Chapter 225
When it comes to fan clubs, whether official or unofficial, you can think of them as groups that support idols, actors, comedians, bands—or, to put it broadly, celebrities.
By belonging to such a group, fans gain access to information about their favorite figures and, in some cases, exclusive benefits that come with membership.
However, the clan I’m planning to create leans more toward the operational side rather than just being a fan club.
The day after the declaration of the "Day of Encirclement,"
we found ourselves once again in the presence of the Spirit King.
"So, here’s the thing—we want to create a new clan. What do you think?"
Of course, we couldn’t just form a clan on the spot without deciding on the members. So, after explaining that the details would be announced later and that we needed the Spirit King’s permission to establish a proper support organization for live events, the meeting was adjourned.
Seizing the moment, I quickly drafted a proposal after the spirits left.
The contents, naturally, outlined the activities of the fan club, the benefits of membership, and the conditions for joining.
Normally, a proper presentation would require thorough research on company profits, market impact, implementation costs, and other details—but given the circumstances, such detailed data wasn’t available.
While I’ve never created a fan club before, I have experience founding a clan.
"The initiative of our kin exceeded expectations, but Libertà’s ingenuity is equally impressive. Truly befitting an apostle of the God of Wisdom."
Drawing from that experience, I defined the fan club’s framework, deliberated on the tasks for the spirits and the rewards we could offer, compiled it all into a document, and requested an audience with the Spirit King.
After reviewing the spirits’ actions and my presentation, the Spirit King’s response was:
"Hmm..."
Though he stroked his chin in apparent contemplation, his reaction wasn’t negative.
"The main tasks we’d like the fan club to handle are threefold:
"The issue lies with the third point," the Spirit King said. "The term ‘activity support’ is too broad. The first two—venue setup and event assistance—are understandable, as helping with live performances aligns with the spirit of cooperation. But the third changes things."
However, his approval wasn’t unconditional.
Spirits occupy a unique position.
Their vast powers mean that misuse could disrupt the world’s balance.
Given the Spirit King’s usual demeanor, I half-expected him to cheerfully declare, "Then I’ll be Member No. 1!"—but instead, he voiced concerns about how the organization’s scale might affect that balance.
"But when it comes to supporting your party’s activities, the situation changes. I cannot permit the establishment of a clan in this world without first hearing concrete details on this matter."
To form a clan, approval from the highest authority of the land is required.
Since spirits would be the core of this clan, its headquarters would naturally be in the Spirit Realm—meaning the Spirit King’s permission was non-negotiable.
"Of course. Allow me to explain that point as well."
Without both understanding and agreement, carrying out our activities would be difficult.
"First, let me make one thing clear—we are a combat group first and foremost. Live performances are not our main focus. Fighting and growing stronger is our priority. That is a line we absolutely cannot cross."
"You call yourselves a combat group, yet your party includes a songstress, a merchant, and even a maid?"
"We have been challenging dungeons and growing stronger. And one of my personal goals is to slay the Evil God. That fact remains unshaken."
"As an apostle of the gods, I suppose that’s only natural."
To ensure mutual understanding, we first needed common ground.
Some spirits might assume we’re only about live performances—but that’s a misconception. We are, and always will be, an adventuring party.
The live events are merely a necessary part of Amina’s growth.
Her title, Rookie Idol, requires performances involving song and dance to develop.
Additionally, her Supreme Songstress class also needs to be leveled through similar means, meaning we’ll have to hold live events repeatedly.
Performances are just a means to an end—not the destination itself.
"With that in mind, we can’t afford to focus solely on live events. We must fight, grow, hone our skills, gather equipment, and aim higher. If we don’t make this clear, we risk becoming just a live-performance group."
"And if I were to reject that?"
"With all due respect—and with no ill intent—we would have no choice but to announce an indefinite postponement of live events for the spirits."
"If that happened, I’d never hear the end of it from my kin for centuries to come."
If I yielded completely here, it would mean abandoning my own goals.
This was my non-negotiable line.
"Personally, I believe I’ve fulfilled my role by proposing this solution to the spirits’ dissatisfaction."
