Approximately an hour later, Rex retrieved back the crystal when the Jar of Malice's interior begins to show signs of glow with vibrant intensity, deeming it sufficient. Despite not being fully fueled, he decided to heed the Witch's warning.
It's true that the Witch wanted to kill him, but he reckoned that she will not try it now.
Doing it now would be foolish of her.
Rex knows that the Executor knows too much about her due to coming from the past and that in itself was a threat to her. Her plan, if she has already devised one, is to use him to take down the Executor first before making her move.
Oblivious to her, Rex saw right through and is already aware of her scheme.
Most of the past enemies that he already defeated made the mistake of triggering a quest from the System, which he was forced to complete. But it was not their fault, the System is completely unknown by anyone.
If they hadn't, there might be a chance that Rex wouldn't deal with them the hard way.
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm 'Hmm... now that I think about it, the Executor hasn't triggered any quests from the System'
While he was returning back from his hunt, he came to a realization.
Despite the heavy feud between them, there's no quest triggered against the Executor. No killing intent quest, no sudden quest, and even no berserk quest, the connection between them is perfectly clean.
Assuming that this might be a coincidence is the easy way out, quite meaningless.
'What if it's not a coincidence...? What if the Executor knows about the System? Of course, I admit at that time, I couldn't afford to be angry or I'll lose focus and die so triggering a berserk quest is impossible when I'm not that angry. But I find it hard to pass this as a coincidence for the other quests'
It was a new view that he hasn't really thought about.
Rex knows now that the System has a creator indirectly, a higher power that comes from a plane beyond his comprehension. Additionally, the creator shouldn't come from the ancient era. It's hard to imagine someone that could create the System exist at that time.
The Lunirich Gods were a problem back at that time.
Due to that, it's very unlikely that the creator is amongst the beings in the ancient era.
From the System's point of view, much like the Executor, the Lunirich Gods which were god-like entities were considered nothing but a stepping stone for him to reach absolute invincibility.
Buying that logic, the creator must be way stronger than even Gods.
So that made Rex conclude that the creator wasn't from the ancient era, but rather, the System itself likely existed back then. It was highly probably, and the Executor seemed to possess knowledge of the System from its previous wielder during that era.
It would explain how he could maneuver over the quests issued by the System.
'If that's really the case, he must not want to trigger any quests and the potential side effects they might bring. Knowing that doing so would only strengthen me further, he must really be meticulous'
On top of making him aware, this conclusion also helps him gain a crucial clue.
Assuming that the Executor really knows about the System intimately, yet the Witch which is a power dating back to the era doesn't, judging from her reckless killing intent, then surely the wielder of the System is someone close to the Executor.
'Maybe this Supreme One is the wielder...? I don't know'
Rex eventually shakes his head, deciding to put it at the back of his mind for now.
Speeding up to reach back to the city, he didn't head straight to the castle.
Despite needing to absorb the cursed energy and increase his cursed source to the eighth or ninth epiphany as soon as possible, there are things he, as a leader must do in such times to keep the peace.
In the early stages of creating a big city, his presence would need to be dominant.
Having shown that he was a different leader that would bring them to a new light of safety, the people already respected and love him. But that is only his first impression and needs to be developed further into a permanent one.
Especially, considering the war that was about to occur in the near future is approaching.
Rex made his way to visit the factory first before going back.
Making sure that he could be seen walking the street, he made his way onward.
Approaching the expansive factory building, a lengthy rectangular structure teeming with various machinery and bustling workers working to correct their faults, he made his way inside before being greeted by the sight of working people.
Soon, a young Elf spotted him and hurriedly rushes over.
Rex noticed this as Gelmar's son, Aimer whose face is smeared with red spots.
Engaged in factory work, consistently handling materials, the buildup of Red Prudian dust, soot, and grease contributed to those red spots on his face. But those only made it evident that this young Elf is working hard.
"Lord Rex... I'm sorry for greeting you like this. Do you want me to call for the manager?"
"No, I was only looking around"
Upon hearing Rex's name being called, the workers stopped to take a look.
It was then a sudden hush fell over the workers as they were taken aback by his unexpected arrival. Rex's wry smile curved his lips as he raised a hand in a reassuring gesture, summoning the Prudian Sword from his inventory, "Carry on with your tasks, please. I merely wished to express my appreciation for the sword you all crafted. I'm quite satisfied with them"
Rex waved the Prudian Sword that is still sturdy despite being used and covered in blood.
Stimulating the rune, the blade then glowed, dispersing the blood away.
Gazing at the glowing sword, its brilliance radiating from a finely honed edge, the atmosphere among the factory workers undergoes an immediate shift. A compliment of this nature goes a long way in gaining their hearts.
All of the factory workers gave a look and a smile to each other.
The unexpected compliment they gained from Rex was more impactful than anticipated. In return, they all bowed towards him with teeming smiles, swearing to work even harder in their hearts.
"We are grateful for your kind words, Lord Rex!"
