The legend of the Crimson Demon clan started from Suqing.

Chapter 586 How about a game of Gwent... or chess?

God knows what Rick—this 18-year-old boy—is carrying on his shoulders.

If the settlement is really relocated, it may become even more difficult and painful in the future. And after losing a large number of people, can he really withstand the psychological pressure?
No, it would definitely be crushed instantly.

“Rick, are you interested in knowledge about other worlds?” Zun Zun picked up a handful of dust and wrote a word on the table. “This is the script of my world, called ‘Crowd,’ written by three people. Do you understand its meaning?”

"..."

“It is because so many people support each other that people are able to form a community. Rick, it’s time to rely more on others.”

That's what the Venerable One said.

Klonie and the others looked at Rick with hopeful eyes. They knew, of course, how painful Rick's life was, and they had always said so. However, he always dismissed their concerns, saying that if he fell, there would be another successor.

This time will probably be no exception.

He lowered his head secretly.

"...Do as you please." Rick broke free from Chlorine's embrace, stood up, and walked towards the door, speaking with his back to everyone, "Stay here as long as you want, but don't expect us to help you."

It's not that we're too exhausted to even try to survive, but rather that we can't help even if we want to, since there are no weak, pitiful, and helpless humans to help.

"No, you will definitely be of help."

Those red eyes seemed to see the future.

Just as Rick turned around, placed his hand on the doorknob, and prepared to leave the room—

“Rick. There’s a saying in my world: There are two kinds of death. One is true death, and the other is dying from the memory of others.”

"...Thank you for your knowledge, but at least I hope they don't die."

Rick closed the door.

—47 people.

He became the village leader at the age of 13. Within five years, the village population grew to over 2000. Typically, villages of similar size would see at least a hundred deaths each year. Under Rick's leadership, only 47 people died in those five years, but he felt extremely guilty about these 47 deaths, as they were all ordered to die by him.

Looking at the closed door, Ivan, equally dejected and disappointed, couldn't help but say, "Would it be better if I... just died?"

At least if he died, the settlement wouldn't be discovered, and Rick wouldn't be in such a headache and predicament.

"No, you're doing very well."

"really?"

"Well, at least Rick found some solace and redemption."

Zun Zun patted him on the shoulder.

Rick remembered the names of the 47 dead people. The number should have been 48, but the emotions he regained after being rescued by Zun Zun made Rick, who was relieved, lose his judgment.

He must be feeling conflicted right now.

Whether it's about Iwan or the settlement.

This is just like a hero who dies at the very beginning. He could have easily reacted to the trap, but he chose to die because he couldn't see the future and lost hope.

We're in the same situation.

Klonie wiped away her tears and smiled at Zun Zun, saying, "Although it's late, I still want to thank you for saving Ivan. Also... thank you very much for Rick's matter."

Although she hasn't yet escaped self-blame, she's already showing signs of it, so all that's left is to guide her properly.

"You're welcome. After all, I also need your help."

Zun Zun stretched.

As a key figure who could potentially end the Eternal War, investing in Rick at this time is definitely the right move, regardless of whether Rick or Thoth becomes the One God in the end.

"Oh right! You haven't explored the village since you arrived, have you? I'll show you the way."

"sorry to bother you."

He did not refuse Chlorney's kindness.

She probably didn't know how to thank Zun Zun, after all, the impoverished community had nothing to offer.

After that, Zun Zun integrated into the community.

The people here are actually quite different from Rick; they're not as averse to magic. The reason the settlement has nothing related to magic is simply because they're afraid the reaction would attract the attention of other races.

Of course, no magic was used.

Magic is magic, and so is so. If a human suddenly uses magic when they cannot, it is easy to be wary and rejected. So he lives like an ordinary person, farming, fishing, and feeding grass every day.

Thanks to her experience from several lifetimes, Zun Zun followed along without arousing suspicion from others.

Because of his handsome appearance, he was always pursued by girls.

Although no magic or magical items were used, it still indirectly affected others. For example, backward farming techniques were improved, fishing techniques were innovated, and methods of animal husbandry were also changed.

The development history has probably been pushed forward by about 100 years.

Rick remained completely unresponsive throughout, seemingly tacitly approving of Zun Zun's actions, or perhaps...

