Mythos Of Narcissus: Reborn As An NPC In A Horror VRMMO

"When you think that you possess enough power to defend your people, you can go to the Anthropocentric Order and have one of their Anthropriest assess your citadel if they meet the requirement for the Pillar of Aegis." Kuzunoha chuckled. "Most of the time, it will take a month before they deem that your citadel is safe enough to be one of the pillars."

"And after the security, we need a strong economy, huh."

After the Pillar of Aegis, came the second phase: Pillar of Forge, otherwise known as the Industrial & Engineering Tier.

The second tier of a citadel proved that the civilization has taken a great advancement on production, invention, and craftsmanship. The Pillar of Forge needed to have artisans, builders, and engineers who ensure that the Citadel remains self-sufficient and technologically advanced. Self-sufficient from weapons to infrastructure, ensuring that the Citadel doesn't just survive but thrives.

In a bastion, resources are often limited, with survival taking precedence over innovation. The Pillar of Forge ensures that life is constantly improving.

"What happens if a Pillar of Aegis falls before they become a Pillar of Forge?" I asked.

"They it will become a fallen citadel, simple as is~"

"Are you implying that a citadel occasionally falls?"

"They do, especially if we use centuries as the measure of time."

"Nevermind, I forgot that I asked an ancient hermit."

And lastly, the Pillar of Lumina, otherwise referred to as the Intellectual & Cultural Tier.

The third tier and phase of a citadel will need to possess a strong enough defenses and advancement, enough for them to be able to devote their civilization to knowledge, governance, and culture.

Scholars, artists, and leaders make up the essence of the Pillar of Lumina, as they are crucial for the citadel's eternal development in both intellectual and governmental realms.

After all, the Pillar of Lumina needed to ensure that their civilization is not just physically protected but also culturally rich and intellectually vibrant.

Education and enlightenment are core values here, in stark contrast to a bastion's focus on survival. The Pillar of Lumina cultivates a firm innovation, philosophy, and the arts, making it a much more fulfilling place to live.

"While a bastion may offer temporary refuge in times of danger, it lacks the long-term vision and infrastructure that the citadel provides." Kuzunoha weaved her hand, conjuring her arcane dust to construct animated imagery of what a citadel should look like in the eye of the beholder. "A citadel is built for the future, offering not just safety but a life of opportunity, stability, and growth.

It is a place where people can dream, innovate, and build without the constant fear of collapse."

In the citadel, you are not just surviving—you are thriving.

"And then there are still people banding together to form an independent bastion, I assume—aside from being part of the guild, citadel's military, or relic hunting."

"Well, dreams are precious resources that can turn the world around, after all~"

The private lesson about the citadel was very useful and informative.

We also planned to continue this kind of teaching in the future, since I had already broken my all-knowing impression a long time ago.

"I'm a good student to have, no?"

"We'll see the result of your heightened education with time, Narcissus."

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the golden light cast a strange glow over the fractured mobile landscape.

The bastioneers were gathering around a central fire pit, resting in shifts to conserve energy amongst the quake. Though, some were still performing the work that they can handle.

Naosi heeded my command to maintain the supply of the bolt for the bastioneers' crossbows. There was also Erika who was able to help carve the wooden ammunition with her talon. I was quite surprised that her talons were that sharp, she might need her own personal armor that allowed her to move easier and claws her way through danger.

Amelia, ever the disciplined soldier, took up a post at the perimeter, her gaze scanning the landscape with calm vigilance. She nodded to me as I approached.

"Any luck in deciphering what's happening out there, Leader?" she asked.

"Not exactly," I replied, watching the horizon with her. "But Kuzunoha believes it's not a natural quake. More like an ancient force moving the pieces of the world around."

Amelia's expression tightened, but she simply gave a firm nod. "If even someone as wise and old as Madam Kuzunoha doesn't have a clear grasp on what is happening, then maybe it's just another will of Carcosa itself."

"Is there a legend pertaining to this?"

"Indeed." Amelia lightly smirked. "However, unlike Naosi, my memory pertaining to it has been erased by the Inquisition, so I know nothing of the details regarding the legend you're curious about."

"The Inquisition is persistent, huh."

"You'll find their annoying and endearing side soon enough."

"... Looks like you got me." I snickered.

"It is rare for a fairy to come in contact with a civilization, after all." Amelia grinned vibrantly for the first time ever. "Let alone one that leads a pack of humans to build a bastion, sharing her precious wisdom and knowledge to mortals without any sacrifice prompting the action."

"Well, your people died, and some of them become women now."

"I guess we're just very lucky then,"

"I don't know what kind of experience you went through to even deem that tragedy as a lucky incident."

'I'm still living and breathing. Usually, that's enough."

"Can't agree more."

Overtime, the earthquake became not as noticeable, but the changing landscape and the moving bits of the region were still ongoing and strong.

Regardless, we were glad that we no longer need to be constantly massaged by the ground whenever we lean onto something.

In the flickering firelight, Verina sat beside Lupina, who had quieted somewhat, taking in the surreal scene around her. Her head rested on a sturdy stone, her golden eyes observing everything with a renewed intensity.

"This is still… well, it's something, alright," Lupina mumbled, a faint hint of wonder in her voice. "I thought I'd seen and experienced strange things, but this whole head thing takes it."

Kuzunoha joined us, her gaze falling thoughtfully on Lupina. "Imagine the stories you'll have to tell," she said with a faint smirk, "Once you're back in one piece."

"Hikh!"

It might be me, but Lupina seemed to be wary of Kuzunoha for some obvious reason.

As evening began to settle over the bastion, I felt an odd calm and readiness consuming the group.

We had stabilized our little piece of Carcosa amid a shifting world, even as the earth continued its tectonic dance beneath our feet. The Geodryx was also called off, and we were back to time before we faced the Ordeal head-on—minus the relentless training and focus.