#1260 A Stressful Rule 

The Demon King?! 
Mermaid King Arowana?! 
And even Ritheseus?! The President himself?! 

The three representatives of the major nations that make up most of humanity are gathered here together! 
Is this some kind of summit?! I panic at the sight, but then I remember...these three hang out together at the farm all the time. 

“What’s going on all of a sudden...?!” 
“Once again, a sight straight out of the end of the world...!!!” 

Well, if the sky is filled with so many dragons that it blots out the sun, people are bound to start preaching doomsday. 

But don’t worry! It’s fine! 
What they’re trying to do isn’t destruction, it’s nation-building! 
Not the end, but the beginning! 

“If it’s about running a country, the best people to ask are the leaders themselves.” Veil explains. “When it comes to authority, there’s no one more convincing than these three. More proven than Master, who’s only a ruler-in-training!” 

Don’t say that, Veil!  
Don’t lift me up just to drop me harder! 

“And so, I summoned these three here with dragon magic! Now, kings of men, speak of the hardships of your work! Once you’ve said your piece, I’ll send you back in a blink!” 
“Our situation was rather urgent, you know.” “We were in the middle of a conference...” 

I-I’m sorry! I’m so sorry for interrupting your work! 

I’ll make sure Veil sends you back immediately after your valuable input! 
Please forgive us! 

“Still, if Lord Saint is in trouble, it’s only right to lend our aid.” 
“As for me, helping my brother-in-law is an honor I won’t refuse!” 

Demon King, Arowana...!  
You two are as reassuring as ever! 

But it's not that I’m actually in trouble here. 
Still, when dragons are swarming the sky like a murder of crows, I guess it’s natural to think the world is ending. 

“Then, let me summarize the situation,” Veil begins explaining point by point. 

“...I see, so, you’re deciding your prime minister by combat?” 
“That’s right! Settling everything by strength is just the dragon way!” 

Bloody Mary keeps hammering in the “dragon way.” 

“But physical strength isn’t necessary for a prime minister.” 
“Huh?” 
My right hand, the current prime minister of the Demon Kingdom, Lucife Focale, never once set foot on the battlefield. Yet no one doubts him, not even the generals. Because the prime minister’s true strength lies in information, negotiation, foresight—the sharpest weapon of all.” 

Lucife Focale possesses unmatched abilities, such as his capacity to process information, talent for negotiation, and foresight into what lies ahead put him above all others. 

It was he who foresaw that the reckless finances under the previous Demon King—Great Demon King Baal—would soon collapse, and thanks to him, the current Demon King’s bloodless coup succeeded. His achievement in that cannot be overstated. 

“Afterward, during the war against humanity, he stabilized the nation, kept the supply lines flowing, and even drew up the reforms that followed. That’s what a prime minister does. Strength of mind, not muscle.” 
“Well, in our country, our prime minister does fight on the frontlines...” 

Now Arowana joins in. 
Of course, he’s talking about Zoth Syra. 

Yeah, that terrifying witch. 

She was originally a wanted criminal, so if she hadn’t been strong, she would’ve been caught in no time. 

And yet she rose from outlaw to Prime minister? 
From criminal to the top of the political food chain—it's one hell of a success story. Then again, that kind of thing only happens in the Mermaid Kingdom. Aggressive doesn’t even begin to cover it. 

Being a witch, she’s a genius in magical pharmacology, and that sharpness makes her perfect for politics too.  
She processes piles of state business daily, though I hear she grumbles about it nonstop. 

I doubt her “Homunculus Rampage” skills come in handy in government, though. 

“So then... how do we choose a prime minister...?!” 
“You’re missing the point. Choosing a prime minister alone doesn’t solve anything.” 

Ritheseus finally speaks up. 

He’s the Human Kingdom President.  
Unlike the Demon King and Arowana, he’s an elected head, not a monarch. 

“Politics isn’t done by one person, or even two or three. Once you pick a prime minister, you also need cabinet ministers.” 
“Cabinet ministers?” 
“Yes. Ministers of State. Finance, Justice, Foreign Affairs, Military, Transport... That’s the bare minimum. And even then, it’s not enough. You’ll also need specialists for healthcare, education, industry...” 
“Wait! Wait, wait, wait, WAIT a second!!!” 

Ardheg cries out in horror. 

“That...That many?! It’s that complicated to make a country?!” 
“Of course it is. You’re carrying the lives of millions... no, tens of millions of people, and ideally, you can’t let a single one slip through the cracks. Of course it’s complicated.” 

Ritheseus says this with a straight face. 

“For people to live, they need so much. Food, obviously. A roof to sleep under, clothes to keep out heat and cold, weapons to defend themselves. Knowledge to get those things efficiently. Companions, affection, and entertainment to keep hearts fulfilled. People need a lot.” 
“I-I see...!” 
“And a country has to provide all of that for every citizen. That’s what governing means. Rulers don’t get to rest. They must think about state affairs every waking moment. That’s what it means to be the head of a nation. Do you understand?” 
“Y-Yes...!” 

Ardheg is nearly crushed under the weight of Ritheseus’ words. 

Ritheseus must be speaking from his own burdens as a ruler, because his arguments cut sharp and merciless. 

It’s basically: Don’t start a country on a whim! 
And I can feel the stray bullets hitting me, too. 

“Sharp words from young Ritheseus. Clearly honed by constant dealings with his officials...” 
“Perhaps too sharp. At that rate, won’t his subordinates shrink away from him?” 

The elder rulers munch on roasted beans, courtesy of Letasreit, as they watch with calm detachment. 

“You should speak kindly, too. Harshness alone won’t reach people’s hearts.” 
“Urk... You’re right. I get heated when I start talking... Sorry.” 
“It’s proof you’re still young.” 

While the Demon King smooths things over, Arowana steps in to comfort poor Ardheg. 

“I never imagined humans had to struggle so much just to live...!” 
“Well, species differ in many ways. Understanding that is the first step in diplomacy. Fight on!” 

They once traveled together, so it’s easy for them to connect like that. 

Meanwhile... 

“Oh dear. I thought I could just whip up a country as a gift for Bowa, but it’s this complicated?!” 

Bloody Mary clutches her head.  
For her, it really was meant as a future gift for her beloved daughter. 

Only a dragon would consider “a whole nation” a suitable present. 

Nearby, the dragons gather and mutter amongst themselves: 

“I’ll be the Agriculture Dragon.” 
“Then I’ll take Infrastructure.”  
“And I’m Economy and Industry Dragon!!!” 

...Well, at least their debate is constructive. 

“But... I think dragons forming a nation is actually a good idea,” Ritheseus suddenly says. 

“What?! How?!” 
“Because a nation means diplomacy. If dragons have a country, then humans can negotiate with them. That would be invaluable for us.” 

Ah... I see his point. 

Before, some dragons could talk, some couldn’t.  
But if there’s a formal government, it’s easier to ensure communication with all of them. 

“...Hmph. So you want us dragons to listen to you humans? How arrogant.” 
“No, no, not obedience, but mutual understanding. That’s what I mean.” 

The elder rulers quickly step in to cool things down. But then... 

“You really haven’t noticed, have you?” 

Ritheseus delivers another sharp line. 

“The times are already changing.” 
“What do you mean?” 
“It’s better to show you than explain... Lord Saint, may I ask a favor?” 

Huh?!  
You’re dragging me into this?! 

“Could you summon someone here for me? There’s one person I’d like everyone to meet.” 

Oh no. More guests?!