Ryo sat comfortably in the lavish guest chamber of the Vampire Lord's palace, facing both the Vampire Lord and the Dragon Emperor. The grandeur of the room was undeniable—ornate tapestries depicting ancient battles adorned the walls, and chandeliers of crystallized blood mana illuminated the space with an eerie yet regal glow. Despite the luxury, Ryo couldn't help but feel a bit awkward about the situation.
"Is it really okay for the ruler of a nation to be staying in another leader's palace like this?" Ryo finally asked, voicing his concern.
The Dragon Emperor chuckled, waving off Ryo's worries with a casual flick of his hand. "You're overthinking it. Technically, I am the Dragon Emperor, but in reality, my grandfather still oversees the majority of our affairs. I only hold the title in name for now."
Ryo raised an eyebrow. "So you're saying you have the power of an emperor, but the actual responsibilities lie with your grandfather?"
"Exactly," the Dragon Emperor confirmed. "That means I have more freedom to act without the burden of daily governance. Now then, shall we move on to the main topic at hand?"
Ryo nodded. "Alright, I'm listening."
The Vampire Lord leaned forward, his piercing red eyes fixating on Ryo. "The land we plan to grant you is vast and fertile, but it is not without its dangers. The area is home to numerous powerful monsters, many of which would pose a threat to any settlers. It will take considerable time and effort to subjugate them all."
Ryo crossed his arms, a smirk playing on his lips. "That won't be an issue. I can take care of the monsters myself."
Both the Vampire Lord and Dragon Emperor exchanged glances before the Dragon Emperor spoke. "If that's the case, you might as well make use of the monsters you defeat. Their corpses can be sold to merchants, adventurers, and alchemists for a hefty sum. The materials from high-tier monsters are particularly valuable and could provide the necessary funding for establishing your nation."
At that, Ryo's mind drifted to his storage. His Limitless Inventory, granted by his Infinite Mana, allowed him to store anything without any limit, and time was frozen inside. That meant nothing he stored would decay, rot, or deteriorate. During his grueling training, he had amassed countless monster corpses, many of which were rare and incredibly powerful. It wasn't an exaggeration to say he had a fortune in materials just sitting in his inventory, untouched.
"I see," Ryo mused, rubbing his chin. "Now that you mention it, I do have a considerable number of monster corpses already stored away. Selling them could provide me with the initial funds I need."
The Dragon Emperor nodded in approval. "That's a wise decision. You'll need resources to construct infrastructure, hire competent individuals, and establish trade routes."
As Ryo pondered the next steps, a particular thought crossed his mind. Among the countless corpses in his inventory, one stood out—the Shadow Dragon. He had defeated it during one of his brutal training sessions, but at the time, he hadn't thought much of it. Now, he wondered if the Dragon Emperor knew anything about it.
"By the way, have you ever heard of a Shadow Dragon?" Ryo asked, keeping his tone neutral.
The moment the words left his mouth, the Dragon Emperor's expression darkened. His previous relaxed demeanor was replaced with a solemn look. "Where did you hear about that?"
Ryo kept his face impassive. "Just some rumors here and there."
The Dragon Emperor sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Shadow Dragons are one of the Calamities of the world. There are several known Calamities—ancient beasts of immense power that have destroyed entire nations. The worst part is that their locations are unknown, and their appearances are unpredictable. Even a single one is enough to reduce a powerful kingdom to ruins."
Hearing this, Ryo felt a bead of sweat trickle down his back. So I unknowingly killed something that powerful? He maintained his poker face, deciding it was best not to reveal that he had already defeated one—and had its corpse sitting in his inventory.
The Vampire Lord, sensing the change in atmosphere, decided to shift the topic. "Well then, let's not dwell on the doom and gloom. You have three months of free time before your official responsibilities begin. Why not start planning the foundation of your nation?"
Ryo exhaled, leaning back against his chair. "That's easier said than done. I've never ruled anything before."
The Vampire Lord smirked. "Then use this time to learn. There are plenty of experienced advisors you can consult. The first step is securing your land and ensuring its safety. Once that's done, you'll need to focus on infrastructure—housing, trade, defense, and governance."
The Dragon Emperor nodded in agreement. "We can provide some initial assistance, but ultimately, the development of your nation will be your responsibility."
Ryo mulled over their words. Three months… That's enough time to lay the groundwork. He had the power, the resources, and now, he had the backing of both the Vampire and Dragon nations. If he played his cards right, he could build a kingdom that stood apart from the others.
"I guess I don't have much of a choice," Ryo finally said, a smirk forming on his lips. "Fine. I'll start preparing. But don't expect me to rule like a traditional noble."
The Vampire Lord chuckled. "That's exactly why we're entrusting this to you, Ryo. The world needs a leader who isn't bound by outdated traditions. We'll be watching your progress closely."
The Dragon Emperor added, "And remember, strength alone doesn't make a nation. Strategy, leadership, and alliances are just as crucial."
Ryo nodded. He understood that brute force alone wouldn't make a country thrive. He needed people, economy, and stability. But first, he had to eliminate the threats within his territory.
"Looks like I've got work to do," Ryo muttered to himself.
As the discussion concluded, Ryo leaned back in his seat, contemplating his next moves. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—he was no longer just a wandering warrior or a noble in name. He was about to build something entirely new.
And he was ready for the challenge.