I Became a Level -99 Vicious Lord

[Note: ”Book of Reconciliation” changed to ”Scripture of Reconciliation”]

After Camille collapsed.

“Tsk, tsk.” Kairos, holding a bat, clicked his tongue at Otto.

“You useless fool.”

“What, man?”

Otto squinted his eyes.

“Why am I useless?”

“If you can’t handle a single subordinate properly, then what else can you be besides useless?”

Kairos sneered at Otto.

“Instead of making subordinates follow you voluntarily, you have to knock them out and forcibly bring them along. Tsk, tsk, tsk.”

“Hey, you!”

Otto burst into anger.

“Is he the kind of guy who listens obediently? No matter how nicely I speak, he doesn’t listen, so what should I do?”

“That’s because you’re incompetent.”

Kairos chuckled.

“In the old days, with just one word from me, subordinates would tremble in fear. Many were even willing to die if I commanded them to. Hehehe!”

“Oh, really?”

“That’s right! My words were law and truth!”

“I suppose so.”

“What?”

Kairos opened his eyes wide in surprise at Otto’s sulking.

“Well~ because you’re a self-proclaimed false religious leader~”

“False… religious leader?”

“In your final years, you went crazy and claimed to become a pope and establish a new sect…”

From Otto’s mouth, Kairos’s past—whether it was true or not—came pouring out.

Kairos, originally a former monk from a certain sect, was quite a religious figure.

“Nonsense!” Kairos yelled in anger.

“Dare to compare me to a false religious leader like that! I was merely trying to reform the sect!”

“Yeah~ but you failed~”

“…!”

“Your subordinates, who were supposed to tremble in fear at just one word from you, betrayed you, right?”

“Th-them…!”

“So talented~ so capable~”

Kairos became quite agitated by Otto’s words, but couldn’t say anything, just like a mute person who had eaten honey.

Most of Otto’s words were true, making it impossible to refute.

“You better pact your stuffs as well. Keep that guy, Camille, tied up tightly to the saddle”

Otto pointed at the unconscious Camille with his finger, giving Kairos orders, and then continued packing.

In order to find the artifact called the ‘Scripture of Reconciliation’.

***

‘Territory Wars’ was a strategy simulation game where players became lords of territories, managing and battling against other factions.

However, it couldn’t simply be defined as just a strategy simulation game because it also had strong RPG elements.

Players who played ‘Territory Wars’ had the ability to grow their chosen lord character.

Moreover, it was possible to enhance the character’s abilities through various items.

But that’s not all.

Players could bestow various effects on their managed faction through special items called Artifacts.

For example, a 4-star (★★★★) grade artifact item called the ‘Bountiful Harvest Totem’ could increase food production in a specific area by a whopping 200%.

A 3-star (★★★) grade artifact item called the ‘First Umbrella’ would make it rain in a specific area.

These artifact items had great value and utility since they could grant various effects to the player’s managed faction.

In particular, certain artifacts contained miraculous powers.

One prominent example was the ‘Scripture of Reconciliation, which Otto was going to find this time.

The effects of the 5-star grade artifact, ‘Scripture of Reconciliation’ were as follows:

[Scripture of Reconciliation]

Uniting as one beyond conflicts and divisions.

Great Sage Eldorogon
Description: A sacred scripture created by the Great Sage Eldorogon.

Classification: Artifact

Grade: ★★★★★

Effect: All subjects within the faction, centered around the lord, share the same values, harmonize, and cooperate with each other.

“Definitely need to obtain it.”

While packing, Otto thought about the ‘Scripture of Reconciliation’

The “Scripture of Reconciliation” was an artifact that greatly facilitated the gameplay environment, akin to a cheat code.

Players of ‘Territory Wars’ inevitably expanded their territories through conquest wars.

The problem was that conquest alone was not enough.

When conquest activities increased, public sentiment inevitably declined.

Conflicts arose between existing subjects and newly incorporated subjects, making it impossible for public sentiment to improve.

When public sentiment declined, orders didn’t work well, and the likelihood of rebellion increased exponentially.

Therefore, gamers had to invest a tremendous amount of time, money, and effort to appease public sentiment after engaging in conquest activities.

However, with the ‘Scripture of Reconciliation,’ there was no need to go through the trouble of gaining public sentiment.

Existing subjects and newly incorporated subjects would get along well with each other, completely eliminating the possibility of internal divisions.

Furthermore, unity among subjects greatly strengthened the faction’s power. It goes without saying.

That’s why high-ranking players in ‘Territory Wars’ always sought to obtain the ‘Scripture of Reconciliation’ to make their gameplay environment pleasant.

(I need to acquire it quickly and return back.)

With that determination, Otto packed his belongings diligently.

***

A few days later.

Otto and his group arrived at the small city of Lucerne, located at the foot of Kashmir Mountain within the former Kingdom of Roshan’s territory.

Kashmir Mountain was an incredibly high mountain, reaching over 5,000 meters above sea level.

To put it into perspective, it was higher than the highest peak of the Alps mountain range.

Of course, it wasn’t as high as the Himalayas, which reached over 8,000 meters. But it was still remarkably tall.

Just climbing Geumjeongsan or Hallasan, which fall slightly short of 2,000 meters, required considerable physical stamina, didn’t it?

Anyway, as soon as Otto and his group arrived in Lucerne, they unpacked their belongings at the inn and took a rest at the tavern on the first floor.

“Why did we come to this backwater village? Ugh.”

Kairos gulped down his beer and asked Otto.

