<Duke’s Perspective>
Duke and Rex finally reached the capital after a week of peaceful travel.
Apart from encountering thieves and wild monsters every three hours, the journey was peaceful.
[Wasn’t this area supposed to have fewer thieves?]
“That’s how it is here.”
And there’s a reason for that.
“Because the lord has abandoned the maintenance of order here.”
Though there’s more to the background, involving the lord’s alliance with criminals, I considered it a spoiler so I didn’t delve into details.
The only fact Rex needed to know was one:
“Judging by your… attractiveness, thieves seem to notice you.”
[You were about to say ‘vulnerability,’ weren’t you? And calling someone ‘attractive’ this way is rude too!]
“I apologize. Nevertheless, from the thieves’ perspective, we two appear to be appealing targets for plunder.”
Upon hearing my words, Rex inspected both himself and me.
And then…
[Duke-san!? But from the looks of it, the Guildmaster and the Professor knew you…]
“I used to wear armor when I was a wandering knight.”
A twisted helmet, armor resembling scrap metal, a sword worn down by overuse, and a scarlet plume on top — that was my look as a wandering knight.
Compared to then, currently, there’s no sword or armor on me.
Few people here would recognize my face, so it was natural for the thieves not to recognize me either.
(As a note, before meeting Rex, I made sure there was no one who knew my face to maintain a mysterious image.)
[Aha.]
After hearing my explanation, Rex understood.
[Still, thanks to that we had a comfortable journey.]
“It’s my honor.”
Looking at Rex bowing his head slightly to me, I recalled the original work.
‘In the original, I traveled alone and had to deal with a lot of trouble along the way.’
Though Rex’s support abilities cross the 7th hierarchy and aim for the 8th, his personal combat power is only slightly beyond the 1st.
Still, he managed to use the mini-map to play an assassination game alone, eventually reaching the city though he was left battered and bruised by the time he arrived.
In comparison, Rex’s trip in this world was peaceful enough to be called sightseeing.
Earlier today, before Rex’s mini-map even displayed a hostile marker, I had already broken their necks with telekinesis.
Initially, Rex was surprised to see the red dot disappear on its own, but by the second day, he seemed to have gotten used to it, and stopped even checking the mini-map.
Because of that, I had a moment to reminisce about the past.
‘This was something I hadn’t done in a long while.’
Right after starting our journey, the bandits would attack us; but after I started wearing a red plumed can-like helmet, the bandits ran away, making the travel rather boring.
‘Afterwards, I had to chase them. Why don’t they come to me?’
Because of that chasing, I got on the blacklist of the bandit network, but nonetheless, those kinds of incidents had happened.
As I was thinking about all this, Rex messaged (spoke) to me.
[Or do you perhaps detest slavery or…]
Rex was checking my reaction.
It was as if he was worried I might be unhappy sharing a meal with A.
‘Well… this is the average morality of the world.’
In a world where even if a slave dared to share a meal with a knight, they could be beaten to death with a club and it would be considered common sense.
Rex was concerned if I was someone like that.
Though he is loyal and kind-hearted, the common sense of knights differs.
However, Rex has one misconception about me.
“The honor of a knight stems not from violence but from respect.”
The character of Duke Erwick as the final boss isn’t like that.
Although my ultimate goal is to stand against the protagonists of a particular story, that would only apply to those protagonists.
To his subordinates or allies, I had to display a charisma that was endlessly gentle.
That is, regarding the future underlings and citizens of Rex, I had to embody the knight straight out of a fairy tale.
‘And it’s a transitional phase right now.’
Not to mention, I am not yet in the final boss state.
Even though I have enough power, my social status is yet to be fully realized.
Even a Demon King needs a Demon Castle to fulfill his role, doesn’t he?
I’m no different.
At a later point, I will invade other territories and nations as the final boss of Rex’s sword, but for now, I’m in the process of building an organization.
What I need for this is not ruthlessness, but a charisma that can win people’s hearts.
Therefore, I told Rex who was worrying unnecessarily.
“Furthermore, if I want respect, I must first respect others.”
