Ferrum Talvora Drelan Veyrandel, also known as Ferrum the First, is the founder of the Kingdom of Ferrum. A kingdom established 250 years ago after the Demon King was finally defeated.
Born in the era when the Demon King's invasion was rampant, Ferrum managed to join the hero's party and helped put an end to the Demon King's terror alongside them.
Ferrum was a man born in a small town called Veyrandel. A small town that would later become the capital city of the Kingdom of Ferrum, one of the five great nations of the continent.
Ferrum was born to a wealthy merchant family that held considerable influence in Veyrandel.
Besides being blessed with a wealthy family, Ferrum was also blessed with an S-rank talent known as The Golden King, a power that allowed him to change the world. A name that would later become Ferrum's title.
When he first obtained his S-Rank Talent, the situation in the town was in chaos. Not because he had received an S-Rank Talent, but because the Demon's invasion happened on the very same day he awakened his new power.
The people had no time to celebrate. They prioritized their lives above all else.
That very day, Ferrum used the power he had just received, The Golden King.
Even though he had only obtained it a few hours earlier, Ferrum managed to control his ability and push back the Demon invasion.
The news of a mere boy successfully repelling a Demon invasion spread quickly, like dry leaves engulfed in flames. Because of this feat, Ferrum was appointed as a Knight of Veyrandel at a very young age.
It did not take long for Ferrum to rise to the top. Within just a year, his career skyrocketed. He was no longer an ordinary knight but had become a commander with his own army. His influence even surpassed the ruling leader of Veyrandel at that time.
It was at that point, after gaining command over several forces, that his long journey across the world began to stop the demon invasion with him as the leader.
Throughout his journey, he did not only exterminate demons but also conquered territories, making them bow to his will.
Territories that would later become part of the Kingdom of Ferrum.
And on that journey, he met the true hero.
Ferrum possessed an ability that was absurdly overpowered. The Golden King allowed him to perform feats beyond reason. This book does not only detail Ferrum's life from beginning to end but even lists the powers of The Golden King.
Here are some of the abilities described in the book:
1. Touch of Midas
The ability to turn whatever he touches into gold.
2. Golden Might
The ability to increase the fighting capabilities of his army.
3. Crown of Aureate Wisdom
A passive skill that enhances Ferrum's intelligence and charisma.
4. Golden Tongue
A power that forces others to speak the truth before him.
5. Golden Eye
The ability to see the truth. Ferrum could see the specific powers of his enemies. Moreover, he could tell whether someone was lying or not.
6. Crown of Persuasion
A skill that increases Ferrum's success rate in negotiations.
7. Edict of the Golden Throne
A command-like skill that nullifies all debuffs from enemies. It also enhances allies and places debuffs on foes. Some debuffs could even become permanent.
8. Aura of the Golden King
A passive skill that boosts Ferrum and his allies' power within a certain radius. This ability has no time limit, as long as allies remain near Ferrum, they will continuously receive its buffs. For weaker enemies, this aura could even cause them to faint.
9. Golden Luck
Increases drop rate and item grade from slain monsters.
10. Radiance of the Golden King
Ferrum's most powerful form, with an elegant appearance. Marked by his hair turning into gold, a crown floating like an angelic halo, shining golden armor, and a radiant golden cloak. This was the form Ferrum used when he fought the Demon King.
And there are still many more... That was only a small portion of The Golden King's power.
What fascinated Michael the most was...
The Golden King's abilities were said to be so great that his battle with the Demon King destroyed several nations in the process before the Hero, Franklin Rosevelt, dragged the Demon King into another dimension and defeated him there.
Several nations.
Damn... Was something like that even possible?
Michael could hardly believe it when he read that part.
He read it again to make sure his eyes were not deceiving him.
Nothing had changed.
Several nations... destroyed...
The destructive power on such a scale was truly written there.
Indeed, back when he was still in school, Yuki had read plenty of novels or watched films where battles of such scale—or even larger—were depicted.
