Chapter 192
★ Subterranean City Military Headquarters ★
When the Marshal looked down at the map spread across the table, he saw a detailed map of the surrounding area. If Reiji had seen it, he would have been astonished: it included the Holy Kingdom of Kurvaan, the Kingdom of Lightwind Knights, and the Lef Magic Empire—it was that precise.
The subterraneans had not only developed a constitution that allowed them to live underground indefinitely without sunlight, but also possessed a "sense" that let them intuitively grasp terrain and understand the properties of the earth.
They kept track of the ever-changing terrain reshaped by giant monsters and used that knowledge to ensure their race's survival.
"We fought the dark elves three times yesterday and once today, sir."
"So you've been avoiding them successfully."
"Yeah. The kinds of fights that happen when you run into each other have definitely decreased."
"Good."
The subterraneans were at a disadvantage in their battles with the dark elves—because the dark elves were that strong.
So the subterraneans took advantage of the terrain, avoided fighting whenever possible, and relied on ambushes whenever they had no choice but to engage.
For the moment, the battle could be described as evenly matched.
"So the strategy you came up with is hitting the mark, Strategist?"
"N-no, please don't call me Strategist. It's embarrassing!"
The person scratching her head and waving her hands frantically was a young female soldier who held the post of "Strategist."
Every night, she would challenge old men at bars with riddles, saying, "If you solve it, I'll sleep with you; if you can't, buy me a drink," and then knock back alcohol by the mouthful while remaining a virgin. She was a formidable woman.
The Marshal had heard the rumors and personally recruited her.
"Well, I'm next, right?"
A man in his mid-thirties said this, his short hair styled into a soft mohawk.
He was the Centurion who had served with the Marshal the longest and commanded a hundred soldiers.
"The Innate Jewels we found today number—get this—eight!"
"Oh!"
When the Centurion opened the cloth bag, it contained eight Innate Jewels.
【Cardiopulmonary Enhancement★】
【Flute Technique★★】
【Nimble Fingers★】
【Lightning Magic★★】
【Grip Strength Enhancement★】
【Grip Strength Enhancement★】
【Leatherworking★★】
【Enhanced Sense of Smell★】
It was a rather underwhelming assortment, but
"Wonderful. There is even magic among them."
"Some of them are duplicates, though."
"No, no, it's plenty. The Innate Jewels you risked your lives to obtain must be put to good use..."
While encouraging the Centurion, who looked disappointed yet embarrassed, as though he had done all he could, the Marshal pondered who should receive the Innate Jewels.
This Centurion had been the Marshal's first subordinate after he began working in the army. In terms of trust, he was probably peerless among those present.
"That six-star Innate Jewel... It was a real shame that Salme got it..."
The Centurion said this with a grumble.
"Ah—the Innate Jewel you discovered first."
"Yeah, that's right. Something like that... Su-chan went completely off the rails because of it. That orc never does anything but cause trouble."
Su-chan was a military-affiliated girl distantly related to Salme.
Her name was Sumeria.
She had exceptional skill with a sword and was all but certain to become a Centurion someday, but unfortunately, her personality was completely incompatible with Salme's.
Sumeria never flattered anyone. Once, she told Salme, "Auntie Salme, you really need to lose weight. You won't live long otherwise," and Salme's mood did not improve for the next ten days, while her wine reserves rapidly dwindled.
"That was... 【Insane Blade★★★★★★】, wasn't it?"
"Yeah, that's right. Something like that... Su-chan became a different person after getting it."
"...Perhaps Salme knew that Innate Jewels with many stars held power beyond a person's control, and that such power could drive people mad..."
It was only a hunch, but the Marshal could not shake the feeling that this was true.
Innate Jewels had only recently become possible to find in large numbers; before that, they had been precious commodities. Salme had even shouted, "Go find me the Innate Jewels called 【Flawless Skin】 and 【Beautiful Hair】!"
That was the six-star Innate Jewel the Centurion had discovered.
It was also what led them to discover a place where Innate Jewels could be found in groups, but one of the Centurion's loose-lipped subordinates had leaked the secret, and Salme had learned that Insane Blade existed.
Despite its rarity and six-star rating, Salme had immediately given it to Sumeria.
"That could be true. Su-chan... She doesn't hesitate to kill dark elves anymore, and she nearly killed several people in mock battles, but now she doesn't even change her expression."
"Yes. But there is no point lamenting what is over. There may be a way to save Sumeria. I've heard there are Innate Skills that can remove Innate Jewels."
Knowledge about Innate abilities had been passed down in the Subterranean City, but because the Jewels had been precious for so long, that knowledge was fragmentary. They knew almost nothing about Skills such as 【Orb Destruction】 and 【Orb Attachment】.
"All we can do is slip past the dark elves' notice and gather as many Innate Jewels as possible. Every single one."
The Marshal clenched his fist—and then.
"...Marshal. But the orc is going to find out about this someday."
One of them muttered.
He was a member of the team that designed the patrol unit's routes, and effectively handled all the practical work himself. The patrol unit viewed him as "a negative, gloomy bastard who sees the worst in everything," but the Marshal noticed the passion burning inside him and brought him into their inner circle.
Eventually, the Marshal wanted to entrust him with planning the marches of not only the patrol unit but the entire army. He was a "Designer."
He remained pessimistic by nature. But his pessimism was backed by thoroughgoing realism.
The Marshal did not deny the Designer's words; rather, he nodded as though taking them to heart.
"Exactly. Even we in the military aren't a monolith, and if someone's physical abilities suddenly increased, some people would grow suspicious. Someone would rat us out to Salme."
"Then what do you intend to do?"
"...First, we must grow stronger. Even if our monopoly on the Innate Jewels comes to light and Salme denounces us, all we need is enough force to repel her."
"Don't tell me—"
The Marshal spoke without even twitching an eyebrow.
"Once our forces are strong enough, we will depose Salme and take control of the Subterranean City."
His words were quiet, but forceful—a declaration of a coup.
The three who heard him fell silent. Perhaps they were excited by the tense atmosphere—or perhaps they were afraid.
"...Don't tense up like that. This isn't happening tomorrow or the day after."
"But Marshal, you told us about it."
The Designer sniffed, tears welling in his eyes.
"We're happy that you trust us..."
"Of course. Even though my father is a member of the Council, I am practically powerless before Salme. You are my weapons."
"Marshal!"
"Come on, don't say things that'll make us cry."
"Uuuuh..."
The subordinates gathered and began to cry; the Marshal looked troubled, but he smiled.
With them, he thought, they could see even this great undertaking through.
"Come, come, the briefing isn't over yet. Next, we'll discuss the Dragonkin airship. Tell me what you know about that so-called vice-captain who betrayed the Dragonkin—"
However, the Marshal failed to notice.
Among the tearful subordinates, one was quietly smirking to himself.