Chapter 141: Dwarves, Quarrels, and "Unity"

In the personal office within the command building of the frontline base:

A shower system that allows control over hot and cold water with magic, and an air-conditioning system that regulates room temperature? Samuel Young (隋阳) read through the progress report prepared by Ada, silently admiring how, in every world, humanity always finds ways to push convenience to the limit.

After finishing the report, Samuel stood and moved to the right side of the office, gazing out through the observation window at the base and the forest beyond.

Magic...

Ever since stepping through the space gate into Universe 07, he had sensed the planet's unusually strong magnetic field, which also contained a wave-like energy similar to psionics. Combined with the intel gathered by Leon and Mike during their infiltration of River Creek Town, Samuel could confirm that this energy was the planet's unique power system.

This explained why phenomena considered extraordinary or against the rules in the prime universe were commonplace here. Leon and Mike's experience at their inn was a prime example, and there were also creatures like the photosynthesizing Greenleaf Wolves.

In contrast, technologies from the prime universe, such as nuclear fission or fusion reactions, would likely be beyond the understanding of the inhabitants of Universe 07.

As Samuel pondered this, his brow furrowed. Physical technology has hydrogen bombs—strategic weapons of mass destruction—so it stood to reason that the magical world here likely possessed some form of "super-level" magic capable of causing widespread destruction and serving as a deterrent.

The fact that the local civilization still relied on griffon riders to deliver messages to the various lords suggested, in Samuel's opinion, that it was more about demonstrating "authority."

He wouldn't underestimate the civilization due to its medieval appearance—if anything, this made him even more cautious.

Aside from magic, another piece of intel that intrigued Samuel was the mention of "dwarves."

Although Leon and Mike had yet to find any dwarves in River Creek Town and had only heard snippets about their existence, Samuel could already begin piecing together a likely image of this race.

In terms of personality, dwarves were probably much like those described in the literature of his former world and the prime universe—suspicious of strangers, but generous to friends, with a strong sense of justice, exceptional courage, and an unwavering stubbornness. They excelled in mechanical engineering and metalworking.

However, dwarves were also known to value shiny gems and jewels and could not tolerate thieves or betrayal. Their vengeful nature was formidable.

Physically, adult dwarves likely stood between 1.2 and 1.4 meters tall, but their muscular and stocky builds meant they weighed as much as an average adult human.

Samuel wasn't just focused on the dwarves. Their existence implied that other races like elves and orcs might also be present in this world...

Elves, orcs.

His gaze shifted from the window, and he waved a hand over a sensor on his desk, pulling up a holographic screen beside him.

After a few quick commands, the screen displayed a satellite view of Planet 07.

Staring at the red-marked unknown region at the southernmost end of the map, Samuel's frown deepened.

It was now clear to him that this world didn't just have magic, strange creatures, and diverse races. It also harbored some kind of "dark" force.

"..."

For some reason, the situation gave Samuel a strong "Lord of the Rings" vibe. But this wasn't Middle-Earth, and the "dark force" that could block the Ernio probes was certainly not Sauron.

An orbital strike, perhaps?

Samuel shook his head, quickly dismissing the thought. Without fully understanding what lay within that blocked-off region, he wasn't ready to use such extreme measures.

Furthermore, Ernio 007 had detected a significant number of heat signatures in the southern part of the planet, suggesting that the local civilization was massing its forces. The two largest concentrations of heat sources were positioned strategically, guarding key routes.

These two locations, situated to the east and west, appeared to be large cities, based on the outlines displayed. The heat signatures indicated that the local forces were gathering to try and prevent the "dark" force from spreading.

Suddenly!

A strong sense of foreboding washed over him, disrupting his thoughts. In his mind, broken and blurry images began to emerge.

He saw a group of "people" gathered around a magically inscribed sand table, engaged in a heated argument.

More than half of them were dwarves, clad in high-quality armor, with bushy beards and standing only about 1.4 meters tall.

The remaining group consisted of similarly well-armored individuals dressed in elegant attire. They were tall, and their graceful demeanor and speech reflected an air of elegance. Their faces were delicate and stunning, forming a stark contrast with the dwarves.

Their elongated ears quickly revealed their identity to Samuel—elves.

Among them were also a few human generals, bloodied from battle, who were divided into two groups, siding either with the elves or the dwarves.

Although Samuel couldn't make out the exact content of the argument, he could clearly sense the intense emotions behind it—confusion and resolve, fear and courage.

Judging by the castle setting, he speculated that these broken images were likely taking place in one of the two cities where the forces were concentrating.

At that moment, the argument between the dwarves, elves, and humans abruptly ceased, and they all turned their attention to a female elf.

This elf, dressed in a white robe over her armor, with waist-length golden hair, spoke calmly while looking northwest.

Aside from the argument scene, Samuel also "saw" Dorn and Volgen traveling with local dwarves, elves, and humans through a dimly lit tunnel.

The sense of foreboding slowly dissipated, but Samuel's furrowed brow remained. He understood that this was a premonition, a result of his unique constitution and psionic abilities.

The future was ever-changing, and the contents of these visions weren't set in stone. Samuel's will wasn't swayed by his abilities.

At that moment, his gaze drifted through the window toward the training ground, where his two sons were engaged in simulated combat.

He saw Volgen easily take down Dorn, prompting cheers from the surrounding soldiers, while Dorn's face turned bright red with frustration. The sight brought a genuine smile to Samuel's face as a father.

Given that Dorn and Volgen had a chance to serve as bridges of communication with the local races, Samuel decided not to keep his sons confined. Letting them explore would also help their growth.

Some time later.

In the southern continent of Planet 07.

Thick clouds loomed over the unknown region, shrouding the land in perpetual darkness.

Even at the edges, where some light could reach, the harsh environment remained unchanged—barren soil, dry air, and an inhospitable landscape where few plants or animals could survive for long.

Nevertheless, villages and towns had sprung up around the scarce water sources and oases in these borderlands, giving the area some semblance of life.

But now...

"For my master! For death!"

"Don't fear! Don't run... Join us! Hahaha!"

In remote villages and towns, grotesquely mutated creatures ravaged the land like wild beasts. Their twisted bodies seemed fused with the rusty armor they wore.

The townsfolk were either forcibly captured or brutally slaughtered, their blood soaking the cracked earth beneath their feet.

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