small notepad appeared.

“The b*stard has a weakness. Time itself, that is. He can only manipulate time. Using the monsters, it’s all just predicting the future and acting accordingly. Direct intervention is impossible.”

“So then?”

“So then, build up your scale to a point he wouldn’t dare touch. Guide the heroes, rally your allies, crush all who stand in your way. To the point where his flimsy tricks no longer work.”

Prepare for every possible eventuality.

Until time itself gets bored and runs away.

If the mastermind gives up first, then that would ultimately be Enoch’s victory.

“Take this.”

“What is it?”

“These are the plans I’d laid out. I only thought about them, never actually put them into practice.”

Future Enoch handed over the notepad he’d been holding.

A notepad crafted with the power of the Record Magician, Baltro.

He’d even layered the concept of disappearance on top of it.

The present Enoch didn’t receive it, not really.

It was more like finding a lost item, a chance encounter.

Future Enoch’s trump card, meant to minimize the interference of time.

“Can I open it?”

“By all means.”

Enoch opened the notepad and checked its contents.

He immediately frowned.

The first sentence in the notepad read:

[Future New City Project]

“…What is this? A future new city project?”

“Read it all the way through. You’ll understand then.”

“……”

Enoch did as he was told.

It wasn’t too late to question things after checking the contents first.

However, such thoughts soon vanished.

What appeared on Enoch’s face after reading the entire notepad was, in a word, shock and admiration.

“…What *is* this? Were you in your right mind when you made these plans?”

“I was.”

“Is… is this truly even possible?”

“Why wouldn’t it be? Not with your abilities, Serial Harmony and Golden Fusion, at your disposal.”

Future Enoch stated, with an unshakable confidence.

Impossible. It was an attitude that treated the word as if it meant nothing at all.

Enoch unconsciously inhaled sharply.

Giving it some thought, pondering over it for a moment, it really did seem like nothing was beyond reach.

“We’re immensely wealthy, you know.”

“…”

“We’ve always pondered how best to spend it. You too, I wager. Am I wrong?”

“…”

“I took my time, considered the answer deeply. And belatedly, the solution occurred to me. That notepad contains my answer.”

Future Enoch pointed a finger toward the notepad.

And then, he declared.

“Enoch. Seize the continent itself. If the mastermind makes a move, then you must dominate the game board itself. With our abilities, it’s more than possible.”

His future self spouted such grandiloquent nonsense.

Enoch remained quietly silent.

A multitude of thoughts began to surface.

The outline of the plan, its feasibility.

He belatedly glanced back at the notepad.

‘Future Metropolis Project…’

The content was remarkably simple.

But behind those simple sentences lurked a touch of madness.

‘…Collaborate with the Imperial family to develop all the towers featured in the original work, and deploy them in every city of the Empire, like a Great Wall. The plan is to transform the entire Empire into a colossal fortress.’

Even this alone was an immense undertaking.

Concerns about funding were nonexistent.

He could simply wring Orban, the Golden Goblin, dry if need be.

In any case, it wouldn’t be finished in a day, he could take his time and proceed slowly.

However, the most crucial aspect was not that.

It was the materials for the towers, and their sheer scale.

The notepad contained the following:

When developing the tower, Enoch dismantled and applied all sorts of materials, including his summon, the mechanical serpent.

With a mere few hundred million in materials, a summon capable of withstanding, even briefly, an attack from a Boundary-level mage.

It even possesses its own self-repair function.

Unless Enoch actively retrieves it, it will hold its position without wavering.

It doesn’t end there.

After fortifying the cities of the entire Empire, he spreads fortresses beyond the ramparts, into the territories of other races.

Elves and Dwarves, and the Beastkin. In all their lands, fortresses constructed by Enoch’s skill.

In effect, summons deployed across virtually the entire continent.

And, Enoch’s skill functions normally even in that state.

Enoch’s towers and summons, deployed across the continent.

Targeting them, he employs Chain Harmony and Golden Fusion.

This was the true ambition of the future Enoch.

‘Mad… It’s like some continent-spanning transmutation circle.’

Enoch shivered involuntarily.

He couldn’t help it.

If this plan came to fruition, then with a single gesture from Enoch, the entire continent would convulse.

And that’s not all.

Moving the entire continent is possible enough with Chain Harmony alone.

Enoch’s skills haven’t yet reached that point, but given enough time, there’s no reason why he couldn’t.

The problem lies elsewhere.

Namely, Golden Fusion.

Assuming the plan is executed, Enoch will be able to use everything on the continent as a material.

Including the capital, all the cities of mankind.

The forest of the Elves.

The mountains of the Dwarves and the grasslands of the Beastkin.

Civilization is grasped in the man’s hand.

He merges them all into one.

Truly, an existence forged by sacrificing the entire continent.

What kind of being, then, will be born from that?

It was a realm that even Enoch, the owner of the skill, couldn’t dare to imagine.

“Enoch.”

“…Why?”

“From what I’ve experienced, there is no God in this world.”

In the briefest moment that Enoch pondered, the future Enoch spoke, his tone dispassionate.

The timbre held a significant weight.

The kind of burden only one who had suffered a crushing failure, and now moved to recoup it, could possess.

“What fate led us here, I cannot know. To that extent, I cannot fathom. Frankly, at this juncture, I have little interest in it.”

“…”

“However, amidst this chaotic world, that no one takes responsibility… that is what I cannot abide. A hidden hand, a puppeteer, exists. A tangible menace in the form of these beasts exists. Yet, where is the unwavering symbol of good? When I failed so utterly, when I crumbled, where in creation was the so-called God of the Order?”

Future Enoch’s eyes blazed.

This had always been his complaint.

At first, he thought a divine purpose had summoned him to this other world.

But the reality was different.

This so-called God was nowhere to be found.

Betraying all that Enoch had himself achieved, even when all he had built was being erased, this deity merely observed, forever remaining a bystander.

“Fortunately, we have the ability. The ability to create a responsible party, a supervisor.”

And so he acted in their stead.

Casting himself into the phenomenon, he escaped the flow of time to await solely this moment.

And relay the plan.

A God who does not answer is not needed.

He would refuse to have such an entity.

Humans always find an answer, somehow.

“Thus, we shall create it ourselves. A supervisor beyond reproach. An unfailing responsible party.”

In place of the nonexistent God, he would create it himself.

With his own hands, he would create an entity to observe all, and take responsibility for all.

The Future City Project.

This was only a pseudonym, for outward-facing explanation.

Its true name was something else entirely.

Deus Ex Machina.

Future Enoch’s true purpose was nothing less than the creation of a God.

The continent’s final bulwark against the black hand and the monstrous threat, a bastion against all.

A symbol of unshakeable power.

A god of clockwork, existing for that sole purpose.

“Hurube Yurayura.”

“…”

“You understand the meaning, yes? We, too, must possess an ace up our sleeve.”

The Enoch of the future chuckled, executing a peculiar hand gesture.

A jest meant to ease the tension.

But Enoch could not laugh.

A smile simply wouldn’t surface.