A few years later, in the capital of the Kingdom of Hestia.
"Your Majesty, I've heard reports of a town called Hellsburg connecting with other villages. They're... recovering, sir."
A man arrives and barges into a large room, facing the large canopy enveloped with crimson curtains that matched the royal theme.
He was wearing a white aristocratic article of clothing with a golden fountain-like pattern.
"Agh. They're just trying. Let them be. You're interrupting me."
Some figures lay on the huge canopy.
It was the King.
Beside him were two women, seemingly attendants of his as they appeared to be naked.
"But, Your Majesty—!"
"Silence! I will not tolerate this insolence of yours! Just get out!"
Flustered and surprised by the sudden shout, the apprehensive man dropped his glasses.
He would only quickly pick it up and exit abruptly.
He was carrying countless documents that had been supposedly the King's work.
It became apparent that he was doing all the work instead, while the King indulged himself in his pleasures.
"This is ludicrous. I thought that the King had already sent the Maximilians to their death? Why is the city still standing to this day?"
Walking past the open corridors, he laid his eyes on the town that was the busiest in all of Hestia, The Capital.
He fixed his glasses before he proceeded to walk, carrying the thick amount of documents to his office which was beside the King's throne.
He was but one of the few members of the Privy Council, running the Kingdom under the King's name.
Despite having such ability to do so, they have no apparent power and appear only to be an adviser to the King, whereas ultimately; The King receives the glory of everything.
"I must check the facts. If Hellsburg is indeed still standing on its two legs, there must be someone leading them."
The man began to shuffle around the documents found in his desk and drawers. He pulled every file that was named Hellsburg, and even the recent ones that had been indexed to them.
"I must take that land into my own hands if it's...—This is..!?"
He had one document held by both hands. Written on it, was an income return from the Hellsburg.
It had been almost years since they had last done and with the numbers that were written, his jaw could drop in awe.
"This fief had been considered almost non-existent in maps, but how did they manage to return such a huge sum?"
It was almost half a million zells. Enough to return the upkeep for three years, this document alone needed to be taken care of.
This was a huge sum that arrived.
It was suspicious as to where such large money even came from in the first place.
"This is impossible. The King deliberately wasted that hellish land but someone was able to front manage it and even flourish it to produce this much?"
"News spreads fast, do they? Councilor Franklin? They always do."
From the doorway, there was a woman that leaned over to the wall beside it.
She was wearing the same outfit as him, a white article of clothing with a golden complimentary pattern.
The only difference was Franklin, had a circular badge on the ride side of his chest. A designated personal assistant of the King.
Although he rather would accept the truth and call himself a slave, as he would be always be driven around with works.
"News has always been like that. If it's not interesting then it won't. Why are you here, Juri?"
Franklin had documents to arrange. He placed the return document of Hellsburg on the left side of the table, which was immediately picked up by the woman after.
"To check on something very interesting."
Her face turned into a grin, chuckling at the paper before it was taken back by Franklin.
"This is something I have to check first."
It was the least of his interest to have someone else bother him in his line of work.
However...
"Why don't I check it for myself? With a few foot soldiers, that is..."
"—Foot soldiers? What are you going to do with them? Crush the village that we own?"
Franklin stopped in his tracks after hearing that request. He couldn't dispense such military force on a small fief that they still owned.
"In any case, they paid back the upkeep of the past years. This is not an amount of money you can just suddenly spend."
He pointed at the document, pinning it to Juri as if he wanted to prove something. There was no need for forces to be dispensed.
"I received rumors that Hellsburg already fell from famish back then. So, I had already erased it from the records of the Kingdom, as per the King's orders."
It was the cause of turmoil for Franklin. This was abrupt.
The sudden revival of an erased land calls for an audience with whoever managed to re-establish a stable income in that desolate land.
"I just wish they aren't slave-driving now. That will be bad for the Kingdom's image."
"—All the more reason we need to check on them, yes? Plus, if Hellsburg is truly being revived, an audience would be necessary."
She raised her hands before slamming it into the desk Franklin had, tipping over the container which was filled with his feathered writing pens.
"Really?"
He just briefly asked before fixing it all up again.
"Alice is out there handling the serf's rebellion in the east. Reina is... still missing in action and you are handling the King's work here. There is no one fitting for the job than me!"
