Chapter 19

There is a term called "role-playing."

It means acting out a setting that you have created yourself.

In this game, the player is literally the lord of a castle, and if they speak in a light and frivolous manner, it would not be good for the world they are in.

While many players did not care about such things, among the top-tier players who dominated each world, there were many who were particular about it. To varying degrees, they made an effort to speak and act in a way that suited their characters.

And Helian, the ruler of World No. 3, was no exception. He played with the awareness of acting like a king. Although it was not a full-fledged role-play, it could be said that he had been as regal as a maid in a maid café, if not more so. Despite his shallow knowledge, which could be found with a simple online search, he had managed to adopt a suitable demeanor.

...What I'm trying to say is, I'm really glad I studied table manners.

"The appetizer is Ikshio salmon carpaccio."

"...Hmm."

A white porcelain plate was presented with a dignified gesture. The sound of placing the plate, or even the faint sound of footsteps, was not heard, which might be the skill of a professional. It's not hard to imagine that if the person being served didn't even know how to use cutlery, they would have received a contemptuous look from the server.

However, while it didn't bother him in the game, being surrounded by servers while eating was quite a heavy pressure. Thinking about it, the upper class in the real world must go through this every day, and he was genuinely impressed. Do the nobles not even notice the gazes of the common people?

He didn't have the leisure to savor the taste, but he managed to finish the meal without any mistakes. He was a bit puzzled by Reive's excessive fussing, but at least his stomach was full, so he was satisfied.

When the post-meal tea was served, he dismissed the servers, telling them that "Reive alone is sufficient from now on." He wanted to enjoy the tea without worrying about others' gazes, at least for the tea.

Moreover, it was true that Reive alone was enough.

He had trained her in various skills besides combat. He didn't appoint her as a royal advisor for nothing. While she might not match the professionals, she could serve as a server.

"...It's good."

He muttered as he took a sip of the tea. The first thing he felt was a subtle aroma. When he took it into his mouth, a deep flavor softly enveloped his tongue. As he let it flow down his throat, a pleasant warmth fell into his chest.

In the game [Tactics Chronicle], there was no such level of taste representation when he drank it. It was natural, as it was regulated to not affect the real world, but even if there were no regulations, it would be impossible to express such a flavor. He smiled sadly, thinking, "This is indeed the tea fit for the royal family."

After thoroughly enjoying the tea, he felt a bit relieved. Reflecting on it, he had been on edge since his transfer. Even during the meal, he couldn't relax at all, so it felt like he had finally been able to let his guard down for the first time in a long while.

He glanced at Reive standing beside him.

Incidentally, she had stayed in the room the whole time, but Helian was able to enjoy the tea naturally.

"...?"

Reive blinked as if trying to read his intentions. Seeing her, Helian put the cup back on the saucer and leaned back in the soft chair.

...Thinking about it, Reive had always been by his side since the transfer.

It was natural for a royal advisor, but she had been with Helian, lending her strength all along.

During the confusion after the transfer, she had gathered his troops, mediated between the king and the commander, and participated in exploration missions abroad. In the half-elf village, she even organized food distribution. When the rebellion was discovered, she quickly escorted Helian to the castle and continued to work tirelessly as a guard, nurse, and server.

Helian had wanted her to do so.

"Reive."

"Ha!"

"I'm going to ask you a question. You might not understand my intention, but... answer as you see fit."

"Understood."

There was something he needed to confirm.

"Do you think of the weak?"

"..."

Reive's eyes wavered slightly in confusion.

"Yes. Someone weaker than you... for example, about Reifa from yesterday. How did you feel about her?"

"About Reifa Lim Lastwood...?"

Reive looked down, thinking for a moment. After a while, she seemed to have gathered her thoughts, looked up, and spoke with a straight gaze.

"I felt she was strong."

However, this was an unexpected answer for Helian. Despite being an example of a weak individual in terms of combat power, the response was the opposite.

"...Strong? I felt that Reifa's combat ability was far inferior to yours."

"Yes, as you say, I would win in a fight. I would win a thousand times if we fought a thousand times. Reifa Lim Lastwood understood this. However, she did not act humbly and faced us as equals."

In the forest, when they saved Reifa from the monsters, she did not avert her eyes even in the presence of Reive and Eltina, who were overwhelmingly stronger. Despite being a weak traveler in terms of combat ability, she faced the strong group on equal terms.

"Furthermore, after reaching the village, Reifa Lim Lastwood, despite showing signs of considerable fatigue, continued to organize the villagers without rest. In the midst of an unwanted war and an overwhelmingly disadvantageous situation, the villagers have not fallen into despair, thanks to her actions. Seeing her stand tall despite her weakness, I felt she was strong."

"...Her very existence is strong, you mean?"

"Yes."

