Published: July 5, 2025
"Indeed, Ryo, that was impressive."
"Ah, it wasn't that much."
Abel praised Ryo, who blushed in response.
The group was slowly making their way back to the Lord's Manor.
The subjugated monsters were being dismantled by the soldiers stationed in the city, extracting magic stones from them.
The evacuation order for the sea had also been lifted, and people were starting to return to the city.
"We've regained the chance to buy grilled fish at the street stalls."
"I think only you would think that way, Ryo."
Ryo looked happy while Abel shook his head.
"Well, it served as an excellent diplomatic card."
"The [icicle lance shower 'fan'] certainly has a good visual appeal. It saved the residents and showcased our power. With this, no nation will dare to oppose the kingdom."
"I didn't think this chiefdom ever intended to oppose us in the first place."
"Who knows? Capturing King Abel during his visit and threatening the homeland... it can't be ruled out."
"Yeah, I really think that's impossible."
The first duke spoke with a wicked expression, weaving conspiracy theories, while the king completely denied them.
Upon returning to the Lord's Manor, they were once again thanked by Lord Chukudi of Bolen.
"Your Majesty, Your Grace, thank you very much."
"Don't mention it, Lord Chukudi."
"I, too, was merely following the imperial decree."
Of course, Abel, in such cases, also spoke humbly.
"We're planning to head to the capital of Hosoiina afterward. This might have been just the right gift."
Saying this, Abel smiled brightly.
"Yes, I will certainly report this matter to Hosoiina. No one, including the chief, will treat the people of the Naitorei Kingdom disrespectfully."
Chukudi nodded vigorously.
Everything involving the king becomes a diplomatic card.
Regardless of success or failure, all actions and results...
This time, it was quite a significant success.
That said, Abel still had some doubts.
"The fact that the rampaging monster has been named 'stampede' means it has happened multiple times before, right? They couldn't have abandoned the city every time?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. It happens every few years. However, in most cases, the number of monsters is about a hundred. This time, with over ten thousand, it's... something that hasn't happened in the last hundred years."
"Even so, the signal fire has been determined."
Indeed, a red signal fire was raised, and Chukudi muttered that it indicated a scale with the possibility of urban abandonment.
"Once, the chief decided. Our chief can see the future."
"What?!"
Ryo was surprised by Chukudi's words.
However, Abel next to him did not seem surprised.
((Is Abel not surprised?))
((I learned before that among the leaders of the dark continent, sometimes people with the power of future sight emerge.))
Through the echo of the soul, Ryo questioned, and Abel answered.
It seemed that his lack of surprise was a result of his studies in imperial governance.
"I thought a large-scale stampede would eventually occur. So, I had also prepared a plan for the residents' evacuation... but it seems there were still many flaws in various areas."
"Indeed, things rarely go according to plan."
Abel nodded with a wry smile at Chukudi's words.
Both were people involved in administration, well aware of the difficulties firsthand.
"Do you know the cause of that stampede?"
"No, we do not."
"If it has occurred multiple times before, you must have conducted investigations?"
"Yes. What we know is that monsters rampage outward from the center of the continent. Because of that, we cannot build cities inland from the coastal areas."
"I see."
It seemed that the fact the majority of people living on the dark continent were only along the coastal areas had such circumstances behind it.
"That is why even now, we do not know what is happening at the center of the dark continent."
"What happens if that rampage... reaches the coast?"
"They will begin to cannibalize each other."
"Cannibalize..."
Both Ryo and Abel frowned.
"At the end, when only a few remain, those who had evacuated to the sea will return to land to subjugate them and start living there again."