Chapter 338: translated
I Killed the Demon King. It was a Mistake.
Chapter 338
Caesar headed to the Arch Great Library with Noah.
The room that Noah guided him to was a room with portraits of all previous Arch Dukes, which was familiar to him since he had seen it so many times.
Because it was familiar, he could quickly notice what had changed in this room. Noah Arch's portrait was hanging in the portrait room.
"I'm curious, who paints those portraits?"
"If you're asking weird questions just because you feel uncomfortable, don't."
For someone without psychometry, he sure has an uncanny sense for reading people.
Noah sat in the seat of honor and poured alcohol, passing it to Caesar.
"Sit down. We have a lot to talk about."
Caesar sat down and took a sip of the alcohol. It feels good to have fine liquor after a long time.
"I hear you're called the Baptism King?"
I might choke on this. Yes, no matter how uninterested he might be, he should get the position right first.
"It happened somehow."
"Do you have the Baptism Sword?"
Caesar stretched out his hand.
Then, the complete Baptism Sword sprung from Caesar's hand.
Noah looked at the Baptism Sword with interested eyes.
"Interesting. The Baptism Sword, symbol of the human king, in the hands of a doppelganger."
"I never thought I would complete the Baptism Sword either."
Noah leaned back against the backrest and said.
"Originally, the Baptism Sword was proof that the first Emperor was chosen by the goddess Dre. This Baptism Sword itself was the legitimacy to rule the Eileen Empire. That means you, not Mitchell, might be the Emperor."
"If having the sword makes one Emperor, every dog and cow would have become Emperor."
"Since things have come to this, how about really becoming the king of Homigraph?"
...Is this guy serious? Caesar began to read Noah's mind.
"Are you serious?"
"Half serious."
"Meaning the other half is not?"
Noah levitated his staff in the air. It was the permanent levitation magic that Duke Laar Arch had shown before.
"The reason the Arch family has been running until now is neither to become a duke nor to gain mighty power. It was to float the ark above the sky. That is, once the ark is floating, what happens below on the ground has nothing to do with the Ark family."
"So you're telling me to become the king of this land occupied by devils?"
"Couldn't you possibly defend it well?"
This guy is being sarcastic.
The reason Noah didn't really care whether Caesar became the king of Homigraph or not was here. Noah is convinced that this land will be destroyed by devils.
That's why he thinks what's the point of becoming the king of the land below.
"What if I can't defend it?"
"Of course, there's a place prepared for you and your people on the ark. You can board anytime."
Noah grabbed the staff floating in the air.
"So think carefully and make your choice. Whether to become the king of humans rushing toward destruction, or a survivor on the ark."
What was the reason Caesar had come this far?
Wasn't it to escape from this Valent saga scenario that only had an end of the world?
If it's for certain survival, it would be right to focus all efforts on helping build Noah's ark.
But it would be good to have at least one certain insurance.
"Well, it would be nice to have a place for me on the ark."
"Then the ark needs to be completed quickly, doesn't it?"
Noah drew a continental map with magic.
"As you know, I have been granted unlimited military independence by the Emperor. And there is only one purpose for it."
Noah drew a railway connecting Vexilla and Sapientia.
"To stabilize security so that the trains are not plundered by bandits."
"And incidentally to receive magic stones from Vexilla?"
"That's the main purpose. Currently, the Emperor is in a situation where just my support is enough. If there's also a direct train connecting Vexilla and Sapientia, the Emperor's base of support would be firm."
Noah took out a red staff from an old box.
"So I'll give you the authority to recruit soldiers and all the authority you can use. In Arch family terms, you would be 'the one who holds the red staff,' or in old terms, the 'Grand General.'"
Caesar knew what meaning the red staff held.
When proceeding as a general, if you receive the highest trust of the Arch Duke, you get command authority, gaining tremendous power to command all magicians existing in the magic tower.
"The goal is clear. Secure the railway connecting Vexilla and Sapientia. And protect the trains transporting magic stones."
"When all the magic stones in Vexilla are received, will the ark be completed?"
"If the amount mentioned by Hilos is certain, it might be barely possible."
Noah handed the red staff to Caesar.
"Will you accept it?"
Caesar took the staff without even needing to think about it.
"There would be no fool who would refuse this."
***
Caesar opened the carriage window and scanned Sapientia.
Full spring had come to Sapientia, and there were people buying flowers from flower shops, and women were shopping holding children's hands.
Although he had traveled around numerous villages and cities for more than two and a half months, this was the first city as peaceful as Homigraph.