Even if A is a slave, it means that I intend to respect that person.
‘Not even counting that this future Empress will end up building a wall anyway.’
It might lead to the Empire being split between the Empress and the number two.
Rather, I need to be friendly with them starting now.
While thinking this, Rex let out a sigh of relief.
“Hmph…”
Even as he sighed, Rex was checking my reaction.
“…”
Unable to watch this any longer, I spoke to him.
“Rex-sama.”
[Yes?]
“I understand your fear. Perhaps you’re uncertain about how much I’m bound by the oath.”
[…]
Stung by the direct hit, Rex flinched.
Even amidst such a situation, he kept checking my reaction. To him, I bowed my head.
“The master’s job isn’t to read the knight’s mood.”
Having felt this during the past week, Rex checks my mood too often.
If this continues, I might end up becoming a powerful behind-the-scenes force rather than the number two.
That must not happen.
If that happens, the internal and paperwork that Rex needs to handle would end up falling on me, causing a disruption in my plans to leave the complicated stuff behind and focus on the fun part.
‘I am a loyal knight!’
A king-controlled knight is a tyrant, not a loyal subject. That goes against my character.
Before the situation becomes unmanageable, I clearly told Rex.
“I won’t ask you to trust me. We haven’t known each other that long. But I’ll prove it through my actions. Until the day you trust me, Rex-sama.”
Against this timid protagonist, talking about ‘You’re the master, I’m the servant’ would be pointless.
Rather than that, continuously stimulating a sense of guilt by saying ‘I’m heartbroken that you don’t trust me’ makes them come to their senses automatically.
This method of mine is highly effective.
[Sorry…]
An effect appeared right away.
Though he hasn’t quite fixed apologizing, beginning to speak informally to me is already a big gain.
While tidying my subtly curled lips, I delivered the final blow.
“There’s no need for an apology. If I haven’t earned your trust yet, then that’s because I still have room for improvement.”
The moment I planted the guilt, Rex wavered.
*
The capital of the Kargokar territory, Kargokar.
We continued our journey through this city to find A.
‘Ahh, it’s not Kargokar but Kargonar.’
It’s rare in my life to have visited only a few territories.
In one kingdom alone there are hundreds of territories, and there are hundreds of kingdoms too.
A territory is roughly the size of my previous country, and cities are classified within them, making it hard for me to remember their names.
It wasn’t much of a problem when I traveled alone, but now that I’m the number two, I need to be more attentive to these details.
‘Luckily, it’s indicated on the mini-map.’
On the corner of the UI that Rex shared with me, the name of this city was written.
Upon entering, it did not refresh immediately; Rex had to fiddle with the air for it to update, implying that Rex records it manually.
Because of that, I can also pretend to be well-informed.
That said, this wasn’t the current issue.
“Kargonar is quite expansive.”
A territory as large as a nation, the capital here is about the size of Seoul.
Kargonar is divided into the inner castle where the lord and his retainers reside, and the outer castle where others live.
All we knew was the name of the slave trader and that their shop would be in the outer castle.
‘What good does knowing the slave trader’s name do?’
Without navigation, there was no way to find out.
‘Oh well, we don’t know anyone anyway.’
Meanwhile, Rex was actively using his千里 sight ability to look around, but it seemed there were still no results.
[This territory is quite vast…]
Mistakenly repeating the same phrase as me.
I didn’t have much to say either.
While we were aimlessly wandering through the city of Kargonar,
Wham!
A random event unfolded right in front of our eyes.
“This is all your fault! How shall I compensate for the damage to my armor?”
Pointing to his dangling steel armor, the knight was harassing the middle-aged woman.
A clear villain, the knight with an insidious mustache had the woman kneeling before him.
The powerless citizen repeatedly bowed to the knight and begged for mercy, and the people passing by kept their distance as if it was a natural occurrence.
Seeing this, I instinctively examined the levels of the two individuals.
‘The citizen is level 7… and the knight is level 24, huh.’
They were 0th and 2nd tier respectively.
No matter how easy magic is to learn in this world, those at 0th tier are considered regular humans, unable even to break through to superhuman status.
