Building A Human Empire By Creating A Clan [EN]: Chapter 4

Beyond the gate lay the interior of a stark white building, so brightly lit it almost hurt to look at.

Light streamed in from every direction, flooding the massive hall.

The ceiling was a vast dome, adorned with murals and sculptures depicting various myths.

I slowly followed Raeragon, taking in the scenery I had only ever seen on a screen in my previous life.

‘It’s even more magnificent in person,’ I thought.

“Amazed, are you? You should be honored. You’re the first of the ‘monkeys’ [a derogatory term for humans] to ever see this,” Raeragon said with a smirk.

I noticed the pride in his voice.

‘The Elves built this building.’

Elves are a race renowned for their cultural pride.

Raeragon, being a prince of the Elves, must feel a sense of satisfaction seeing someone admire his people’s work.

“No,” I said, deciding to deflate his ego.

“Hmm, for someone seeing it for the first time, you certainly are staring intently,” he observed.

“It’s been a while since I’ve seen it.”

“What?”

He stopped walking and looked at me, eyes wide with surprise.

I hadn’t kept count, but I’d probably visited the Grand Assembly more times than Raeragon himself in my past life.

I didn’t bother answering his unspoken question.

Ignoring his demanding gaze, a servant approached.

“Lord Raeragon, you’ve arrived?”

“Yeah.”

“We haven’t received any instructions from the homeland, but is there anything you require…?”

“Convene an emergency session of the Grand Assembly. The agenda is the division of the Oroko Great Plains.”

The servant quickly departed, and we entered the assembly hall.

It was a considerably large interior space.

Like an opera house, numerous seats were arranged in a semicircle.

In the center of the semicircle, facing the seats, were a large table and eight chairs.

Raeragon settled into the chair that seemed to be the head seat among the eight.

I took the seat directly opposite him.

“Calliope, wait outside.”

Calliope silently questioned the reason with her eyes.

“This is a place where only ambassadors and attendants are allowed. I can’t bend the rules, so you’ll have to stay outside.”

‘I’ll call you immediately if there’s any danger,’ I conveyed through telepathy.

‘Understood,’ she replied.

“Have you really been here before?” Raeragon asked, stretching his legs out on the table and muttering.

He was clearly trying to pry information from me, but I ignored him.

“Don’t they offer anything to guests here?”

The less I talked, the less likely I was to reveal my secrets.

I needed to stall for time and prevent Raeragon from figuring me out.

“Not even a cigarette.”

I made additional requests every time Raeragon tried to speak.

“The taste is decent. Can you bring me more?”

As I sampled the tea and sweets the servant brought, the ambassadors began to arrive.

【Lv. 67】

【Lv. 64】

【Lv. 72】

【Lv. 69】

Orcs, Goblins, Nagas, Lizardmen – each of different races – took their seats.

Their levels were much lower than Raeragon’s guard’s level, but they were still a force to be reckoned with in human society.

In human society, they would be kings of great nations, not mere ambassadors.

But to these other races, they weren’t particularly impressive.

‘They were melting iron while humans were still grinding stones. The gap is inevitable.’

Still, the disparity was jarring to witness firsthand.

To think that individuals powerful enough to rule a country were relegated to the role of speakers or yes-men.

It was a world with vastly different standards.

‘This is why humans are treated as uncivilized.’

In this world, civilization is judged by strength.

Human civilization, unable to even send an ambassador of appropriate level, is considered barbaric.

‘But even though they are so small and weak, they fight among themselves and tear each other apart.’

Just like Ivela tried to kill me.

“Hmm?”

“A human?”

The reason they were surprised to see me sitting here leisurely eating snacks must be that.

It was like seeing a monkey that should be in a zoo sitting in their seats, acting like a person.

However, none of the ambassadors directly questioned it.

As seasoned diplomats, they were quick to observe.

They realized that Raeragon, sitting with a sulky expression, had invited me.

“Two are missing.”

Clicking his tongue, Raeragon glanced at the two empty seats.

“Ah, the two of them will be here soon.”

“Are elders coming instead of ambassadors?”

“Yes. They happened to be available…”

“Oh! That’s great,” Raeragon said with a bright smile.

‘As expected, he’s plotting something.’

One of the empty seats was for the Dwarf ambassador.

It’s well-known that Elves and Dwarves don’t get along.

But he welcomes the arrival of a Dwarf of high caliber?

Instead of disliking that someone who would cause trouble is coming?

‘Is he planning to pit them against me? To put pressure on me?’

“Haha, everyone’s here.”

The two people they were waiting for soon entered.

The two were a Dwarf and a human, or rather, a Vampire in human form.

【Lv.92】

【Lv.90】

The space felt charged simply by their presence.

The inherent magic naturally radiated from them, filling the hall.

A strong person would naturally resist the oppressive magic, but I am weak.

I tried my best to maintain a calm expression, concealing the discomfort in my chest.

“Oh ho. It’s the first time I’ve seen a human in this seat.”

“Doesn’t it look like they’ve put food on the chair?”

The Vampire flicked his long, pointed tongue like a lizard.

I tilted my head slightly diagonally and offered a small smile.

He narrowed his eyes as if he had seen something very interesting.

“Little one. Did you gather us to show off your prey?”

The Dwarf scratched his long beard and looked at Raeragon with a pathetic expression.

Raeragon frowned at being called ‘little,’ then snorted.

With his legs still on the table, he waved his arm dismissively and explained, “The reason I urgently convened this Grand Assembly is because of the redistribution of territory.”

“Isn’t dividing the neutral territory already agreed upon?”

“That’s right. That’s what we were going to do.”

Raeragon twisted one corner of his mouth.

“But a variable has intervened. Someone of our level wants this land.”

‘Of our level…’ Everyone’s gaze turned to me.

[Time remaining until next use: None.]

Grand Assembly