At least, it seemed that Reive did not judge a person's value solely by their combat ability. However, it was still unclear what she thought of "the weak" and what values she held.

He decided to probe further.

"But from a combat perspective, she is weak compared to you. Do you think in terms of the survival of the fittest? Even if someone is strong in spirit but lacks power, do you not consider them inferior to you?"

At least, in the game [Tactics Chronicle], the wild monsters were set up that way.

The world of monsters was, in essence, a world of the survival of the fittest. The strong lived, and the weak died. This was the law, and "the weak are bad" was the common sense among monsters.

Given this, Helian had doubts about whether Reive, despite being raised by him, still held the same common sense as a monster. However,

"No, not really."

Reive shook her head casually.

"Indeed, the general view of monsters is that 'strength is noble and weakness is a sin,' but I do not think that way."

"Why not?"

"Because I am a monster from Alkymaira."

At this straightforward and matter-of-fact answer, Helian involuntarily gasped.

"In the early days, I was a weak monster. In the world of the survival of the fittest, I had little value. However, you, Helian, did not abandon me and raised me to this point. For me to prey on the weak would be a desecration of you. Therefore, I believe that I should follow the principles of Alkymaira, as laid down by you, not the law of the survival of the fittest."

There was no falsehood in her voice.

At least, that's how Helian felt.

Her amber eyes were still looking straight at him.

Helian continued to look into Reive's eyes for a while, then slowly crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

"...I see."

He let out a sigh.

He had confirmed what he needed to confirm.

His first subordinate, who had shared the same time with him, had given him the answer he wanted.

"I see."

Then he decided.

He had decided.

...From now on, I will not doubt Reive.

In the game, there was a system called "Rebellion."

It had actually happened once, and the ogre faction had tried to depose the weak king according to the common sense of monsters. This rebellion was easily suppressed, but if Helian were judged unfit to be king, it could happen again.

The commander might not rebel either.

If that happened, the armies under the commander's command might also rise up.

Even if that didn't happen, in [Tactics Chronicle], where "numbers" and "one against a thousand" coexisted, a few traitorous commanders could quickly lead to a national crisis.

However, it was impossible to doubt everyone.

If he doubted all the commanders, he wouldn't be able to run the army properly.

If he lived in fear of betrayal and ran the country by watching his subordinates, it would eventually collapse. It would be a slow suicide.

So Helian decided.

Among all his subordinates, he would not doubt Reive.

Reive appeared to be a loyal subject to Helian.

She was the one he trusted the most among all his subordinates.

She had been with him since the beginning of [Tactics Chronicle] and was one of the oldest members.

Eltina and Baran were also among the oldest commanders, but Reive, as a royal advisor, had been with Helian from the start of [Tactics Chronicle] to the present day.

So he believed.

He believed in Reive.

Besides, if even Reive were to abandon him, it would be impossible for him to continue ruling as the king of the monsters.

"Understood. I asked a silly question. Forgive me."

"N-no, it's not a silly question..."

"Let's leave it at that. It's just you and I here."

As he said this, something white began to move behind Reive.

It was, of course, her tail. The fluffy tail was swinging vigorously from side to side.

On the other hand, her expression was almost expressionless, a calm face.

...Probably, she's trying to be calm and collected.

He found it somewhat amusing and smiled a little.

He wasn't sure why she started wagging her tail, but it was better if she was in a good mood.

"By the way... how is your body? You should be feeling the effects of my death."

It had been less than 24 hours since Helian's death.

For a few more hours, all her stats should be reduced by two ranks.

"My condition is not a problem. I do feel the decrease in ability due to your death, but I am receiving your power while being by your side..."

"...Ah, I see."

The king himself had no combat ability, but he had the ability to strengthen his subordinates.

Reive was talking about the ability called "King's Army," which increased the stats of all subordinates within about 50 meters of the king, which was effective even during foreign exploration. Despite the two-rank debuff, the one-rank enhancement ability was offsetting it to some extent.

There was a similar ability that increased the lowest stat of all subordinates within about one kilometer, but the effects did not stack.

In addition, there was one more ability to draw out the power of subordinates in combat.

"Reive, can you use 'Blessing of the Crimson Moon' here?"

"That... yes, I can, but—"

"Good. Then I want to try something. Use it here and show me."

"Understood."

A player-exclusive ability to draw out the power of subordinates.

It allowed subordinates within 50 meters of the king to use "Secret Arts," which were essentially special moves, ultimate attacks, or powerful magic.

However, it could not be used without the king's permission, and using it would cost the king a certain amount of "Life Force."

Some "Secret Arts" could turn the tide in a desperate battle, but such abilities usually cost all the king's "Life Force" or even reduced the maximum "Life Force," making them impossible to use repeatedly.

