#1161 A Regular Attendee’s POV 1

My name is Kimeri.

I’m the female governor entrusted with running the Demon Kingdom’s city of Rondmelt.
In our system, the governor oversees the city. A representative chosen by the city council is officially appointed by the feudal lord, and that’s how one assumes the position.

I followed that process myself. It’s already been five years since I became governor.

I was born in this city, raised lovingly by my parents, and graduated school with top marks.
I landed a job as a government official at the central office, gaining various work experiences before moving up to council member.
I was able to pass some new legislation and earn credibility, which led to the council’s endorsement.

Female governors are still rare in the Demon Kingdom, but thanks to everyone’s support, I made it this far.

I’m doing my best to lead Rondmelt to prosperity.
But the world is in constant upheaval, and if I let my guard down for even a moment, I’m worried we’ll be left behind.

The biggest event recently was the end of the war.
Our Demon Kingdom came out on top, so that’s a relief. But even so, the repercussions are huge. One slip and it could all fall apart.
From an administrative standpoint, it’s been a very challenging stretch of time.

Sure, losing that war would’ve been much worse, but even winning comes with its own headaches; I could do without that.
A conflict that lasted hundreds of years has come to an end, so everything is in flux.

The bigger the change, the harder it is to handle. Taking up the governor’s post during such a turbulent era absolutely made my job more difficult than in peacetime.

Just when it felt like that wave of upheaval was finally dying down and I could catch my breath...

Another new shift occurred.

They say a brand-new nation is being formed in this world.

What’s the meaning of that?
I’ve heard that the Demon King’s Army withdrew from the Human Kingdom, returning sovereignty to the humans, but this is separate from that?

Before that, there was some bizarre baby boom out of nowhere.
Because the population was skyrocketing, His Majesty the Demon King decided to open up undeveloped land and begin large-scale development.

I heard rumors that plan was vying with a proposal to move the capital... When the settlement plan got the go signal, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Moving the capital now would be a nightmare.
Power balances among territories and cities would shift. Rebuilding the country from scratch would cause huge repercussions for my city.

Compared to that, the settlement plan would limit the impact mostly to the region being developed, which is a far better choice in my opinion.
Then again, I’m just a minor local official with personal feelings on the matter.

So, I was all relieved, that’s exactly when a fresh complication showed up.

Apparently, that very development site is going to become an independent nation?
Weren’t they going to run it jointly between the Demon Kingdom and the Human Kingdom?

I mean, there was talk about how complicated it would be to figure out which side manages what. People worried it might lead to disputes…

Maybe that’s why they decided to dodge it by granting the settlement independence. But that solution is so unexpected it’s practically mind-boggling.

Why did it come to this?!

As for my city, Rondmelt, it’s pretty close to the settlement on the Demon Kingdom’s side—actually, we might be the closest city.
So the fallout for us isn’t trivial. If anything happens, we’re the ones who’ll feel it first.

When demon pioneers traveled to that land, they passed through our city... And there was also a time a suspicious army popped up, intending to seize that settlement.
They marched right into our city demanding supplies, but they were clearly going against the Demon King's wishes, so we turned them away.

Being near the eye of the storm means we’re particularly vulnerable to knock-on effects.
As that newly founded country develops, shaping its own identity, who knows what moves they might make?

Worst-case scenario, if they decide to expand their territory, they might invade the lands nearby.
And if that happens, the first target would be the closest city: ours.

For the safety of my city and the peace of mind of its citizens, I need to quickly gauge how dangerous that new nation is or isn’t.

But how?

Am I supposed to drop in unannounced and ask if they’re planning to invade us?
There’s no way they’d give me a straight answer.
If they truly have ambitions, they’d just lie. Plus, I hear the founders of that settlement are on very friendly terms with the Demon King and key figures on the human side.

Insult them and, before we know it, we’ll be the bad guys, forced into a losing position.

I was wracking my brain, wondering what to do, when a stroke of luck arrived from their side.

