Chapter 55 - Return
Erix returned to the Central Axis World where he informed everyone about his arrival. They were relieved and headed their way to the farmland managed by Mare and the Hobgoblina Ririna. He didn't take long to arrive having used spatial movement to arrive at the farmland containing a large variety of livestock.
It's been over a month since he came to this world and the entire [ Crimson Asurayasha Deva ] Kingdom already became a small city all because of the hard work of his subordinates and the magic they had used to build them.
"Lord Erix, I heard you just arrived from your trip, how did it go?" The Mare was beside him walking their way to where the tamed beast and livestock were being held. There are many monsters that they captured that provide high-quality meat. Though, the flavor and memorable taste pale in comparison to dishes from the gourmet world considering they are all enhanced by Gourmet Energy.
'Arryn, is it possible for me to convert their Magicules to Gourmet energy?' Erix asked eager to have better quality meat for them to enjoy. He may desire conquest and acquire more worlds under his banner doesn't mean he doesn't have his nation and people in mind.
A King without people to lead is not king. He understood that a ruler shouldn't be a tyrant nor a benevolent king because if a ruler acts as a Tyrant, they run the risk of a revolution, and war, they are a ruler.
While a benevolent ruler, does everything in their power, to protect their people, but ultimately leaves them to fend for themselves, once that king dies. They led them, yes, but they failed to rule them, leaving the kingdom to ruin, as they wouldn't know what to do.
A true ruler stems from the balance between leadership, and ruling. He did not believe a ruler should oppress their people, as he should care, and teach them to be the best they can possibly be, like a father does for their children. For when the time comes for someone else to wear the crown, they'll be ready to do the same, as their king did for them. Allowing the kingdom to flourish for decades to come. Everything always has balance and too much can lead to downfall.
Though, Erix's skills to avoid rebellion don't mean he is self-centered enough to ignore them. He does put his subordinates like the guardian in high regard and given enough time would feel the same way as his kingdom.
If Erix has ever been placed within an alignment chart then his morality falls under the Lawful Evil where he intends to keep his promises/contracts and values those that do the same. He has his own "code of conduct" and wants to avoid meaningless slaughter if possible to avoid "innocents being harmed" but has no problem when his subordinates do the dirty work.
He acts upon the benefits of his empire and everyone within it. Erix is far from pure evil where his sole purpose would be to end all things, despite being the manifestation of the concept of Conquest and Armageddon.
[ It's possible even without changing the Magicules into Gourmet Energy. ] Arryn answered and Erix inwardly nodded, turning his attention to Mare.
"It was enlightening, Mare. Oh, where's Aura?" Erix looked around and her sister was nowhere to be found.
"Ah, Nee-san is currently at the training grounds teaching the others how to tame monsters" Mare answered whole Erix nodded.
"Is that so?" He muttered, grateful that everyone was working hard on strengthening his kingdom.
"Anyway, lord Erix, is there a reason why you're here?" Mare curiously asked.
"Ah, there's something I've gained during my short trip and found a new way to make our food quality better and a new livestock to have." Erix said and began to create a Galala Gator using his skills changing a few things about their biology that make it easier to acquire meat. Mare watched in amazement placing the monster around Hazard to Calamity.
"Wow, what are these monsters, my lord?" Mare was amazed, witnessing her master's power.
"It's called Galala Gator where the meat is unbelievably tender and juicy that it can fill someone for a long time," Erix answered and spread his senses, locking his attention to the food before pouring every ounce of his Gourmet Energy mixing them into the Magicule and Spiritron. Mare was in awe witnessing his master doing something new to her and couldn't help but get lost in his captivated faces.
Their food not only would be amazingly delicious but also be extremely nutritious for everyone making them stronger and healthier than ever. He was satisfied with everything and sensed the world tree within him was being nourished by Gourmet Energy. Erix was satisfied with the result and turned to Mare who blushed, regaining her senses.
"Mare, I haven't repaid my reward, right? Why don't you join me and have a little date?" Erix flirtatiously said to Mare who felt her heart race and realized it was her chance and would be wasted if she didn't take it.
"A-Are you sure, My lord?" Mare stuttered and instead of responding went closer and wrapped his arms around his waist.
"Did I stutter?" Erix whispered into her heart causing Mare to shudder and steam seemed to explode.
"O-Okay." Mare was nervous but also happy at the same time while Erix smiled as he took her around town to have a little date. He was in his concealed state and had Mare close by.
"Tell me, Mare. Has everything been going well? What do you think of the denizens of this world?" Erix asked as they were strolling through the streets where people would wave at them and hand them some food while young goblins and orcs were running around happily.
He wanted this world to remain pure and innocent where the modern world is not present or rather has a balance between the two. His memory of his previous life, not the futuristic one but rather the one where overlord was fiction, was blurry where fragments and other visions continuously change making it hard to know which is real and which is not.
But he is somehow able to remember anime, manga, and other fictional stories rather clearly. The only thing he doesn't know is who he is and who his family is. The only family he knows is during the time he was on Earth of the overlord verse.
"I-It's been great! I'm happy that I'm able to see new things and meet new people. Back in Yggdrasil, we rarely got the chance to explore." Mare answered looking at the people around them and Erix somehow felt sad and almost forgot that they were NPC before and that they had hardly been outside.
"I'm happy to hear that. Your joy is also my joy." Erix said giving a genuine smile to her having completely fused with the lore of his character even acquiring memories and personality. He had made his character the best conqueror and ruler that his thought of conquering the world slowly changed.
He does see himself as similar to Webnovel Yuuki who wanted to rule everything but Erix does value every one of his subordinates. Eric does have emotion and uses it to his advantage, allowing to adjust his plans to have the best outcome. Ironically, he is the embodiment of Conquest and Armageddon yet doesn't wish to destroy everything unlike Web Novel Yuuki.
"So, Mare, is there anything you like to do?" Erix asked
"B-Being by lord Erix's side is enough." Mare wasn't lying; spending time with their supreme creator was the greatest blessing for them. Erix feels unsatisfied with her answer as it was her obligation as the ruler to keep his people satisfied and if they see him lacking anything then he'll try to improve it while also doing the same thing he sees as unsatisfactory in their duty.
"No need to hold back, just tell me what you'd like for us to do?" Erix said, making Mare think about what she wanted to do.
"Uhmm, I-I….." Mare tried to express her desire that was clear to Erix and he chuckled. It was clear what she wanted to ask but was anxious.
"Fine, if that's what you want then we can do that later. For now, how about we get your sister." Erix said as they head to the training grounds to find Aura teaching the new member of their kingdom how to tame a beast and other insights.
"Oh, lord Erix. Welcome back, did you enjoy your trip from another world?" Aura finishes teaching where the people bow to greet Erix.
"At ease, you all can now take a break. I'll be borrowing Aura." Erix said, making the rest of the Kijin and hobgoblin leave to have their lunch. Aura approached them with a wide smile on her face.
"Is there anything you need of me, my lord?" Aura gleefully said happy to be of service to her master in every way.
"I'm here to reward you on a date." Erix replied, making Aura blush and her heart racing. Even though she is carefree, the dark elf girl can easily become flustered when around Erix.
"R-Really!?" Aura excitedly asked and Erix nodded and immediately embraced him. He chuckled at her action and found it rather adorable.