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Chapter 633: Settling

This was even more so as the more popular Setsuna was, the easier it was to make her get control of Wratharis.

It had now been one week since the end of the war properly speaking and the population of Lustburg was jubilant as Sol had announced fully paid holidays for all citizens for two weeks and taxes reduction for the next two years and the start of celebration.

The brave soldiers and personnel received a minimum of double the normal rewards. Even if they, unfortunately, lost their lives in the war, Lustburg’s administration had made sure their mourning families would receive the reward in their stead.

Sol had taken a strict stance with the rewarding process, making it so that anyone stupid enough to attempt swindling money would face his wrath. He wasn’t about to allow some nobles to grease their hands, no matter how unrealistic and difficult the logistics of the matter would be.

Anyone who took even one coin that did not belong to them would be sent to the mines for life. No matter the position they held.

Sol was already a matchless existence in Lustburg in the past, however, his popularity had elevated to such a stage after the war that even the most idiotic of nobles would not dare think of testing his tolerance.

Things were slightly more complicated in Wratharis, however. Citizens of Wratharis lived tribalistic lifestyles, prompting the influence of respective tribal leaders to be far more overarching than the Dukes of Lustburg and in some cases the rulers themselves.

By employing Shuten Doji’s help, however, Sol was able to establish some resemblance of control. He even made sure to make the date of victory a national holiday with Setsuna’s influence. This way, the populace would be able to rejoice in Lupus’s death and Setsuna’s ascension as Crown Princess.

Unlike Sol, Setsuna had no family members who could play the role of regent for her so she was set to ascend as a queen in the coming months. But for now, Kiku used her authority and position to take the realm’s control.

This was just one of the thousands of small matters Sol needed to take care of. Such was his life.

***

Inside Wratharis’ royal palace, in a room that was set up as a makeshift office room, Sol and Setsuna were busy wafting through endless hoards of paperwork.

On the far side of a couch up ahead, a snoring Lilin was dozing off, a stack of paperwork bundled up in her hands. She had graciously proposed to help them with the paperwork a few days ago. Now, it was clear that the girl had reached her limit after days of soul-crushing boredom.

Isis had long since fled back to Lustburg, claiming she needed to give her full attention to healing Camelia.

She was lying through her teeth, Sol knew, but he could not refuse when she was taking care of Camilia. That’s why he sent her back with Lilith.

The powerhouses of Lustburg needed to hold the fort as they had just come out of war and were prime targets of invasion.

The witches were also back to Lustburg but it was for one very different reason.

After all…

“Your Highness. The kitchen prepared some tea. I have already inspected it. No dubious substance was found in.”

Milia opened the door, breaking Sol’s train of thoughts. A small tray of tea and snacks was held in her hands, eliciting them to take a small pause from the mind-numbing boredom that they were being subjected to.

Focusing on the night sky, Sol caught the sight of fireworks sporadically illuminating the sky. Some amount of focus in his ears also allowed him to hear the cheers and laughter of Wratharis’ citizens.

“Setsuna. Let's take a break.” Urged Sol, a bitter smile on his lips as he observed her head slowly peek out from the behemoth stack of papers. Reddened eyes and frazzled hair, paired with hands covered in ink— testaments of the sheer amount of work both of them were constantly subjected to for the last few days.

“Soooll…” Setsuna drawled, her eyes looking at him pitifully as her hands still continued signing away papers like an automated machine. “I can't stop now. I feel like if I stop I am going to crash and never recover again.”

A look of pity was all Sol could muster in response. While Setsuna had received training as a princess, it had been more than ten years since she was a proper princess. Moreover, since she hadn’t been a Blessed, the training she received in both governance and politics was severely lacking compared to contenders for the throne.

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“Mighty with the sword and weak with the pen, how pitiful, my dear.” He stood up and skipped towards her before stretching her cheeks.

The helpless and funny expression she showed made him laugh and he laughed doubly so when Lilin woke up with a start and fell from the couch.

It was amusing how these highly accomplished warriors, daring enough to even go toe to toe against a King-ranked while being Dukes, now acted as though they faced their greatest enemies in paperwork.

However, he fully understood their plight as he looked at the endless stacks of paperwork surrounding him in utter disgust.

