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nIn other words… If I didn’t find a kingdom heart and integrate it into my kingdom, then it would be considered a country by the system.

nSize didn’t matter, strength had no value here as well… Only with the support of the system in the form of the kingdom heart, the system would consider all of this as a true kingdom.

nThis kingdom heart wasn’t just a simple item, it was an official recognition from the system for my overall strength, intelligence, leadership, and determination.

nThat was why gaining kingdom hearts was such a tedious task that had more failure probability than success.

nYet for me I wasn’t that stressed out. After all, the era of kingdoms wouldn’t officially start before quest twenty or even beyond.

nDuring that time, I’d have many chances to find such hearts. I just hoped I’d end up finding it earlier, so I could finish all the related tasks and conditions before reaching quest fifty.

n“So… You, sir, want to be a king?” from the tone alone I could tell that Moore never expected such a thing.

nAnd I simply nodded.

n“In any kingdom, the king lies at the top while many trusted and capable subordinates vary in places and ranks underneath,” I stopped there and didn’t add any more.

n“So your meaning, sir, is that our CEOs have the chance to become like earls and dukes?” Wolf didn’t fall behind this time, seemingly excited and a little cautious about raising up his hopes.

n“If their men, you and your scientists and engineers in other words, managed to contribute largely to my kingdom until the date of its establishment, then becoming as such isn’t a far fetched dream.”

nThe look over their faces this time was different, ground shaking different that before. I inwardly grinned. If their bosses got the bait like their minions, then they’d work their asses to help me achieve what I wanted.

nSometimes luring people with great things would ignite the desire to fulfil it even better than one had in mind. In face of such greedy and gold digger minds of their bosses, they wouldn’t let such a chance slip by if they were smart.

n“Just go and convey this message over to your bosses,” I said before adding, “I’m willing to sign a contract with them stating what I just said. The rest depends on your performance next.”

n“We’ll excuse ourselves then.”

n“We too. We won’t be too late to return with the good news.”

nThe two hurriedly led their people down my chariot as if they were in a race or something. Who remained behind were the three youths, who had looks of awe and daze over their faces.

n“Do you know what I just did?” I slowly asked, while moving my eyes over the three of them.

n“You… are trying to force them to help us?” the girl slowly asked while the other two kept their silence.

nEven that funny guy who reminded me of the jumper with his attitude and comments remained silent. His face even showed a look of veneration, like he was looking up to his idol or something.

nDude… If you wanted to get inspiration from someone, then I’d love to introduce you to my dear jumper. I was sure if these two met, that youth would worship that jumper as if it was his god and mentor.

n“I’m trying to protect you,” I said before adding, “protecting the futuristic versions of you.”

nThe three looked at each other and I doubted they’d get such a deep meaning. “Forget it, now it’s not the time to waste on such things.”

n“What should we do, sir?” the calmer dude said and I raised my glaive in response to his face. This sudden move scared the three of them, forcing them to jump almost half a metre backward.

n“Don’t panic, I just want to correct the way you talk to me,” I gave an innocent smile. After all, I used to move my glaive as if it was part of my hand, “call me lord, not sir, got it?”

n“Hmm,” the three nodded in unison and I couldn’t help but inwardly laugh. The youths these days… They got scared pretty much easily.

n“You need to get back there and start studying those monsters,” I shifted the topic back to the urgent point, “energy is the basis of everything. We won’t be able to start modifying the weapons or do anything without making progress in that regard.”

n“Then…” the calm dude looked at the other two while that funny one seemed to return to his nature once again.

n“It’s the question about those teams you talked about. Dunno if you think of us as a sports team or a group of amateurs or what, but we are all here based on our abilities and brilliant minds. None of us came here through a shortcut and we won’t accept one.”

nIndeed he had a point here, despite his tone and way of speaking that was filled with tons of sarcasm.

n“If you have such a big thing inside your head as you claim, then why do you want me to babysit you? Huh?” I responded sharply in the same way he spoke to me with, “don’t give me that look. From now on, you are all my followers and I’m your lord. That means…”

nI stepped closer while the other two retreated in reflex. That funny, jumper-like, dude stood in his place motionless while my dejeuner pressured him to not even move a finger.

n“I’m the one giving the orders around here, and you… You just have to use that little thing called brain and try to find out ways to execute what I say. Or else…”

nI stepped much closer, close enough to make my face this close to his to even feel his subtle trembling body, “I don’t have permanent positions for anyone. Slack or fail and I’ll kick your ass out of my way.”

n“Gulp,” he finally reacted as he jumped backward like a cat I stepped over its tail or something.

n“Keep that in your mind,” I said to him before turning to the large crowd standing down below.

nAfter all, I didn’t move my speaker-like item away from my mouth all this time. Everything I said was perfectly heard by everyone.

n“Keep that in all of your minds.”

nI said in warning and sincere advice to all of them. If they didn’t keep showing me their value, I’d be forced to replace them with others with the talent and determination I needed.

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