Day 7 of the Dawnlight Moon.
As previously announced, a conference to decide the distribution of the Xanadu inheritance by Lily was held.
“————Welcome, thank you for gathering”
At the Temen Nigru, Karamala Assembly Hall, Lily, who sat in the highest seat as the chairperson, first offered her greetings.
The fairy girl Lily.
Known initially as an idol, she quickly became recognized as the new Adventure King of Karamala after inheriting the key to the treasury, a figure everyone in the town came to know.
What is known about her is surprisingly little. After all, she had only recently arrived in Karamala… the only things clear are her beautiful appearance and combat abilities that match Rank 5.
Unlike when she stands on stage, she now appeared as a young child.
“Hmph, just a mere girl after all.”
The one who whispered this to himself while observing Lily’s shining figure in the assembly hall was Zanarius, the eldest son who was originally expected to inherit the greatest share of the Xanadu legacy.
He had the big, boisterous appearance of a wealthy man as imagined by the common folk, and the way he took his seat was more arrogant than anyone else.
He was a quintessential merchant, but undoubtedly the firstborn son of Adventure King Xanadu.
At nearly 60, he was of an age that could be considered old, yet his greed showed no signs of waning, and like his father, he was eager to live beyond 100. Instead, he was determined that the best years of his life were yet to come.
However, it was undoubtedly he who was most chilled to the bone by the announcement of the inheritance broadcast. While Xanadu’s relatives shared similar sentiments, believing they would naturally receive the inheritance.
The Xanadu conglomerate sent people into the Great Maze with full force, aiming to obtain the key to the treasury, but as everyone already knew, the results were evidently lacking.
Yet, it was too early to despair.
The crown of victory was taken by the wandering adventurers. They were certainly not the wealthy merchants or powerful gangs they were used to dealing with. The backing they had was from what was once called one of the three major gangs, but now was in marked decline, the Chaos Legion.
There were plenty of openings to exploit.
In fact, they were the ones proclaiming they would distribute the inheritance.
“That’s a rather wise decision for mere adventurers.”
If they were foolish without a thought, they would indulge in lavish spending as if it were nothing, carelessly gallivanting without a thought for the future, only to be stabbed by someone or poisoned.
Everyone would think that if the person who obtained the key died, obviously the next person to obtain the key would become the heir to the inheritance… Karamala recognized this, and the key to the treasury had become a symbolic existence.
Thus, even after obtaining it, one must always be prepared for assassination.
The “Element Master” understood this. The proclamation of distributing the inheritance was merely a pretext to avoid having their lives targeted by various factions — this was the interpretation of the Xanadu conglomerate, including Zanarius.
“Indeed, there’s no need to rush… No matter how much they hold the key, they are still merely an individual adventurer. If we can incorporate them into our conglomerate, we will once again be secure.”
Lily desired a friendly relationship with the Xanadu conglomerate. Therefore, there was plenty of room for negotiation.
If she succeeded in welcoming her, the Xanadu conglomerate could continue to remain an organization that dominates half of Karamala, just as before.
It was unfortunate that they could not become the true rulers by obtaining the key… but if strong rivals did not secure that position, maintaining the status quo would not be a bad outcome for those below the eldest son and the rest not affiliated with Xanadu.
Excessive greed brings great losses. First and foremost, solidifying their own position was the best strategy.
How much they could extract from Lily should be considered afterward.
“Hmm, thinking this way, perhaps it was more peaceful than engaging in infighting among family.”
With such optimistic thoughts, Zanarius prepared to attend this conference.
“Then, let’s begin the meeting.”
Having completed a succinct greeting, it seemed they were finally about to get into the main topic.
Looking to the right and left, the assembly was packed. Anyone invited by her was present.
The declaration to distribute the inheritance had led to many speculations… but surely, not a single foolish person among the greedy citizens of Karamala would choose to be absent and forfeit their rights.
“First, I will run for chairperson, following the former Karamala chairperson Xanadu.”
“I support this! You, who have obtained the key to the treasury, are truly fitting to be chairperson!!”
Zanarius was the first to stand and clap his hands in approval.
“No objection.”
“I support this as well.”
“Chairperson Lily, so beautiful… so revered…”
Following the eldest son, the other congressional members from the Xanadu family joined in. This level of coordination had already been decided at the family meeting.
They alone made up one third of the Karamala congressional members.
Though they still fell short of a majority… soon, voices of support began to rise from the other members as well.
Everyone believed that for the conference to begin, they must first recognize Lily’s chairpersonship.
“By a majority vote, it has been approved that Lily will serve as the new chairperson.”
“Thank you, everyone.”
Waving her hand cheerfully, Lily truly embodied the idol who had taken Karamala by storm in just a few days.
Though in the form of a young child, her dignified presence was as if she had decades of theatrical experience.
“Now then, I would like to move into the main topic of inheritance distribution… Let’s first hear everyone’s requests, shall we?”
A murmur ran through the assembly.
It was expected that Lily would present her requests first.
“No, this indicates that she is taking a conciliatory approach from their side. Quite impressive, I must say.”
With growing conviction that their prediction was correct, Zanarius raised his hand before anyone else.
