Mimir's voice echoed in my mind, calm and ancient as ever.
"As you wish, lad. The preparations will begin. Karlos shall become a True Demon Lord. The first demon lord in the history"
I turned my attention back to the crowd with a warm smile, hiding the storm that was quietly building under my command.
I turned to Reinhart, who still looked a little dazed from everything that had happened. The man had grit—loyalty, pride, and strength—and he'd held his head high even when I tossed a miniature sun at twenty thousand soldiers like it was a party trick.
"Reinhart," I said firmly, my voice carrying across the quiet courtyard.
"Since you were the nephew of the former king, and you've proven yourself as a capable knight... I hereby name you General of Solara."
He blinked. "Solara…?"
I smiled and raised my hand to the sky, sunlight gently spilling through the clouds like it too had bowed in respect.
"Yes. From this day forward, this land shall no longer be called Bermud. That name died with the despair it carried. This kingdom shall be known as Solara—the kingdom that rose from ruin into radiance."
The citizens murmured, the name spreading like wildfire on their tongues.
Reinhart dropped to one knee, placing a fist over his heart.
"I swear my loyalty to you, Lord Velsun, and to the kingdom of Solara. My sword is yours."
Just then, Mimir's voice crackled through my thoughts like ancient leather and dusty tomes.
"Hah! Solara, is it? Bold name, lad."
"Thanks, old man," I replied mentally. "Don't forget to start prepping Karlos' evolution once we're back."
"Aye, aye, no need to nag. I'm older than time, not deaf."
"You were created by Elder Brother. Because of me, we are the same age." I mused
He chuckled.
I had to fight the grin pulling at my lips. Things were moving fast.
I turned towards Reinhart to give him his first order.
"Reinhart, your first task as the general of Solara is to take the soldiers in Solara and capture the enemy kingdom, Glora. Their king is captured, and all their soldiers are dead. They would be dead if left alone. We will integrate them into our kingdom."
Reinhart stood tall at my words, nodding sharply as a confident smirk formed on his lips.
"As you command, my king."
I turned to face the crowd once more, my voice rising above the quiet murmurs.
"From this moment onward, Glora will no longer stand as our enemy. Their army has fallen, and their king has been captured. If we leave the remnants to rot in chaos, they will only become a threat once again. But under Solara… they will find order, stability, and a future."
I glanced at Reinhart.
"Take the soldiers of Solara—march to Glora. Integrate the land, bring back any citizens willing to cooperate, and make it clear that this is not conquest... this is unification. Anyone who resists with violence, you know what to do."
Reinhart saluted, armor glinting in the light. "I will return with their banners lowered and their people ready to serve under Solara."
As he walked off to prepare the troops, Mimir's voice rolled in like the wind brushing an ancient scroll.
"Hah, conquest by salvation… You've got the brain of a devil and the smile of a saint, lad. Makes me wonder who the real villain is sometimes."
"Come on, Mimir," I chuckled internally.
"Villains aren't as merciful as me."
"Hmph... Lad, do you think I was born yesterday? It will only benefit you if you combine both kingdoms."
I just smiled at that.
Darius approached me once more, his steps firm but respectful. He knelt down with one hand across his chest, eyes filled with unwavering devotion.
"My lord, with the people's love behind you and the throne vacant, we should officially crown you as the King of Solara. The people have already accepted you in their hearts… but the ceremony will make it absolute."
I tilted my head, looking around the ruined throne room that still held whispers of old glory. The golden banners were torn, and the stone was cracked—but amidst that ruin, hope had taken root again.
I stepped forward, hands clasped behind my back. "Hmm… Very well. If it brings stability and clarity to the people, then let the coronation be held. But keep it simple, Darius."
Darius smiled wide, eyes misting over slightly.
"Understood, my lord. The ceremony will be simple but worthy of the future king… of Solara."
Karlos, standing beside me with his usual smug aura, whispered under his breath, "Truly… a king of light. The people adore him. A king… no, a god walking among mortals."
Mimir chuckled in the depths of my soul.
"Well then, lad. Ready to play king officially? Or should I start calling you 'Your Majesty' now and get used to it?"
I smirked to myself.
I stood there, the weight of Darius' words and the adoration of the people hanging thick in the air like incense in an ancient temple.
But then it hit me.
"Wait… Am I acting like some evil manipulator or some shit?"
I frowned, rubbing the back of my neck.
I mean, I did plan to rule a kingdom, but I didn't expect it to be here. At best I expected some great influence in the kingdom after saving them, but a king?
"Sigh… I need to stop acting like this or I'm going to end up becoming the second coming of Lloyd Frontara…"
I muttered under my breath, the memory of that infamous tyrant making me cringe internally.
Mimir, of course, couldn't resist and started laughing out loud.
"Haha... Lad, that was the most hilarious thing you have said till now," second coming of Llyod Frontera. If you become him, then this world will be confused as if whether to cry or laugh as you rob it."
I groaned. "Mimir, not helping."
"Just saying… evil overlords start with good intentions too, y'know."
Karlos, meanwhile, stood beside me with sparkles in his eyes, completely unaware of my internal moral panic.
"Lord Velsun… you're truly destined for greatness," he whispered reverently.
'Ok, me, calm down. What has happened has happened; we can do nothing to change it all. All we can do is make the best use of what we have.
I took a deep breath and gave myself a mental slap.
"Alright..."
Zalario stood a few steps behind, his glowing golden eyes watching Velsun as he addressed the people—no, his people now.
"Hmm… He became a king among high humans. Now what does he plan to do?"
Zalario thought, folding his arms, the pristine feathers of his wings slightly ruffling with a breeze that only seemed to affect him.
To the others, it looked like awe. To Zalario, it was curiosity.
"He has the power of a god, the wit of a serpent, and the heart of a child playing ruler. What drives him now? Is it conquest? Is it boredom? Or…"
Zalario narrowed his gaze slightly.
"...is it something he hasn't realized yet himself?"
He glanced to the sky, sensing faint ripples in the higher planes. The world had felt the shift.
"Velsun… What do you want to acquire through all this?"
Still, Zalario said nothing aloud. He would follow for now—observe, protect if needed.
Now back to me.
I was thinking about how to make the kingdom prosperous.
"Now what I need is to make this kingdom prosperous again, Mimir. Any suggestions?"
__________
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