Marquis (1)

I cut classes down to four days a week. The excuse was that I needed time to read reports and enjoy some leisure since time was short. One thing I realized after the teachers' passionate lectures was that there are two kinds of leaders.

The first type takes the initiative to lead the group and set policies themselves. The second listens to their subordinates' opinions and approves them. Both have clear pros and cons.

A leader of the first type can rack up achievements quickly if they're competent enough. But if their passion veers off in a weird direction, the group's strength gets funneled into bad choices, and they might not recover from the backlash, leading to the group's collapse.

The second type just needs to hone their judgment. They listen to subordinates and decide, so they rarely take the lead themselves, but in return, they can keep the group stable and safe.

The teachers recommended becoming the second type. Among the first type, they cited King Sejong of Joseon as an example where personal brilliance made everything work out. For the worst case of the first type, they pointed to Seo Su-yeon, the current president of the Reconstruction Government.

Some teachers were former Reconstruction Government officials, and they criticized her with brutal sharpness. In the early days of the Reconstruction Government, infighting broke out even among the hardliners. Numerous aides exploited the situation, sowing discord and advising a massive purge of the hardliners, but she ignored them.

It was too wasteful to purge them given their military power, and she deluded herself that she could control them with her own abilities. The evaluation of her is a leader whose passion and confidence far exceed her capabilities.

Honestly, hearing that made my chest ache. I'm lucky I have the power to fix my mistakes; if I were an ordinary awakener, the group would've collapsed long ago from the blunders I've made.

"What do you all think?"

"I think... it's a bit dangerous."

"Since they're living far from Nakyuan, as long as we monitor them thoroughly, it should be fine."

I stood at a crossroads, facing a major decision. The estimated residents needed for the next promotion were 10,000. We'd barely surpassed 1,700 residents after taking in over 500. Thinking about filling the remaining 8,300 made my vision go dark.

It would probably take enough time to fill all 49 slots and reconstruct every house to LV.3 before we hit 10,000. So during a meeting with the executives, brainstorming ways to do it faster, this idea came up.

The roughly 4,000 citizens still in the Reconstruction Government have nowhere else to go—they're stuck there. The proposal was to issue them citizenship.

Of course, we couldn't bring 4,000 inside Nakyuan due to food, housing, and security issues. Han Byeol said,

"The Reconstruction Government was once the Union's enemy, but it's in the process of disbanding now, and we've received reports that an official dissolution declaration is coming soon."

"Will they come under the Union willingly?"

"They have nowhere else to go anyway... They're people who don't belong anywhere. Once the Reconstruction Government officially disbands, there'll be no legal or nominal issues."

"Hmm..."

Even conservatively taking in 3,000 of them would boost our resident count by nearly 5,000 overnight. Han Seol spoke up.

"My lord, may I say something?"

"Go ahead."

"Lately, more Seoul citizens are migrating from Gangnam to Gangbuk."

"Should we take them in too?"

"They're desperate people, so I think it's worth considering."

More people have been coming over from Gangnam recently. Among them are ambitious types who lost in Gangnam's cutthroat political fights and hope to make a comeback in Gangbuk, mixed with those who've heard rumors that joining the Union guarantees basic survival rights.

The Gangnam ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠government can't feed them or stop them from crossing, so we're accepting everyone except major figures who might cause diplomatic friction. "In that case, wouldn't it be better to give citizenship to people already in the Union?"

"Trustworthy Union members would be fine, but they possess strong military power. There's a risk of rebellion."

She had a point. That's exactly why we're targeting desperate, powerless folks. "It's not something we need to rush. Let's think it over more."

"Yes!"

The Reconstruction Government officially declared its dissolution. Seo Su-yeon stepped down from the presidency and became an ordinary awakener with no position. Now I had to decide what to do with those 4,000 refugees.

They'd declared dissolution but still existed as a group, so they'd stay there a while longer. But with even their last symbol—the president—gone, they'd scatter soon.

There was just one last hang-up. Expanding citizenship this way to promote to marquis made me worry about what happens if the count drops below 10,000.

For example, if we hit exactly 10,000 and then 500 die in war or get stripped of citizenship for treason, would we drop back to viscount without penalty? No. I could tell without testing it. Just imagining it sent chills down my spine and waves of dread.

This ability was warning me that trying such a trick after getting demoted would bring heavy penalties. If it were possible without penalty, I'd have handed out citizenship to any 100,000 Union members, hit ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠duke, then revoked them for endless promotions.

