Chapter 220: Showdown
"...Isn't this absurd?"
Jang-Wan grumbled after seeing the World Message window.
The country indicated for generator production was Pollivia, not the Black Scale Empire. Therefore, the Empire was technically behind the other nations.
"We invested so much to make the Empire the land with the greatest intellect, but why didn't it originate from here?"
Sung-Woon disagreed. "It's possible."
"Also, we even have the spirit of demonic magic that uses electricity, don’t we?”
"Sometimes, the things you desire most or are closest to are hardest to obtain."
Ironically, Sung-Woon understood why it happened. The chosen ones of the Empire all used electricity, so it could be hard for them to think about using electricity in another way. To the people of the Empire, electricity was the power of God, and even the smart and wise people perceived it more as a weapon than a form of energy.
Additionally, there were many other forms of power that could be used instead. Even though the internal combustion engine, which showed remarkable output, was introduced, its distribution was slow because alternatives already existed in the market.
'It's a bit late, but it's out now, so it doesn't matter.'
With the start of electricity distribution, it was inevitable for there to be various reactions to the distribution rights and speed.
'Right now, it may be perceived just as a means of transferring energy, but...'
However, there were many geniuses in the world besides Simo.
'Electric communication, telephones, computers... The world will truly enter the modern age.'
Sung-Woon said, "Even if the land is unrelated to us, the inventor Simo is our follower. Plus, the investor belongs to the Empire."
Jang-Wan lightly hit the desk. "But at this rate, it'll be taken away. It's right in the middle of enemy territory, isn't it?"
There wasn't much information exchanged among the players, but it was understood that the Ronante-Oroban Alliance had allied with the Union Kingdom.
Of course, the Empire was already at war with the Ronante-Oroban Alliance, but the fact that the two enemy countries, albeit temporarily, formed an alliance was concerning. The easing of tensions between the Alliance and the Union Kingdom meant that defense forces could be moved, which would make the Empire's war harder. Moreover, apostles of the Ronante-Oroban Alliance were beginning to come out of hiding.
"...The Alliance's army is smaller than the Union Kingdom’s, but it's still nothing to sneeze at."
"The sea blockade has already begun. The Empire's economy could run on the domestic markets of the two continents, but if it continues like this..."
"They'll take electricity."
For now, the patent holder was Simo, who followed the Pantheon, but it wouldn't be strange if it was taken away in some way. Even though Pollivia itself was a neutral country, its border was shared with the Ronante-Oroban Alliance, and the sea closer to Pollivia belonged to the Union Kingdom.
Sung-Woon said, "However, it won't be easy to forcefully invade Pollivia."
"Why?"
"Because the countries supporting Pollivia aren’t the Ronante-Oroban Alliance, but the smaller neighboring nations."
Currently, on the first continent, the Ronante-Oroban Alliance had the largest territory, but it was just slightly over half of the continent at large.
"They might be the dominant power in the first continent, but they don't have complete control over it."
"Come to think of it, there are other players too."
"I wouldn't count on them."
"Because they're micro players?"
"Exactly."
In The Lost World, as the game progressed to its later stages, there were people who continued playing without a specific goal. Major players with vast territories found it difficult to mobilize armies for smaller territories. On the other hand, players with smaller territories found it easier to concentrate their forces and defend. Therefore, major players ignored the minor ones and played on. Those minor players either got out or sought alliances with the biggest forces to gain some victory points. This type of play was called micro play.
"I haven’t talked to them directly, but both are typical micro players. They formed unions with neighboring countries diplomatically and are moving in a way that doesn't get on the nerves of the major players, Male Chicken and Vladimir."
"What about the possibility of forming an alliance with them?"
"Well, they are further west than the Alliance, so if our Empire lands on the first continent, they'd be the first to be affected. Their railway system isn't well-developed, so they can't rely on the Alliance for support. If we catch the two and advance, we could gain more XP points."
Jang-Wan pondered and said, "Then what if they propose an alliance to us instead?"
"We'll have to think about it. If they are already with the Ronante-Oroban Alliance, we'd be backstabbed. And on top of that, there’s no reason for us to request an alliance first. Leaving the center of the continent as a buffer zone isn't an entirely bad idea. There’s no need to worry about either the Alliance's navy or army."
The central inland of the first continent was ruled by Ronante, and the southeast coast was ruled by Oroban. Combined, they formed the Ronante-Oroban Alliance, so they had distinct army and navy systems.
There was a symbolic figure called Heavenly King, a descendant of the royal families of both Ronante and Oroban. However, after merging, the king failed to prevent local nobilities from gaining power, and as a result, the Heavenly King was reduced to a symbolic figure. Afterwards, the local nobles of Ronante were in charge of the Alliance's army, while the local nobles of Oroban were responsible for the Alliance's navy. While the different classes of nobility held significant officer positions in both the army and the navy, the two nations became unified, but they continued to be at odds with each other.
'And that probably is because Male Chicken and Vladimir didn't trust each other that much.'
Due to this, the Alliance's army was immediately tied up with other smaller countries, and for the Empire, they only had to deal with the alliance's navy.
"So it’s better to leave the small countries on the first continent as a neutral area rather than forming an unstable alliance with them?"
"Sometimes, an uncomfortable relationship can be a good one. As long as there are small countries, the army is unlikely to move, using them as an excuse, and the navy won't engage in a significant battle if they think the army isn't at a disadvantage."
It wasn't a mere speculation. The Empire was currently investing the most resources in reconnaissance in the world, so they had reliable information.
However, Jang-Wan seemed dissatisfied with Sung-Woon's reasoning.
"Let’s say that’s true for the war right now. What about the electricity then?"
If they lost the patent rights and failed to obtain the technology until it was commercialized, they would fall behind in many areas.
While the Empire had magical communication, it wasn't an all-round problem solver. Even in the Empire, Wizards were limited, and among them, very few were useful in real wars or operations.
Moreover, the war remained unresolved even when the Empire had a technological advantage, so leaving the opponent to gain a short-term benefit was a risk itself.
'At some point, we'll be able to acquire the technology and rapidly develop it in the Empire. But even before that time comes, the Union Kingdom might gain momentum again.'
It might be a different story with other players, but Hegemonia could do it.
Hegemonia directly participated in wars using Divine Control when needed. They often used the skill as a commander, but sometimes as an infantry to assassinate the enemy's key person, as a military engineer to destroy bridges, or as artillery to hit the target precisely. The mortal Hegemonia had assumed control over pulled off moves in battle that seemed like miracles. They turned a devastating defeat into a revived army, and what seemed like a lost battle into a victory.
'Have they gained more finesse? They seem much stronger than when playing the game.'
Sung-Woon had to acknowledge Hegemonia's ability to find such victories. Hegemonia was undoubtedly a god of war. But of course, Sung-Woon had the skill to turn Hegemonia's brilliancy on a broader game board into minor victories, and with near-perfect management, he effectively countered those miraculous victories.
Sung-Woon said, "There's a way."
"A way?"
"It's theoretical, but it's a method I've actually used before."
"Explain it."
Sung-Woon did so.
After listening to the entire explanation, Jang-Wan asked as if in disbelief, "...Are you being serious right now? Is that possible?"
"It hasn't been tried in rank matches, but it's a possible method. There's no reason it won't work here."
"…Hmm."
"If you're reluctant, I won't insist you do it."
Jang-Wan sighed and said, "Someone else has to do it anyway, right? I'll do it."
"Well, on second thought, I don't really want to bother my cousin."
Jang-Wan grumbled, "You suggested it to me because you trust me more than others, right?"
"Yes."
What Sung-Woon proposed wasn't just something easily accepted due to being in the same alliance. A stronger connection, perhaps one outside the game, seemed necessary for Sung-Woon to trust the person who would do it. Fortunately, although their relationship wasn't that strong, they were related by blood.
"Then I'll do it."
Jang-Wan tapped her chest with her thumb.
"The sacrificial lamb."
***
With a screen in between, Hegemonia and Sung-Woon were facing each other.
Hegemonia asked, "What scheme are you plotting now?"
"Do you know that a generator has been invented?"
"Is that what this is about?"
Hegemonia crossed their arms and looked elated.
"You won't be able to lay a hand on it."
"Technically, since the inventor of the generator, Simo, is my follower, I've already got a hand on it. And one of our apostles was also involved in its creation."
"…Uh...um. Fine! Even better. I'll make good use of the generator you gave me."
"How do you plan to? If you try to move your army into Pollivia, you'll have to go to war with the smaller nations of the first continent."
"Ah, well, yes. I don't plan to mobilize the army. But..."
Hegemonia suddenly stopped talking. "Wait, why should I tell you?"
"If you don't want to, then don't."
"Don’t rile me up and just get to the point."
Sung-Woon said, "We've fought each other for a long time. Originally, we would have had a more glamorous battle with bigger stakes, but because of what's at stake in this game, there were some slower parts."
"Yes, so?"
"It was difficult to take such risks when our battles were even. But now, I want to solidify my advantage and win the war, and you're looking for an opportunity to turn the situation around, right?"
Hegemonia got lost in their thoughts as they speculated about Sung-Woon’s intent.
'At this rate, I'll get the generator and be the first to handle electricity. That way, I can somewhat compensate for the losses from the revolution. And Nebula would want to stop that at all costs.'
Sung-Woon said, "If you're so confident, how about a showdown after such a long time?"
"A showdown?"
Sung-Woon replied, "I'm talking about a Contradicting Prophecy."
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