Future City (1)

Inside the carriage heading to Nidavellir, the future city, I decided to make the most of my spare time.

“Hmm…”

First on the list was the sword I received from my master.

It’s something I hadn’t paid attention to until now, or rather, hadn’t even thought about.

Not being able to imbue holy power isn’t such a critical flaw.

After all, I can still properly utilize mana, if not holy power.

“Now then… what should I do…”

I have one circle.

In other words, I’m 1st circle capable of manipulating mana. Since I don’t plan to become a mage or magic swordsman, this much is enough.

Most nobles go through this stage, and even some middle-class families are similar.

Creating a 1st circle isn’t difficult. Titan’s the weird one for not being able to do it.

Anyway, the current issue isn’t the number of circles but their total capacity.

I haven’t delved deep into mana training. My circle is small, and I can utilize only a little mana.

“Should I spread myself thin, or focus on one thing?”

The sword my master gave me is a masterpiece.

Even without holy power, it managed to leave a scratch on Mez’s neck.

To properly utilize this power, I need to train mana and increase my circle’s size. Having focused on holy power instead of mana until now means I have a long way to go.

Carelessly dividing my efforts could lead to a situation where I’m mediocre at both.

But once I get on the right track, I could definitely become stronger.

High risk, high return.

“Titan, what do you think would be better?”

“Having only one well is good, but the more things you can do, the better.”

“Why?”

“Having multiple means can give you an advantage even against stronger opponents. If you’re not planning to hole up forever training just one thing, it’s better not to limit your methods.”

“That’s true…”

He’s not wrong.

Come to think of it, I’ve already learned various techniques.

I’ve utilized every available method as a heresy inquisitor.

I’m the one who trapped enemies through dirty and cowardly methods.

Though what’s slightly concerning is that this time, rather than tricks that can be quickly mastered to a decent level, it requires long, steady effort to bear fruit.

“What about you?”

Swoosh!

As soon as I spoke, Titan threw a dagger from his chest toward a nearby tree.

A bird that seemed about to take flight was pinned to the tree.

“Do I need to say anything?”

“Yeah, you’re so great.”

“I can do this too.”

Titan throws another dagger. But this time, it doesn’t get stuck like before.

The dagger traces a gentle arc, slicing through a flying bird’s wing before falling.

“Oh.”

It didn’t seem to fly that fast, so how did he hit it?

Normally it would have dodged.

“How did you…”

Just as I was about to ask while watching the bird fall from the sky.

“Neigh!”

Thud!

The dagger that had cut the bird’s wing pierced through a horse’s head.

One of the two horses walking steadily died instantly.

The horse walking beside it also stumbled and fell from the impact.

“Just curious, but did you do that on purpose?”

“…Though I’m impressive, that wasn’t intentional.”

We lost both horses in an instant. Our carriage journey was over.

“What are we going to do about this?”

“Can’t we just walk?”

“Cough! Cough! Ugh…”

Right on cue, Claire lying in the carriage starts coughing as if she’d been waiting.

“…”

Even someone as heartless as Titan didn’t dare say more.

“Titan, let me give you a solution. You can pull it.”

“Are you treating me like a beast of burden like a horse?”

For someone with such pride…

“Titan, think about it carefully.”

“Should I crack your head?”

“No, not that. Are horses really just simple beasts?”

“You’re starting to spout nonsense again.”

“Horses pull carriages for us. That’s how even someone as weak as Claire can join us on this journey, right?”

“So?”

“What do you think a king is? Isn’t a king someone who pulls their people forward?”

“…Is that so?”

“Only you can pull this carriage. I’m not strong enough, neither is Linea. It’s something only you can do – you could say it’s the work of a king.”

“Hmm…”

Titan quietly gets up, moves the fallen horse aside, and grabs the carriage.

“I’m on a journey to become king. Leading everyone is indeed a role only I can fulfill.”

Looks like we won’t need to buy separate horses anymore. We’ve got something better than a horse at using strength.

*     *     *

One well-trained Titan was far better than two horses.

Naturally, our travel speed increased since the heaviest one got off the carriage, but this guy had even better stamina than a horse.

“More importantly…”

I looked up at the distant sky.

“Looks like we’re almost there?”

Though the city’s electric lights aren’t visible yet, I could see the steam characteristic of the future city.

Steam rushing toward the city’s upper air and the slightly darkened scenery because of it.

And strange devices floating in the air constantly creating wind to blow the steam far away, presumably to minimize its effects.

“Since Nidavellir has lots of useful tools, should we buy some while we’re here?”

I’d been to Nidavellir before my regression. Though it was brief, I could understand why it was called the future city.

And also why Nidavellir is the most severe trial.

The <Future Drawer>

Deus Ex Machina

Not all trials are hostile to humans. Just look at the <Wanderer>.

She loves humans more than anyone. Her love is just so excessive it tends to hinder human growth.

The same goes for Nidavellir where we’re about to arrive.

A city created by the <Future Drawer> Deus Ex Machina.

A treasure trove of resources with cutting-edge technology 2-3 levels ahead and inexhaustible mines.

That’s why it’s called the future city.

And that’s why.

It’s also the most severe trial.

“Lost! I can see Nidavellir! If you need anything, I’ll buy it for you, so let’s stay a while?”

“Should we?”

Linea seems unusually excited. Her ears are perked up high and her tail is sweeping the carriage floor relentlessly.

“Cough! Cough!”

Claire, covered in dust, coughs and Linea becomes excessively subdued at the sight.

