NOVEL NEXT Chapter 248:
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Bathory's ominous thoughts were soon made real.
Archduke Wazir's words that he would send a gift soon were not just empty words.
“…This Goddamn thing.”
Bathory was furious as she received dozens of letters from leaders and notable figures around the continent.
Every one of those letters was filled with threatening remarks directed at Bathory.
There was no evidence of their assassination attempt, but the letters were full of warnings to be very careful in the future.
That wasn't all.
Some neighboring Kingdoms even stationed their armies at the border and conducted winter training exercises, going so far as to stage military demonstrations."
No matter how many spies and pro-Erzsebet Kingdom personnel Bathory had in place, it would be impossible for her to control the neighboring kingdoms once such an event occurred."Ah, I've made a huge mistake."
When the tangible tension began to build, Bathory bitterly regretted her attempted assassination of Archduke Wazir.
In her haste, she had touched a behemoth that shouldn't have been touched, and now she was reaping the consequences.
Was that all?
“Y-Your Majesty. Archduchess Rowena has sent us a letter.”
“Rowena, that damned wench…?”
Bathory had a very poor relationship with Rowena, the younger sister of the Emperor of the Arad Empire.
After a slight argument at a formal event in the past, their relationship deteriorated rapidly, and now, they were at the point where even hearing each other's names made them grind their teeth in anger.
The problem was, Rowena wasn't the only one who sent a letter.
“Archduke Tertemian and Archduke Paragon also sent….”
“Ah.”
The fact that all of the current Emperor’s siblings had sent letters meant that the worst possible situation had unfolded.
‘Rowena, Tertemian, and Paragon are all vying for the throne. If they were to stage a rebellion, they would want to bring that old fool Wazir to their side. That's why they're pressuring me.’
As it happens, Rowena, Tertemian, and Paragon are already drooling over the prospect of bringing Archduke Wazir to their side.
Having touched Wazir like that, it was impossible for the Emperor’s siblings to stay quiet.
Their pressure might even be stronger than that of the current Emperor.
Although the current Emperor and Archduke Wazir did not get along well, the Emperor's siblings did not share that enmity.
"Your Majesty, it would be wise to keep a low profile for the time being and strongly deny involvement in this incident."
The Intelligence Director advised Bathory.
“If Rowena, Tertemian, and Paragon take action, our kingdom will suffer a great damage. I implore you to make the appropriate move.”
"‘…I am aware of that as well.’"
Bathory decided to keep a low profile, following the advice of the Director of Intelligence.
Since the attempt to assassinate Archduke Wazir had failed, any further actions could lead to the complete downfall of the powerful Erzsebet Kingdom.
However, this was merely an outward gesture to preserve appearances.
"Mobilize the Orcs."
“Huh?”
"Mobilize the Orcs to attack the borders of the neighboring Kingdoms and draw their attention. Until this incident quiets down."
In the end, Bathory decided to use the Orcs of the Uruk Plains to cover up the incident.
If the Orcs invaded human territories, there was a possibility that the failed assassination attempt on Archduke Wazir could be glossed over.
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
The Director of Intelligence understood Bathory's intentions and decided to immediately carry out the orders.
It was not an exaggeration to say that the Erzsebet Kingdom's control over the situation in the Uruk Plains was one of the highest-level secrets, with little chance of being discovered.
There was a reason why the Director of Intelligence, who had advised keeping a low profile, did not oppose Bathory's suggestion to use the Orcs.
"I will report any unusual developments immediately."
“Do so.”
After the Intelligence Director left.
“Otto de Scuderia….”
Left alone, Otto's name slipped out of Bathory's mouth.
"I thought he was just a thunderous brute, but it seems he had some reliability. However, my mistakes end here. I will make you regret opposing me, Bathory, with every fiber of your being."
Bathory muttered to herself, and gritted her teeth at Otto.
Vowing to take revenge for the series of events that had occurred.
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Qasim brought the dwarves within a blink of an eye.
Wyverns are very fast fliers and have exceptional endurance and strength.
For such wyverns, bringing the Dwarves was a trivial task.
Furthermore, the nature of an airborne force means that they can travel over any terrain, making it easier for them to get there and back.
"Thus, Otto was able to meet the Dwarves several days earlier than expected."
“Y-Your Majesty!”
Erickson's eyes widened in astonishment at the materials Otto proudly displayed, as if they were about to pop out of his head.
"How did you manage to obtain such precious materials? Heok!"
“I see you recognize their value.”
“How could I not? The Ghost Tree and Enchantment Tree are among the rarest trees in this world!”
“Hehehe.”
"To be given the opportunity to process such precious materials! I am deeply, deeply grateful! Your Majesty!"
Erickson, overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, bowed deeply to Otto.
Ghost Tree and Enchanting Tree were so rare that one might only see them once in a lifetime.
Even the Dwarves, though knowledgeable about the characteristics, uses, and processing methods of Ghost Tree and Enchanting Tree through ancient texts, had never seen them in person.
"Oh, why are you doing this? Please, get up."
Otto helped Erickson to his feet.
"As you might have guessed, the reason I asked for you, Erickson, is to request the processing of the Ghost Tree and Enchanting Tree. Since there are top-notch blacksmiths available, I can't just entrust it to mediocre craftsmen."
