Furthermore, Takeru could vaguely perceive that his lifespan had undergone an extraordinary increase. Although not entirely certain, it seemed time would find it difficult to leave traces on him from now on.
This meant Takeru might maintain his current appearance indefinitely. Of course, this was quite agreeable.
Due to his demon lord transformation, Takeru's appearance had matured slightly. Previously, he seemed around eighteen, and now, he appeared approximately twenty.
Although still somewhat youthful in certain aspects, Takeru did not prefer appearing overly aged. Moreover, his current body was only sixteen years old biologically, so appearing too old would seem strange.
While Takeru was familiarizing himself with his abilities, Ram and the others gradually regained consciousness.
"Takeru!" Upon waking, everyone's first concern was Takeru. After confirming he was unharmed, they noticed their own transformations. Particularly Ram, Rem, Emilia, and Beatrice… having already been significantly strengthened through naming, they now experienced another tremendous enhancement.
Esdeath and the others also underwent changes, perhaps related to this world's rules. Esdeath, Miki, Karin, and the others had directly awakened mana, possessing considerable mana reserves.
However, Esdeath and the others were encountering mana for the first time. Apart from instinctively using mana to amplify themselves, they knew nothing else. Casting magic was completely beyond them.
Yet these were not insurmountable problems. With over a month remaining, everyone had the opportunity to learn in this world.
Takeru also understood that while this world's magic differed slightly from the magic of Re:Zero, commonalities existed. The Re:Zero World lacked lightning and summoning magic, whereas this world possessed them.
Additionally, plant and poison magic, though relatively rare, existed here, often manifesting as skills.
Following the seizure of the Falmuth Kingdom, Takeru planned to thoroughly study magic using the kingdom's repositories of knowledge, while also leveraging national resources to collect ingredients for Beginner Enhancement Potions.
After contemplating his upcoming tasks, Takeru joined Akame and the others in enjoying dinner prepared by Rem and Miki.
Later that evening, everyone studied mana control under Rem's guidance. Immediate magical instruction was impossible, so for now, they focused on mana manipulation.
The girls demonstrated considerable talent. Karin and Miki, already possessing Chakra and experience manipulating energy, learned rapidly.
Takeru sat nearby holding Beatrice, observing the diligently training group. This blessing had significantly enhanced everyone. Ram had evolved from Kijin to Oni King, while Rem had evolved from Kijin to Oni Demon.
As for Emilia and Beatrice, though still appearing as high-ranking spirits, their power had increased substantially.
Felt, Miki, and others, previously of ordinary strength, experienced the most dramatic changes. Akame, Mine, and the others, with added mana and enhanced physical capabilities, saw their power multiplied over tenfold. Once they mastered magic, they would undoubtedly achieve even greater growth.
"Takeru, is that one really trustworthy?" Seated in Takeru's lap, Beatrice narrowed her eyes toward Diablo in the distance.
"Rest assured. He can be trusted." Seeing Beatrice's concern, Takeru pinched her cheek playfully.
"Don't pinch my cheeks! Chelsea said they'd become as big as pancakes!" Annoyed by Takeru's action, Beatrice huffed.
Hearing her words, Takeru paused, then burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at?" Confused by Takeru's amusement, Beatrice inquired.
"Nothing. It's just... you're too innocent." Looking at Beatrice, Takeru couldn't help but say.
"You mean Chelsea deceived me? That detestable girl!" Realizing she had been tricked, Beatrice grew indignant.
"Alright. Did you perhaps provoke her first?" Patting Beatrice's head, Takeru asked.
"I... I..." Hearing Takeru's words, Beatrice fell silent.
…
As everyone diligently trained, time slowly passed. Soon, the next day arrived. Takeru and his group openly entered Marris, the capital of the Falmuth Kingdom.
Upon entering, Takeru immediately sensed the city's tense atmosphere. Primarily, the army dispatched to subdue the dragon knight and monsters he had portrayed had lost contact.
