Chapter 8

Organization

Even after the formal meeting began, I continued to sit in my seat in the conference room.

Of course, there was no need for me to speak up and join the discussions, which were about things I didn’t understand.

After the meeting ended, I returned to my room after exchanging talks about the upcoming banquet in the evening and future plans.

"Huh."

I sat astride the bed, staring blankly into space, and then let out a hollow laugh.

...The 7th Duke of Caldric.

From now on, that’s me.

Just a few hours ago, I was living an utterly ordinary life, and suddenly I became a duke. There’s no such thing as a promotion like this.

Although I now have no idea how long my life will last from this moment on.

Caldric’s territory can be divided into ten regions: the central Grand Duke’s domain and the 1st to 9th Dukes’ domains surrounding it.

The dukes are not just called dukes in name; each of them rules over vast lands that are akin to individual kingdoms.

Now that I have become the 7th Duke, I hold all the power over the 7th Duke’s domain, Enrock.

This is possible because the position of the dukes in Caldric is determined solely by the Grand Duke’s appointment, without any hereditary succession.

However, this does not mean that the nine dukes swear absolute loyalty to the Grand Duke.

While the Grand Duke is the leader and focal point of the dukes, as seen in the meeting, the relationship among them is more like a horizontal contractual relationship rather than a vertical one.

Except for a few set conditions, the dukes can act freely without being bound by anything.

The reason such a peculiar structure can be formed and maintained is related to the origins of Caldric, as I recall from the setting book I read.

The explanation was quite detailed, but to summarize the key points:

The Grand Duke’s abilities are so outstanding that over a long period, the power base has naturally solidified.

Some of the current dukes have been with the Grand Duke for over a hundred years, and especially the 1st Duke, Sinthe, has ruled as a duke for hundreds of years since the founding of Caldric.

This long-standing system is, in some ways, more robust than the typical monarchy of the Saintea Empire.

'...Whatever.'

It doesn’t matter.

How did things get so tangled up?

For a moment, I lined up various regrets, but then I suddenly felt a sense of absurdity.

How did things get so tangled up?

What did I do, and how did I end up in this situation? After all, the moment I entered the game, everything was already tangled up.

I got up from the bed and picked up a fruit that looked like an apple from the basket on the table.

I took a big bite, and the sweet juice filled my mouth.

It tasted subtly different from the apples I usually knew, but it was still delicious.

I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until now.

After quickly eating a few fruits to satisfy my hunger, I leaned back in the chair.

'There’s no need to think too complicatedly.'

After all, there’s no going back.

There’s no point in regretting every little thing and lamenting my situation.

It’s far more productive to prepare for the future.

As I steadied my mind, the listless emotions vanished in an instant.

Thanks to the Emperor’s Spirit, the core of my mind is now firmly grounded in cold rationality, ready to keep me from wavering.

This place is not Earth.

It’s not a world with a modern background like the 21st century.

Monsters, bandits, wars, demons... it’s a rough and dangerous land where life is cheap.

As long as I can’t find a way back to my original reality, my fragile life will always be at risk.

Moreover, I know what dark future awaits in this world.

But there’s no need to be discouraged.

My head is filled with a vast amount of knowledge and information about this world.

I also have some abilities.

The Instant Kill and the Emperor’s Spirit, which provide absolute effects, are two powerful tools I possess.

Of course, it would be even better if all the abilities of my original character had been transferred.

Still, looking at it positively, it’s not a bad situation.

The position of the 7th Duke of Caldric.

It’s a position that carries enormous risks but can also be a source of strength.

At least within Caldric’s territory, I can wield absolute power.

Depending on how I handle it, the information I have can certainly be a significant advantage in preparing for the challenges ahead.

'By the way, the Grand Duke...'

My thoughts turned to Rassathein.

The Grand Duke is an unpredictable figure beyond imagination.

I don’t know what exact intentions she had in giving me the position of a duke, but it’s not entirely incomprehensible.

'That wasn’t a pointless question, was it?'

The reason for coming to Caldric.

That was the first question the Grand Duke asked me.

I suspect it was a minimal check.

She has the ability to distinguish between truth and lies in someone’s words.

My answer that I had no specific purpose was likely found to be true, so she must have known that I had no ulterior motives.

'Ah, and she probably realized that Ron was a pseudonym.'

At first glance, it might seem like the Grand Duke made a hasty decision, but it’s not that simple.

After all, she is a figure who has ruled the vast power of Caldric for an immeasurable amount of time.

Perhaps she thought it best to seat me as a duke and observe my abilities over time.

Well, whatever.

'I’ll do what I can.'

After roughly organizing my complex thoughts, I stood up.

The immediate task was clear.

Organizing the information in my head and formulating a plan for the future. That’s the first step.

***

"Indeed, it was a good decision not to seat an indecisive person and leave the position vacant. Don’t you think, Deyphon?"

Deyphon did not respond to Rassathein’s words.

He knew she wasn’t asking for a specific answer.

But he shared the same thought.

Appointing a new duke is solely the Grand Duke’s authority, but once appointed, even she cannot dismiss a duke at will.

If there had been no vacant seat, it would have been difficult to offer any position to the new master who appeared today.

"Still, it was a bit unexpected."

"Hmm, what? Giving the duke position right away?"

"Sir Ron... I suppose I should call him the 7th Duke now. I had expected as much from the moment he was brought to the meeting."

Rassathein smiled.

"One look was enough."

Ron.

Reflecting on it, he was a truly peculiar person.

