It's an Eyesore (1)
Frost was territory of the Empire. Even with the death of its lord, Sirion, that fact remained unchanged. In short, everything had to follow Imperial procedure.
Thud, thud.
In the heart of Frost. No sooner had the sound of my shoes echoed through the castle than.
The knights saluted me.
If you're wondering why there were knights here.
It was, of course, the Lion Heart Knight Order.
"We've been waiting for you, Sir Hoyeol."
Harkon Kingsguard, captain of the Lion Heart Knight Order. He greeted me with great delight the moment he saw me.
"As expected, this kind of work isn't easy for a swordsman like me."
Yes, in accordance with Imperial procedure.
Harkon had been appointed acting lord of Frost.
Among those from Arcana summoned to reality.
The highest-ranking figure recognized by the Empire was none other than Lion Heart Knight Order captain, Harkon.
Naturally, I had a hand in that decision.
"Surely you will handle it well."
Our maxed-out relationship and influence.
Thanks to that, the [Authority] function had activated.
Yes, that Authority function was truly overpowered.
'Enough to break even Harkon's stubbornness.'
If it were me, Lee Hoyeol, greedy as I am, who knows.
But Grandfell, who lives and dies by formality and procedure?
Frost wasn't some forsaken wasteland.
Knowing full well it was Imperial territory.
To swallow up the domain in violation of Imperial procedure?
'Something Grandfell could never allow.'
Of course, at first, I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.
Unlike the incorruptibly noble Grandfell, I was just an ordinary human.
And on top of that, everyone around me was making a huge fuss.
Frost's economic value?
Japanese Government: "Frost cannot be yielded to anyone."
AAU: "International agreements must never be ignored..."
Ever since the word Frost appeared in the new update details.
Up to now, with Frost freed from the demon king's clutches.
The media hadn't stopped chattering about Frost's value.
Thanks to that, even I had harbored some expectations.
Might I end up as Frost's lord?
"Even following Imperial procedure, surely Sir Hoyeol would be better suited for the acting role than I..."
Even Harkon had said as much.
But that regret didn't last long.
I activated the [Authority] function.
Checked Frost's status and realized.
Northern City, Frost
Status: Worst
......Thank goodness I didn't step up!
Frost's current state was literally the worst.
Worse than the early days of Yusra Kingdom.
'Yusra started from absolute zero.'
Frost was in the negative.
"How are the residents faring?"
"It's not easy, but they're trying to accept the situation."
As Harkon said, it wouldn't be easy to comprehend.
Before even overcoming the demon king's aftermath.
They learned they'd been dropped into another world, not Arcana Continent.
In that sense, it was actually fortunate.
'......If a guy like me had strutted in as the new lord.'
It might have stirred unnecessary resentment.
Thinking that way, I could only feel grateful.
'Best case, I'd break even. This.'
I often benefited from Grandfell's uptight personality.
I added to the deeply worried Harkon.
"Get used to that position, Sir Harkon."
"I'm trying."
"No, you must get used to it."
"......Sir, is something the matter?"
As expected, Harkon was quick on the uptake.
The Quirnburk Mechanical Tower rift.
The state of Arcana Continent witnessed through it.
Just like with Marcelo.
There was no reason not to tell Harkon.
"I had some inkling."
Harkon took a deep breath and continued.
"But confirmation stirs the emotions."
Soon, his eyes gleamed with resolve.
"As you say. I shall grow accustomed to the weight of this position."
Yes, Harkon had to adapt.
Considering Arcana Continent's situation.
There was no guarantee another Frost incident wouldn't occur.
Unless the Imperial Emperor himself appeared in reality.
Harkon's shoulders would only grow heavier.
'......Damn. Now I see there was nothing good about it?'
If this were a game, maybe.
But being a lord didn't seem all that great.
Especially with all the responsibility.
In that sense, the [Authority] function was cheat-level.
'Not the lord, but power equal to one.'
Of course, I couldn't wield that immense power freely.
Power swung for personal gain?
Grandfell's pride would never permit it.
Only using it appropriately, like now.
"How goes the reconstruction?"
"Guilds have stepped in, so it's progressing smoothly."
"I see. Prioritizing tasks would be wise."
Scribble─
I immediately took up the quill pen.
Frost reconstruction.
Reviewing the overall documents, I spotted areas for improvement.
Why? They were plain as day.
Naturally, thanks to Grandfell's background.
''Grandfell was chosen as family heir at just seven for good reason.''
In the lore.
Grandfell, heir to a great house.
Knowledge of domain management across the board?
Like talent in magic or swordsmanship.
I could intuitively grasp issues at a glance.
And propose fixes.
So Harkon welcomed me so fervently for a reason.
"Dreadful! Without you, I'd have made a grave mistake."
"Everyone errs sometimes."
"Your humility only shames me more. You never make mistakes, Sir Hoyeol."
......What are you doing? Answer him!
Every moment is the result of high school blunders!
But against my inner turmoil.
I brazenly stayed silent.
In the end, Harkon spoke first.
"Bad news aside, talking with you eases my breath somewhat. Though I owe you yet again."
Owe me?
That left me speechless.
Hadn't I squeezed the Lion Heart Knight Order's might dry like cheap broth......!
No need to look far.
Even here in Frost alone.
Without the Lion Heart Knights.
We wouldn't have even glimpsed the demon king, let alone subjugated it.
But I didn't drag on guiltily.
Just a curt reply.
"All things involve give and take. Think nothing of it."
......Curt and brazen! Truly me.
"Haha. I'll remember that."
Good thing Harkon had a hearty personality.
