Chapter 7

As the sun rose upon the Mather's manor once more, thankfully to a peaceful day, a dragon carriage was waiting at the entry of the yard.

Most of the residents were outside, as two men were about to make their way back to the capital.

The Sword Saint, Reinhardt Van Astraea, was getting the dragon ready, checking if everything was in order.

"I think we are ready to go now," Reinhardt said while caressing the dragon's head before he came back to the small group that was waiting near the gates, all around the black-haired candidate about to take his leave.

"Do you really need to go back so soon?" Emilia asked as she looked obviously saddened and disappointed in how little Subaru stayed at the mansion. Memories of her interactions with him remained with her, too, as one of the most enjoyable moments she could ever have known.

And even though Subaru said her dream was foolish and childish, he still comforted her when he told her of Puck passing away, along with Beatrice during the battle. However, the two spirits mattered nothing to the Demon since he was glad that two annoyances were out of his way.

However, Subaru had a role to play, so he pretended to be the 'nice' friend to the idiotic half-elf, who would rather believe a terrorist is a friend rather than a killer.

"As much as I want nothing more but to remain by your side, I have my obligations. I know how to read and write the language of this world thanks to your hospitality, and now, I have to prepare myself for the upcoming election since I know little to nothing about this kingdom."

This wasn't entirely a lie until he absorbed Capella's body, powers, and memories, which pleased Subaru immensely. Emilia chuckled at the tone he took to explain himself like an old man complaining about his hard work.

Ram and Rem looked at the scene from a few steps behind. Ram couldn't care less, but Rem was obviously unhappy about not getting the chance to get closer. However, this was different from their act to put on since Ram and Rem had given all of the information needed for Subaru to begin tearing down and absorbing the Emilia Camp into his camp.

All that Subaru had to do now was create the spark to begin the chaos.

"Next time we'll see each other...It will most probably be during the summon at the capital..."

"The summon?"

"After I will inform the council about your candidacy, the preparations for the election will be complete. All the candidates will be summoned to the royal capital to show their candidacy." Reinhardt explained before Subaru turned to Emilia, who was looking down with a small frown.

Subaru understood why, alliance or not, they would be opponents that day since there could only be one king or queen.

That sure was a depressing thought, but he couldn't let her have that kind of expression any longer. After all, he wanted his Pawn to be useful and not be a depressed crybaby just because she thought her friend moved to another country.

"Hey now, didn't we agree to be in an alliance? More than that, we're friends, aren't we, Emilia? There's way too many reasons to prevent us from being unfair towards one another." Subaru explained, which made Emilia softly smile at him.

In Emilia's mind, Subaru's words were true, that they were friends. Which meant there was no reason to sulk about this. Emilia would do her best for the election, and so he would, which Subaru was already doing since he stayed behind to help the people rebuild their homes and comforted her when Puck's death saddened her.

"There we go. Keep that smile for me for the day we'll see each other again!" Subaru said while groaning in his mind.

'Ugh, this girl is so sweet. I'm going to get diabetes just from talking to her. If it weren't for the fact she's more valuable alive, then I would've let her die by Elsa.' Subaru said in his mind, annoyed at having to play the 'friend' act with Emilia since she's the same as that naive and annoying girl back in his world that made him so glad when he put a bullet in her brain.

Emilia, unaware of Subaru insulting her, giggled a bit. Subaru wouldn't leave any chances behind to make her smile since, in her eyes, Subaru was a good man after all.

If only she knew about the blood he had spilled and was on his hands.

Subaru then turned to the twins with a sincere smile on his face before speaking to Roswaal.

"I thank you for your hospitality, Rosswall, but it is such a shame you were unable to help us when we were facing a crisis, although I understand your work was crucial even if it meant leaving very little defense for your people while you flew away," Subaru said with a concealed smile since Subaru could smell the fear from Roswell, who was shaking Subaru's hand but concerned about his plans.

Subaru then turned to the maids, and the act began.

"Well, it sure wouldn't have been the same couple of days without you around!" Subaru said before Rem hugged Subaru a bit until Ram replied.

"Sure, it would most certainly have been peaceful without you, though." Ram said before Rem 'scolded' her sister.

