The Substitution of the Shield Hero

When I arrived at the throne room, Mirellia was sitting there in the same dress she wore the other day. A regal violet gown that matched her hair.

She also looked exhausted. Even so, when she saw me, she put on a forced smile. "Good morning, Sir Naofumi."

"...You know, you were supposed to rest. That was the whole point for delaying this meeting... Although." I shifted my gaze off to the side and glanced out of the window to the back and to where knights were being bound up and tossed into a wagon. "...I guess there's no rest for the wicked, huh?"

Mirellia let out a bitter laugh. "You could say that. So... shall we begin our discussion- No. Negotiation?"

Ah, she realized it then.

No, maybe she framed it like that on purpose?

Melromarc had been fine yesterday since it had been just post the Wave and the fallout hadn't sunk in just yet.

But considering what I saw on my way here...

Well.

I was pretty sure the only reason that the people weren't rushing here right now was because the other heroes were running around doing PR.

...Which might involve a few 'capture and execute' quests...

Hm.

Well, better they realize firsthand how horrible this world was before I started playing revolution.

I'd rather not have them as enemies if I didn't have to. After all, while we weren't from the 'same' Earth, we were all from Earth.

And this world?

DEFINITELY filled with crimes against humanity.

It'd be best if we all worked together to clear up this shitstorm first...

But back to the main point.

"One second. It's probably not good to have an extended conversation like this."

I swiped my hand down and used <Synthesis> to create a folding table and a pair of chairs. After that, I sat down and gestured towards the other chair. "If you would."

Mirellia stared at me for a bit. Then she quietly stepped off her throne and walked over to sit across from me. As she did, she chuckled and said, "Should I be grateful that you have not yet decided to take us as an enemy?"

"Very."

Mirellia's smile dimmed a bit. But she nodded. "...At least you are candid. I appreciate it. Others would have pretended to placate me with niceties."

"Well, America isn't know for fake nice unless you're from certain places. And I'm not from those."

"I see." Mirellia slowly nodded. "...You truly are from a different place as other summoned heroes."

"Maybe." I deliberately gave a half-hearted answer. "But onto proper matters. First... I saw the situation with my own eyes. But explain it to me from your perspective, the state of Melromarc at the moment."

Mirellia let out a long suffering sigh. "...I am sure you saw 'that' in the courtyard?"

I nodded. "It's hard to miss."

"Then it speeds things up. Currently, the plan is to pin the situation on that Utter Trash." Mirellia's eyes sharpened, the violet orbs flashing blue for a bit with mana from her anger. "...Because of him, everything is a step from crumbling."

"Mm..." I nodded slowly. "That trashy king is responsible for most of this. But you can't shunt all the responsibility. Even if you technically weren't responsible, you DID leave him to run it."

I understood her position. After all, she must have gone off to the negotiations thinking things would be fine. Or that, even if they went off the rails a bit, it wouldn't go TOO crazy.

But within a month, while she was putting out fires on her own, Melromarc erupted with the flames of revolution. Or at least, the first sparks of it.

And all because of that trashy king... who I still didn't understand.

Even in the web novel, his actions didn't make sense. Unlike Malty, he DEFINITELY hadn't been possessed or had a shard of that Goddess of Betrayal's soul. He was just... like that.

Either way, never liked the guy, so no loss for me.

Honestly, I was planning a similar thing anyway. Since he was already a clear focus for the anger of the people, I was going to suggest Mirellia pin the blame on him. The fact that she did already just showed how capable she was.

Mirellia let out a soft sigh. "I am aware. And that is what I wanted to discuss with you, Sir Naofumi." She stared at me with resolved eyes and said, "I am not one who enjoys praising herself, but I am objectively one of the better rulers that Melromarc has had in generations. And yet, the goodwill I had earned among my people has vanished with... this." She vaguely waved her hand at the entire mess around Melromarc and then continued. "Not to mention that everyone saw those messages..."

"Ah. So they DID see the whole 'Shield Hero betrayed and sacred covenant broken' thing."

I was wondering about that. It definitely explained the very much 'down with the country' vibe I felt on the way here.

Mirellia let out a bitter smile. "Yes. As a result..." She bowed her head. "...Please aid us, Sir Naofumi. As things stand, Melromarc will fall. The Three Heroes are helping us for now, but the moment they fail or leave, this country will crumble. I care not for myself... but my people and my youngest daughter at least. I will give you anything in return."

"...It's that desperate, huh? And you can raise your head. I don't like people bowing to me. It's one thing to look up to people, it's another to lower yourself for them, you know?"

Mirellia quietly raised her head and looked at me. Then she let out a helpless laugh and said, "Well... this one has no pride left to give. If lowering myself can buy a bit more time or at least a single chance at salvation..." She shifted her legs and lightly tugged at the hem of her shirt again.

She didn't explicitly say it, but I got the message.

Even so.

I sighed. "Queen of Melromarc. For now, let's set aside titles and just talk as people. Formalities are only getting in the way. I'm no longer a hero, and you... well, you're the queen right now, but from the looks of things on the way here, that's only barely."

