I Became a Genius Mechanic at the Academy

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What does it take to move people?

Edgar had contemplated this countless times while repeating the same failures for the past several hundred iterations.

In the end, to prevent humanity from being consumed by the Demon Church and to stop the large-scale invasion of demons, he needed to rally people together.

Thus, in the early iterations, Edgar used ‘truth’ as a guise.

He gathered evidence and data about the atrocities committed by the Demon Church and submitted them to the royal court or alerted the Academy’s board.

But ‘truth’ was utterly useless.

Ultimately, people only believe what they want to believe.

They didn’t listen to stories that offered no personal benefit.

‘I need to capture the powerful.’

So, Edgar thought of his second method.

That is, to win over the powerful and use their influence to provide the necessary force.

In reality, that approach seemed quite effective.

With someone like Elena, a person of power in the Empire, moving, the entire Empire had no choice but to follow suit.

‘Is this it? Just for the Empire…?’

However, this was only applicable to the Empire.

In this world, there were hundreds of kingdoms and numerous social communities beyond the Empire, and they were not bound by the Empire’s laws.

No matter how much Elena and the princess shouted, they were simply ‘people from another country,’ of no concern to them.

‘Is there a way to unite the other kingdoms as well?’

Afterward, Edgar pondered numerous methods.

The only awakening of the Empire wouldn’t help prevent the demons’ invasion.

He needed to think of a way to prepare the other kingdoms for the demon invasion as well.

In the end, the collapse of the world under demonic invasion was because various kingdoms had been corrupted by the ‘Demon Church,’ and those kingdoms became bases for the demons, leading to the downfall of humanity.

‘There’s no way.’

However, nothing worked no matter what he attempted.

Even if he excelled at the Academy, it only allowed him to establish himself within the Academy.

Trying to resolve matters through diplomacy also had its limits.

He could see no solution.

‘This time, it’ll be different.’

But after becoming Edgar Fix, things started to go well.

When he began to gather wealth based on technological innovation, a path began to unfold.

‘In the end, I need to have everything.’

And Edgar realized that to move people, he needed to equip himself with many things.

Strength and power. Enormous wealth. A paradigm shift that could change the world’s perceptions, among many other elements.

Thus, Edgar developed the Dreadnought Ship to open the world’s ports and sold them advanced imperial technology.

While it was essentially following in the footsteps of the Western powers, Edgar’s approach was much closer to modern trade based on mutual respect.

He allowed tariffs, preserving the industries of other kingdoms.

In that way, having expanded his and the Empire’s influence, Edgar informed people of the existence of the ‘universe.’

He shattered the logic of Count Cromwell, who insisted that ‘there are no Heavenly Beings,’ and proposed a new paradigm: ‘descendants of stars.’

People began to rave about the existence of the universe and the idea that they were ‘descendants of stars,’ praising Edgar.

‘In the end, the power that moves people is money.’

However, Edgar didn’t stop there.

Knowing that money was the most rational means to encompass human desires,

He fostered various businesses and literally swept in the money.

He transformed into an overwhelmingly wealthy figure unmatched by anyone.

‘Now it’s time to exert my influence.’

Afterward, Edgar spread that money across the globe.

Trade with other kingdoms fulfilled their desires (cold, hunger, underdeveloped technology), and accordingly, his recognition and influence began to expand.

He became known as humanity’s greatest intellect and technician, who shifted the paradigm. Also, he was dubbed the ‘savior of the hungry and the poor.’

“Let’s go make money~~~!”

And now, having reached the present.

Edgar successfully made numerous people voluntarily engage in battles using ‘stability’ and ‘money’ as bait.

By automatically returning supply suits and paying rewards according to the types and numbers of monsters defeated, he ignited a farming competition.

“Over here! The portal to Zone F is this way! Please line up in order!”

Many mercenaries and soldiers from various countries began to voluntarily participate in the battle.

Lines stretched as they headed to the designated battlefield, Zone F.

“Stop! Halt all deployment! Retreat orders have been issued!”

But at that moment.

A thunderous news sounded within the northern defense line.

It was a sudden retreat order now when everyone was busy trying to earn even a penny more.

“What do you mean! Retreat?!”

Naturally, complaints erupted.

There was no better chance to earn money as a mercenary, and suddenly receiving a retreat order made them furious.

“The monster count has changed. Normal close combat is no longer manageable.”

However, the host who issued the retreat order calmly explained the situation.

He pointed to the large screen at the front and continued.

“The monster waves grow progressively stronger. The initial monsters are mostly low-level; even if they are demonized, we can adequately reduce their numbers through close combat. That’s why we deployed you to Zone F to sufficiently diminish their count.”

