Lords: From Civilization to the Stars.

Chapter 1 Brother, the Dark Gods Are Not That Dark

"...Brother, I think the Dark Gods may not be as dark as you say."

Looking at the confused young man in front of him, Ulfric, the Monster Hunter of Demon Peak, felt that his courage was not as strong as he had imagined.

He was even frightened by the world described by the boy.

Ulfric really couldn't understand how a person could be so cruel.

Although the wind and snow in the unknown uninhabited area outside the house were dangerous, Ulfric felt that the young man in front of him was more dangerous.

What he proposed was so cruel and horrible that one could not imagine it from the deepest nightmares.

At least the Dark Gods looked somewhat human, and what this young man said was simply not something a human could do.

"First of all, brother, the dark gods desire something more valuable. For example, completing some greater challenges and doing things that ordinary people cannot do."

Ulfric sat in his chair, choosing his words, trying to make his speech more rational.

It is ridiculous to ask a Norseman who makes a living by looting to talk about rationality, but Ulfric is trying to do so to maintain the stability and rationality that should exist in this world.

At least what this young man proposed was definitely not acceptable.

"As for the so-called fully automatic merit sacrifice factory you mentioned, I think the gods may not really like it."

"But didn't you say that as long as the conditions are met, the gods will bestow blessings?"

The young man who was politely imprisoned in the fur cabin showed a confused expression and asked in confusion:

“So what’s wrong with the factory?
Can't we even do without humans and use other intelligent creatures?
Humans remain pure, while all other races are thrown into dark factories. Isn't this a good outcome? "

"Um, how should I say..."

Ulfric scratched his head and racked his brains, trying to find a point in his meager knowledge that could refute the boy's argument.

"I really don't think that a centralized factory that puts ratmen or whatever in a narrow box, breeds them with the blessing of the loving father, sprays them with medicine with the blessing of Slaanesh for entertainment, manages and processes them in the way of the condor, and finally chops off their heads before dying in the way of the blood god can be blessed by the dark gods..."

“But it’s highly utilized.”

The boy looked sincere.

"We can create a country of our own in this environment. All we need is a pair of breeding partners."

"But, but I don't think it's good..."

"In the factories of my time, people could only sleep on ropes. I even gave them a space for entertainment and sleeping. Am I a cruel person?"

"..."

Sleeping on a rope? How?
Aren’t those Yankee factories a little too scary?

Why didn’t I see anything so horrible when I was robbing?

Looking at the confused young man in front of him, whose expression seemed really puzzled, Ulfric scratched his head for a long time as he looked at this tender-skinned guy who fell from the sky, but in the end he couldn't figure out what to do, so he could only raise his hands in surrender.

"...Okay, okay, Star Child. I admit that I like to brag a bit, and I really don't know what the dark gods have to do to like it.

But I think a person, or as a life, at least cannot achieve that level.

The high priest of our fleet was frightened by you and became sick. At least the dark factory is definitely not acceptable." "But you are clearly a slave society, why can't you accept this kind of thing?"

"Because living slaves create far more value than soulless rotten meat, but your method is soulless."

Looking at the young man who was about to say something, Ulfric had no doubt that he was a special individual, and quickly raised his hand to explain:
"Calm down, Star Child, and listen to me. I am now fully convinced that you are indeed a gift from the Dark Gods to us, but your wisdom needs to be curbed.

We are human, not like you. Even if we are servants of the Dark Gods, we cannot do such a thing."

"Okay, I have another question then."

The young man was sitting cross-legged on the chair, and for some reason, he sounded confused in the language he could understand.

"You said that the Dark Gods want the strongest warriors, the most beautiful women, the most intelligent lives, the most dynamic creatures, and all of these need war to manifest. And the Dark Gods need the most perfect individuals in war, right?"

"Ah, that's the theory..."

Looking at the young man in front of him, Wulfric felt that he was about to face a disaster. He felt that his worldview seemed to be challenged again.

As expected, the young man blinked and asked fluently:

"After death, I will go to the embrace of the dark gods no matter what. So why don't I live to rebel against the gods? And then use my own actions to prove that I am far more powerful than all the rubbish that has received the gods' grace?"

"Ah this..."

“Even on the side of order, I can even defeat the strong with the weak.

I will show my strength and beauty better, and be crowned the most powerful warrior after my death, right?
You also said that everything is a great game for the "Gods" here, so why don't I show a more valuable side of myself?"

"..."

Right, is that right?

Right?
It seems to be right, but it also seems to be wrong...

His mind was filled with all kinds of messy thoughts. Ulfric finally gave up thinking, patted his head, stood up suddenly, and saluted the young man.

"I, Ulfric the Monster Hunter, and our hunting fleet will follow your voice of the gods. Star Child.

But I hope you can temporarily curb your terrifying wisdom and at least listen to the opinions of us mortals."

“I think I’m pretty good at listening and improving.”

"That's good. You don't understand the world today and still need our assistance. That's all, really. As for those who oppose you, we will deal with them. Trust me."

"I see. Waiting for your news."

"Yes. Star Child, I'll take care of it."

It could almost be said that he was fleeing in panic. Ulfric took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and walked angrily towards the team outside.

But Ulfric didn't notice that after he pushed open the door and left, the boy's eyes behind him suddenly relaxed.

The young man with a calm, machine-like face already had unnatural beads of sweat on his back due to nervousness.

(End of this chapter)