The Overlord of Blood and Iron

[Summon Legion]

The King’s call transcends both time and space . . .

Type: Summoning

Cost: 1,000,000 Gold

Number of uses: 1/1

Explanation: By borrowing the power of the magic-engineered satellite Cosmic Force, the user can teleport 30,000 allied forces to his location (range: infinity) . The teleported allied forces can return to their original location if the user wishes them to .

T-This is crazy…!

The fourth ability of the Cosmic Force shook Kang Chul-In to the core .

This is cheating…!

This ability was a strategically valuable tool . In fact, it could be the ‘joker’ card which had the power to turn the tables .

Think about it .

Using this Summon Legion ability, Kang Chul-In could invade empty territories, distract enemy forces, send reinforcements and more . There were many different ways in which it could be utilized .

What if he snuck into the enemy’s vital infrastructures in the middle of a war and activated the Summon Legion?

It could be catastrophic .

The enemy would be drowning in chaos, while Kang Chul-In could enjoy all the benefits before running away .

“…Let’s just hope being a king isn’t too difficult . ”

Kang Chul-In was extremely delighted .

Didn’t a movie mention it before?

With great power comes great responsibility!*

Kang Chul-In could understand what that statement meant .

He was thankful to have such a great ability, but at the same time he was worried about the troubles ahead .

“Congratulations on your crowning, your Majesty!”

“Congratulations!”

Meanwhile, the people continued to cheer for Kang Chul-In .

“Long live the Supreme King of the West!”

“Long live Valhalla!”

Kang Chul-In decided to conclude the crowning ceremony .

“I hear all of you!”

Kang Chul-In announced in a deep, majestic voice .

“I thank all of you for your hard work . Never forget that all of us here are proud citizens of the Kingdom of Valhalla . That’s all!”

That concluded the ceremony .

The Overlord Kang Chul-In no longer existed .

There was only the Supreme King of the West .

***

In the land of Cyamodus in the secret chamber hidden deep within the territory . . .

“Is this… my last chance, keuk…!?”

Rothschild, who had been staring blankly into the mirror, let out a twisted grin .

“I have… no future . Absolutely… none . . . So embarrassing . How did I even end up in this state…?”

Rothschild was utterly devastated .

He had red eyes, huge dark circles, sunken cheeks, and messy hair .

He had pale lips as well .

The sociable golden boy no longer existed .

He was literally a mad man now .

Who in their right mind would massacre his followers and even murder his own father?

“Kek, kekeke… I don’t even have anything left to recuperate . . . ”

His voice had a tone of self-scorn .

Rothschild was truly at the end of his rope .

His clones, which were powerful means of survival, were deactivated for another 9 months . The Absolute Return Scroll was consumed meaninglessly, and his infrastructures were destroyed completely .

In addition, Rothschild had killed his father on impulse .

Since his family now knew about his immorality, he could no longer return to Earth to withdraw more gold .

“This is my last chance… last chance . . . ”

Rothschild bit hard on his lower lip and opened up his inventory .

Drip, drip .

Fresh blood spilled over from his torn lip, but Rothschild didn’t care at all . Instead, he licked his blood off and began to brainstorm .

My last bit of gold… I have to recuperate with this no matter what… I have to get stronger . . .

This was his last hope .

If he failed this time, it was game over .

He would rather take his own life than to become a fugitive .

***

With one week left until the second Lord’s meeting, Kang Chul-In announced the birth of the Kingdom of Valhalla via the Illusion Network . With that, an air of tension enveloped the whole continent .

The Gullveig Alliance of the north .

The Kingdom of Valhalla in the west .

Two new superpowers had emerged in a mere span of two months .

“What are your thoughts?”

Kang Chul-In asked Kwak Jung in the office .

“The south is problematic . ”

Kwak Jung replied .

“The south?”

“Your Majesty controls the west, while Vilhelm controls the north . While these two giants clash, there may be a new superpower that develops in the south . . . ”

“A three-way battle?”

“That’s right . ”

Kwak Jung’s eyes beamed .

“Don’t they say that “rock, paper, scissors” is the most chaotic battle of all?”

“ . . . !”

“One may backstab the other or two parties may hold hands . There are so many different combinations in this scenario that can prevent us from doing anything in the future even with power . ”

“ . . . !”

“This may hinder you from achieving your goal as well . ”

“… Amazing . ”

Kang Chul-In was genuinely surprised by Kwak Jung’s insight .

This brainy former gang member seemed to know even the events in the past . He was Lee Gong-Myung’s rival for a good reason .

“Then what’s the solution?”

Kang Chul-In asked .

“In this kind of scenario, it would be troublesome if one enemy borrows the strength of an external party… but there’s no such external party in this Pangaea, is there? Another scenario would be if one party is so incomparably strong that it can destroy the other two parties . That, however, is not the case here . ”

“Oh-hoh . ”

Kang Chul-In seemed interested .

He recalled how in ancient Korea, Shinla* borrowed the Tang Dynasty’s power to unify the peninsula . It was similar to what Kwak Jung was saying .

Kwak Jung, of course, wouldn’t have known that .

“In the third scenario, one party may have an internal conflict . . . ”

“ . . . !”