"Sister! Don't be so harsh on him!" Rem shouted, making Subaru chuckle before he turned to Rem

"And Rem, thank you. For your trust and your help, we would have been in great trouble without you, may it be me or the village. You can praise your sister all you want, but you're the one I definitely needed!" Subaru said, making Rem blush, which was already quite unusual to receive praise in general, but in addition to that, it was that man who would praise her.

"Seriously, Ram, could you take an example of her and use it from time to time?" Subaru said before Ram replied, knowing the message behind his words.

(Keep an eye on your sister and make sure Roswaal doesn't catch onto your new transformation.)

"Keep going. Give me reasons to despise you even more, Barusu."

(I will, Lord Subaru, and should the time come when you call upon us, the Oni shall arrive to smite your enemies.)

Subaru chuckled. He looked at Ram, and they smiled at each other.

Emilia and Reinhard, along with Rem, stared at Ram in confusion. Where was that name coming from? Most importantly, when did they get so close for her to give him his nickname?

With one last wave of hand and bow from Reinhard, they directed towards the carriage.

Before entering, Subaru looked back one last time and waved his hand at the window far at the manor, to an empty room where a certain little loli with drill hairs was before seeing Prinz smile and nod his way before entering a door and vanishing into the shadows along with Elsa and Meili.

And then, both the candidate and the knight took their leave to the capital once again.

Subaru let go of his smile while looking out the window. Now, his true challenges were about to start. Subaru was about to fight for a throne in a country that he didn't know anything about. Normally, Subaru would appear as the most disadvantaged of all for now, and that problem needed to be fixed.

Back in his world, he had never been much interested in politics. Japan was a small nation ruled by a government and a prime minister, and it was no longer a monarchy.

But after wanting to create a kingdom of his own, Subaru began to learn how to govern a country and lead his people.

But in Lugunica, Subaru needed a plan, a way to overcome the election. Unfortunately, he needed more than a sword saint for that since his reputation was nonexistent in the capital due to him being unknown in this world, but something so small had never stopped him before.

" Reinhardt."

"Subaru?"

"Once we get back to the capital and I'm announced as the fifth member of the Royal Selection, things are going to be the real deal, starting now, which is why I need you to tell me everything there needs to be known about Lugunica," Subaru asked. At the same time, Reinhardt smiled and nodded at him, happy to see that Subaru was taking the election seriously.

"You can count on me."

"Alright then, we might as well start now."

Leaning back on his chair and closing his eyes, Subaru started to think about the little things he would know about politics and ways of ruling. Even if they were different worlds, things like economy, well-being, and national security should be proper characteristics for every state.

What is more, during the first time they met each other, Reinhardt said something about the kingdom not being in its prime at this time.

" Let's start with the basics. How is the country going economically speaking?" Subaru asked before Reinhardt stiffened at this question.

" I wouldn't say that the kingdom is suffering from a deficit, but there are, unfortunately, some people, or should I rather say…Class of people who suffer from lack of income." Reinhardt explained.

" Basically speaking, the kingdom is doing well, but the poor are being left aside because of their position in society…And I suppose that since people are born in lower classes, they are automatically left aside, which means it's an endless loop no matter what if you're unlucky enough to be born there. Yeah, that's a typical medieval pattern for now." Subaru said, mumbling the last sentence to himself.

Subaru then glared out the window with his hand on his chin. Back in his world, he had seen how the Devil Hunters had basically given their lives so easily to Demons for power but only to end up in death for reasons such as wanting money, power, or something else. However, some were homeless and suffered so greatly that they gave themselves to Demons.

Reinhard looked quite admirative towards Subaru. The Sword Saint did not understand what "medieval" meant, but his understanding of the situation regarding this side of the kingdom was clear and proper in a quick matter of time, which was rather impressive.

" I guess that high classes despise the lower class a lot, too?" Subaru asked before Reinhardt replied.

"As unfortunate as it sounds. Sometimes, I found myself involved in those quarrels regarding how they should be treated, looking at the position that I hold."

" Really? Even though it's quite oblivious that you're not the kind of guy that would make a difference?" Subaru said while he smiled at him, a way to tell him that he believed Reinhardt was someone who wouldn't make that kind of profiling.

Reinhardt noticed it and could not help but appreciate the thought. He was indeed doing his best to be respectful to everyone and anyone, so the fact that someone acknowledged this part of him relieved him a bit.

