I plan to turn Cresundia into the military base of the Verniculos Army in the human region. Turning it into an impenetrable fortress will not be enough if I can't maintain the order inside. Therefore, today, I gather the citizens that remain at the capital of Cresundia. Not everyone can come, but it doesn't matter because I am broadcasting what I am going to announce to every inch of Cresundia.
Standing on the balcony of the palace, I overlook the crowd below. They are looking at me apprehensively as if expecting to hear the worst. Those whom Lunea has managed to coerce into our side are merely looking at me curiously. They are sure that I don't mean any harm. I wait for my cue to begin my speech. By the cue, I mean Aurelia flying above the palace in her Dragon form. I don't like to flaunt my power but will do it in a heartbeat if it gets the job done faster.
Rawr!
Everyone stiffens and widens their eyes at the soul-shaking roar. They look up and blanch upon seeing Aurelia's gigantic form. I have told her to keep her pressure in check, but it seems her sheer size is already enough to scare the soul out of the people. I send my Mana into the air, causing it to vibrate. The sound it produces returns the people's attention to me.
"Some of you may have heard about the rumors regarding what Cresundia will become in the future. I am going to make it a military base for our army that will stand on top of the world. Regardless of your race, as long as you have competence, you will be allowed to join and obtain the means of survival—power," I declare. "Of course, it won't happen if I can't get your cooperation. For that, I offer you two choices."
The first choice is to stay and cooperate and the second one is to leave and forget about Cresundia. Some people brighten up at the prospect of leaving Cresundia. I note that most of them are part of the army. Their expressions soon change when I tell them they need to be marked with my Geas regardless of their choice. Naturally, the people who choose to remain are also uneasy. This is the moment when I bring up what I do to the people of Antares.
"My marking works as a means of defense. If any of you find yourself in a life-threatening situation, the marking will save your life once. Even if you die, I will be able to track who wrongs you and properly avenge you. It is a measure to prevent crime," I explain, causing some murmurs in the crowd. "On the other hand, it is also to keep everything sensitive regarding the Kingdom safe. You may leave the Kingdom but not blabber about things that may put its people in jeopardy."
Half of those who are planning to leave look constipated. It is quite laughable that they think they will be able to reclaim their Kingdom with that measly power. I go on about the rule of living in Cresundia. I tell them that Demons and Elves will live with them and ensure that everyone will be treated equally. They react better than the people of Cresundia.
At the mention of the occupation survey, everyone ponders to themselves. Some are not that excited to be relocated to Antares which will face less war. These are the smart people who realize that the safest place between the two Kingdoms is Cresundia. Not now, but soon will be in the future. After giving them an overview of what would happen next in Cresundia, I proceed to cast my Magnam Geas. I can sense the entire Kingdom with the help of the Magic Circle.
A blinding light envelopes the Kingdom for a second. When it disappears, everyone has a Geas on their neck. Everyone inspects it and heaves a sigh of relief that it doesn't cause them pain. Of course, they don't realize how their minds become even more accepting of the idea of living under my rule. With their worry and uncertainty gone, they look at me in amazement. I only cater to their attention for a moment before disappearing into the palace.
Aurelia joins me a moment later, asking if we should return to Ne Okozmo now. Unfortunately, it is not the time. I still have to assign people who can carry out my plan while I am gone. I am tempted to put Lemius in charge given how splendidly he performed during the war, but he is not fit for bureaucracy. His excellence is still limited to battles. Jovenus might fit for the role, but he is currently with Ilschevar back at Verniculos.
Fortunately, I still have Shanifa who possesses enough brilliance to carry out my plan. She told me once that she was planning to take management as her major once she finished high school. She is interested in it and that should make her work hard enough.
We find ourselves before one of the Portals to Antares that the Mages have erected. A moment later, Shanifa comes out of it. She immediately bows at me. I tell her to get up and we have no time for formality. She nods her head silently and then follows my lead to the council meeting room. Every eye turns to me before shifting to her upon our entrance. The head seat is vacant, so I nudge her to take it. She hesitantly sits on it and then looks at me unsurely.
"You will fill up my seat while I am absent. I need to know how capable you are to carry out the plan, so lead the meeting," I state stoically, causing her to smile wryly.
"But, Milord…don't you think Princess Lunea is more suited for the role?" she reasons.
The reasoning is sound given that Lunea is the Princess of the Kingdom and thus more familiar with the people. Unfortunately, Lunea doesn't possess the brilliance and decisiveness that Shanifa possesses.
"She is better at working with people; not managing them. As of the moment, she is going around the Kingdom meeting the leaders of circles of people who can't accept my rule but mean the Kingdom no harm. It is unnecessary, but she is making more and more people willing to work for the better of the Kingdom," I explain. "You should not waste her effort and prove that what she promises to the people is not a lie, Shanifa."
"Very well."
Shanifa's acceptance marks the beginning of the meeting. She leads the meeting exceptionally. Although she treats my plans like a holy book, she doesn't hesitate to improvise. Some of the improvisations are quite far-fetched and ineffective, so I have to interfere. She will apologize each time I point out the flaws in her decision. She keeps improving and it reassures me of my choice. She is ready to be left alone, but I decide to stay for a couple of days more.
….
As soon as the Portals to Verniculos are established, more and more Demons are coming to Cresundia. Just like the people of Antares, the citizens are quite apprehensive toward the Demons. They keep their distance from the Demons and will shake whenever one of the Demons is interacting with them. They will eventually get used to it, so I don't care about it.
Shanifa has got used to her role. The Nobles have accepted and acknowledged her competence, so it is time for me to leave for Ne Okozmo. Ilschevar has sent me a summon notice, but I ignored it. I am sure he wants to reward me for what I have done and create more sparks between me and the Demon King Generals. Lemius and Velucan might remain apathetic, but the rest of the Generals might see that as a challenge. I don't need more trouble.
ραΠdαsΝοvel.cοm "Are you sure you are not going with us?"
I look at Millonia curiously after what she said just now. Aurelia and I are departing for Ne Okozmo. Shanifa, Gabriela, Abigail, Eliseus, and some of the Nobles are seeing us off. I had expected Millonia to come along, so I was quite surprised when she revealed she was also there to see me off. I thought she wanted to loosen her seal more.
"The Rectusomine Alliance must not be happy with what happened. Who knows what they will do when you are gone? Eliseus may be here to ensure nothing happens, but an extra hand won't hurt, right?" Millonia explains. "Besides, my hands are itching to kill. I can't kill anything back in Ne Okozmo," she finishes with a manic grin.
"Don't kill the citizens," I remind.
"The hell do you think I am? I am not interested in weaklings."
I nod my head and then bid my farewell. Aurelia immediately takes off as soon as I climb up her back. With a flap of her wings, we cut through the air, quickly leaving Cresundia. I think about what I have done ever since I came here. I have done a lot and received help from the people around me. It makes me think about Kruff. He taught me a lot, but I failed to thank him before he died. I have to properly thank everyone when this is all over. A banquet will be fine.
A few hours later, we are going up the mountain where Ne Okozmo is hidden. It takes us only a few seconds to pass through the Magic Barrier and enter Ne Okozmo. The choking pressure of the Dragons returns in full force. A smile creeps up my face as I can finally breathe comfortably again. Ne Okozmo always feels like a battlefield. It makes me realize how much I love battles.
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