Chapter 6 — The Pawns Begin to Move
Leon woke up before sunrise.
The room was quiet, but his mind wasn't.
He sat on the edge of the bed, eyes half-open, that same unsettling smile forming on his lips. He slipped on his headphones—not for comfort, but because the silence of this world felt… loud.
He stretched once, straightened his clothes, and walked out.
The guards flinched when he passed by.
He didn't blink.
Didn't acknowledge them.
He simply made his way straight toward the king's chamber, steps slow and deliberate, like he already owned the place.
The doors opened after a short hesitation.
The king inside looked tired. Maps, reports, and letters were scattered across his desk. He raised his head when Leon entered.
"Leon… It's early. What brings you here?"
Leon bowed slightly, polite but unnatural—like he was copying what humans do rather than feeling it.
Then he spoke calmly:
"I've thought of a solution to your political problems."
The king straightened. "Go on."
Leon walked forward, pointing at the map.
"The other kingdoms don't trust you because they think your forces are weak after the demon war. But they also fear the demons. This is the perfect time to manipulate them."
He tapped on three neighboring kingdoms.
"Send a forged message to each one—make it look like the demons are preparing to attack them next. They will panic. And when panic spreads…"
His smile widened.
"…you step in as the savior."
The king frowned. "You want me to… trick them?"
"Yes," Leon replied without blinking. "Fear makes alliances. Not heroism."
He continued:
"You offer them temporary military support, but only on your conditions. Once they rely on your troops, they cannot oppose you. Their nobles will be desperate, their armies will be tied to your commands. Within months, all three kingdoms' survival will depend on your decisions."
"And when people depend on you…"
He looked at the king with that cold smile.
"They become yours."
The room fell silent for a moment.
The king leaned back, shocked—then slowly grinned.
"You… might be a genius," he said.
Leon shrugged lightly. "Perhaps."
After two days, everything happened exactly as Leon predicted:
The forged messages spread.
The fear grew.
The neighboring kingdoms requested help.
The king came forward with "support."
The alliances were signed—quick, easy, and desperate.
The entire castle celebrated the sudden political victory.
The king called Leon again, pride in his voice.
"Your idea worked. The entire region now stands with us."
Leon bowed slightly.
Inside, he was smiling much wider.
One kingdom was never enough.
But three kingdoms?
Now he had influence… and trust.
Perfect pawns for what he planned next.
He walked out of the chamber, headphones glowing faintly, steps relaxed like everything was going exactly how he intended.
Leon wasn't just surviving this world anymore.
He was positioning himself to rule it.
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