The Nebula's Civilization

Chapter 229: Right Now

In The Lost World, there were elements called the Ten Ancient Relics. These were known to have particularly significant influence among the ancient relics, but to Sung-Woon, it felt like they were just conveniently laid out.

'The three most popular castles might be one thing, but things like the Embedded Tower and the Great Wall are pretty useless.'

The Ten Ancient Relics consisted of four towers, three castles, two walls, and one path, and Sung-Woon first saw these relics in a YouTube video that explained them. However, to Sung-Woon, it felt as though some of the relics, which seemed significantly less important during gameplay, were included just to make up the numbers.

For example, one of the two walls, the Great Wall, was a structure without any particular significance. Typically, it appeared in the Lost World as an ancient wall, spanning about a third of a continent, but had no other special characteristics. In the early stages of the game, borders would be formed on either side, but by the mid-game, it was used as a quarry, and by the end of the game, it became insignificant and only known for its name.

On the other hand, the three castles were deemed very valuable, and among them, Automation and Moving Castle were possessed by the Empire.

'And...'

The most impactful of the ancient relics in the game was the path called the Rasdasil Ruins. Players usually referred to it as the ruined road or ruined path, and its significance was not so much for its actual utility, but for the role it played.

'The Rasdasil Ruins is the source of magic.'

If players in The Lost World consistently investigated ancient relics, their characters would discover the existence of the Rasdasil Ruins through various information found in other ruins. Another method was to train Wizards. Even if the Wizards didn't know much about the relics, at least one archmage would be able to track the existence and location of the Rasdasil Ruins.

According to records on ancient relics, the Rasdasil Ruins was where magic was born.

'What was the lore[1] again? I’m pretty sure Eldar would know...but I think it was something like the place where scholars from the distant past created magic even before the ancient gods appeared.’

Sung-Woon didn't know the details, but when it came to the functions of the Rasdasil Ruins in the game, he knew better than anyone else.

The overall appearance of the Rasdasil Ruins was made up of ancient stone buildings, and in the center was a massive sinkhole with a diameter exceeding 300 meters. Even though it was called a sinkhole, it wasn't a sinkhole that naturally occurred, and its walls were inscribed with numerous spells that seemed to have accumulated over generations. The Rasdasil Ruins itself was essentially magic that created magic.

The Rasdasil Ruins were considered a path because of the spiral pathway that sloped down to the abyss, and interestingly, it was still unproven what was on the floor of the abyss.

However, there wasn't a need to go all the way to the bottom to understand the Rasdasil Ruins. If the massive hole in the Rasdasil collapsed, specifically if the edge broke by more than a third, its function would be lost.

'In other words...magic would disappear.'

Players of The Lost World called this a magic seal. In the game, the magic seal was one of the key factors that determined the mid to late stages. If the damage was minimal, it could be repaired, but if it was damaged up to a third, no matter how it was restored like before, magic couldn't be revived.

If the Rasdasil Ruins collapsed, magic would disappear from the world. All Wizards would lose their magic, objects created by magic would fall or crumble, those who had extended their lives with magic would die, and no matter how they drew magic circles and chanted spells that used to work, nothing would happen. The players who despised the existence of magic typically caused these magic sealing events.

Even if players didn't get full support from Wizards like Sung-Woon, it was common play to employ a few Wizards as court Wizards to their benefit. However, if one was harmed by the technology and equipment produced by Wizards and magic, especially if the benefits they gained from magic weren't great, the magic seal was an essential rite of passage.

'Because as technology advances closer to modern times, the synergy between magic and technology increases.'

Before entering modern civilization, magic had to be sealed for a proper fight to take place. However, for Hegemonia at this time, sealing magic was an even more serious matter.

Sung-Woon had obtained magic through his Unique Domain. Due to this, a significant number of Wizards were assisting the Black Scale Empire, and the Wizards' use of magic had a strong influence on raising Sung-Woon's Faith and XP points.

'...Thanks to that, being called the Devil seems to be a demerit though.'

One of the reasons he could fight on par with the God of War was because Sung-Woon had magic.

'But if magic disappeared...'

A significant proportion of war weapons, as well as a large part of the current Black Scale technological civilization, was influenced by magic, big and small.

'Even optimistically speaking, if magic disappeared, about a quarter of the functions would probably stop.'

The disappearance of a certain technology wasn’t a simple loss. The disappearance itself would bring chaos. They would need to somehow use available resources to fill the void, and in that process, technical and social problems would erupt simultaneously. There was also the issue of Sung-Woon being seen as the God of Magic in terms of faith.

'If Hegemonia succeeds in sealing magic, it would be like giving a strong signal that she made a blow on the God of Magic.'

That alone wouldn't guarantee failure. Even if such a thing happened, Sung-Woon believed he could defeat Hegemonia.

'But for Hegemonia, it would be a cost-effective move. There's no reason not to make the attack even though she knows we will take countermeasures.'

Mazdari said, "That’s fortunate though, since we are on the defensive."

Sung-Woon thought the same.

The Rasdasil Ruins could potentially appear on any continent. But fortunately enough, it was located on the third continent in this reality.

