Reincarnated Hero System

Chapter 1260: The Baseline for Interplanetary Conflict

Leoglor’s suspicion of Evan was obvious, and it made Evan chuckle as he waved his hands and replied.

"No, no no. Even I don’t have that much foresight. I did know your daughter’s name, but I had no idea what she looked like.

It’s only recently that information dissemination has improved enough that we can easily match faces to the names of nobles from other continents."

"An improvement that you have much to do with," Leoglor remarked.

Evan went silent at this, his faint smile fading as he met Leoglor’s eyes with a serious gaze.

"Exactly what are you implying?"

Leoglor turned to Taher, who nodded silently to give him permission, and the man began speaking.

"To put it bluntly, as you said earlier, we know you made significant investments in the final stages of the development of trains and airships.

Your collaboration with Kasteblum on their Public Teleportation Waypoint Project is also known to us, including the fact that you used your influence to have those waypoints installed in nations like Hobha, Wolfen, Osmaoque, Goshya, and Zoskye.

Televisions, you were behind them. Your deal with the Utraria Republic’s president is also something we’re already aware of."

Leoglor paused, a ring on his hand glowing as a phone appeared in the air, and catching it, he waved it in front of Evan before continuing, "As for these smartphones, it was almost entirely a joint collaboration between you, the Great Eastern and Western Empires, Kasteblum, and the Utraria Republic."

Setting the phone down on the table and sliding it to the centre, Leoglor finally asked his question.

"You seem to have a vested interest in information dissemination. What’s your goal?"

It was a direct question, so Evan responded just as directly.

"War is coming. Not a war between nations or continents, but one that will involve the entire world."

"Are you referring to the rift on the Dark Continent opening once more?" Taher asked.

"Yes," Evan replied immediately. "I used to be concerned that you national leaders knew almost nothing, but meeting Chief Grand Magus Gavin made me realise how mistaken I was to think that.

But I still believe I know far more than you do."

Evan then raised his hand, magic power gathering within it as he spoke with a slightly louder voice, addressing everyone in the room.

"Has any of you ever seen the Dimensional Rift with your own eyes?"

"...No. It’s protected by the Dragons of the Dragon Empire. They wouldn’t permit anyone entry."

Taher responded on behalf of everyone present, and at this, Evan raised a finger of his other hand and corrected him.

"Anyone they can see, that is."

The magic power in his right hand spread outward, and as light particles gathered to create a hologram, Evan continued speaking.

"I’ll let you all in on a little secret. I was on the Dark Continent a few months ago, mere hours after the battle of the Wild Lands.

I went there to inspect the Dimensional Rift."

When he finished speaking, the hologram was complete, displaying a massive projection of the Dimensional Rift Evan had seen months ago, covering half the room.

"It’s...huge," Sharon muttered.

"I’ll have you know this hologram has been scaled down dozens of times," Evan remarked, making the princess’s eyes widen slightly.

’That means it’s hundreds of metres wide!’

"The Dimensional Rift’s seal is weakening," Evan said, cutting off Sharon’s thoughts. "It’s going to break eventually, and those on the other side are far from kind enough to let Aidos place another seal on it.

They want this world to add it to their collection of conquered worlds."

Of course, that was far from the truth. Gozon wanted Aidos to be conquered on Beatrix’s orders, but Evan wasn’t about to explain the relationship between him, Beatrix and Artemisia to them.

Shifting his gaze from the hologram, he faced Leoglor and said, "Trains, Airships, Teleportation Waypoints, Televisions, Smartphones. In the current Aidos, these are all technological advancements, but these things have been commonplace on that world beyond the rift for thousands of years."

"And how do you know this?" Taher asked before Leoglor could speak, and Evan responded candidly once more.

"I know this because I’ve seen it with my own eyes."

The other three at the table all regarded him with strange expressions, and at this, Evan exhaled lightly, leaned back in his seat, and continued.

"A lot more happened in Kreah in Year 1054. Due to the machinations of the FCDs, I was sent to another world, one on the verge of being conquered by the same world that invaded Aidos a thousand years ago."

"Another world?!" Sharon exclaimed, unable to hide her shock, while Taher and Leoglor eyed Evan with suspicion.

"Don’t forget that the threat posed by the FCDs was great enough that I had to summon Artemisia herself. They intended to get rid of me by sending me into a war-torn world, but with Artemisia’s help, I was able to learn how to return to Aidos as quickly as possible, though not before experiencing a portion of that war’s harshness and seeing the technology the invaders have wielded for thousands of years."

After revealing a very concise version of his trip 10,000 years into the past, leaving much room for interpretation, Evan continued speaking,

"Their information networks are far more advanced than Aidos’, and when it comes to war, I suppose you, as rulers of this nation, should understand how valuable a fast and reliable information network is."

"...You’re preparing the world for war," Taher muttered.

"I’m bringing this world up to the baseline required for Interplanetary conflict."

Silence filled the room after he spoke, and after a few seconds, Leoglor said,

"It seems I was too suspicious of you. I apologise."

"No worries," Evan replied. "It would be stranger if you weren’t skeptical. I clearly do have ulterior motives, as do the leaders of the Alpha Continent who support me and back my actions."

’Saving Aidos is only a means to an end for me, after all.’

Evan kept that thought to himself, dismissing the hologram and turning his gaze toward Taher.

"About the International Law..."

"Worry not. I’ll make sure it doesn’t come into existence. Even if another nation decides to side with Solaris, we can always take them to the International Court."

Taher responded calmly, even presenting a backup plan in case the original strategy to pressure the Solaris Union didn’t succeed.

"Very well then. Pleasure to have your cooperation."

Evan rose after speaking, preparing to leave, when suddenly he lightly clapped his hands and turned back to Taher.

"Ah, one last thing. I intend to visit the Elven Empire next, having already scheduled an appointment with the Elven Emperor. My plan is to go with my fellow Alpha Continental Hero, Laurene Hayes, and for that to happen, she must first come to my current location so we can both travel to the Elven Empire.

My current location is your capital, and since she is foreign royalty, I ought to inform you before I bring her in, using one of the mobile teleportation waypoints like the one I provided your daughter."

"Rudeus’ daughter, huh? And which location do you plan to use for this waypoint?" Taher asked.

"Not decided yet, but it will be in one of the properties I’ve expressed interest in purchasing in your capital," Evan replied, drumming his fingers on the table. "Once a decision is made, I shall inform you, and the Princess will offer her greetings before we depart for Lustea."

"Very well, then."

Taher’s response earned Evan’s thanks, and he left the room. Once his presence could no longer be sensed within the Palace, Taher glanced toward the corner and asked,

"So, what do you think?"

The shadows flickered, and four men and women emerged, Sovereigns of the Aelum Kingdom holding titles as ’Special Advisors’ of the Royal Family.

One of them took an empty seat at the table, shaking his head lightly as he said, "Her highness’ estimation was lower than the reality."

Sharon’s eyes narrowed slightly at this, and noticing her reaction, the man waved lightly.

"Don’t let it bother you. It’s simply a matter of Level," he said, then turned to Taher and continued, "The way I see it, Evan Eris is doing it intentionally. He’s carefully controlling how much power he shows to each person, depending on their strength."

Hearing this, Taher nodded, a complicated look in his eyes as he muttered, "So he really has the world fooled. Let’s see how long he can maintain this ruse."