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Chapter 157

Chapter 157: Negotiation

Ananke looked at Merhen.

The emotionless undead of the past was no more. In its place was a creature bristling like a porcupine, snarling at her.

Honestly, it was a somewhat enjoyable sight.

In any case, persuading the banshee wasn’t that important.

“Did you think we’d give it to you for free? We’re not a charity.”

“Fine. Let’s hear it. What kind of magic is it?”

“We’ll be connected.”

“Connected?”

“Yes. We’ll be able to see each other.”

“I thought you weren’t a charity.”

“Confused?”

As she said, it was a puzzling condition.

Seeing each other.

Did Ananke really need to cast a two-way magic spell?

She could just cast a spell that allowed her to see.

Then, Merhen said with a sneer,

—Don’t act like you’re doing us a favor. It’s annoying. Minwoo, this is only natural.

“Natural?”

—Minwoo is that guy’s successor. With that Raven’s skills, it’s natural that she has to set conditions. Otherwise, the connection won’t be possible.

“Yes. The banshee is right.”

Ananke nodded coolly. Kim Minwoo tilted his head.

“You can’t cast the spell otherwise?”

“Simple attacks are one thing, but observing across dimensions is another.”

“Okay, then how does it work?”

“I’ll show you as a test. Think now. I want to see Ananke.”

At that moment, the perspective completely changed.

From Ananke’s perspective:

As Ananke turned her head, Kim Minwoo’s gaze also wandered.

He could feel the immense power within Ananke’s body.

The mana was incredibly vivid, vast like an ocean, seemingly endless. He finally understood why she had used the term “connection.”

This wasn’t simply about sharing vision. This magic allowed him to examine the target’s body in detail.

A voice echoed in his mind:

—This is how it works. If you become proficient, you can transmit thoughts like I do now.

Ananke snapped her fingers, and his vision returned to normal.

“Do you understand?”

“Roughly. Can I see this 24/7?”

“If we’re close, yes. But that’s unlikely. If I return to the city, we’ll be lucky to connect for an hour a month.”

“Not just me, but you too?”

“It’s difficult to connect over long distances. Besides, I’m a busy woman.”

Kim Minwoo pondered briefly. The conclusion was simple.

They were talking about sharing vision and internal body status.

And, like Ananke, if he became proficient, he could also transmit thoughts.

It was a magic he couldn’t refuse if they were to become cooperative partners.

There was no better magic for closely communicating information and understanding each other’s situations.

‘Not bad.’

The opportunity to see the Witch Coven through the eyes of the Grand Witch was quite appealing. And if he accepted, he could also obtain the materials for the Divine Dragon Gleipnir.

Of course, he didn’t fully trust Ananke’s words.

She never said she would only tell the “truth.” It would be naive to think that a being of that level wouldn’t play some tricks.

‘Thankfully, I have insurance.’

He looked at Merhen.

“What do you think?”

—I don’t like it. It’s fundamentally unfair.

“Unfair?”

—Minwoo, you’ll be at a disadvantage from the start. The usefulness of the connection will be different for each of you. Raven, am I wrong?

“Banshee. Are you losing your memory? I will pay the price.”

—Hmph! Even that would be too cheap. You’re a fool without a conscience.

Merhen, arms crossed, said.

—So Minwoo should get more. Something much bigger and heavier.”

Oh my, my girl.

Well done, well done.

Kim Minwoo inwardly applauded.

Honestly, how much could he know about the magic of a Grand Witch? Merhen’s advice was truly invaluable.

“She says so. What do you think?”

“Do you want anything else?”

“Yes, seeing this place made my heart ache. They come from all directions to exploit this land.”

“You want me to stop the Dragon Legion?”

“That would be nice.”

If he could block the intervention of the Witch Coven and the Dragon Legion, he could achieve the real clear conditions.

Negotiating with the Dragon Legion was out of the question.

It would be strange if he could communicate with creatures obsessed with devouring their natural enemies.

But the Witch Coven was different.

The Witch Coven and the Dragon Legion had previously divided the Caesar Continent in half.

Even if they sided with the Outsiders, they weren’t complete enemies.

