The Overlord of Blood and Iron

Pzzt, pzzzztt!

With the sound of mana flow,

“...!”

Laputa unlocked its cloaking barrier and revealed itself.

“…Timothy’s going to nag at me again.”

Kang Chul-In facepalmed.

This crazy idea of using Laputa itself to annihilate the enemy was bound to be financially costly.

If it landed at a speed high enough to crush the enemy, most infrastructures would be destroyed.

Your Majesty, are you trying to overwork me to death!?

He could already hear Timothy’s despairing cries.

“Huu.”

Kang Chul-In sighed.

“Get lost and come back stronger.”

In the end, he decided to let Brynhildr live for now.

In other words, he was telling Brynhildr to obtain the Sonic Ring as soon as possible and then challenge him again. He planned to steal the item to complete the Trinity Impact.

“Ridiculous!”

Brynhildr clenched his fist.

“The fight...”

“You still want to go ahead with it?”

“...?”

“Even if those idiots will become squashed and burned to death in 3 seconds?”

“...!”

“Run when you can, cormorant.”

“C-Cormorant?”

“Yeah.”

A cormorant [1] was a bird often used for fishing in Southeast Asia. Kang Chul-In was making an analogy of how Brynhildr would help him fish for the Sonic Ring.

“What nonsense!”

The infuriated Brynhildr was about to charge at Kang Chul-In.

However,

Rest in peace. Farewell.

Kwak Jung’s voice rang.

Oooongg...

Laputa’s anti-gravity system began to lower its power to the minimum.

“I-It’s falling!”

“Run! R-Runnnn!”

“You crazy bastards!”

Laputa’s gigantic body fell on the ground before the Gullveig Coalition could even react.

Bangggggg!

A tremendous blare shook the surroundings.

Ssssss!

A curtain of sand and dust enveloped the region.

Some time later,

“Arghhhhh!”

“Maintain your composure, men! Your positions!”

“What in the world…?”

The battlefield became chaotic.

That was to be expected. A large castle fell from the sky after all.

But that wasn’t the end.

“Brave soldiers of Laputa!”

In front of the half-shattered castle gate of Laputa...

“Kill them all!”

General James held his dragon bone sword high up in the air and bellowed.

“Let’s roll!”

“Glory for Laputa!”

“Long live his Majesty, Kang Chul-In!”

The well-trained soldiers of Laputa rushed out of the castle gate and began to annihilate the enemy soldiers.

“You still want to continue?”

Kang Chul-In asked Brynhildr with a confident expression.

“Even when your own men are being murdered?”

“…Kang Chul-In.”

Brynhildr was lost for words.

It was an unbelievable sight, indeed.

To think Kang Chul-In would drop his castle on his opponents… Brynhildr couldn’t respond in any manner.

“You coward...”

“Since when were you so talkative?”

Kang Chul-In interrupted Brynhildr.

“Get lost when you still can, cormorant.”

“...”

“Ah, also.”

Kang Chul-In added.

“I did give you permission to run away, but I hope you won’t be stupid enough to go save your men.”

“...”

“If you touch even one of my soldiers… I will kill you on the spot.”

Having said that, Kang Chul-In passed by Brynhildr nonchalantly.

“Why?”

Brynhildr asked Kang Chul-In, who was now heading towards the Gullveig Coalition army.

“Why are you letting me off? I’m sure I am a formidable opponent for you.”

“I already told you.”

Kang Chul-In replied.

“You are my cormorant.”

“...”

“If you don’t get it, go back to Earth and search the Internet.”

“I have no idea what you mean… but you will regret this...”

“Nah.”

“You sure?”

“I’m still going to kill you next time we meet. Regret my ass.”

Sky-high confidence!

That was one of Kang Chul-In’s virtues.

He was a man who never cowered in front of any opponent!

A scaredy-cat would give up on obtaining the Sonic Ring in fear of Brynhildr returning stronger, but Kang Chul-In was different. He knew how to take risks while gambling.

“No.”

Brynhildr shook his head.

“You will regret this for sure, Kang Chul-In.”

“We shall see.”

Kang Chul-In did not falter.

“…Let’s go.”

Brynhildr called his pegasus over, which was quietly waiting at the side.

***

It didn’t even take half a day for 40,000 Gullveig soldiers to be annihilated.

Over 20,000 Gullveig soldiers were crushed to death by Laputa. The other 20,000 soldiers were killed without any resistance by the Laputan soldiers.

It was a devastating and disappointing loss for the Gullveig Coalition.

“Your Majesty.”

After the battle,

“Congratulations on your victory.”

Lucia greeted Kang Chul-In as always.

“Victory, you say...”

Kang Chul-In replied nonchalantly.

It was a pity that he couldn’t obtain the Soul Ring in this battle.

“However, your Majesty.”

“Hmm?”

“Why did you let the white knight escape?”

It was a good question.

Lucia knew that benevolence was not a word to describe Kang Chul-In.

“It’s an investment.”

Kang Chul-In replied.

“…I beg your pardon?”

“Just let it slide.”

“...Yes, your Majesty.”

Lucia was puzzled, but she didn’t question him further.

Didn’t she say it herself?

Laputa’s military law act, 1: A superior’s order takes priority over one’s own life.

Thus, if Kang Chul-In told her to let the case slide, it was her duty to obey it.

“Y-your Majesty...”

Meanwhile, Drakan had regained his consciousness and kneeled in front of Kang Chul-In.

“I lost and dragged your Majesty’s name through the mud. I’ve committed an unforgivable sin, so please punish me with death.”

A perfect defeat.

Both Drakan and Amur couldn’t even lay their hands on Brynhildr. They apologized to their master.

“It can happen.”

Kang Chul-In’s facial expression did not change.