A sound argument, but it was something Franklin wanted to avoid. If it was possible, he would be the one to go.
However, it was his duty to stay here. There was no other way than to have her go there and request the vassal's presence.
"Agh. Alright. I'll have some knights prepared for your departure. Do it as soon as possible and do not cause any more trouble."
He held out his face in defeat, giving Juri the paper he had just generated out of nothing.
It was Unique magic that Franklin possessed. A sub-element of Magic that involved paperwork.
"If they refuse to cooperate, then you're free to do whatever you want."
She took it with enthusiasm, and with a grin that crept to her face, she replied;
"Of course. You know how it is."
It was a visit to be done, to the City of Hellsburg.
"Whoever is managing that place right now, you better be ready."
△▼△▼△▼△▼△▼
I, Juri Heavenstone, a member of the Privy Council was tasked to scout the re-emerging town of Hellsburg. According to the reports, it was just a small village that was able to return the tax for the past years.
"Impossible."
As we arrived upon the distance of Hellsburg, the supposedly desolate and drought land was actively busy.
There were walls were made out of huge immovable large concrete bricks. Immovable and heavy, they were stuck down to the ground by the weight of each one.
People were entering in and out, caravans taking stop and adventurers taking a rest in this small city.
This was something that wasn't possible in a span of just a few years. Not that we've thought so far.
"Councilor Juri. Are we on the right side of the map?"
A voice from behind me spoke abruptly as I observed the sight, looking down at the thin parchment I had spread out.
It was a map that illustrated a small self-sufficient residential area.
Something very different from the city before us.
"Of course, you idiot! Don't question me!"
Words blared out of my voice, reaching everyone's ears as I extended my hand.
This city was indeed different than it was before, and it was only becoming more suspicious as we grow closer.
"I'm sure they're just hiding their illegal activities inside those walls. A land filled with slaves and despair!"
This was the right place. Even with them miraculously surviving around that land, the mystery of Hellsburg being revived shall be known.
I will know the truth.
"Let's move!"
The brays of the horses initiated our charge to the gates; however, we were met with something else.
"This is outrageous."
The gates were open and there were no guards.
The roads were made out of clay bricks as they were colored a red-like orange color, and the pavements around the houses and markets were concrete.
It was just like the capital, but smaller.
I couldn't believe it but I could feel the same scent of business happening here as if it was in the Kingdom.
"Halt! Tread slowly. There are civilians."
I raised my clenched fist to signalize the forces behind me, following suit the speed I switched to.
Some civilians looked at us with scornful eyes while some were surprised and bowed as we passed.
Those scornful eyes... those are the eyes of those who despise nobles as they possess the reputation of leaving the poor to rot in rural areas.
I couldn't blame them, but for us righteous people, we are only following the Kingdom's orders as it was our oath.
We continued to walk our horses until we've reached a working water fountain.
This seems to be the center of this small city, as the four main exits on all sides were visible.
In any case, the fountain here had real flowing water in it.
It was sparkling in purity; a clean source of water.
"There's even water here. A land cursed by drought and winter, sustaining life until now?"
This wasn't impossible as there could be some adventurer that wielded water to help such a town out, however; I could sense no water element user in this small town.
I turned around to give a second look around but as I realize it, we had become the center of attention.
Luxurious people amidst a small town. It must be quite a sight for them.
Not a second late, I heard voices that whispered from the visible distance.
I could hear their conversation through the enhancement of wind magic.
"They must be after the Prince of Hell."
There were these two people that were whispering at each other, but those words were completely heard.
"Prince of Hell? You peasants! What do you mean by that?"
I hollered at those two women that stopped conversing with each other, intimidated by each tap of the soles of my shoes on the ground.
I was nearing them, covering them both with the shadows that overwhelmed them.
"Y-Yes!?"
They were scared, but with the other looking more talkative, she was on the verge of telling.
"It's what we call the lord of the land here!"
The lord of this land? Could they have demon controlling this piece of land to invade us once again?
I will not let that happen. Not again.
"A prince of hell, huh. It must mean that a Demon renowned this place, huh? Show yourself, demon!"
I must lure this demon out of this city. If he plans to use this city, it means that he could only be here somewhere.
