"But what does it matter to me how this world is?"
Ryuji voiced his thoughts directly.
He wasn't a saint and had no intention of establishing some perfect kingdom. For him, if he chose certain paths, the first thing he'd have to change would be his habit of maintaining a harem. He'd be crazy to do that.
Moreover, this wasn't his world. It would be rather foolish to risk his life trying to save the world for other people.
The only reason he even considered it was that there was a high probability he could sleep with one of this world's goddesses if he saved it.
Yes, precisely that elf from the Black Beasts world, reputed to be a goddess's reincarnation.
That elf switched sides even more casually than the idiotic princess. It didn't seem odd while watching the hentai, but now it seemed she probably also understood that currently, in this world, both men and women were deeply dissatisfied.
They needed an outlet.
The fact that something as absurd as the 'Servant Nation', a nation existing purely for the release of desires that could be established and gather countless warriors for its foundation. This already demonstrates that the contradictions at all levels of this world were irreconcilable. The status quo could no longer be maintained.
After all, the monsters betrayed the Dark Queen so directly. While her weakened power was a factor, it was also possible that they were weary of war and tired of the oppression under Queen Olga.
After all, who would want to go and die for no reason?
And Ryuji had seen the situation in the Seven Shields Alliance. It was basically a recipe for widespread misery, with everyone already prepared to discard the rules.
Seeing things had come to this, it wasn't impossible for the Goddess to decide to let everyone vent their negative emotions. After all, she was a Goddess; she might not care if a body remained pure or not.
Because no matter how you looked at it, no matter how debauched the Servant Nation was, as long as it remained a kingdom, it would eventually stabilize, and peace would return.
That outcome wasn't unacceptable. It was just being raped, which truly wouldn't be a big deal for a Goddess.
"Thinking about it this way makes it much more reasonable. But if that's the case, couldn't I also establish a Country of Servitude? Not one where women serve all men, but one where they serve only me."
While thinking this, Ryuji casually waved his hand, spreading the dragon fire throughout the room. This dragon fire was harmless, healing flames when facing the imprisoned women, but it was a different story when facing this noble.
And Ryuji had no intention of returning to the princess's side.
That princess was a fool.
How to put it? While Ryuji wasn't great at politics, he knew that the result of Alicia's actions would only be one thing.
After sorting everything out, she would be betrayed by her own minister. The minister would gain everything, including the throne, and Alicia and her sister would be turned into sex slaves.
This was an inevitable outcome. If things were resolved according to Alicia's own ideas, this was bound to happen. History had demonstrated this countless times.
Because her final reserves would be completely depleted.
"It really feels like even I could do better than these people. Given these people's skill level, should I do it?"
Ryuji was genuinely hesitant. Because no matter how you looked at it, it seemed quite feasible. As long as he could gain immense prestige, gather some people who understood the current situation, then raise the banner and directly crush the opposition, establishing a kingdom of his own wouldn't be too difficult. He could even conquer the Seven Shields Alliance in the process and sleep with that Goddess.
After truly arriving in this world, he found the actions of the Black Dog Mercenary Group unacceptable. But if it were done another way... he wouldn't mind.
"Hmm, since I'm considering it, I might as well go for it. It shouldn't be a problem for me anyway."
A smile like a man who'd found an intriguing new toy spread across Ryuji's face.
He didn't really understand how to govern a country, but he could simply kill anyone who embezzled, disobeyed his orders, or failed to execute them properly.
As for political ideologies and such...
What was there to fuss about in a medieval setting like this?
Ryuji, didn't have the ability to create a new world. He could only ensure that during his reign as king, the officials these people encountered wouldn't dare be too arrogant. What more could he do?
Ryuji had a very clear understanding of his own abilities. And if he wanted to become king, he wanted it to be done legally, and without causing himself displeasure, sleep with women!
After all, although he could still sleep with them if he waited for the Black Dog Mercenary Group to run rampant, what difference would there be from riding a public bus then!
"That's decided then. I'll create my own faction. If it succeeds, I'll establish my own nation. If it doesn't... I'll just take those women away or give them a place to settle down. That way, I can still sleep with them legally."
Ryuji felt he was a genius.
"Then, first, I'll eliminate the Black Dog Mercenary Group and then get my hands on those two dark elves!"
