Chapter 39

After that, for a while, Reifa and Helian talked about their respective hardships.

Just talking didn't solve anything, of course.

The various problems that were the source of their worries were still there as facts.

Still, being able to share the thoughts they had been harboring was valuable in itself.

All the pent-up feelings were completely released, and after a while, Reifa's face naturally brightened up.

And it seemed that this wasn't just a one-sided conversation from Helian's side.

"...S-Sorry, I got a bit carried away. This is the first time I've had such a conversation since taking on my current position... I'm sorry, I must have been quite inappropriate."

After a while, Reifa, who had come back to her senses, had a slight blush on her cheeks.

She had been leaning forward in the conversation, but now she was sitting up straight in her chair.

To put it mildly, she didn't seem like a royal at all just now.

Rather, she gave the impression of a girl her age, just like when they first met.

But this was supposed to be her natural self. Reifa was just putting on the mask of a queen.

It's not just me who's suffering.

Just being able to reaffirm this obvious fact made the trip worthwhile.

"Don't worry about it. I also got to vent a lot, and I'm the one who should be apologizing."

"Not at all. I hardly have anyone to have such conversations with, given my position. I'm glad I could talk to you, Mr. Grimm."

"No, I'm the one who should say that. I feel much better after getting all that off my chest. Thanks for listening."

"That's what I was going to say... Ah, no, this is getting us nowhere. Let's just call it even, shall we?"

With a small smile, Helian responded with a wry smile.

"By the way, I heard that some of the people from Alkymira are stationed in your country... Are they causing any trouble? I'm a bit worried because my people can be a bit rough."

"No trouble at all. We are very grateful for their help in the reconstruction."

"...If I may ask, the people of Alkymira are all monsters, aren't they? I heard that 'monsters' are objects of fear for the people of this world..."

"It's difficult to say that I don't feel any fear at all, but they are great benefactors who saved our country. The people staying in the capital are very friendly, and I consider them a different kind of existence from the 'monsters' we know."

Hearing Reifa's words, Helian let out a sigh of relief.

After all, 'monsters' in this world are threats that follow the will of the demons and attack people. I've heard that there was a large-scale attack by monsters in a nearby human city called the Border City. It's understandable that they would be feared.

Given this, the fact that the people of Ratestwood accepted the monsters of Alkymira is probably due to the founding principles and the nature of the people of her country.

In hindsight, it might have been fortunate for Alkymira that the first country they made contact with was Ratestwood.

"Besides, Ratestwood has always been a multi-racial country. Given its history, it prides itself on its broad-mindedness."

"Like the character of the country, you mean?"

"Yes. It was a land where people had to care for and help each other to survive, so there was no discrimination based on race. While we have a monarchy with an Elven queen, in reality, it's just a result of placing capable people at the center of the government. It's quite different from a typical Elven country."

"Speaking of a typical Elven country..."

"For example, Noblewood. That country places great importance on the 'blood' of the founder. Only the direct descendants, especially those who have inherited the 'blood' of the founder, are allowed to run the country. While the elders have a certain amount of say, they can't become elders unless they have a high enough lineage."

This is probably a form of pure-bloodism.

In Earth's history, there have been many countries that valued lineage and practiced intentional incestuous marriages. As a result, various problems arose, such as the emergence of weak constitutions and families prone to early death.

However, Elves have an extremely long lifespan compared to humans.

Moreover, the mating cycle of Elves in this world is said to be very long.

Because of this, Elves have been able to maintain the founder's 'blood' from generation to generation while minimizing the negative effects of inbreeding.

"Noblewood is an extreme example, but most Elven countries are 'kingdoms' that place some importance on the 'blood' of their ancestors. It's a matter of race."

"I see. Then how about human countries?"

"I don't know much about human countries, but I've heard that the city closest to the forest, the Border City, is part of a kingdom called 'Rotfor.'"

This information was probably already obtained through the <Information Sharing>.

However, the information obtained through the <Information Sharing> is like a dictionary with billions of pages or a search engine with a vast amount of information.

While it can be researched, if the research method is inappropriate, it's difficult to get accurate information, and the validity of the information must be judged by oneself.

While it could be solved with time, since he had the opportunity to talk directly with Reifa, there was value in hearing it directly from her.

Moreover, in a life where he spent most of his time staring at the <Virtual Window>, information obtained through conversation was easier to remember.

"Human countries have a variety of political systems, including republics and theocracies, which are the most diverse among the four major races on the continent. While kingdoms are relatively common, not all of them are 'kingdoms.'"

"Wow. Well, even among monarchies, there are many different types."

"That's true. ...By the way, how about this country? If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to know."

