Chapter 72 – Bothersome (1)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Frost was the territory of the Empire.

Even if the Lord, Sirion, died, that fact doesn’t change.

In a word, it meant everything must follow the Empire’s procedures.

Step, step.

Frost’s main castle.

As soon as the sound of formal shoes echoed within the castle.

Knights saluted me.

If you ask what knights are here.

Naturally, it was the Lionheart Knights.

“I have been waiting for you, Sir Ho-yeol.”

The Commander of the Lionheart Knights, Harkon.

As soon as he saw me, he welcomed me greatly.

“As expected, for a swordsman like me, this kind of work isn’t easy.”

Right, according to the Empire’s procedures.

The one who took charge as the Acting Lord of Frost was Harkon.

Among the Arcanians summoned to reality.

Because the one processing the highest status in the Empire was exactly the Commander of the Lionheart Knights, Harkon.

Naturally, I was involved in that decision.

“If it’s you, you will definitely do well.”

The relationship degree and influence that reached the maximum value.

The [Authority] function that became activated thanks to that.

Right, that authority function was truly mighty, you see.

‘To the extent of breaking Harkon’s stubbornness, that is.’

If it were me, Lee Ho-yeol, full of greed, it might be a different story.

But isn’t it Granfel who dies and cannot live without formality and procedures?

Frost isn’t some abandoned land anywhere.

While clearly knowing that it’s the Empire’s territory.

To swallow the territory breaking the Empire’s procedures?

‘It means it’s an impossible thing for Granfel.’

Of course, at first, I couldn’t help but feel regretful.

Unlike the upright and clean Granfel, I am an ordinary human being.

On top of that, people around me had to make such a fuss.

-The economic value of Frost?

-Japanese Government, “Frost cannot be yielded to anyone.”

-AAU, “International agreements must never be ignored…….”

The new update history.

From the time the word Frost appeared there.

Until now, when Frost escaped the Magic King’s evil clutches.

The media chattered endlessly about the value of Frost.

Thanks to that, even I had some expectations too.

Thinking, perhaps I could become the Lord of Frost.

-“We must follow the Empire’s procedures, but rather than me, Sir Ho-yeol is indeed meant for the Acting Lord’s seat…….”

Even to the extent that Harkon said that.

However, that regret didn’t last long.

Activating the [Authority] function.

Checking the state of Frost, I ended up realizing it.

[Northern City, Frost]

[Status : Worst]

……This, it was a profound relief that I didn’t step forward!

The current state of Frost is literally the worst.

The situation is worse than even during the early days of the Yusra Kingdom.

‘If the Yusra Kingdom started from zero with nothing.’

Frost was rather in the minus.

“How is the condition of the residents?”

“It won’t be easy, but they are trying to accept the situation.”

As Harkon said, they wouldn’t easily understand it.

Before they could even overcome the aftereffects left by the Demon King.

Because they even found out the fact that they fell into another world, not the Arcana continent.

Thinking about it in that sense, it was a relief again.

‘……Look at a guy like me acting up as the new Lord.’

Wouldn’t unnecessary rebellious feelings have worsened even more?

Thinking like that, I couldn’t help but be grateful.

‘At best, I would just break even. With this.’

I often benefit from Granfel’s tiring personality.

I added to Harkon, who was full of worries.

“Please get used to that seat. Sir Harkon.”

“I am also trying my best to do so.”

“No, you absolutely must get used to it.”

“……Sir, has something happened perhaps?”

Indeed, Harkon was quick to notice.

The Quernberg Mechanical Tower Rift.

The situation of the Arcana continent witnessed through it.

Just like with Marcelo.

There was no reason I couldn’t tell Harkon as well.

“It was something I had guessed to some extent.”

Harkon took a deep breath and continued speaking.

“But when the guess becomes certainty, my emotions become intense.”

Soon, his eyes shone with determination.

“As you said, sir. The seat. I will get used to its weight.”

Right, Harkon had to get used to it.

When considering the situation of the Arcana continent.

Because there was no law saying a situation like the Frost incident wouldn’t happen again.

Unless even the Emperor of the Empire appears in reality.

Harkon’s shoulders will only become heavier and heavier.

‘……Wow shit. Looking at it now, there wasn’t a single good thing, was there?’

If this were a game, it might be different.

Being a Lord didn’t seem to be an entirely good thing.

Because above all, there were way too many things to take responsibility for.

In that sense, the [Authority] function was practically fraudulent.

‘I’m not a Lord, but power equivalent to a Lord.’

Of course, I couldn’t wield that mighty function as I pleased.

Power wielded according to self-interest?

There’s no way Granfel’s pride could tolerate that.

Why, it might be a different story if utilizing it in the right place at the right time like now.

“How is the current status of the restoration?”

“Thanks to the guilds stepping forward, it is proceeding smoothly.”

