Chapter 119

Chapter 119
## Chapter 119

Silent War (1)

Enamel Continent, Drasha, the capital of the Elven Kingdom.

In this place, a certain individual had achieved perfect harmony with the natural world through deep meditation.

‘Ah— This gentle breeze, the warm sunlight, and the cool shade. This is true rejuvenation.’

He was stretched out lazily beneath the canopy of a massive tree, appearing to any onlooker as nothing more than an idle loafer.

Yet, even this state of relaxation was a form of discipline for him—breathing in tandem with the environment and merging his consciousness with nature.

‘I have absolutely no desire to stir. A person needs to indulge in moments like this occasionally. There is a valid reason why downtime is essential.’

…While it might sound like a convenient excuse for slacking off, it wasn’t entirely inaccurate to label it as training, given that this tranquility allowed him to significantly deepen his elemental connection to the world.

Harris, the Elf, who was currently demonstrating a flawless alignment of mind and body with his entire being in the absolute quiet, shifted slightly on the grass, cradling a lengthy, wooden object against his chest.

“Haaa… This is bliss…”

A sense of comfort and warmth radiated through him simply from holding the object, causing all the tension to melt from his frame.

He already possessed a natural inclination to lose himself in the wilderness, and with this particular item in his grasp, that tendency was becoming nearly impossible to restrain.

‘It was crafted from a bough granted directly by the World Tree.’

The singular branch he had previously entrusted to Rapori for refining had finally been returned to him, transformed into a sleek, elegant bow.

Because the bowstring was currently unattached, it resembled nothing more than a simple, twisting branch, yet it possessed the remarkable power to enhance its wielder’s baseline capabilities through touch alone.

Naturally, a heightened amplification of his affinity with nature was part of that power.

‘Everything is so tranquil. Perhaps because the Enamel Continent sits at such a vast distance from the Ion Continent where the abyss tore open, life here remains largely unaltered.’

Furthermore, due to the protective aura emanating from the World Tree, the corrupting influence of madness had not made significant inroads here.

It had not been banished entirely, but the severity was minor enough that their standard defensive forces could manage it without issue.

It truly was a realm favored by fortune.

‘Hmm?’

Right then, his perceptual awareness, which had been drifting idly, picked up the vibrations of an approaching presence.

His refined senses, sharpened by his current state of environmental unity, permitted him to instantly recognize the identity of the newcomer. Harris cracked his eyes open just a fraction to look toward the path.

Predictably, the figure walking toward his resting spot was a very familiar face.

“Haaaam— Decibel.”

Wooong—

Responding to Harris’s sleepy summons, the Sound Spirit ‘Decibel’, which had successfully matured into the Intermediate tier, dissolved the acoustic isolation barrier it had maintained to ensure his undisturbed nap.

In that exact instant, the rich tapestry of environmental sound rushed back into the previously silent clearing…

~♪

And the faint, lively notes of a melody began to drift over from the distance.

It was a catchy, high-energy tune that was currently taking Drasha by storm.

The cultural ripples of the modern concepts introduced through Harris’s deliberate guidance were making themselves known in everyday life.

He pushed himself up into a sitting position, listening to the rhythm of the music.

His craving for idleness had been thoroughly sated by his extended period of lounging, leaving his mind perfectly clear.

As he was extending his arms in a wide stretch, the individual who had marched up with purposeful strides finally addressed him—.

“…Um, it’s been a bit, hasn’t it? You always seem to be rooted to this exact spot. Do you really find it that appealing?”

The person offering this stiff greeting, which contrasted with her usually self-assured demeanor, was Shapiron Silvesty, an Elf woman characterized by her vibrant blue hair and matching blue eyes.

‘Been a bit? Didn’t our paths cross just this morning?’

Their interactions had become surprisingly amicable following their collaborative showcase during the grand festival.

They had evolved into mutual acquaintances who would at least trade pleasantries upon crossing paths.

This shift was primarily due to a transformation in her internal stance toward Harris; she had begun conducting herself as though she viewed him as a direct competitor.

‘No, she was even trailing me in secret and monitoring my actions for a good while.’

Her dedication had been so intense that she would actively record observations with wide, intense eyes, resembling a hyper-focused academic.

She likely believed her surveillance remained entirely undetected, but she couldn’t possibly mask her presence from his tracking abilities, which had reached absurd levels due to his boosted environmental affinity.

‘Though it felt like she had finally desisted from that behavior recently. It looks like she has another inquiry on her mind.’

Reading the way she simply hovered there, frozen after her opening remark and seemingly unable to voice her thoughts…

It was highly probable she had come to request some assistance.

“Greetings, Shapiron. I frequent this spot because it offers unmatched serenity. It also streamlines my ability to commune with the natural elements.”

“Q-quite true. Environmental communication is paramount…”

Shapiron offered a stiff, nervous grin in agreement, her fingers twining together anxiously.

“So, is there a particular matter you wish to discuss?”

“Ah!”

She caught her breath for a second under his direct prompt, then tentatively steered the conversation toward her true objective.