Moreover, most citizens stop at level 9 after all the training, unable to go further.
As they age due to the inability to halt the aging process, their bodies gradually weaken, eventually succumbing to their lifespan as usual.
The gap between level 9 and level 10, merely a barrier to the next tier, feels insurmountable.
Reaching the next tier without special events through mere effort is very difficult for most people.
‘Even I was able to overcome these barriers easily because I knew all the tricks.’
This isn’t the end after passing one tier, either.
Even superhumans who enter the 1st tier often linger at Level 9 for decades, finally succumbing to old age and death.
However, as a reward for escaping the clutches of lifespan through special events, the breakthrough is as sweet.
Just by crossing one barrier, they can achieve tenfold growth compared to the previous tier.
‘There’s also a wall between level 19 and level 20 that’s equivalent to ten people.’
Therefore, the reason why the 2nd-tier knight is so arrogant on this street becomes apparent.
Goblins being 4th tier in that research city is the anomaly;
For ordinary people, even a 2nd-tier knight capable of taking on a hundred individuals alone is already a calamity.
This knight also knew this well, hence the bullying on the street.
‘Ah, this is why some form of personality cultivation should be incorporated into the training…’
Thinking that, I focused on the conversation between the knight and the pitiful citizen.
“Master, what have I done wrong?”
“Huh? Are you really that clueless?”
“Forgive me! It’s because of my lowliness…”
“It’s because you didn’t handle the gravel properly, causing damage to my armor chain!”
Ah, it’s a rather common excuse.
How on earth might gravel damage the armor?
Clearly an excuse and the purpose is to harass the woman.
All the people on this street realize this fact but none dare to object.
One of the phenomena caused by the law being far away and swords being nearby.
CRACK!
The knight slapped the middle-aged woman’s cheek.
Thrown helplessly by the rogue knight’s attack, the woman fell to the ground.
Frowning at the sight, Rex resisted the urge to intervene but didn’t take action.
The rogue knight spat on the fallen woman.
“Look at you. What made you decide to train your son arrogantly?”
The woman sat on the ground sobbing, calling out what seemed to be the name of her son.
Hearing this, memories of my past resurfaced, causing me to sigh.
– “Disciple, your realm has grown too high.”
My master and senior disciples who tried to kill me because my realm grew too quickly.
Because the efficient method for this world’s superhumans to elevate their realms was through killing.
Eliminating an opponent whose level is similar to yours increases your realm, and killing a higher-level opponent might break through the @9-level barrier.
However, as fighting someone with a higher level carries significant risks, most simply kill anyone who approaches their level.
Since killing someone lower than you but still close in level provides the experience to break through the level barrier.
Thus, a system that somewhat increases the karmic debt is actually very rational.
As a result, superhumans become sensitive when their levels approach each other.
The higher individuals perceive those lower as potential threats and try to eliminate them before they catch up.
The lower ones, on the other hand, wait for the right moment to catch up and fight.
This cycle continues, and if someone miraculously escapes unfairness and becomes a knight or a lord, they often take revenge on their predecessor and continue the same cycle.
‘My master, in particular, became anxious as he approached the end of his lifespan.’
My master had already hit a plateau, so he became increasingly desperate over my state.
Eventually, my master “naturally” passed away at my hands, but that’s a different story.
I returned to reality and focused on the woman again.
‘The woman won’t die.’
Killing a level 0 individual would only unnecessarily increase the rogue knight’s karma.
However, the knight will continue to harass the woman from now on.
As it doesn’t affect the karma rating.
When I first reincarnated into this world, such situations were difficult to witness, but after 200 years, I’ve become indifferent.
Apparently, Rex, who’s only been around for 30 years or so, hasn’t reached that point yet.
I noticed Rex, gritting his teeth, in my peripheral vision.
‘Hmm…’
Although it’s a scene not present in the original work… it’s fine, isn’t it?
I approached Rex to further develop his character.
“Are you alright?”
[Alright? <Delete>. No, I’m not alright. I shouldn’t deceive you, Duke.]
Whether in honorifics or informal speech,
Still not perfect, Rex awkwardly tilted his head while using informal speech.
