Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage Chapter 691: To The Future

CH691 Onward to the Future

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"What path do you intend to tread next? Do you plan to expand Fortuna and seize control of BloodIron City?" Raven Horn inquired.

Raven Horn, alongside Saul Redwald—still clad in his damaged armor—were seated on opposing sofas, facing each other across a low table. Occupying the head of the table was Alex, situated in a high-backed chair whose imposing design gave him the appearance of royalty seated on a throne.

The chair was more ostentatious than Alex would have preferred, but there was little he could do about it. It was part of the mansion's existing furniture, and he had been too preoccupied to consider replacing it.

Upon hearing Raven Horn's question, Alex arched an eyebrow.

"That is hardly an amusing jest," he responded. "I have no desire to take over this city, thereby attracting the attention—and hostility—of multiple empires and Temples."

"I will eventually need to confront the empires and Temples... perhaps even other continental powers like the Mercenary Union and the Adventurer Association—I am fully aware of that. However, that confrontation does not need to occur at this moment."

"Then what is your current strategy, Young Master Alex?" Saul Redwald inquired.

Alex leaned back into his chair, crossing his arms, his gaze fixed on the table between them, his expression becoming thoughtful.

"At this juncture, I require time—time to construct and grow discreetly, away from prying eyes," he stated.

He leaned forward once more, resting his elbows on his knees, his fingers interlaced.

"My arrival in the Wildlands—and BloodIron specifically—was driven by several objectives. None of these objectives involve claiming dominion over this city or the surrounding region. While these lands are undeniably rife with chaos, that very chaos signifies the presence of far too many vigilant observers... and deeply entrenched vested interests."

"The paramount objective I hold here is to establish a distinct identity—and a formidable reputation. As I am confident you both have discerned by now, for rather transparent reasons, I cannot leverage my true identity. There are few quicker avenues to provoke every Temple into dispatching an inquisition to hunt me down."

"Consequently, I selected the Wildlands—a domain characterized by chaos and anarchy, where beings of all calibers converge—to forge a name for myself. A name that I can subsequently carry into the more civilized territories of the world."

Both Raven Horn and Saul Redwald offered nods of understanding.

They both felt they grasped Alex’s predicament—that he possessed an identity which could not be revealed in a world now dominated by deities. If exposed, he would be eradicated long before he could ever raise a banner of defiance against them.

Currently, he simply lacked the strength to stand against such powers.

However, what neither man comprehended was that the background they had attributed to Alex was not entirely accurate.

Alex saw no immediate need to correct this misconception—not yet.

The only truths that held significance for the present were straightforward: he hailed from a place the deities would never condone... and he stood in direct opposition to them.

Alex rose from his seat and moved towards the window, his gaze sweeping across the indistinct silhouette of the city observable beyond the glass.

"For the foreseeable future, Fortuna and I will maintain our presence within this city. We will operate actively until our name commands sufficient influence—whether through renown or notoriety—to be recognized beyond the Wildlands without exposing us to undue peril," he announced.

He turned back to face the two men.

"Once that threshold is achieved, we shall commence the search for a territory—one that we can secure and cultivate in safety."

"What kind of territory are you searching for?" Raven Horn inquired.

"Ideally, one situated beyond the direct scrutiny of any Deity," Alex replied as he resumed his seat. Placing a hand on its high back, he continued, "I have heard of nations that venerate a single ancestral spirit as their national focus. Such places are also unsuitable."

"I would prefer to discover a nation devoid of any centralized deity or spirit worship—or, at the very least, one where multiple ancestral spirits are revered without a single, dominant authority."

"There are remarkably few nations on the continent that satisfy these specific criteria," Raven Horn remarked, a slight frown appearing on his face.

"I am aware," Alex nodded. "Yet, it is a prerequisite."

He settled back into his chair.

"Furthermore, the territory itself must be remote—far removed from the watchful eyes of powerful aristocrats. A location that can be developed discreetly, without attracting unwanted attention," Alex added, his gaze shifting towards Saul Redwald.

