Korean Duke (1)
Having decided to introduce a constitutional monarchy, I immediately informed the executives and high-ranking officials of the Union Government as well. The main reason was to gauge their reactions, but not a single one showed any sign of objection. If anything, more people welcomed it with both hands raised high.
The rumor naturally spread to the citizens of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, but there were no negative responses there either. The atmosphere was that as long as I provided hospital treatment, showers, and food, they didn't care if I called myself king or god.
Then, something unexpected happened. The Gangnam president, who had come from the Union Government to jointly govern with me, abruptly announced his resignation.
At first, I was annoyed and summoned him to Nakyuan, but the irritation vanished the moment I saw his face. Standing before me was a pitiful middle-aged man who looked barely human—nothing but skin and bones left. He said he'd lost 23kg since the Gangnam regime fell under my control. He looked like he could collapse at any moment. It was like staring at a corpse that could still talk.
All his assets had been confiscated, the power he'd enjoyed stripped away, and he was under 24/7 surveillance—essentially imprisoned. That seemed to be the source of his immense stress. I hadn't known this, but apparently even the bathroom and shower were equipped with CCTV.
He dropped to his knees on his skeletal legs and begged me to let him step down from the presidency, groveling like an elementary school kid with tears and snot streaming down his face.
"Last week... hic! I just said I wanted a cup of coffee...!"
"..."
"The soldier monitoring me yelled, 'Am I your barista? Are you insane?!'"
"..."
I had no idea what he expected me to do about it. It felt like a kindergartener running to the teacher complaining that a classmate was bullying him.
The fall of a powerless leader is always pathetic. This guy was at least kept alive for the symbolic value of having been president; the rest of the corrupt high officials had all been publicly executed.
"Fine. Live quietly from now on. I'll have the CCTV in your house removed."
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
He slammed his head against the floor repeatedly as he shouted. Whether the CCTV stayed or not didn't matter anyway—guards disguised as security detail were stationed in his home around the clock, watching him relentlessly. He couldn't even meet people or make phone calls.
"Now get the hell out of my sight."
"Yes! Thank you!"
The back of a man stripped of power was truly wretched. Those steeped in luxury and greed can't live normal lives once it's taken away.
After the Gangnam president's resignation, the coronation was moved up. With no public backlash, we officially proclaimed the constitutional monarchy and accelerated preparations for the ceremony. It was set for a week later.
"Do I really have to wear this...?"
Han Seol and Han Byeol knelt before me, fastening my sash as they replied.
"Please stay still."
"Don't move."
The Union Government had scoured for experts in traditional clothing to craft the robes for my coronation. It was astonishing that artisans capable of this quality still existed.
The outfit they'd sent was called gonbok, the formal attire East Asian monarchs wore for major ceremonies. I'd seen it in historical dramas. If gonryongpo was the king's casual wear, gonbok was like his suit.
Getting into it was ridiculously complicated and cumbersome. Han Seol and Han Byeol had gone to Gangnam to learn from the costume makers how to dress me.
"Done! How does it look?"
"It suits you perfectly."
Han Seol and Han Byeol stood up, beaming with smiles.
"It's too heavy and uncomfortable..."
Clink, clink. The beads dangling from the myeonryugwan crown obstructed my view. Everything about this outfit was inconvenient. They said I'd only wear it for the one day of the ceremony and rarely after, so I decided to grit my teeth and bear it.
The outside was filled with cheers. Besides Nakyuan's roughly 2,000 residents, another 4,000 people had arrived—3,500 from Seoul and 500 from Gyeonggi Province for my coronation.
To host them lavishly with food and drink, we'd held a banquet on a scale unlike any before, starting the day prior. It was to uphold the monarch's authority with maximum splendor and abundance, as advised.
Honestly, it felt a bit wasteful. I sat on the sofa in the palace's first-floor living room, fidgeting in the uncomfortable gonbok.
"When do I go out? I just want to get this over with and take it off."
"Soon."
After waiting about 30 minutes, Han Seol entered the palace.
"Let's go."
"Alright."
As I stood, Han Seol and Han Byeol stepped forward and opened the door.
Creeeak.
"Whoa!"
"His Majesty the King!"
"Long live!"
"Long, long live!"
"O... oh!"
A long red carpet stretched from the palace door to the throne. Thousands gazed up at me, roaring in cheers. The carpet led straight to the dais, and I wanted to sprint to the throne, rush through the ceremony, and escape—but I had to walk slowly.
Flower petals rained from the sky. My executives and the 1st Guard Unit stood in formation beside me for protection. Everyone but me wore suits. The cheers were deafening; my ears rang, and panic started to set in.
I reached the base of the dais where the throne sat. As I began ascending the stairs, all the officials prostrated themselves below.
"Hic...!"
"Sob!"
Some went beyond cheers into outright sobbing. I decided to just tune it all out.
At the throne, an attendant climbed via the golden silk path and handed Han Seol a silk scroll, which she presented to me. As I unrolled it, the crowd fell silent, and I read the words aloud.
