Infinite Evolution Hunter - Chapter 148

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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148
Several of the Empire’s Masters who had been duplicated using sacrifices, along with Masters loyal to the former Emperor, were imprisoned in the dungeons beneath the Imperial Palace.
The Masters dispatched from other kingdoms departed in celebration, relieved that the war had ended.
The Western Continental Alliance executed dozens of major war criminals and imprisoned the rest before withdrawing.
Now the Empire had fallen into my hands, and I established myself in the Imperial Palace of Derham, the capital of Exbrien.
From what I could gather, Alex and Nella had known each other, but it was far more than that—Alex was a spy for the Western Continent.
As the Emperor’s closest confidant and simultaneously a spy, Alex had often served as a brake on the Emperor’s impulses. To prove this, he even voluntarily submitted to Bae Na-young’s mind control.
From his testimony, the number of people who would have died under the Emperor’s tyranny without him would have been exponentially greater.
Alex had no choice but to dirty his hands with unsavory deeds, and each time he was tormented by guilt.
However, he knew that if he stepped down from his position as second-in-command and someone who blindly obeyed the Emperor took his place, the damage would be far worse. So he endured.
But as the war intensified recently, he could no longer bear it, so he coordinated with the Western Continent to plan the Emperor’s assassination. Though the initial attempt was thwarted by Joshua, and subsequent efforts failed because Joshua never left his side.
I acknowledged his abilities and character, entrusting him with the management of the entire nation. There was no way things would go well if I suddenly inserted myself and started ordering him around—it was better to let capable people handle it.
“Alex, Nella sent the Allied Forces back to the Western Continent, but if problems arise, they could return. You can handle this, yes?”
“Yes. I have already secured those dissatisfied with the late Emperor’s tyranny, and I have neutralized the Emperor’s faction, so there will be no inconvenience for Your Majesty’s rule.”
“Good. My first order: summon all the kings of the nations under the Empire.”
“Yes.”
He answered, but his expression suggested he wasn’t confident they would all come.
Alex sent invitations through communication channels to the kings of each nation, and those from human-dominated kingdoms had already confirmed their attendance. But then—
“Who do you think you are, daring to summon the Elven King?”
The elf in the communication channel spoke arrogantly.
“If you won’t come, I’ll see you there.”
As Alex sighed, I interjected.
“What… what?”
“You don’t want to come? Then I’ll bring the kings of all thirteen nations that were under the old Empire and their entire escorts. How many men do you think that would be, Alex?”
“At minimum, several hundred, and at most, I would estimate thousands.”
Understanding my intent, Alex answered with a smile on his face.
“…We will attend.”
The Dwarf Kingdom initially balked as well, but when presented with the same proposal, they changed their answer to attendance.
One by one, representatives from the kingdoms began arriving at the Imperial Palace. Under normal circumstances, there would have been welcoming banquets and formal ceremonies, but given that we had lost the war and been forced to pay war reparations, such extravagance was impossible. I summoned the kings directly to the conference room.
As I entered the grand conference hall, the waiting kings reluctantly rose from their seats.
Since I had limited the number of troops they could bring, most nations had selected their three strongest individuals. Many of them carried themselves with sharp intensity, hardly appearing as generals of a defeated nation.
“First, I wish to express my gratitude for coming on such short notice.”
“…We came because you said you’d attack if we didn’t.”
The King of Frea, a small southern nation, muttered under his breath.
“Pardon? What did you say, King of Frea?”
“Ah… it’s nothing!”
Apparently thinking I wouldn’t hear him, he jumped up in alarm when I called him out directly.
The knight behind him covered his face in embarrassment.
“Ah, my hearing isn’t quite what it used to be. If you have anything else to say, please speak up.”
“Y-yes… yes….”
“Please, everyone be seated.”
Everyone’s gaze toward me was cautious, but the three kings’ eyes held something far less favorable.
King Phillarion of Wihol, the Elven Kingdom nestled in the great forest east of the World Tree.
King Dallobit of Ailstobic, the Dwarven Kingdom situated in the high mountain ranges south of the World Tree.
King Rowell of Beria, the great power to the southeast of the Empire.
I had no idea why they reacted that way, but I proceeded regardless and began my address.
“You must all harbor many concerns. What will become of the Empire? What lies ahead for the Eastern Continent? Since I lack eloquence, I’ll speak plainly: the Empire as the Emperor ruled it has ended.”
Murmurs rippled through the conference hall.
“Then you’re saying we should each fend for ourselves?”
The Elven King opened his mouth.
“No.”
“What?”
“I said no. Didn’t you hear?”
“…Yes, I heard.”
“Good. From now on, raise your hand before speaking.”
This brat speaks to me without respect.
“To clarify, as the Elven King suggested, we are not pursuing mutual independence. All nations that belonged to the Empire will transition to the Allied Forces system.”
The King of Hatport cautiously raised his hand.
“Yes, King Nathan, you may speak.”
“Doesn’t simply renaming the Empire to the Allied Forces mean only the Emperor has changed?”
“It’s different. The lands directly ruled by the Emperor will be renamed the Newus Kingdom, and I will become its king and govern it.”
I had considered establishing democracy or a parliament, but Alex strongly opposed it. He argued that with so much change already occurring and numerous problems at hand, people couldn’t accept such radical transformation.
Accepting his counsel, I decided to assume the throne of king for now and determine how to proceed based on circumstances later.
“However, Newus holds an equal position with all former imperial dependencies and duchies. We are not above them. Therefore, we will not levy taxes or conscript soldiers as before.”