A coward hiding behind human shields.
"Uhm, no—"
The peasant tried to talk, but her words mean nothing now that I've heard enough.
Raising a hand to the sky, the winds began swirling around right above the town.
I began to harness my power into one point to create a lethal weapon that could threaten the city itself.
I knew that this would scare the civilians away but this was the only way to lure out or scare away the demon.
It was a huge ball of compressed wind that became bigger and bigger.
"If this is a town built by a demon, we must bring back to nothing but dust!"
I threatened them more as the others persisted as they watched in proximity, seemingly waiting for something.
"W-wait! Councilor Juri!"
The Knight Commander I was with even began to call me out as they all awkwardly scatter in place.
They were visibly afraid of the actions I was making.
But this is necessary.
They will understand one day.
Suddenly, a voice creeps in from the crowd.
"Agh. A visitor causing a problem?"
BOOM!
Like a loud sonic boom, my ears were blasted with loud noise as I tried to quickly recover my hearing with wind magic adjusting it.
Winds burst out in all directions, pushing me back as my feet slid through the brick ground.
Impossible. My Wind Magic was canceled?!
No, it wasn't 'merely' canceled, but rather it was hit with something.
It was a small stone that landed beside me.
"Who the fuck are you?"
Cursed by the crimson-clad man who emerged from smokes.
△▼△▼△▼△▼△▼
Before that chaos, a few moments before, I, Grantt Maximilian, was still at the office.
"We already sent the documents needed to re-establish a connection with the Kingdom again. We'll have a copy of it just in case."
I had my desk full of documents. This was more stressful without manpower.
I knew what I signed up for when I promised to build sustainable land for these residents but they were being this eager for businesses and innovation.
"This is better if I had someone do my job for me here so I can do more important things."
I tried to speak that in that obvious tone, making sure that the maids would be able to hear me, but they feigned ignorance to my calls.
That's because I told them to ignore me when they are working.
I will inevitably become like this when tired and we must finish work even if it means overworking me as well.
This is outright cruel for me. I've been through countless nights working and I, need rest.
I might as well suggest this.
"We need more manpower!"
I shouted, slamming both of my hands into the desk as papers flew on the ground.
"We're still taking care of things. We cannot increase the number of residents without informing the Kingdom of our activities."
Lilith was beside me, she was helping me reduce the number of documents that needed to be signed.
Trade papers and business papers, and construction permissions alike, they were all there.
"I know! That's why we sent those documents, right? Might as well expand now so we already reached our goal by the time they acknowledge our revival..."
My words trailed away as I felt something was off. The wind suddenly stopped coming in from the window, as if everything stopped.
"What's wrong?"
Lilith asked me as I stood. Everything was wrong and this instinct of mine was never wrong.
It was also the presence of mana usage in the air, I could see it flow reversely at one point.
"Stay here and finish this."
I ran off without any further word. It was coming from the center of town.
"Hey! Don't go escape your work—Argh."
Arriving there, I saw a huge ball of wind compressed into one point.
The people started running away as they all warned me, but they're underestimating their lord at this point.
It was just a puny ball of wind.
I threw a piece of rock on it, launching it with wind magic as well, enveloping it with compressed magic of my own.
As soon as it hit, it exploded, turning to create huge clouds of dust around the center of the town.
"—!"
I could see the man responsible for this magic that threatened this wonderful land I've created and yet to innovate.
I've been working hard non-stop, and some idiot will try to destroy it.
Don't fuck with me.
"Who the fuck are you?"
If you might expect this line to be from me, Grantt Maximilian, you could have been correct.
However, it was stolen by me before I could even show myself from within the crowd.
The one who emerged from the clouds was Marcus.
"What do you think you're doing?"
He wielded a sword, its guard made out of gold found and melted in the deep parts of the deserts.
Its blade was made out of a mixture of black steel and silver.
"Huh? So you're the demon that invaded this land? I will strike you down right here!"
Marcus is the center of all action.
His appearance would prove to be very similar to the violet hair and red eyes of demons that lived in the northern part of the world.
"Invaded? You're misunderstanding something."
Parrying a burst of air that Juri had launched, Marcus was slid back by the strong force it brought.
