Chapter 81 : Chapter 81

Chapter 81 - A Chance Meeting, A Fated Parting

The day of the completion ceremony had arrived.

The Youngest Son's completion ceremony began a little early, the moment he opened his eyes.

[The quest has been completed.]

─「Magitech Domain Eclipse」─

[Description]

: A magitech engineer has become the helmsman for the domain's construction. This is an opportunity. Complete as many magitech structures as possible during the construction.

Every time the number of completed magitech structures becomes an odd number, the reward will be ‘upgraded’.

To build many buildings? You need money!

Money! Money! Money!

Invest your money!

[Basic Reward]

: Special Title (Magitech Lord)

: Fame

───────────

[Completed Magitech Structures: 9]

-[Dark Moon Grand Castle]

-[Airship Dock]

-[Hexa]

-[Belir]

-[Scripture of the Dark Wheel’s temple]

-[Automated Skeleton Wall]

…….

….

[The reward has been upgraded a total of four times.]

[A reward upgraded four times from the basic one will be given.]

[Calculating additions….]

It took quite some time.

From waking up in the morning for the completion ceremony until the Head Maid had just poured the freshly brewed tea.

The system, which had been silent, suddenly sent a notification.

[You have acquired a title.]

──「Magitech Lord」──

[Description]

: The continent's first magitech domain, and you are its master. As it is the first, you must pave the way and endure hardships.

[Effect]

: Increases mana capacity by 30% within the domain.

: Increases mana recovery rate by 30% within the domain.

: Grants access to the Domain Management System.

───────────

[The Domain Management System has been unlocked.]

‘The Domain Management System. In the past, the earliest I got a domain was at the end of Act 1. By turning a residence outside the Pantheon into a domain, it was unlocked this quickly.’

It was a kind of gamble.

Since I started late, I had to skip what could be skipped.

The faster the domain system was unlocked, the better.

‘Acquiring land suitable for a domain from the start and beginning the plan itself as a domain. Maybe I should have tried this sooner.’

Back then, I was in a different faction within Millesdusk, so there was no need for such a gamble.

If I went outside, I could just rely on my maternal family's power.

This kind of effooort wasn't necessary.

‘I’ll put the management system aside for a bit.’

My gaze moved to the next reward.

[You are the lord of the first magitech domain.]

[You have acquired Fame.]

[Your Fame will affect not only the East but the entire continent.]

[Your name and story will spread across the continent.]

I'd already become something of a celebrity.

It wasn't bad.

Fame was both renown and credibility at the same time.

People rarely believed me whenever I tried to do anything anyway.

It had lessened somewhat for those close to me.

But the public's distrust of the person known as the Youngest Son remained.

This opportunity would become the starting point to reverse that.

[You have acquired an additional Unique Skill.]

──「Curse: Unification」──

[Description]

: This domain is yours. Literally yours. You gained control from its original owner, and that owner was everything in the domain. You too shall be the same.

[Effect]

: Unifies yourself with the domain.

-In a unified state, the player shares life force with the domain.

-In a unified state, the player can teleport to any location within the domain.

───────────

This was the end of the rewards.

But it was worthy of being the end.

At the same time, I became curious.

“I know it would have been impossible, but I wonder what would’ve happened if I had filled the entire domain with magitech structures.”

I nodded while drinking the tea the Head Maid had poured.

“Right now, I’ve obtained something similar to the Curse of the Forest.”

The Curse of the Forest gains immense power through the constraint of binding the caster to the forest.

This Curse of Unification was similar in nature.

“Of course, it’s a much smaller forest than Lores’s, but this is still something.”

Didn't this mean I stood in an absolute position, at least when it came to defense?

I emptied the teacup.

I got up from my seat and changed into the clothes the Head Maid had brought.

As it was a special day.

The clothes were tight and uncomfortable all over.

“You must wear them, even if you don’t want to.”

“…You come in without knocking now, I see.”

The Head Maid looked at him, who had finished changing, with impassive eyes.

“It suits you well. So please, go out before the people just like that.”

“Tsk. Did the Captain of the Royal Guard go to the Butler?”

“Yes. He seemed to be contemplating, but I understand he has gone to see him for now.”

