I leaned back in my office chair. It was hard, but solid. Old oak. The faint scent of paper and ink filled the room.
I reached for one of the sheets of paper. It was thick and slightly rough under my fingertips—high-quality parchment made by the craftsmen on the Fifth Floor.
"Avanheim Financial Report — January."
My eyes traced the numbers. The further down I went, the heavier my sigh became.
The expense column was endless. And the income column… empty.
I put the document back down with a weak motion.
"If this keeps up," I muttered, placing the paper back on the desk, "even the mountain of gold in the Treasury will run dry."
Two billion Avalon gold coins. That was a lot. A huge amount. The result of years of our hard work. Coins we gathered from overnight raids, grinding for hours while drinking cheap coffee, and silly laughs over voice chat.
And now, those pure coins…
I couldn't bear to see them just disappear.
The operational costs of this castle. Two hundred thousand Avalon gold coins a month if all security features were active. Ninety-eight thousand in saving mode, like now.
Even that was still wasteful.
Back in the game, everything was simple. Numbers were numbers. NPCs didn't need to eat, sleep, or be entertained. They were just code standing still at their posts, waiting for orders or players to pass by. The castle's operational costs were just an automatic deduction from the guild's treasury every month. No one complained, no one went hungry.
But now…
I glanced at the pile of documents on my desk.
Now they were alive.
They breathed. They felt hunger. They felt tired. They wanted a hot bath after a long day's work, wanted a good meal during breaks, and maybe wanted to buy something nice for themselves.
All of that cost money.
Right now, Avanheim's treasury covered everything. Food, clothing, shelter, lighting, facilities—everything was free. A perfect communist utopia. But utopias need money, and our money was finite. If I kept the expense tap open without any water coming in, sooner or later, the pool of gold in the Treasury would dry up.
At that point, Avanheim would go bankrupt. Not because of enemy attacks, but because of the living costs of its own citizens.
I tapped the surface of the desk with my index finger. Tap. Tap. Tap.
I had to change this system. I had to introduce the concept of wages. Let them work, earn money, and buy their own necessities.
Creating an internal economic cycle. That was the only way this utopia could survive without eating itself alive.
But to pay wages, I needed money. Real money. Not just the gold coins we had now, but currency that could circulate, be invested, and grow.
If I wanted to keep this little paradise alive… I had to be a leader who was also good at business. And my biggest market was on that blue planet far away.
I imagined the view outside the castle… red. Barren. Mars.
"Mining," I whispered. "There should be gold on Mars, right? Or at least something valuable."
I got out of my chair, pacing back and forth on the thick carpet. My footsteps were muffled.
"Labor force…"
Belial. I had to tell him to capture more humans.
Undead? Skeletons? They could mine. They didn't need rest. But they were stupid. They might destroy valuable ore or dig in the wrong direction.
Summoning intelligent high-level Undead… felt like a waste of mana. Even though summoned monsters were now permanent, it still felt inefficient. Like telling a war general to wash dishes.
I stopped in the middle of the room, staring up at the high ceiling.
"Humans really are the best fit," I thought. "Numerous. Smart enough to follow instructions. And weak, so easy to control."
Or primates.
I could imagine an army of magically modified monkeys carrying pickaxes and baskets. The Alchemists could surely do something to their brains. Or maybe simple Mind Control.
I smiled slightly. The idea was weird, but somehow made sense. I felt smart.
My eyes fell on the shopping cart parked near the desk. A pile of goods from Earth. Noisy plastic shopping bags.
"Ah, right. Gifts."
I tapped my forehead lightly. "Almost forgot."
I walked over to the cart. Started sorting through things.
This for me. This for Emma. This for Lily.
I pulled out the large box. A custom Gaming PC. The side glass panel was still covered in protective plastic. Inside, expensive components glinted.
Before, I could only see things like this on YouTube. In review videos by rich people. Now, this thing was in my hands.
Five months here. Without games. Without internet. Just leading, strategizing, learning magic.
My brain felt like it was going to explode. I needed a break. I needed an escape.
I lifted the PC box.
"If Emma asks," I muttered as I walked toward my bedroom door, "just say this is for government efficiency. Data computation. Strategy analysis or whatever it's called."