Mirellia let out a bitter smile. "...Too true. Very well then." She took a breath to compose herself and said, "...Where would you like to begin?"

"Well, I get that the situation is bad. But give me logistics. This is just a problem, so it can be solved if you give me enough information." I paused. "Unless you want me to just run through and purge it properly? Because I can do that too, but the moment I do that, Melromarc ceases becoming your country and becomes mine."

It was the classic American problem, actually. Go in guns blazing with overwhelming power, clear up the mess, leave... and the mess continues. But stay and then they become dependent.

So before EITHER situation, I wanted a proper assessment.

Mirellia stopped to seriously consider it. Then she slowly shook her head. "...No. As... efficient, as that may be. This is still our world. The Three Heroes are somewhat of an exception due to the influence of the Church, but if a foreign entity like yourself were to intervene... Even if you are the former Shield Hero, it will not end well."

"Right? You're seen as inept and forcibly removed by disatisfied people... or they see me as better and remove you anyway."

Mirellia let out a helpless laugh. "Indeed. Then what would you suggest?" She placed her hands in her lap and said, "Four Bray has forces that are leveled 200 and above, along with many superior skills descended from past summoned heroes who remained in this world. Not to mention their technology..."

'Right... I that place has guns and planes in the NovelFire because of Takt, that reincarnator prince.'

I'd need to make countermeasures for that...

But I had them.

After all, if that guy was going to come in with firearms, I was going to meet him with drones and orbital strike cannons.

Mirellia continued and said, "Siltvelt and Shieldfreeden possess demihuman forces who have naturally superior stats in comparison to humans, and they also forces above level 100. As for Zeltoble... they are a mercenary bunch who will step in like scavengers the moment an opening is shown."

"Well... Let me sort through this." I tapped my fingers on the table to think and said, "First, the immediate issue is clearly the populace. Even if the other countries want to invade, they will need at least a few days to mobilize."

Mirellia nodded. "I agree. My Shadows are spreading word of the Utter Trash's execution and his crimes, so it should calm my people. But as you said, the blame still remains with me. There are many lives that were lost which can no longer be returned."

I rubbed my chin. "That's the issue, huh?"

To summarize...

That trashy king was so lax that the nobles crossed the line.

The only reason there hadn't been a full-blown revolt was because this world had a status system which hard-barred the average citizen from the nobles, who had an arbitrarily higher number and baseline of stats.

But it was getting to a point where people were willing to throw their lives away for revenge or a chance at overturning the table.

The queen had executed that guy and was executing the nobles responsible... but violence only amplified things. It couldn't resolve things unless you went all the way.

Not only that, but it would set a bad precedent too.

In that case...

"...Hey, Mirellia."

"Yes, Sir- I mean, Naofumi?" Mirellia looked at me, her violet eyes glowing with faint hope. "Did you think of a solution?"

"Somewhat. The way I see it, the main consensus among people are that you failed them. Utterly."

Mirellia flinched. But she nodded. "...Yes. That is so."

"But even though you failed them... the degree in which that 'failure' matters varies."

"...Pardon?"

I looked at her and said, "There are people who still have faith in you. There are people who lost faith in you. And there are people who now see you as an enemy." I counted the three categories off and said, "These are the main divisions among the populace right now. The latter two are the problematic group."

Mirellia slowly nodded. "...I have gathered as much. But what does identifying them as such do to help?"

"Well, it's simple. Why do people stay in Melromarc?"

Mirellia blinked. "...Is it not because it is their home?"

"Of course. But I mean why is it their home? And not just because they've always been here. What in particular makes them not want to leave?"

Mirellia paused to consider the question. Then she slowly said, "Some have no recourse. Others find this to be the safest region among the other countries. Others still find Melromarc to be the fairest... though, it still has its faults, as you can imagine."

"Right." I nodded. "So... as much fun as it would be for me to run around murdering corrupt nobles and make the streets run red with blood..."

Mirellia winced at that.

"...I still need a home base first."

Melromarc was terrible. But the problem was more in the nobles, not the people.

Four Bray on the other hand, along with Zeltoble...

Nope.

Those places had to BURN.

But when I did burn those places down, I needed a safe place for the people I rescued to return to.

Melromarc would have been ideal, but there was too much baggage.

Mirellia stared at me, confused. "...Do you... want the throne then?"

"No." I tapped my finger on the table, thinking. Then I said, "Mirellia- No. Queen of Melromarc. Currently, Melromarc is lacking in allies, correct?"

Mirellia nodded. "Yes. That is why I wanted to seek your aid, Sir Naofumi..." She trailed off. Then she caught the nuance of what I said.

Specifically that Melromarc needed 'allies.' And not 'forces.'

Mirellia stared at me. Then she slowly said, "...You plan to raise a country. From the bones of my own."

"Well." I shrugged. "It's either a bloody revolution, or a bloodless secession. And honestly, I think both you and your people are tired of death, right? At least, internally."

Mirellia raised her hand to her chin, thinking. Then she slowly said, "I see. Functionally, it is equivalent to you seizing land for yourself. And by becoming a ruler, those disgruntled with me can simply leave for better conditions."