“He won’t be late, then.”

I walked to the door.

Although the range had expanded due to Unification.

Various things were already possible inside the Dark Moon Grand Castle.

“Let’s go down.”

The Dark Moon Grand Castle outside the bedroom was complexity itself.

Corridors tangled like a maze.

Dozens of types of stairs.

There was no clear distinction between floors, and the boundary between the floor and the outer walls was almost nonexistent.

Because even if you set them, the owner could change them as he pleased anyway.

“We will go down.”

The Head Maid’s white-gloved hand moved.

Like a conductor signaling an orchestra.

A staircase leading from the corridor outside the bedroom down to the first floor was created in an instant.

“I understand the principle, but it’s still unbelievable even as I do it.”

“Still, it’s much better to have the authority than not.”

“I strongly agree. Lubosch would think so as well.”

“I heard Lores also taught him how to control the wooden doll maid corps.”

“Yes. Lately, he’s been taking them around like his personal platoon. His face even shows a hint of dignity.”

“Speak of the devil, there he is.”

The Youngest Son’s touch followed the stairs the Head Maid had made.

The stairs moved down smoothly.

In reality, they were being pushed down and disappearing, but to the person on them, it was movement.

“It seems you like your new toy.”

“Ah, Young Master!”

The porter, with a much brighter voice and a healthier gleam in his eyes than before, bowed his head.

The wooden dolls in maid uniforms, standing with him, also bowed neatly.

Talent is talent.

To think he was handling the great witch’s creation like his own limbs so soon after receiving it.

“I like it very much! In return, I have to clean Lady Lores’s Hexa, but she promised to increase the number of maids in the corps!”

“Ah, is that so. That’s a relief.”

“There’s no problem with this maid corps, but seeing how I almost died several times while cleaning, the building is definitely a problem.”

From the very beginning, the purpose of this place was demon worship.

And the execution of intruders.

The construction department had rushed to erase the demonic stench, but the foundation couldn't be erased.

In a way, Butler Amon was both the owner and a tenant.

He didn't know every part of the building, nor did he try to.

“The traps will still be there. If you get caught in one, try your best to survive and mark its location.”

“Umm… I understand for now.”

“And today, instead of cleaning, attend the completion ceremony. You have made a great contribution. That contribution will be recognized with a promotion in the future.”

“Th-thank you! I will work even harder!”

The promising rookie and agent of the Intelligence Department tightened his grip on the mop handle.

“It’s at 12 o’clock. Don’t be late.”

“Yes!”

The reason I specified 12 o’clock was because of the symbol of Eclipse.

Eclipse (Solar Eclipse).

Everyone coming here today would see.

This land, from which even the sun in the sky had turned its head.

Why it had changed, and how it had changed.

And who the new light of this lightless land was.

***

Noon. The time when the sun was at its highest.

The darkest sun among all noon suns was there.

Most of those who came here were people who were acquainted with the Youngest Son.

Edwin Hacid, having recently splurged on a luxurious Carriage, passed through the castle gate.

“Wow… The sky is really…”

Whether they arrived in a luxurious Carriage or on foot, everyone looked up.

It couldn’t be helped.

Although one could see it anytime, they wanted to see it now.

The thumbnail-sized sun was completely obscured, with only a faint corona visible.

Its presence could not be hidden by any cloud.

“The streetlights on this main road are also a work of art.”

Art.

There was no other word to describe it.

“Since this place is dark every day, you’ve installed many such lights.”

So the domain was not dark.

It was bright wherever one looked, and only the sky was shadowed and tranquil.

The impressions of the other guests were not much different.

“Mother! Mother! Look over there! The sun is dark!”

“Yes, young master. I am also looking.”

While she said that, her eyes were not on the sun.

Instead of the sun, she scanned Eclipse as a whole.

What kind of land did he give to the investors, I wonder.

The outskirts. Or the center.

What would its breadth be?

As she did so, something naturally caught her eye.

“Fifth Son. It seems the house you lived in before was quite small.”

“Woooow!”

The Fourth Son’s eyes gleamed.

A building shaped like a quadrangular cone, narrowing from bottom to top.

