The sudden tectonic shift and structural changes in Green City prompted an immediate return order via train for all the hunters currently residing there.
Receiving a request from the British royal family, the Hunter Association, which had been pushing forward with a long-term extermination plan for Green City, had no choice but to promptly contact Promise’s Finger in light of the sudden anomaly.
“What the hell is going on?! This is way ahead of the planned detonation time!”
[We have no choice. We acknowledge the danger of Green City and concluded we need to close its gates as soon as possible.]
“The initial assumption we made to collaborate with you was based on the belief that controlling Green City through the Orc Mafia was impossible! Now the operation can no longer proceed from this moment!”
[According to our intelligence, Grakshar seems to be beyond the Association’s control.]
“….!”
It seemed Promise’s Finger had overheard the conversation between agents and Grakshar.
Although they thought their eavesdropping prevention was perfect, if there were any Promise’s Finger members among the hunters participating in the train, the Association’s countermeasures would be useless.
“Even so, this is too hasty! We could have observed a little longer!”
[From the start, negotiation with beings that are not part of humanity is impossible. After enduring countless past tragedies, the Hunter Association shows no signs of change. Will you only come to your senses after a few creatures leaking from Green City annihilate one or two cities?]
It’s true that, while monsters that rely solely on instinct can be suppressed with brute force, controlling a creature like Grakshar—who possesses intelligence and cunning—was very difficult.
Originally, the Association planned to install Grakshar as the ruler of Green City and maintain control to prevent it from becoming a threat to Earth.
However, the goals of the Association and Grakshar have always differed, and once Grakshar realized the Association’s true intentions, the idea of controlling him became nearly impossible.
“That’s why our Association exists. We secured a massive hunter force through this Hunter Train!”
[The opinions of our organization and your Finger are on parallel lines. There’s no need for further discussion.]
Damn these bastards…!
The agent on the call with Promise’s Finger gritted their teeth.
What they feared was that the creatures with an infinite resurrection gimmick in Green City might turn their sights towards Earth for invasion.
While the Hunter Association undoubtedly worried about that, they were more focused on the potential that Green City held rather than its dangers.
Infinite resurrection.
Perpetually reconstructed cities.
If control could be established, the tremendous labor force of the creatures and the economic benefits derived from various kinds of creatures and monster byproducts could be obtained.
Furthermore, the location of Green City was a no-man’s land situated between Korea, China, Russia, and Mongolia.
Once control was possible, and the dangers minimized, a new gate economic special zone centered around Green City could be established—this was another goal of the Hunter Association.
If it became a danger, they would exterminate it, but until then, focusing on controlling it could provide new, massive resources and income for Earth and humanity.
‘But to throw that away right in front of me…?! Those crazy finger bastards!’
Promise’s Finger was originally that kind of organization.
They viewed not only monsters but all beings outside of humanity as potential invaders and threats to the world, and they harbored extreme beliefs that all non-human species should be eradicated.
Of course, factions could form internally, but it was public knowledge that the fundamental ideology of Promise’s Finger skewed towards extremism.
[It is already too late to turn back. We have initiated the ignition on our side. Stopping now is impossible, and Green City will be permanently destroyed, with the creatures inside never tasting the air of Earth.]
“…..”
The agent let out a deep sigh.
But it was already too late.
Promise’s Finger had reached the point where their secret weapon was about to explode. Indeed, various high-frequency sounds and tectonic changes were taking place in Green City.
Hunters quickly returned via the train, escaping the danger zone, yet the thought of Green City—potentially a future economic special zone—disappearing before their eyes made the agent’s heart weep.
“…..The Association will remember this.”
[Our Finger’s purpose is the enduring peace of humanity and Earth. It doesn’t matter.]
– thud
With that words, the call ended.
“….Damn it!”
Those bastards!
Do they even realize how much this all costs!?
“Co-pilot! Is there any hunter who hasn’t managed to escape?”
“Yes! Yes! It’s confirmed that everyone returned upon receiving the return order…”
“Director!”
“What is it? I just hoped the warning wasn’t about Green City about to explode!”
“It’s not that! Four individuals have refused the return order!”
“What?”
What the hell is that?
“Are they hunters belonging to Promise’s Finger?”
“No! They returned before the Hunter Train’s return order was issued!”
“Then what is it?!”
“Um… It’s Hunter Isia!”
“What? Isia?”
Upon hearing that, the agent’s face turned pale.
Hunter Isia was widely known—even among the Hunter Association.
She was famous from broadcasts, but the reports of her resolving the Mapo District erosion incident and defeating raid monsters like they were nothing had left a lasting impression on the Association’s agents and management.
However, if she was affiliated with the Hunter Association, she was famous for another reason as well.
Namely, for having a deep relationship with the Yeon Family.