"I've decided. We'll accept the Reconstruction Government's citizens. First, let's poll them."

"Yes!"

"They'll likely accept our offer joyfully."

"They're like rats in a trap, with nowhere to belong."

I chose to take the risk. This ability was forcing me to decide: take risks for fast growth or play safe for slow progress. It wasn't certain, but with the tough 10,000 condition, I figured the marquis reward would be bigger.

"Former President Seo Su-yeon has arrived."

"Got it, I'll go out."

It had been a while. Seo Su-yeon spotted me from afar outside the barrier and dropped to one knee. Beside her were the last bureaucrats who'd stuck by her till the end.

Up close, she looked better than Kim Dae-geon had said—relieved, even, after the official dissolution.

"My lord, it's been too long."

"Yeah, it has. You heard the deal?"

"Yes. 3,629 from our side wish to join the direct territory under Your Excellency."

"Nothing changes. Keep your base there and govern as before."

"Yes, thank you."

To minimize backlash from former Reconstruction citizens, we'd decided Seo Su-yeon—still popular—would continue ruling the old territory. Of course, she's a figurehead; real policy decisions come from Nakyuan.

She gladly accepted the puppet ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠role. "Good. Food supply okay?"

"Yes, this harvest was good, so we have enough to last the winter."

Seo Su-yeon glanced up at me, then bowed her head again. "I pledge unchanging loyalty to the Supreme Commander of the Union."

"Good. Looking forward to working with you."

"Likewise."

Just then, my waist radio crackled with Han Byeol's urgent voice. "My lord! Radio from the Union soldiers stationed at the former Reconstruction Government!"

"What is it?"

"It's... uh!"

"No way."

"A barrier appeared right in the heart of the former Reconstruction capital..."

"Ah."

The moment Han Byeol finished, my head rang, and a message appeared.

"What the..."

I'd anticipated something like this might happen, but not that it actually would. "My lord, shall we send drones?"

"Yeah, right away."

Four blue drones lifted off from the observatory with Han Byeol piloting. Seo Su-yeon and the bureaucrats kneeling before me looked baffled.

"You heard about the barrier at Namsan, right?"

"Yes."

"One just appeared in the heart of the Reconstruction Government too."

We took in about 3,400 former Reconstruction citizens, pushing our total residents past 5,000. We named it Hoeseong as the message suggested—"Nakyuan Commandery Hoeseong."

Drones confirmed it was like Namsan: a 3x3 grid of 9 blocks with a green barrier. Currently, Hoeseong housed Im Jui, Han Byeol, Jeong Su-hwan, and 500 Union soldiers.

I figured it was too soon to give Seo Su-yeon citizenship issuance rights, so I only allowed transit passes. I appointed Im Jui as deputy governor and shared citizenship rights with Han Byeol and Im Jui.

With Han Byeol's help, Im Jui issued citizenships. About 200 were rejected for low loyalty. I'd been saving 100P to reconstruct Farm 1 to LV.3, but Hoeseong changed plans.

I spent my hard-earned 70P: 50P to build a house, 20P to reconstruct it. This five-story building became Hoeseong's observatory and government office, where Seo Su-yeon and the old bureaucrats handle affairs.

At least the houses provide infinite water and power, so one worry down. Once things stabilize, I'd summon Han Byeol, Im Jui, and Jeong Su-hwan back to Nakyuan next week.

"Things must be boring without me, huh?"

"Yeah, the house feels quiet."

"Even hotter with Seol, right?"

"I'm hanging up."

"Kidding!"

Bored Han Byeol radios me whenever she's free. With classes done and nothing else to do, I play along.

"So how many today?"

"311. All over 60% loyalty, so I issued citizenship."

"Hmm."

Another issue cropped up. After renaming the old Reconstruction Government to Hoeseong and making it the Supreme Commander's direct territory, rumors spread, and refugees pour in daily begging to join.

Total residents across Nakyuan, Namsan, and Hoeseong topped 7,000. At this rate, we'd hit 10,000 soon. Even at 10,000, we have food for winter. Next year, Union supplies till harvest.

With the old infrastructure and infinite utilities from houses, it's surprisingly comfortable. Nakyuan: ~1,700; Namsan: 60; Hoeseong: a whopping 5,481. Hard to tell which is the main base now.

I swapped Seo Su-yeon's citizenship to Hoeseong's green-striped version and told her to enter Nakyuan. She passed the barrier fine. This proved sub-territory residents can move freely with matching stripe colors.

No signs of discontent or rebellion yet, so we'll surpass 10,000 soon.