Omniscient First-Person’s Viewpoint
Chapter 325: Even if the Elixir Good For The Body

When traveling in unfamiliar lands, it’s natural to be wary of strangers.

But in the Fallen Dominion, where everything is strange and everyone is a wanderer, it’s different—everyone becomes an outsider and after a while, even strangeness becomes familiar.

As we approached a group of people, they didn’t seem overly cautious.

They just watched us from atop their mounts, ready to flee at any moment.

“Hey, we just want to ask—”

However, the moment our Catafract came fully into view under the firelight, they bolted without a second glance.

Around ten of them scattered in all directions, moving with such coordination that it seemed like they were using each other as decoys.

Watching them flee like a pack of rats, the Regressor clicked her tongue.

“Tsk. I just wanted to ask for directions. Did riding a Catafract make us look too suspicious?”

“It’s not the Catafract. Odd-looking mounts are common in the Fallen Dominion.”

In other words, unless it’s something on the scale of a Juggernaut, nothing would stand out here.

However, I was exhausted with muscle aches and was eager to rest. I groaned and gave some instructions.

“Mr. Shei, forget it. Just take out some junk. Anything that’s big and bulky but not too valuable will do. Tyr, cover it with darkness to make it look more like a massive hoard. Azzy, you… just sit on top of it.”

“Huh? Why?”

“They ran because it looked like we were empty-handed. We need to make it look like we’re rich.”

“Won’t that make them want to rob us?”

“At least they won’t think we’re here to rob them. Well-fed beasts tend to be generous.”

Following my instructions, the Regressor pulled out some reinforced steel from her pocket and piled it up.

Tyr covered it with shadows and Azzy jumped up and sat on top.

With Azzy sitting on this mound of junk, illuminated by the firelight, our Catafract now looked like a mountain of treasure.

The Regressor didn’t seem too pleased with the sight.

“We look like a pack of Dholes returning from a big score.”

“That’s the point. In the Fallen Dominion, the scariest thing is a hungry neighbor and the most welcome is a full one. The fuller they are, the less likely they are to gut your belly.”

As I had predicted, the Dholes who had fled began circling back, eyeing us cautiously now that the Catafract looked laden with goods.

“They’re really coming back?”

“There’s no room left in the cargo hold, so they assume we won’t covet their stuff. They have nothing and we don’t have space to take more.”

Sure enough, a man approached cautiously and called out from a safe distance.

“Hey there! Just returning from a score in the Military State?”

In situations like this, it’s better if I take the lead, rather than the Regressor.

I waved and responded.

“That’s right. Are you just heading out?”

“Of course! The plunder guarantee was issued just the other day!”

“Plunder guarantee?”

The man eyed me suspiciously and asked, “You don’t know about the plunder guarantee?”

｢A promise from the Golden Palace to purchase everything you loot, ensuring it won’t be stolen. It’s a guaranteed chance to score big without having to worry about being stabbed in the back by others. You’re crossing the border without even knowing that?｣

A guarantee to make sure no one takes what they’ve stolen—what an interesting concept.

And to think it actually motivates people to act.

Since I could read his thoughts, I gave him an answer.

“Of course I know. It’s basically an insurance policy for looted goods, right?”

“Then why…?”

“Why would we need that? Don’t tell me you’re so uncertain of your skills that you need to worry about such things when looting?”

Hilde picked up my cue and smiled menacingly, exuding a sharp killing intent.

The basic principle of Geon Qi, extending sharp Qi across the air to prick the skin, worked as intended.

The man, shrinking under Hilde’s aura, began to tremble, thinking to himself.

｢What intense pressure…! These aren’t ordinary scavengers. They’re predators! I’d better give up on trying to rob them.｣

The man, who had been considering double-crossing us, quickly changed his mind and responded with exaggerated praise.

“You’re a brave one! Truly impressive!”

“Good. Just passing along a warning so we can avoid any trouble.”

｢A warning not to even think about stealing from them, huh? Well, we’re heading to the Military State, so there’s no reason to poke the hornet’s nest if they leave us alone.｣

The man gestured that everything was fine, and with that, the Dholes began gathering around our campfire again, bringing their mounts into a tight circle around the fire.

The wood of the Fallen Dominion contained a lot of energy and it burned hot, so even a small fire was enough to warm the whole group.

In the Fallen Dominion, the nomads camp by forming a circle, using their mounts as poles to set up their tents.

Although the sun was still setting, there was no need to push on.

In this ever-changing land, the only thing you can trust is what you see with your own eyes.

Once it gets dark, the chances of an accident skyrocket.

Even if your body was intact thanks to Qi, a broken mount in this land was as good as death.

As the sun sets, it signals for everyone beneath it to prepare for sleep.

So, it’s time to follow suit.

The day is ending, so I’ll take the elixir and rest.

“Great. Time to work.”

I was about to head inside when the man, hesitating, worked up the courage to speak to me.

“Uh, excuse me. May I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Is it true that steel lies around everywhere in the Military State? Steel forged with mana?”

That’s the question he worked up the courage to ask?

I looked into the man’s eyes and read his thoughts.

｢We’re heading to the Military State, but if there’s nothing to loot, we’re screwed. Sure, we can run away, but if we travel that far and come back empty-handed, we’re as good as dead!｣

I’ve never heard such determined resolve from someone about to commit robbery.

Let’s see.

He’s from the Fallen Dominion.