The Ogre Dordol said, "But the Rasdasil Ruins is located in the northeastern part of the Empire. Due to the mountain ranges, supply routes are challenging, and defending the area is difficult. On the other hand, attacks from the first continent can freely utilize the sea. If an invasion force were to land, it would be hard to fend them off. The distance from the northeastern coast to the Rasdasil Ruins is only a day's journey."

Lakrak said, "What's currently at the Rasdasil Ruins?"

Dordol continued to say, "There are ten dispatched Wizards from the Magic Tower, about a hundred researchers from Vaseniol, a battalion of escorting troops, and one local division."

"Is the division fully staffed?"

"It's at reduced strength."

"What's the level of the defensive facilities?"

"There are a few coastal defense bases from twenty years ago, but they would struggle against advanced artillery fire."

Lakrak looked up at Sung-Woon.

Sung-Woon understood what Lakrak was getting at and immediately said, "While it's not confirmed, given the many hidden areas, it seems they're already preparing troops. We can't determine their exact number and speed."

Lakrak then said to Dordol, "We need to hurry."

"We should check for aerial infiltration first. If we assume they moved right after our operation, they might already be close."

Lakrak pointed out, "We also have to consider the possibility of a two-front strategy."

"Where do you think they're going to target?"

"Orazen."

Dordol furrowed their eyebrows. "That's too far away."

Mazdari added, "Not Maganen, but Orazen?"

Lakrak said, "If the Union Kingdom's landing force is a large troop, it's possible. Should they attack the eastern coastline all at once, we might have no choice but to defend the ruins with only the local division."

Dordol said, "The enemy's main force is in the south."

"It was until now."

"If they move troops from there, the Union Kingdom would essentially be giving up on the fourth continent."

"Then we should move south to benefit. While planting our flag and dealing with local resistance, the third continent will be attacked. But if we give up the benefits, we'll lose too much if we lose the Rasdasil Ruins."

"We can turn the troops around."

"Our route is longer. We have no port in the southern part of the fourth continent. We would have to transport as much as possible, but we would be slower than the enemies. If we are even an hour late, we’re just late. My estimate is...about half a day's difference."

"Did you calculate it?"

"No."

Dordol pulled out a fountain pen and did the calculations.

A few seconds later, Dordol said, "...That seems to be the difference. You're right."

"There’s also the Ronante-Oroban Alliance."

"Considering our route, defending with that many troops would be difficult. We would have to abandon the Rasdasil Ruins and pass the defensive line. If we prepare for the magic seal now..."

"No, there should be more stones we can use. Mazdari, you should talk to the emperor. Are there still Faith points left?"

While the apostles were talking, Sung-Woon checked the time through the system.

Then he said to Lakrak, "The strategy should be planned within an hour."

"Do we have any support?"

"For the time being, all other gods except me will move for base defense and disturbance. I'll inform you about the available guardians later."

"Hmm, alright."

"And..."

Sung-Woon slightly leaned forward, looking down at the apostles.

"Obin, Toolbo, Aruna."

"Yes!"

"Yes?"

-What?

Lakrak, Mazdari, and Redin seemed to already know what was going on and ignored the three apostles, continuing their meeting.

Sung-Woon said, "As Dordol predicted, the airship fleet is approaching. And as already said, Rasdasil Ruins have too few troops stationed there, and the defenses are below standard. You three have to defend it. Go."

Sung-Woon didn't give them a chance to respond or refuse.

When Sung-Woon snapped his fingers, Obin Mabru, Madman Toolbo, and Phoenix Aruna vanished.

***

The so-called special forces apostle, Obin, realized they were falling. They couldn't tell how high they were in the sky, seeing only clouds below. The air also felt thin and cold.

'Night Sky has a harsh sense of humor!'

Obin balanced themself in mid-air and looked around.

"Aaaahhh!"

Piercing through the rough air friction and letting out a hearty scream was a Platy. Obin reduced the air resistance and approached the Platy to grab him.

"Oh my!"

"Toolbo! It’s me."

"O…Obin?"

Obin checked Toolbo and used their legs to hold the Platy by the chest, then they pulled a cord from the bag.

Pop!

Obin felt a strong pull on their shoulders. It was the parachute from Obin's large all-purpose military equipment deploying. It was always said that Obin's gear had everything needed for the right place at the right time. It had become one of Obin's skills. Obin didn't find it strange. They were somewhat obsessive, and it was true that they always carried necessary items with them.

"Why are you so scared? You ride faster things."

"But flying in the sky is terrifying."

"Even with a beak?"

"Huh?"

Obin looked around.

'According to what Night Sky said, Aruna should be around here too...'

Obin and Toolbo descended through the clouds.

'We’ve fallen for a while, so it might not be clouds, but fog.'

However, it was different from what Obin thought. As they descended below the clouds, a new landscape emerged.

Toolbo shouted first, "Oh, that's...!"

"It’s just as he said."

Dozens of airships could be seen below Obin and Toolbo. The airships had a white background with black and red geometric symbols that symbolized the Angry One. It was the airborne fleet of the Union Kingdom.

1. A lore in a game refers to the backstory, history, or explanation of an element within the game. ☜