"That's right."

Mirellia paused. "...Are you planning to take the best portions of Melromarc for yourself then, Sir Naofumi?"

"Of course not. If I do that, then it's simply 'conquering.' No." I smiled. "I am planning to make a miracle."

"...Pardon?"

I chuckled. "You'll see. For now... The land between Melromarc and Four Bray. Give it all to me. The area between Melromarc and Zeltoble as well."

Mirellia blinked. "...All of it? Not that I mind. In fact, it would help a great deal. But... how will you defend it?"

I tapped my finger on the table, subtly opening my loadout. Then I stared at a certain shield... Well, technically 'shield program' now since the Legendary Shield was gone.

At this point, it was more like a skill than a real shield...

But anyway.

===

My Body as a Shield: Automatically redirects all attacks as well as negative effects upon those the user designates as allies to the user. No range restriction. 1000 capacity.

Portal Shield Mk II: A shield that utilizes the bridge between the user and a target born from the relationship and memories that exist between them. Time cannot be fooled, but space can be folded. The user and his party may warp to the side of an allied force after targeting the allied force and declaring the activation word "Warp." The user can also warp allied forces to a targeted location by declaring the activation word "Transfer." 1000 capacity.

===

"...You don't have to worry about me defending my allied territory."

That was the neat thing about my custom shield created with <Parallel System>.

Since it was linguistic based effects, the wording mattered. And since this world operated on 'systems' as well, effects that played out were followed to the letter.

Of course, 'to the letter' didn't mean 'to the spirit.'

As long as something fit under the definition, it would work.

And 'allied force' as well as 'allies' had been coded to have just enough wiggle room.

'...Huh. Wait. Doesn't this mean that I get to cheat with concepts but my opponents don't?'

It had slipped my mind...

But I was technically using conceptual effects as well, just on a deeper level of granularity.

'There is definitely something there I need to look into...'

But later.

For now...

I looked at Mirellia and said, "How about that, Queen of Melromarc? You give me the territories I asked for and I will ensure Melromarc doesn't crumble. I will also take in any disgruntled citizens of yours so that you can tidy up things neatly without having innocents lost in the bloody purge."

Mirellia slowly nodded. "...That sounds ideal. But... May I ask what your plans are, Sir Naofumi?" She looked at me and said, "If you intend to absorb Melromarc in the future... it would be best to just say so now so that we can work towards it."

"What? No way. You have too much dead weight."

"...I beg your pardon?"

"You heard me."

Melromarc was definitely riddled with a bloody and shady history at this point. And considering that slavery existed as well as demi-human discrimination...

Yeah, no.

"I need a clean slate for my plans to work. So I'm making one." I looked at Mirellia. "Melromarc... honestly, I can't conceive of making it work without destroying it first. So I might as well build something from scratch, right? It's easier to build up from a firm foundation built at the start than fix a rotting core."

Mirella let out a bitter laugh. "Candid as always, I see. But that is true." She paused. "...You truly have no intentions on Melromarc? Or its throne?"

"I'm not a king type anyway. Or a ruler, really. I'm more of a governor. I'm planning to set up my territory properly and then have people self-organize with an established system... Actually, it'd take a bit too long to describe."

Since this world already ran on a 'system,' I was really curious if I could hardcode laws in place. Like automod in an MMORPG to forcibly eject people for defying them. Then there were a few ideas I had to make crime mathematically impractical...

But later.

For now...

I looked at Mirellia and held out my hand, "Do we have an accord then?"

Mirellia stared at my hand. Then she gave me a warm smile and shook it. "...We have an accord, Sir Naofumi."

"Great. Then I'll get to work on that immediately. But in order for Melromarc to be an ally to our fledgling nation, there is one condition."

Mirellia nodded. "Any."

"Formalize and declare this." I pulled out a piece of paper and slid it over. As for what was on the paper...

===

I, Mirellia Q Melromarc, Sovereign Queen of the country of Melromarc, by the virtue of power vested in me as its sovereign ruler order and declare that all beings held as slaves within Melromarc and Melromarc's territories are, and henceforth shall be, free; and that the nobles and military authorities thereof will recognize and maintain the freedom of said beings.

I also hereby order and declare these truths to be self-evident: that all beings are created equal, that they are endowed by the world with certain unalienable rights, and that chief among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

Finally, I hereby order and declare that the act of slavery and owning slaves are heinous violations of the unalienable right to Liberty and that any who seek to further, induce, or operate slavery will be brought before the Sovereign Queen of Melromarc to answer for their deeds.

===

Mirellia read the paper. And when she did, her eyes widened in surprise, confusion, and then calculation. After another few moments, she looked up at me and said, "...You intend to wage war against the entire world."

I laughed. "War? No, no, my dear queen." I leaned forward and laced my fingers together, smiling. "I intend to bring liberty and justice for all to this world." I shrugged. "If it happens to come at the price of certain nations being forced to find out what happens when their working class walks out from beneath them... Well. I'm making the mother of all omelets here, Mirellia. Can't fret over every egg."