I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 497

The dynamics of the meeting had shifted. This was now framed as a righteous front, where lives were risked for the sake of the world. Those who didn’t join were branded as cowards, blinded by gold and self-interest.

I was the one who flipped the script.

‘Well, it’s not entirely wrong, either.’

I could shower the kings with gold and benefits here. Emptying the national treasury to pay countries for their participation wouldn’t be difficult.

But, still.

Would that be enough?

The world’s fate hung in the balance for a year. Money could be a motivator, but it shouldn’t be the sole purpose for joining this front.

Material incentives are fleeting.

Those drawn by money would flee the moment it lost its value.

Instead of fleeting gold coins, I wanted to firmly plant an unwavering banner first.

A belief that what we were doing was noble, great, and right.

‘The cause should be the goal, not just a means.’

I wanted to ensure this dynamic wouldn’t be reversed, establishing it firmly from the start.

“…”

“…”

The kings exchanged glances, and an awkward silence fell over the meeting hall. That’s when it happened.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Suddenly, applause echoed through the room.

Everyone turned to look. A middle-aged man with black hair and golden eyes slowly rose from his seat.

Without a doubt, it was the Emperor. A pleased smile played on his lips.

“Impressive.”

Which part?

The banner I championed? Or this masterful frame flip?

Regardless, the Emperor, clearly satisfied, raised his voice.

“To Ash ‘Bonehater’ Everblack, Commander of the Independent Front Crossroads, I, Traha ‘Peacemaker’ Everblack, Emperor of the Everblack Empire, have a question.”

“Please, ask away.”

“To summarize the banner you’ve raised, you define ‘people’ as beings who can understand each other, regardless of origin or race, and this monster front is a front to protect such people, correct?”

“That is correct.”

“In other words, you’re saying that, setting aside all past grievances, everyone should unite against the monsters on this front.”

“That is correct.”

The Emperor’s smile deepened, almost like that of a ferocious beast.

“Truly, a remarkably vague banner. In my life, I’ve seen countless banners raised by princes, but never one as naive and idealistic as this.”

“…”

“But that’s precisely why it’s fitting for this front, which will only last for a year.”

The Emperor turned his gaze from me back to the kings. Then, he declared,

“I endorse the ideology of Ash ‘Bonehater’ Everblack, Commander of the Independent Front Crossroads.”

“…!”

“Our Everblack Empire will formally join the World Guardian Front. And we will spare no expense in our support.”

The Emperor once again acknowledged that the monster front was separate from the Empire.

Meaning, the command of this place was still under me, the current lord of Crossroads, and the Empire would remain a member of the World Guardian Front, not its leader.

Yet, at the same time, he was expressing his intention to stand at the forefront of this alliance.

With just a few words, the Emperor had made several political moves, and then he grinned.

“Ah, those worried about participation costs can rest easy. Our Everblack, the world’s leading power, will bear that burden. I also want to improve relations with everyone.”

Silence fell for a moment at his words.

Then, several kings, their faces flushed, jumped to their feet.

“W-what are you saying, Traha!”

“We can’t let Everblack bear all the costs! The World Guardian Front is an alliance of all nations!”

“It’s only right that each nation bears its own costs!”

“No! Let’s just do a joint investment!”

There was a reason why they were so vehemently opposed to the Empire paying for everything.

If the Empire were to bear the costs of operating the World Guardian Front, this alliance would inevitably become subordinate to the Empire.

It was inevitable that any organization would be consumed by its source of funding.

– I’ll pay for it. But in a year, I’ll take over this entire alliance, is that okay?

…That’s essentially what the Emperor was threatening.

The world order was already centered around Everblack, and if the Empire completely controlled this guardian front, an alliance of the entire world.

No one knew what the future of the world would look like.

As discussed yesterday, the Empire might actually unify the continent.

Feeling threatened, these kings had no choice but to declare that they would also contribute funds.

The Emperor chuckled as he watched the kings argue over who would pay. I internally broke out in a cold sweat.

‘Is he a master strategist, or just a thug…?’

…Wait a minute. Wasn’t what I did similar?

In any case, once the Emperor took the lead and sorted things out, everything else went smoothly.

“The East will join the World Guardian Front!”

“W-we in the West too! We’ll lend our strength!”

“Our South has been with Crossroads from the start. And we will continue to be!”

The kings rushed to declare their participation.

Humans are social animals, after all. The same goes for nations and organizations.

If it were an alliance with only a part of the world, we would have to lobby other countries to join.

But if it’s an alliance that includes the entire world.

Then, those left out would feel anxious and beg to be included.

“…I suppose we have no choice. The North will also join.”

Even the kings of the North, who had initially vowed to stay out, had no choice but to sign the membership agreement.

“…Tch.”

The old king with the long white beard, who had been sharp with me throughout the meeting, was no exception.