[There’s nothing I can do. This is within the territory of Count Kargonar’s jurisdiction, so getting involved would be a discourtesy.]
I looked at Rex’s crown as he looked down.
Indeed, Rex is right.
In this world where even karma standards are flawed, there’s no distinction between good and evil.
What matters is power.
Morality is a principle created by the strong.
At the same time, there’s one fact that Rex misunderstands.
‘Endure? Why? When I’m here?’
Even in the original, the early Rex endures this kind of injustice and resolves to ensure his city isn’t run this way.
(His city ends up becoming an empire anyway.)
Though in its own way a significant scene, it’s simultaneously frustrating for readers.
I was one such frustrated reader.
But not anymore.
“Rex-sama.”
[Yeah?]
“Here where you wield my sword, you are the law.”
Rex’s pupils trembled as he grasped the meaning of my words.
He is, at this moment, in a position higher than the lord.
I bowed to him.
“Give your command.”
[…]
Rex was agonizing, lips tightly sealed.
He must be conflicted right now.
Whether he can bear the responsibility that comes with wielding my sword.
I patiently waited for him to decide.
Eventually, Rex opened his mouth – no, typed on his keyboard.
[It might be overstepping, but could you possibly help this person? Without causing too much trouble, of course.]
Wants to help but doesn’t want to create problems.
A contradictory request accompanied by a self-deprecating smile.
I acted like I didn’t understand the meaning behind his self-deprecating smile and bowed.
“The will of the lord will be done.”
I immediately headed towards the rogue knight, maintaining a dignified demeanor in my steps.
There is no armor, no sword, no helmet for me.
As such, the rogue knight showed little reaction when my shadow loomed over him.
“What’s this brat doing? Are you challenging me?”
Being unafraid even in front of my 2-meter frame indicates that he senses my level as being around the 1st tier.
I had no intention of lowering myself to this extent, but it was because of Rex’s request not to attract attention.
Still, thanks to this, I managed to see a fresh reaction from the rogue knight, but it wasn’t the reaction I desired.
In response to his words, I slowly released my level instead of answering.
As my level broke through the 2nd tier, the knight’s arrogance held strong.
But when it reached the 4th tier, his complexion began to pale.
By the time my level hit the 5th tier…
“I’m sorry!!!”
He pounded the ground as if it were splitting apart.
That’s because 5th tier equates to the level of a lord.
To offend someone at such a level…
‘Hmm, you have no room for complaint if I kill you.’
A 2nd tier knight bullying a 0th tier individual deserves the same treatment.
It’s also based on the common sense this rogue knight has believed in up until now.
I would be justified in killing him here.
However…
‘He told me to avoid causing issues, after all.’
Recalling that fact,
I cast a cold gaze down upon the knight.
“You behave yourself quite well.”
“My apologies, sir… no, master!”
“The two of us have been delayed due to you. How do you intend to apologize for this?”
The knight’s crime is disturbing the peace.
Since he bullied with the gravel on the training field, he deserves to experience bullying in the form of time loss.
Realizing my intent, the knight prostrated more deeply and shouted,
“My junior is still alive! However, …”
“My curiosity lies elsewhere.”
“I’ll apologize to my wife!”
“Hmm, but why is your head facing me?”
The knight immediately turned to apologize to the woman.
Pride?
Such a thing will get you killed instantly in this world.
The rogue knight discarded all his pride and begged for forgiveness from the woman.
Though the woman seemed unwilling to forgive him…
“Please leave in my presence…”
Suppressing her fear, she spoke, prompting the knight to repeatedly bow his head, promising not to return before fleeing.
‘Hmm…’
This feels somewhat unsatisfactory.
Although she says it out of ingrained fear, I couldn’t help but disagree.
Privately, I used telekinesis to grab the rogue knight’s shoulder.
If the armor chain broke due to gravel, shouldn’t there be an injury to match it?
“Ugh!”
Despite clutching his shoulder in pain, the rogue knight continued to flee.
‘Let it be a dislocated shoulder.’
Since he didn’t kill her son, I let it end with this.