Avanheim was still stuck in the age of pen and paper. Our administration was like a 19th-century bureaucracy. Slow. Archaic.
This computer… yes, this was the first step toward modernization.
I placed the PC on my bedroom desk. Still no internet.
"I'll have Felix or Monica run an internet cable to the Castle later," I thought.
I went back to the office. Took the rest of the shopping.
I put the gifts into my inventory. Practical. Like a magic pocket.
"The gifts for Epsilon and Betta, I'd better leave them with Jarvis."
Later, when the two of them returned to Avanheim to report or rest, let Jarvis hand them over.
I just remembered my promise to Akane this morning.
"I hope she's accepted reality a bit more," I murmured to the empty office air.
My hand reached for Akane's gift from the pile of shopping in the cart. The box felt cool and smooth under my fingertips. With the weight in my hand, I stepped out of the office, my mind drifting to the best way to give it to her later.
I pushed the door open.
"Whoa!"
I almost screamed. My heart felt like it jumped into my throat.
Right in front of the door, standing stiff as a wax figure, was Jarvis.
"Jarvis! Why are you standing there?!"
My breathing was ragged. He really almost gave me a heart attack.
"Forgive me, My Lord. I startled you."
Without the slightest hesitation, Jarvis threw himself down. His knees hit the hard corridor floor with a dull thud. He bowed his head deeply, his forehead almost touching the floor.
I let out a long sigh, looking at his bowed old back.
"Never mind, get up."
Honestly, to this day I still wasn't used to it. The sight of people kneeling before me, treating me like a god… felt alien. Ridiculous, even. In my previous life, I was just a loser who failed to blend in with society. Someone who would never be respected, let alone worshipped.
Jarvis was about to open his mouth, probably to explain why he was standing like a tomb guard in front of my door, but I cut him off.
"Oh right, Jarvis. I want you to give these gifts to Epsilon and Betta."
I opened my inventory in the air. A dimensional tear appeared, and the shopping items fell out, landing with a bit of noise on the shiny marble floor.
"Tell them, this is a reward for their hard work. I hope they like it."
I looked at the pile of goods on the floor, then turned to Jarvis. An awkward smile formed on my lips. "Sorry for giving them in such an impolite way, Jarvis. My hands are full." I lifted Akane's gift box slightly as proof.
Jarvis, still kneeling, deftly picked up the items. His movements were efficient and respectful, as if he were picking up jewels, not groceries. He stood up, clutching the items to his chest.
"What are you saying, My Lord? You are the Absolute Leader of Avanheim," he replied. A worried smile adorned his wrinkled old face. "You needn't worry yourself with trivial matters like this."
He paused, his gaze becoming more intense.
"Remember, My Lord. You do not need to apologize. You are the symbol of Avanheim and all of us. I beg you, remember this."
Hearing the serious tone in his voice, I could only give a small nod. No point arguing now.
"Then I'll be going, Jarvis. I'm going to see Emma, Lily, and Akane."
I stepped past him. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jarvis bow his head slightly as I passed, a gesture of respect that was never absent.
I walked down the long, silent corridor. My footsteps echoed softly.
Ahh, so tiring.
Even though I just said simple words. But their reactions were always excessive. Emma, Merlin, and now Jarvis… they all said the same thing. That I didn't need to apologize. That my position placed me above mistakes.
I couldn't accept that.
To me, apologizing when making a mistake or acting impolitely was the most fundamental part of being human—or any sentient being. That applied to leaders too. I didn't want to be the type of leader who knew his actions were bad and harmful but was too arrogant to admit his mistakes.
That was me. Since I was little, I was taught: if you're wrong, apologize. If not, then don't. I wasn't someone with sky-high pride where the word 'sorry' felt like poison on my tongue.
"That Jarvis… is he always in front of my door?" I muttered, thinking about the old servant's dedication which sometimes felt scary.
"Good afternoon, Lord Arthur."
A gentle female voice broke the silence of the corridor.
I was jolted from my reverie, turning to the source of the voice. "Good afternoon to you too, Sofia."
There stood a young woman in a neat black-and-white maid uniform. A golden sun emblem glittered on her right breast, catching the light of the corridor lamps.
