In the eyes of other races, mages were seen as symbols of destruction and killing.
The mages themselves, however, didn't think this way. If working together was more beneficial to their kind and their origins than destroying and sacrificing, mages were open to gentler methods.
Causing chaos and making the Titans fight among themselves didn't seem wise. Such methods could lead to irreversible losses. If one day the mages arrived and the Titans discovered who was responsible, given their straightforward nature, they would fight to the death.
So, Adam could join the war as a Titan, earn Honors, and contribute scientific achievements to the Intelligent, gaining the Titans' trust.
Then, when the time and information were right, he could reveal his true identity to the Royals. At that point, no matter what the Titans decided, Adam and the world of mages could respond easily.
Adam didn't want to resort to bringing a mage legion to invade Titania unless necessary. The Original Flames gave him a very good impression. A race with such a spirit of sacrifice should not become an enemy.
The Titans deserved to have their own civilization.
...
In the following month, Ironburg was peaceful.
After a large-scale attack, the Metal Eaters needed to lick their wounds and reproduce, while the Titans needed to rest and replenish their forces.
This calm was an unwritten rule developed from long-standing warfare, not easily broken unless full-scale war resumed.
During this month, Adam spent his time wandering around Ironburg. He left his footsteps everywhere except in sensitive areas; he visited the library most often.
In the library, knowledge on metallurgy, weapons, and energy required Honors to access, but general knowledge was freely available. Through this, Adam learned about Titan history.
The origin of the Metal Eaters was openly shared with all the people.
These formidable foes were actually created by the Titans themselves. In ancient times, a great Royal Intelligent used cells from creatures of another plane to create this race.
Originally, they were intended to be companion creatures for the Titans, to refine minerals, convert energy, maintain the flame, or serve as external weapons.
But that Intelligent and all the other Titans underestimated the Metal Eaters' abilities. Due to a mistake, the Intelligent's companion Metal Eaters rebelled. This single transcendent Metal Eater caused terrible losses for the Titans. Many Knights and even some Royals died, with countless casualties.
What was worse, after breaking away from the Intelligent, it turned and ruled over the other Metal Eaters. Because of the Titans' initial panic, many of the Original Flames were consumed, and the entire Metal Eater race evolved in both life form and power level.
They took over three-fifths of Titania's territory; they blocked and eroded all passages to other planes, and they'd become Titans' natural and mortal enemies.
Ironburg was just a regular city on the border defense line. There were hundreds of cities like Ironburg along the line, all maintaining the first line of defense.
This meant that in the war between the two races, the Titans were actually at a disadvantage. They were only able to defend passively.
"It seems this world is quite complex."
It wasn't just about the conflict between two races. Adam was more worried about the plane where the cells that created the Metal Eaters' parental bodies came from.
No matter what techniques and knowledge the Titan Intelligents used for modification, it was all based on the instinct of these cells. Adam had a feeling that in their native plane, there might be even more terrifying creatures.
"It's just the abyss, those beasts just eat and eat," a devil said disdainfully.
Just then, Windflame 222's voice came through the flame waves, "I'm leading a patrol to the south of Ironburg to clear out Metal Eaters that have crossed the border. Do you want to come with me?"
...
Outside the gates of Ironburg, Windflame 222 had transformed into a rocket launcher vehicle. He and nine other differently shaped Titans were making final preparations. Seeing Adam, he called out loudly, "Mithril kid, over here!"
"You're still a Novice, you don't need to fight. Just protect yourself, oh right, you can't even protect yourself," Windflame 222 said with a creaking noise from his body, sounding somewhat troubled.
Adam was about to say he could protect himself when he heard Windflame 222 say, "Just follow behind us. Bluewater 457 will shift some of the defense field towards you."
Bluewater 457, a twenty-meter-tall blue giant, glanced at Adam and said, "That's right, I'm a support type. Just stay close to me. I heard you were born just over a month ago? Don't be scared, almost every Titan has to go to battle. You're just starting a bit early."
Bluewater 457 was very friendly, but then again, it seemed every Titan was just as welcoming. They didn't see weaker members of their kind as a burden; instead, they went out of their way to help.
Another giant said in a deep and resonant voice, "The Metal Eaters groups appearing in the south are not very high level. If you're careful, you can benefit a lot from them. Their excretions are high-purity ore, which will be useful for your next advancement."
"Thank you."
"No need to thank us. All Titans would do the same. Passing on the flame is our common mission," Windflame 222 said spiritedly. "Let's go. I've recently taken a liking to a kind of high-grade concentrated energy. I'm going to kill a few Metal Eaters to earn some Honors and enjoy it to the fullest."
The Titans laughed and joked together. Despite being metallic beings, they had things they liked and their own hobbies, not much different from creatures made of flesh and blood.
Adam noticed that as they moved, they instinctively formed a formation. For a moment, Adam felt that no matter where he stood, he would disrupt the harmony of the formation.
Seeing Adam's dilemma, Bluewater 457 kindly pointed out a position, saying, "Remember the coordinates within the force field where you stand, and just move along this line. Be mindful to adjust your position with the fluctuations of the flame."
Once Adam followed the instructions and joined the formation, he found his flame had become part of a field, joining with other flames as energy nodes.
This field changed with the intentions of Bluewater 457, who was at its center. Miraculously, Adam instantly understood what he needed to do.
Windflame 222 said in a laid-back manner, "Right now, you're just enveloped in the force field, not truly a part of it. So, it's okay if you make a mistake. If you encounter an irresistible danger, just hide behind us or run away on your own."
"We'll be fighting several large groups with level-three Metal Eaters soon. They're not like the one you encountered when you were born. Don't overestimate yourself."
