Everyone Is A Lord: My Talent Is A Little Too Strong Chapter 2734: 1501: The Lord's Inquiry and Deployment (Part 2)

“Fully follow Lord Brave’s lead; based on the ‘Corrosion’ assault rhythm, no further strikes should occur today.”

With a welcoming gesture from Old Book, the group was led back into the Grand Temple for respite, as he began his explanation.

From Old Book’s account, Leo Ray gained deeper insights.

Following the Era of Blankness, the survivors of the Silver Fire Kingdom rapidly revived its splendor, elevating the Human Clan to the summit among the Ten Thousand Clans, rivaling powers such as the Elf Tribe. During that era, while tensions simmered between the Ten Thousand Clans, no full-scale conflict erupted.

Yet, this calm phase proved short-lived; the onset of ‘Corrosion’ soon plunged the Ten Thousand Clans into chaos, resulting in the downfall of numerous minor factions one by one. Only top-tier powers like the Human Clan held their ground, though suspicion among them led each to focus solely on their own survival.

That changed when the God’s Stones of these major powers started shattering successively.

“True enough, it was only after the surviving clans set aside their grudges and united that the Deity manifested, imparting various methods to combat ‘Corrosion’ and ushering in a wave of new Chosen Sons of God.”

Within the refined lounge of the Temple, Old Book directed the servants to serve Leo Ray and his companions with confections and steaming tea before proceeding, “Thanks to that, we’ve endured until now, safeguarding the final haven untouched by ‘Corrosion.’”

“So, the Deity didn’t show up right from the start?”

Leo Ray reflected on this and gave a nod.

“Precisely. At first, Divine Revelations reached us solely via the God’s Stones. Had the Deity guided us sooner, our position might not feel so precarious today.”

Old Book let out a deep sigh in reply.

“And those Dwarf Soldiers we saw at the fortress before?”

Leo Ray sipped his tea and posed the next query: “This city doesn’t appear to have any Dwarf Elves around.”

“Lord Brave’s observation is keen. In the beginning, Dwarf Elves coexisted with the Human Clan, inevitably producing many Half-Dwarf Elves—beings whose lifespans, while shorter than pure Dwarf Elves, greatly exceed those of regular humans.”

Old Book topped off Leo Ray’s tea and went on, “This wasn’t inherently problematic, but as the fight against ‘Corrosion’ escalated, the numbers across the Ten Thousand Clans plummeted sharply. Despite their brief lives, the Human Clan breeds far quicker than long-lived species, making the choice obvious.”

“Thus, preserving human bloodlines better supports population growth?”

Leo Ray grasped the implication of Old Book’s statement instantly, his thoughts racing.

Back in the Human World, every powerhouse coveted the extended years of other races for deeper cultivation. Astonishingly, in this realm, that very trait emerged as the Human Clan’s supreme strength.

“Spot on, which is why the Dwarf Elves willingly relocated entirely to the fortress, opting to shield human well-being. After all, greater numbers of warriors ensure victory against ‘Corrosion.’ They even yielded vital resources to the Human Clan.”

Old Book heaved another profound sigh. Though humans enjoy reverence—and rightfully so, having won the admiration of the Ten Thousand Clans—they shoulder the utmost burden, perpetually at the vanguard against ‘Corrosion.’

Gazing upon Old Book’s weathered, experience-lined features, the assembly sank into quiet reflection.

Undeniably, relative to their own domain, the inhabitants here had faced trials beyond comprehension.

And should the Great Catastrophe strike their lands similarly, scattered efforts would likely yield the same grim fate.

Such reflections drew all eyes to Leo Ray. Thankfully, their Lord championed unity among the Ten Thousand Clans, igniting a spark of hope amid the gloom.

In the midst of the pensive group, Moli displayed unease, her crimson lips pressed firmly together.

She well knew the peril at stake; if her Forest Elf Tribe persisted in isolation like other elite factions, the consequences were clear.

Even supposing she returned unscathed and convinced her tribe’s obstinate Elders, those arrogant elders would likely dismiss her. What difference could she make? None at all.

Sensing the thickening tension in the air, Leo Ray drained his hot tea in a single gulp and voiced his final inquiry: “City Lord, has an Otherworldly Lord ever arrived on these shores?”

“To Lord Brave, none have. Vast swathes of the outer territories lie corrupted, with the Ten Thousand Clans clustering around Human Clan strongholds to build massive cities against ‘Corrosion.’ Most Demon Beasts have fallen to ‘Corrosion’ as well. There’s scarcely space for an Otherworldly Lord to endure.”

Old Book shook his head in response, “Only recently, from earlier brave arrivals, did I learn of Otherworldly Lords and their existence.”

“Got it; the reality here exceeds our worst fears.”

With all questions cleared from his mind, Leo Ray adopted a grave demeanor, inclined his head toward Old Book, and declared, “City Lord, should you genuinely seek to defend this place, I have several assignments for you.”

“Speak freely, Lord Brave; as those called by the Deity, you represent this city’s salvation. I’ll offer complete support, of course.”

Old Book affirmed with enthusiasm, replying without pause.

“Very well, I’ll be direct.”

Leo Ray set aside his teacup and outlined the plan.

First, summon the remaining commanders equipped with Divine Stone Weapons.

This would allow him to enhance their armaments promptly.

Second, gather every piece of gear in the city.

He wouldn’t merely improve and redistribute them; instead, he’d substitute with his own stock.

From prior clashes, his supplies sufficed to elevate all troops’ gear by at least one level.

Such superior equipment would undoubtedly bolster the city’s defenses considerably, while the gathered items would swell his reserves.

Third, amass the city’s magic medicines, magical scrolls, and similar upgradable goods, which he’d enhance via exchange too.

“Clear, I’ll handle it immediately!”

Hearing Leo Ray’s directives, Old Book swiftly set arrangements in motion.

Over the ensuing day, Leo Ray executed the strategy, tackling each task in turn.

He not only raised the city guards’ gear, magic medicines, and scroll stockpiles by a minimum of one level but also refined four more Divine Stone Weapons, swelling his collection beyond six hundred.

“Now, the challenge lies in devising a pretext to hand out these Divine Stone Weapons.”

Standing at the Temple’s entrance, Leo Ray bore a thoughtful look.

Handing over just half would dramatically enhance the city guards’ resistance to ‘Corrosion’!

This leap in strength would render past ‘Corrosion’ onslaughts trivial to repel! Put differently, securing the city grew far less daunting!

“Hold on, that doesn’t add up.”

Leo Ray’s forehead creased abruptly, his face turning stern.

The guiding voice had long recognized his abilities and could foresee his moves.

Under those conditions, it still drew him here, suggesting profound complexities.

Recalling how the voice had thrust him into deadly traps twice before, endangering his life, its pattern implied this venture brimmed with threats too.

To be exact, the guiding voice clearly doubted his ability to safeguard this city with ease!

“Is ‘Corrosion’ plotting some grander assault? What might it entail?”