Given his resources, he might recover via healing magic,
With healing magic costs that surpass even the United States, if he has enough wealth, he may regain his status as a knight.
After dismissing the rogue knight, a clearly “dutiful” young man approached us.
“Mother!”
The young squire, who ran hastily towards his mother with half a swollen face.
‘Level 19.’
That dutiful squire was at a level that could intimidate a rogue knight.
The dutiful squire worriedly examined his mother kneeling on the ground.
“Mother, are you alright?”
“Dear, your face…”
“Don’t worry. This will heal soon.”
I left the mother and son worrying about each other and turned back.
‘Ah, what a touching scene.’
Maintaining a poker face, that’s what I thought.
And while heading back towards Rex, an idea crossed my mind on something to ask the squire.
‘I’d like to ask about directions…’
A squire like him should know the city’s layout well from patrols.
But a charismatic and cold-blooded knight like Duke can’t just approach and ask in this atmosphere.
Such a time demands a graceful exit with my back turned.
‘Ah… I need to ask though…’
While contemplating this, I briskly made my way towards Rex.
– Knight sir!
A voice calling after me pitifully from behind. But I must not turn around.
Of course, it’s natural for a true charismatic knight to disappear as if it were obvious.
Thus, ignoring the squire’s call, I returned to Rex.
Third-Person Perspective
When Duke returned, Rex instinctively bowed his head.
[Sorry I caused trouble…]
At that moment, a recollection of Duke’s words ran through his mind.
– If you don’t trust me, I’ll show you through my actions.
Recalling that, Rex slightly deliberated and then revised his message.
[Thank you for your efforts.]
As a lord, apologizing for orders carried out by a knight is a disgrace.
What he needed was thanks and praise.
Duke, noticing Rex’s intention, smiled in satisfaction.
“It is an honor, my lord.”
The friendship gauge increased by 5!
Though there was no real sound, it felt as if it echoed in Rex’s mind.
…
[But… couldn’t we ask the squire for directions?]
At Rex’s question, Duke subtly and almost imperceptibly shivered.
In Duke’s mind, alarms were blaring.
-Siren! It ruins the roleplay!!
-What!? After such a cool departure, go back and ask him!?
-No way! Well, actually, it could be reasonable…
While Duke was frantically calculating in his mind, the squire approached them.
“Excuse me, sir?”
The squire respectfully bowed to Duke and began to speak.
“Great, I delegate this to you, Rex!”
“I am but a sword. If you wish to express gratitude, direct it towards my lord.”
Though unsure what this squire would say,
There was a calculation that passing it to the beloved protagonist who is favored by destiny will likely result in a positive outcome.
And that calculation worked surprisingly well.
“Forgive me! I didn’t realize!”
The squire apologized once for addressing the knight instead of the lord,
“Should there be anything I can assist you with, please let me know!”
We quickly obtained an opportunity to request exactly what we needed most.
‘Great! Now, if he just guides us…’
Duke looked at Rex, hoping for the next order.
And he realized the error in his calculation.
‘Aaah…’
Rex was trembling like a construction site drill in high-speed vibration.
The moment the diligent squire appeared without signaling, he had fallen into panic mode.
‘Aargh, damn it.’
Thought his social anxiety had improved, it was only better with people he knew.
[Please… save me… Duke!!!]
While observing Rex’s frantic, typo-riddled messages, Duke barely suppressed a sigh.
Still, with this approach, it would accomplish the objective without ruining roleplay.
Pretending to receive telepathy from Rex, Duke turned towards the squire.
“My lord wishes for you to guide us.”
Since it wasn’t uncommon for a knight to relay the lord’s wishes to others, the squire had no doubts about Duke’s character.
“I’ll be honored to lead the way!”
The squire stepped forward in front.
As they followed behind the squire, Duke assessed Rex’s condition.
Rex was looking at Duke with admiration.
[To come save me by speaking was amazing!]
Receiving all this admiration, Duke…
‘This feels…’
Felt more enthusiastic accolades than when he chased off the rogue knight and returned.
And felt a bit of guilt.
