“But can I really take this?”
“Of course.”
The day after finishing up business in the Empire, in the southern continent.
Yena, who had just acquired some land, scratched her chin like a confused hermit and asked.
Just a day ago, most of the southern continent belonged to the vast Empire, but now the master had changed.
“Well, since the person in charge has changed, the one who should own it must be different too.”
“Hmm… I’m okay with it, but I wonder if it will really work out…”
After all, saying the owner has changed is just my opinion.
There’s no actual system backing this up, and the key positions managing the south still belong to the Empire.
“Probably, except for users like me and Lord Leo, no one else will be able to influence it.”
“Don’t worry. We have debts with the Empire.”
“Debts?”
Among the things Duke Huangyeol did, breaking promises and provoking me were bad, but the most serious one involved none other than ‘Reina.’
The root cause of the demon beasts popping up and the one who executed the forbidden experiments: Reina, the magical researcher of the Empire.
Normally, she should’ve been turned into a complete idiot like the Magic Lord, but this time she’s the most crucial figure in the demon raid.
Duke Huangyeol wanted to keep her whole, and after much thought, I placed Lasty’s blood seal on her heart.
“If she pulls any funny business, her heart will stop immediately.”
“The fate of Reina’s life and death is in my hands, so she can’t act recklessly. For now, she’ll pretend to cater to me.”
“…? For now, huh?”
“Eventually, the raid will end.”
Although I hold Reina’s life in my hands, once this is all wrapped up, I’ll ditch her like the Magic Lord and hire someone else.
By that time, they likely won’t hesitate to reclaim the lands lost without me watching.
Of course, after experiencing my wrath, they might refrain, but I’m not so idle as to care about everything happening across the continent.
I wouldn’t be able to prevent the Empire from slowly nibbling away at things over time.
Even if the Empire doesn’t snatch it back, other external forces may come looking for land that lacks the name ‘Empire.’
Yena shuddered slightly, as if the thought of that day frightened her.
“Ugh. Don’t tell me the Empire is going to come crashing in?!”
“Before that happens, you need to establish a solid foundation. Miss Yena, hire trustworthy people while you still have power.”
“Um… There aren’t really any trustworthy residents…”
“It’s hard to find trustworthy residents.”
“Well, it might be better to aim for the king’s position while I’m at it.”
“King… are you serious?”
Yena’s eyes sparkle.
Her ears perk up with interest and her tail sways gently.
She used to show her emotions quite clearly, but since becoming a beastman, it’s almost as if her inner and outer selves are the same.
“Yes. Lord Leo is already preparing to ascend to the throne with the help of the Spirit Lord. Some other users are also climbing up one by one.”
“Ooh…”
“Plus, Miss Yena doesn’t have good relations with the kingdoms, right? It might be better to take the position directly rather than sending another resident as a representative.”
“Hey…”
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Yena’s tail is wildly wagging.
At this moment, she probably envisions herself sitting on the throne commanding numerous people.
Yena, who always wanted to be successful, must be dreaming of something even more grand than I’ve thought.
After a while of daydreaming, Yena suddenly swallowed her drool and regained her composure.
“Ahem. But I have a question…”
“You’re back.”
“It’s not that… why are you giving this to me? It wouldn’t be strange if Lady Lily kept it all for herself.”
“Are you sure? I already have plenty.”
“They say the more, the merrier. The more land you have, the better, and this could be an opportunity to develop just like the Empire.”
We’re talking about land amounting to 30% of the empire.
If I gain this and the Spirit Lord succeeds in independence, the continent could be split into three.
And I might be able to raise a kingdom called Elbrite to the level of the Empire.
Of course, managing such vast land might be a bit overwhelming, but with Lasty, Pharaoh, Serrek, and the Demon King of the One, managing it shouldn’t be too hard.
However, I took the risk of giving away all the southern land to other users to avoid being robbed again.
“I’m not really suited to be a king. Just a small piece of land would be fine.”
“For someone who isn’t suited, you seem to do well as the duke.”
“I just took it for content needs. I need a place to rest inside Deoen.”
Although there are times when I manage to persuade and gain ancient islands or deserts outside the continent, I fundamentally don’t like conquest.
“If I really wanted to conquer, I would have demanded more.”
“And giving the king’s position to Lasty would be a big problem.”
“Why? Can the professor not handle it? Or does she mistreat people?”