As I thought that.
A noise came from the office window.
Whirr─
'A helicopter.'
A helicopter flew over Frost's skies.
Harkon glanced irritably and spoke.
"Jessica says the residents view that flying iron lump in the sky with unease. Understandable."
I nodded.
A natural reaction.
Just as we recoiled from monsters.
Modern wonders were alien to Arcana folk.
Summoned to reality.
They had no choice but to adapt.
However.
Something dangled from the helicopter.
Sloppily, flapping wildly.
My reaction was equally natural.
I withdrew my cold gaze and said.
"Aesthetically, it's gravely disturbing."
*
Where there's value, people flock.
Even if it's absurd nonsense.
Screeech─!
A chilling screech burst from the megaphone, briefly.
Followed by a highly agitated voice.
"The government, expel the refugees now!"
"Expel them! Expel them!"
"Don't defy the will of the people for the homeland!"
Hokkaido this time of year was already windy.
"This year's particularly brutal. Brutal."
Jeong Man-seok of Minkook Daily and other Korean reporters gathered in Hokkaido shivered.
Partly the cold northern wind.
But mostly that protest crowd.
"Gives me chills, seriously? Who acts like that?"
"Refugees? What refugees."
"They all watched. What Frost residents endured. No real human would do this."
It barely qualified as a protest.
The reporters saw the ulterior motives plain as day.
White breath puffed from Jeong Man-seok's mouth.
"Obviously funded by far-right groups."
"Government leans that way, what'd you expect?"
"They're desperate. Japan's in dire straits."
The Japanese government had violated international agreements to claim Frost first.
Gambled on their own Inazuma Guild.
But guild master Hisagi Kazuma and most Inazuma members openly relocated to Yusra Kingdom.
Cause quite the uproar.
"Basically defection."
"No clue what went down with Inazuma and the government."
"But from bad moves to utter blunders. Japan's image in the gutter~"
"Since they broke the pact, they're clinging till the end."
Whirr─
Mid-conversation.
Helicopter noise.
Reporters sighed and snapped photos.
"What's that banner say?"
"Get out. Japan forever. Toned down, roughly that."
"Insane."
Did they need to go this far?
International agreements weren't for nothing.
No matter the nonsense, nothing changed.
Japan couldn't influence Frost, no matter their schemes.
Knowing that, they poked anyway out of spite......
But this exceeded mere prodding.
Flying a banner overhead.
"No intent. Pure malice."
Malice.
Yes, where people flock to value.
Where people flock, 'demons' appear.
Especially amid swirling negativity, like now.
"Well done."
Overlooking the guideline packed with protesters and reporters.
Maeda Kenji trembled.
From cold? No.
Chills? No.
Maeda shuddered with rising euphoria.
"Yes, this is it."
Maeda was no longer a government official.
'Well, on the surface, maybe.'
A demon possessed him within.
Maeda's pupils blackened.
"Fools. All fools."
Humans were foolish.
Maeda Kenji? What made this nobody so great?
That they'd debase themselves at his word.
Of course, as said, folly wasn't human-exclusive.
"My liege. You were exceedingly foolish too."
Demon King Decarabia.
Yes, his once-liege demon was foolish.
Demon King Army's 100-man captain.
Recalling his past, he sneered vilely.
"Demons must ever remain demons."
Vilely, cruelly.
Demons lived that way.
Knowing that.
He hadn't died for his foolish liege.
Deserted the demon army, seized this human body.
And the result?
Shudder─
The foolish demon king died.
He lived, breathing, growing stronger.
Intoxicated by ecstasy, Maeda snapped to.
"Oh, reporters."
He began acting as Maeda Kenji.
Not hard.
Quite enjoyable, even.
"Democracy, right? Differing opinions aren't wrong. Since when do protests need conditions? Right? Anyway, your nationality? Korea?! Yeah, I see your motives!!"
Each reckless word.
Stoked humans' negative emotions.
Aftermath? Irrelevant.
If Maeda's body outlived use, discard it.
By then, he'd be a far stronger demon.
'Not dying foolishly like that demon king.'
No kingly ambitions.
Just vile, cruel, demonic.
Possess humans and live.
In that vein, he eyed prey.
'The one who felled the demon king.'
Lee Hoyeol, was it?
Possessing his body would be ideal.
Even this worthless Maeda body let him manipulate humans.
Lee Hoyeol's body?
'......I could surpass a demon king.'
Yes, why he sought Frost.
Confidence in possessing Lee Hoyeol?
Absolutely.
'I'm no fool.'
No blabbing "I'm a demon" like the king.
No matter his demon king slayer cred.
He wouldn't spot the demon in Maeda.
Strike at a moment of carelessness.
This was fishing, in a sense.
'I've cast the bait.'
Protesters and helicopter as bait.
'Lee Hoyeol, if he bites......!'
As Maeda thought that.
Whirr─!
The helicopter returned.
Urgently, propellers frantic.
Reporters shouted.
"W-wait. Is that fire? No way?"
"Helicopter malfunction?"
"No, the banner's on fire!!"
"......!"
Soon, Maeda's lips curled vilely.
'Humans are fools indeed!'
Lee Hoyeol had bitten.
Maeda eagerly addressed the reporters.
"This is blatant hostility. I can't stand by. I'll head to Frost now and settle it myself!"
Of course, Maeda's misconception didn't last.
The moment he set foot in Frost.
He instinctively realized.
'......W-what is this gaze?'
The terror of prey facing its predator!
.
.
.
Maybe from the level up.
I felt my senses sharpen further.
For example, right now.
Predator-Prey Relationship