“…”

“But look here. Now a swarm of heavily armored monsters is emerging. Facing such monsters, it’s clear we’ll lose money rather than earn it. You do know you lose 10% of your settlement funds every time there’s an automated return, right?”

“…”

The mercenaries scratched their heads in understanding as they listened to the organizer’s explanation.

Against such monsters, it was indeed difficult unless they were sword experts of intermediate level or higher, or sorcerers of the Elende grade.

Moreover, with high-risk monsters pouring in, engaging in close combat would be practically suicide.

“Ahem… so what should we do? There’s quite a stretch from Zone F to Zone A, and are we just going to do nothing until we reach Zone A?”

However, it felt too regretful to just sit idly by.

Most of the soldiers and mercenaries flocked here hearing they could make big money, but now they were told to stay put in the defense line where money was finally within reach, and it itched at their bones.

“Please wait. We’ll be able to redeploy once we reach Zone D.”

But the organizer confidently assured the mercenaries they would go back into action.

And then, as if waiting for something, he watched the front screen with anticipation.

One of the mercenaries tilted his head in confusion and spoke.

“Wait, we were given a retreat order because we couldn’t handle the monsters, and now you say we’ll redeploy in Zone D? What do you mean we’ll just lose money the moment we fight—”

“Just shut up and trust me. This is the plan made by Edgar Fix. If you don’t believe it, check the screen. The monsters will soon arrive at Zone E.”

But as the mercenary’s words were interrupted, the organizer pointed to the screen ahead with his chin.

The mercenary, still looking displeased, focused on the screen in front of him at the mention of ‘Edgar Fix’s plan.’

Finally, the mercenary could understand why he was told to look at the screen.

[Bang! Boom! Bang! Bang!]

A tremendous roar echoed throughout the space.

It was as if an earthquake had occurred.

Just by watching, he felt his insides churn.

Clemoa.

Explosive devices commonly used in the military began to rage simultaneously.

[Bang! Boom! Bang! Boom!]

“…”

The mercenaries viewed the scene in a daze.

The sight of landmines and Clemoas exploding.

A hellish scene where monster flesh and innards scattered in all directions.

[Shwap! Shwush!]

Moreover, that was not all.

Sharp spikes shot up from the ground.

Zone E was littered with various traps.

Clemoas, landmines, sharp spikes rising from the ground, flamethrowers, acid fountains, and countless other deadly things for living beings.

As that massacre ended and thick smoke cleared, only numerous corpses and a few monsters still clinging to life remained.

The tenacious, or lucky, monsters began to pass into Zone D.

The organizer turned to the mercenaries and said.

“Now, the first wave is complete. Let’s go finish them off.”

***

The morale of the mercenaries skyrocketed.

They could leave the tough monsters in a half-dead state and would receive 100% payout for simply finishing them off, raising their morale to the skies.

This was truly like receiving free money.

Everyone praised Edgar Fix, who had orchestrated all of this, as they rushed into Zone D.

All they would have to do was poke the dying monsters to end them.

“Just as planned.”

However, all of this was Edgar’s plan.

Creating opportunities for mercenaries to earn easy money was calculated into his strategy.

Because the essence of being a mercenary is ultimately ‘fighting for money,’ and to provide them with strong motivation, one must grant significant rewards at the beginning.

And the principle behind this was similar to ‘beginner’s luck.’

Just as many game companies use the superstition of ‘beginner’s luck’ to quickly immerse players into the game, Edgar sprinkled rewards early on to immerse the mercenaries into combat.

Once that happened, they would expect to gain rewards easily and heighten their willingness to fight.

“But it won’t be easy from now on.”

However, up until now, it was just a precursor.

Currently, the number of monsters heading south towards the Empire was in the millions.

The monsters Edgar’s forces had dealt with were but a small fraction of that.

And those were merely the weak monsters with diminished physical and intellectual abilities.

It was merely a reconnaissance operation.

“The real challenge lies ahead.”

Edgar knew well.

He understood that as time progressed, the morale of the mercenaries who participated here would dwindle.

After all, the ‘real enemies,’ the true threats, would emerge in the latter waves of the monster waves, making it harder to boost the mercenaries’ morale.

He understood this better than anyone.

“Iv, is the World Tree preparation going well?”

However, knowing this fact better than anyone else, Edgar was thoroughly prepared.

He had set up various devices to boost the soldiers’ morale.

[Yes. Synchronization is currently 76% complete, and it’s proceeding smoothly. We’ll be able to deploy on schedule.]

And ‘that’ he prepared along with the World Tree was one of the ‘devices’ Edgar had arranged.

It was the ‘Titan,’ armed with powerful mechanized weapons, formed by combining hundreds of golems.

It meant that the emergence of the ‘giant armored soldier’ was just around the corner.