The Overlord of Blood and Iron

Chapter 12. Advisor Lucia

Kang Chul-In ordered Lucia, but she did not move as if she had a mechanical malfunction. Something was bothering her.

‘Uh, how does he know all the commands?’

Lucia did not show it on the outside, but in the inside, she was very surprised and taken aback. Kang Chul-In, who had ordered to see the [My information] and [Land Status] without any help from her was a shocking sight.

‘Would he not need me, by any chance?

Lucia stiffened.

It was understandable.

The reason for her existence was for her to advise the Sovereign and grow Laputa, but if Kang Chul-In considered her useless, then her existence was also useless. For Lucia, it was understandable for her to be worried and upset.

“Excuse me… my Lord.”

Lucia mustered up the strength to ask Kang Chul-In, because her existence was threatened.

“May I ask you something?”

Lucia, who had a cold and stern feel about her that contrasted her full body, asked Kang Chul-In timidly. Kang Chul-In wondered why she was acting strange but he nodded, allowing her to speak further.

“Of course.”

“You, my Lord, was able to command without my help. You also were not surprised nor taken aback. Despite your sovereignty, you are too calm and composed in a strange, new place.”

Kang Chul-In did not agree or disagree with Lucia’s words, and silently listened.

“So that’s why I am asking you. Are you… by chance the All-Knowing?”

It was a far-off guess.

‘What the heck.’

Kang Chul-In was taken aback by Lucia’s guess.

All-Knowing?

What was he, a God?

It was an absurd statement.

“No, I am not the All-Knowing.”

Kang Chul-In shook his head.

‘I acted too deft. It makes sense that they are puzzled.’

Kang Chul-In realized why Lucia had thought that and was briefly stumped on what to do next, but decided to give an evasive answer.

“This place is a foreign place to me, but also not so foreign.”

Lucia tilted her head at the confusing statement.

“You mean…”

Lucia spoke first before Kang Chul-In could explain further.

“That the place in which you were born and here is similar?”

“…!”

The corners of Kang Chul-In’s lips twitched upwards. It was annoying anyways to try to explain, but since she had misunderstood first, it made it easier for him to make up something.

“Yes.”

Kang Chul-In answered quickly.

“So, in your hometown, did you reign over a land and was in the position of a Sovereign?”

“You are right.”

It was a lie, but in some sense, it was also true. It was fact that he did reign over a land and rose to the position of Grand Sovereign.

“Oh, I understand now, my Lord.”

Lucia nodded her head like she understood.

“So… may I know what kind of Sovereign you were, my Lord?”

That question, Kang Chul-In could give an answer to so he revealed his previous status as Grand Sovereign.

“I was a Grand Sovereign, one of the strongest Sovereigns amongst Sovereigns.”

“…!”

“Grand… Sovereign!”

Lucia shivered. It was as if she felt a shudder in Kang Chul-In’s words.

“Here, here in Pangaea, there is also a status of Grand Sovereign! They reign over large lands and command entire continents! My god! You were like a Grand Sovereign— I am honored to serve you, my Lord!”

Lucia’s response was dramatic to a point where it left Kang Chul-In surprised. However, it was not surprising. Like the Sovereigns, Advisors also had their own worlds. They were more revered and respected the more powerful the Sovereigns they served.

“Then, did you also have an advisor?”

Lucia asked.

“I had a vampire butler named Alfred.”

“How was the advisor called Alfred? Was he competent? Were you satisfied with Alfred?”

Lucia who was questioning Kang Chul-In was all worked up, and eyes burned with jealousy.

‘Competition.’

Kang Chul-In saw right through Lucia’s emotional state.

“Hmm.”

Kang Chul-In looked at Lucia who wanted, like a puppy, to hear that Alfred was an incompetent advisor and started to speak.

“Alfred was…”

Lucia’s eyes glimmered as she concentrated on Kang Chul-In.

“competent.”

It seemed that Lucia was shocked at his answer, but Kang Chul-In could not talk badly about Alfred who was faithful to him until the end.

“He was that good?”

“I was able to rise to the position of Grand Sovereign because of him.”

“…Really?”

Lucia’s face darkened.

‘He was a Grand Sovereign in his hometown and had a good advisor… if by chance, what if he casts me out? Will I be thrown away?’

Lucia whos existence was threatened and was overcome with jealousy was about to burst in tears at any moment.

‘Is she afraid that she will be cast out? I will need to reassure her a little.’

Kang Chul-In, who could see right through Lucia, smiled widely and decided to prescribe a fitting medication. Even with his horrible personality, Kang Chul-In used to hold the position of Grand Sovereign. He knew how to handle his subordinates.

“Lucia.”

Kang Chul-In called Lucia in a gentle voice.

“Yes, my Lord…”

Lucia’s voice was down.

“You do not need to worry. I will not abandon you.”

“…!”

Lucia was surprised. It was understandable, seeing Kang Chul-In had seen right through her.

“From where I am from, the relationship between Sovereign and Advisor is that you can share your deepest, and most private thoughts—things that you could not even tell your family.”

“Yes, yes! It is the same here as well!”

“Then you will understand quickly. Listen. You are my advisor, and you are like family I would spend eternity with. Why would I abandon you?”

“Are… is that true?”

“Yes. Although I might know a lot more than others, there will be much that I do not yet know. Also, instead of being jealous of Alfred, you just need to be better than him. Do not look so down and let’s work together in growing this land.”

“Ah…!”

Lucia exclaimed.

‘Yes, what the Lord says is right! I will prove that I am more capable than Alfred!’

Lucia who had been encouraged by Kang Chul-In clenched her fists and vowed that she would prove to be more useful than Alfred.

‘Simpleton.’

Kang Chul-In looked at Lucia and smirked, but he did not get caught. A Sovereign must not look easy—and he needed to maintain his dignity.

“My Lord.”

Lucia spoke with a determined face.

“Speak.”

“I, Lucia, will serve you with all my soul and heart, and will prove to you my competence!”

“Good.”

Kang Chul-In looked pleased.

“First, I will complete the tutorial quest. Get my troops ready for inspection like I had ordered.”

“Yes, my Lord!”

Lucia answered lively.

“I will order the troops to ready!”

While Lucia left to prepare for inspection, Kang Chul-In took time to look at the Tutorial Quest description.

-[Tutorial 1] Level 10 Obtained

Description: Reach Level 10

Reward: Experience +500/ 20 gold/ Use of Warp Gate (Unlimited)

Reference: Unable to return to Earth without completing Quest

Reference: Conquer other Sovereign +5 Levels

Reference: Related to Tutorial 2 Quest

The warp gate was the passage that connected Earth and Pangaea, and was a must for dimension travelers. Therefore, in order to return to earth, Tutorial 1 Quest needed to be cleared.

-[Tutorial 2] Monster Subjugation

Description: Conquer the monsters living in the land

Reward: Experience +250 / 20 Gold

Current Status: 0/500

‘It’s the same as the past.’

Kang Chul-In who had checked that the quests were the same as the ones he experienced before, he decided that he would clear the tutorial quests as soon as possible. It would be difficult because he was in a low level, if he put all his energy into it, 3 or 4 days would be enough. As he was thinking, Lucia appeared and notified him that the inspection preparations were complete.

“Let us go quickly my Lord. The troops are longing to meet you.”

“Really?”

“Yes, my Lord.”

“I will go right away.”

Kang Chul-In headed out.