Chapter 326: For the Future! (2/2)
My heart sank.
“Even if we win this battle, we won’t be able to eradicate the Agnagas completely.”
“Why?” I inquired.
“They...”
“...”
“… Have someone who can control time and space.”
“W-What…!?”
“Time Lord Milenius… as long as he exists, the Agnagas will return even if we win the battle. It will definitely happen, be it 500 or 1000 years later.”
“God damn it…!”
Today’s victory might not promise a bright future. That meant that this devastating battle could be nothing but futile. Were my soldiers and subordinates at the frontlines dying in vain?
“That won’t do. “
It was a difficult truth to swallow. I refused to let any sacrifice go to waste. Millions of people have been killed. I had to win this battle on their behalf, and also prevent this damn Milenius from turning the table.
“That’s why I wish to make a proposal.”
“What proposal?”
“An arrangement for the future generation.”
“...!”
“Time Lord Milenius is undoubtedly going to try to exert its evil influence on this continent again. That’s why we have to start preparing from now. We have to devise plans to protect this world’s future – to not let our victory go to waste.”
I agreed wholeheartedly to her idea.
“Count me in.”
As the leader of the human race, I could not afford to reject Emilia’s proposition.
“Good.” Emilia seemed satisfied by my decision. “Then let’s begin immediately. Time’s not on our side. We have to move quickly. Not only do we have to win the war, but we also have to carry on with the project.”
“Project?”
“I’m referring to the plan for the future generation.”
“So fast? What’s the solution...”
“I’m the Dragon Lord, remember?”
“You already have a plan in mind?”
“Yes.” Emilia nodded. “It’s called ‘Project Erinyes.’”
“...!”
“This is the project that will be responsible for this world’s future.”
At that moment, I could not fully understand what the [Project Erinyes] was about. However, I instinctively knew that only this could save the world from the Agnagas...
3 years passed since that eventful day. While battling against the Agnagas, I roamed around the whole continent to carry out Project Erinyes. My role was to empower my reincarnation with great strength to protect the world from the second coming of the Agnagas.
I left no stones unturned. Through Agrippa, the Archwitch, I learned more about my reincarnation and prepared countless obstacles and challenges on his path to stimulate his growth. In addition, I did not forget to pass on the lovers whom I failed to take responsibility for.
He was going to be tremendously misfortunate with women, but I didn’t care… as long as it wasn’t me. So what if my reincarnation is nagged to death by his many ‘wives’ or dies from too much sexual intercourse? That was none of my business.
To be honest...
Eat this, you bastard.
I also wanted my reincarnation to suffer tremendously like I had with women.
However, this didn’t seem enough. The main theme of System Erinyes entailed summoning 300 lords and 297,700 warriors from a different world who can rescue and reconstruct this world. My reincarnation would be one of the 300 lords.
He will go on a rampage.
I believed that my reincarnation, who would have been living an ordinary life previously, would gain strength exponentially and eventually go insane.
“Your Imperial Majesty… your reincarnation… will be consumed by his overwhelming power… become a notorious tyrant… and eventually meet his demise...”
Agrippa agreed with me.
“No choice then.”
As a result, I added in the Wheel of Return to [Project Erinyes], disguised as an ability called [Soul Backup]. This would allow my reincarnation to live a second life. After an initial round of failure, my reincarnation would hopefully realize his mistakes, develop into a true sovereign and claim victory over the Agnagas...
Another year passed by as I prepared everything.
“It’s complete.”
When the war between the alliance (led by me and Emilia) and the Agnagas was coming to an end, Emilia finally succeeded in completing [Project Erinyes].
“With this, our plan is finished.”
“Good work.”
“Yes, it was not easy...”
Emilia’s face was full of fine wrinkles.
This was surprising. A polymorphed ancient dragon – the Dragon Lord, in fact – had new wrinkles on her face. It was an indication of the effort she had put in to finish [Project Erinyes]...
“Now...” Emilia spoke. “We’re only left with the selection process.”
“Right.”
“You can take care of the human candidates. I can take care of the remaining species.”
“Will do.”
The selection process aimed to choose living organisms that would be part of the system. [System Erinyes] was akin to Noah’s Ark. Knowledge, intelligence and all living organisms except for dragons were to be stored in Erinyes. In the distant future, this would allow the 300 Lords from the other world called Earth to reconstruct this world.
“Ah, and also.”
Moreover...
“Let’s incorporate a ranking system.”
“A ranking system?”
“Is there a hard and fast rule that my reincarnation must be the one to save the world?”
I despised the stubborn way of thinking that ‘it has to be me’. The messiah didn’t have to be me. Right, anyone would do. As long as the new hero can protect this world from the second coming of the Agnagas and make our sacrifices worthwhile, nobody would care who he or she was.
“Let’s make the 300 Lords compete against each other. The strongest individual who rises to the imperial throne shall save and reconstruct the world. It doesn’t have to be my reincarnation.”
“Julius…!”
“Let’s do it.”
I refused to compromise.
“… Alright then.”
Emilia could not persuade me otherwise and incorporated the ranking system into Erinyes in the end.
***
What the fuck…!?
Kang Chul-In, who stood in the Emperor of Blood and Iron’s shoes, could finally realize the truth about the mechanism behind the ‘Great Summoning’!
How was it?
At that moment, the Emperor of Blood and Iron spoke to Kang Chul-In.
But it’s not over yet.
...!
Watch till the end and accept them.
Accept what?
All of my memories.
...!
By doing so, you will become the most perfect existence. Information superiority is more valuable than any weapon, isn’t it?
Information superiority…!
And thus...
The Emperor of Blood and Iron added.
You will be able to see through Time Lord Milenius’ plot perfectly! This is my last arrangement for you, Kang Chul-In!
With that,
...!