“My personal judgment is to walk out right now, but I am also the leader of my people. I must make a decision for them.”

The old king scribbled his signature with a luxurious quill he took from his pocket.

“I will participate.”

The signature of the world’s greatest magic school and the world’s smallest independent nation.

‘The Ivory Tower’ was written on the white paper.

And finally.

“We will gladly fight alongside you in the World Guardian Front.”

The four kings representing the four major races signed.

At the forefront, the Elf Queen, Skuld, looked intently at me.

“Not only our four major races, but many other races also want to fight here. Will you accept them as well?”

“There is only one banner I have raised.”

I smiled as I accepted their signatures.

“If they follow that banner, they are welcome.”

The Elf Queen smiled back.

“You’ve decided to raise that banner again, Prince Ash.”

“Haha. I showed a sorry sight before… I tried to break it once, but it didn’t work out.”

I scratched the back of my head.

“This banner is no longer just mine, but belongs to everyone who follows me.”

So, as the standard-bearer, my job was to wave this banner higher and larger.

“We will follow that banner.”

The Elf Queen bowed her head to me. The three kings behind her did the same.

I also bowed my head in return and said with conviction,

“Let’s all go together.”

To the future.

To the ending.

And to the world beyond.

***

The meeting adjourned.

Almost every nation and organization that attended had joined the World Guardian Front. Even those who had already joined signed the new membership agreement.

Those who didn’t sign said they would return to their countries, discuss it, and respond immediately.

Once a massive wave has started, it’s not easy to go against the tide. Especially in international relations.

The kings shook my hand and left the meeting hall. It was a while before the hall finally became quiet.

“Haa…”

How did I manage to solve another one?

I let out a long breath and loosened my collar when a familiar, low voice spoke from beside me.

“Pretending to purely pursue the greater good, and then using that very good to intimidate the other kings.”

I turned to see that it was indeed the Emperor.

“You’re more skilled than I thought, my son.”

“…Just as you said, Father. Politics cannot be done with ideals alone.”

I chuckled.

“So, I framed the ideal and wielded it, and it turned out to be quite useful.”

“You impudent fellow.”

The Emperor grinned, baring his teeth.

“It was impressive.”

The Emperor came to stand beside me and looked around the empty meeting hall with me.

“However, while it worked out this time, as I said before, your banner is too soft.”

“…”

“Didn’t I tell you before? The more you pursue innocent good, the more you will suffer.”

I listened silently. The Emperor continued.

“As with everything in this world, an alliance is more difficult to maintain than to form. It’s easy to gather people, but it’s difficult to govern them.”

“…”

“Your ideal is beautiful, but realizing it will be a different kind of challenge.”

Gathering those who have lived in different directions and making them look in one direction on this front.

Uniting those who have hated, despised, and fought each other into one army.

This was not something that could be solved just by kings dipping their pens in ink and writing their names.

Clearly, Crossroads in its third year would face even greater challenges.

But,

“There are greater challenges ahead. And people tend to unite in the face of greater crises.”

The monsters.

And survival.

I had seen it for the past two years. How small, selfish, and disorganized individuals relied on each other, fought together, and became heroes.

In the face of imminent death, they realized the value of a noble life.

The great will of ordinary people who fought together for each other.

The miracle of hatred turning into understanding.

I had seen it countless times on this front.

That’s why I believed. That the people, like a raging furnace within, would unite once again and face the monsters outside.

That they would survive.

“I know, Father. Ideals alone cannot save the world.”

“…”

“But without ideals, the world cannot be saved either.”

I smiled at the Emperor.

“I will wield ideals with strength and conviction. And I will show you that I can save the world.”

“…Well, who’s son are you? You’ve got a silver tongue.”

The Emperor patted my shoulder and slowly walked out of the meeting hall.

“But keep in mind. The framework you created today will not simply function as a frame for your ideals.”

“…?”

“The name of the frame that you defined and reorganized to your liking today is.”

Standing at the entrance of the meeting hall, his face shadowed by the bright light outside, the Emperor whispered.

“‘The World.'”

“…!”

“You’ve come this far, Bonehater.”

The Emperor smirked. In the shadows, his golden eyes gleamed with a strange heat.

“Do well from now on. There’s no toy as fun to play with as the world.”

The Emperor walked away. His broad back soon disappeared from view.

“…He says such terrifying things so casually.”

I stood alone in the now completely empty meeting hall and took a deep breath.

It was, in fact, obvious.

To save the world, you first had to be able to grasp it, didn’t you?

I slowly raised my hand and gathered the empty space into my palm. As if holding something very small and precious, I held it carefully.

It was my third year since I was appointed to Crossroads.

The alliance was formed. The ingredients were ready.

The final chapter of the battle against the monsters was now just around the corner.