Chapter 41: Still Say They’re Not Here for You?

At the same time, on the frontlines.

Origami Tobiichi, Schwi, and Riku were in the command tent, discussing their next moves.

"According to the latest reports, the missionaries have discovered two more human tribes in the southern archipelago, totaling around eight hundred people, and successfully converted them into believers. The entire southern region is now undoubtedly under the dominion of the Spirit God's faith."

Standing before a large world map, Riku placed a game piece on the southernmost islands. "After months of continuous campaigns, among all our believers, the Werebeast number thirty-two thousand, with twenty-four thousand capable of fighting. The human race numbers nine thousand, and with the newly discovered tribes in the south, we barely reach ten thousand. The number of Corpse Hunterss is about fifteen hundred, and the Vampiric race totals one hundred and two, all of whom are battle-ready. This is the general strength of our forces."

Hearing Riku summary, Origami Tobiichi nodded slightly.

Though her face remained expressionless, a faint joy rose in her heart.

As expected, expansion was the best way to grow the number of believers.

Had she listened to Schwi thirty-year development plan back then, there was no way they could have amassed such a formidable force now.

From just over two thousand humans at the start, their numbers had increased fivefold, with nearly every one of them being a core or even fanatic believer.

Starting from the weakest beastman tribes, they'd gradually challenged and subdued the strongest ones. After annexing the entire southern beastman population, their total numbers had reached thirty-two thousand.

Although most were shallow believers and only a few had genuinely converted their faith, the sheer population size meant the overall faith value they generated was still considerable.

As for the Vampiric race, there wasn't much to say—they likely claimed to be followers of Tokisaki Mio in name only. Their true aim was to blend into the faction led by Origami, which had now conquered the southern Lucia continent.

"At our current pace, how much longer until the Spirit God awakens?" Schwi asked. "This answer is extremely important for making decisions going forward."

"Not enough yet. We need more," Origami replied. "The momentum of expanding believers and territory must not stop."

In truth, she had no idea how fast the faith value was accumulating or how far along the progress was.

But it didn't matter—even if she did know, it wouldn't change her decision to keep expanding their power.

After all, the larger the faction, the sooner Tokisaki Mio would descend. And the higher the completion rate of side quests one, two, and three.

However, upon hearing her answer, Riku expression turned slightly troubled.

"The entire southern region is already under our control. If we want to keep advancing, our only option is to move northward." He pointed to the central and northern areas of the Lucia continent. "But doing so will bring us into contact with the forces of the Ex-Machina."

In fact, the land Origami and her forces currently stood on was, nominally, part of Ex-Machina territory.

It's just that the Ex-Machina didn't care much for the south. Their capital, outposts, and fleets were all situated toward the continent's center and north, where they were locked in a standoff with the forest elves.

Over the past few months, with so much activity in the south, there's no way the Ex-Machina weren't aware.

But perhaps due to the appearance of the Flügel and their disdain for lower races, they hadn't taken any action against Origami human and beastman forces, instead letting them develop freely.

However, if Origami chose to continue heading north, a direct confrontation with the Ex-Machina would likely become inevitable.

Though the Corpse Hunterss had grown significantly through the fires of war—some of the strongest among them were now able to hold their own against multiple Werebeast—it was still asking too much for them to face the Ex-Machina's magic technology and countless fleets.

"A standard Ex-Machina fleet usually consists of one mothership, twenty escort ships, and about three thousand soldiers," Schwi said, her eyes flashing with data streams. "Based on Schwi calculations, even if we mobilize all available fighters, our chance of defeating one Ex-Machina fleet is 39.76%."

"And how many fleets do the Ex-Machina have in total?"

"Standard fleets: ten. In addition, there is a Capital Defense Fleet, whose combat power is triple that of a standard fleet."

"The Ex-Machina aren't like the Werebeast; we can't pick them off tribe by tribe. Attacking one fleet is the same as declaring war on the entire Ex-Machina race," Riku sighed. "We don't even have a 50% chance of winning against one fleet—against the whole race, our chances are almost zero."

Unlike the Riku from the original story, this version had not been driven to desperation thanks to Origami presence.

In the original, Riku and his tribe had nothing to lose—they were already at rock bottom. So they dared to play all the races against each other, hoping to come out on top.

But now, with humanity thriving, there was no need to gamble everything. Riku preferred a steady, calculated approach.

"It's fine. With the Flügel here, the Ex-Machina won't act recklessly," Origami said calmly. "Besides, they're in a delicate truce with the forest elves right now. If they make a move, the forest elves will respond, and then the Ex-Machina will be caught in a two-front war."

"Speaking of the Flügel..."

When the race was brought up, a trace of worry crossed Riku brows. "Why did they suddenly relocate from their original base to the Lucia continent? Don't you think that's suspicious?"

"Schwi already thought it was strange the moment she learned of it," Schwi agreed. "From what Schwi knows of the Flügel, coming to Lucia would only hurt their interests. Unless they had some other reason, it makes no sense."

"Could they be targeting us?" Riku glanced at Origami. "Or more precisely, you—and Tokisaki Mio?"

His suspicion wasn't without merit.

If the Flügel had learned that someone was attempting to awaken a slumbering god, they would absolutely want to interfere.

And recently, the Flügel—who usually enjoyed roaming and hunting—had mostly remained quietly on Avant Heim, almost like they were biding their time for something.

All these signs made Riku uneasy.

However, Origami knew that wasn't possible.

Because she had been the one to invite the Flügel here in the first place.

Among the Flügel, she was even considered a special individual created by Artosh, and held high status within their ranks.

But there was no need to explain all that to others—it would only complicate matters.

"The Flügel definitely didn't come for me..."

Just as Origami was about to change the topic, she suddenly sensed a powerful presence.

In the next instant, both she and Schwi looked up simultaneously.

Before they could act, the command tent was forcibly ripped open, exposing them to the outside.

Up in the sky, a figure with a halo over her head and wings on her back looked down at Origami with an amused smile.

"Long time no see," said Jibril.

At her words, both Schwi and Riku turned to look at Origami.

The meaning in their gaze was crystal clear:

Still say they're not here for you?