Esther de Baronia - Chapter 6.2

The castle town of Esther de Baronia is slowly beginning to regain its former bustle.

Since trade has not yet been restored, all the stores are closed, but instead, street performances are making more noise than usual.

There’s a headless knight who performs sword plays, and even a bull-headed demon who is hosting an arm-wrestling tournament instead of doing business.

Everyone is trying to blow away the gloom in their own way, bringing smiles from person to person.

The undefeated kingdom won’t be defeated by hardships, and those who cannot enjoy the blessings feel blessed seeing the volunteers being happy and marching with joy, which keeps the country’s energy continuing to illuminate.

While demons of all shapes and sizes are shouting and playing music, there are two people who are walking against the crowd.

One is Rushka, who walks with dignified steps, her neat bisque-doll-like face facing straight ahead.

The other is a suspicious-looking Karon, who walks with a large black cloak over his head, keeping an eye on his surroundings.

As the king’s aide, Rushka’s appearance attracted people’s attention, but more than that, the people seemed to be curious about the strange black creature walking next to her. Even though they know it’s impolite, they still look at her.

“King Karon, is there any reason for you to hide your appearance?”

Rushka calls out to the man walking next to her.

The man, who is slightly shorter than her, shakes his shoulders for a moment, but quickly regains his composure and glares at Rushka.

“Don’t call me by that name.”

The king of this country said many words in rapid succession to cover up the fact that the people around him are staring at a strange object.

“The country is still in turmoil, and while the opening of the treasury has helped to calm things down, there is no telling when the bottom will fall out. And …… so it’s not time for me to show my face yet, is it?”

In fact, it is a mistake to say that he doesn’t want to show himself, but It is not wrong.

There is still plenty of food stored in the national treasury, but it is really not good to sit on that and delay the recovery of the primary industry.

There is an upper limit to how much people can eat. If they keep relying on it, they will not be able to do business, and their reserves will be lost slowly.

They need to speed up the recovery process and restore the country to a stable state.

It would be better for him to appear in front of the people at the right time.

This is what Rushka imagined based on Karon’s comment.

“I see. You’re right. Then let’s secure the farmland and fishing grounds, and gradually reduce the number of rations to give them a sense of danger. We’re not giving them a place to live for free.”

“Let’s not do that. It’ll add more burden.”

Karon nodded his head and patted Rushka’s shoulder, who was making plans for the future, and was not suspicious of his words or actions.

The two of them set out for their destination, outside the north gate.

Rushka, who is walking, thought of conducting an experiment.

If Karon were to be honest, he preferred to move on, but

Rushka’s suggestion that “since we’re here, let’s take a look at the city” might shorten his lifespan pushed him over the edge, and he has to move on like this, feeling terrified.

There’s no need for Karon to be so frightened. Given the position of the king, one can imagine that it’s impossible to be affected by just one or two gaffes or blunders.

But he can’t be that optimistic.

He was able to use demons because he was just an NPC to Karon.

He was able to play politics because it was just a game to him.

Suddenly, it became a reality.

A demon with a mind, a will, and an idea.

When something that was just a pawn suddenly takes autonomous action, the guarantee that it will do as it is told disappears.

If the NPCs were human, like in MMORPGs, he wouldn’t be so wary. They will understand you if he talks to them.

But when it comes to dealing with a beast in human skin, the first thing that comes to mind is power. Imagine a fierce beast that can speak.

It’s unknown if they think in terms of profit and loss and ethics like humans do, and it’s unknown if they think like humans do at all.

In addition, only about 30% of demons have advanced intelligence. The remaining 70% of demons have wisdom but no intelligence, or only instinct.

Who won’t be afraid of such a situation, where he sleeps and wakes up to find himself the boss of a yakuza, and where there are more Dobermans than mafia.

Kalon is not a powerful superman, hero, or special being.

He’s a powerless human being, and he can’t help but be afraid.

He bites his lip and bites down on the negative emotions that flutter in his chest.

He wishes many times that things would turn out in his favor, but in the end, nothing changes.

A company employee who toils away day in and day out is not special even if he flies to another world.

(At the very least, it would be different if these guys would never betray him.)

“Can you believe it….?”

Against his will, the words spilled out of his mouth and disappeared inside his black cloak.