#871 Inspection Done, Founding a Nation Next

“How did it go, My Lord? How was the job of an adventurer?”

“It was fun, but I guess it’s not really my cup of tea. Maybe I’m more cut out for farming.”

There’s a certain joy in nurturing something from scratch and watching it grow that just appeals to me more. 

I think I’ll leave the path of adventure to someone more suited for it.

“E-Even someone who can obliterate the Lifeless King in a blink is not cut out for adventuring...?!”

Then, Ms. Heligene, the rookie adventurer who accompanied me today, was so shocked that she couldn’t stand on her own. One of my orcs had to carry her on our way back.

“To think that such a powerhouse isn’t fit for adventuring... What a terrifying world it must be...! I’m no match for this...!!!”

Oops.

Did I accidentally crush her confidence by showing off too much power?

I intended to give her a reality check, but it seems like I went overboard!

Just when the Demon King and Silver Wolf were pushing for more adventurers to join, I could almost see their disappointed faces.

“...No! I won’t be discouraged by something like this! I am a proud Demon King’s Army member, still a reservist! For the sake of my pride, I will fulfill my duties as an adventurer!!!”

But she bounced back.

She’s steadfast. 

As I thought, the military demons who’ve fended off human armies for centuries are formidable.

I hope she can proudly follow the path of an adventurer even after leaving the army.

“As expected of My Lord... You’ve managed to reform a disgruntled former member of the Demon King’s Army.”

“No, it was just a coincidence, a mere coincidence. She just had the heart to reflect on herself.”

“That’s exactly what Silver Wolf had in mind...”

“Huh?”

Was this all according to someone’s plan?

Then, one of the orcs revealed a fact I hadn’t been told.

When I applied for a stint as an adventurer, it was Silver Wolf who had arranged everything.

I had unwittingly relied on his power as an S-rank adventurer and Guild Master.

I feel terribly sorry about that, but apparently, he had his own agenda?

When handing over my adventurer’s ID, he instructed one of my accompanying orcs to ensure I wouldn’t hear.

—“There are still some demons who don’t take kindly to adventurers and the Adventurers’ Guild.”

—“After all, they were our enemies in a war just a few years back. To the elite of the Demon Kingdom, adventurers are just outlaws.”

—“But if we leave things as they are, the Adventurers’ Guild will never penetrate the lucrative new market of the Demon Kingdom, disappointing the Demon King who accepted us.”

—“We need a big shock to completely change their mindset.”

So, I was that shock?

I’m not bragging, but I’m pretty good at surprising people.

By sending me, they planned to shake the entrenched elitism of the former Demon King’s Army and encourage them to start afresh as adventurers.

Silver Wolf had all this planned out when he sent me here?!

He could’ve at least given me a heads-up!

“Well, My Lord isn’t very... er, not particularly skilled in acting. If we make you too conscious of it, you might inadvertently go off in an unintended direction. Lord Silver Wolf thought it was probably better to let things happen naturally...”

“Did I just hear you rephrase ‘not very skilled’ to ‘not particularly skilled’?!”

To think Silver Wolf thought of me that way...!

However, it’s truly befitting of a Guild Master to orchestrate all manner of things with such profound thought. 

He truly is one of the Selfless Workaholics, not just in name!

“Well, My Lord, our business here is done. Let’s return and focus on our top priority.”

“Right.”

The Elven Forest, tea brawls, and the advancement of adventurers into the Demon Kingdom.

I’ll check on the progress of various projects and witness the culmination in establishing the Human Republic.

Meanwhile, Ritheseus, whom we’ve appointed... rather, who got selected, is busy preparing for the inauguration ceremony, along with Lord Dalkish and others.

I must be there for the ceremony to witness this historic moment!

“...My Lord, could it be that...”

“Let’s head to the Human Kingdom for the ceremony!!!”

“Are you avoiding the tedious preparations and complaints by roaming around like this?”

“Let’s just go to the Human Kingdom!!!”