“No.”
If it were that, I wouldn’t even bother saying anything.
“Lasty turns the humans under her command into vampires. Even if they have no will of their own, once she takes the throne.”
“Even if you have no willpower, just sitting on the throne is enough.”
One of Lasty’s ancient powers.
Those under Lasty will naturally transform into vampires over time, even if they don’t have their own will.
That’s why, when Lasty dyed half the continent with her blood in the past, vampires were everywhere.
“That’s why it was a more desperate battle.”
There were mountains of those who had been consumed by the magic of blood and could no longer return to their original human form.
That’s the reason Pharaoh could become an emperor again, but Lasty cannot become a lord.
─…I can’t help it either.
“I understand.”
I hear the grumbling from within the space.
Of course, that ancient power was implanted by the top-class demon who was experimenting on Lasty, so even she couldn’t do anything about it.
All she can do is endure in her coffin to avoid returning to the throne.
Yena nodded as if she understood.
“So, what you’re saying is, it’s better for others to take it than you?”
“…Is that so?”
“Above all else.”
“Above all else?”
Perhaps the most important reason.
“Because it’s more fun, right?”
That’s the fundamental reason why I still haven’t quit broadcasting despite making a lot of money.
‘This way is more entertaining.’
Haha!
Yena burst into laughter.
“That’s right! For broadcasters like us, fun is the most important thing!”
Nodding vigorously, Yena quickly maneuvered and shot up into the sky.
The dark sky opened like a split.
From above, three demon beasts jumped out, and the white flowers bloomed like snowflakes, cleaving the beasts’ necks in an instant.
A technique I made Yena master for the second Kraken raid.
“Hard Cat Snow Flower!”
Snow petals fluttered around Yena, who confidently turned to me with a grin.
“I did well, right?”
“You did great. You’ve picked it up quickly.”
“I used it before, but this time I executed it perfectly. Hehe, I’m such a genius…”
“Still can’t escape from Myeosin, huh?”
“That’s right. It seems the Master still can’t come out. Maybe there’s some special condition…”
Myeosin is still locked in Kiki Island.
I thought she would be freed once Yena finished her hidden quest, but she still couldn’t come out.
“I’ll have to check it out once the situation settles.”
“Is there some kind of method?”
“There might be more hidden special conditions. Just like how Yena’s hidden quest activated after she completed the main quest on Kiki Island.”
“Maybe it’s possible. Just like after the main quest of Kiki Island, Miss Yena’s hidden quest was activated.”
“There must be something that can help get Myeosin out.”
“Myeosin isn’t a criminal, and there’s no reason for him to be trapped there.”
“But when is the Lord Sword Saint coming?”
“I don’t know. Duke Huangyeol said he would find him, so he should locate him soon since he’s tracking his position.”
“We bought some time by taking out one eye and smashing everything else, so we have a bit of leeway.”
Ten days passed.
“Why isn’t he here?”
“What do you want me to do if he’s not here?”
Swish.
Boom!
The hammer dropped, cracking the floor of the restored Emperor’s Audience Room.
The little kid with golden hair sitting on the throne slammed his small fist on the armrest in anger.
Of course, “slammed” was subjective; in reality, it was more like a “thud!”
“Y-you! Rude one! Didn’t you say you were looking for him?!”
“Duke Huangyeol has stepped out again.”
“Don’t casually mention my brother!”
The boy in front of me is Ruslan, the Empire’s prince and the future emperor.
When I visited before the Great Cataclysm, Duke Huangyeol had Myeosin’s mind inhabit this child, but this time he sent the child out completely.
“My brother is busy and has delegated the authority to manage you to me! So treat me like my brother!”
“I deal with Duke Huangyeol like this.”
“How…!”
The future emperor of the Empire, Ruslan, was fuming, but to me, he was just a little kid throwing a tantrum.
Truly a feeble and harmless existence.
‘Even after being mistreated, he still acts like this.’
I couldn’t tell if he was gutsy or just foolish.
Ruslan was half-crying.
“I’m really saying he disappeared into another space and we can’t find him! It’s true, why don’t you believe me?”
“I know it’s true.”
“Then why?!”
“I just didn’t like it, so I came here. If I keep poking around, something might come out, right?”
“……”
It’s the tenth day since the Empire started searching for the Sword Saint.
Truly, he had vanished from everyone’s watchful eyes.
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