He likes materials that are easy to transmute, like steel.

Or something that’s easily alchemized.

He’d also like alchemic gold, though probably not as much as the Military State does.

He values weight and utility above all.

Now, what’s the best way to answer him?

“It’s a little different. It doesn’t lie around, per se—it grows like plants all over the Military State.”

“Grows? Like trees?”

“Yeah, it springs up unexpectedly, like street lamps or fences. I even heard they use Alchemic Steel for building columns. So, rather than going in with a warrior’s mindset, go in with a lumberjack’s. You’ll make a lot more that way.”

“Oh, wow! Thank you! That’s valuable advice!”

“Well, it wasn’t free. We have some questions for you, too.”

“Ask away, anything you want!”

I had given him the answer he wanted and laid the groundwork.

I motioned to the Regressor with a flick of my finger.

“Mr. Shei, go handle our business. I’ll set up the tent.”

“Got it.”

｢… He really is good at this. Without even threatening anyone, he can get information so easily from strangers? Even from those Fallen Dominion Dholes who are always looking for an opening to stab you in the back?｣

If you just do the opposite of what you do, you’ll get by fine.

And honestly, I’m jealous.

It would be so much easier to just threaten people with strength than to bother reading their minds and coming up with the right responses.

When I returned to the Catafract, Hilde had already set up the tent.

She wasn’t just skilled; she was quick.

They say generals aren’t good at setting up tents, but maybe that doesn’t apply to Six Star Generals.

As soon as I entered the tent, Hilde greeted me politely with her hands clasped.

“You’ve worked hard, Father! Welcome back!”

“Yeah, I’m back. Phew, it was rough.”

Tyr’s coffin was parked in one corner, and in another corner, Azzy was stretching out.

I plopped down on the spot with two blankets spread out.

Hilde placed a cup of water and a lantern in front of me and sighed.

“I didn’t expect an order from the Golden Palace to be issued. Things are going to get chaotic near the border~. Poor Military State citizens.”

Tyr, curious, asked.

“What is this… plunder guarantee?”

I washed my hands and feet with the water Hilde had provided and replied.

“Well, it’s a bit complicated to explain, but to put it simply, it’s like giving them permission to rob. The Dholes hear about it and swarm in to pillage the area.”

“Why go through such trouble? Why not just gather an army and invade?”

“Unlike the Military State or other nations, the Fallen Dominion doesn’t have a clear chain of command. Everything in the Dominion revolves around the Golden Palace, so news spreads quickly, but power doesn’t. The Dholes are scattered all over the place, so it’s impossible to force them to follow orders.”

｢So they lack a central authority. A curious nation, indeed, with no attachment to land.｣

Tyr is quick to understand.

Or rather, quick to accept.

She doesn’t question why the Fallen Dominion wanders or why it has no attachment to the land; she just believes what I say to be true. It makes explanations a lot easier.

We can get into the details later.

“And so, the Golden Palace uses this plunder guarantee to mobilize the wanderers. It encourages looting in the Military State and promises to buy everything they loot. That draws all the Dholes like hungry scavengers following a scent, whether they’re looting or looting the looters.”

“Hm. So, it is not an army, but it achieves a similar effect.”

“Exactly. You get it.”

As Hilde conjured water with magic and poured it out, she grumbled.

“Yeah, and the ones who suffer are the Military State citizens and the communications golems~. Ugh, it’s so annoying. Should I just assassinate them all in the night?”

That’s a scary thing to say… but this is Hilde, the feared Star General of the Military State.

Assassination is always an option for her, and she’s done it before.

I gently tried to talk her down.

“It wouldn’t really be fitting behavior for an envoy of peace.”

“So what? If nobody finds out, it’s like it never happened!”

“But we’d already know, wouldn’t we?”

At my remark, Hilde grinned and put her finger to her lips.

Her terrifying smile was paired with a cheerful voice.

“Hehe, you’ll keep quiet for me right~ Father?”

“I feel like if I don’t, you’ll make sure I never talk again…”

As long as you don’t kill me, I guess.

Do what you want.

After washing my hands and feet with the wet cloth, I took a deep breath, feeling relatively clean.

My arms and legs ached a bit, but otherwise, I was fine.

That should be enough.

I prepared myself and took the elixir from the chest.

An elixir, huh. I’m not expecting much, but it feels like a restorative meal.

“Alright, time to take it.”

“Drumroll, cue! Pam param param pam pam! I can’t wait to see the reborn Father after he takes the elixir!”

“If I regain my strength, I won’t forget the effort you all put into supporting me. You know the drill for taking an elixir, right? Try not to disturb me or talk to me unless it’s urgent.”

It wouldn’t matter much if they did, but better safe than sorry.

You never know, this elixir might actually work for me.

Tyr, curious, asked.

“We should not disturb you or talk to you?”

“Not unless it’s absolutely necessary. If something urgent happens, like a fire in the tent, then of course, we’ll need to run. But ideally, I’ll conserve my energy and not be interrupted.”

“Interesting. Very well.”

Tyr lowered herself from her coffin and sat next to me, watching me intently.

She seemed determined to observe me until the elixir took effect.

It was a bit unsettling, but if all she’s doing is watching, it’s fine.

“Alright. Here goes nothing.”

I raised the elixir.

Its sharp scent filled the air.

It didn’t exactly smell appetizing, but I closed my eyes tightly and swallowed the elixir whole.