Chapter 16  

Chapter 16   . Someone has their eyes on our land (1)The day’s battle came as a shock to all the people of Laputa .

Their ruler, who had just come from a different land, had defeated 20 Orcs with 30 soldiers . It was not only a win, but a grand victory .

And that was not all .

A rather exaggerated rumor had spread across the lands, where Kang Chul-In had supposedly courageously ran into the center of the Orcs alone, and was unmatched by any . Kang Chul-In’s popularity soared .

It was understandable because for the common folk, it was a surprising thing for lords, Sovereigns, Kings, emperors, and other people of high ranking, to lead by example . This went beyond Panagea to Earth as well, and was relatable to all those who were under authority .

It was the same thing as a politician, who was visiting and inspecting military troops, to grab a K2 and engage in combat against a North Korean guerilla team . Furthermore, it was like the politician then contributed and played a key part in winning the battle . Of course… something like this would not happen .

And after the battle, him sitting casually on a pile of straw drinking beer with the other soldiers added to his image as an approachable, familiar leader .

Of course, these effects were not at all intentional .

All Kang Chul-In did was battle because a group of Orcs appeared, and drank a cold beer after a victory . No prior calculations were made .

‘What are these people?’

Kang Chul-In, who had returned to Laputa as a triumphant general, no a triumphant Sovereign, tilted his head in confusion at the loud cheers from the people . In his head, he wondered if this was something to praise about to this extent .

It was quite an understandable question coming from Kang Chul-In .

Valhalla, the land he ruled in his previous life, had very few humans . Most of its inhabitants were vampires, death knights, 마인, and other non-human species, so Kang Chul-In could not understand human emotion too well . Why were they making such a big deal, and why were they even singing about him?

[Favorability due to leading by example +20]

[Free-Spirited Leader image gained so Charisma -3]

[Free-Spirited Leader image gained so Approachability +30]

[Positive response by people of the land, Sovereign Point +20]

When he had removed all his gear and returned to the Sovereign’s hall, an information screen appeared in front of him .

‘Hm… I don’t like charisma decreasing . ’

Charisma was an extremely important skill needed for a Sovereign .

It was key for commanding and ordering subordinates as a Sovereign . For example, the first thing to think about when purchasing a strong “Perhaps . ”

Kang Chul-In did not agree with what Lucia had called him .

His goal, primarily, was unification! It was to be the emperor .

For that goal, war was tied together, and that tie could not be severed . For him to fulfill his desire, a tower of bones must be built, and countless must stack their bones atop another .

‘It isn’t even true . ’

What common farmer would like war? How many things would match the horrors of war . Kang Chul-In ultimately, was just a war crazed animal, and could never be a benevolent king .

“My Lord?”

“…?”

“What are you thinking so intently about?”

Kang Chul-In shook his head slightly at Lucia’s question and spoke .

“I will punish them . ”

“…my lord?”

Lucia seemed confused at Kang Chul-In, who had praised the father and daughter and now was saying that he would punish them .

“What you said is also true . I am pleased, but they would need to be punished at least a little, for gifting a Sovereign such plain things . Appoint the farmer called Rustler to oversee the farming and give him heavy responsibility . There is no heavier punishment than being responsible for something . ”

“…!”

Lucia was in awe of Kang Chul-In’s consideration .

What Kang Chul-In had ordered wasn’t just a punishment, but also a reward . In the background of this order, there was Kang Chul-In’s intention to listen to Lucia’s advice in punishing the father and daughter but also in acknowledging their heart in sending him gifts . He had caught two birds with one stone .

‘Ah… the Sovereign is not just anyone!’

Lucia once again was in awe of Kang Chul-In, thinking how extraordinary and competent he was as a leader . That moment, Lucia’s loyalty and respect for Kang Chul-In grew deeper . However, Kang Chul-In did not understand why Lucia made such a big deal and shivered so often .

***

And even after this, Kang Chul-In spent many days on the quest for monsters .

The monster subjugation, which was originally supposed to last 3, 4 days grew longer and longer, until ten days had passed .

It was not because Kang Chul-In was incompetent .

Actually, Kang Chul-In and the Royal Guard under his leadership had outstanding victories in every battle they had, defeating all the monsters . They were straight victories, with no losses—all done by Kang Chul-In and his soldiers .

However, despite Kang Chul-In’s efforts, the reason why the monster subjugation took a long time was because of a monster called the ‘mole looter’ .

The ‘mole looter’ was a mole about the size of a midsize dog, and it would attack humans, eating chunks of ankles or the back of the foot making people handicapped .

The problem was that these annoying moles were all over the northern plains .

-[Tutorial 2] Monster Subjugation

Description: Conquer the monsters within the land

Reward: Experience +250 / 20 Gold

Status: 421/500

His level was already at level 8 .

If he was to destroy 79 monsters, he would naturally be at level 9, and then simultaneously clear Tutorial 1 Quest as well, which was linked—putting him at level 10 .

But these moles were ambushing Kang Chul-In and his Royal Guard, and the troops dug tunnels every single day, trying to destroy them at their source . Ironically, a low-level monster was hindering Kang Chul-In .

“Sigh…”

Kang Chul-In, who was hunting the moles with his Royal Guard in the northern plains, looked up at the blue sky on a quick break .

‘It’s already been ten days . I need to return to earth in two days at the latest . ’

It was postponed over and over again because there were many things to take care of, but returning to Earth was unavoidable . He needed to pay back the money that he had borrowed, and also needed to hear reports about Kwak Jung from Park Du-Sik . Also…

‘Mother . ’

He needed to visit his mother, who was alone .

Undutiful Kang Chul-In had never gone to see his mother after being rebirthed .

It was not intentional, but for Kang Chul-In who had been indifferent about his family for 10 years, he had not even thought about visiting . However, now that he had remembered, he felt a lot of guilt .

‘I should visit her more often . ’

For various reasons, Kang Chul-In swore he would take care of his mother .

And it was then .

“Sovereign!”

A soldier who was on the lookout during the break shouted while pointing up to the sky . In the air, something that had been created with magic, radiating blue light, was circulating on top of the troops .

Kang Chul-In’s face hardened .

‘What the heck?’

It was a scout unit sent by another Sovereign called a ‘scout hawk’ .