"No, it's fine. Well, this country is...—"

The political system of Alkymira is—wait?

"? What's wrong? You're sweating a lot..."

Reifa asked with concern.

However, Helian couldn't respond and started to sweat coldly.

When he reconsidered the political system of his own country, he reached a terrible conclusion.

First, Alkymira is a 'kingdom' with Helian as the king.

All political power is concentrated in the leader, Helian, who is allowed to exercise that power freely. There is no parliament, and there is no succession of the throne, so as long as he lives, he will continue to hold all power indefinitely.

Moreover, the leader's will is directly linked to the country's policies, and even the laws are determined at the leader's discretion.

—In other words, the political system is...

"...A, a dictatorship?"

He had realized something he shouldn't have.

With a troubled expression, Helian dropped a bead of cold sweat onto the counter.

---

After that, Reifa worried about Helian, who suddenly started to look pale, but he brushed it off as just being a bit tired. When Gobutaro returned from the kitchen, Helian decided to part ways with her.

At least, the initial goal was achieved.

As 'Grimm,' he successfully built a relationship with 'Reina' and was able to interact with her closely. They even made a verbal agreement to meet again at the 'Bar of the Beginning' when he visited the country next time, which was a significant achievement in building future relations.

However, Helian, walking alone in the town, was troubled by a new problem.

"This is bad, really bad, too bad."

Although it was a belated realization, he was now acutely aware that Alkymira was a 'dictatorship,' and he was overwhelmed with anxiety.

In the context of a sandbox game, this was a completely normal situation.

After all, a sandbox where the will of the NPCs takes precedence over the player's would be no fun. A sandbox game where the player can't do as they please would be fundamentally broken as a game.

However, when this is applied to 'reality,' what is created is a 'dictatorship' where a single ruler holds absolute power. This is what it becomes.

"...This is no joke."

He wasn't denying dictatorships per se.

Dictatorship is just one form of government. It has the characteristic of being able to make decisions and take action quickly without going through complicated processes, which is one form of government.

It tends to have a negative image because it is often associated with terror and oppression, but the equation of dictatorship = tyranny does not hold.

There have been leaders in history who have quickly consolidated their countries through dictatorship and brought happiness and peace to their people.

"But that's predicated on the dictator being competent..."

If the dictator makes a mistake, the outcome for the country is disastrous.

Even if it's a clearly wrong choice, in a dictatorship where the ruler's will is directly linked to the state's will, the country will continue down the wrong path. Even if that path leads to destruction, it will go all the way to the end.

And this theory applies to Alkymira as well.

"No one can stop me. If I stumble, everyone stumbles..."

There's a saying that a ship with many captains will end up on a mountain, but even if there's only one captain, if that captain is a fool who says 'climb the mountain,' there's nothing that can be done.

Moreover, Alkymira has the potential to even carry out such absurd actions.

At least, he was hopeful that domestic affairs could be managed.

With the support of his abilities and capable domestic officials, it was possible to bridge the gap between the virtual and the real. It could be approached as an extension of what he had done in [Tactics Chronicle].

The allocation of work to the various legions was also complete.

With the start of development projects and economic normalization, about two months' worth of <Action Reservations> were already registered. As long as no major problems arose, it wouldn't require Helian's direct involvement, and the domestic officials would handle the complex practical matters.

"The problem is foreign affairs. There's no way to bluff in diplomacy..."

This was something he had been worrying about since the day he fled the castle and reached the 'Bar of the Beginning.'

As a king, he had a major problem, and it hadn't been resolved since that day.

He was not an expert in political science or imperial studies.

His academic performance was average at best, and he hadn't been deeply involved in club activities or circles. His youth had been spent mostly on [Tactics Chronicle], and he was just a gamer college student who had become a conqueror of the game. He was an ordinary young man with no special talents.

This was who he was, Mitzuki Tsukasa.

The reality was that he was leading a country.

As an absolute monarch, he had to rule with excellence, take a firm and strong stance in diplomacy with other countries, and stand at the forefront as a banner for his people in wars and explorations of the unknown. He had to continue to be a worthy ruler of the 'King of All Demons.'

"...It's impossible. I can't do it."

No matter how many times he reconsidered, he couldn't see it as possible.

It was far beyond the capabilities of Mitzuki Tsukasa.

Negotiating with the major powers in the diplomatic arena was absolutely impossible for the current Mitzuki Tsukasa.

This was an undeniable fact and a stark reality standing before him.

"---Then, think."

Given this reality, what should he do?

What should Mitzuki Tsukasa, now known as Helian Edda Elsinek, do to continue wearing the mask of the 'King of All Demons'?

"Don't stop thinking. There's no time to despair over reality. If you have time to do that, use it to think about how to break through this reality."