Casually spinning his greatsword, Ryuji swung it backhanded, killing a swordsman who tried to attack him to stop the spread of the flames. Holding the information on the drugs, Ryuji swaggered past the already dead Raddle, plunged his sword into the man's head, and then strolled toward the mansion's front door with a grin.
His flames had surrounded the entire mansion during this time. Raddle's father was anxiously watching the fire before the mansion.
Although the fire was only a thin layer, the last person who tried to rashly cross it had died, so he didn't dare attempt it.
But just as he was struggling with his thoughts, Ryuji arrived.
Ryuji wasted no time, immediately closing the distance. The guards brandished their weapons and charged at Ryuji, but with a single glance, Ryuji easily spotted the flaws in their movements. With a swing of his greatsword, he effortlessly slit their throats and then decapitated Raddle's father with another stroke.
He had zero interest in what these people had done, but he didn't forget to cover his face. He then leaped onto the roof, looked at the gathering crowd below, and shouted loudly.
"Raddle's father, who committed countless atrocities, has been executed by me! Anyone who has been wronged by a noble can write their story on any wall! Then I, the Black Knight, will appear!"
Ryuji's voice echoed through the street. The next moment, in full view of everyone, Ryuji's figure flew into the sky and vanished from their sight before they could even react.
His purpose was naturally to muddy the waters. In any era, those who dare to kill such parasites will be hunted down relentlessly; that's just how it is, regardless of the time period.
Now that he understood his power level in this world, Ryuji had no reservations. He planned to let these nobles sacrifice some pawns first.
This way, when the nobles realized they couldn't defeat him, they would naturally call upon the Black Dog Mercenary Group.
As for the Black Dog Mercenary Group using underhanded tactics against him, Ryuji couldn't care less.
Not to mention that with his dragon fire, applied promptly, he could even reattach a severed head. But did Ryuji seem like someone who could be morally blackmailed?
Even if he weren't, no matter how many hostages they took, Ryuji would just cut them down along with the hostages!
After all, who could verify if those hostages were real?
So Ryuji felt completely fearless, just waiting for these nobles to reveal their filthy, despicable true natures.
And things unfolded just as he expected.
"These lawless bastards!"
Within half an hour of the Raddle family's deaths, Thomas Beardsley- the minister who, in the original story betrayed Alicia without hesitation, slammed his fist on the table in aner and roared.
"How dare these lowborn peasants do such a thing!"
He was deeply displeased. The Raddle family had been his specially planted spies next to Princess Alicia, meant to seize the princess and turn the Knight Order when necessary.
Although most members of the Knight Order were loyal to the princess, they were largely commoners. While they possessed decent martial prowess, they had no other means to ensure the safety of their wives and children, nor could they guarantee their families wouldn't starve or freeze after their deaths.
After all, the funds Alicia could access were limited. He, Thomas Beardsley, was the wealthiest man in this country.
"We must capture this Black Knight, Lord Thomas..." a noble spoke up, his face full of worry.
"If even a good man like Raddle can be killed, these unruly peasants are far too lawless! I beg you, order the Knight Order to hunt down this murderer!"
He said this in all seriousness, but received a look of contempt from Thomas.
"The Knight Order? Don't expect them to put their hearts into it. Most of them are commoners. Taff! They won't search seriously. They know perfectly well what Raddle was like."
Thomas shook his head. In his view, most of the nobles he associated with were utter fools. They only knew how to squander the resources and foundations left by their families, capable of nothing but playing with women.
But these fools controlled vast wealth and power. He still needed their support to become king.
So he spoke up again.
"However, we need to hire the Black Dog Mercenary."
"The Black Dog Mercenary..."
The noble named Taff was taken aback, speaking with a hint of distress.
"But the Black Dog Mercenary's fees are exorbitant, and they also..."
"The Black Beast wouldn't dare move against us nobles. What are you worried about?"
Thomas cut him off directly.
"And besides, can't you hire other mercenaries? Mercenaries are far more useful than those knights!"
Thomas snorted coldly.
Although the decline in the Knight Order's combat prowess was intentional on their part, it still irritated them whenever they had to rely on the knights and found them lacking.
Even though the money we give them isn't even enough for their meals, can't you worms earn your own money to maintain your training and pay for the privilege of working?!
"What a bunch of useless trash!" he couldn't help but curse again.
"Yes, Minister. Understood."
The noble beside him quickly grasped Thomas Beardsley's intent, then promptly withdrew to contact the local mercenaries.
