Building A Human Empire By Creating A Clan [EN]: Chapter 90

I sat at my desk in the office.

“Hoo…”

I pressed my fingertips into my temples.

Since creating light with my soul, I had been suffering from severe headaches.

It seemed I had used more power than I possessed.

My body felt heavy, and I suffered from headaches, dizziness, and a slight fever.

‘I should refrain from doing that for a while.’

————————————

E#r *(&뀄빔&(

&%베@뀄^

Trait: [Iron Man], #^?&%@

————————————

I looked at the status window while pressing my temple with my left middle finger.

Characters were broken, or characters appeared in positions where there were none before.

‘The name and level markings are broken, and a trait has been added, but it’s also broken, so I can’t tell what it is.’

What does this mean?

Has there been a change in level, or has a trait been added?

‘Clearly, I am changing.’

Like creating fire from the tip of a sword,

Like creating light from the spire,

A power different from the power given by level and magic is being added.

It is something that the system cannot display.

The broken characters must be because of that.

‘My martial power hasn’t increased.’

I picked up an Oroko gold coin with three fingers and pressed down hard.

Of course, it didn’t budge.

‘What has changed is not the body, but the soul.’

I recalled the words I exchanged with the Lord.

– Do you know that the closer you get to death, the more you transcend the senses given by the body?

– The process of the soul separating from the body and the senses that were bound to the body blossoming.

The change I am experiencing now is exactly this.

Even though death is not near.

I can guess the reason.

‘Iron Man, the soul’s caliber.’

————————————

[Iron Man]

You have become $^$(*&!.

Your ^&!*! will is ^&*%$$%

(*(@ Anyone !)(@@

Mental #^?%@ becomes.

#&&^@*$([email protected]!

————————————

Similarly, the broken trait description.

How far will this change go?

I tapped the desk with my index finger and narrowed my brows.

“Duke.”

The old knight Helmut entered the office.

“Is it the damage report?”

“Yes. It’s not an exact figure. As you know, the damage is too great… it will take time to be certain.”

“I see. Roughly?”

“Judging by the trend, it will be close to 100,000.”

100,000 people.

He was referring to the injured in this incident.

I pressed my temples again.

“Focus on restoring the damage for now.”

“Understood.”

After Helmut left, I lit a cigarette.

‘Close to 100,000.’

What was the population of the Great Plains?

‘Not even 200,000. Yet, in less than an hour here, half the population of the Great Plains died or was injured.’

There was nothing else to say.

The damage was too great, the damage was too small.

‘Ironically, it’s small damage.’

The magic performed by Archbishop Gottlob was a kind of illusion magic.

It was an illusion that stimulated fear and faith in the darkness, making people see monsters, and the more fearful or devout they were, the more it drove them to madness.

‘It’s a world where everyone believes in Horbid [likely a dark god or deity]. Moreover, it’s a world where magic and gods actually exist. The degree of belief is incomparable to Earth.’

How many people wouldn’t succumb to madness in such an environment?

‘Clearly, it caused a lot of damage, but considering the situation, it’s small.’

To be able to dismiss this with words like ‘just’ and ‘fortunate’.

I scoffed at the absurdity.

‘He must have hated me quite a bit. To go this far.’

It was a magic that consumed considerable resources.

The jewel that the Archbishop took was one containing a part of Horbid’s soul, and even that wasn’t enough, so thousands of believers had to offer their souls.

Souls were used as consumables just to activate one spell.

‘Does he hate me so much that he’s willing to offer his soul, or is he unable to make normal judgments?’

I lit a cigarette and took three or four consecutive puffs.

Smoking a cigarette didn’t relieve the headache.

Because the fatigue I am experiencing now is the fatigue of the soul.

Instead, the blood scent covering the mansion was a little less noticeable.

It was the place where that chaos occurred just a few hours ago.

Even after wiping away the blood, the smell remained strong.

‘I should see it as an inability to make normal judgments.’

Even a part is still a soul.

Using souls as consumables?

Am I such an irreconcilable enemy?

I should rather see it as being thrown away because judgment is clouded.

There was actually evidence to support such reasoning.

‘The magic that covered me immediately after Horbid’s magic disappeared.’