At that time, Yuki felt admiration and thought it was "cool."
But now, living in a world where things like this were no longer fiction, he was struck by culture shock.
How could people here live peacefully knowing this?
That was a genuine question from the depths of Michael's heart.
And it was only natural—imagine being an ordinary person without any special power, yet living side by side with those capable of destroying the world at any moment.
Would not you be paranoid every single day?
Not knowing when your life might suddenly end.
And this hero "Franklin"... Just how powerful was he?
Ferrum was undeniably powerful, but in the end, the one who truly defeated the Demon King was hero Franklin.
One could say that Ferrum merely weakened the Demon King before Franklin struck the finishing blow. But from what Michael saw, that didn't seem to be the case.
Why would Franklin go as far as dragging the Demon King into another dimension to defeat him there? Why not fight together and overwhelm him on the spot? Wouldn't that have been easier?
Endless possibilities swirled in Michael's mind, but ultimately, he could not confirm whether his assumptions were true.
But what was certain for Michael was that Franklin was stronger than Ferrum.
Sigh...
A long breath escaped Michael. To realize beings like them truly existed was overwhelming.
No matter how many times he reread that section, the fact remained the same. Such powers truly existed.
And for Michael, who wanted to live comfortably and safely in this new world, that was deeply unsettling.
Worries began to creep into him.
What if, when the time came for his own talent to awaken, he ended up with trash?
Would he be able to guarantee his own safety?
Could he really live peacefully?
Or would he end up the same as in his previous life, enslaved and suffering all his days?
Not to mention his elder brothers, both of whom had A-rank talents and were already bullying him.
For now, the bullying was still verbal, but what about later? What if it escalated into physical violence?
If it remained verbal, Michael—whose mind had been tempered as an adult in his past life—could endure it. The scorn of children was nothing compared to the fury of a superior at work. The difference was like heaven and earth.
But if it turned into physical abuse, that experience would be useless. He would have to find another way to make up for his weakness.
At least strong enough to defend himself.
Or perhaps he could simply run away from home and find a place to live in peace?
Well, whatever.
Ferrum... No matter how you looked at him, his charisma and abilities were extraordinary. Truly a remarkable king...
A king whose name, even after 250 years since founding his kingdom, was still honored and praised.
Perhaps if he had been born in Michael's previous world, Ferrum's name would stand alongside the greatest leaders who changed history—like Alexander the Great or Julius Caesar.
Well, hero Franklin too...
Talent.
Such an absurd thing.
All Michael could do now was pray. Pray to receive a good talent. He did not have to be greedy enough to hope for an S-rank. Even a B-rank or C-rank would be enough.
As long as it could protect him.
The only other thing he could do now was to practice magic.
Sigh...
He leaned his back against the chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.
His gaze felt heavy, as if he already knew the suffering that awaited him in the future.
"A life I thought would be pleasant and full of luxury just because I was born into a rich noble family..."
From the start, Michael had planned to live comfortably. He wanted to reside in the Capital, savor delicious foods, visit various shops, buy fine clothes, admire the arts in the Capital, and enjoy all the pleasures life had to offer.
He also did not really care much about the complicated politics of nobility.
Michael was the third son of his family. And in noble families, the third son usually did not bear much responsibility.
The heir, the one who carried the burden, was usually the firstborn son. Moreover, both of Michael's older brothers were extremely talented. So it was impossible for him to even dream of becoming the heir.
The biggest problem he might face would probably only be arranged marriage.
But for Michael, that was a trivial matter. Marriage was just a formality. Whether his wife was beautiful or not, Michael would accept her wholeheartedly.
As long as she did not interfere with his peaceful life.
"Turns out things did not go as I hoped."
"In this world too, I have to work hard if I want to live comfortably. If not, my life might end up even worse than my previous one."
Michael continued, "Well, at least I was not born as a commoner..."
Truly ironic.
Life as a noble was already heavy enough, let alone if he had been born as a peasant.
Michael was at least grateful that his condition was not worse.