Gods, Ashes Descend

Chapter 55 Sword in the Lake

War was approaching, but Li Wei and his men continued with their usual routines, some daydreaming, others diligently patrolling.

Li Wei did the math for these killers: each person had 2 souls, but each person could have ten offspring in their lifetime. Was that a lot?

If you're really ruthless, you could have a whole football team of kids, it wouldn't be a problem.

So let's not expand the scope of the war. Just crush this wave. Anyway, this is just a preliminary operation. We can launch a bigger one next time.

If I fight too hard and collapse the country, and then leave, that old Deng from Hillary's grave might jump out and take advantage of the situation, causing a few more massacres and killing a lot of people. That wouldn't be worth it.

Let's go to the cyber world first, get some equipment and technology to crush them. Besides, there are too few of them. Even if we throw tens of thousands of strong men out, they'll only make a splash in a world. We'd be lucky if we could control one or two countries.

They can't just wander around committing crimes; that's too low-class.

"Boss, how about we raise water ghosts? We've discovered that these things eat everything and reproduce quickly, just like goblins in games. And they can survive not only on land but also in the sea."

"That's the problem. They eat everything but don't produce anything. Raising intelligent life might be slower, but it could serve as a logistical support system."

If production capacity can keep up in the future, we can find a large lake to start aquatic ghost farming industry, and then find a place to raise some scavengers as garbage cans. These things really eat everything, so nothing is wasted.

"Boss, that's brilliant!"

"So I'm the head, hehehe~"

As Siska prepared to knock on the door, she suddenly felt that coming here might have been a mistake.

She already had a picture in her mind: the dead elves gave up their souls, their bodies to the water ghosts, and their remains to the carrion demons—truly, nothing was wasted.

But she gritted her teeth and knocked on the door anyway. She could only choose the lesser of two evils when it came to the impact of outsiders on this world and the elves.

Doing something is better than standing idly by.

Many choices often lead to unintended consequences, but you never know if your choice was right until the outcome happens.

She can only see with her own eyes.

Li Wei and his friends noticed someone at the door, but they assumed it was one of their own and only came over to play on the computer because of the kill. However, when they found the boss inside, they decided not to continue working in the game and leaned against the door to wait.

Upon hearing the knock, Li Wei called out without hesitation.

"Come in. It's a bit slow for Ken to mine alone. Come over and turn on a machine for me to mine coal."

"If you need coal mines, I know a few places."

The crisp sound made Li Wei turn around and see a stunning older sister in palace attire, though her pointed ears were a bit of an eyesore.

Li Wei knew this woman; she was a difficult girl to judge, but a competent politician.

After waiting a while, they sold their old friends of hundreds of years, the Warlock Brotherhood, and Old Deng of the Gravesites to exchange a habitat for the elves of this continent that had been almost burned by the northerners: the Valley of a Hundred Flowers.

Although it's called a Grand Duke, it's really just a count's territory, and there's only one path to follow. However, considering the incredibly miserable state of elves in this world when they're actually real elves, well, it's hard to say.

However, Li Wei curled her lip, thinking, "He doesn't have the bearing of a queen, yet he wants to be one. Thumbs down."

He pointed to a computer and began to speak.

"I roughly know why you came here. Want to try an isekai game? It's a great way to kill time and one of our flagship products."

Siska looked at the blocky little figure in the picture, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes, but she suppressed it and asked Li Wei politely.

"It seems you have no concern whatsoever about the impending war."

Li Wei continued to turn back and repair the old house he remembered, and answered aloud.

"This can't be called a war yet; it's just a small, localized conflict. Believe me, you don't want to see what a real war is like."

If you want to sign a contract, then you've come too early. You'll have to wait two or three years until we come back next time to truly begin.

As for allies, sorry, we don't need them.

Siska had originally intended to subtly suggest war support to Livy, to help him stall the Brotherhood of Sorcerers, and then make demands, but she had to swallow her words.

Since the other party didn't care at all, Siska could only bring up another matter. In order to determine Levi's character in a very short time, she had begged the Lady of the Lake for a long time.

The Lake Maiden's Sword can only be wielded by someone possessing the five virtues: benevolence, wisdom, generosity, honor, and courage. Even if one cannot wield it, one can still illuminate the runes on it to observe which qualities Li Wei possesses.

Siska bowed slightly and made the suggestion.

"So, sir, are you interested in the divine artifact? We would like to invite you to try and lift our legendary sword. How about we move to the riverbank?"

Li Wei was certainly interested. He wanted to steal Geralt's belongings, even if he failed, he could at least see them. The sword in the lake was powerful enough to be charged and glow, but he didn't know if it could emit light waves.

"certainly."

"Then please follow me."

Siska didn't open the portal. After all, entering a stranger's portal is impossible. She asked the Lady of the Lake to give up her high-class image and move around, since there's only a river in White Orchard.

She walked to the riverbank with a group of people who had come to join in the fun. Siska chanted a few spells with hand gestures, and a cool, graceful figure appeared in the river. However, she had no intention of appearing in front of Li Wei.

It's too hot, and our horoscopes don't match.

A magnificent longsword stood upright in the river, its blade covered in runes that seemed both mysterious and awe-inspiring.

"Please, the river has been enchanted; you won't fall in."

Li Wei walked over with shining eyes, grabbed the sword hilt, and said, "Come on, curry stick."

As Li Wei gripped the hilt, the blade flashed with light, and runes lit up from top to bottom, the more runes lit up, the brighter Siska's eyes became.

However, the black patch in the middle prevented Li Wei from owning the sword.

Facing Li Wei's questioning gaze, Siska explained in a slightly happy tone.

"This rune represented glory in ancient times, but glory can be cultivated, and that's not difficult."

No, that's difficult. Who would want to have something like Glory when they're just a backstabber or throwing shit at someone? Besides, Li Wei is a modern person and doesn't really understand what Glory is.

Moreover, since they're planning to become civilized robbers, it naturally has nothing to do with honor.

However, I still have some pity for myself; that damned nine-year compulsory education is still chasing me.

Li Wei let go and sighed. He had done his best to prevent these killers from going completely insane.

"Ken, you're a proper knight, come and give it a try."

"No problem, boss."

Li Wei watched as Ken gripped the sword hilt and realized he was far less skilled than him; only two out of five runes had lit up.

Glory and courage.

Li Wei patted Ken on the shoulder with a sigh.

"While the most obvious way to show trust is to let your brain wander when you're out with someone, it's still best to keep it in mind."

There's no need to try the rest. Wisdom is one thing, but kindness and generosity are not the qualities of someone who would be stabbed twice even by a mouse.

Li Wei thought of Onion Bro, the most chivalrous character, and everything else was fine... but the "wisdom" aspect really stumped him.