Chapter 458
Iodaran was a vampire elder and the head of the Black Vine family.
It wasn’t surprising how much this family had fallen over the years, considering that it was run by an old vampire, not by a powerful vampire king.
In the long history of the Abyss, some families had prospered, and some had fallen into obscurity. The Black Vine family was the latter.
...But despite that, a constellation had still chosen them, so Iodaran was naturally happy.
“Everyone, rejoice! The new constellation has chosen us!”
“Huh? What constellation has chosen a weak tribe like ours? Why us?”
A young vampire immediately voiced his skepticism, but the others urged him not to say anything rude.
“Hey! Watch your mouth!”
“But I don’t understand!”
“Sometimes, even the most insignificant things become necessary for something. We don’t need to guess the intentions of a constellation. We just have to be grateful.”
If Abyssal creatures were confident in their abilities, they could choose which constellation to serve. However, in the case of the Black Vine family, having a constellation choose them was a blessing.
All the other vampires nodded in agreement, and the young vampire was forced to shut up.
“So which constellation chose us?”
“Is it the Warrior Risen from the Dead?”
“The Goddess of Discord and Estrangement?”
“The Undefeated Incarnation of Training has chosen us.”
“...??”
“???”
The vampires were taken aback by the unexpected name. The Undefeated Incarnation of Training was...
“Isn’t he a good god constellation?”
“Why is a good god constellation choosing vampires?”
Constellations were arrogant transcendent beings, and sometimes, their actions defied all reason and logic.
Accumulating faith was one of those unpredictable things. In theory, it was best to have faith from as many beings as possible. The more faith they received, the stronger the constellation’s power of existence became.
However, they didn’t do that because of their arrogance.
There were quite a few constellations that discriminated between races, the Arrogant Light Elf being one of them. However, it wasn’t like he was turning other creatures into elves because he wanted to receive faith only from elves.
On that note, good god constellations generally didn’t like vampires, which were an undead-like race. However, the Undefeated Incarnation of Training had chosen them out of nowhere.
Elder Iodaran was almost at a loss for words.
“It’s because he’s really merciful...”
“This is ridiculous! Maybe they’re trying to use us as fodder!”
“Why would a good god constellation choose vampires?”
“Shut up! It’s already been decided. Don’t offend the constellation with such blasphemous words!”
All the vampires fell silent at the shout of the elder. Certainly, a family as weak as theirs couldn’t afford to disobey a constellation.
It was already set in stone, but still, they couldn’t help feeling apprehensive.
‘Why us...’
‘Isn’t he trying to use us as test subjects?’
‘Maybe he’s trying to wipe us out...’
***
[The ‘Land of the Black Vine Family’ will be added to this kingdom!]
[The Black Vine vampire tribe serves you.]
[The power of existence has risen.]
‘Hmm... Not bad.’
Choi Yeonseung could see why Hwang Gyeongryong had chosen this land without him having to explain it.
First of all, the soil was less polluted than in other areas, and there were almost no monsters. That was enough to clear the land, erect buildings, and mine resources.
“I wonder what the other constellations have picked.”
Choi Yeonseung sent a message to the other constellations.
[The ‘Six-Winged Angel Who Hunts Dragons’ says he chose ‘Valley of Death’.]
“?”
[The ‘Warrior With a Hammer’ says he chose ‘Pit of Doom’.]
“???”
Choi Yeonseung was bewildered by the areas chosen by the other constellations. Why had they chosen such awful land?
-They probably chose those territories to use them as training grounds, right?
-What... Choosing it for such reasons? Are there any areas left??
-I think there will be some left...
Unlike young constellations like Choi Yeonseung, the Warrior With a Hammer and the Six-Winged Angel Who Hunts Dragons were among the intermediate constellations of the Abyss.
Of course, there were enough realms to govern, so there was no need to be greedy.
‘There’s a big difference in this area. It’s ridiculous.’
Experiencing poverty and regret as a human was a thing of the past, so Choi Yeonseung had never thought he would feel those things again as a constellation.
He clicked his tongue. ‘I just need to take care of myself.’
“Order the orcs to plow the land and plant crops that are good for detoxification so that they can farm.”
-I should’ve gotten used to it by now, but it still sounds ridiculous every time I hear it.
The goddess of sloth shook her head as she muttered to herself. It seemed that she would never get used to the orcs farming under Choi Yeonseung’s leadership. Those orcs had vowed to hit the ground with a hoe instead of the enemy’s neck with a sword.
...No matter how she thought about it, this lifestyle wasn’t fitting for orcs.
-In any case, since you’ve become acquainted with other constellations, why don’t you try interacting with them in various ways?
The goddess of sloth made a serious suggestion.
It seemed funny at first, but in reality, those kinds of connections were one of the strongest powers a constellation could have. After all, why did evil god constellations always self-destruct and fall despite their realms being favorable for expansion?
It was because of their nature. They were always suspicious of each other and their plans often failed because they stabbed each other in the back.
In comparison, that happened way less with the good god constellations.
-Aren’t I doing enough right now?
-You’re only doing a small part of it. They exchange treasures, household members, powers... The ways in which constellations can cooperate with each other are almost limitless.
-Oh... Wait. I don’t recall anyone doing that with me. What’s going on?
[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ apologizes for never doing it, but you were poor and weak...]
[The ‘Manipulator of Dreams and Desires’ looks away in embarrassment.]
“...”
Choi Yeonseung felt a pang in his heart as he listened to the confessions of the weak constellations.
-Eh, not everyone needs to do this. Besides, we don’t have much to exchange with each other.
However, he quickly brushed it off as if he didn’t care. In any case, his fundamental way of running the kingdom was self-sufficiency.