"The Way of the world has long collapsed, and the people have languished in suffering. Yet I, of humble virtue, know full well I lack the qualifications to bear this heavy burden."
I had to read it, even if I didn't want to.
"However, with officials and the myriad people united in urging me to ascend, to turn away would defy Heaven's will. Thus, today, I proclaim my ascension to ensure the peace of the realm and the restoration of law."
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty!"
The former Seoul citizens, now my subjects, all prostrated and shouted.
"Long live!"
"Long live His Majesty the King!"
They should've said "ten thousand years," but that didn't seem to matter. For about an hour, it was like torture hearing the crowd's wails. I just stood there with my eyes closed.
The banquet continued for another four days after the coronation. Laughter and cheers never ceased outside. I holed up in the palace and didn't go out.
The moment I returned, I tore off the gonbok and crown. It felt too daunting to face the crowds, so for four days, I stayed inside playing board games with Ha-yeon, Woo-rim, and I-rang.
Adults were too deferential, turning games into formal deference. Only kids could play purely and give it their all against me.
On the final day, I summoned the executives and warlord leaders who'd attended the coronation to the palace for handshakes—one by one. It took nearly eight hours. Exhausted, I crashed into bed as soon as greetings ended.
"Finally, I can breathe."
It was the first morning after all coronation events ended. I stretched after waking and opened my bedroom door.
In the kitchen, Han Seol, Han Byeol, Jui, Hye-won, and I-rang were preparing breakfast together.
"You're awake?"
"Up early today."
"G-good morning!"
-Good morning.-
I'd banned titles like "Your Majesty" and told them to treat me as usual, so things stayed normal even after the coronation.
"I'll make your coffee first."
"Thanks."
As I went to sit, a message suddenly popped up before my eyes.
Promotion: Korean Duke
"Huh? Korean Duke?"
I froze, staring blankly into space instead of sitting, and everyone looked at me.
"Do-hyun?"
"O-oppa?"
New messages kept appearing.
Title Change: Hanseong Marquis ▶ Korean Duke
Held Titles: Korean Duke, Namsan, Hoeseong, Guryongju, Daemojo
"What... why?"
This was weird. I'd steadily taken in residents, but including Nakyuan and all domains, citizens numbered only about 25,000. Most of that—over 20,000—were in Hoeseong due to ongoing intake there.
My guess was off. I'd thought the next promotion needed 100,000 residents, but no. Some other condition must've been met. The most likely? Being recognized as sovereign by a certain number of people.
I-rang grabbed my hand and shook it.
"O-oppa... a-are you okay?"
"Ah... yeah, I'm f-fine..."
"I-I'm awake!"
I opened my eyes to find myself in bed, I-rang kneading my face. Han Seol, Han Byeol, Na Hye-won, and Jui looked down at me.
"Are you okay?!"
"Yeah, I'm fine..."
I'd blacked out, but no new info flooded in.
"Outside? What's happening outside?!"
I jumped out of bed and rushed to the window.
Creeeak.
"Yes... this is it."
I threw open the door to cheers.
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty!"
Residents below spotted me at the window and shouted.
The barrier had expanded from 11x11 to 15x15—225 squares. No more worrying about space for buildings.
"Again? What else changed?!"
"Let's go together!"
I hopped into the elevator right away.
"No wonder it felt a bit taller than usual."
The palace height had increased to 10 floors. Former 7th and 8th floors shifted to 9th and 10th, with new 7th and 8th added.
"Start here. Call all executives, and have the guards tell residents to stop bowing below and go back to their tasks."
"Yes!"
We reached the 8th floor. A plaque hung on the door: the character "樂" (楽).
Nakyuan's "paradise"乐 or "joy"乐? Unclear.
Creeeak.
"Hm... I think I get it without explanation."
Astonishingly, the entire 8th floor was a comprehensive entertainment center: bowling alley, screen golf, pocket billiards, board games, and more. Upbeat music played. Just looking made me happy, though a tad disappointing.
We headed straight to the 7th floor. Its plaque read "Great General's Office."
My heart already raced.
Creeeak.
Info flowed into my mind as the door opened. It featured a ornate Joseon-style office and armory. The armory held 50 weapon racks, each with five hwandos—250 total.
"Weapons!"
Han Byeol exclaimed. Black-based with gold accents, they had a classic, simple design. Plainer than the flashy Nangong armory blades.
Shing... kiiing.
I drew one; its silver blade gleamed.
"Are these like the Nangong swords?"
"No, not quite."
But they were high-tech beyond modern science, per the info. A step below the old palace armory's, but still.
"Jackpot."
Unlike the old armory's measly twelve swords, here were 250. Arm the strong Awakeners, and I'd have a 250-strong high-tech unit. Clearly superior to silver-forged blades.
"Grab one and let's test it downstairs."
"Yes!"
We took one down, set up a rock, and compared to a Nangong sword. Both sliced it cleanly.
Jui swung it, then wrote on her notepad.
-Nangong sword cuts sharper and smoother. This one's still amazing though.-
"Good. Very good."
I headed straight for the old palace, Nangong.