Yet, when people with whom he lived for 19 years of his life still doubted him while the one he met in less than a week recognized it without any effort, it left him bewildered about his entourage.

Were those people blind, or was it Subaru that was on the way to another level? Well, even if it seemed quite out of respect for once, it was surely the latter.

Reinhardt ended up gladly smiling back at Subaru.

"Not for everyone, it seems…" Reinhardt said, making Subaru chuckle at his response. Surely, the life of someone from one of the most prestigious families in the kingdom would not be easy.

"So, I guess that ultimately, this discrimination against lower classes goes right back to the upper classes since each hates the other for their position?" Subaru asked while Reinhardt gave him a sad nod of approval; it was never easy to accept his own kingdom's lack of respect for the population

Subaru started to elaborate on the situation further in his mind to understand how people's mindsets were defined. Thus, he could explore this and use this information to his advantage. Subaru came to remember all the races of people he saw the day of his arrival in the capital, especially the moment when he entered a bar "prohibited to humans."

"Is there perhaps any discrimination between the races of people in the country?" Subaru asked before he was surprised to see Reinhard frown and look down with a pitiful expression. It has to come around, but it has always been challenging to mention it, may it be casually or even more to a newcomer.

"It is a dark part of our kingdom, linked up to an equally dark past, I'm afraid."

Reinhardt raised his head to meet Subaru while joining his hands, visibly unhappy about what he was about to explain.

"Not so long ago, the kingdom of Lugunica took on a civil war against the demi-human race, mainly because of the human superiority since the demi-humans were a minority in the kingdom. It started for a cause that is yet to be revealed, and the scars of the battles and bloodshed remain within the hearts of everyone."

Subaru closed his eyes in respect towards Reinhard's words. He knew war, and he knew, like any other person, how horrible it had to be for one's own family or mindset.

" Have you been in this war, Reinhardt?"

Reinhardt shook his head from left to right; he was affected by its consequences, like many others.

"So helping to bring a peace agreement between the humans and demi-humans would be a good point."

"It is quite the challenge…" Subaru said before he smiled confidently at him; Reinhard quickly understood.

"But I don't dislike challenges!"

Both laughed a bit while being happy to have eased the mood a bit after this reminder of the Civil War.

"Wait, now that I think about it, how big Is Lugunica?"

Reinhard's face lit up with sparks in his eyes. Subaru understood that this was something his knight was proud of

"We're easily the biggest kingdom of the whole continent, having borders to all of the other three kingdoms."

"Volachia, Kararagi and Gusteko, was it?"

" That's right. We are somewhat at peace for the moment, even if I'm afraid that the lack of monarchy in our kingdom will soon light the sparks of eventual conflicts."

"I find it quite surprising that countries still think of attacking one another while a whole part of your world was destroyed not so long ago," Subaru said while Reinhardt was visibly startled by Subaru's words. He looked at him with such awe that it made him quite uncomfortable.

" That's it! That's exactly it, Subaru! How is it possible for us to be in conflict when we should help each other and build a new future of prosperity since that disaster?! Why is it so hard for them to understand what you did in less than a week? DAMN IT!"

A few seconds passed until Reinhardt realized what he just said. His face turned bright red in shame for the behavior he just held before his master. Subaru couldn't help but burst into laughter at his friend's behavior, which only added more weight to the sword saint who wished to curl up into a ball and disappear right now.

Reinhardt's frustration over this situation was clear, and Subaru understood it right away, yet it seemed that there were very few people with common sense in this world regarding the way Reinhard acted. Subaru knew himself; he was quite impulsive. Meeting someone so simple-minded that Reinhard referred to right now would be quite problematic to him.

" It's okay, Reinhardt, I told you; you can be yourself when it's just the two of us," Subaru said after stopping his laughter. "So, judging by your golden reaction right now, you're around a lot of people who think differently, right?"

Reinhardt, who was still unable to look at his master, put his hand on his forehead as he seemed in pain. Well, maybe he was.

"Even if I hope that it would be different…"

Subaru laughed even more; seeing Reinhardt depressed over something as trivial as the minds of people told a lot about how stubborn they could be. He could not argue when it came to being stubborn when he thought about it.