Led by Yeonhwa and Yeonseo, Hunter Isia had very close ties with them, and before the Hunter Train departed, she had received requests from the Yeon Family’s administrators to ensure that Isia could participate in the train without any discomfort.
But what?
It was just before Green City was about to explode, and now communication with Hunter Isia had been cut off?
Promise’s Finger didn’t joke.
If they said they would blow up Green City, they truly would, and right at this moment, massive tectonic shifts and volatile mana waves were being detected by all the Hunter Train’s radars and dungeon detection systems.
‘We’re screwed! No, we’re totally screwed…!’
The problem wasn’t just Hunter Isia; if the Yeon Family—connected to her—became enraged, it would cause a disaster far worse for the Hunter Association.
Although they might not call it a monarchy, since the first Great Rift, the Yeon Family had become an enormous power capable of actually wielding influence over Korea and the Hunter world, and it was said in the circles of those employed in this faction that even now the Yeon Family overshadowed the Blue House.
“Dammit!!! Immediately contact the nearby hunters and ascertain Hunter Isia’s status! If her status is confirmed, order an immediate return…!”
“Director!”
“What is it now?!”
“The tectonic shifts in Green City have stopped!”
“What?”
What the hell is that? Just ten seconds ago I was looking at the radar…!
“Huh?”
“All the fluctuation indices that exceeded 38 Harpers have reset!”
“The mana concentration is also dropping sharply.”
“Tectonic stabilization. Tectonic stabilization.”
“Should we maintain the Hunter Train barrier?”
“…For now, keep it up.”
What the heck.
What is going on?
The Green City, which seemed on the verge of explosion, suddenly stabilizing?
This was like removing the pin from a nuclear bomb only for it to miraculously become stable afterwards—an impossible scenario.
‘What’s happening? For us, this might actually be a good thing, but… for a city that was about to explode, sudden stabilization feels suspicious….?’
“…Director? Shall we bring Hunter Isia in?”
“Ah! Send anyone to the location where Hunter Isia was spotted and quickly assess the situation!”
“Yes, sir!”
○○○
Thus, what was originally planned to be a docking period exceeding a month for the Hunter Train ended much quicker than expected.
What followed was…
Handled well.
The heart of the city no longer required Lilybet’s presence.
Originally, one was enough, but combining the fragments from the Lich King that had lost their intelligence with the fragments from Lilybet that had shaken off temptation now provided a nearly infinite, semi-permanent source of energy for the city.
Now, there was no need for Lilybet to remain here.
She could roam around as her true self rather than as a doll.
“Let’s get married! Marry me!!!”
Of course, it was awkward to be suddenly glued to a marriage proposal.
“…………”
“………..Ah, jeez~”
“Te, Teresa and Menelapie?”
“Did you charm another woman, Shia?”
“Uh, no, it’s just that…”
“Someone’s cleaning the back of the dining hall, and here you are comfortably flirting with girls! You’re such a playboy! Are you a saint or a harlot?”
“Let’s get married! Marry me, please… ugh!?”
Please, Queen, just shut your mouth.
I squeezed the Mint Queen’s mouth shut with my eyes tightly shut, and despite her muffled sounds of ‘Mmm! Please marry me!’, I let out a deep sigh.
Although there was a bit of a mishap, after explaining to Menelapie and Teresa, they accepted it to some degree.
As I spoke with Menelapie and Teresa, Lilybet wrapped her arms around my neck, swinging her legs in delight, which was a pleasing sight, but with Menelapie and Teresa right in front of me, I felt the sweat trickling down despite the chill in the air.
Regardless, looking at the outcome, everything wrapped up smoothly.
The plan of [Promise’s Finger] to permanently destroy Green City had been thwarted.
The new heart of the city would be the fragments of the Lich King that I fused, and Grakshar and the Orc Mafia volunteered to watch over the fragment.
“We’ve come to be the new heart. As you saved us, our remaining duty is to protect the heart of the city.”
Once again, it raised questions about whether this was indeed an orc, they were remarkably courteous and dignified.
Could it be that they are vegan orcs or something?
Nah, that can’t be it.
Anyway, the Mafia Orcs would protect the city’s heart going forward and, at the same time, work to turn this filthy city into a paradise that Lilybet desired.
Of course, for the time being, Green City would still resemble a lawless land.
However, as the Orc Mafia said, seeds had been sown, and the number of those not wishing for conflict and division was gradually increasing in Green City.
Though it would take time, someday the creatures would surely stop the mafia and gang wars and this place would have the chance to become a coexisting paradise.
Thus, Lilybet no longer needed to live as a mother of the city or a queen of the sewage; she would join me on the train to return to reality.
“Thank you… Grasshopper Chef.”
clap, clap
“Not… at all. clap.”
What really saddened me was that the Grasshopper Chef wouldn’t be riding the Hunter Train with me.