“Well, the two of us are designated members of the delegation traveling to the continental summit, correct? Because of that… I wished to make some advance preparations…”

The upcoming continental summit was slated to take place at the historic Roselia Cathedral located within the Ion Continent, which served as the sacred seat of power for the Main God Church.

The various sovereign territories of the Enamel Continent were sending representation due to the world-altering stakes of the crisis, and both Harris and Shapiron had been assigned to the delegation in the capacity of junior aides.

“Preparations?”

“Yes… I mean, it is an entirely foreign continent, so the customs and environment are bound to diverge from our own in numerous ways, right? If we, as representatives carrying the honor of the Elven Kingdom, commit even a minor social blunder, it could spiral into a diplomatic crisis! Therefore…”

Harris was a native of the Ion Continent and had recently acquired a weapon carved from the World Tree’s very bough, an event that had triggered the evolution of all his contracted spirits into the Intermediate tier.

On the other hand, Shapiron was equally capable of summoning Intermediate-tier spirits and stood out as the most brilliant prodigy within the walls of Drasha Academy, yet she possessed zero real-world experience beyond her homeland—a classic example of a sheltered greenhouse flower.

Both individuals possessed more than enough raw capability to function as aides, and they had been selected for the journey primarily to broaden their horizons and gain worldly exposure.

“Given your origins in the Ion Continent… I was wondering if you might be willing to guide me? Naturally! I have no intention of exploiting your kindness! I have assembled a highly appropriate compensation for your time!”

The words tumbled out of her in a rushed torrent as she avoided direct eye contact, her cheeks burning with visible mortification.

It was understandable that she found it humiliating to solicit his aid now, particularly when remembering how dismissively she had treated him in the past.

Even so, he could empathize with the anxiety driving her actions.

This marked the very first occasion in her life where she would step beyond the borders of the Elven Kingdom, the only world she had ever known.

To make matters more daunting, her destination was an entirely separate landmass…

‘She is clearly terrified of failing and wants to ensure she performs flawlessly.’

Furthermore, the individual commanding this diplomatic expedition was none other than her own father, Rapori Granwood.

‘I was under the impression that his previous venture abroad was meant to be his final external assignment. Yet here he is, called to duty once more.’

Then again, retirement was a luxury that could not be easily afforded given the current global climate.

Cecily, the recently awakened High Elf, was still in the middle of her foundational training, and the remaining high-ranking figures were tied down by their own critical responsibilities.

Most crucially, Rapori stood out as the single individual with the most extensive operational experience within the borders of the Ion Continent.

The dangers of the present era were simply too severe to ignore.

However, that political context wasn’t his immediate concern.

“We belong to the same traveling party, so it is only natural that I lend you a hand!… With that said, what exactly is this reward you mentioned?”

Offering assistance was fine and good, but he was determined to extract every piece of profit he could manage from the situation.

—

“Hmm— Excellent! Truly spectacular!”

Cutting-edge crafting implements and machinery crowded the expansive workshop floor.

The room operated strictly on manual input without a single automated assembly line, yet the sheer concentration of premium, top-tier equipment gave the space an aura of immense sophistication.

Howard, the Dwarf who had been pulled across dimensions into this unfamiliar world just a handful of days prior, nodded his head in deep appreciation as his eyes swept over the facilities.

Hubert had taken the initiative to arrange this workspace ahead of time, but the emotional impact was entirely different now that he was physically standing in the center of it…

Following several days of hands-on calibration, a flawless production environment had finally been established.

‘I cannot tell if this immediate familiarity stems from the innate physiological traits of a Dwarf or from the unique properties of the “Craftsmanship” ability.’

Regardless of the underlying cause, it was an immense relief that no further modifications were required.

“It brings me great joy to see that it meets your standards, Howard.”

“Indeed, this represents the absolute pinnacle of what a craftsman could ask for! Aligning my interests with yours was undeniably the correct choice!”

Hubert and Howard exchanged a firm, companionable handshake.

Naturally, this display was a calculated performance, executed with full awareness of the multiple pairs of eyes tracking their movements.

Not only were Hubert’s standard trio of personal protectors standing guard, but a handful of corporate personnel had also been stationed throughout the facility.

‘It will be highly advantageous to formally integrate Howard into the company infrastructure to streamline our operations moving forward.’

Hubert could not personally act as a courier every single time the artisan required raw materials.

It was far more efficient to delegate those basic logistical duties to his corporate subordinates.

‘Furthermore, I intend to coordinate a visit to Zaonic down the line, and it will be impossible to conceal his dwarven heritage indefinitely. It provides far greater security to shield him openly under the banner of a legitimate corporation.’

Hubert’s Trading Company had successfully secured a dominant foothold within Tarak, and the social standing of his primary commercial ally, Harley, had risen to unprecedented heights compared to their early days.

When factoring in the security clearance provided by their covert alignment with the Main God Church, the vast majority of local factions wouldn’t even contemplate making a hostile move against them.

‘Everything is perfectly aligned. The sole remaining objective is for him to fully absorb and apply the advanced technological concepts of Earth.’

Fortunately, due to the potent intersection of his racial lineage and the “Craftsmanship” trait, the underlying scientific theory had already been seamlessly coded into Howard’s intellect; the final step was simply executing those concepts through physical practice.

