Become Tyrant On My Own Way
Chapter 2 - PAINFINN CITY
The city of Painfinn, a city located in the westernmost region of the Meglovia Kingdom that was directly adjacent to the monster forest at the western end of the continent. Therefore, this city has always been the most vulnerable place for monsters.
However, before it started three years ago, this place was actually a fairly peaceful place with a not-so-high intensity of monster invasion. But all of a sudden things change that started three years ago.
The monster rush continued to grow more intense by the day. And here, I, Helios de Meglovia, the second prince of the Kingdom of Meglovia was assigned to take care of everything related to the handling of the monster invasion.
A few hours since my arrival to this place, I was dealing with documents related to the territory.
It was then that the door was suddenly knocked on and when I allowed the person who knocked on the door to enter, it was Albert fou Lugwein, apparently, my only loyal soldier who was willing to accompany his master went to this dangerous land.
As soon as Albert opened the door, he immediately looked at me with a slightly irritated look in his eyes.
“Master, until when will Master take care of that monster?”
He said half a whine.
Beside me, I who was struggling with the documents was also accompanied by an ice turtle on the table who was acting cutely.
“Moooo.”
“Yasmin, what's up? Hmm, Albert you just scared Yasmin. It's okay, Yasmin, everything's fine. He's my friend, he's a good man.”
I spoke to myself in front of the ice turtle I named Yasmin while rubbing her soft chin then looked at Albert with a gaze that hinted ‘don't scare Yasmin’.
“Master has even named the monster. And what the fuck with Yasmin's name.”
“Isn't that a good name? Yasmin is a flower whose habitat is actually in the ice, but is able to live in even hot places.”
“Didn't Master see the views of the people just now? Though the Master has been hated because of the prophecy, but thanks to the Master who also brought monsters as Master's pets, the image of the Master is getting worse in the eyes of the community.”
Hearing Albert's words, I looked at him seriously. I told him, though,
“Hei, Albert. What do you think is the main difference between monsters and ordinary animals?”
Then he answered quickly, “Yes, that of course if ordinary animals do not have mana, but if monsters are able to absorb mana and use magic.”
I also teased Albert,
“Albert, did you know that in the classification of living things, humans can be classified as animals?”
“Master is making fun of me huh. If so, of course I know. Although I was only a knight and not a noble, I was also educated in natural science.”
“Albert is smart, try to pay attention to this carefully. Animals that can use magic are referred to as monsters, while humans are one type of animal. So, what do you think of the nobles who can use magic? Based on your words just now, you just said that all the nobles who can use magic are monsters.”
Hearing my true words I only meant as that light joke, as usual, Albert took it seriously.
“No, no, no! How could I possibly think of such a brazen thing to a great noble, Master.”
As soon as I came and began to govern the territory, there were many citizens who were dissatisfied with my presence as the new feudal leader.
“Eh, why isn't the Crown Prince or Lord Prince Leon coming? Why did the ice tyrant come? It will be a region disaster.”
More or less that's the kind of talk that goes on in the back between fellow citizens. Unbeknownst to me, I've held the title of weird in society, the tyrant of ice.
Let alone establishing familiarity with the citizens, I have received negative points from them first, thanks to the prophecy that branded me as a ruthless tyrant candidate even without me doing anything.
Isn't that cruel? Why did I get treatment that wasn't even my own fault? My future as a tyrant was determined with a prophecy.
I was frustrated and stroked Yasmin's soft chin. Only Yasmin can be my solace now when everyone keeps blaspheming me for that damn prophecy.
As soon as I relaxed for a moment from my work after Albert's arrival, suddenly the door was once again knocked. This time around is the chief administrator of this city, Curtiz, a commoner who was appointed by the late Duke Rucanthes himself as chief administrator due to his prowess.
Curtiz came up with a stack of financial statements and inventory from Painfinn City according to what I had secured him to collect.
However, as soon as I read the report he brought, how I could not help my annoyance.
“What the fuck?! Why was the expenditure on soldiers too high while the repair costs of the fort were negligible?! Then what the hell with the sale of this haphazard magic crystal stone!”
I had previously heard rumors from somewhere that Duke Rucanthes was a muscle-brained man. He is very reliable in battle matters. However, he was foolish in terms of regulating the region's economy.
But what I am very sorry about is why none of these qualified people like Curtiz are trying to support the duke with the fruits of their knowledge. They just without complaining about carrying out the orders of the haphazard duke.
First of all about the cost of restoration of the fort. It was an absolute matter to be the focus of attention regarding it would be a long-term investment in securing the territory against the monster attacks in the future.
But, foolishly, they reduced the cost only to the welfare of the guard soldiers and outsmarted the broken fortress by covering it against mud instead of solid stone.
It's crisp. really urgent. This region is really vulnerable to being destroyed if their economic thinking continues like this.
Not to mention the matter of magic stone crystals. This region even though it has a rare source of income that is rarely found in other areas, but they do not take advantage of it at all and then leave it at a very cheap price to the traveling merchants.
Even if the magic stone crystal is processed well, then its value will increase significantly and then it will generate a huge income for this very poor region.
Taking that into account, I gave instructions to Curtiz,
“Soldier budget problem, I want it reduced by 30 percent and then diverted to the repair of the fort. Then regarding the matter of the magic stone crystal, I want it collected then handed to me.”
I who was already stressed was preoccupied by the internal matters of the territory, suddenly just startled by the danger warning from the monster watch lighthouse.
At 4 pm when the sun is still visible, monsters have begun to attack.
‘What is this? Why are the monsters attacking at this hour? Isn't it not time they came out?’
With that complicated thought, I also moved towards the fortress. Seen from behind the fortress, thousands of centipede monsters stormed about to enter the city by penetrating the fort.