"I guess with that, you answered all the questions I had in mind for now," Subaru said before all of the knowledge from his leadership back home and the information that he gained about the situation of Lugunica before coming to his conclusions.

"If I resume it real quick: there is poverty and discrimination in the kingdom regarding the lower classes while there is still the same kind of climate around humans and demi-humans. In addition, there is a possibility of conflict with other countries, such as Vollachia, if I remember the discussion we had in the Mather's mansion. On top of that, some people would be favorable to that."

Reinhard was honestly impressed by Subaru's analytical mind of the situation. He understood the situation right away without further explanation. Truly impressive, but it was his master. He could not expect anything less.

"That's relatively it."

Subaru leaned back again to think. He was planning in his head, not a perfect plan since he couldn't just manipulate the people with his powers as the Control Devil since he needed to win them over to join his camp, but it would, at the very least, be a start.

If he had to be the ruler of this country, his priority had to be for the people of the kingdom. That is why he wishes to create a world where Demons, humans, and DemiHumans are able to coexist, but peace is only sometimes achieved. But maybe a land as sweet as honey, a dream that never ends, a kingdom where the people bow before him in reverence and gratitude.

That is the kingdom Subaru Natsuki, the Overlord, wishes to build.

Subaru was thinking this while looking up at the ceiling of the carriage until he crossed his arms and started to voice his thoughts.

" So the best course of action would be to try a solution of equality within the kingdom by financially helping the lower classes to let them have a better life. At the very least, food is on the table every day without worrying about famine. With that, people would tend to let go of the criminal habits they would have in order to survive, which would then reduce criminality, another good point. Plus, the morale would be boosted since they wouldn't think of themselves as left out anymore. They could forget about the demi-human war and discrimination, which would open doors to solidarity, hence unifying most of the people together. If conflicts ever occur, this would strengthen loyalty towards the state and avoid or at least drastically reduce ideas of conspiracy or betrayal. On the other hand, it is best to negotiate with most of the countries regarding peace treaties or non-aggression pacts, perhaps by showing them how preferable it is for everyone if they associate with us rather than being enemies. Cultural exchange and trading would be a good point if ever we have things that would be worth it; since the kingdom is big enough to border the three other countries, we most certainly have territories and tactical advantages that would benefit everyone or maybe by raising the economy and life quality with some ideas from my world I would get their attention too…"

Subaru said to himself and aloud, but if Subaru looked in front of him right now, he would see a shocked Reinhard with wide open eyes and sweating forehead, wondering how it was even possible for him to come out with such a plan in a matter of minutes of discussion. The sword saint could not possibly believe his ears; his admiration for Subaru was indeed justified. If he came to this conclusion after such trivial information, what would be the result with more detailed situations at hand?

"It has to be fate…" Reinhardt thought before Subaru continued.

" Well, I can't make assumptions without further investigation in the situation for no- Reinhardt? Are you okay?" Subaru asked with a worried look upon his frozen friend. Subaru called him out. Reinhardt finally came out of his trance and blinked a couple of times, showing how deep-thinking he was.

" Y-yes! Pardon me." Reinhardt said before clearing his throat. It is a good beginning, actually; if we could really achieve your plans, it would be more than marvelous for the people and the kingdom or the entire world.

Subaru smiled warmly at Reinhardt. Such devotion and excitement towards the idea of peace was really heartwarming. Even though Subaru himself believed in the possibility of achieving complete peace within the world, in a continent of 4 countries, this wouldn't be impossible. And thanks to his powers and skills from back home, he has had the chance to be in command and pull that stunt out.

Subaru narrowed his eyes at the passing plains and hills of Lugunica, with the capital in sight.

If he had the chance to achieve something like that, then he would absolutely be the king of the world.

"Alright then, Reinhardt. Today marks the beginning of not just the Subaru camp but also the chance to rebuild this world into the world I see." Subaru said with Reinhardt, smiling at his king before bowing to him.

"And I will follow you all the way, Subaru Natsuki, my friend," Reinhardt said as the Sword Saint and the Overlord began to shake the world with their own hands.

Scene!

The first act has been finished, and now it's time for the second act. Which of the princesses should Subaru meet first to 'gain control' over them?

Priscilla Barielle?

Crusch Karnsten?

Anatasia Honshin?

Or perhaps, the wild card, Felt?

Stay tuned!