They were more like competitors, for now. If they were willing to negotiate, he might be able to achieve the real clear conditions more easily than expected.

“Alright. I’ll stop them. But you have to leave this place. Otherwise, it will be difficult to negotiate with the Ancient Dragon.”

“Until when?”

“Within five days at the latest.”

“Alright.”

Kim Minwoo nodded. That was enough time to start the heteromorphic race-centered city project.

‘I’ve already taken everything I could.’

Leveling up, hunting witches and dragons, and even transferring production skills to the skeletons – he had done it all. If he could achieve the real clear conditions and leave, he would have no regrets leaving the gate.

“Then let’s initiate the connection. Do you agree?”

Kim Minwoo nodded.

Soon, he and Ananke were connected.

“The duration is a total of three years.”

“Yes. But if I’m leaving, what should I do with her?”

He looked at Iris, who was standing there like a scarecrow.

Originally, he had planned to kill her.

But now, the Grand Witch was watching. It would be difficult to deal with her openly.

It might be better to hand her over and get her off the planet. Her disappearance from this place would also count towards the clear conditions.

Ananke stared at Iris.

Then, in an emotionless tone, she said.

“Unnecessary.”

“B-But, Lady Ananke?”

Iris’s eyes trembled frantically.

Even if she was just an apprentice witch, she had been loyal to the Witch Coven for hundreds of years. And now she was being abandoned?

Normally, she wouldn’t dare say anything. But now was different. If Ananke abandoned her, she was as good as dead.

“H-How could you…! We’re both witches! If you just take me with you…”

“Why should I?”

“W-Why? I’m an Eastern Witch too. I’m a witch!”

“If you were a witch, you should have died with Leluya. Not submitted like a dog.”

Iris’s mouth shut tight.

She wanted to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Finally, she managed to utter a single sentence.

“I-I didn’t want this either…”

“Your submission, your survival until now, it’s all fate.”

—Caw.

Ananke stroked the Raven that had perched on her shoulder.

“And my refusal to accept you is also fate. Banshee. Let’s make a deal.”

—A deal?

“Yes. From now on, she is not a witch. In exchange, I want Leluya’s trace.”

—Give it back? Well, alright.

Merhen reached out her hand. A white smoke-like substance drifted towards Ananke. Kim Minwoo asked,

“What’s that?”

—A part of my memory of seeing Leluya. I analyzed her then.

“Is it okay to give away your memory?”

—It’s just a small part. It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s there or not.

Merhen replied nonchalantly.

The memory of facing Leluya didn’t mean much to her. Neither did the memory of analyzing her body.

Ananke then took out several ingredients from her pocket.

“Necromancer. These are the things you mentioned. Take them.”

[Balrog’s Blood…]

[Mimir’s Sigh…]

Two ingredients arrived.

“I’ll send another witch later to connect you to the Abyss Lord’s dwelling. It’s currently closed.”

Kim Minwoo nodded.

As long as she connected him, the method didn’t matter.

“Then, I’ll be on my way.”

A body scattering into thousands of Ravens.

The Ravens took flight, leaving behind…

“Hic!”

The only one left behind, abandoned by the Grand Witch, was this apprentice witch.

Iris’s eyes darted around.

‘Five days…’

He had agreed to leave within five days.

That meant she would be dead within five days.

The shock of abandonment was brief.

She looked at Kim Minwoo with trembling eyes.

“C-Could you please spare me…?”

“What are you good at?”

“I-I can do a lot of things besides magic. I’ve learned a lot. Manufacturing, things like that…”

“So you can do alchemy?”

“Yes!”

Iris nodded hastily.

Alchemy was a basic skill for witches.

Kim Minwoo pondered for a moment.

The only definite gain from killing her was experience points.

Even with the ice dragon he had caught last time, he had only made good use of its blood; the rest was useless.

It would be the same with a witch, who was similar to a human.

His level had increased, so even if he killed her, he would be lucky to gain five levels.

Instead…

“Merhen.”

—Yes.

“Can you make her your subordinate?”

—It’s possible now that my power has increased. But, you want to make this idiot my subordinate?

“I think she’ll be useful.”

