The Grand Duchy of Chronos (Temporary) was now a reality.
I had become Leo Kamishiro Chronos.
My rank: Grand Duke.
Behold the sudden birth of a Grand Duke who spent his days grilling gyoza at soup kitchens.
None of this made sense anymore.
A line had formed, filled with people eager to catch a glimpse of their new sovereign.
I was dressed in my usual military uniform, accented with a [Galactic Empire Space Marines] apron and a twisted headband.
The highlight of the ensemble was my military boots.
They had sturdy soles; even if I stepped on a nail, it wouldn't pierce through.
In a world currently composed entirely of rubble, they were a must-have item.
I set up a hologram displaying a Latarnia Bank account for reconstruction donations.
Additionally, I had already secured loans from the Latarnia Government, the Taikyoku Nation, the Galactic Empire, the Battle Dome, and the Ogre God Nation.
The fact that I was starting so deep in the red brought tears to my eyes.
This was the reality of being at the bottom of the high-ranking nations!
According to the calculations I’d worked out with the Fairy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, our economic scale was roughly on par with the original Proone.
First, I had to compile statistics on the surviving residents...
One saving grace was that we weren't being treated as the aggressors in the war between Latarnia and the Taikyoku Nation.
Likely, it was because everything could be blamed on the Ghouls.
With that in mind, I began searching for survivors from the Central Government Office.
I also looked for the private contractors who had operated the Chronos Nation's Core System.
Restoring the database and other systems was the top priority.
Without them, we were finished. I wasn't joking.
If there were any paper ledgers left, I needed those, too.
Now, the Taikyoku Nation and Latarnia were being frighteningly cooperative.
"Well, we have no desire to be responsible for restoring Chronos. Even our citizens would pay money just to avoid that burden," Shiyun told me with a bright smile.
When I made eye contact with Big Brother, silently pleading for help, he looked away.
Why?!
Chronos was hated way too much... or rather, even if it wasn't hated, this task was simply impossible.
They were willing to commit the barbaric act of placing a foreigner with no connection to the land on the throne just to escape the responsibility.
They really didn't want the liability.
After about ten days, people began to gather in greater numbers.
I built a small shack where the Central Government Office had once stood.
This would be my office for the time being.
Before diving into my duties as Grand Duke, I reported to my parents.
I had to tell them, at least.
"Uh... hey. So, I became the head of state of a duchy in outer space."
"Well done, Leo!"
You'd assume that was my father's voice, right? This statement.
It was my mother.
My father was staring at the floor.
Following his forced retirement, he seemed to have lost all ambition for advancement.
"Keep this up, and you shall leap forward to become the Emperor of the Universe!"
"I absolutely refuse, degozaru!"
Just as I was wondering why her energy was so strange, Mom started shouting "Banzai."
"To celebrate the glory of our House Kamishiro! Banzai! Banzai!"
"Wait, what? Mom, what happened to you?"
My father stepped in to explain.
"Look, Leo... your mother is so happy she’s broken a little. I’ll be the one to break the news to the relatives."
"Ah, okay. I'm counting on you."
Having distanced himself from power, my father’s heart and body had completely softened.
He genuinely seemed happy for me.
Apparently, he’d developed diabetes from eating too many sweets.
Nanomachines aren't very effective against chronic illnesses like that, so I really wished he’d stop.
It seemed even my parents hadn't expected their good-for-nothing youngest son to achieve the greatest success of all.
Even though I was technically the reason for Dad's downfall...
And also the one who saved his life... it was complicated.
Just as I was about to end the call, my First Elder Brother appeared.
"Sorry, Leo, I just had to tell you."
"Did something happen?"
"No, I landed a job at the Imperial Capital National Research Institute! It's all thanks to you!"
"I didn't actually do anything, though?"
"What are you talking about? Thanks to you and Big Brother Sam, I didn't have to become the Head of House! I can finally live for the research I love. Thank you!"
I ended up being thanked.
Currently, Big Brother Sam is the Head of House for the Kamishiro family.
It seemed my eldest brother would live out his days as a Researcher.
Man, it’s complicated.
The Kamishiro Main House is still an issue, so am I still technically the Head of House there?
Even while I'm the Grand Duke of Chronos?
Ugh, what a pain.
As for the residents, their spirits were utterly shattered.
They didn't even have the will to resist.
I suppose that's only natural. They’d lost everything—not just their wealth, but their entire civilization had collapsed overnight.
Even the mass media members who gathered for the Duchy Briefing Session were devoid of life.
Only the reporters from the Galactic Empire seemed to have any motivation.
"...And so, this is not an invasion. It is a temporary measure to clarify authority during the reconstruction process," I concluded, my own energy levels hitting a low.
A beautiful Latarnian Announcer served as the moderator.
"We will now move to the Q&A session."
A representative from the Chronos media raised a hand, their face a portrait of despair.
They were practically wobbling.
"You claim this isn't an invasion, but... when will the transition back to democracy occur?"
"I plan to hold a general election within a year. Once a resolution is passed by the elected Senators, we will transition back to a democratic system. At that point, I intend to abdicate as Grand Duke."
"I wonder if it'll really go that smoothly?" Wifey had laughed when I told her, but... surely it would, right?
I had faith in the Chronosians!
"That would be a problem."
"Huh?"
"The name of Hero Leo Kamishiro is already a legend in Chronos. What we need right now is a strong leader!"
"No, that's why I said in a year..."
"We! Swear our loyalty to Leo Kamishiro!"
Liar!
Are you guys plotting something?
"I believe such important matters should be decided by the assembly."
"It’s the barrier."
"Wait, what?"
"If Leo Kamishiro leaves, that means the Saint's barrier disappears! We must avoid that at all costs... That is the collective will of the people!"
"Is that really the collective will?! Look, I'm a foreigner!"
"We will make it the collective will! We will save Chronos—our home—from extinction!"
What?!
"I had a feeling it would turn out like this..."
The Fairy appeared.
"You knew, Fairy?! Why didn't you tell me!"
"Well, you've been trying to run away from the responsibility of supporting Chronos from the very start, haven't you, Leo-kun? That was likely just Jester's intuition at work."
"You should have said something!"
So that was it!
My intuition had been unconsciously avoiding Chronos for a reason!
But seriously, how was I supposed to know I'd end up as the sovereign of a former democracy? That's way too bizarre to predict!
Give me a warning that's easier to understand next time!
Leo Kamishiro Chronos.
Almost twenty years old.
I've begun my career as a head of state in outer space.
Maybe I should make some shaved ice or chilled ramen...
It’s warm in Chronos, after all.
Wait... what if I put soft-serve ice cream on shaved ice...
No, better yet... soft-serve on top of a danish!
That's it!
Forget being a ruler; I’ll quit and become a café owner!
"Don't you dare break down on us!"
Ah, right.
Anyway, my brain and heart are exhausted. Can I go grab some coffee?