The darkness that I pushed away with the fire I created from Calliope’s sword.

Similar to Tiamar’s magic, but not hers.

It can be seen as the magic surrounding her.

Just like the light of my soul enveloped the body of my subordinate in the darkness.

That magic is the cause of the corruption surrounding Tiamar.

‘I thought it ended with the setting, but it wasn’t.’

I recalled the backstory from my memory.

‘The reason Tiamar became corrupted.’

“······.”

I got up from the chair and looked out the window.

Evening had come to the city, and darkness had fallen.

It wasn’t magic, but the darkness that nature had brought, and citizens were out on the streets, lighting bonfires and sitting around them.

What they experienced in the darkness came to mind, making them afraid.

‘It’s only a brief glimpse. If he could truly project his power, it wouldn’t have ended there. Clearly, the Archbishop’s earnestness reached him to some extent. Because he had Horbid’s soul and the souls of the believers. The scent of souls that he likes must have attracted him.’

I put out the finished cigarette and sat back down.

‘Yes, it’s not time for him to be active yet.’

Not yet.

I swallowed the rest of the words.

Knock knock…

Rachel came in.

“Are you busy?”

“No. What’s the matter?”

She placed a bowl full of peanuts on the desk.

“I was wondering if we could talk if you’re okay with it.”

I gestured to the chair and picked up peanuts, cracking them one by one.

“The soldiers in the garrison have decided to follow my father.”

I nodded.

What else would they do but follow?

Duke Thredret is dead, and I am the only one with the right to succession.

Strictly speaking, several relatives remain, but they are meaningless.

Their influence is less than Helmut’s.

How dare they claim the title of Duke from me?

Of course, they were the first to pledge allegiance.

“Are you going to drive straight to the capital like this?”

“Yes. I will occupy the capital and seize the throne.”

“That’s fast. Are you taking advantage of Germania’s inability to prepare?”

I shook my head.

“Germania has already prepared. The Church tried to check me to the point of using Horbid’s soul, wouldn’t they have issued a conscription order?”

“Ah, I see. I thought it would be easy… but in the end, we’ll have to fight once.”

“We won’t be able to avoid fighting with persuasion anymore.”

I would have to show even more than I did when I defeated Thredret’s Knights.

“What’s next? It won’t end there, will it?”

“End? It’s just the beginning.”

Germania isn’t a city-state, and would it end just because the capital was occupied and the throne was taken away? Even Thredret had countless direct territories and vassals.

“Those supported by the Wolf Church and other races will revolt. It won’t be over until we catch them all.”

“A game of whack-a-mole.”

“That’s right. It won’t be easy and it will take a long time. Conquering Germania itself will be easy and quick, but a lot of small and annoying things will continue for a long time.”

Germania has deep ties with other races as long as its history, and it is the only country that directly borders the Church, the headquarters of the Wolf Church.

The further west towards the capital and the Church, the stronger the resistance will be.

“So, as quickly as possible, as much as possible, we must destroy the relationship with other races and faith from humans.”

“Yes.”

“I will return immediately after obtaining the throne of Germania. You will be the only one remaining in Germania for a while. Your responsibility is heavy, can you do it?”

“Me?”

“There’s no one else. The situation is getting worse and worse.”

Tok, tok, tok

I looked at the window.

A kite [a type of bird used for messages] was tapping on the window.

– I did as ordered.

“What order?”

“The spy.”

I ordered the spy to spread the word about today’s events.

Griff’s spies are active throughout Germania, so I ordered them to spread every detail of what happened in the city today.

“Wouldn’t it have been better not to publicize today’s events? If people know that the Church has become so extreme, more people will say that they should follow the Church more.”

“No, it will be more surprising that Horbid was defeated by me. It is natural for God to punish. But it is not natural for me to have overcome the punishment.”

People who follow with faith have the same attitude no matter what.

But people who follow with profit will be watching.

– Edar, you must return as soon as you obtain the throne.

“Is it serious?”

– The level of provocation is increasing. It feels like they will rush in soon. They wouldn’t have disbanded after mobilizing so many without doing anything.

I tapped the desk with my index finger and pondered for a moment.