Then he tested Rick's limits by passing on his knowledge to Rick—with Kloni acting as his intermediary.

Actually, there are many things in another world that cannot be used in this world, such as magic, magical items, or potions, but there are also many things in common.

For example, science.

As a certain big shot once said, "The history of human development has commonalities." Since he can go to space and the moon, there's no reason why we can't create survival tools. At the same time, Zun Zun is also learning the language and culture of this world, as well as strategic deployments, etc. Of course, these are also being relayed to him by Kloni.

The two became each other's teacher and student, passing on their knowledge to one another.

This went on for about a month. Then one day, Kloni came to him, not to hand over Rick's books or take away his knowledge, but to ask him to go somewhere.

It was a workshop built by widening the cross passage of the cave, and in the center of the room was something that looked like a large pen holder.

The item above is quite damaged, and you can still see traces of repair, but only the lens in front of it is still clean and new.

"Come and look at this."

Rick said that.

"Is this... a telescope?"

“That’s right, an ultra-long telescope made by goblins. When it was first retrieved, it was a broken piece of scrap metal, but I never expected it to be restored to this state.” Rick touched the weld marks on the telescope. “This is all thanks to you, Venerable.”

"I?"

"Didn't Zun Zun teach me the law of light refraction? Thanks to that, I was able to adjust the lens ratio smoothly, and with the complex combination of multiple lenses, I can see even further than before! It's all thanks to you!"

Klonie's tone was unusually joyful.

If we're talking about who cares about this the most, it's undoubtedly her. After all, her idea led to the sacrifice of two people, and if all that's brought back is scrap metal, she'll feel incredibly guilty.

"With this, the need to send people out to scout will be reduced!"

"...Yes, that's right."

Deceiving.

This is just wishful thinking. No matter how cautious they are, if they want to find them, the human race will be discovered soon... No, even in this instant, it is not impossible that the entire mountain could be shattered simply because a stray bullet is flying by.

"And the technology that Zun Zun brought has led to greater harvests from farmland and fisheries, and milk production is gradually increasing... Ah, everything's been so good lately! Zun Zun, are you the god of luck?"

"Really? That's great."

"—Don't joke around, Chronie. Even Lady Luck won't be on our side."

Rick still harbored utter hatred for the gods.

This doesn't refer to simple atheists, but rather to those who, despite knowing full well the existence of a deity, still openly display malice towards them.

Klonie was also frightened by his distorted face.

"……Feel sorry."

Rick seemed to realize something and apologized, feeling bad, while Chloe kindly shook her head, indicating that it wasn't a big deal.

This is already good.

Compared to others who can only dream of hatred and loathing, Rick's ability to maintain this hatred is remarkable.

"Then……"

Rick looked at Zun Zun and said, "I asked you here today to ask for your help. Of course... you can choose not to, but I think you'll definitely be interested in it."

"What is it?"

"You must have rescued Ivan from the crashed goblin airship, right? And we actually got something from there—there's no point in saying it, you should be able to guess. Well then, I won't keep you in suspense any longer, we've discovered what may be the latest world map."

"Really!? Isn't that an incredible gain!?"

"I can't believe it!" Klonie exclaimed excitedly.

More than a world map, Zun Zun was concerned that the airship was being mistaken for an aerial warship, which was truly shameful.

Seeing that Zun Zun remained unmoved, Rick continued to speak.

"There are also power distribution maps for each faction, as well as strategic maps written in goblin language, though the content is mixed with coded messages. They should be very useful to you."

"Can I go find other races at any time, or join the great war...?"

Zun Zun immediately realized his intention.

But this is wrong.

Rick didn't want Zun Zun to leave or anything like that. Judging from the knowledge he had been imparting to him over this period, it was clear he wanted Zun Zun to become the next leader of the settlement, while he himself—

"Yes, but I have a request."

"tell me the story."

"Want a game of Gwent... wait, I meant a game of chess?"

"……what?"

Both Rick and Klonie opened their mouths in unison, looking completely surprised that Zun Zun would say such a thing at this moment.

"What's wrong? You should be sincere when asking for a favor, right? As long as you beat me, I'll agree to your terms."

"...Why chess? I'm really good at it, so be careful not to make excuses after you lose."

"I'll return this sentence to you intact."

So the two started the game.

(End of this chapter)