Wasn’t This a Night Game

A Scenery Terribly Familiar

The news of the saint’s disappearance spread throughout the capital with the swiftness of wind.

Everyone was stunned, and reactions blossomed in myriad forms.

“We must find him! He must be found!”

There were those who sought to locate him.

“But why? Why did he depart?”

There were those consumed by questions.

“Have you heard anything at all?”

And there were those who sought answers from individuals considered close to him.

Erpa.

The two princesses.

And Grand Priest Yodel and Jonathan Karma, to whom people flocked with their inquiries.

But their answers were always consistent, unwavering.

“The Saint has gone to fulfill the mission entrusted to him.”

“Return to your lives, each of you, and live them fully.”

“Do not forget the Saint’s will; live a life of constant giving.”

“For that is all we can truly do.”

“Do not seek Him. You will only obstruct the one who fulfills His mission.”

Despite such warnings, they could not stop all who sought the Saint.

“We must find Him!”

“He must guide us!”

Several paladins and clerics of the Pantheon joined as one, forming an expedition to find the Saint, while those in the slums pooled their meager savings, seeking word of His whereabouts.

Grand Priest Yodel and Jonathan Karma personally forbade the search for the Saint, but the people would not listen.

While some frantically searched for the Saint on a grand scale, others reacted to His disappearance in an entirely different manner.

“He will return, someday.”

“Unless the Goddess abandons us. We will never let Him stray from our side.”

“Until He returns, let us strive to fulfill His will!”

In their own ways, people began to live more diligently, striving to do their best.

Since most of the slum dwellers now held the Faith of Lilia, they prayed daily to the Goddess, asking Her to protect the Saint, and to return Him to them someday, living each day with renewed vigor.

And with such resolve, there were those who sought to embark on even greater endeavors.

“The research on the Three Primal Colors… you mean to donate it to Karma Company, free of charge?”

“Yes.”

Jonathan Karma shook his head, looking at Erpa before him.

“We cannot accept such valuable research without royalties.”

“Please, accept it. I know that Karma Company moves for the sake of the Saint’s will. I came here hoping to be of some small assistance to your company.”

“But…”

“Countless workers still suffer from low wages and excessive working hours. I wish for Karma Company to become a place that can care for such people.”

Jonathan Karma pondered Erfa’s words for a moment before accepting the Three Primary Colors Research she offered.

“Magical efficiency. Research related to amplifying power… From improving the fuel efficiency of magic engines, the possibilities for application are boundless. Thank you, Erfa-nim. With this research, I will surely… fulfill the Saint’s will.”

Jonathan Karma clenched his fist tightly.

An elixir that is infinitely generated and poured forth.

And the Three Primary Colors Research, which allows one to wield that elixir more efficiently.

With this combination, he planned to create a massive corporate army.

And he had already decided on a name for this corporate alliance.

‘Eleos Group.’

He who has compassion.

A corporate alliance created to spread His will.

Everything needed was in his hands.

Now, all that remained was to make his dream a reality with these weapons.

“Would you be able to come to the temple from time to time? There seems to be much to discuss regarding the practical application of the Three Primary Colors Research.”

“Of course. For the Saint. Gladly.”

“For the Saint.”

Thus, Jonathan and Erfa became allies.

It was the moment Karma Company’s potential became even more terrifying.

“Almene, it hasn’t been long since you recovered…”

Almene and Iomene were also doing their part in their own way.

“I must study. Iomene has the White Order, but I have nothing. I need to improve my political knowledge as quickly as possible. I’ve been away from my studies for too long, Mother. There is no time to play. I must grow as well, in preparation for the day the Saint returns.”

Almene began to study, delving into the history and geography of neighboring kingdoms, alongside science and magic, not neglecting jurisprudence.

With a fearsome focus, she summoned countless imperial scholars, not shrinking even from nosebleeds as she threw herself into her studies, a sight that filled the Emperor and Empress with both worry and a swelling pride.

“Very well. If that is your desire, I shall assist you. From tomorrow, you shall attend the state council meetings with me. What do you say to learning firsthand how the nation functions, how it operates, by my side?”

The Emperor saw nothing ill in Almene’s determination.

Almene nodded her agreement, and from that very day onward,

she began to learn the art of governance alongside her studies, by her father’s side.

She started with simple paperwork, yet even that simple task she completed with a meticulous skill that eased the Emperor and Empress’s anxieties, if only a little.

Iomene, on the other hand, walked a different path than Almene, never studying or learning about politics alongside her father.

She neither studied, nor learned of governance, nor mastered the ways of running a nation.

Instead, she spent almost all her time at the White Order.

“Teach me the ways of combat, and how to wield divine power.”

There, she sought growth of a different kind.

“We shall teach you offensive miracles, a variety of martial arts, and how to smite evil gods and demons. But be warned. It will be arduous and difficult.”

“I do not care.”

Iomene’s resolve was unwavering.

“The Saint has gone to fight evil. He said he would do it alone, but there may come a day when he needs my strength. So, I must cultivate my power in preparation for that time.”

The High Priest of the White Order,

Miromel, smiled at those words.

“As the Holy Maiden wishes. We shall impart all the knowledge and experience of our Order to you, the ultimate combat methods created from it all. When all is said and done, you will be stronger than anyone in the Order.”

A Holy Maiden who has long harbored a curse, possessing tremendous resistance to most curses and black magic, and who can even see through beings who conceal their true form.

