Episode 139

[You have successfully invaded the Temple of the Subterranean Race.]

[You have captured 1,485 dwarves of the Rough Rock Tribe.]

[The Temple of the Subterranean Race has sustained heavy damage.]

[Temple of the Subterranean Race Damage Rate: 89%]

[The Temple of the Subterranean Race is now irreparable.]

[You have achieved a great victory.]

The C-rank ruin was cleared. He had not only won the battle but had also successfully conquered the dwarven temple. He had wanted to preserve their advanced technology, but his patience had snapped, forcing him to summon Deshkar to end the farce.

[Raviz's level has surpassed 40.]

[Jighart's level has surpassed 40.]

[The average level of Balak's forces has surpassed 40.]

The silver lining was that his primary objective—leveling his forces—had been accomplished.

"Master, the teleportation magic circle has surpassed level five," Raviz reported.

"Good. How many permanent circles can we install now?"

"Only one is possible at the moment. However, it functions like a location transfer. We can place two circles and travel between them."

"So it's a portal system. Understood. We'll decide on the locations when we get back."

A portal would drastically cut down on travel time. Since the wyverns and harpies couldn't transport the residents of Myol, this would be a much-needed convenience. Taehyun nodded, then turned his glare on the bound Tuperus, the architect of his frustration.

"Grrr! We may be your prisoners, but the will of the Rough Rock Tribe will never be broken!" Tuperus bellowed defiantly.

A chorus of cheers rose from the other captives. "Ooooooh!"

"Tuperus! Tuperus! Tuperus!"

Even in defeat, they refused to submit. Overcome with irritation, Taehyun smacked Tuperus on the head with his command baton.

"Gah! You damn demon! Your torture is useless against me!"

"That wasn't torture," Taehyun said flatly. "That was me hitting you because you're annoying."

"Grrr! I am Tuperus, Great Chieftain of the Rough Rock Tribe! I demand to be treated with the respect I am due—!"

"Respect this," Taehyun cut him off, striking him again. He watched with satisfaction as tears welled in the dwarf's eyes. The anger that had been simmering during the long, pointless standoff finally began to cool.

[You have cleared the Temple of the Subterranean Race.]

[The seal on the temple's control device has been released.]

[A teleportation magic circle has been created.]

[You can now travel directly to the Temple of the Subterranean Race from within Balak.]

A final clear message appeared. The rewards for a C-rank ruin were minimal, but the dwarves themselves were the real prize.

"Let's head back," Taehyun commanded. "Everyone, bring the prisoners."

"As you command, my Lord," Jighart replied.

"Understood," Raviz affirmed.

Their loyalty had likely increased significantly after the battle. With his new assets in tow, Taehyun and his army returned to Balak.

---

"The territory of Haven hereby abolishes the law of slavery!" Count Dinen's proclamation echoed across the western lands. "We will grant freedom to all slaves, allowing them to begin new lives as citizens of our domain!"

The west of the Astral Continent was thrown into turmoil. The law of slavery was an ancient, immutable pillar of their society, and few could believe that Count Dinen would dare to tear it down. At first, the news was met with cautious hope among the enslaved population, but as stories of slaves actually gaining their freedom in Haven began to spread, that hope ignited into conviction.

"They're guaranteeing a new life in Haven! After a few years as a citizen, they'll even raise your status!"

"We can be free! We can finally go home! I'm going!"

"I hear Haven is a wonderful place to live! They're even building new facilities just for us!"

Fueled by the promise of freedom, slaves began to flee from cities and territories across the land. Their destination was Haven, and Count Dinen welcomed them all, his reputation as a liberator growing with each passing day.

"Count Dinen has risen as the Lord of Liberation! A revolution is coming to the West!"

"It's about time we had a noble like him! He's nothing like the trash in the other kingdoms. We shouldn't rot here any longer."

"I heard taxes are low in all of Dinen's territories. Should we try moving there?"

As praise for the Count spread even to other kingdoms, the western nobility began to panic. By unilaterally abolishing the slave law, Dinen was positioning himself as the central power in the west, threatening to monopolize the region for himself.

"The slave law is a pact between all of us, and he just breaks it?!"

"He's trying to starve us out! We must drive out that arrogant Count!"

"The alliance between kingdoms is meaningless now! I will never forgive him!"

While most nobles seethed with hostility, a few saw the writing on the wall and began to voice their support for him.

"Count Dinen is the true lord of the west!"

"We will follow the Lord of Liberation and join his cause!"

"The west already belongs to Dinen. The wisest course of action is to submit and protect my own territory."

The nobility was fractured. Those who opposed Dinen tried to rally their armies, but their efforts were crippled when the branches of the Raider Association in their territories suddenly collapsed. Raiders vanished overnight, leaving the rebellious nobles without their primary source of military power. They finally understood that Dinen was using the raiders to pressure them, and they quickly fell silent.

Slowly but surely, the West was falling into Count Dinen's grasp.

---

[A new passage has been completed in the integrated territory of Balak.]

[A path for the residents of Myol has been created.]

[Residents of Balak may now travel throughout the entire territory.]

Larkan's work was finally done. The passage, which had cost nearly ten million Zen, was complete, allowing the people of Myol to explore the whole of Taehyun's domain.