Furthermore, the kingdom's strongest mage, Razen, and Knight Commander Focken had vanished. The nation's military power had precipitously declined to dangerous levels.
As the instigator, Takeru remained utterly unconcerned. He leisurely strolled through the streets with the girls. Soon, the girls' appearances attracted the notice of Count Carlos of the Falmuth Kingdom.
Facing Count Carlos's assertive invitation, Takeru and his group took the opportunity to enter the Count's residence. Takeru promptly hypnotized Count Carlos, extracting the desired information.
Then, using Transformation Technique, Takeru assumed Count Carlos's appearance and began his operations.
Beginning with Count Carlos, Takeru quickly secured an audience with King Marius. After easily subduing him, Takeru commenced his seizure of power.
First, Takeru had Marius convene all high-ranking officials and imperial nobles. He then conducted trials for the numerous marquesses, counts, and aristocrats.
Through his Genjutsu and Nen Abilities, Takeru compelled everyone to honestly confess their crimes. Those whose offenses were minor, Takeru did not execute. Instead, he offered them amnesty in exchange for loyalty, allowing them to retain their positions and privileges, henceforth serving Takeru.
Facing Takeru's overwhelming combat power and his proposed national governance policies, the neutral faction, led by Marquess Miora, unanimously pledged allegiance.
Thus, through absolute force, hypnosis, and substitution tactics, Takeru effortlessly absorbed the Falmuth Kingdom into his territory. The entire process took less than two days.
Of course, Takeru understood that subjugating ordinary individuals was simple… enacting national reforms would prove far more troublesome.
Yet troublesome as it was, Takeru mobilized fully for the sake of his mission evaluation.
Absolute force, powerful hypnotic abilities, and numerous auxiliary capabilities enabled remarkably smooth policy implementation. When obstacles arose, teams led by Esdeath and Diablo effortlessly suppressed them.
Moreover, policies benefiting ordinary citizens encountered minimal resistance, primarily from aristocrats risking everything for personal gain.
Though skilled in scheming, facing Takeru's uncompromising suppression, they could barely utter a word before being executed publicly.
Naturally, Takeru's dramatic actions immediately drew attention from the Kingdom of Blumund, which keenly monitored Falmuth's developments. However, Blumund was merely a small nation compared to Falmuth, and also relatively peace-loving.
Thus, their envoys, Veryard and Fuze, conducted a visit… primarily to ascertain the nature of this so-called new king and determine appropriate countermeasures.
Besides Blumund, several neighboring small states also dispatched envoys.
Receiving Veryard, Fuze, and the others, Takeru held an audience. Upon seeing Takeru's youthful countenance, the envoys found it hard to believe. Yet sensing the oppressive aura Takeru emanated, none dared underestimate him.
Observing the numerous small-state envoys, Takeru maintained his authoritative presence without intimidating them. To their astonishment, he instead proposed cooperation. His investigations revealed each nation possessed unique specialty products; they could mutually exchange goods and progress together.
Although surprised by Takeru's remarkably appropriate proposal, the envoys did not hastily accept.
Primarily, they doubted Takeru's ability to govern such a vast nation. His forcible replacement of the royal family would undoubtedly provide ambitious nations pretext to invade.
Takeru was keenly aware of this. However, confident in his own strength, he feared neither covert schemes nor overt challenges.
Indeed, during policy implementation alone, he had already eliminated numerous instigators.
Furthermore, intelligence revealed the Demon Lord Clayman's hostility. This schemer had covertly dispatched subordinates, manipulating nobles to cause Takeru difficulties… all of which Takeru's forces had resolutely suppressed. Takeru had thoroughly memorized this grudge.
After hosting the foreign envoys, Takeru continued his reforms. Although tedious and demanding, the process itself was uninteresting. Yet for his evaluation score, and witnessing ordinary citizens' smiles, Takeru found some consolation.