That building received the most light in this place.

The radiance of the corona, shining down from the center of the sky at noon, was all directed there.

Despite having no light sources around it, it was the brightest place.

“I want to sleep in that castle today! I want to have a pajama party!”

“…Young master. Please refrain from that, at least.”

“Aaaah! I wanna! I wanna, I wanna!”

“Huuuh…”

After the guests who were busy placating their child.

Guests who had no prior acquaintance with the Youngest Son also entered quietly.

It was a Carriage adorned with only the kingdom’s crest and flag, without any special decorations.

The escort and attendants were all at a minimum.

And yet, it was the largest group of guests to have arrived so far.

The two vassals in the Carriage looked around.

“In all my life, this is the first time I’ve been to such a quiet event.”

“I agree.”

No one welcomed them, and no one showed any animosity.

There was no one to do so in the first place.

The sound of walking and whispering.

Only residual noises like the sound of carriage wheels rolling tickled the ear.

This place, so quiet you could almost hear people breathing, was the complete opposite of a royal city.

“Albert. We were forced to come now because it’s the city of a direct blood relative, but later we might have to come willingly. So take a good look.”

“That won’t happen.”

The old vassal, who had spoken curtly, fixed his gaze on the ground after one last look at the sky.

He spoke with his gaze still fixed.

“Listen well, Charles. I have no intention of belittling the Fifth Son’s abilities or results, but our kingdom will never establish friendly relations with this domain.”

“Is it because we’ve already succeeded in making contact with a Millesdusk elder?”

“Yes. An elder, no less. It’s better to get firmly in his good graces; setting foot in an uncertain place like this for long is a shortcut to ruin.”

Thus, he did not look.

He did not listen either.

He rejected everything Eclipse showed and thought only of the confirmed gains.

Charles, on Albert’s behalf, took in the sight of this wondrous city.

“Hah. Look at that Airship over there. To think a ship could land so quickly within the domain. It seems it has a dock, despite being just a domain.”

“I get it, so look around quietly. I want to think by myself right now.”

“Oh, dear. What a shame.”

Regardless of politics, Charles enjoyed the happiness right before his eyes.

What great joy it was to witness rapidly changing technology.

To be able to see it even in his old age brought a feeling of excitement first.

“I wonder what that tower is for…”

“You’ll wear out the domain. At this rate, you might even change the king you serve.”

“Hahaha. Please don’t doubt my loyalty. How could I not love the land where I was born and raised?”

The outsiders gathered inside the citadel.

Among them were investors.

The one investor among them with the most complicated feelings rode a horse, accompanied by only one subordinate.

“Haaah…”

Letting out deep sighs repeatedly.

He moved slowly, like a pig being dragged to a slaughterhouse.

This only sharpened the Vice-captain's eyes.

“We’ll be late at this rate. Either we go faster or you stop sighing, please do one of the two.”

“What can I do when I feel like a traitor just for coming here?”

“If you were born with the Millesdusk name, you should try committing at least that much. Let’s think on the bright side.”

“Must be nice to be so positive.”

He gestured with the reins.

The horse’s pace quickened slightly.

Thus, they drew closer to the procession moving ahead.

The flag on the carriage told them where they were from.

“They’re from the Julsin Kingdom. Since it’s close to Eclipse, they probably had to come, if only to save face with Millesdusk.”

As they got closer.

“If it isn’t Captain Anthia.”

One of the vassals in the Carriage greeted her warmly.

“Administrative Grand Officer Charles. Military Affairs Grand Officer Albert, you were here as well. Have you been well?”

“It’s been three years since the wyvern subjugation request.”

The honorifics she added, despite being from a collateral branch.

It was one piece of evidence that she had risen through skill, not the value of her family name.

“You folks came here too. What brings you? Did you receive a request from the Fifth Son?”

“A request…”

I did receive one.

Though I had wanted to refuse it.

“It seems we won’t be able to talk for long. We’ve almost arrived at that large castle.”

“Yes. We will come to greet you next time.”

“If you do, I will welcome you gladly.”

“Then.”

Those who came for their own reasons parted ways in front of the Dark Moon Grand Castle.

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