“Ohhh….”
At the mention of not collecting taxes, everyone’s faces brightened.
“How each nation is governed is their own concern, and I will not interfere. Since I come from another world, I cannot fully comprehend this world’s culture. However, the victors of this war—the Western Continental Alliance—have certain demands that must be met. First: the abolition of slavery.”
Several kings’ expressions darkened from the start.
“Second: the prohibition of dark magic.”
This drew little reaction.
“Finally: legally prohibit racial discrimination.”
“…These are not issues that change so easily. The first two are difficult enough, but racial discrimination is deeply rooted in people’s consciousness.”
The King of Frea spoke carefully.
“You cannot do this? If you cannot, step down from the throne. I will manage that nation myself.”
When I glared, he quickly averted his gaze.
“If word of these prohibitions being violated reaches my ears, I and the Newus Army will visit that nation and remain stationed there until the problem is resolved.”
Everyone swallowed hard.
“Of course, that nation will bear the stationing costs. Since I eat quite a lot, if you don’t want your treasury depleted, you’d best handle this properly.”
“Ahem….”
“I’m not saying to begin tomorrow. I’m granting a one-year grace period. Until then, submit monthly progress reports, and for nations falling short, I will visit personally and provide appropriate assistance in exchange for compensation.”
Everyone fell silent, as if they’d swallowed honey and lost the ability to speak.
“Finally, war is forbidden. If you have grievances with a neighboring nation, speak up. I’ll go settle it fairly for you.”
“How are we supposed to defend against the Gate if we can’t build up our military forces?”
Rowell, King of Beria, spoke up.
“Who said not to build up your forces? Build them. Aren’t you defending against the Gate?”
Caught off guard by this, everyone murmured among themselves.
“And to strengthen the Allied Forces’ capabilities, I’ll establish an Academy northwest of the World Tree, so send talented individuals from each nation.”
“Hostages…. Ugh!”
The King of Frea accidentally let the words slip from his mouth before hastily covering it with both hands.
“Not hostages. It’s to build strength in preparation for the Gate. Why do you think we lost this war?”
Everyone looked at me with eyes that said: because you killed Joshua.
“It wasn’t because Joshua died. Even without me, the Empire would have lost. The Western Continent is already conducting regular technology exchanges with Earth and advancing their technology by leaps and bounds every day. Will only the Eastern Continent fall behind? And the monsters emerging from the Gate will only grow stronger, won’t they?”
“…You’re saying you’ll teach us technology for free?”
King Rowell asked.
“Nothing’s free. I’ll charge tuition for the Academy, and technology exchanges will only happen with nations that have something to trade, so send capable people accordingly. We can’t afford to fight each other or the Western Continent. We must unite and strengthen ourselves if we’re to stand against the armies of the Destruction God pouring from the Gate.”
Everyone closed their mouths.
“I’ll take your understanding as acceptance. Count Alex will send you the details. Now focus all your efforts on recovering your nations from the devastation of war.”
* * *
Without much thought, I read through the documents Alex handed me and stamped each page with the royal seal, but they kept multiplying until a wave of paperwork crashed down onto my desk.
“Wait. What is all this? Didn’t I say each nation should handle its own affairs?”
“This is only matters internal to Exbrien—or rather, Newus.”
I knew nothing about becoming a king, yet there were far too many decisions that fell to me.
“You want me to approve all of this?”
“I don’t have the authority, do I?”
Alex was sharp-eyed, the kind of man who’d survived even the Destruction God’s tyranny. Once he realized I didn’t interfere with hardworking people, his attitude changed considerably.
It was somewhat irritating, but knowing he was working himself to the bone for Newus, even sacrificing sleep, I could tolerate that level of attitude.
Thinking wasn’t my style at all—it just gave me headaches. I preferred the straightforward approach: if someone didn’t listen, I’d beat them into submission.
“Brother, should I do it?”
“You’d do that?”
“That won’t do. This is a decision only the king can make.”
“No one but the king?”
“The Prime Minister could as well, but that position is currently vacant.”
“Hmm. Bae Na-young. Stand up.”
I picked up the crown that had been rolling around beside me, placed it on my head, and spoke in an deliberately solemn voice.
Bae Na-young caught on and stood up.
“From this moment forth, I appoint you as Prime Minister of Newus.”
Alex shook his head with a half-resigned expression.
“Well then, shall I give it a try?”
Bae Na-young rolled up her sleeves.
As I slowly moved my staff from left to right, the documents floated up into the air, arranged perfectly for Bae Na-young to see.

I grasped the contents at a mere glance and sorted them methodically.
“Your Majesty, please affix your seal here.”
Bae Na-young handed me a stack of documents, and I mechanically stamped them with my newly carved royal seal. It was wonderful having a capable girlfriend.
“Brother, there are two major issues. One is the shortage of food and water. The other stems from discontent over the abolition of racial discrimination.”
“Racial discrimination will take time to resolve. Once we stabilize the nation and people have enough to eat and live, the resistance to the new laws will naturally diminish. For now, the food and water shortage is the more pressing crisis. Alex, has the Empire always struggled with food supply?”
“The late Emperor conscripted even farmers for his wars. With prolonged conflict and neglect, the farmland fell into disrepair. To make matters worse, an unprecedented drought and heat wave have persisted.”
“Resolving the drought and restoring the farmland. While preparing for that, we need to secure food supplies for immediate consumption.”
“You make it sound simple, but how do you intend to accomplish it?”
“Why would I figure it out myself? There’s someone far more capable than me.”
It was time to summon him from Earth.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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