Chapter 66: Changing Fate with Resources

Chapter 66: Changing Fate with Resources

"It's no use. It's completely broken."

Knight Conan looked at the dim, colorless communication crystal in front of him, his face full of dejection. The communication crystal was a unique tool on this continent, functioning similarly to video chat.

However, due to its high energy consumption, complex structure, and expensive cost, only large organizations could afford to use them. Ordinary civilians couldn't possibly own one, and now this one was in even worse shape—it was completely dismantled.

Alex shrugged as he looked at the communication crystal. He had learned from Knight Conan how the crystal worked, which was similar to radio communication.

However, the enemy was no fool and knew how to suppress communications through electronic warfare. In a different world, this would be considered advanced technological warfare.

"Mr. Alex, please think of a solution. To be honest, I'm out of ideas."

Knight Conan's voice was heavy with resignation.

"Hmm..."

Hearing Knight Conan's request, Alex furrowed his brow, pondering for a moment before he finally spoke.

"Given the current situation, I believe the most important task is to get the information here to the front lines and the rear. Since the enemy has cut off our communication, restoring it should be our top priority. Therefore..."

As he spoke, Alex glanced at the three people in front of him. Besides Knight Conan, Garrison and Fina had also arrived. After hearing about the outpost's situation, both were shocked and, of course, volunteered to stay and help.

"I suggest we split into three groups. One group should go to the fortress to inform them of the situation in the rear and hope they can come up with a plan to address the issue. Another group should head to the rear to notify the temple headquarters of what's happening here. The final group should track those cultists. Since they've cut off communication, they must be planning something. We need to find out what their objective is so we can be prepared."

"That's an excellent plan!"

Knight Conan's eyes lit up as he nodded repeatedly. He had considered a similar approach, but Alex's plan was more comprehensive. However, at that time, Knight Conan didn't have enough manpower to carry it out, even if he had thought of it.

But now, there was one more issue: how to divide the teams?

"I... I can go track the cultists!" To everyone's surprise, Garrison was the first to step forward.

"I'm a local. I know this area well. I grew up hunting in the forest with my brother, so I'm skilled at tracking. I can definitely find those cultists!"

"No."

Unexpectedly, Alex shook his head.

"Tracking the cultists is the most critical task of the three. The fortress and the rear only need accurate information. I'm confident that both sides will take action once they sense something is wrong. The worst-case scenario is a loss of time, but the cultists' objective is the most crucial. We don't know what they're planning, but based on Knight Conan's account, it's clear they're executing a well-thought-out plan, not acting on impulse. You're just an ordinary person; if something goes wrong, no one can save you, and we'd lose the trail."

"What should we do then, Mr. Alex?"

Fina asked anxiously. Alex glanced at everyone before making a decision.

"Here's the plan: Knight Conan, you'll go to the Fortress of Order. You're the only familiar face there, and only you can ease their concerns by going personally. As for the rear... I'll have to trouble Garrison and Miss Fina. Garrison is a local and knows the terrain. Miss Fina is a novice priestess of the temple. If Knight Conan writes a letter for her to deliver to the temple headquarters, they should respond."

"As for those cultists..." As he spoke, Alex pointed to himself.

"Leave that to me. Although I'm not very familiar with this area, I have some skill in tracking. Plus, I'm confident in my abilities. Even if I can't win, I can still run."

"This... Isn't it too dangerous?"

Knight Conan was concerned, even though Alex's plan made sense.

"Mr. Alex, are you sure you'll be alright on your own?"

"Yes, Mr. Alex, it's too dangerous to go alone. This place isn't safe, especially in winter..."

At this moment, Garrison also chimed in, trying to persuade him.

"Not to mention the Forest of No Return, the Dark Swamp is also a terrifying place. It's said that even Grand Knights don't dare venture too deep into certain areas. If you go alone, what if something happens?"

"Hmm..."

Hearing their concerns, Alex furrowed his brow. He had considered these risks but didn't realize how dangerous this place truly was. Alex felt confident in his time manipulation abilities and his two soul stones, thinking it would be nearly impossible for anything to go wrong. However, you never know what might happen.

After all, who can guarantee absolute safety in such situations? Moreover, Alex's dimensional teleportation was still on cooldown. If he encountered something beyond his control, he might not even have a way to escape.

Just then, Fina stepped forward, nervously raising her hand.

"Um... I have a suggestion. Why don't I go with Mr. Alex?"

"You?"

Alex was surprised, and Fina nodded firmly. "Yes. According to Mr. Alex's plan, we need two groups to rush to the fortress and the rear to deliver the message. But we don't have any spare horses here at the outpost, only the two we use for pulling carts. If I go with Garrison, I'll slow him down."

"Also, as Mr. Conan mentioned, the enemy has Destruction Mages. I'm a priestess of the temple, a spellcaster. I think I can be of some help in this situation."

"This..."

Alex was genuinely tempted by Fina's suggestion. Though she was a novice priestess, she had some ability. She was right that Alex had only encountered two spellcasters since arriving in this world—Ms. M and the Lich Lord—both of whom were incredibly powerful. The Lich Lord had even overwhelmed knights like Malt and Stone.

That seemingly harmless astrologer girl had summoned a star spirit, proving that spellcasters here were no joke. Given that the enemy had Destruction Mages, it wouldn't be wise for Alex to underestimate them. Even with his time manipulation abilities, there was always the chance of failure, and he didn't want to risk that.

Fina was also correct about the horse situation. With only two horses available, Garrison and Knight Conan each needed one, leaving Fina without a mount. Sharing a horse would be inconvenient and slow them down. In the end, Alex agreed to let Fina accompany him, while Knight Conan and Garrison would split up to head for the Fortress of Order and the temple.

Time was of the essence, and once the decision was made, everyone moved quickly. Although the cultists had killed all the battle horses in the outpost, the harnesses were still intact. It didn't take long for the group to prepare the two remaining horses and set out. After Garrison and Knight Conan departed, only Alex and Fina remained in the outpost.

"Mr. Alex, when should we leave?"

"First, we need to prepare some supplies. Unlike them, our journey might be more difficult. And I... need to make some preparations."

"Understood."

Without hesitation, Fina nodded and headed to the warehouse to gather supplies. Although the cultists had taken people, they hadn't taken all the supplies. They had burned most of the items, but some had survived. While what was left might not be enough for an entire outpost, it was sufficient for Alex and Fina.

"Phew..."

Watching Fina leave, Alex let out a sigh of relief. He then extended his hand, focusing on the spirit crystals he held. Before Knight Conan left, Alex had asked him for these. Although Knight Conan didn't know what Alex needed them for, he readily handed over the remaining spirit crystals from the fortress.

The outpost, being near the Fortress of Order, regularly killed tens of thousands of magical beasts each year, so spirit crystals were more plentiful here than elsewhere. Although the cultists had stolen most of the reserve crystals, Knight Conan, as the outpost commander, had some private stock, which he gave to Alex.

Alex felt a bit guilty... as he accepted them.

"Convert!"

As Alex whispered the command, the spirit crystals in his hand began to disintegrate into particles of light, which then disappeared into the air. Simultaneously, the converted crystal energy appeared before Alex's eyes.

"485 crystal energy... Adding the previous amount, that makes 575 crystal energy... Perfect!"

Seeing the energy displayed before him, Alex clenched his fists in excitement. Next up, it was time to summon his very own angel!

(End of this chapter)

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