A being of immense strategic value.

Of course, she had to be nurtured.

“Come with me.”

Miromel led Iomene deeper into the White Order’s most shadowed depths.

Arriving at the vast training grounds carved into the earth below, Iomene was soon confronted by the colossal beings that trained within.

Their height easily surpassed two meters.

Armor so heavy and thick, it seemed impossible they could move at all wearing it.

Vast swords, axes, hammers, shields, and alongside them, enormous firearms.

These beings, wielding both cold steel and black powder with practiced ease, halted their combat drills at the sight of Iomene, then approached, bowing with grave respect.

“We greet the Saint.”

High Priest Miromel chuckled, watching them array themselves in orderly rows before Iomene.

“These are the White Order’s most formidable hunters. Each a holy knight and battle priest both, hand-picked from talented young acolytes and cultivated for over a decade with the miracle of bodily enhancement. They will be your teachers, Saint, and at the same time, your personal guard.”

Iomene regarded them silently, then smiled, a hint of satisfaction in her expression.

“These… what are their names?”

Miromel beamed with pride.

“Legiones Kethratus. Dulaneer’s finest weapons.”

*

Scrap Yard.

A massive factory-city, its entire existence dedicated to excavating subterranean mines.

A place true to its name; a city consumed by steam engines and metal.

A place that rejects all magic, miracles, and faith, worshipping only human technology and machines.

The continent’s foremost producer of magical metals, and the gathering place of its finest engineers.

A city of steam and gears.

And, as such, a heavy metallic scent permeated the air.

For now, I possessed more than enough coin to live on.

I intended to avoid contact with people as much as possible.

Existing as if I were not.

A ghost, passing through.

No extravagant expenditures.

Just a small house where I could eat and live like a human.

Bare minimum groceries.

And I’d only spend gold investigating the presence of necromancers or demon worshippers.

But…

“Housing? There are only two kinds of dwellings in this city. The opulent mansions of factory owners. Or the lodgings for common folk, living hand to mouth. Which are you looking for?”

“Both seem a bit excessive. Isn’t there something… intermediate? A modest home?”

“There used to be. The Factory Owners’ Alliance demolished most of those houses last month, replacing them with new lodgings. Said, why not cram ten families into a space that once housed one?”

Hearing the words of the gruff-looking dwarven granny, my head began to throb.

What kind of situation is this?

“And a mansion… roughly, what price would one command, should I consider buying?”

“Well over 100,000 Salred (approximately 10 billion). The upper class here, they aren’t just rich. They monopolize all the magical metals and technologies that come out of the mines, you see?”

One hundred thousand Saleds.

God damn it.

Even if I sold all ten kilograms of gold I brought, I wouldn’t get that much.

“Then, the lodgings…”

“We have cheap rooms for fifty Leon a month (around fifty thousand won), all the way up to luxury lodgings for three Saleds. Usually, skilled artisans with some experience take those.”

There was no choice.

“I’ll take the luxury lodgings.”

I had already converted the gold to money at a nearby exchange. Paying with that, the dwarven grandmother rose from her seat.

“Follow me. The artisan lodgings are structured right next to the cheap fifty Leon rooms. The soundproofing’s crap and smells come right through, so you better be ready for it.”

The grandmother led me straight to the lodging I would be staying in.

“Unlike the other cheap rooms, this one has a bathroom and a kitchen to cook in. The rent collector will come on the first of every month. As long as you pay regularly, you won’t get kicked out. Here’s the key.”

The grandmother coolly handed me the key and vanished somewhere.

The sound of a child crying. The sound of a couple fighting somewhere. Even the smell of cooking, all shared in this structure.

It brought to mind the cramped study rooms back home, this harsh environment.

‘What can you do?’

I sighed and opened the door with the key, stepping inside.

A filthy bed.

Stories coming from all around, with zero soundproofing.

There was indeed a kitchen and a bathroom, but no joke, they were the smallest in the world.

A cramped, worn-out space, squeezed into a room of about fourteen square feet, claustrophobic.

It wasn’t my wish, but this was to be my home from now on.

Thinking I’d unpack the bare minimum and head out to buy some groceries, I stepped out of my place.

“aaagh!! Aagh!!”

“You damned laborer! Stand up straight!!”

A horrifying scream erupted from one corner of the dormitory.

Naturally, my gaze swiveled, and there I saw police officers brutally beating a man with batons and pistols.

“Dogs of the factory owners!! Beat me all you want!! The workers’ paradise will inevitably come!!”

Even as he was being pummeled, the young man possessed a chilling, ferocious glint in his eyes. Beside him lay a book, soaked in blood.

The cover, a stark red, bore the title: *Concerning Capital*.

“Capitalism, flourishing on the burning souls and lives of humanity, will ultimately collapse!! The workers’ heaven will someday surely arrive!!… Ugh…!!”

“Take him away!! You damned b*stard. Lock him away in a camp and don’t let him out until he’s reformed!!”

The police officers dragged the young man away.

Drawn by the commotion, workers began to emerge from the dormitory. The police, as if to make a point, brandished the book that belonged to the young man.

“There is no mercy for those who read forbidden books!! If anyone discovers someone reading this red book, they are to report it immediately!!”

Having delivered their chilling warning.

The police disappeared somewhere, dragging the beaten and limp man with them.

Ah…

This…it’s a scene I’ve seen somewhere before.