“This is why I wasn't interested in world conquest.” He sighed and stopped bothering the half-dead Setsuna before approaching Milia and smothering her in a tight hug.

“I am also sorry all of you guys have to work despite your lingering wounds.”

World conquest seemed extremely glamorous in one’s imagination. However, the reality lay in the behind-the-scenes— the work that took place in the shadows, away from prying eyes.

Wratharis was a Mess with capital M.

Lustburg had been messy when he took over, forcing him to kill off a horde of many rebellious nobles with Lilith’s help and some well-placed schemes. Even now they had to use undead for some parts of the administration.

However, the problems with Lustburg paled in comparison to the mess that was Wratharis.

The economy was in shambles. The administration was nearly non-existent. The war coffers only had spider webs in them and the laws were not even worth being jokes.

More than 100 different tribes, each with its own leader comprised an equivalent of 100 small-sized kingdoms.Each with different laws, different rules, different needs, different populations, and so much more.

The needs of the rabbit tribe were obviously different from those of the wolf tribe, for example.

This was a strength and simultaneously a fatal weakness of Wratharis. Wratharis was vastly different from Lustburg, that’s why Sol knew he could not rule it like he ruled Lustburg. Trying to do anything remotely similar would result in total failure.

What would do when he added demons, elves, and dwarves to the mixture?

Sol groaned before sipping on the tea and massaging his forehead. So much work to do, so many little things to pay attention to, and not nearly enough time.

“I wanted us to familiarize ourselves more with the lands but I don’t see any other option. We might have to delegate more power to Shuten, earlier than we had initially planned.” Sol looked at Milia who only nodded in agreement.

“I have already talked to her. I am sure she will be open to further negotiations. Furthermore, I have called for the White Tiger lord and the Seven Sages to return. They will be valuable allies to our cause.” Milia offered, prompting Sol to smile contentedly.

As always, Milia continued proving herself as his most reliable support when it came to ruling.

The White Tiger lord had been used by Lupus as cannon fodder at the start of the War. Impressed by his strategic expertise, Sol had recruited him after a thorough subjugation of his forces.

As for the Seven Great Sages… nothing needed to be said about their influence and power in Wratharis.

“Great. After this, all of you girls need to enter seclusion in my dimension. I am now able to slightly accelerate time inside, only double the usual rate but it will have to do for now. Rest, heal, and use the insights you earned to reach higher levels.”

The war had left many troublesome things in its wake, but it was nothing short of miraculous for consolidating and elevating their power.

Thanks to participating in the ritual, Lilin and Setsuna were able to consolidate new names while Milia and Isis were ready for the last push toward the King realm.

Sol was a little worried but most normal people didn't need some super large-scale ritual where they had to face the nothingness of the End just so they could advance to King.

The hardest part was already done and now all they needed to do was advance at their own pace.

But this wasn't all.

Be it Medea, Kali, Persephone, or Freya, they all received innumerable benefits from the ritual, ultimately gaining a deep connection with his dimension.

Due to their newly established connection, they had been able to confirm one theory Sol had been developing and now— they had a clear path towards the Demigod realm.

“Congratulations, Your Highness. Soon, you will become the uncontested ruler of this world.” Milia smiled as she fed him a cake.

Four new potential demigods, four new potential kings, as well as Lilith and Ambrosia. Not to mention, Sol himself.

A genuine smile stretched his lips as he savored the cake.

Politics was a pain.

The war still had many aftermaths to address.

But if there was one thing clear, it was that all he needed was ample time. Soon, a year or two at most, he wouldn’t need to move a single finger to conquer the entire world.

The incoming year was definitely going to be eventful.

The most interesting?

Becoming a demigod himself was no big deal. He needed no ritual this time nor a dangerous gamble.

After all— he was a Dimensional Mage.

A huge, contended smile stretched his lips as he rested his head against Milia’s soft thighs while she fed him with delight.

Life was good right now and he was going to enjoy it.

For that,

“I believe it's time to finish the preparation for my wedding.”

Ascension, evolutions, and all were great. But it was important to never forget that he did not grow strong for the sake of power alone.

And now… he had a Witch to marry.