“You're grace is immeasurable, You're Majesty!”
"You know the processing methods, right?"
"Of course! Just leave it to me! What would you like me to make?"
"Well, that is…"
Otto explained to Erickson what items he needed.
“Will that really be all you need?”
“Yes, it will be sufficient.”
"However, after completing the processing requested by Your Majesty, there will be a large amount of leftover materials."
"That’s fine."
Otto grinned at Eriksson.
"All the leftover materials will be yours, Erickson."
“……!"
"Did you think I would make you work without any compensation?"
“Y-Your Highness.”
Erickson, looking as if he were about to burst with happiness, was at a loss for what to do.
“Just being entrusted with the processing of the Ghost Tree and Enchanting Tree is more than we Dwarves could ask for, and to receive the leftover materials as well, I am beyond grateful for the generosity.”
“Ah.”
Otto waved his hand dismissively, as if it were nothing special.
"This is nothing between us."
“Your Highness….”
"Just take good care of the task I've entrusted to you."
Then the Dwarves, including Erickson, bowed deeply to Otto.
“Your grace is immeasurable! Your Majesty!”
“Your grace is immeasurable! Your Majesty!”
“Your grace is immeasurable! Your Majesty!”
The Dwarves, having finished their bows, excitedly grabbed the Ghost wood and Enchanted wood and ran toward the worksite.
“Ch-Chwik!?”
Bagram was startled to see Otto and the Dwarves like that.
And for good reason, he never expected the Dwarves to form such a close relationship with a human like Otto.
Dwarves were a species known as the embodiment of stubbornness in the world.
They were known for being very proud, stubborn, arrogant, and extremely sensitive.
To have such a close relationship with them was a clear indication of Otto's character.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for the Dwarves to recognize Otto as a King and bow down to him.
Even if he gave them rare and precious materials, such as Ghost wood and Enchanted wood.
“Chwik.”
Bagram turned to Otto and said.
“You have good relations with the dwarves. Chwik.”
"I told you."
Otto smiled at Bagram.
"I don’t have any discrimination against different races. I want us all to get along well together, and that’s what I intend to make happen."
“Chik. Chwik!"
“Anyway, get some rest, because as soon as the dwarves are done with their work, we'll be heading to Thunder Mountain.”
“All right, Chwik.”
Bagram nodded and once again admired Otto's character.
The various races getting along with one another.
This was something no Lord would ever have spoken of before.
It was true that humans had oppressed and discriminated against different races after gaining dominance over the continent.
But Otto was different.
He had expressed a willingness to get along with the other races, and in practice he was proving it.
From Bagram's perspective, his respect for Otto only rose further.
The Dwarves, having obtained the sap from the Enchantment Tree and wood from the Ghost Tree, quickly set about crafting it in accordance with Otto's request.
A few days later.
“Your Majesty, the project has been completed.”
Erickson showed Otto the items made from the sap of the Enchantment Tree and wood from the Ghost Tree.
[Barbarian Club]
A club carved from the wood of the Ghost Tree.
It boasts durability stronger than most steel.
It has very strong stunning and paralyzing effects.
Type: Blunt weapon (Club)
Durability: 25,000 / 25,000
Effect:
– Upon hit, inflicts a Curse effect on the target.
– Upon hit, inflicts a Paralyze effect on the target.
– When the Curse and Paralysis effects stack 3 times, stuns the enemy
Additional Effects:
– Water resistance +500%
– Fire resistance +300%
– Dark resistance +400%
– Non-Conductor (Shock Effect Doesn't Work)
The item made from the Ghost Tree in the largest quantity was the [Barbarian Club].
"Hand one out to everyone. Only those going to Thunder Mountain.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Otto commanded as he handed Camille a bunch of Barbarian Clubs.
“And this one.”
Otto looked at the large axe handle.
[Immortal Axe Handle].
An axe handle made entirely out of Ghostwood.
It is an axe handle that never rots and never breaks.
Type: Blunt weapon (Handle)
Durability: Infinite (∞)
Effect:
– Upon hit, inflicts a Curse effect on the target.
– Upon hit, inflicts a Paralyze effect on the target.
– When the Curse and Paralysis effects stack 3 times, stuns the enemy
Additional Effects:
– Water resistance +500%
– Fire resistance +300%
– Dark resistance +400%
– Non-Conductor (Shock Effect Doesn't Work)
Otto handed the [Immortal Axe Handle] to Bagram.
“Here, take it.”
“Chwik?”
“We’ll get the axe blade separately. For now, keep this.”
“I understand, Chwik.”
With the distribution of the items made from the Ghost Tree completed,
[Rubber Cloak]
A cloak made from the sap of the Enchantment Tree.
It boasts impressive defense and provides excellent waterproof and windproof effects.
Otto also distributed the [Rubber Cloak] made from the sap of the Enchantment Tree to everyone.
Of course, Otto couldn't see the status panel of the items, but it didn't matter.
Since Otto already had a clear idea of what items could do, he didn't need to look through the blurry status window.
“Everyone, get ready.”
Having finished distributing the items, Otto looked around at his companions.
“Because we’re heading to Thunder Mountain right now.”
Time was of the essence.
Otto had no intention of delaying any longer.
Since the preparations for the Thunder Mountain expedition were complete, there was no reason to dawdle any longer.