Such an extreme response as using Horbid’s soul.

The possibility of the orcs gathered at the border coming down is not low.

“Issue a call for evacuation under your judgment. You can empty all residences except Olympus [likely a fortified location]. What’s important is people, and only Olympus.”

– Understood.

I tapped the desk with my index finger and pondered for a moment before asking.

“Where is Gerhard?”

– He is marching almost without rest. He will arrive soon.

“Let’s have him join us in the capital. I’ll be waiting there.”

I also considered turning Gerhard’s forces back to the Great Plains.

But it was obvious that it wouldn’t mean much even if I turned them back.

Most of that army is mercenaries hired from Wallachia, and the number is not large because demand is high everywhere during the civil war.

Moreover, if the opponent is another race, there is a high possibility that morale will decrease and it will become a hindrance.

I said firmly to Griff.

“Never overdo it. Make it your top priority to hold out until I get there. I will definitely return.”

– Don’t worry. Do you think I’ll die?

The kite made a screeching sound.

I chuckled and picked up a peanut.

And just as I was about to crack the shell again,

[Cooldown has been reset.]

[Time remaining until next use: None.]

[The Subordinate Creation skill is available.]

[Would you like to use it?]

Subordinate creation, which is available four times a day.

It’s not about creating four subordinates at once.

It must be activated as soon as the cooldown is reset.

Otherwise, the passing time is wasted time.

‘If Vlad’s ring hadn’t invigorated me, I would have had to wake up even in my sleep.’

I laughed inwardly again.

What will happen if the time is further shortened in the future?

What if the time unit becomes minutes instead of hours?

I might not even have time to sleep.

‘I have the ring, and as my soul grows, the influence of my body on me is also decreasing. Soon, the day will come when I don’t sleep.’

It’s strange to break away from being human.

It’s neither good nor bad, just a feeling that something is changing.

Should I say that the limitations that were bound to the body are gradually disappearing?

‘I hope a subordinate with some power comes out.’

I took out a new cigarette from the cigarette case and held it before using the skill.

Ping—

A rare light burst forth.

Purple light spread in all directions before turning golden.

I had experienced this twice before, so I jumped up.

The kite that was eating the peanuts I had cracked and Rachel who was blankly looking out the window as well.

They were also surprised and watched the golden light drawing a circle.

————————————

The Iron Minister

Skadi

Lv. 90

Grade: S

Traits: [Subordinate], [Management]

[Management]

This trait is given to those with professional management skills such as administration, law, and business.

————————————

A woman remained in the place where the light disappeared.

She stood crookedly and scanned her surroundings with bloodshot eyes.

Passing through the kite and Rachel, she paused briefly at me and then at my hand.

Looking at the cigarette in my hand, she raised the corners of her mouth.

“You’re smoking something quite good, Father.”

The Iron Minister, Skadi.

I looked at the subordinate who was coveting my cigarette and smiling.

‘The Iron Minister, huh.’

————————————

The Iron Minister

Skadi

Lv. 90

Grade: S

Traits: [Subordinate], [Management]

[Management]

This trait is given to those with professional management skills such as administration, law, and business.

————————————

‘Even the trait perfectly matches the epithet [a descriptive name or title].’

I looked at the status window and then shifted my gaze to her.

The most noticeable thing about her appearance was her height.

She was as tall as me.

Rachel, standing next to her, looked like a child.

‘She wouldn’t be suitable for combat.’

Looking at her epithet and traits, she is a typical bureaucrat.

Even if Pasimea can use magic, she is not professional, so the foundation of S-grade, level 90 is clearly enough to take down a decent high-level, but it would be difficult to show overwhelming performance.

‘What I needed right now was a combat-specialized subordinate, but this side is good in its own way.’

Isn’t there a saying that you can’t rule the world on horseback?

After conquering Germania, we need to overturn the system once.

We can’t leave the duties that I temporarily gave to Griff, Gerhard, Pasimea, Rachel, etc., such as acting as lords, governors, or manufacturing managers, as they are.

‘I said I would dismantle feudalism.’

For now, I accepted the vassals under Duke Thredret as they were to understand the reality, but if I am given the opportunity, I will erase the feudal lords as I did in the Great Plains and Northern Wallachia.