Of course, I’m not!

I definitely didn’t think it’d be a pain to get involved in their nation-building and end up with some important role!

So, I didn’t stay incognito until everything was settled, making it impossible for them to reach me!

Definitely not!!!

***

And so, the day of the founding ceremony finally arrived.

The venue for the ceremony was the old Human Kingdom’s royal castle.

Once a center of corrupt politics, leaving a sour taste in memory, it still held its charm as the original capital, boasting various geographical advantages.

The castle, elaborate in its construction, was suitably large and robust, making it the perfect structure to house any kind of facility.

When the Human Republic begins its governance in earnest, there could hardly be a more fitting building to serve as its headquarters.

After all, it had previously been the base for the Demon King’s Army.

Even with its negative history, reusing what’s already there saves money.

It would probably be wise to use funds for other initiatives rather than spend a fortune on constructing a new government building.

I agreed with this decision, thinking that Ritheseus’ new government would likely do well if he could make such judicious choices.

“Still... to think I’d come back here under such circumstances...”

This royal castle held a special place in my heart.

After all, it was here that I first appeared when summoned to this other world.

At that time, it was right in the middle of a war.

The royal family was desperate for heroes summoned from another world to scatter the demon race.

And I was one of those summoned people, brought here to the royal castle with a whoosh.

If I had continued as a hero as they wanted, I wonder if I would have survived to this day...

I had thought I would never return to this castle, or if I did, it would be amidst great turmoil.

Yet here I am, invited on such a joyous occasion...

It’s quite emotional.

“...Come to think of it, this was the place where we were first gathered before heading to the farm...”  

“Hm?”  

“Back then, I never imagined I’d end up like this.”

Another person was lost in nostalgia.

It was none other than Ritheseus.

The main character of today’s event.

Who would’ve thought I’d run into someone else here, lost in the same kind of sentiment?

Classic Ritheseus, with his natural light novel protagonist qualities!

His life is like an epic success story in the making!

“...Ah, long time no see, Lord Saint!”  

“We haven’t met in a while, have we?”

I’ve been visiting places like the Elven Forest and all around, after all.

Hehehe.

“I initially thought I wasn’t cut out to be a representative of a nation. But after being persuaded by Lord Dalkish and others, I decided to give it a try... I hope I can be of any help!”

Right.

Dalkish and the other feudal lords must have worked hard to convince him. A slip-up there would have meant trouble for them, too.

“Let your youthful vigor guide your efforts. I’m here to help if you need me!”  

“Yes! We were discussing appointing you as the Ultimate All-Purpose Minister to help manage the Human Republic!”

What’s with that title? It sounds like a cheat code in human form.

Crap. Just as I thought, they’re fully intent on dragging me into national politics.

It’s good that I’ve been avoiding this by inspecting various developments across the land!!!

“Would you mind attending a meeting immediately after the ceremony? We couldn’t decide without you there.”  

“Oh, I’ve been away so long, I really need to check on my fields! Whoops, guess it’s gonna be a busy day for me today!”

All right, if you’ll excuse me, Mr. President!

Good luck with your speech at the ceremony! Zoom!

“Lord Saint.”  

“Oh, the Demon King’s here too.”

The next person I bumped into was the king of the Demon Kingdom, the Demon King himself.

Being a leader of another nation, it was natural for him to be invited as a distinguished guest.

“Who would have thought that I would visit this castle, once the stronghold of our arch-enemy, in such circumstances? Life is indeed full of surprises.”

He, too, was caught up in the moment.

Was there some sort of enchantment in this castle that made everyone nostalgic?

“Anyway, this nation is no longer the centuries-old enemy of the Demon Kingdom but a neighbor and friend. It’s an honor as the Demon King to be part of this momentous occasion. Lord Saint, let’s share in the joy of this day together!”  

“Of courseee.”

The Demon King is also moved by the Human Republic’s founding ceremony.

It’s about to begin.