"Taehyun, the residents of Myol have begun to move," Riel reported.

"They're curious, now that the path is open. Deploy soldiers along the passages. We need to be prepared for any trouble with raiders," Taehyun instructed. He stationed guards and installed more watchtowers, ensuring the safety of his people.

[The Arid Plains are being cultivated by the magic of the High Elves.]

[The name of the Arid Plains will be changed.]

[Would you like to choose a new name?]

The life-giving magic of the High Elves, which had started in the Silent Forest, had now reached and transformed the barren plains.

"Hmm. A new name," Taehyun mused. "What should I call it?"

"Taehyun," Riel said, her voice carefully neutral. "Surely you aren't planning to just number it like the others?"

"Why not? 'Sixths' has a nice ring to it."

"…Let's just call it the Revived Plains."

Taehyun sighed and entered her suggestion. He was a little disappointed, but the glare she was giving him was not to be trifled with.

[The Revived Plains has been changed to cultivable land.]

[Plants have begun to grow in the Revived Plains.]

[Wildlife is migrating to the Revived Plains.]

The once-barren land was now fertile and teeming with new life.

"Raviz, begin installing the teleportation circle," Taehyun ordered.

"Understood."

He had her place one circle in the city of Myol and the other in the heart of the Revived Plains.

[A-rank Named Guardian, Ruler of Space Raviz, has installed a teleportation magic circle.]

[Permanent Teleportation Magic Circle Limit: 1/1]

[A means of transportation connecting the city of Myol and the Revived Plains has been created.]

Now, his residents could travel between the two territories instantly, and with the new passage, the Silent Forest was also within easy reach.

"Taehyun, a report from Melden," Riel said. "They are requesting daily necessities and supplies. It seems they plan to start farming in the Revived Plains."

"So they'll need seeds, fertilizer, and the like. It's time for our merchant group to get to work. Where's Larkan?"

"I will summon him at once."

Larkan had collapsed from exhaustion after completing the massive passage project, but there was no rest for the weary.

"…Why have you called me," he rasped, appearing with a gaunt, hollow-eyed expression. He was the only technician in Balak, and his skills were indispensable.

Taehyun clapped him on the shoulder. "I need you to build a carriage."

"A-A carriage? Surely that is something that can be built without my help. And your magnificent shop must have…"

"No, not an ordinary carriage," Taehyun interrupted, handing him a piece of parchment. "Something like this. What do you think?"

It was a rough sketch, but the concept was clear enough. Larkan's hands trembled as he stared at it. "I-Impossible! This is…!"

"You have your incredible transmutation circle, don't you? With your alchemy, I know you can make it happen."

"Taehyun," Larkan pleaded, his voice cracking. "I have worked myself to the bone for Balak. I have done all this on your promise that you would deal with the Frost Queen. And yes, Balak is growing stronger. But I am a technician, not a machine! I need rest… sufficient rest…"

"Larkan, is that the extent of your resolve?" Taehyun's voice turned cold. "The Frost Queen's army is immensely powerful. Balak is still not strong enough. You said you would do anything for revenge. Are you giving up now? You have to fight! You have to get your revenge!"

"B-But a merchant carriage is a separate issue…!"

"The stronger Balak's territory becomes, the stronger the dungeon becomes," Taehyun pressed, his grip tightening on Larkan's shoulder. "And it all starts with the merchant group. That carriage is vital!" He pointed toward the exit with a deadly serious expression.

"Gah! Damn you, Balak!" Larkan cried, finally breaking. He stormed out of the master room, tears of frustration in his eyes.

Taehyun nodded, pleased with himself.

"Taehyun," Riel commented, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Your skill at managing Larkan improves by the day."

"It's basic motivation," he replied. "By the way, are the dwarves all in the prison?"

"Yes. But they are incredibly stubborn. I doubt even torture would make them submit."

"Don't worry," Taehyun said with a sly smile. "I have a way."

The Rough Rock Tribe's strength was their solidarity. And he planned to use that very strength to break them. Accompanied by Grai, he headed for the prison.

---

"Demon wretch!" Tuperus bellowed the moment they entered. "Do not think you can break us by locking us in this cell! We are dwarves of the Rough Rock Tribe! No amount of torture will make us bow to you!"

A defiant roar echoed from the other dwarves. "Ooooooh!"

"WHOOOOAAAA!"

"Tuperus! Tuperus! Tuperus!"

The entire prison shook with their chanting. Taehyun ignored them, placing a contract on the floor in front of Tuperus's cell. "Sign it."

"Hmph! You just want to work us to the bone making your trinkets! We will never agree!"

"Fine," Taehyun said with a shrug. He turned to Grai. "On my command, start with the dwarf on the far right and kill them, one by one."

Grai drew a longsword, its polished steel gleaming in the dim light. The dwarves flinched, a flicker of fear in their eyes. Tuperus paled slightly but quickly masked it with a furious glare.

"D-Did you think such a pathetic threat would work on me? I will nev—!"

"Kill him," Taehyun ordered, his voice flat.

"W-Wait! Wait just a moment!" Tuperus shrieked as Grai raised the sword. His eyes darted to the contract on the floor, trembling violently.

Taehyun's lips curled into a triumphant smile. 'He took the bait.'

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