It took a moment, but Saul eventually grasped the implication of Alex's intentions.

"I comprehend..." Saul uttered, a wry smile forming beneath his helmet. "You are looking towards the Celahan Empire."

"That is correct," Alex confirmed. "Specifically, the northern territories of the Celahan Empire."

"The north?" Raven Horn's eyebrows drew together in surprise. He spoke after a brief period of contemplation.

"Regarding the northern territories, the most secure and resource-rich areas are controlled by the esteemed nobility. What lies beyond that are the frontier regions, territories directly adjacent to the Great Berserk Beast Forest.

"If you wish to steer clear of aristocratic entanglements, your only recourse is those borderlands. However, this path means confronting the perpetual peril of berserk beast onslaughts."

"I am aware," Alex responded with composure. "That is precisely my plan."

"The empire’s fringe territories—those bordering the domain of the berserk beasts—are largely neglected by the ruling aristocracy. They are viewed primarily as a defensive buffer against potential beast tides."

Saul Redwald observed Alex’s declaration with a complex expression.

The young man's assessment was accurate.

Within the Celahan Empire, the far northern expanses were seldom considered true imperial soil. For the nobility, they were expendable, serving as a living shield between civilization and the untamed chaos of the Great Berserk Beast Forest.

The inhabitants there were predominantly outcasts, fugitives, or the impoverished—individuals relegated to society’s margins. Their existence served a grim function: to provide an early alarm for an impending beast tide and, more crucially, to impede its advance.

Not through acts of bravery or defiance, but by becoming the initial sustenance for the horde.

With such a readily available population within this buffer zone, the empire’s central lands were afforded vital time to marshal their defenses before the tide could breach them.

It was a brutal yet effective strategy—one that conserved substantial imperial resources, allowing them to be diverted to more "pressing" matters, at least from the aristocracy’s perspective.

Compounding this issue was the fact that beast tides from the Great Berserk Beast Forest occurred infrequently, roughly once every ten to twenty years. Consequently, the empire’s elite deemed the harsh buffer system more economically viable than investing heavily in robust settlements or a permanent military fortification in the region.

‘If the opportunity exists there… then it might be possible to secure a decade or so of relative peace before any major noble house or power takes notice,’ Saul mused.

‘Naturally… that is assuming the territory doesn’t draw premature attention.’

Saul Redwald shifted his gaze to Alex.

"Even with a meticulously crafted persona, executing your strategy will be challenging. Acquiring noble status within the Celahan Empire is no simple feat. In fact, an identity forged in the Wildlands could prove more of a hindrance than an asset," he stated.

"Then, as a former clergyman of one of the empire’s prominent temples, do you possess any insights on how we might achieve this?" Alex inquired, a subtle smile gracing his lips.

Saul exhaled a breath tinged with irony. The burden of that particular problem now rested squarely upon his shoulders, a fact the youth had clearly orchestrated.

After a brief pause, he gave a nod.

"I may have a way," he conceded.

"However, it will necessitate time for preparation."

"Time is not a constraint. We still have substantial objectives to fulfill within BloodIron. Take all the time you need—and ensure it is done correctly," Alex replied.

"Understood. I shall bring you news shortly," Saul affirmed.

Alex inclined his head in acknowledgment.

The discussion persisted for another thirty minutes, encompassing further strategic planning and contingency measures for their impending endeavors.

They even deliberated on the most effective method to capitalize on their recently established 'alliance' with Lady Wintermere.

Subsequently, Raven Horn and Saul Redwald departed the manor as discreetly as they had arrived.

Alex remained seated in the study for a considerable period post-departure, immersed in contemplation, before finally rising and proceeding towards his laboratory.

With Brock Peyton and the Lost Heathens neutralized, Fortuna had solidified its position within BloodIron. Alex’s direct involvement on the front lines was no longer critically required.

This implied—

While others focused on enhancing Fortuna’s standing and acquiring necessary resources, Alex could dedicate his complete attention to his forte—

Research and development.

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