With the portal gone, the corrupted mana cleared up. The few remaining demons couldn't survive without the corrupted mana. They would die even if they were left alone, but the soldiers made short work of them. The two mythical-grade demons were also vanquished by Umeza and Four Winds.
Everyone checked their comrades to make sure everybody was fine. Four Winds and his guild members started picking up the loot. Jack didn't join them. The loot here was theirs.
"Thank you, King Storm Wind," Kabaka said. "I'm truly grateful."
"After what your country suffered while we borrowed your national treasure. This is the least I can do, grand chief," Jack replied.
Kabaka nodded. "You are an honorable man, king Storm Wind. I hope you stay that way."
"I'll try my best," Jack said.
Kabaka smiled. "In that case, I'll also try my best to persuade my council members and the public. I hope the day when our two countries enter a formal alliance will not be far."
"I'll be very happy when that day arrives," Jack returned the smile.
They stayed at that fort for a little more while. Kabaka gave some instructions to the soldiers there. Since the portal was closed, there was no need to remain in this fort anymore. This fort was built solely for the portal, it held no strategic advantage. The troops were to return with him to Urg Chomir and from there, they would be reassigned to other posts.
Jack rest at one of the fort's sleeping quarters while he waited for them. Kabaka had invited him back to the palace to celebrate the portal closing. Jack didn't have the heart to turn the orc down.
When it was past afternoon, everyone was ready to leave. They marched back into the town and arrived at night.
Kabaka already sent word, so a feast was waiting for them when they arrived. The grand chief told Jack this was just a small taste compared to the celebration he prepared at Magna Masat's palace, which they would teleport to tomorrow morning. Kabaka figured everyone was tired already so they should just spend the night here in Urg Chomir.
Jack went around chatting with Kabaka and Umeza before he came to Four Winds.
"So, how does it feel managing a country and a guild at the same time?" Jack asked.
"Province, not country," Four Winds corrected. He then answered, "I have less time for my personal development, but it is a good experience. I like it."
"Well, I always peg you for a leader-type person," Jack said.
"And I always peg you for a not leader-type," Water Lily joined the conversation. "I heard you rely on a lot of other people to do the leading."
"Haha… You are not wrong," Jack laughed awkwardly.
"Everyone relies on someone. I also rely on you and the others," Four Winds said to Water Lily. "There is no way one person can achieve much. That's why people team up and form groups. An Individual can never challenge a corporation. A corporation can never challenge the government. The one with the biggest number wins. That is always the rule."
Four Winds then turned to Jack, "That is why you are here. Trying to secure an alliance with Verremor."
Jack nodded.
"But why?" Four Winds asked. "As a gamer, everyone who plays a country simulation game will try to expand. Win the game by dominating others. I believe you are an experienced gamer. I thought you would have wanted to conquer the world when you became a king. If so, the right strategy according to a famous strategist is to befriend a distant state and strike a neighboring one. But instead, you are befriending a neighboring state and preparing to strike a distant one."
"It's because this is not a game. I'm not trying to conquer the world," Jack answered.
"This world sure feels like a game to me," Water Lily said.
"There is something that you are not telling us," Four winds said. "Why are you so concerned about Liguritudum? To me, they are just a bunch of gamers who try to win this game world by domination. I'm planning to work my way up Verremor council and join that conquest race as well. May the best gamer wins. Isn't that how it should be?"
Jack stayed silent as he contemplated. He then said to the two, "Can we find someplace quiet to speak?"
Four Winds was as if expecting this. He gestured for Jack to follow. The three went to a small room next to the hall where the feast took place.
Inside the room, Jack and Four Winds sat while Water Lily locked the door.
Jack then told them about the truth of the world. The identity of Master who was the cause of what happened to the world and what his objective was. He told them if the Liguritudum army managed to conquer the world, Master would have the authority to more easily gather the divine treasures for his attempt at Godhood.
Four Winds and Water Lily stayed silent throughout the narration. They didn't doubt Jack's words. Jack's past actions supported his story, there was no reason for him to lie to them. This also explained why Jack tried so hard to turn Verremor from an enemy into a friend. All because he knew who the true enemy was.
"These divine treasures Master covets, one of them is what gives you the lightning power?" Four Winds asked.
Jack nodded.
"And Master has a way to tear it out of you?"
Jack nodded again. But then he remembered during his escape when he was captured, Syndrillis unleashed quite a powerful flame breath at the roof where they were. The machine that was used to pull Leavemealone's Fire God Blessing was also engulfed by the flame. He wondered if it was destroyed. He hoped it was. He was sure the machine was an alien entity, and an alien entity couldn't be produced in-game. But even if the machine was destroyed, maybe Master has a spare?
"Do you know where the other divine treasures are?" Four Winds asked. "I fought your guild member who has a similar power to you but of the fire element. I assume he also possessed one of the divine treasures?"
Jack nodded. He then said, "As for the remaining five. Master has three of them. I know of another one, but I'm sorry, I won't disclose the owner's identity. The last one is unknown."
"It's fine. Hm… This puts everything in a new perspective. Thank you for sharing this truth," Four winds said.
"I believe you are an honorable man who won't bend his knees to Master, that's why I don't mind telling you," Jack said.
"You are right. I would rather die than be a slave to a wannabe God," Four Winds said. He glanced at Water Lily and uttered, "My friends have the same opinion as me."
Water Lily nodded. "We will do our best to oppose the World Maker. We can…"
She suddenly stopped.
"What's wrong?" Four Winds asked. Water Lily gave a sign to indicate that she was reading a message.
While Jack was wondering what message Water Lily had just received, Jack also received one from John.
"Expert, come back. We have just received the news that both Liguritudum and Aurebor's armies were marching towards Hydrurond Dominion."