His cooking skills had nurtured Lilybet, who had been starving for far too long as the heart of Green City.
His skill was undeniable, but despite being a monster and a creature, his character was impressively better than most humans; his not following me was a significant disappointment and sorrow.
“Hey, Grasshopper, are you really not coming with me? Your cooking will be well appreciated outside…”
“…What do you mean?”
“Huh? You’re not saying you want to stay in Green City forever, right?”
“clap. Gallmaster, I am Mangjidan… And I already said when we first met… I will fly to Korea after leaving the gate to buy cooking ingredients… clap.”
“Huh, what?”
Oh, right…?
Wait, can the residents of Green City just freely come and go outside!?
“Other monsters simply… have no interest in the outside… I need to make tainted soup… so I fly to the nearest, clap, Korea, or perhaps to nearby Harbin… to buy cooking ingredients… Where else do you think I got my drone? clap. And my drone’s Hunter Pay payment function… wasn’t created for nothing.”
“Oh, oh…”
Come to think of it, as a Mangjidan, it’s natural that the Grasshopper Chef wouldn’t just be familiar with the outside world.
Didn’t I pay for the tainted soup with either won or Hunter Pay?
Hmm, maybe the Grasshopper Chef was way younger and tech-savvy than I thought?
“So, that means we can meet again, right?”
“…I am Mangjidan. I think it would be an honor to meet you again. clap. If I go to Korea, I will contact you.”
“Here, my contact! Be sure to reach out! Don’t forget to make that tainted soup again, okay?”
“If I don’t make tainted soup… Gallmaster will force me to eat Bladed Centipede Soup… So, I will make tainted soup.”
“Hey! Bladed Centipede Soup is delicious!”
“clap. Nonsense. Spicy. Gallmaster. clap.”
Well, everything turned out well.
I embraced Lilybet and returned to the Hunter Train with Menelapie and Teresa.
By the way, Hana had quietly restored her body and followed me calmly while complaining at some point.
Later, I found out Hana got knocked out and bounced into the ground due to my duel with the mechanical Lilybet.
Um, sorry for that, my master!
“Thank you! Thank you!”
“Yes?”
“Thanks to Hunter Isia, the Hunter Association can come up with a new proposal!”
As soon as we reached the Hunter Train, a person sent by the Association overseeing the train operations bowed deeply and thanked me.
Since I was unaware of what had occurred with the train and the Hunter Association, I was bewildered, but Menelapie and Teresa decided to talk in detail with the director instead.
When they told me later that there would be ample compensation, I didn’t have to worry.
It was practically acknowledged that I single-handedly conquered Green City.
“Wahaha! Saint Isia! It feels exhausting to move my true form after so long! I will tidy myself up and come to see you soon!”
“Yeah. Yeah. Queen, first, recover your body.”
“Haha! Speaking comfortably makes us feel closer!”
By the way, as soon as the true Lilybet returned to the train, another minor commotion broke out.
As her true self awakened, the mechanical Lilybet ceased functioning, and hence the attendants and servants that had taken care of the original Lilybet were understandably flustered; however, I had no worries as Lilybet would soon recover and appear adorned in her splendid dress with Gundam wings.
After all, I had secretly given her a thorough healing while carrying her here.
“Ah, and about that.”
“Huh?”
“I wasn’t joking about what I said earlier!”
“………”
Suddenly, I felt a hint of chill from Menelapie and Teresa’s gazes from Lilybet’s comment, but when I turned to look at them, they merely wore cheerful smiles as usual.
Yeah, it must just be my imagination.
There’s no way my warrior and witch would engage in petty jealousy…
Right?
Isn’t that right?
“Ah, it feels like I’ve returned to my lodging after a long time.”
“Indeed.”
“Is Mother asleep?”
How amusing.
I hadn’t destroyed Green City; I merely acted according to my own desires and aided Lilybet, and in turn, things had worked out positively for me—what luck and fortune!
Thus, I returned to what could be called my original lodging—the Hunter Train compartment—after what felt like a long day.
The spirits of Menelapie and Teresa, suggesting we sleep together, felt quite fiery, but…
“Alright, let’s sleep together…”
“Huhuhuh.”
“Okay.”
But nothing happened.
As always, we three spent a quiet, comfortable night.
Just a day like any other for us.
Except for a soft and fluffy part of my body pressing down on me.
“Uh, uh, Menelapie? Teresa?”
“What’s wrong?”
“It seems our pig Shia can’t fall asleep.”
“Oh, no… I can’t breathe…”
“You don’t have to breathe anyway, right?”
“That’s true, but it’s still somewhat uncomfortable….”
“If a saint can’t even endure these trivial discomforts, what good is she?”
crunch, crunch!
Huh, heh…
“………”
Oh, fine.
I’ll just sleep…….
I squeezed my eyes shut once again.
