The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 117

In this world, Si-on was fundamentally selfish.

Back in Korea, he had merely looked out for his own within average bounds like everyone else.

But after being thrown into a world where human rights were nonexistent and human lives were worth less than flies in the worst of times, he had changed.

However, after realizing his immortality and becoming a duke, Si-on had grown a bit more lenient.

It was much like how people with vague wealth and power tend to live desperately, whereas the top 0.001% of the upper class generally do not.

Of course, those at the very top would still ruthlessly crush anyone who dared to challenge them or acted above their station, but they were generally magnanimous.

Si-on, too, had become somewhat more forgiving and sympathetic toward Yazan and Souden after thoroughly crushing them.

“It doesn’t seem right to send a whole, intact battalion. How about we send 10 veteran soldiers along with 50 troops who’ve fought in monster hunts a few times? We’ll include a fair number of elf warriors and dwarf artisans as well.”

“That sounds reasonable.”

“I’m satisfied with that.”

Yazan’s merchants and the entrenched figures of Souden quickly calculated in their minds and nodded in agreement.

They also agreed to take with them 1,000 sets of standard equipment (short swords, spears, 32-layer quilted armor, helmets, etc.) that had been used by the standing army of the Si-on Duchy, and 100 units of special equipment made from processed monster byproducts.

Though this wasn’t enough to fully arm all the knights and soldiers of Yazan and Count Garen’s estate, it was enough to deal with urgent threats, allowing them to stand their ground, unlike other regions being utterly devastated.

Additionally, the 10 veteran members of the Peregrine Division, experts in monster hunting, along with 50 troops already armed with special equipment, would quickly push back the monsters.

On top of that, elf warriors skilled in tracking and dismantling monsters and dwarf artisans responsible for repairing the equipment would also be dispatched.

“Thank you for the grace of the Si-on Duchy!”

“The past is the past. Let’s move forward together toward a better future!”

Yazan’s merchants glossed over Si-on being the owner of the Hexagonal Seal, while Souden’s old guard laughed and celebrated, dismissing the mess created by Zaitz Garen as “past.”

Since Si-on had already been compensated fairly (if not excessively), he didn’t make a fuss.

The world was entering a time of chaos, and soon, “players” would also arrive, so there was no need to make unnecessary enemies.

While it might not exactly be about mutual assistance, maintaining a reasonable contract and continuing a cooperative relationship was desirable.

“Hm. While we’re at it, let’s do this. Yazan and Souden will supply any products made from monster byproducts at a 10% discount compared to other regions. You were the first to establish a relationship with the Si-on Duchy, so this much is only fair.”

Si-on decided to be a little generous.

In truth, it was because he knew that trying to hoard everything when doing well wouldn’t end well.

‘Well, I’ve had too much already and need time to digest it anyway.’

“Oooooh…!”

Everyone was moved by the benevolence of the immortal being.

Yazan’s merchants took it as a sign that the owner of the Hexagonal Seal still trusted them, while Souden’s old guard interpreted it as a declaration that the Si-on Duchy had entirely let go of the “unpleasant past.”

‘Could the head shareholder truly be a saint!?’

‘How could anyone in their right mind call such a person a demon king!’

Though things might change later, at least for now, Si-on and his duchy had earned maximum favor from them.

For the time being, these two would become Si-on’s allies without any problems.

* * *

“Now, all that’s left is Burgos, huh?”

After setting up a plan based on the “shards of truth” he had heard from the dragon of the wastelands, Derkios, the first place he had sunk his investments was Burgos.

“Call it foresight, or maybe just luck.”

Back then, he had judged that the Dragon’s Wastelands would become a “quest zone” that any “player” coming to this world would have to visit, so he invested in securing the gateway city of Burgos.

But now, the Dragon’s Wastelands and Burgos were tangled up with the Obla Kingdom’s succession problem.

Why, you ask?

“Looks like Duke Lloyd really stirred up some trouble.”

As soon as Duke Lloyd returned to the royal capital, he reported that he had been attacked by monsters.

Even though it was in a forest between the southern and central parts of the kingdom, it had occurred on a main road frequently used by people.

And it wasn’t just anyone but a high-ranking member of the royal family who had been attacked by hundreds of armed goblins (which he exaggerated to nearly double the actual number).

With the testimonies of the royal knights and the sight of damaged carriages and injured royal knights, the royal capital’s ministers and officials were aghast.

And it wasn’t only the capital.

Duke Lloyd, second in line for the throne, was the kingdom’s most famous person—a celebrity.

A celebrity had been attacked by monsters in the heart of the kingdom?

The entire capital was in an uproar.

On top of that, reports came flooding in from the western, northern, and eastern parts of the kingdom, where monsters were increasingly being sighted or causing damage, particularly in remote areas with high mountains, deep forests, or secluded rivers and lakes.

Even the royal family’s lands in the central region and the surrounding estates were seeing unsettling developments.

With complaints pouring in from all over, mercenary groups, regardless of their size or past accomplishments, saw their fees skyrocket.

Even former bandits and marauders were abandoning their criminal ways and cozying up to local lords, claiming to be mercenaries.

And in the midst of this mess (engineered by Si-on and Duke Lloyd), Duke Lloyd dropped another bombshell.

“According to reliable sources (Si-on), a massive wave of monsters is spreading from the Dragon’s Wastelands. Before long, the entire northeastern region, starting with Burgos, could become a land of monsters.”

The explosion was immense.

Why all the fuss over the northeastern region, far from the central royal lands, an area everyone usually dismissed as a backwater?

Because the northeastern region borders…

“Orcland.”

Orcland.

A name as straightforward as it was uninspired, Orcland was, as the name suggests, the land of the orcs.

