#823 The Last Fool

It wasn't long before something washed up on the shore near the farm.

At first glance, it seemed nothing more than a simple drowned corpse.

After all, all there is is a skeleton.

A skeleton stripped of flesh, like something you'd see in a science classroom.

One would think it’s a drowned body– an unusual combination that raised suspicions of something extraordinary.

It lacks any aura of dominance or malevolence, almost convincing you it was just a drowned corpse.

The most notable thing, apart from its skeletal form, was the attire it wore.

...Is that a business suit?

A business suit, the uniform of working fathers in Japan, the modern combat attire.

However, this one was frayed and worn out, showing signs of heavy use.

Yet, a skeleton in a business suit in a fantasy otherworld? That’s odd.

How did this come to be?

"Thank you for your hard work! I'm always indebted to you!" 

"Eek!”

The corpse stood up!

...Well, I knew it wasn't just any drowned corpse, but it's different when it actually happens right before your eyes!

"I'm terribly sorry to bother you during your busy schedule! As you can see, I'm in this state, but if there's anything troubling your company, I'd be more than willing to consult!"

With that, the skeleton in the suit holds out something.

A business card?

But it doesn’t use the usual fancy paper – it looks more like a piece of wood you'd put kamaboko on, and crudely written on it was:

President.

"That’s it?”

A very homemade-looking business card. 

Trying to give off a warm, homely vibe, maybe?

And it just says "President,” which is quite minimalistic.

Just the job title and nothing else.

Shouldn't there at least be a contact number on a business card?

Nowadays, they come in all colors and even with illustrations. Maybe its simplicity is what makes it stand out?

"Ah, what a splendid corporate building you have! Your company seems quite prosperous! How about expanding your business into new fields? We'd be delighted to assist you if so!!!"

And then, it goes straight into a sales pitch.

Seriously, what's with this skeleton?

I've met various unique characters since coming to this world, but this is new.

What should I do with this?

Throw water and salt at it? But it just came out of the sea...

"He’s the One Fool of the Lifeless Kings’ Three Wise and One Fool... The President...!”

The explanation came from Belphgamilia, who just came rushing to our farm.

He’s still around?

"The Lifeless Kings who became undead by their own will are indeed rare, though there are still dozens around the world. Among them, the Three Wise and One Fool are especially strong, dreadful, and overflowing with accumulated wisdom..."

Is this the Lifeless Kings' equivalent of the Heavenly Four?

Among the Three Wise and One Fool, there’s Sensei, who frequents our Sensei.

Next is the cat-form Professor.

Lastly, there’s the Sage, who lives on Mt. Eternity. 

They all exude intelligence and a terrifying presence, truly the ultimate beings.

Having attained immortality, they dedicate their boundless time to the pursuit of wisdom, and with each passing age, they become increasingly formidable and untouchable beings.

In that sense, Sensei, Professor, and the Sage are indeed fitting names for immortal kings. But...

"Sometimes, they’re simply referred to as ‘The Three Wise,’ omitting the ‘One Fool’ part... The ‘Fool’ in their group is the President you see before you.”

Three wise men and one fool. 

It’s indeed a straightforward explanation behind their group name.

But typically, with four people, it would be more apt to call them "The Four Wise." Why add a fool?

Is it perhaps to avoid sounding too pretentious?

"President’s character is on the intense side for him to be called wise, but his tenacity and impact are comparable to, if not surpassing, the Three Wise Lifeless Kings. Hence, he could not be excluded from their ranks."

Too foolish to be counted among the wise, yet a fool capable of standing alongside the wise.

Foolishness to surpass sagacity? What does that exactly mean...?!

"Oh, oh, oh?! Are you the same man I met before...?!”

And then, the neglected President astutely notices me conversing with Belphgamilia.

Then again, he is a skeleton, so he’s not supposed to have eyeballs. Classic skull joke.

"I see. I remember now! You're the one who referred me to a job centuries ago! That job is going well! You should also wake up to the wonderful world of work – let's have a splendid working life together!"

"Hahaha, I'm still in the phase of life where work seems like a hassle...!"

Oh?

Do they know each other?

That would explain why Belphgamilia predicted the President's arrival and came in advance. What kind of history do they have?

But it makes me wonder—Belphgamilia always seems to be involved with Lifeless Kings. 

Must be part of being hailed as humanity’s strongest.

"...Before joining the Demon King’s Army, I wandered aimlessly, training as a warrior... It’s not that I was fed up with life or anything, though.”

"You don’t have to justify yourself.”

"It was during that time I trained under the Sage... and also had another unforgettable encounter... with the President."

An impression so strong on someone as carefree as Belphgamilia...

"Thing is, the President has only been a Lifeless King for a few hundred years, or should I say a few decades. Considering the Three Wise have lived for at least a millennium each, it's quite remarkable. In the world of the Lifeless Kings, age directly correlates to intelligence and strength..."

Age directly influencing power... A concept more absolute among the Lifeless Kings than mankind. The President, relatively a rookie, stands shoulder to shoulder with the venerable Three Wise. 

Just how exceptional is he?

"Originally, the President was neither a demon nor a human. He wasn't born in this world. He came from another world... I think you understand what I’m trying to get at, saint?”

"Could it be...?!”

The President is an otherworlder like me?

"Yes, he was one of the heroes summoned from another world through the Human Kingdom’s forbidden ritual. Heroes are granted skills by gods when they come to this world."

That's right.

When I arrived in this world, I received the Hand of Supremacy gift from Hephaestus, a gift surpassing regular skills. 

Looking back, that was the turning point of my fate.

"The President, too, was granted a skill when he crossed over from another world. That skill determined his way of life here. What he received was..."

"An eternal stamina skill,” the President himself answers. "My, I’ve been blessed with a wonderful! Not getting tired means no need for rest! Keep moving, keep working!"

Whaa?

The President’s physical prowess has been overwhelming me since he showed up.

But then again, when I heard he's also a migrant from another world like me, his vigor suddenly made much more sense.

"The true function of the President's skill, I suspect, is the ability to endlessly absorb mana from the surrounding space. I learned a similar technique under the Sage. Essentially, it’s drawing energy from the air. It's an unbeatable ability in terms of endurance."

To liken him to a car, it's as if he runs on air instead of gasoline, constantly refueling as he goes.

He’ll never run out of gas, not ever.

Thinking about it, it's a top-tier skill for a hero. He must have been highly valued by the Human Kingdom back then.

"But being so valued was the President's undoing."

"Ah, Sensei?”

Sensei, the Lifeless King, has arrived!

One of the Three Wise, a formidable Lifeless King of pure pedigree!

He’s come to grace us with his presence today.

"I sensed an unusual miasma and had to investigate... I've heard about the President's end as a mortal. We are sensitive to the birth of our kind, see."

Usually, becoming a Lifeless King involves a mage undergoing secret rites to absorb mana. However, the President inherently possessed the skill to absorb mana, a capability impossible for a summoned hero.

During his mission as a hero, the President met his demise in a dungeon due to an accident.

Yet, his skill continued to function even after his death, endlessly absorbing the concentrated mana of the dungeon, altering his very being.

It was akin to transforming into a Lifeless King through secret rites.

And the President's first words upon becoming a Lifeless King were...

― "Now I can work forever."