“Is that so. It would be good to establish priorities for the work.”

Scritch, scratch

I immediately picked up the quill pen.

The reconstruction of Frost.

I examined the documents covering the entirety and found points to revise.

Why, because the points to improve were clearly visible to my eyes.

Naturally, this was also thanks to Granfel’s setting.

『There was a valid reason why Granfel was chosen as the successor of the family at the mere age of 7.』

In the setting.

Wasn’t Granfel the successor of a great family.

Knowledge covering the entire management of a territory?

Just like his talent in magic or swordsmanship.

Intuitively grasping the problems as soon as looking at them.

It meant he could even put forth points for improvement.

So there was a reason why Harkon welcomed me intensely.

It meant there was a reason for everything.

“Terrible! If it weren’t for you, I would have made a huge mistake.”

“Anyone is bound to make mistakes.”

“Your modesty rather makes me feel ashamed. You see, Sir Ho-yeol never makes mistakes, does he?”

……What are you doing, answer quickly.

Every moment, every single moment is the result of mistakes during my school days, you see!

However, contrary to my feelings.

Shamelessly, I remained silent.

In the end, the one who opened his mouth first was Harkon.

“I heard bad news, but still, conversing with you makes me feel like I can breathe a little. Of course, I am owing you a favor once again though.”

A favor, he says.

If he says that, I’m the one who ends up with nothing to say instead.

Didn’t I milk the martial prowess of the Lionheart Knights.

Like brewing bone broth……!

Without even having to trace back far, just here.

Even in Frost alone, had it not been for the Lionheart Knights.

Let alone subjugating the Demon King, I wouldn’t have even gotten to sightsee the Demon King.

However, I didn’t drag on the end of my words pathetically.

Just replied concisely.

“In every matter, there is giving and taking. Do not mind it.”

……Concisely shameless!

Truly a reply incomparably like myself.

“Haha. I will keep that in mind.”

It’s a relief Harkon has a hearty personality.

I was thinking that.

Suddenly, a noise was heard from outside the office window.

Thud thud thud thud

‘It’s a helicopter.’

A helicopter was flying in the sky above Frost.

Harkon glared at it and then opened his mouth.

“According to Jesica, the residents of Frost look at that lump of iron flying in the sky with anxious gazes. I think it is fully understandable.”

I nodded my head.

It would be a natural reaction.

Just like how we were astonished seeing monsters.

Modern civilization would also be unfamiliar existences to the Arcanians.

As long as they’ve been summoned to reality.

They will have no choice but to adapt.

However.

There was something hanging from the helicopter.

Not neat, but dangling messily.

My reaction to it was also natural.

I withdrew my cold gaze and spoke.

“Aesthetically, it is deeply bothersome.”

*

People are bound to flock to things that have value.

Even if that is absurd unreasonableness.

Screeeech!

A chilling sound popped out from the megaphone for a moment.

Voices intensely agitated followed.

“The government must immediately deport the refugees!”

“Deport them! Deport them!”

“Do not defy the will of the people for the homeland!”

Around this time, Hokkaido never had a peaceful day anyway.

“This year is too much. Too much.”

Including Jung Man-seok of Minguk Ilbo.

South Korean reporters gathered in Hokkaido, Japan, shivered. It was partly because of the biting cold wind of Hokkaido, but the bigger reason was because of those protesters.

“I’m telling you, it’s really chilling. No, do they really want to act like that?”

“What do you mean refugees. Refugees.”

“They must have watched it all themselves too. What kind of situation the residents of Frost have gone through. If they were truly human beings, they wouldn’t be able to act like that.”

It was to the extent that they didn’t even want to call that a protest.

Because in the eyes of the reporters, the impure motive was obvious.

Breath puffed out from Jung Man-seok’s mouth.

“Obviously they received funds from far-right groups.”

“Since the government’s inclination is that way to begin with, how bad must it be?”

“They’re desperate. Because factually, Japan’s situation is a mess, isn’t it?”

The Japanese government, which even violated international agreements to preempt Frost.

It was a gamble thrown for their country’s Inazuma Guild but.

The majority of the Inazuma Guild members, headed by the Guild Master Hisagi Kazuma, ended up openly migrating to the Yusra Kingdom.

There was an uproar for a while.

“It was practically seeking asylum. That.”

“I don’t know what happened between Inazuma and the Japanese government but. After thoroughly playing bad moves, they’re throwing unreasonable numbers now. Japan’s image is going down the drain~”

“Since they violated the agreement anyway, they’re probably just clinging onto it until the end.”

Thud thud thud thud

While having the conversation.

The sound of a helicopter being heard.

The reporters clicked their cameras, not just letting out sighs.

“What does it say on that banner?”

“Get lost. Long live Japan. Softening it up a lot, it’s roughly that kind of content.”

“They’re amazing. Those guys.”