Her hair was short blonde, cut in a modern yet elegant asymmetrical undercut bob. She looked like an American teenage girl of 18 or 19. Her face… for some reason, felt very familiar. I was sure I had seen that face somewhere. In a movie, maybe?
"Lord Arthur, do you need help?"
Sofia pointed to the box I was holding with an expectant look.
"No need, thank you," I declined politely. "By the way, Sofia, where were you headed?"
"I was on my way to your office, My Lord."
"What for?"
"To serve you, of course. I'm switching shifts with Nina," she answered. Her face beamed, as if getting a work shift was the greatest gift of her life.
"Ah, that. I understand."
From the beginning, the concept of work shifts didn't exist in Avanheim. These NPCs were designed to work 24 hours without tiring. But I… I couldn't stand seeing it. Seeing them stand still all night, waiting for orders that never came… felt wrong. So, I introduced a three-shift system. At least, it made this place feel a little more human.
"In that case, follow me, Sofia," I said with a smile.
"Yes, My Lord!" she answered happily.
We walked side by side. The sound of Sofia's light footsteps could be heard behind me.
I was still thinking about her face. Where had I seen it? The memory felt blurry, like an actor's name on the tip of my tongue but unspoken. I tried to remember, but finally gave up. Maybe I'd remember later.
We arrived in front of Emma's office door.
First Emma. Then Lily, and finally Akane.
A thought suddenly crossed my mind, making me stop for a moment.
I hope Asuka isn't mad because I forgot to buy her a gift.
I sighed softly, then knocked on the door.
"Who is it? Please come in."
Emma's voice came from behind the door, firm but slightly tired.
I pushed the door open.
Emma sat behind a large ebony desk, buried in a mountain of paper. She sat in a plush black chair that seemed to hug her back, her beautiful face furrowed in seriousness under the soft light of the crystal lamp. Her right hand moved quickly, a silver quill pen dancing across the paper, leaving a trail of neat black ink.
She didn't turn. Her eyes were fixed on the document in front of her. She picked up a sheet, scanned it, then signed it or slammed a stamp down with a steady thud.
"Castle defense budget for this month…" she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible. "Magic item development…"
She picked up another document. "Still no magic materials yet… but alternatives for Adamantium or Orichalcum have been found… send samples to the Magic Department…" She nodded in satisfaction.
"Belial is indeed reliable."
She placed the document on the "Done" pile.
"What's the matter with you?" her voice suddenly became sharp. She still didn't turn. "Why are you just standing there? Sit down. Tell me what you need."
I was stunned. I had never heard Emma speak so coldly to me.
Then I realized.
She didn't know it was me. She was too focused. Too immersed in her tasks.
I stared at the pile of documents mounting on her desk. Just looking at it made my head throb. Luckily, I had a Secretary-General like her.
But… Emma was fast. Just a few minutes ago we were discussing with Asuka outside. Now she was back to work as if she had never left.
And what time was it? The afternoon sun was starting to dim outside the window. Her working hours should have been over.
"Emma," I called softly. "It's me."
The quill pen stopped mid-word.
Instantly, Emma looked up. Her eyes widened.
"My Lord?!"
Her serious face crumbled in an instant, replaced by an expression of panic and joy. She immediately jumped up, her chair pushed back with a creak. She rushed over to me.
"Forgive me! I didn't realize you had arrived! I deserve to be put to death for this negligence!" She was already preparing to prostrate herself at my feet.
I held her back, my hand gripping her right shoulder gently.
"It's okay, Emma."
I placed the pile of gifts I brought on the edge of her desk, leaving one brown paper bag in my hand.
"I came here to give you this."
Emma stared at the paper bag. Her eyebrows raised slightly. "What is this, My Lord?"
"Why don't you just open it?" I held it out to her, a mischievous smile on my lips.
Emma accepted it carefully, as if it were a bomb that could explode at any moment. She unfolded it, then took out the contents.
Several pieces of soft fabric fell into her hands. A cashmere sweater, a silk blouse, a long skirt, a dress, formal wear, a white shirt, and others.
"My Lord… is this for me?"
She looked at me, her blue reptilian eyes completely round.