“Provide him with every single resource he requests. Disregard the financial toll entirely. Cater to his needs with the exact same urgency you would show to myself or Harley.”

“Understood! Your orders will be executed flawlessly, Master!”

The personnel tasked with overseeing the daily operations of the workshop and maintaining internal security bowed lower in unison.

These individuals had been meticulously vetted for their competence, ensuring they could handle the vast majority of standard complications independently.

“In that case, I shall take my leave. I place my full trust in your capabilities, Howard.”

“Ah— Set your mind at ease. I intend to plunge into production this very instant!”

After bidding farewell to the dwarven artisan, Hubert exited the secure perimeter of the workshop and directed his steps back toward the bustling heart of Tarak.

While the successful establishment of Howard’s manufacturing base granted him a brief reprieve from immediate logistical concerns, a true businessman never truly took a day off.

His primary responsibility lay in sustaining the physical vessels of the avatars and managing their logistical demands, but his fundamental purpose was the aggressive expansion of the enterprise, requiring his constant vigilance and movement.

‘Still, it is undeniable that our daily operations have become vastly more manageable since finalizing our treaty with the Brokoslack Clan.’

There was simply no asset more proficient than a vampire when it came to neutralizing the espionage attempts of competing syndicates and securing critical intelligence.

By leveraging their specialized talents, the corporation’s expansion had entered a phase of hyper-growth, vindicating his choice to partner with them.

As Hubert navigated the crowded thoroughfares, flanked by his vigilant protectors,

An abrupt sensation of absolute wrongness triggered an alarm deep within his survival instincts.

‘What is this feeling?’

Hubert ground to an immediate halt, his gaze scanning the immediate environment with intense scrutiny.

Street merchants loudly pitching an array of merchandise, heavily armed mercenaries weaving through the crowds, ordinary citizens rushing about their daily routines…

It was a perfectly mundane snapshot of city life.

Nothing stood out as explicitly out of place.

Yet, an undeniable shift had occurred in the atmosphere, breaking the established pattern of reality.

He could perceive the threat on an instinctual level, yet his conscious mind could not pinpoint the exact anomaly.

“Master…?”

The four bodyguards who had been maintaining a silent, protective perimeter around him turned to look at him with confusion, noting his sudden halt and the deep crease of worry forming on his brow.

His cognitive processes kicked into overdrive, and the overwhelming sensation of an impending threat wrapped around his form with suffocating intensity…

Finally, he deciphered the source of the danger, guided entirely by the primal warnings of his instincts which bypassed his logical deductions.

‘Four?’

An extra entity was standing directly within the cluster of his three primary protectors.

It was an individual possessing an incredibly striking visage, defined by unnaturally translucent skin, crimson eyes, and a mane of blood-red hair.

This intruder was positioned right beside him, locking him in a piercing, predatory stare, entirely unhindered by his defensive escort.

Even his highly trained bodyguards, who possessed formidable combat experience, seemed utterly oblivious to the interloper’s physical presence, continuing to look at Hubert with expressions of simple concern.

“Your perceptual awareness is commendable.”

In that heartbeat, Hubert recognized the fundamental nature of the entity standing before him without needing an explanation.

‘A vampire?’

This sudden intuition was undoubtedly a residual byproduct of Heinz the Second’s supernatural essence.

That connection alone allowed him to pierce through the sensory distortion masking the assassin.

…Regrettably, the realization arrived far too late to alter the outcome.

“Ah…? Cough…!”

A violent torrent of deep crimson blood erupted from Hubert’s nostrils and parted lips, spilling downward like an opened valve.

He managed to deduce the underlying cause only after the fact, despite the catastrophic failure occurring entirely within the confines of his own physical body.

His internal architecture, including the central chambers of his heart, had been utterly pulverized by an execution method so swift and subtle that he hadn’t even registered its trajectory.

“Master!”

“What is happening? What has struck you?!”

The protective detail instantly dissolved into a state of absolute panic, reaching out frantically to support his weight as his limbs lost all structural integrity and he began to collapse toward the paving stones.

The anonymous vampire assassin had already dissolved into the ether without leaving a single trace behind, vanishing completely from Hubert’s rapidly darkening field of vision.

‘…How? For what purpose would a vampire launch a targeted assassination against me…?’

To his accelerated perception, the passage of time felt stretched out over minutes, but the entire sequence had unfolded within the span of a fraction of a second.

He was maintaining a fragile hold on consciousness for a mere handful of heartbeats solely because his foundational vitality was remarkably resilient; at this stage of destruction, even the divine restoration arts of Heinrich would prove utterly useless in reversing the damage.

At the precise fraction of a second where the microscopic thread of vitality keeping him anchored to the mortal realm was about to snap entirely…

《Warning: You have sustained a lethal threshold of damage resulting in instantaneous demise. The passive ability “Instant Death Immunity” has been triggered, mitigating the fatal strike down to a severe, critical trauma status.》

《The ability “Instant Death Immunity” will enter a state of complete seal for the duration of twenty-four hours.》

With a violent gasp, Hubert’s consciousness was forcibly yanked back from the threshold of the grave.