“Yes, first, let me express my deep gratitude for providing an opportunity to fairly distribute the inheritance of our great father Xanadu, and I would also like to express my condolences for the passing of Karamala’s legendary Adventure King and praise the birth of a new legend!”
Without a hint of expressing feelings of bitterness over seizing a parent’s inheritance, Zanarius opened with a splendid smile as if he were sincerely praising a hero.
“This arrangement made by Chairperson Lily is, as Party Leader Chrono stated the other day, an excellent decision aimed at preventing unnecessary chaos in Karamala, and we, the Xanadu conglomerate, wholeheartedly support it. Accordingly, as the most amicable method of inheritance distribution, we propose to go with the pre-decided plan for distribution by the Xanadu family — ”
“Wait a minute, does that mean you’re telling us to distribute the inheritance among your own family?”
“Shouldn’t the original intent be that it should benefit all of Karamala, regardless of the Xanadu bloodline?”
“You cannot just allow yourselves to take a greater share!”
“That’s right, that’s right!!”
Suddenly, active debate erupted in the assembly.
The Xanadu conglomerate aimed to adhere as closely as possible to their pre-decided plan for family distribution of the inheritance.
However, it was evident that Lily summoned not only the members of the Xanadu family but various other individuals to this gathering, making it clear that she did not intend to limit the inheritance distribution to just the Xanadu family.
With a mindset that whatever they can get is a bonus, the people of Karamala raised their voices to secure a larger share during this distribution of inheritance.
Everyone gathered here only cared about the amount of inheritance to be distributed. How to ingratiate themselves with this new Adventure King Lily, or how to exploit her — in short, no one genuinely considered the stability of Karamala.
“————Silence.”
For an hour, two hours, the debate smoldered ever more heatedly, with nothing but futile discussions arising from each person’s conflicting interests, and finally, Lily stepped in to put a stop to it.
The assembly members, who had been so heated it seemed like a fight could erupt at any moment, momentarily regained their composure and quietly took their seats at Lily’s command.
After glancing across the now quiet assembly hall, Lily opened her mouth.
“I understand. I get everyone’s feelings well.”
Being a fairy, she claimed she could understand the inner hearts of the couple of hundred people gathered there without needing to speak.
“How greedy you all are, concerned only with filling your own stomachs, you materialistic pigs.”
Her cold jade eyes bore down on the assembly members.
“However, given the nature of this country, it’s no surprise it has come to this. Just recently, this was the holy land of Karamala, and it was only natural that the worship of gold flourished.”
Yet, the sealed god from ancient times, Karamala, was no longer there.
Banished to a far dimension by the ancient Demon King Mia Elroad, its influence had been completely dispelled.
In this place, there was no longer the divine presence that endorsed greed.
Yet, humans are inherently greedy. Even with the disappearance of Karamala’s influence, how much change could there truly be in the hearts of the people living here now?
As long as the Great Maze exists, which perpetually produces ancient wealth, there will be no end to human insatiable desires————
“Now is the time to put an end to that greed. It’s enough, you’ve all indulged yourselves sufficiently.”
“Chairperson Lily, I do not quite understand what you mean. If you intend to scold us for our greed, may I ask what you plan to do from here on out?”
Zanarius represented the murmuring assembly members in addressing Lily.
Once she had her name listed among the Karamala congressional members, Lily stood in a position akin to theirs, assured of wealth and power.
Greed is fine. Those without desire are merely prey to be devoured in this land.
“I will grant you equality.”
Lily spread her arms and wings in response to Zanarius’s question.
“Members, merchants, gangs, and slaves, all will be treated fairly and equally.”
“Ha ha ha! What a truly kind dream you have! However, not a single one of us here truly wishes for sweet delusions of equality.”
“I do wish… no, only Chrono wished for that. Yes, I simply grant what he desires.”
Because Chrono wished for it, Lily would make it come true.
Simply because she loved him. There was no need for any other reason to act.
“I will make Karamala a country without slaves, an equal nation. A place where no one gets hurt, where no one suffers. Everyone will live happily with their loving families and have warm meals, clothing, and beds. Such a nation.”
“That’s impossible. This country is built on slaves. It’s inconceivable to abolish it. No one will allow it!”
“No, it is possible, and it is simple ————— if you all cast aside your greed, it can be done right away.”
“What a ridiculous ideal! Chairperson Lily, do you intend to use your father’s inheritance to realize such nonsense?”
Was that what the distribution of inheritance entailed?
Zanarius exploded with indignation.
He was not the only one. No one present desired equality.
Because they were special. Special in wealth, special in profit, and living a special life. A privileged upper class representing less than 1% that owns the majority of Karamala’s wealth.
There should be no equality. Inequality is the absolute social structure necessary to build vast riches.
“Well, I will indeed put the Xanadu inheritance to use. But you need not concern yourselves with that. You will live on eternally without ever needing to count riches again.”
“This is nonsense! Let’s set a realistic distribution of the inheritance — ”
“The ‘Queen of Love'”
Light filled the assembly hall.
A divine seven-colored glow radiated from Lily’s two pairs of wings.