"Indeed, our kin would see it that way. Acting swiftly after yesterday’s events and following through on your words carries weight."
By standing firm, I also demonstrated that I do intend to keep my promises to the spirits.
"And that’s precisely what makes it dangerous. Libertà, rejecting your proposal would be easy. But the consequences of doing so make refusal impossible. As this world’s king, your drive could warp the spirits’ values in unforeseen ways."
"Honestly, the bigger issue is that they’re so starved for entertainment that they’re diving headfirst into idol live shows."
"Don’t say that! For beings with eternal lives like us, finding lasting hobbies is difficult. No matter how entertaining a story is, hearing it repeatedly grows stale. But a new story? That’s something to savor. We know this all too well."
Now, the final hurdle—whether the fan club could be established.
"On that note—if you support our activities, you’ll get to see Amina’s final form sooner."
"What do you mean?"
Securing a large support group would be incredibly useful for our future endeavors.
Which is why I put extra effort into persuading the Spirit King.
Striking a certain commander’s pose, I sharpened my gaze as I made my case—prompting the Spirit King to lean forward, intrigued.
"Eventually, you’ll see it regardless—but right now, Amina’s singing and dancing are incomplete. Her stats, skills, choreography—all still developing. And yet, look at the excitement she generates. Now imagine if she reached her absolute peak."
"!?"
What I presented was the ultimate form of the Overworked Idol Build—a live performance at its zenith.
"Amina’s voice, more refined and soul-stirring than ever. Her dancing, dazzlingly brilliant—sometimes fierce, sometimes gentle, always giving her all for the audience."
The fact that there’s still room to grow only makes it more enticing.
The Spirit King gulped audibly at the notion.
Seizing the moment, I pressed on.
"Don’t you want to witness that growth?"
"I do."
"Don’t you want to see the heights she’ll reach?"
"I do."
"And if we stop here, you might never get to. Is that acceptable?"
"It is not!!"
Even now, the spirits are enthralled.
The promise of something even more exhilarating was a critical hit to their sensibilities.
"And there’s more."
"There more!?"
"Yes. If the fan club is established and a support system is in place, we can also focus on nurturing successors."
"W-What?"
In my mind, I’ve already considered forming idol units for clan battles.
Not just Amina—eventually, I want to assemble a party of talented songstresses, forming a full idol unit.
Right now, we can clear a dungeon in a single day. But eventually, we’ll need days—if not months—to tackle certain dungeons.
If Amina remains our only idol build, the burden on her as both tank and buffer will become uneven.
Against high-level foes like the Rainy Devil, relying solely on her would be precarious.
"Amina retiring is currently unthinkable, but wouldn’t you still want to see more idols?"
"I do!!"
With that in mind, we’ll eventually need to train new idols.
Having a fan club in place would make a world of difference in their development.
I can’t say what exactly the Spirit King imagined, but his conflicted expression betrayed his desire.
"Supporting our party comes with these benefits. If you help gather materials, we can devote more time to live events. If you assist in crafting items, we can spend more time training new idols."
I targeted the Spirit King’s hesitation with precision.
"Of course, I understand your concerns. But this fan club allows free withdrawal. Cooperation is entirely voluntary—we won’t enforce anything. We’ll only make requests, like, ‘If you do this, we’ll reward you.’ The choice to participate rests entirely with the spirits."
"Hrm, hrmmm..."
The Spirit King crossed his arms, deep in thought.
As this world’s ruler and the spirits’ leader, he had to be cautious about allowing a new organization’s birth.
Personally, I’d be more than satisfied if they just gathered herbs, brewed potions, or collected basic materials.
Even just having them assist as event staff would free up our time significantly.
"So, what do you think?"
"I want to grant permission. As the Spirit King, I understand that Libertà’s organization isn’t malicious. But—"
"Is there still an issue?"
Yet, something still held him back.
What was it?
"There is one major problem."
"And that is?"
"It’s—"
Leaning forward, I braced for his answer, certain that overcoming this last obstacle would secure the clan’s approval.
"The fact that I, the Spirit King, cannot join the fan club!!"
"……"
And thus, I was confronted with a dilemma unique to a monarch.