“Do not be ashamed of today’s defeat. The enemy was as strong as me.”

Since their enemy was Brynhildr, he could overlook their losses.

“Your Majesty...”

“Keheuk…!”

Tears formed in Drakan’s and Amur’s eyes.

“But in return...”

Kang Chul-In added.

“You two can become stronger and never let this happen again. Therefore, I suggest we end this winter with some special training. I will personally train you guys.”

Drakan’s face stiffened.

W-What a disaster…!

Drakan recalled his agonizing special training under Kang Chul-In last winter.

It was hell itself.

Even the prideful dragon general had to secretly wipe his tears during the training. It was that intense.

“Thank you, your Majesty!”

Amur, on the other hand, hadn’t the slightest clue of what the ‘special training’ entailed. He was overjoyed.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, your Majesty! Amur, your humble servant, will endure through your special training with all my heart! In fact, I request to double the training intensity!”

“Keuh…!”

Kang Chul-In was deeply moved by Amur’s praiseworthy attitude.

“Excellent!”

He nodded delightfully.

“I’m happy that you feel that way. In return, I will personally make both you and Drakan become stronger.”

“Thank you!”

Thump!

Drakan, who was listening to this conversation quietly, heard his heart sink.

Damn it! This damn dung cat!

Thanks to Amur’s excitement, he was also fated to participate in the hellish training. The two of them were destined to become nemesis.

“Lucia will take care of the aftermath of the battle. Drakan and Amur shall return with me to tend to their wounds.”

Kang Chul-In spoke and began to make his move to Laputa.

“Ah, also...”

He turned around.

“If Timothy comes looking for me… tell him that you haven’t seen me. Farewell.”

Kang Chul-In was still afraid of Timothy’s nagging.

***

The news of Gullveig Coalition’s defeat quickly spread across the whole Pangaea, and reinforced Kang Chul-In’s reputation.

A demon, a heartless murderer, a God of War, et cetera.

The other lords were astonished and horrified to hear how Kang Chul-In had used Laputa’s body to crush 40,000 Gullveig soldiers to death.

Thus, they began to form a single slogan.

‘Stop Kang Chul-In!’

That was to be expected.

At this rate, Pangaea would fall into Kang Chul-In’s hands in just a few years’ time.

Meanwhile,

“Your Majesty! What is this!?”

Kang Chul-In had to face the music of Timothy, the chief administration staff governing Laputa’s economy. Afterwards,

“Your Majesty, we shall have to customize your attire for the wedding.”

He was pulled over by Alfred, the talented tailor, to get his size measured down to the exact centimetre.

“Good news, your Majesty! Two more cities in the area have pledged loyalty to you!”

Furthermore, he had to welcome his new subordinates.

“Your Majesty, please sign this document...”

“Your Majesty, regarding the inspection of the new royal guards...”

“Your Majesty, about the decorations to be used for the wedding...”

Kang Chul-In was overwhelmed by his accumulated duties.

Only after dealing with them,

“Phew… give me a break.”

Could he relax briefly in his office.

Your Majesty!

Suddenly, he could hear a voice come from somewhere.

Kang Chul-In immediately turned towards the office door, but nobody was there.

“…My god.”

He was even hearing things now.

… Domestic administration was more difficult than a war indeed.

***

Some time passed.

Pangaea’s autumn ended and winter came.

Kang Chul-In was able to complete most of the crowning quest with a week left until the second Lord’s meeting.

In addition, his wedding day which seemed so far away finally came.

Two hours before the wedding.

“Keheuk…!”

Alfred couldn’t hold back his tears.

“Y-your Majesty~! Finally… finally a wedding…!”

Alfred had always wished for Kang Chul-In’s wedding, even in his previous life. Therefore, it wasn’t a surprise to see him tear up.

“Don’t cry.”

Kang Chul-In comforted Alfred.

“Why are you crying?”

“Sob sob...”

“I will lead a happy life.”

“Of course you will, your Majesty… Sob...”

Kang Chul-In had to put in much effort to stop his cry baby butler from crying.

“Keheuk...”

Having cried for a while, Alfred looked at Kang Chul-In in his sleek suit and exclaimed.

“As expected from your Majesty! How are you so cool?”

“I-Is that so?”

“Certainly! You are the most handsome man in Pangaea!”

“Ahem…!”

Alfred’s flattery was excessive, but Kang Chul-In didn’t correct him in particular.

That wasn’t to say he was dressed shabbily.

It wasn’t just the bride who received the spotlight in a wedding. Kang Chul-In had also become an extremely handsome and well-dressed man.

Currently, he looks cooler and more charismatic than any other man.

Anyone could tell that he was getting married.

“Anyways, I leave it to you.”

“Yes, your Majesty!”

Alfred raised his shoulders in pride.

He was the escort for today’s brides.

Coincidentally, Ninetails, Lee Chae-Rin and Skadi all did not have parents. Thus, Alfred, the oldest man in Laputa, had to stand in as their ‘father’.

“Go and prepare. See you later.”

“Yes, your Majesty!”

Alfred hurriedly left the waiting room.

“Phew.”

Kang Chul-In was finally left alone. He let out a long sigh.

Everything was chaotic.

If he had two more marriages after this, he would die of fatigue before he could even conquer Pangaea.

“…Today’s the last day.”

However, this peace was only temporary.

After he marries and is crowned as a king, the second Lord’s meeting would commence. The disputes between the lords would reach a new high.

Ragnarök!

The Gullveig Coalition had formed a whole two years ahead of schedule due to the butterfly effect. A tremendous war that would engulf the whole of Pangaea was imminent.

This could be the calm before the storm.

Of course, he still had to go through marriage, crowning, and finally... his first night before the storm!

[1] Read more here about this bird: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormorant