The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

It might have been understandable for them to be angry. After all, the land Raul was offering them was in the southern part of the Elemental Jungle.

‘This is a scam!’

A month ago, the agreed terms with Raul were as follows: An independent area beyond the control of any kingdom. A place owned by the First Knight Order to avoid conflicts.

Territory vast enough and self-sufficient to accommodate the immigrants. The First Knight Order would ensure safety for at least six months. Although the exact location wasn’t specified, the governments presumed it would be one obvious choice.

The western Forbidden Zones. The fertile lands around the Monster Forest and plains. The First Knight Order and allied guilds had been developing this area for over two years, making it self-sufficient and suitable for player settlement.

‘But now, out of nowhere, the Elemental Jungle?’

The southern Elemental Jungle was entirely different from the Monster Forest, which had been under the First Knight Order’s control since the early days of the Forbidden Zone opening and was well-developed.

It had passed through the hands of various factions: the Grand Guild Alliance, elves, the First Knight Order, the Pioneer Association, and finally, the Empire.

In reality, the southern part of the Elemental Jungle was just a frontier area, barely developed. While there were buildings, they were haphazardly constructed without proper city planning, making them more demolition-worthy than livable.

It meant constructing a new city from scratch to accommodate millions. How could the heads of state not be infuriated?

But Bernard responded nonchalantly, as if their concerns were irrelevant.

“Of course. That’s why we are transferring the territory to you as discussed.”

“…Huh! Are you deceiving us?”

“Deceiving? We are simply providing territory that meets the agreed conditions. What exactly is the problem?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know? The area mentioned during negotiations was the western Forbidden Zones, the Monster Forest. Now you’re offering the Elemental Jungle?”

Prime Minister Kitaro Azuki’s words stirred other leaders to join in their protests.

“Do you think we’re fools?”

“If you don’t keep your promises, we won’t stand idly by!”

“Five hundred million Earthlings are watching. Do you think this sort of trickery will work?”

Bernard remained silent for a while, faced with the seasoned politicians’ protests. Did they think staying silent meant acknowledging defeat?

The heads of state filling the expansive conference room berated the First Knight Order with great vigor. But in the next moment.

“Hahaha! How absurd. Truly absurd!”

Bernard, known for his usually stoic expression, clutched his sides in laughter.

‘The Master did say this would happen, but still!’

This was no different from children throwing a tantrum. How could the leaders representing their nations behave so frivolously?

Bernard’s laughter quelled the uproar in the meeting room. The mocking tone in his laughter cast a chilly atmosphere over the assembly.

“Are you mocking us right now?”

“Perhaps.”

Bernard casually pulled out the agreement. At the same time, the agreement was projected and enlarged on the magical screen at the forefront of the conference room.

“Where exactly in this agreement does it mention the western Forbidden Zones, the Monster Forest, or any specific location? I don’t know how things work on Earth, but here, we don’t claim unspecified locations as part of our agreement.”

“Don’t play word games. While it’s not written, the only land that fits the conditions we negotiated over is that area!”

“Is that so? But that’s just your assumption. And aren’t you the ones playing word games? Point out exactly where the land we are offering deviates from the agreed terms. If your point is valid, I’ll personally convey your opinions to the Master.”

“Th-that….”

The negotiation hall fell silent. No matter how they argued, there was no part of the agreement that the offered land did not satisfy.

“And, honestly, I find your boldness quite distasteful.”

“Excuse me?”

“The internal discussions within the guild about this agreement were quite extensive. There was significant debate over whether it was necessary to offer such a large piece of land to the immigrants. And that too, without receiving much in return.”

“Nothing in return? We’ve conceded a great many things….”

“Ha, do you mean those useless scraps of metal on Earth? Or the so-called international organization Guardians you graciously agreed upon? Frankly, of what use is any of that to us?”

Bernard’s eyebrows twitched. How selfish could these people be?

“No, let me be clearer. These were not suggestions we should have to offer. These were issues you should have resolved yourselves. If you, as leaders of your nations, actually cared even a little about the citizens left behind! You should be ashamed to present such terms as if they were actual concessions in a negotiation.”

“…I don’t see why I should listen to such words from someone who isn’t even a king or a lord. And it seems you’re forgetting that our offered compensation includes the future cooperation of Earth-born players.”

Their faces, calm and devoid of any shame or guilt, suggested they believed their choices were the best. Bernard realized there was no point in further discussing with them.

‘Now I understand why the Master didn’t want to attend this meeting.’

Sighing internally, Bernard slightly exhaled before speaking.

“There’s no need to prolong this conversation. As promised, we will transfer the land for your settlement. Will you accept it or not?”

One-fifth of the entire Elemental Jungle. A territory nearly as large as half of any established kingdom. Though weakened now, it was a fertile and vibrant land, blessed by the World Tree.