But that wasn’t all. The large vision set up in the hall and the small visions placed individually at each member’s seat emitted the same light.
How many realized that intricate magical circles were drawn on the visions beyond that radiance?
“Put on the rings in front of you.”
Those had been distributed beforehand.
Without any explanation, just left there.
What those rings were, everyone wondered, but there was no time to question it.
Lily had no intention of explaining. Once donned, the “Thought Control Device” would prevent them from ever having such pointless questions again.
“I do not intend to condemn your greed as a sin. However, this is necessary to fulfill Chrono’s wish.”
No one resisted.
With complete control over the Original Monolith, Lily had set up hypnotic magical circles that strongly appealed to their visual senses through the visions. This assembly hall was, from the very beginning, a gigantic trap solely for the purpose of brainwashing all the members.
The fact that they were ensnared was because no one had imagined such a thing could even be possible.
Even if they were subjected to the mental magic of brainwashing, the effects would merely be temporary.
“But don’t worry. I will make you happy. An environment where people can live as people will be granted equally to all. The cost is the abandonment of your free will.”
When Lily grasped the nightmare brainwashing tool known as the “Thought Control Device,” created by the “White Relic,” she understood the outline of the Divine Soldier Project.
The completed form involves the total faith in the Cross Religion and the creation of a self-identity that enables highly autonomous action.
Not merely puppets acting solely on commands, but rather, generating a new personality capable of being called an ego was crucial and also the most challenging aspect.
However, Lily had long contemplated a question.
Why was it so necessary to have a sense of self?
Puppets should remain as puppets. If domination is the goal, that would be the most efficient means.
Even now, Lily could not fathom the true intentions of Bishop Judas, who was advancing the Divine Soldier Project.
Yet, a straightforward method for easily controlling people was already at her disposal.
“To enjoy equality, the most necessary thing is to cast away greed. Be satisfied with what is given. Do not desire, do not seek, do not envy, do not resent ————— freedom is the greatest enemy that obstructs equality.”
What is proof of being human?
It is the free will that is not suppressed by anything.
“As long as one is human, if you say you cannot abandon your desire for freedom, then I will make you forget.”
Ah, you greedy ones.
You who reign over the city of insatiable desires, Karamala, the richest among you.
The time has come for freedom to end.
The god who once loved insatiable human desires is no longer present.
“Now, shall we restart our debate?”
Ka-shun————
The sound of the absolute obedience needle piercing the greed-clouded brain resonated.
Now, the Karamala Assembly unified under a single will.
—
Day 7 of the Dawnlight Moon.
On that day, a conference was held to discuss the distribution of the Xanadu inheritance, rumored to determine the future of Karamala.
In a town where all visions had fallen silent, everyone was concerned about the course of the conference.
What will happen?
Will the vast inheritance of Xanadu truly be distributed?
Will there be even a slight benefit for them?
No, in any case, it would end among the wealthy among the congressional members. There would be no benefits brought to the common people.
With little expectation, people went about their day, tidying up the town that had been roughened by small skirmishes in various places.
“Everyone— hello, it’s Lily!”
Since Chrono’s broadcast, the visions that had turned into mere blackboards illuminated once more.
What was displayed was the fairy girl… no, the appearance of young Lily.
The Lily that appeared on the vision as an idol was known in both forms.
“Karamala ends today!”
The innocent smile of Lily looking straight at the camera raised questions in everyone.
“From now on, it will become a new country where everyone can get along.”
With her childish way of speaking, Lily lacked any semblance of persuasiveness.
Even if those words were taken at face value, there was no way to respond.
A new country. Who could feel any sense of reality when suddenly told so?
“————Pandemonium.”
Yes, Lily asserted decisively.
Leaving behind the doubts and confusion of the people.
“From today, this country is Pandemonium! I will be the Queen!”
With a proud tilt of her chest, she bore an expression of satisfaction.
It really only seemed to be the declaration of a child’s joke.
“Now, I will sing a celebratory song, so everyone, please listen carefully! The title is — ‘Everyone’s Best Friends.'”
And so began a whimsical children’s song.
A simple tune, straightforward lyrics. Yet, curiously lingering in one’s ears, this mysterious song was being broadcast from all visions.
What on earth are we being shown… ridiculous, just a cute brag.
Flapping her two pairs of sparkly wings, the small Lily on screen sang with great glee.
It seemed there was no information concerning the conference————when the realization started to dawn.
“…zai.”
The first to witness that was a crowd gathered in front of Temen Nigru, concerned about the outcome of the conference.
They were not congressional members nor called to this conference. However, they were the elite working in Karamala, residing in the central area where the wealthy lived.
Before them, a man first appeared.
“Hey, is that… Council Member Zanarius?”
“Ah, the eldest son of Xanadu.”
Zanarius was quite famous both as the eldest son and as a council member. Anyone would recognize him at a glance by his brightly adorned, stout physique.
He was now bursting through the main door of Temen Nigru.
“Long live!”
He cried out fiercely.
“Long live Queen Lily!!”
With tears streaming down his face, it was as if he stood before a true god, Zanarius shouted toward the Lily displayed on the large vision.
July 3, 2020.