People who had the luxury to buy flowers instead of bread, and a city safe enough for children and women to walk together.
Compared to the outside situation where devil worshippers who skin living people's skin wander around, this is heaven.
"What are you thinking about?"
To Gloria's question, Caesar opened his mouth indifferently.
"Just thinking that people are too peaceful."
The carriage came to a stop.
"We've arrived."
Caesar opened the carriage door and stepped out.
Then, a large building appeared before Caesar's eyes.
At the top of the building, there was only one nameplate.
[Caesar Pharmaceutical Company]
The reason Caesar Pharmaceutical Company could be prominently located in the center of Sapientia, an area called the cream of the crop, was ironically thanks to the breaking of the Holy Grail.
Until now, there had been almost no companies that had properly invested in the medical field except for Caesar Pharmaceutical Company, and moreover, it was the only company that manufactured medicine in conjunction with alchemy.
"I've been waiting. Please come in."
In front of the pharmaceutical company was a man with a bald head shining in the spring sunlight.
"Uh... you're definitely..."
"...It's Harold. Caesar, you personally hired me."
"Right. I guess I couldn't remember well since it's been so long. Is it because your hair has fallen out more since then?"
"I just went ahead and shaved it all off cleanly."
"I guess even the owner of Caesar Pharmaceutical Company can't avoid hair loss."
"We're actually developing a hair loss treatment. It's going to be a legendary medicine that will restore the pride of all men."
"That'll be a hit if you make it."
"Should we invest more in the hair loss treatment then?"
"Unfortunately, my hair is still strong, you know. I can't quite empathize with the feelings of those with hair loss yet, if you know what I mean?"
Harold trembled.
"The day will come when you'll want it too."
Yes. Though I don't know when that will be.
Caesar entered the pharmaceutical company with a slight smile.
"First, let's start with the historical hall of Caesar Pharmaceutical Company..."
"No, I don't have time for that. Shall we go straight to the conference room?"
"Ah, yes. Understood."
Harold and the directors guided Caesar to the conference room.
Caesar naturally took the seat at the head of the table.
"Then I will report. Currently, Caesar Pharmaceutical Company has a total of 5 factories. And the total number of alchemists that Caesar Pharmaceutical Company is investing in is 456."
"How about investments in doctors and pharmacists?"
"The medical school we are collaborating with is Charis Medical School, and we plan to establish Caesar Medical School early next year."
Next year... With all scenarios being accelerated, I wonder if establishing a medical school is the right move.
"Let me ask one question."
"Yes. Please go ahead."
"If war breaks out this year, do you think it's right to invest in establishing a medical school?"
At Caesar's question, the expressions of the directors, including Harold, hardened.
"...What scale are you referring to?"
"Look at the current political situation. Everyone is claiming to be king, wars are breaking out everywhere, and there's no guarantee that the Wizard Province will be safe. Right?"
"That's true, but..."
"Haven't you discussed this before?"
Harold looked at the directors briefly and then spoke.
"It has come up. There was talk about whether we're investing too much from a long-term perspective when the times are urgent."
"And?"
"While we can mass-produce medicine by increasing factories, we can't mass-produce doctors and pharmacists like a factory. Even if medicine is made, it's useless if there are no doctors and pharmacists who know how to use it properly. So I thought establishing the university was inevitable."
Hearing Harold's words, it makes sense. We can mass-produce medicine, but not talent.
"Then let's start this fall."
"...Pardon? The university construction is far from complete."
"We can just borrow another building for that. Look into vacant buildings in Homigraph that went bankrupt and acquire them. Then put in all the furniture and teach students. Also, expand the scholarship foundation to invest more in talented kids who can't learn because they don't have money."
"Ah, yes! Understood."
"And don't just make medical students study, have them undergo military training as well."
"Excuse me? Military training?"
Caesar stood up and said:
"Who's going to treat those injured on the battlefield? With no holy water or potions, only doctors can treat wounds and help people."
"That may be true, but there are no cases of medical students receiving military training while in school..."
"If there are no precedents, we should create them. Don't you agree?"
"Um... I understand."
"Also, drastically increase the number of nurses hired. And increase classes and training related to trauma treatment."
"Caesar, are you... Is Lord Arch Duke preparing for war?"
"Outside this forest of buildings, war has been a daily reality for a long time. Now is not the time to buy flowers or perfume and wander around."
Caesar pounded the table and said:
"Right now, I don't care how much money it costs. By whatever means necessary, operate the factories at full capacity and produce all the pharmaceuticals."