"Of course it's for you," I answered. I could feel my face heating up. "I know you only have one set of white dresses given by Kohmi. So… I bought you some clothes. I hope you like them."
Emma took out all the clothes. She held the cashmere sweater, feeling its softness against her cheek. She hugged the pile of clothes tightly to her chest, as if afraid someone would snatch them away. She tilted her head slightly, her face blushing deep red.
"How could I not like something Lord Arthur went to the trouble of choosing?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
"I love it very much, My Lord."
She stepped closer, the distance between us shrinking.
"I am so grateful… I will definitely wear them and take good care of them." She hugged the clothes even tighter.
"Because…" she continued, her voice now barely audible, like a whisper of the wind. "…this is the second gift Lord Arthur has given me."
I heard it. Very clearly.
"I'm glad you like them," I said, a little relieved. "I was worried. The clothes… are too human-styled."
Emma lowered the clothes, placing them carefully on the desk next to her documents. She turned, taking both my hands. Her hands felt warm and soft.
"I am not a fool who refuses to admit the strengths of others, My Lord," she said seriously, looking straight into my eyes. "Humans are indeed lowly creatures, but I admit, in some fields, they surpass us. We don't need to be ashamed to admit that."
She smiled. "Isn't that what Lord Arthur himself taught me?"
"Did I ever say that?" I asked, confused.
"You did, My Lord. Through your actions."
I smiled gently.
Everyone changes. Both me and Emma. The Emma who used to view humans as nothing more than insects was now starting to acknowledge their value. This was a good thing. We shouldn't feel invincible and complacent.
Learning, acknowledging, and accepting… those were the foundations of an advanced civilization. The world keeps turning, and those who refuse to change will be left behind.
After that, we sat down. Not in her luxurious work chair, but in a pair of simple chairs in front of her desk.
Sofia, who had been standing silently like a statue in the corner of the room, kept watching us. I started to feel uncomfortable being watched like that.
"Sofia, sit with us," I invited.
At first she hesitated, declining politely. But one gentle command from me, and she finally joined, sitting stiffly on the edge of a chair.
We continued the discussion that had been postponed outside earlier. About finance, mining, politics, and magic. Outside the window, the sun slowly set, replacing the golden afternoon light with the dimness of dusk, while we designed the future of the Empire inside this warm room.
"So, My Lord wants to start mining outside immediately?" Emma tapped her chin with the tip of her quill pen, her eyes on the map on the desk. "To reduce our financial pressure? In that case, starting tomorrow I will immediately order the logistics division to move."
She took a small note, writing a few lines quickly.
"And about connecting Earth's internet cable to the castle… Monica has already started developing the device as per your order to me, My Lord. I think it won't be long before it's finished."
I nodded in satisfaction hearing that.
My eyes returned to the pile of documents mounting on her desk. Parchment paper, report scrolls, and leather-bound ledgers. All handwritten.
"Emma," I said, pointing to the pile. "You can use human technology like computers for this. For the efficiency of our bureaucracy. I don't think we can keep using manual methods like this forever."
"Ah, that." Emma smiled broadly. "Actually, I was considering that too. Ever since you ordered me to learn human technology, I've been thinking about integrating computers into our bureaucratic system. But because the Internet Network doesn't exist in Avanheim yet, I haven't decided on it. You know yourself, My Lord, that thing without an internet network is nothing more than a useless box."
She snapped her fingers in the air.
A blue hologram screen appeared between us, displaying rows of numbers and Avanheim's logistical data.
"Although we have our own magic interface system," she continued, pointing to the flickering screen, "I have to admit, this system is still too simple compared to the complexity of human software for large-scale data management."
I looked at Emma with renewed admiration. She was so smart. Even though she had only been on Earth for a few days, she could already adapt and analyze the advantages of human technology. My decision to force her to learn was not in vain.
"Emma," I said, my tone becoming more serious. "Later, we will carry out massive reforms. Bureaucracy, politics, economy… everything must be overhauled."
I leaned forward.
"I know this sounds sudden. But you know yourself, the current bureaucratic system… where you hold almost all control alone… this makes the system inefficient."
Emma's face instantly paled.
"My Lord…" her voice trembled. "Have… have I made a mistake?"