He knew he had been somewhat flustered. After all, whether in terms of professionalism or strength, mercenaries were far superior to the trash in the city guard or the Knight Order.
Especially the Knight Order. While they performed decently on the battlefield, they were always full of excuses and performed poorly when serving the nobles.
"Serves you right for having no funding," he chuckled lightly, then went to contact the mercenaries.
However, for Princess Alicia, when she heard the guards' description, she knew immediately that it was Ryuji who had acted!
"Mr. Ryuji, how could you be so impulsive!"
She couldn't help but bite her lip. Although many missing girls had been found in Raddle's residence, with Raddle dead, the Fortress was bound to be thrown into turmoil. Countless nobles would be panic-stricken, and the upcoming battle against the monster beasts would inevitably be affected! Ryuji was far too impulsive!
"Mr. Ryuji..."
Although deeply grateful to Ryuji, Alicia still wished more for her country to quickly free itself from the monster attacks.
But just as she was feeling anxious, Minister Thomas Beardsley arrived. The minister's face was full of obsequiousness and caution.
After all, even though he looked down on the Knight Order and the princess, he had to admit that the Knight Order was quite combat-effective and held the princess, who fought alongside them, in high esteem.
"Your Highness, I assume you've heard about the incident?"
Alicia nodded. This was exactly what was giving her a headache. If Ryuji had handled it in a way that left no room for doubt, she could have relied on her trusted minister to intimidate the nobles and prevent them from making any moves recently.
But Mr. Ryuji had killed the entire Raddle family...
However, she didn't say anything. After all, Ryuji had acted with her best interests at heart, and he was a master, someone she wanted to recruit.
"I have already ordered the city guard and the Knight Order to search for the culprit."
Alicia intended to keep Ryuji's involvement a secret, but the minister was determined to pressure her.
"The nobles are very displeased, Your Highness. I expended great effort to calm them down, but they are using this opportunity to demand tax reductions, claiming the kingdom's armies can no longer protect them, so why should they continue paying to support them."
Hearing this, an extremely grim expression appeared on Alicia's face. She sighed deeply and spoke.
"No. This is absolutely unacceptable. The Knight Order is slated to launch an expedition against the Dark Queen Olga soon. We cannot let these heroes worry about their families' well-being back home!"
Alicia spoke with righteous authority. Minister Thomas quickly put on a pained smile.
"That's what I told the nobles as well. But they stated that if taxes aren't reduced, they would rather not support the expedition, arguing they could at least use their money to protect themselves!"
At this point, the minister continued.
"I would be willing to cover the Knight Order's expenses, but as you know, I am not a member of the royal family..."
As he said this, Thomas Beardsley's gaze towards Alicia's body grew intensely fervent.
Launching a coup was actually the worst option. What he truly wanted was to become the ruler of this country through marriage. Unfortunately, due to his age, the princess completely missed his hints, rendering his subtle suggestions ineffective.
"That's true... And it's not feasible to always have you shoulder the burden. You have your own family to consider as well."
Alicia held great respect for this elder. If he had children, she would not hesitate to marry one of them. But the unfortunate fact was that Minister Thomas Beardsley had dedicated himself entirely to the country and remained unmarried to this day.
What a pity.
She sighed inwardly, then spoke again.
"But you can assure them that I will not let such an incident happen again. As for reducing taxes, that is out of the question."
"But..."
Thomas, looking at the princess's proud demeanor, couldn't help but interject.
"If it happens again..."
"We'll deal with it then."
Alicia fell silent. She intended to find Ryuji and persuade him to stop these actions. Otherwise, she would have to issue a warrant for his arrest. After all, Ryuji was gambling with the fate of the entire world!
"I understand, Your Highness."
Thomas put on a worried expression and promptly left.
However, the moment he stepped out of the palace, he gave an order.
"Kill a few of those unwilling to align with us."
"Yes."
The soldier standing guard at the palace entrance responded immediately and relayed Thomas's command.
A look of anticipation spread across Thomas's face. He genuinely wanted to see the panicked expression on the princess's face when she discovered more nobles... specifically, those who supported her had been killed in the city. And how embarrassed she would look when facing the Knight Order members afterward.
Just the thought was enough to make him so excited he could barely contain himself!
The minister's mood improved considerably. But Alicia's mood soured drastically.
Because she found she had no way to contact Ryuji.
~~~~~~~~~~
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