It was best to use what they produced themselves!
[The ‘Chef of Endless Gluttony’ says he will be busy fighting on Earth, so he would like to buy some food if it is okay.]
[He is willing to pay any price, so he asks if you can sell food.]
‘...’
-...
The other constellations, including Choi Yeonseung, were flustered.
Given the fierce invasion of the other constellations, the heat on the chef constellation had abated. However, it was still best to lay low and not attract attention to himself, but he was out there looking for food...?
-Shouldn’t you answer?
-Uh, selling food isn’t a problem, but...
After all, the only thing the orcs did all day was cultivating land and expanding the farming fields, so selling food was a piece of cake.
But he just felt it was absurd.
Nevertheless, thinking that this was just a transaction, Choi Yeonseung ultimately ordered the orcs to bring several bags of good food.
[The ‘Chef of Endless Gluttony’ thanks you.]
[You have acquired soul stones.]
“...!”
Choi Yeonseung was baffled, staring blankly at the soul stones... Had the chef constellation just made a mistake?
He quickly contacted the chef constellation.
[The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ asks if you need more.]
What an honor!
The chef constellation was very pleased. Given the terrible reputation he had made for himself rather recently, it wasn’t advisable for the Undefeated Incarnation of Training to do business with him, as the other good god constellations might frown upon him.
Nevertheless, the incarnation constellation still asked him if he needed more food. Only an honorable constellation with a strong sense of pride would do something like this.
No. I can’t cause you any more trouble. This is enough.
[...The ‘Undefeated Incarnation of Training’ encourages you to contact him again if you need more.]
Oh, how honorable you are! Yes, I shall keep that in mind.
***
‘Huh, turns out that you can make money with pretty much anything.’
Choi Yeonseung was surprised.
Even when he returned to Earth after decades of missing, he was surprised that hunters were making money through all sorts of unexpected ways. For example, they would livestream their raids or upload tutorials on how to use certain types of magic.
-I think it’s a bit different from that...
In that respect, the goddess of sloth was honestly glad that the crops grown in Choi Yeonseung’s kingdom were acknowledged by the chef constellation.
“Master, what should I do with the vampires?”
“Oh, yes, the vampires. Just explain the situation well to them. They’re more than welcome to take part in farming, but they don’t have to do it if they don’t want to.”
“Bu-but wouldn’t you feel bad if they missed out on such a great activity? If we make them do it, they’ll realize how great it is!”
Ganonvial was passing by, and he frowned in disbelief as he overheard what the orc was saying. There was no way vampires would love farming, surely...
“Master, that’s ridiculous,” the lich cut in. “Please send them to the new factories. Vampires make for good middle managers. A powerful aura of death permeates the new land, which makes it a great place for building a factory of undead.”
“You corrupt, capitalist lich bastard! Such a factory would destroy nature, and it would eventually suffocate us!”
‘...Is he really an orc?’
Choi Yeonseung was taken aback by what Garagoncha, the orc warrior, was saying. Had he grown more intelligent after training in martial arts and working hard at farming? Even if that was the case...
Ganonvial seemed just as bewildered as Choi Yeonseung. In fact, anyone in the Abyss would be lost for words after being criticized for destroying nature by an intelligent orc.
“A-ah... No, it’s not like that... But we need a factory...”
“Everyone, calm down. In any case, the plan is to put the new undead factory in the industrial complex. As for what to do with the vampires, I will respect their wishes. Go and ask them.”
“Yes!”
The orcs nodded vigorously.
***
“Would you rather befriend nature and farm or go to the industrial zone and whip the fallen undead prisoners into soulless objects?”
“???”
“???”
The vampires were baffled by the orcs’ explanation.
The orcs rushed at the vampires quickly after they arrived in the realm of their new constellation, frightening them. However, something far more unexpected happened next.
“We... want to farm...?”
“See!
“Haha! I knew it!”
The orcs danced excitedly around the vampires, but their moves were so aggressive and menacing that the vampires were even more scared.
What was going on...?
“These are the farm tools I made myself. I will give them to you as a gift, since you’ve come here. Take them.”
“Take these too. These are seeds that I’ve chosen myself.”
“This is the martial art that Master gave me. You have to learn this to become strong and farm well.”
“Ah, yes...”
The vampires played along for the time being. After all, those plows that the orcs were holding could also be used as lethal weapons...
‘Wait. This is a good god constellation. Why are there orcs serving him?’
The vampires picked up on something strange. Weren’t orcs supposed to serve evil god constellations?
“Now, let’s begin! We’ll help you!”
“No, wait. I want to ask you something...”
“Ask after we finish all the work! This land is vast, and there’s a lot to do!”
The vampires were once again surprised by the sight of the orcs wielding their weapons, or rather, their farming tools to plow the land. They were genuinely baffled to see the orcs farming instead of cutting off the heads of enemies...
More than that, they were surprised by the enormous strength they displayed despite not having any enhancement magic being used on them.
How was this possible...?!
“Hey, let’s quickly do what they’re asking. What if they get angry with us?”
“Th-that’s right.”
The vampires ultimately did as the orcs had told them. They didn’t want to get hit by the weapons, no, by the agricultural equipment in front of them.
***
‘I’m proud.’
Choi Yeonseung felt very accomplished seeing that all the realms in his kingdom were doing great, his subordinates working harmoniously. It was a very different sense of accomplishment from the one felt after winning a battle.
Perhaps a constellation’s main duty wasn’t to defeat and kill their enemies but to develop their own kingdom.
[The ‘Wandering Merchant Who Sells Destiny’ says he has received something good and requests a meeting with you.]
‘Uh... What should I do?’
Choi Yeonseung pretended not to see the message from the wandering merchant constellation.
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