And I will replace the feudal lords who have disappeared with bureaucrats who receive orders and stipends from the central government, and plant a centralized bureaucracy.

‘To do that, what I need is an administrator who can understand my vision and has the ability to realize it.’

————————————

[Acquired proficiency by using the Subordinate Creation skill.]

[The grade of the Subordinate Creation skill increases.]

[Grade: 4 stars -> 5 stars]

[Skill cooldown reduced to 4 hours.]

————————————

‘Even though some problems have occurred, things are progressing smoothly. The number of subordinate creations has also increased from 4 to 6 every day, and the number of subordinates with abilities suitable for management will also increase accordingly.’

I looked at the Iron Minister, Skadi.

Smirk

She smiled as she met my eyes.

Red eyes like her hair color.

Eyes like a snake, similar to Lord’s eyes.

Adding a smile by raising the corners of her mouth, it was the eyes of someone looking at prey.

I chuckled and handed her the cigarette.

“Would you like to have a smoke?”

“Gladly.”

Skadi lit the cigarette by creating fire on her index finger.

“You know how to use magic.”

“A little. I’m not good at it. Don’t include me in combat if possible.”

She pulled up a chair and sat down in front of me with a thud.

Resting her chin on her left hand and holding the cigarette in her right hand.

She looked at me in a rather crooked posture.

‘Father, this person has a bit of bad manners.’

Rachel frowned and glared at the back of Skadi’s head.

“I can hear everything.”

Flinch

Rachel turned her head.

Red eyes glared at her.

The eyes of a snake looking at a rabbit must be like this.

Skadi turned her head, exhaled a long puff of smoke, and said.

“I am Skadi. As you already know.”

She put down the cigarette and picked up the peanuts I had cracked.

“The Iron Minister, that’s my epithet. Accordingly, the talents I have are also suitable for management. If Father wishes to be a lord or something more, you should give me an important position. Otherwise, you will waste quite a bit of time.”

An arrogant tone.

Rachel looked at her from behind with a dumbfounded expression.

“Father knows me, but I don’t know Father.”

Tell me about you, her red eyes flashed.

I also put down the cigarette and met her gaze.

“I am Edar Lundringen. A lord with quite wide and fertile land.”

“Hmm,” Skadi nodded.

“And soon to be the only emperor of mankind.”

Skadi, who was nodding, narrowed her eyes.

“Then you will need me very much.”

“Yes. I need you, Skadi.”

“Do you know the position I want?”

Could there be a position other than Minister that the Iron Minister desires?

Skadi smiled softly.

“But I can’t give you such a position from the beginning.”

Because I don’t know everything she has just from the status window.

“Of course.”

She pulled the chair closer and came in front of me.

“How can I prove myself to Father? If you’re hesitant to entrust me with big tasks, I’ll assist with simple tasks first. Office? Law? Finance? Try me with anything.”

I shook my head.

“I have no intention of acting so clumsily. What I’m curious about is the knowledge and perspective you have. What’s important is whether you are a person who fits the role I want.”

The position Skadi wants is Minister.

She wants the position of being second to none.

‘At first, I was going to make Griff the Minister.’

Griff was my initial subordinate and helped a lot with the development of Olympus, and he managed the entire Great Plains smoothly.

I judged that he had proven his ability among the subordinates and understood my intentions well.

‘But his reach is short.’

That’s as far as he can reach.

I had him take on several tasks, but the limitations were clear.

Coordination with high-ranking subordinates such as Gerhard and Pasimea was also lacking.

‘Similarly, Gerhard is more suited to being a field commander, befitting the name of legion commander rather than governor. Pasimea is also talented in administration, but she is suitable for fields such as research and manufacturing, as her trait is alchemist.’

I glanced at Calliope, who had been quietly behind me.

‘Callie… doesn’t think about leaving me.’

Rachel goes without saying.

‘So, practically, there is no one to replace me.’

At best, it only reduces the workload in each field.

‘Indeed, does the Iron Minister have the ability I want?’

I placed my clasped hands on the desk and said.

“Let me ask you a few questions first.”