“I told you. We came to find the Scripture of Reconciliation.”

“Then where is it?”

“The Dwarves live in the caves within Kashmir Mountain. It’s there along with the tomb of the Great Sage Eldorogon.”

“The Great Sage Eldorogon? Never heard of that guy. What kind of swindler is he? How did he manage to earn the title of Great Sage?”

“Oh, right. He appeared about a hundred years after you died, so I guess you wouldn’t know.”

“Hmm?”

“That’s right. He’s such a variation.”

“Variation…?”

“He’s a Dwarf who obtained the title of Great Sage. Quite an unusual case.”

“What? You’re saying a stubborn Dwarf species produced a Great Sage?”

The Dwarves in this world were a talented race with innate abilities in various technologies and arts.

However, they had significant personality flaws.

Dwarves were generally eccentric, belligerent, and sensitive.

As Kairos said, their stubbornness was so strong that it was said to be impossible to persuade a Dwarf.

For such a stubborn race, it was not surprising that a Dwarf achieving the title of Great Sage, a symbol of wisdom, left Kairos astonished.

In the Dwarf community as well, the Great Sage Eldorogon received special treatment.

“So, all we need to do is defeat the Dwarves and bring back the Scripture of Reconciliation or something?”

“Defeating them can be dealt with later. First, we need to find the cave where the Dwarves live.”

“Can’t we just barge in?”

“We need to know the way before barging in or not.”

The Dwarf village in Kashmir Mountain was located inside a massive cave within a mine.

To reach the village, one had to navigate through winding tunnels like a maze.

The problem was that, except for the Dwarves living in the village, it was almost impossible to navigate through the tunnels.

The tunnels were so intricately intertwined like a maze that, without any information, trying to find the village blindly could lead to getting lost and starving to death.

Even though Otto had extensive knowledge about this world, he didn’t have the confidence to find the Dwarf village.

“So, how do you plan to reach the Dwarf’s village?”

“We need to find a guide.”

“How do you plan to find a guide?”

“If we stay here long enough, we might encounter a Dwarf who can guide us.”

In response to Otto’s planless answer, Camille opened his mouth with a cold smile, clearly mocking him.

“If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be better for you to sit under an apple tree with your mouth open? You never know when an apple might fall.”

Camille seemed somewhat dissatisfied that Otto had forcibly brought him along, even causing him to lose consciousness.

Indeed, once Camille woke up, he even swung his sword at Otto, intending to kill him.

“And which mad Dwarf would guide another species to their village?”

Dwarves were a very closed-off and xenophobic race.

Therefore, they generally ignored or antagonized other species.

“Well…”

Otto smiled calmly at Camille’s sullen remark.

“He’ll probably show up soon. That mad Dwarf.”

“Perhaps you should pray…?”

At that moment.

-Creak!

With the sound of an old hinge, a person with a sturdy build wearing a hood entered the tavern.

Although their face was concealed by the hood, anyone could tell from their physique…

“That can’t be.”

Camille muttered with skepticism evident in his silent whisper.

***

“As expected.”

Otto smiled when he saw a golden exclamation mark floating above the Dwarf’s head as he entered the tavern’s bar area.

(It’s just right. I thought there would be a day or two difference.)

The Dwarf sat in a corner of the bar.

“What can I get you?”

The bartender asked the Dwarf.

“Hmm.”

The Dwarf rummaged through his pockets, searching for money.

However, there was nothing in his pockets except for dust, not even valuable items like gold coins or gems.

He was penniless.

“What can I get you?” the bartender asked again.

“Well…”

“Could it be that you don’t have any money?”

When bartenders frowned.

At that moment…

[Notification: Quest ‘Kindness to a Stranger’ has been triggered!]

The quest details were as follows:

[Kindness to a Stranger]

Description: Approach a stranger and speak to them, showing a little kindness.

Type: Scenario Quest

Reward: None

As soon as the quest appeared, Otto stood up from his seat and approached the Dwarf right away.

Then he addressed the Dwarf, wearing a hood.

“If it’s not too much trouble, may I buy you a drink?”

“No need.”

The Dwarf immediately rejected Otto’s offer.

“I may not have money, but I still have my pride. I don’t need any help from humans.”

At that moment…

-Rumble!

A thunderous sound came from the Dwarf’s stomach.

The sound was so loud that most people in the vicinity could hear it.

And that’s not all.

-Tremble.

Seeing the Dwarf’s trembling hands, it was evident that he was in a weakened state due to prolonged hunger.

“I’m not trying to offer help.”

Otto gently smiled at the Dwarf.

“I can tell that you’re a Dwarf, a race known for their skills and artistry. I just wanted to treat you to something.”

“Hmm?”

“Am I an idiot? I know perfectly well how wealthy the Dwarves are.”

Although Dwarves were known for their skills and artistry, at their core, they were miners no matter what others said.

As a race that primarily lived in the mountains and mined various minerals, Dwarves were generally well-off.

“It’s just that you forgot to bring money, right?”

“Well, yes.”

“So, can’t you give me a chance to treat you?”

“Ahem!”

“If it bothers you so much, you can repay me several times over later.”

“Well, that’s only fair…”

“Here, a refreshing mug of makgeolli, no, a whole jug. Please prepare a variety of food as well. Focus on meat.”

Otto smiled widely at the Dwarf.

[Notification: Quest ‘Kindness to a Stranger’ has been cleared!]

The quest was cleared, and then…

[Notification: Quest ‘Kindness to a Stranger 2’ has been triggered!]

A follow-up quest appeared.