In this world, orcs were not considered monsters.

Like elves and dwarves, they were classified as demi-humans and treated as “people.”

This was because orcs could speak and had a culture that had persisted and developed over hundreds of years.

The problem was their extreme belligerence.

Orcs viewed all non-orcs as enemies.

Even among their own kind, they fought other tribes to establish dominance.

If they lost in those fights and had to submit to another tribe, they would be treated as little more than slaves or cannon fodder.

If orcs treated their own kind like that, how do you think they treated humans, dwarves, and elves?

Si-on had personally witnessed how orcs from Orcland treated humans captured from the northeastern borderlands of the Obla Kingdom.

And now the northeastern region was being thrown into chaos because of monsters?

There was no way those insane orcs would stand idly by.

They would likely join forces with the monsters, ravaging the northeastern region as they aimed to conquer it.

The ministers of the Obla Kingdom envisioned that nightmare scenario—one that had happened before.

And so, the bomb dropped by Duke Lloyd caused an explosion comparable to a Tsar Bomba.

At the heart of that explosion, Duke Lloyd’s proposal, shouting amidst the chaos, was accepted as the most effective and “only” solution.

“There is a man who is both a proud relative of the royal family and the person who played a decisive role in resolving the monster crisis in the Si-on Duchy! Not only did he foresee this situation nearly a year ago, but he has also taken measures in Burgos, the gateway to the Dragon’s Wastelands! Sir Jang Obla Salen! A knight among knights, with whom I, Lloyd, have long shared friendship!”

Duke Lloyd proclaimed Salen’s name from the center of the royal capital.

Well, not exactly. But his cleverly crafted introduction had the capital buzzing.

Those who knew Si-on’s identity were shocked, and those who didn’t were just as astounded.

But the few who knew Si-on’s true identity quickly shut their mouths, despite their surprise.

Knowing Si-on’s identity meant they had been observing him for a long time.

They quickly realized that Si-on had decided to support Duke Lloyd as the next king.

Thus, they couldn’t immediately oppose the decision of an immortal who had been close to the current king for many years.

It was far better to align themselves with Duke Lloyd or switch sides entirely than to oppose Si-on.

At any rate.

“Therefore, I propose appointing Sir Jang Obla Salen as the interim governor of Burgos! A blood relative of our hero king! The most outstanding knight I know! I trust he will lead the kingdom through this crisis!”

Backing Duke Lloyd’s claim was a quickly sent “official document” from Schwart, the Burgos administrator, who had received a hefty bribe from Si-on last year.

On top of that, Baron Kilburn of the Logos Territory, who had restored ties with his maternal relatives after receiving a personal letter from Si-on’s relative and Hender, Yonas, confirmed Sir Salen’s warnings and his exceptional abilities in a letter to the royal capital.

Boom!

The relevant ministers swiftly approved the decision.

“Well, I don’t like being one of ‘his descendants,’ but…”

Si-on let out a bitter smile as he held the order from the royal capital.

Still, having officially secured the “quest zone” was worth the trouble.

Now, it was time to…

“Deal with that reckless thunderbear as promised.”

Crown Prince Philon and Earl Rundel.

Though they were “players” caught up in this game, with their opponent, Duke Lloyd, constantly doubling down on his moves, their presence had already begun to fade.

They were now on the verge of losing everything, perhaps even their family estates and shares in the company, with only their desperation and defiance remaining.

* * *

“Kyaaaah! Ack! Ack! Ackack!”

Whack! Crash! Clang!

As Si-on had predicted, Crown Prince Philon had nothing left but desperation and defiance.

The problem was that he wasn’t directing it at his rival, Duke Lloyd, or Si-on but at completely innocent people.

“Your Highness! Please, calm yourself!”

“Calm? Calm down? How am I supposed to calm down? Aaaagh!”

“You fool, Philooooon!”

“W-what did you just say, Uncle…?”

“I said, get a grip! Now more than ever, you need to hold your ground! If you fall apart, what will happen to the people who rely on you? You idiot!”

“Ugh…”

Crown Prince Philon had grown up at his maternal relatives’ estate.

His uncle, Earl Rundel, had been the one to discipline him when he was less than ten years old.

Back then, as the heir of the Rundel family, he had rigorously trained his nephew, who was destined to be the king after the current one.

Of course, as Philon grew older, Rundel began treating him with the respect due to a crown prince, and Philon became comfortable knowing that his uncle was technically “beneath” him. But the PTSD from his harsh childhood training had never entirely disappeared.

“It’s not too late yet. And nothing has been decided for certain. Remember, the king has not said a word about any of this.”

“Yes, yes, Uncle. I guess I got a little too worked up.”

With Crown Prince Philon obediently behaving like the ten-year-old boy he once was, Earl Rundel nodded as he placed a hand on his shoulder.

“For now, we need to meet this Sir Salen. And you must do it personally.”

“M-me? Personally?”

“Yes. Just as Duke Lloyd did, you need to meet him face-to-face. Of course, I will accompany you.”

“Oh, well, in that case…”

Feeling reassured by his uncle’s words, Crown Prince Philon relaxed, his expression easing.

Earl Rundel sighed inwardly at the reaction.

He had skillfully made Philon his puppet from a young age, but the boy’s lack of fortitude made him less suitable for the throne.

‘Still, that just makes it easier for me to control him once he’s king.’

“Forget about stealing his wealth or threatening him. We never even considered those things. We must bring him to our side, no matter what it takes. Understood? Give him whatever he wants.”

Of course, those were just words.

Once Philon ascended to the throne, Rundel could always deal with him later.

That was how Earl Rundel planned to become the “one and only” power behind the throne.