“A trade fair…?”

Apparently, that’s the name of an event being held in this new nation.

We received an invitation.
Since our city is geographically close, they might’ve assumed we’d have plenty of shared interests.

When I looked into it, it seems people from all over the world, regardless of nation, will be showcasing their local specialties.

It’s a pretty big event. But I can’t imagine why they’d hold something so large in this still-developing country.
What are they about?

Either way, this invitation is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see for myself.

Once I’m there, I might notice things I’d miss from the outside.
I’ve never set foot in the development site; this is a perfect opportunity to gauge how far they’ve come with my own eyes!!!

And if I’m lucky, I might meet their leader in person, get a read on what they’re really after.

All right, let’s send back our RSVP!
Time to dress up to the nines and march boldly into “enemy” territory! Though I’m not sure if they’re actually enemies yet!

***

The day of the trade fair arrived.

This is my first visit to the settlers’ new country…
Yeah, it really is just open land… Well, the settlement is still in its infancy, so I guess that’s obvious.

Still, even getting here was a shock.
Before I knew it, there was a brand-new, well-paved highway connecting my city and this settlement by the shortest route.

The wide stone road was laid out so smoothly that our carriage barely jostled at all.
What’s more, it’s huge; two carriages can easily pass side by side.

I can’t believe they built such a broad and sturdy road…
…If they wanted to invade us, they could send an army racing straight down it, and it’d be a cakewalk to reach our city…!

Ugh, what a terrifying thought.
Maybe I need to construct new walls the moment I get back…? But will the council pass the budget?

All these worries kept spinning in my head, and then suddenly, we were there.

Seriously, I’ve got too much to think about on this trip.

I entered the fairgrounds where the event was taking place, and it was already jam-packed with people.
I wasn’t sure how big of a draw this fair would be, but it’s definitely bigger than I expected.

...Is that because this newborn country is already so influential?
Or maybe the event itself is what’s pulling in so many people?

While I was still trying to figure that out, I witnessed something even more unbelievable.

This area here…Demon Kingdom Exhibit Booth?
I heard it’s an event where people display specialties from all over, but they’ve got a Demon Kingdom section, too.

More than the goods on display, it was the presence of certain individuals that stunned me.

I’ve definitely seen that proud, imposing figure around.

Is that the Demon King?!
Our ruler?!

The very Demon King who protects and guides us?!

He's right here at the event, in person?!
That must mean this trade fair is a pretty big deal, if His Majesty is making an appearance!

He’s practically on fire, rallying the subordinates around him with fervent cries.

“Listen up, everyone! Our nation’s pride is on the line! We can’t afford to fall behind other lands, so give it all you’ve got! Today, I want you to act as if you were charging onto a battlefield!!!”

Such intensity…!
The very Demon King who ended the war between demons and humans is bringing that much energy to this event!

Is this fair really that significant?!

“Oh, hey there—isn’t that Kimeri, governor of Rondmelt!”

Eek!
He recognizes me?!

Of course, as a wise ruler, he’d know the faces and names of every local official from the countless regional cities under his domain.

“Your city is the closest from Lord Saint’s nation, the Farm Kingdom. No doubt you’ll become prime trading partners! This is the perfect chance to build a friendly relationship! I’ll even arrange for you to meet the leaders here. Show them with all your heart how partnering with Rondmelt can be worthwhile for them!!!”

Y-Yes, Your Majesty!

It’s incredible that the Demon King—whom every demon admires—would say so much about these people…!
Just how important are the folks who run this place?!

“Oh, one more thing!!!”

Y-Yes?
What is it, Your Majesty?!

“Since you came all this way, you might as well check out these God Figures! We’ve got some free samples for affiliated guests, so don’t be shy, take a few home!!!”

Th-Thank you...!

Isn’t this the toy that was insanely popular some time ago?
Wait, it’s still super popular?

I’m so puzzled about why the Demon King is personally handing these out, but meanwhile, the trade fair continues around me…