I started. "No! Not like that!" I hurriedly shook my head.
"That's not what I mean, Emma. I know you are very talented. You are an expert in administration and politics, no one doubts that."
I took a breath, trying to explain better.
"But a centralized system like this cannot be maintained forever. Our population will grow. Our territory will expand. Your workload will become unreasonable. Imagine if you had to handle every small decision from every corner of the empire."
I looked into her anxious eyes.
"That's inefficient. This system is good for the current population, but for the future? No."
I smiled, trying to calm her.
"Later, you will hold the position of Prime Minister of the Empire, Emma. You have to handle things much bigger than just daily reports. I need you to lead, not drown in a pile of paper."
"So… My Lord is not angry with me?" Emma looked at me with her large reptilian eyes, still hinting at a little anxiety.
"Of course not," I answered gently. "I just want to make sure you don't get exhausted handling trivial matters. You are a valuable asset to Avanheim, Emma."
Hearing that, a blush returned to adorn her cheeks. She lowered her head shyly. "Thank you for your concern, My Lord. I… I promise to immediately design a new, more efficient bureaucratic structure."
"Good. I trust you."
I leaned back in the chair, feeling a little relieved. One problem solved.
"Now, about the government structure," I continued. "For now, we are still using the old guild hierarchy system. But for an Empire, we need something more… formal."
I took a blank sheet of paper from Emma's desk and a quill pen. My hand moved quickly, sketching a rough organizational structure.
"At the top, of course, there is the Emperor," I said, writing the word at the top. "That's me."
"Then below that, the Prime Minister. That's you, Emma." I wrote her name. Emma smiled proudly.
"Under the Prime Minister, we will divide tasks into several ministries or departments. Belial will hold the Ministry of Intelligence and Foreign Affairs. Natasha, the Ministry of Defense. Asuka, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. Monica and Felix, the Ministry of Research and Technology."
I continued writing, dividing tasks according to the expertise of each Floor Guardian.
"Then, what about Lord Merlin, My Lord?" Sofia asked, having listened silently all this time.
I paused for a moment. Merlin… he was unique. He wasn't the bureaucrat type, but he was also too smart to just be a soldier.
"Merlin will be the Emperor's Special Advisor," I decided. "He will move freely outside the ministry structure, handling special problems that require… unconventional solutions."
Emma nodded in agreement. "That's a suitable position for him. He's too free-spirited to sit behind a desk."
"And for you, The Ninth Oath Maids," I looked at Sofia. "You will be the Imperial Guard Force and the Imperial Secretariat. You will help Emma and me manage the palace and daily administrative affairs."
Sofia's eyes sparkled. "An honor, Lord Arthur!"
I put down the pen. The rough sketch of the Empire was now spread out on the paper. Still simple, still many gaps, but this was a start.
"Of course, this is just a basic concept," I said. "Later we will refine it over time. We also need to think about the legal system, Parliament, Political Parties, currency, and education."
"Education?" Emma asked.
"Yes. We can't let the residents of Avanheim continue to live in ignorance. They need to learn about this new world, about technology, about human history. Knowledge is power, Emma. And I want my people to be smart."
Emma looked at me with a deepening gaze of admiration. "Lord Arthur's vision… is truly vast. I feel ashamed that my thinking is still so narrow."
"Don't say that. We learn together," I replied.
We continued to discuss until late into the night. The magic lamp in the room glowed brighter, banishing the darkness that began to envelop the world outside. Inside this small room, amidst piles of paper and rough sketches, the future of an Empire was being shaped.
And for the first time since coming to this world, I felt… optimistic.
"Alright," I said finally, stretching my stiff body. "I think that's enough for today. I have to see Lily and Akane before they sleep. I promised."
I stood up. Emma and Sofia stood up in unison.
"Thank you for your hard work today," I said sincerely.
"You're welcome, My Lord," they replied.
I walked toward the door. Just as my hand touched the door handle, I stopped and looked back.
"Oh, right, Emma."
"Yes, My Lord?"
"Those clothes… try wearing them tomorrow. I think they'll suit you very well."
I smiled, then walked out, leaving Emma standing frozen with a face as red as a tomato behind me.