That's right.

He couldn't afford to be discouraged by this.

Such weakness was not allowed.

Because on that day, Helian had made a promise.

He had made a vow to a noble girl on that day, at that time, and in that place.

He had decided that as long as that girl didn't give up, he would also stand firm and look forward.

And he had just seen that girl standing tall, bearing a burden that was too heavy for her frail body, but still holding her head high.

Therefore, there was no reason to kneel here.

It was unacceptable to lament his own situation while that girl was working so hard.

What the current 'Helian' needed to do was not to despair over reality but to take concrete measures to break through this reality.

"Well, what should I do? What should I do to acquire the 'diplomatic skills' that are an urgent issue? What should 'Helian' do?"

First, the current situation wouldn't work.

In [Tactics Chronicle], there were diplomatic elements, but they were basically simple, relying on chat conversations between players.

He had negotiated by showing off military power and resources, but real diplomacy couldn't be that simple.

In actual diplomatic settings, sophisticated negotiation skills that can handle both the good and the bad would be required.

On the other hand, his past negotiation experience wasn't entirely useless.

Even in the virtual world, it was a strategic board where multiple living people operated their countries with their own intentions. In other words, [Tactics Chronicle] was a world where living wills, intentions, and thoughts intertwined. Some of the knowledge and experience gained there could be applied to reality.

So, the key would be how to clearly draw the line between the virtual and the real, how to skillfully apply that knowledge and experience, and how to elevate those negotiation skills to a practical level.

"...Then, given that, how about it? Is it possible for the current 'Helian' to appropriately and confidently apply the knowledge and experience he has cultivated to negotiate on equal terms with the major powers of this world?"

No. It would be extremely difficult.

He couldn't derive a 'solution' on how to apply it, and even if he came up with his own 'solution,' he wouldn't have the confidence to say it was correct.

There might not be a textbook answer to steering the country, but at the very least, he needed to be able to say with confidence that it was 'correct.'

A country without a king who can stand firm has no hope of a bright future.

"Then, how can I gain that confidence?"

First, he needed experience.

He needed real-world experience, different from the virtual kind—practical experience.

By standing in the position of a representative and accumulating experience, he could build up successes and eventually gain solid confidence.

"So... How can I accumulate that experience?"

In [Tactics Chronicle], he had accumulated experience through trial and error, but in the real world, he couldn't afford to make the same mistakes.

Even one mistake could lead to a national crisis.

In the worst case, a diplomatic blunder could make Alkymira the 'enemy of the world.' Given that they were based in the Abyssal Forest, they might even be seen as a demon kingdom. He needed to be extremely cautious in diplomatic settings.

"...This is troublesome."

'Helian' needed experience.

To gain that experience, he needed to stand in the negotiation room.

On the other hand, he couldn't afford to make any mistakes in the negotiation room.

...It was a Catch-22.

"Hey, you! Watch out!"

Suddenly, he was grabbed by the collar and pulled back.

His airway constricted, and a "gah" sound escaped from Helian's throat.

Then, something whizzed past in front of him at high speed.

"Whoa, sorry about that!"

What had passed by was a heavily loaded cart.

With a heavy rumble, a massive object passed by just a few centimeters from his nose.

If he had taken one more step, he would have been run over for sure.

...He was genuinely shaken.

"Sorry, not sorry! That guy was speeding! No matter how much of a hurry you're in, you have to follow the rules—wait, he's already gone. Damn it!"

The man who had apparently saved him cursed.

The man, a demon, was glaring in the direction the cart had gone.

He was about to set out for a development project, carrying a huge axe on his shoulder.

"...Sorry. I almost got run over. Thanks for saving me."

"Yeah, no problem. That cart was the one at fault for speeding in this alley. By the way, which guild's cart was that? If I see it again, I'll report it to the guards."

As the demon, breathing heavily, spoke, something flashed through Helian's mind.

"...Guild?"

"Huh? Oh, the cart had the emblem of some guild on its back. I didn't get which one it was in the moment... Damn, I'm going to be late for work. My wife will scold me."

Muttering "Damn, damn," the demon hurried away.

Helian, watching his back, leaned against the nearest wall and reflected on the words he had just heard.

He placed his right hand on his forehead as if to support his head and sank into thought for a while.

"...Diplomatic skills... Experience... Gathering information from the outside... Securing a base... Leading from the front..."

Muttering to himself for a few minutes, Helian, who had formed a certain idea, suddenly looked up at the sky.

Then, with a frighteningly serious face, he quietly murmured:

"---That's it. I'll become a merchant."

The king had decided to change his profession.

*The next chapter will be posted on [February 16th (Friday)].*