Especially when he saw through the polymorph, she was genuinely surprised.

It was a half-joking test, but among all the dukes in history, only the current 3rd Duke, Celestial, had immediately recognized her true form.

Moreover, at her level, she could see not just the superficial aspects but the more fundamental qualities of a person.

His noble soul, reminiscent of an emperor.

While he hadn’t yet revealed any specific abilities, there was no doubt that he was as strong as the other dukes.

"And didn’t you notice? That bored-to-death expression."

"..."

"If I had seen him more closely, he might have stormed out of the meeting, hahaha! I didn’t want to lose him so easily."

Deyphon had also been focused on Ron throughout the meeting.

Given his lack of facial expressions, he wondered if Ron might refuse the position, but fortunately, that didn’t happen.

"Is the 7th Duke planning to move immediately?"

"He will likely stay in the castle a bit longer. I’ve already sent a messenger to Enrock."

"Right. Anyway, good work. This trip to the castle has yielded much greater results than the original purpose."

While Deyphon’s trip to Saintea had an important purpose, Rassathein’s mind was now solely focused on Ron.

"He was said to be a prisoner on the Achemon transport ship."

Rassathein had been informed of everything that happened on the transport ship, including how Ron killed Quan.

"Didn’t you feel any unusual energy when he killed Quan?"

"No, as I said, not at all. It’s possible I simply didn’t notice, but we were within ten steps of each other..."

"Hmm, so it’s probably not magic."

Rassathein had been closely observing Ron from the moment he entered the meeting room, but she felt no magical power from him.

"Surely my senses aren’t that easily deceived, so it’s likely a 'mystery.'"

"..."

"Or it could be a racial trait I don’t know about. He might not be human, despite his appearance. I’m curious about what kind of ability he has."

With a smile of interest, Rassathein muttered, and Deyphon asked cautiously.

"Why didn’t you investigate him more thoroughly?"

"I told you. He wasn’t someone to be casually investigated. And Ron wasn’t his real name."

"Ah... So that’s it?"

"Yes. But there’s no way he would have told me anything else willingly."

Rassathein knew that Ron had not revealed his real name.

Distinguishing between truth and lies in someone’s words was not difficult for her.

"Well, I’ve confirmed what I needed to. The rest doesn’t matter... but I do want to know his true identity. It’s been a while since I’ve had an interesting case."

"Are you planning to go to Saintea?"

"Haha, don’t be surprised. I’ll do it when I have time, not immediately. You always worry too much, Deyphon."

Rassathein waved her hand and smiled.

"Anyway, I’ll watch him slowly. I’m looking forward to seeing what our new 7th Duke will do."

***

A few days passed.

Life in the Grand Duke’s castle was incredibly comfortable. The food was excellent, and the bed was cozy.

With servants always on standby nearby, there was no inconvenience.

"..."

I stood by the window, absentmindedly enjoying the breeze.

I could see knights training in a spacious area within the castle grounds.

The reason I haven’t moved to the 7th Duke’s domain, Enrock, yet is that I needed to organize my thoughts.

For several days, I was almost confined to my room, spending my time busily.

First, I confirmed that this world is indeed the background and time period of the game Lassia that I played.

It’s the year 759 of the Lakironia continent, exactly five years in the past.

I extracted and noted down all the important or useful information I could remember, to avoid forgetting it.

Since no one would recognize my Korean notes, I didn’t feel burdened by the task.

Based on this information, I also formulated a rough plan for the future.

'The most needed is power.'

The top priority is, of course, enhancing my own abilities.

I am currently far too weak.

Considering my safety and the limitations of my level 1 power, there’s a lot I can’t do.

The Instant Kill skill is a trump card that can kill anyone if it hits, but that’s all it is.

If I could gain experience points by killing enemies like in the game, leveling up wouldn’t be a problem.

However, now that the game has become reality, that’s unfortunately impossible.

If the experience system were still in place, something should have changed when I killed Quan.

Moreover, there are no stat, skill, or inventory windows, or any other systems. I tried muttering to the air, but nothing appeared.

Except for the two skills I have and the level display in my vision, this place is a perfect reality, just with a game-like background.

The way to become stronger in reality.

Of course, it’s through direct and hard training, like the knights I see below.

But I don’t have the time for that.

Even if I had some incredible talent for swordsmanship or magic, it wouldn’t change anything.

How long would it take to start from scratch and become sufficiently strong? Who would I learn from?

After a few years, I might barely reach level 30?

Even the lowest-ranking knight in the Grand Duke’s castle would be at a much higher level.

...Therefore, there is only one way.

To gain a type of ability that can instantly make me strong without any effort.

Mysteries hidden around the continent, or hidden pieces in ruins.

Even on the way from the Grand Duke’s castle to the 7th Duke’s domain, there is a mystery to be obtained.

While these won’t directly enhance my fundamental combat power, they are the only way to quickly boost my stats in a short period. But...

'Of course, it won’t be easy.'

As in any fantasy world, places with hidden mysteries are usually dangerous. This world is no exception.

Monsters, traps, and other dangers... I don’t have the ability to overcome all these obstacles and reach my goal.

Should I use the power of a duke to have someone capable do it for me?

If there’s no other way, I might have to, but it’s an uncertain and risky method.

Moreover, there are many mysteries that can only be obtained by going there myself.

Traveling around the continent to find hidden pieces is something I can’t do alone.

Therefore, I need an excellent assistant.

Someone who can ensure my safety at all times... Yes, a bodyguard.