Didn’t he need an alchemist to craft items in the basement of his house?

He was planning to supply not only the highest-rank recipes but also other items he could find. Having an assistant would be helpful.

‘It’s difficult to find other manpower.’

The nature of the work required strong security.

It was a structure where even the most skilled individuals couldn’t be employed if there was a risk of betrayal.

But what if the witch who underwent subordination was involved?

If she was placed under Merhen from the start, betrayal would be impossible.

They were practically natural enemies.

“Is there a limit to the number of subordinates?”

—Not really. I can increase it indefinitely if I want to. I just didn’t feel the need before. Should I do it?

“If it’s possible.”

Merhen nodded and stared at Iris.

—Do you want to become an undead?

“An undead?”

—You have to, to become my subordinate. You’ll become a banshee.

Iris squeezed her eyes shut.

‘I have no choice…’

If she didn’t, she would die for sure. Even if she survived, she had no future. The Grand Witch had abandoned her.

The Eastern Witch Coven would make the same judgment.

There was no reason for them to antagonize Ananke for a mere apprentice witch.

In other words, she was like a cosmic orphan.

“I-I’ll do it… Please make me your subordinate! I’ll be loyal…!”

—Alright.

Merhen nodded and placed her hand over Iris’s heart.

—I planted it. The seed.

“A seed?”

“You can’t become an undead right away. It will germinate in five days.”

From this moment on, Iris’s fate was sealed.

* * *

The five-day countdown.

He spent it productively.

First, Plan A: establishing a mixed-race city in the center of the continent.

Perhaps because everyone had been ruined, they readily agreed to live together when asked.

Of course, there were benefits.

Massive food support.

There was the benefit of distributing all the food he had brought in his inventory to the central city.

While conducting training…

[Rune Crafting Skill has increased to Rank E…]

[Tattooing Skill has increased to Rank E…]

Each production skill rose to Rank E.

When the fifth day arrived, the heteromorphic races came out to see him off.

The orcs and elves, in particular, reacted strongly, likely due to their experience fighting together in the north.

“You’re really leaving.”

Elise said, her pointed ears drooping.

“It’s time. If I want to stop the dragons from interfering further, I have to.”

“…May your path always be blessed. This is my gift to you.”

She handed him a small seed.

“Is this the Mother Tree’s seed?”

“Yes. The tree readily agreed. Please accept it.”

He received it and examined its details.

[Seed of the Mother Tree]

[Rank: S]

[The central seed produced by the Mother Tree, which will grow into a World Tree. Something might grow if you plant it.]

An S-rank item.

He recalled that the Mother Tree was the only remaining descendant of the World Tree on this continent.

It seemed like it would grow well if planted somewhere.

“I’ll take good care of it.”

“Yes. May your future be blessed. Forever.”

After the conversation with the elves, the conversation with the orcs followed.

Urkhan, their representative, stepped forward and asked,

—Big Brother! Are you really leaving for good?

“I am. Take care.”

—…Alright! We’ll build a statue of Big Brother! Big Brother will be revered as a hero of our orcs!

After saying goodbye to the gnomes and the barbarians, Kim Minwoo looked at Merhen.

Merhen nodded and extended her hand.

Like transparent paint flowing down, Iris’s body slowly began to turn translucent.

[Merhen is initiating subordination!]

‘Not too bad.’

Perhaps it was because she resembled her master.

Unlike the usual banshees, Iris’s appearance was relatively normal.

The only difference from Merhen was that her form seemed much more transparent.

Soon, a message appeared.

[Gate Clear Conditions have been completely fulfilled!]

[‘True Clear Conditions’ are being evaluated…]

[Evaluation complete!]

[1. You have laid the foundation for cooperation between the heteromorphic races!]

[2. You have successfully negotiated with the Grand Witch and truly saved the continent!]

[Three rewards will be given.]

[1. The title ‘One Who Walks the Path of a Hero’ will be changed to ‘First Step of a Legend.’ A special effect linked to the title will be added to the necklace you obtained.]

[2. The Caesar Continent will be permanently bound to you.]

[3. The contents of the ‘Seed of the Mother Tree’ will be significantly changed.]