Tension circled in the eyes of the board of directors, including Harold. This is the level of tension Caesar wanted.
Now is not the time for the scent of flowers just because spring has come.
"Soon a bloody wind will blow."
We must prepare for the bloody wind that will sweep across the country.
***
[Caesar El Lindger receives Red Staff from Duke Noah Arch.]
[Caesar: The spring breeze is gone, and a bloody wind blows.]
[Caesar, fully mobilized to secure military supplies...]
Caesar pushed aside the newspaper and received a report from Harrison.
"As a result of the legal analysis in parliament, it is insufficient for you, Caesar, to declare martial law. There is also speculation that if a state of emergency is declared without Homigraph being directly attacked, there could be strong opposition from citizens."
"I'm not going to declare martial law now. I'm telling you to prepare. Also revise the administrative reorganization plan so that we can switch to wartime administration anytime."
"Yes. Understood."
At that time, there was a knock on the door.
"Lord Caesar, Sir Pio and Miss Hiya are asking to see you."
"Ah. Tell them to come in."
When the door opened, Pio and Hiya entered. As soon as Pio saw Caesar, he bowed his head.
"Thank you. Lord Caesar."
Hiya followed and politely bowed her head.
"Thank you. Lord Caesar."
Caesar looked at Pio and Hiya's joined hands. It's not easy for siblings to have such a good relationship.
"Alright. Sit over there... Hmm. When did the table get so messy?"
The reception table was piled high with documents.
"These are the documents you said you wanted to see earlier. Should I clear them now?"
Pio waved his hand and said.
"No. It's fine."
"Really? Then let's walk for a bit. My legs were getting stiff anyway."
Caesar went out of the office with Pio and Hiya.
The first thing visible through the corridor window was the training ground. Young men and women were running and sweating profusely at the training ground.
"After seeing you wielding only an axe, seeing you buried in documents feels a bit strange."
"I'm not used to this either. My butt keeps fidgeting and it's driving me crazy. But what can I do, it's work that needs to be done."
Caesar said, looking at Hiya.
"By the way, are you feeling better?"
Hiya touched the scarf around her neck and shyly said.
"Yes. Thanks to your care, I'm much better."
"That's good."
"But may I ask you one thing?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
"What exactly is this place?"
"Ah, this place?"
Caesar said, looking at Pio.
"It's a special security officer training center, where your brother will need to stay for a while."
"What?"
Pio looked at Caesar as if hearing this for the first time.
"You'll work as a special security officer. It should suit your aptitude quite well."
"Could I know what a special security officer does?"
"It's like being a police officer. But not an ordinary police officer, you find and take down special beings like knights or devils."
Pio's eyes sparkled.
That was exactly the kind of work Pio had been hoping for. He was sick and tired of doing dirty work under dirty nobles.
Now he wanted to do honest work that wouldn't shame Hiya.
"I've been looking for just that kind of work. Please entrust it to me."
***
It is early May.
During that time, Caesar and the people of Shalibi had time to get familiar with Homigraph.
They were settling in nicely, establishing blacksmiths, getting factory jobs, finding work and homes.
That's not to say there were no problems at all in these complicated times.
Caesar put a cigar in his mouth.
"So, followers of the devil religion have started gathering?"
Harrison handed Caesar a match and said.
"Yes. That's right. They were all self-proclaimed kings."
"The timing is impeccable. Attacking right after the barley harvest and sowing is finished. It's obvious they planned this."
"I think so too. The farmers who signed supply contracts have already sent requests for protection."
"What's their scale?"
"Combining all the big and small kings, it's estimated to be between 50,000 and 80,000."
Between 50,000 and 80,000. And it's an allied force composed entirely of proud, self-proclaimed kings.
"Maybe they'll just fight among themselves and self-destruct?"
"Still, we should have some kind of plan."
Caesar exhaled a long stream of cigar smoke.
"I've already sent Gloria away because of this issue."
"Come to think of it, I haven't seen Lady Gloria for a week. Where did she go?"
"She went to see winter."
"...Pardon? Winter?"
At that moment, Sean burst through the door.
"We have an emergency!"
For that polite and sensible guy to barge in like that, it must be a truly serious problem.
"What's the matter?"
"The Kingdom of Dior has declared war on the Pruna Border."
The Pruna Border is the land between the Wizard Province and the Kingdom of Dior. If the Pruna Border falls, the Wizard Province is next.
I expected this problem, but it's truly serious.