Each one of them expressed their gratitude for being acknowledged for their work.
Rex could tell that they were working very hard to make amendments to the safety they were provided, their exhausted faces make it evident. So praising them for their efforts is the least he could do.
Glancing back to Aimer, he then asked, "Why don't you take me around?"
"Gladly, my Lord" Aimer bowed and comply.
Striding around the factory was a fresh sight for him, the view of many people working inside is refreshing to see. Despite already being here when he supplies the rune blueprints for these workers to use, the sight is completely different.
Now he could see the machines were actually being used.
It was also important to note that the materials used for each product are extremely efficient.
Initially, Rex thought that the materials wouldn't be sufficient to accommodate the influx of people flocking to join his city. However, it seems he was wrong. The abundance of Red Prudian coupled with the efficiency of the machines ensures enough supply for the army.
'At this point, I don't need to buy more Red Prudian' Rex thought, nodding his head.
While he was thinking, Aimer seems to be stealing glances at him.
But it seems Rex wasn't aware as he was fixed inside his mind until Aimer muster enough courage to force out what he has in mind, "Lord Rex... I want to personally thank you for taking me and Father into your city, giving us a place to live"
"No need to thank me, you are my people now" Rex smiled politely in return.
Upon seeing Rex smiling at him, Aimer was flushed as he didn't expect his Lord to be cheap in a smile when he was fierce during the speech. "Father has been through a lot, I'm glad that he now has busyness to handle his grief. Mother died not too long ago in the forest, and Father is hurting inside but he's good at hiding his feelings"
"Is that so...?" Rex utters silently, pondering for a moment about something.
Stopping abruptly, he then holds up the Prudian Sword.
Aimer also stopped and looks back at him, but before he could question, Rex beats him to it, "Pay close attention to the edge of this sword, can your eyes see anything odd? Something subtle but sticks out?"
Caught off guard, Aimer quickly inspected the sword closely with probing eyes.
It was then, he caught something at the edge of the sword and conveyed his findings, "A good sword, it's sturdy and sharp. But If I have to say something, I think I can see a slight wavering in the blade's edges, too faint for anyone to notice from a glance"
"Good, that's right. There's a slight unevenness, an irregularity along the edge"
Rex nodded his head in affirmation before he walks up to the side, nearing a steel pole of a machine, "It's a minor imperfection, it doesn't affect the sword's overall strength and functionality. However..."
Clang!
Suddenly, he hits the sword against the steel pole lightly.
Observing the blade closely, Aimer detected an unusual quality but couldn't quite pinpoint its nature. "When it makes contact with something hard, the sword resonates, sending vibrations throughout its length. Hit hard enough and it will even vibrate to the hilt. It doesn't trouble me, but others might find their hands strained with repeated and forceful impacts" Rex remarked, attempting to explain the blade's irregularity.
Earlier when he was hunting, he notice this peculiarity.
But this could happen even in traditional blacksmiths, not just in modern weapon factories
Having learned intensely about a myriad of weaponry during his time training in the military, he knows his fair share even with swords. "A-Ah... I- I'll quickly tell the others about this, my Lord. No matter what, we'll not repeat this mistake"
Upon hearing Aimer panicking, Rex chuckled and waved his hand reassuringly.
"I'm not mad, it's natural for this imperfection to happen. What I'm trying to say is that how about a challenge for you?" Rex mused, a smile on his face. "If you could create a sword without this imperfection, how about I'll give you a better material to make a gift for your father?"
Aimer was caught off guard by this sudden challenge, he was stunned momentarily.
"Seems like your father needs cheering up, and I'm simply giving you an opportunity"
"Yes! I'll take that challenge, my Lord!"
Not even wasting a single second after the information is registered inside his head, Aimer quickly accepted the challenge. If he could make a special sword for his Father, then that would make his and his father's day.
It will be a perfect moment to help ease the pain their little family felt.
Rex nodded his head in affirmation, "Good, bring it instantly to me when you're finished"
A moment later.
Gaining a perfect opportunity to lift up his father's mood, Aimer waved his hand excitedly as he watches Rex walks away from the factory. Surely, something like this would be more memorable for Gelmar.
'I already planned on giving him and the others weapons, so this is good...'
Since the three were going to be his future generals, their weapons would be special to depict their higher hierarchy. Given from him would be fine, but if he could make Aimer make it for Gelmar, then that would be even better.
Arriving inside the throne room, he finds Adhara waiting for him.
"Is it true that Elder Tilrith wanted us to take care of the Rastrikan Demons...?"
"Yes, they were uncontrollable. Her authority will be affected if she let them run rampant. But I'm still thinking about it, the Rastrikan Demons seem to be too much to handle for the current us"
"If that's the case, then accept her request. The Dwarves are expecting an attack from them"
"Hmmm...?"
Rex stopped and turns his body towards her when he heard this.
Gaining his attention, Adhara then nodded her head firmly showing that she was not joking around, "I'd say you don't need to think about it because the Rastrikan Demons are already our problem"
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