The king's "Life Force" was the same for all players from the start and could not be increased, so players had to use it judiciously, a skill known as player skill.

Incidentally, "Blessing of the Crimson Moon" was one of the more user-friendly "Secret Arts."

It had a simple effect of enhancing all the user's stats and consumed less than 10% of the king's "Life Force," making it a good choice for testing.

"Then, I will use it—'Blessing of the Crimson Moon.'"

A red phosphorescence rose from Reive's entire body.

This was proof that "Blessing of the Crimson Moon" had been activated.

Power surged through Reive's body, filling her with a temporary sense of elation and omnipotence.

—At the same time, something happened to Helian's body.

"...Ah, hah."

Something important was being pulled out of his body.

Helian clutched his chest instinctively. He was driven by the fear that it would be taken away without limit.

It was a terrible sensation, as if his internal organs were being manipulated by hand.

His vision blurred and distorted, as if he had heatstroke.

"—Helian-sama!?"

"I'm... I'm fine..."

The terrible sensation passed in an instant, but the dizziness and fatigue remained. Considering that he had literally lost about 10% of his "Life Force," it was perhaps natural that he felt unwell.

However, if 10% had this effect, what would happen if he used an 80% "Life Force" "Secret Art"? The thought of using it during a war made him feel faint.

...It was really a good thing he had tested it in advance.

"More importantly, how is the effect? Is it working properly?"

"...Yes, it's working fine. In this state, I could even beat the giant commander of the Fifth Army in a fist fight."

"Let's hope that day never comes. Just imagining the collateral damage is too much. ...Anyway, I've confirmed what I needed to. You can cancel it now."

"Secret Arts" could not be overused.

He had learned this lesson well.

He would need to be even more cautious in using them than in [Tactics Chronicle].

There were still many things to investigate, but he had already wasted almost a full day due to his death. He couldn't afford to continue testing leisurely.

There was also the matter of the half-elf country, the Lastwood village.

He had left the village suddenly, so he needed to follow up somehow. If he waited too long, it might raise unnecessary suspicions.

While it would be best to never have to deal with them again, they were an important source of information for the still ignorant Alkymaira. It was necessary to maintain friendly relations.

He wanted to resume action immediately.

However, he reminded himself not to rush.

The dizziness and fatigue were gradually subsiding, but it was hard to imagine that his fragile body could withstand walking around in this condition. "Life Force" should recover over time, but it would probably take a few hours.

There were also five hours of death penalty left. If he were to act, the best time would be five hours after the penalty ended.

"Reive, I will hold a meeting with all the commanders in five hours. Inform all the commanders to gather, except those who cannot leave the field. After that, you should rest."

"Ha, understood. However, my condition is not a problem, so I do not need to rest. I will continue to guard you."

"No, you've been working non-stop since yesterday. I know I've been using you a lot, but please take a break. The magic armor will be enough to guard me in the meantime."

"But—"

"It's an order. I need you to be in top condition in five hours."

He thought it was a bit of a cheap way to put it, but it was true that he had been working her hard.

Since he would be entrusting his life to her again, he needed her to be well-rested.

After a while, Reive bowed solemnly and said, "Understood." She refilled the tea one last time, bowed at the door, and left.

"Now..."

Five hours left.

He was tempted to dive into bed and sleep immediately, but he couldn't do that.

He was still somewhat sleepy, but with the country still unsettled, he couldn't afford to sleep leisurely.

He checked the "Base Information" on the tactical simulation window, and the happiness level had decreased since the last check. It was a negligible amount, but it had still decreased. It was probably due to the stress the citizens were feeling from the transfer phenomenon.

If left unchecked, the happiness level would continue to decline slowly. The ultimate result of a decrease in happiness would be a rebellion. While they were still in a safe zone with plenty of time, it was necessary to take action before the problem worsened.

The best solution would be to eliminate the cause of the stress.

However, it wasn't as if they could return to the original world immediately or reclaim lost territory. If they could return to the original place, Helian would do so immediately.

Since that was not possible, they needed to take the next best course of action.

In such cases, holding a speech event to calm the country was a better approach.

"...Hmm? A speech?"

He thought about it.

In [Tactics Chronicle], a speech event was successful if you used a certain amount of "key phrases" and spoke reasonably. There were usually guides and templates for the "key phrases" to use.

Therefore, in the speech events, he always used the same combination of "key phrases" and added some appropriate words on the spot.

However, in this world, a speech couldn't be done that way.

The "key phrases" had already been confirmed to be ineffective in conversations with Reive. Therefore, if he were to give a speech, he would have to do it without relying on "key phrases" and use his own words entirely.

He would have to give a speech that could move the citizens' emotions with his own words.

"No, that's impossible..."

He didn't think he could do it.

However, it was