If adequately developed, it could be self-sufficient and highly valuable. Otherwise, so many factions wouldn’t have fought over it until now. But as the saying goes, the greed of humans knows no bounds.

“We can’t accept that! Provide us with proper land, not this wilderness!”

“Do you have no sense of duty? We’re talking about a place for five hundred million displaced immigrants! You should consider them and not act like this.”

“Talking to an underling is pointless. Bring Count Raul here! We need to discuss this directly with him!”

The people rose, shouting like a swarm of angry bees.

‘These shameless ingrates!’

Bernard’s fury surged. They were demanding the land that First Knight Order had painstakingly developed over two years without lifting a finger themselves?

And they dared to summon Raul as if he were at their beck and call!

Whoosh!

Green blades materialized behind Bernard. The force contained in the rapidly spinning wind blades was no less powerful than an aura blade. People were pushed back or fell to the ground by the overwhelming presence.

“How dare you… ugh!”

The ranker players assigned to guard the national leaders quickly stepped up to block Bernard. But they couldn’t even draw their weapons.

No, they didn’t dare to.

‘H-how is this possible…?’

They, too, were rankers who had surpassed level 100 and reached the realm of superhumans.

However, the difference in level was stark. Bernard, who had long attained the status of a high-level wind mage, was an insurmountable mountain for those who barely scraped into the realm of superhumans with the system’s help.

‘To think the gap would be this wide.’

The rankers assigned to guard the national leaders broke into cold sweats, gritting their teeth under the immense pressure. With the start of the official service, all players’ synchronicity was fixed at 100%.

This meant they could feel mana much more acutely than before. Thus, the power of the man before them, Bernard, was overwhelmingly apparent. With green blades floating around him, Bernard spoke impassively.

“Do not misunderstand. Even if you truly represent five hundred million Earthlings, know that none of you have the authority to summon our Master at will. And.”

Bernard locked eyes with each ranker blocking his path.

Thud, thud.

One by one, the rankers fell to their knees, unable to withstand the invisible pressure of the wind.

“The support from Earth-born players? Frankly, we can do without it, but we follow the Master’s wishes. Should you attempt to make unreasonable demands under the guise of such support again.”

Bernard slightly raised his hand.

Boom!

The five knights accompanying him, who had been restraining their power, released it.

“Guh!”

“Agh.”

All the Earth representatives in the room collapsed to the floor. This included dozens of rankers they had brought, believing in their absolute superiority. Bernard, with a cold expression, addressed them.

“Remember, this is not the Earth where you lived in comfort. Mistake our goodwill for an entitlement again, and things will not go as smoothly as they did today.”

With a swift motion, Bernard threw a golden-hued branch into the floor of the conference room.

It was the emblematic branch of the town tree at the heart of the southern Elemental Jungle.

“We have officially transferred the land. It is now yours to develop as you see fit. And as promised, we will protect you from imperial and kingdom invasions for six months. I trust no one here is naive enough to ask us to fend off the monsters around your frontier as well.”

Click.

As Bernard snapped his fingers, the oppressive wave of power dissipated without a sound.

“Oh, I almost forgot something.”

Bernard bent his arm slightly and bowed his head.

“Welcome to Connect, earthlings.”

He then exited the conference room without looking back. No one dared to stop him.

*

“I apologize. I couldn’t hold back my anger….”

Bernard bowed to Raul. But Raul just chuckled, having no intention of reprimanding him.

“No, you did well. Honestly, watching that was quite satisfying. You weren’t wrong, Bernard.”

If Raul had been there, things might have escalated even further. Raul could laugh off their words, but how would his subordinates have reacted to him being insulted?

Even if that meeting passed without incident, earthlings would have continued to face many challenges down the line.

‘And they needed a wake-up call.’

Whatever their reasons for coming to Connect, thinking it would be as easy as Earth was a dangerous mistake. Politicians like those might be better off gone, but not at the expense of innocents suffering.

Raul hoped they’d make wise choices.

And then.

“What about the videos and rumors?”

“They’ve been handled as you instructed.”

“Well, it wouldn’t matter even if they knew it was us, but there’s no need to be so blatant about it.”

“We’ve posted them through several washed accounts, so it shouldn’t be easily traceable.”

“Good. Keep up the public relations campaign without letting your guard down.”

“Yes, master.”

Raul never intended to rely solely on Earth’s leaders. Five hundred million Earthling immigrants. Even excluding their ability to use the system, they represented a significant asset.

Frankly, among Connect residents, few received higher education. While there were pros and cons, earth’s political, economic, and cultural aspects were undeniably more advanced than Connect’s.

Thus, attracting as many of them to the First Territory as possible was essential.

‘They think they’re the representatives of Earth, but do the players see it that way?’

Raul’s lips subtly curled into a smile.

(To be continued)