He blocked it with his sword, spinning it around before properly distancing himself again.
"Deceit will get you nowhere! Knights!"
As she called them out, the Knights were able to encircle him with spears that limited his actions.
"My Lord! Marcus is in trouble!"
Beside me, the children were tugging on my scarf, asking for me to help Marcus.
I could only chuckle as I crouch down to level myself equal to them.
"You see..."
As I pointed at Marcus who seemed troubled, he jumped into the air, floating what seems to be for a few seconds.
Little did the knights nor these children know that Marcus was not your average swordsman.
"Marcus is a strong young man."
I said, as Marcus went down back to earth, the impact of his landing created a ripple that displaced the knights and soldiers from their feet, becoming imbalanced.
It was a form of Earth Magic, yet immediately returning its shape as if it was liquid.
"Whoever you are, I will not allow you to trample on this paradise my Lord had created!"
As the knights and soldiers were disarmed, Marcus broke the swords and spears alike with the sword he wielded.
"——! This weird use of magic! Your sword is imbued with magic! Only blacksmiths can do that, but...!"
Even Juri was surprised by Marcus's method of using magic. Her eyes could see that his sword was being imbued with magic.
However, it was not like those normal ones that are permanently imbued.
It was being continuously imbued, connected to Marcus's flow of mana.
"...I will not accept this! Knights switch to magic! We will be this place down!"
As they began to chant, most of them began to generate fireballs.
I had the others go inside the shelters for real as things could get dangerous.
They were planning to destroy the city along with the 'demon.'
"I won't let you do that, you bastards!"
This is going too far.
I stopped Marcus before he could lunge forward to them, but it wasn't my intention to just let them do what they want.
Brewing a storm, I instantly made it rain.
It extinguished the fire they tried to produce and with a surprised face, they looked at their hands.
"Rain? This is a Saint-Level Magic!"
"—Yes. Before I become the devil myself, would you like to explain what is the meaning of this?"
I stood in front of Marcus who sheathed his sword as I passed by. The rain continued to persist as it soaked everyone in its constant droplets.
"And who are you, you look like..."
She pointed at me. Addressing me in such a rude way.
Was it because of the long red hair I possessed? I did not have the luxury to have it cut.
Was it because of the clothing I wore? Those noble clothing were hard to move with.
How can they even bear the feeling of such rigid clothing grinding with their skin?
Or maybe because of the blue eyes I had? I was born with this, I wouldn't be too sure if this is racial discrimination.
"You look like a beggar. Get out of my sight!"
What. This woman is getting on my nerves.
But I must keep my cool, otherwise.
"Isn't that a bit rude to address the lord of this place, and a member of the Royal Bloodline, Maximilian?"
That's right. After reading more into the history of my family, the Maximilians are royalty that was given all sorts of lands.
However, my father was specifically given this land due to him being the least with achievements.
The lowest of the lowest. He was thrown away to die here along with his wife.
"A Maximilian?"
She observed me once again. It was Maximilian's distinct color of crimson hair that should have been obvious.
However, it was a given that they would suspect me of being an imposter first.
"Marcus."
I gently called before he whistled back.
The maids would instantly appear beside me and disappear after giving me a set of documents.
I had the rain let up and dried myself up and the others with wind magic, then lifting a rectangular part of the ground as an of the table.
"Here, are the documents. I am, Grantt Maximilian, son of Julius Maximilian."
It was the will that he left for me before he had died. It was the only last memory that he left for 'Grant Maximilian.'
"You..."
This was stressful enough. She's still looking at me with those widened eyes.
Was it because of the maid that vanished instantly?
I have no idea but it was just a given they became a lot more skilled and stronger after my lessons with visualization.
It was still cloudy and dark as the clouds struggled to spread away. Maybe I should provide some light.
I lit a fire at the tip of my finger. A small one that was enough to illuminate the papers.
"Y-You!"
What now? She's making me impatient.
"You can use all four main elements?!"
Oh right. I did nonchalantly use them just now.
It was indeed would be surprising as only a few managed to reach this kind of capability, but is under a few years.
I was already a Saint-God of water, an an intermediate of others. Wasn't it supposed to be easy?
They made it look like so.
"Whoops. A force of habit?"
What exactly happened in that few years?