“Due to the stabbing of backs within the group, that party may meet its demise . If that happens, we can have a nice one versus one situation . “

“ . . . !”

“Well, of course, our Valhalla is one concrete nation, not an alliance . We won’t have to worry about that unless there’s a rebellion somehow . ”

This triggered Kang Chul-In’s memories from his previous life .

What was the reason for the Ishtar Coalition’s doom?

Wasn’t it because of Overlord Aleister’s betrayal?

That party which collapsed due to internal conflict in Kwak Jung’s story referred to Kang Chul-In’s Ishtar Coalition in the past .

“Hence, what your Majesty can do is . . . ”

“Go on?”

“Nip it at the bud . ”

“ . . . !”

“Or plan early . ”

“Plan early?”

“What I mean is . . . ”

Kwak Jung sipped on a glass of wine before continuing .

“What if we plant some of our men in the Gullveig Alliance? We need allies who can attack the enemy from within when the timing is right!”

“ . . . !”

“Valhalla is a nation, thus there is no room for any impurities to seep in . In the first place, this was one of the reasons why I strongly recommended your crowning!”

Kwak Jung’s insight was truly god-like .

Not only did he grasp the political situation in Pangaea perfectly, he also figured out Kang Chul-In’s mistakes in the past and even provided solutions to them .

Moreover, he recommended Kang Chul-In become the king to prevent any internal conflict in advance . What an amazing tactician, indeed!

“Therefore . . . ”

“ . . . ?”

“Your Majesty has a critical role to play in the upcoming Lord’s meeting . ”

“Critical role?”

“A-Actually… I dare to ask your Majesty to do one thing . . . ”

“Anything . ”

Kang Chul-In nodded his head without hesitation .

“Isn’t a tactician the mentor of a king? As long as you don’t say some bullshit, I am always ready to listen and respect your opinion . ”

“Hehe… I must admit I do say some bullshit . ”

“Glad you are aware . Now tell me about your plan . ”

“Ah, about that . . . ”

“ . . . ?”

“How about searching for potential spies in the Gullveig Alliance during the upcoming Lord’s meeting, your Majesty?”

“ . . . !”

“If you successfully plan ahead and conquer the south via the Pandemonium region to prevent a third superpower from forming . . . ”

Kwak Jung said staunchly .

“On the very day when the above comes true, you may be able to conquer the whole of Pangaea . ”

“ . . . !”

“Well, easier said than done of course, but… Kuhuk!”

Suddenly, Kwak Jung found himself struggling to breathe .

It was because Kang Chul-In had grabbed him by the collar!

“You bastard!”

“K-Kuhuk! Y-your Majesty! W-Why would you…!?”

“How do you even think of these!?”

“I-I beg your pardon?”

“I’m truly amazed . ”

“ . . . !”

“Adopting you as my tactician may be the best thing I have ever done in my life . ”

Kang Chul-In’s eyes blazed with enthusiasm .

How could he not think of that before?

How could he not see the big picture?

Kwak Jung’s ideas were simple, but they were sound .

If only Valhalla could avoid a three-way battle, it would emerge victorious in this power struggle!

“Y-your Majesty?”

“Go ahead with your plan . ”

“Sorry?”

“Your big picture . Make it happen . ”

“ . . . !”

“As you’ve said, the day when your ideas become reality, we will conquer this continent!”

Kang Chul-In was absolutely sure .

He also trusted Kwak Jung who synthesized such a magnificent strategy .

If only this can work! If only!

Kang Chul-In felt his heart race . It’s been a while since he last felt a similar emotion .

He would never forget this conversation in his lifetime .

***

The second Lord’s meeting commenced .

The one who claimed the highest honor!

Two years into the Great Summoning, the surviving Lords waited for one man’s appearance .

Kang Chul-In, Overlord Rank 1 and the King of Valhalla, has arrived!

Soon after, Kang Chul-In made his appearance .

Chuk!

All the Lords kneeled in front of him without exception, regardless of whether they liked or despised him .

It was an unspoken rule for a Lord to show his or her respect to the one at the summit .

Kang Chul-In walked towards the center of the hall .

And,

“How have you been?”

He grinned and asked Alex Rothschild, who was kneeling as well .

“Looking good . ”

It was truly a cheeky and aggravating grin .

You fucker!

Alex Rothschild had to suppress his accumulating anger .

Pfft .

Whatever .

“Well then, have a good life . ”

Kang Chul-In walked away in a relaxed manner .

Rothschild?

He was already a nobody .

At the current state he was in, Rothschild was no longer Kang Chul-In’s nemesis .

In addition, Kang Chul-In had been actively tracking Rothschild’s movements through the Fox Valley Intelligence Agency . He knew all the tricks up his sleeves .

I only have one goal in mind .

Kang Chul-In didn’t even glance at Rothschild .

To search for allies to plant in the Gullveig Alliance .

His ambition was too great for him to waste time dealing with a mad man’s vengeance!

“Kang Chul-In!”

Suddenly, a woman approached Kang Chul-In .

“Hecate?”

“Hey, I heard yours is big?”

“ . . . ?”

“There are rumors that the King of Valhalla is an immensely virile man . ”

“ . . . ”

“A real man, huh?”

Kang Chul-In didn’t know how to react to this surprise attack .