After watching their peaceful interaction for a moment, I put tobacco to my lips and lit it.

Looking at the ember settled on the tobacco’s end, I speak while exhaling.

“Come to think of it, they said there was something called a lighter?”

It was definitely a Nidavellir product.

Of course, it’s irrelevant to me. Lighting fires with holy power is something like a ritual for me.

“I’ll buy it for you!”

“Oh, okay.”

Seeing Linea looking particularly happy today, I couldn’t say I didn’t need it since I have Vesta’s flame. Does she finally think she can be helpful?

Though looking at recent events, she’s been more like a freeloader.

“…So please forget about what happened before.”

You mean when you came charging at me with a mana-imbued dagger?

It’s still nightmare material even now.

But well…

“I don’t know what you’re talking about? Did something happen?”

“Is that so? Hehe.”

There was no malice behind it.

It’s probably easier for both of us to pretend we don’t know.

“Linea.”

“Yes?”

“I think we’ll need some heat stones too.”

Of course, there’s no reason to refuse when she offers to buy. They say accepting others’ kindness is a virtue.

“Quite a few.”

Let’s see just how virtuous Linea can be today.

*     *     *

Titan’s very existence creates wariness.

Though it could be seen as a major disadvantage, there’s no better advantage when used well.

I always kept that in mind.

So when we arrived at the city.

Fortunately, I was glad we didn’t have problems like in the Forys duchy.

“Wow, this is interesting.”

“A chimera? To think they’ve achieved such results in bioengineering…”

“Look at this, the muscle density is incomparable to ordinary creatures.”

Though curiosity was even greater.

As soon as we arrived in the city, we were surrounded by dwarves barely reaching 1m in height.

They’re dwarves.

Given that Nidavellir is called the future city, it’s natural there would be many dwarves with high technical skills.

“Where did you find this? How about selling it to us? We’ll pay you handsomely.”

“Ah, no. Titan is our companion so selling him…”

Linea struggles as the dwarves fearlessly touch Titan’s forearms while appraising him.

“How much will you pay?”

“Lost…?”

Linea looks at me as if she can’t believe what she’s hearing.

Finally seeming to grasp the situation, Titan glares at me and says.

“Do you want to die?”

“Just kidding. Elders, could you please step aside? We’re quite tired from our long journey.”

“Ah, right! Sorry about that. We should be kind to tourists. By the way, where are you planning to stay?”

An obvious ploy.

And a natural flow of conversation.

“Well, how would we know? It’s our first time here. It would be nice if we had a guide…”

“Y-yes, indeed. It would be good to have someone familiar with the geography.”

“I’d prefer to avoid crowds, and it would be nice if we could somehow find just one guide. But where could we find such a guide…”

“Ahem! Hem, hem. Being outsiders, there must be many unfamiliar things.”

“Of course. It’s the future city after all, everything must be unfamiliar.”

“Then I could…”

“Hey! What would you know, always cooped up in your workshop? I regularly go around trying different restaurants…”

“Restaurant hopping my foot! Would tourists come to Nidavellir looking for food? Think about it! Rather, I’m the perfect…”

A fire ignites among the dwarves.

Rumors spread, one thing leads to another, and the crowd keeps growing.

Before long, the city entrance is packed with countless dwarves.

In a way, it’s quite a spectacle.

It’ll sort itself out soon.

Among the dwarves who can observe this never-before-seen creature called an orc, only one will survive that power struggle…

“What are you all doing! Got time to spare? If so, quit your jobs instead of hanging around here!”

“M-Master Geppetto!”

“Get out of here! You lot can’t even make proper gears!”

Only the most influential one remains.

Then who could it be? Among the dwarves who are believed to live as long as elves, who could seize this opportunity?

Probably the longest-living, most skilled craftsman in Nidavellir.

“Pleased to meet you, Lord.”

The master of this city.

“Lord what nonsense, don’t force such discrimination on us with that status.”

“Though you may lack the status, you seem to enjoy the power.”

“Then should I, at my age, be treated the same as those youngsters?”

Lucky.

I’d planned to work through steps to make contact, but we met right away.

“So, why did you bring the kids and do that? What were you trying to accomplish by needlessly stirring up those innocent kids?”

“To call them innocent kids when they clearly look older than us at a glance…”

“They’re all just lumps of flesh to me.”

What a cynical old man.

The dwarf called Geppetto dispersed the gathered dwarves with just a look and said.

“Listen here, religious fellow.”

“Yes, Geppetto-nim.”

“You’ve come to dig up something from me too, right? Don’t waste your energy and just stay quiet since there’s nothing to do.”

“My, seems quite a few people came before me.”

“Think you were the only one?”

“Must have been many.”

Almost nothing is known about the <Future Drawer>.

Not just now, but even in the future I returned from.

Before my regression, <Future Drawer> was destroyed once when it fell within <Corruptor>’s movement range.

Trial clashed with trial, resulting in catastrophe.

Of course, this time I’m aiming to eliminate the root cause that will make <Corruptor> move, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.

“But you must know something? Someone who shared history with the trial.”

“I told you I don’t know.”

Is that really true? Would so many people come and go if that were the case?

Of course, I don’t know. But wouldn’t some of those who came before have more information than me?

The old dwarf before me met his end along with <Corruptor> when it crushed <Future Drawer>.

That means he stayed in the city until the very end when the trial was completely destroyed.

Yes. That’s why the Pantheon Temple…

“Even though you’re the parent?”

Suspected Geppetto to be the creator of <Future Drawer>.