It was to the extent of wondering if there was a need to do this.

Is an international agreement an international agreement for nothing.

No matter how much they acted unreasonably, nothing would change.

It meant that no matter what tricks the Japanese government played, they couldn’t exert influence on Frost.

Knowing that fact, perhaps they’re just trying to poke at it because they feel it’s unfair…….

No matter what, this has exceeded the level of just poking.

To even float such a banner in the sky.

“There’s no intention either. That’s just pure malice, isn’t it.”

Malice(„).

Right, if people flock to where there is value.

‘Demons’ appear where people flock.

Even more so in a place where negative energy is overflowing like now.

“You are doing well.”

The guideline filled with protesters and reporters.

The man watching that sight, Maeda Kenji, trembled.

Because it’s cold? No.

Because it’s chilling? No, it wasn’t that either.

Maeda trembled from filling exaltation.

“Yes, exactly this.”

Maeda was no longer a cabinet member of the government.

‘Well, it might look like that on the outside though.’

Because a demon possessed his inside.

Maeda’s pupils dyed black.

“Foolish. Everything is foolish.”

Humans were foolish.

Maeda Kenji, was it?

What’s so great about this insignificant bastard.

Why do they even show such disgusting sights at a single word from this guy.

Of course, as said, humans weren’t the only foolish ones.

“My liege. You were also incredibly foolish.”

The Demon King, Decarabia.

Right, the demon who was once his liege was also foolish.

The Centurion of the Demon King’s Army.

The bastard who recalled his past smiled despicably.

“Untill the end, a demon should act like a demon.”

Despicably, and wickedly.

A demon should live like that.

Because he knew that fact.

He didn’t sacrifice his life for a foolish liege.

He deserted the Demon King’s Army and took over a human’s body like this.

What is the result?

Brrrrr

The foolish Demon King died and.

He was living and breathing like this, growing stronger.

Maeda, who was intoxicated by that ecstasy, snapped out of it.

“Oh my, you are reporters.”

He started acting as Maeda Kenji.

It wasn’t a difficult task.

No, it was rather a joyful task.

“Isn’t it a democratic country? Even if there are different opinions, there are no wrong opinions, are there? Since when did conditions have to be attached to protests? Isn’t that right? By the way, what is your nationality? What, South Korea?! Right, I can tell what’s on the inside of those minds!!”

At every single word spat out as he pleased.

Because the negative emotions of humans fluctuated.

He couldn’t care less about cleaning up the mess afterwards.

Maeda Kenji.

If the bastard’s physical body became useless, he just had to discard it.

Of course, by that time, he would have become a demon far stronger than now.

‘Even so, I have no intention of dying foolishly like the Demon King.’

He had no intention of claiming to be a king.

Just despicably, wickedly, like a demon.

He will live possessing humans.

In that sense, the bastard was aiming for prey.

‘The guy who defeated the Demon King.’

He certainly heard it was Lee Ho-yeol.

Lee Ho-yeol, it would be the best if he could possess his physical body.

Even with the physical body of the insignificant Maeda, as one can see.

He was able to wield humans.

If he were to take over the physical body of Lee Ho-yeol who defeated the Demon King…….

‘……I could become an existence greater than the Demon King.’

Right, that was the reason he sought out Frost.

The confidence to take over Lee Ho-yeol’s physical body?

He had plenty of that.

‘I am not foolish.’

Because he had no intention of blabbering that he was a demon like the Demon King.

No matter if he was the guy who defeated the Demon King.

He wouldn’t be able to recognize him who possessed Maeda’s physical body.

He just needed to aim for the moment he lets his guard down.

In that sense, this could be seen as fishing.

‘I threw the bait.’

The bait called the protesters and the helicopter.

‘Lee Ho-yeol, if only that guy bites the bait……!’

While Maeda was thinking like that.

Thud thud thud thud!

The helicopter was returning.

For whatever reason, along with an incredibly urgent propeller sound.

The reporters shouted.

“W-Wait a minute. Is that on fire? Don’t tell me?”

“Is the helicopter broken?”

“No, not that, but the banner is burning?!”

“……!”

Soon, the corners of Maeda’s mouth went up despicably.

‘As expected humans are foolish!’

Lee Ho-yeol, that guy bit the bait.

As if he had been waiting, Maeda opened his mouth to the reporters.

“This is a clear act of hostility. We cannot stand by and watch any longer. I will enter Frost right now and settle the matter myself!”

Of course, Maeda’s delusion didn’t last long.

The moment he set foot in Frost.

Because he unconsciously realized it.

‘……Wh-What is this. This gaze?’

The fear of a prey encountering a natural enemy!

.

.

.

Is it because my level went up.

I realize that my body’s senses have become a layer sharper.

For example, like now.

[Skill, ‘Natural Enemy’ is activated.]