I finally had a handle on Parcion’s tendencies.
Though it was a technology powerhouse with plenty of factories and trade, it had very little interaction with the outside world. The government and state-owned enterprises handled all the heavy lifting, leaving the citizens to simply perform the tasks set before them. Under their planned economy and rationing system, their lives never really got better or worse.
Foreigners lived in designated foreigner residential districts, and contact with the Parcionians was kept to the bare minimum. In other words, while the political system was incredibly resilient against external pressure, the citizens themselves were unnerved by outside culture to an abnormal degree.
It would have been troublesome if their religion flatly rejected outside culture, but that wasn't the case. It was simply a civilization weak to external stimuli.
If that was the case, I decided I would send music, movies, and the like to the student organizations.
Hahaha.
I didn't know what would happen, but this wasn't the kind of thing you did while trying to predict the results anyway. It was essentially national propaganda, even if it bordered on high treason.
In a stifling society where only traditional arts were permitted, I’d introduce outside culture as a new trend for the youth. At first, it would likely be crushed by state suppression, but since the cost was low, I could pour in as much as I wanted. There would probably be a piracy issue, but the state could just compensate for that. It wasn't a formal export, so the amount wouldn't be much.
After setting those maneuvers in motion, I left them alone. I just had to wait until the upper brass were poisoned by it.
As for the annexation of Lepsitol, the Chronos Ministry of Foreign Affairs was currently using an "investigation" as a stalling tactic. I felt that annexing a civilization with different religions and cultures would only lead to misery. Ultimately, the decision would be made through discussions between Isono’s group and the civil officials. I only held the final right of approval.
I could have used my veto power, but if I used it too often, I would become increasingly disadvantaged politically. I could have gotten away with it if it were a fixed-term position, but being a king is a lifetime commitment...
Well, that was the situation.
Suddenly, I found myself idle. I had no work to do, so I decided to retrain my completely dull body.
First, I went for a run. After one lap around the palace perimeter, I took a short break. I did burpee jumps, push-ups, and squats. Then I moved on to the Space Marine Calisthenics—the kind where you stretch while moving.
I took a wooden sword and practiced my swings. I eventually caught the eyes of the Imperial Guard Knight Order, so we sparred.
...That was a mistake.
"Yo, Leo."
I already knew who it was, so I tried to flee for my life. However, he cut me off.
"Katori-sensei... I-I was just doing some independent training, sir!"
"Well, do as you like. I just came here to work."
"W-Work?"
"Umu. Hey, you lot, get over here quickly!"
A crowd of Chronos Palace Security Squad members with hollow eyes shuffled over.
"I'm training them," Katori-sensei said.
"I see."
"Rejoice! Today, the King of Chronos is going to give you a lesson!"
...I knew it would turn out like this.
"I'm not playing with you, Katori-sensei."
"I have no intention of forcing myself on someone stronger than me," he replied.
...What happened to him? The World-Renowned Battle Junkie was actually...
"I've got nothing left to teach you. Rest easy."
"O-Oss!"
"Besides... what's all this 'I'm getting dull' crap? Your blade is getting sharper by the day."
"O-Oss. Thank you very much!"
"Now then, help me train my subordinates."
"Okay..."
And so, I held a joint practice with the Palace Security Squad and the Imperial Guard Knight Order. First up was the strongest guy in the security squad... he was from the Ogre God Nation, wasn't he? Look at that happy face he was making.
"Daryaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
He had spirit, but his slash was naive.
"Too slow."
I parried upward and went for a thrust... but I thought that might be a bit much for a human, so I feinted the thrust, caught his clothes with my wooden sword, and threw him just like that.
"Guh!"
I pinned him down with the wooden sword.
"I-I give up!"
Yes, victory.
"H-He's too much of a monster..." someone whispered.
"Not really," I said. "He had hesitation when he swung. That's why I was able to parry his overhead attack. Normally, I would have finished it in one blow by thrusting at the torso or throat, but this isn't a bloodbath, so I caught his collar and dragged him down. Then I maintained Zanshin while pinning him. If he hadn't surrendered, it would have been the Wooden Sword Grinding Under the Shoulder Blade Punishment."
"E-Eww! The painful one!"
The security squad recoiled in horror. In grappling, it was a basic technique to break down an opponent who had curled up like a turtle by grinding your elbow into them.
"It's the same with anything, but knowing when to pull back is important. You should cultivate the judgment to retreat when you think things are looking bad. You're going to be managers eventually. Learn how to maneuver so that your subordinates don't die."
It was perfectly fine to retreat in a local skirmish. The biggest problem was the attrition of soldiers. I was telling them to run while they still could.
"Sir!"
They looked at me with sparkling eyes. ...No, I was only saying the obvious.
With that, I dealt with everyone, including the Imperial Guard Knights. Yet, something was missing. I lacked sufficient physical exertion and tension.
I looked at Katori-sensei.
"It seems you've finally come to understand my feelings," he said.
Good grief... It seemed that without realizing it, I had become a battle junkie too.
"Give me a break. Peace is what's best for me."
"Hahaha, keep talking, keep talking."
Please stop... I really had no intention of becoming a battle junkie.
"Did you see that?" Katori-sensei shouted to the group. "This is the goal for me and for all of you. Company! Salute the King of Chronos!"
"Thank you very much!"
Thus, I finished my training feeling somewhat unsatisfied. I lacked a bit of stimulation. When I returned home dejectedly, I ran into Melissa.
"Oh? Training?"
"I was training alone, but then I ran into Katori-sensei and ended up feeling unsatisfied..."
"Then let's train together next time. Invite Saijo-kun, too."
"That's it!"
That was it. It only turned out that way because it was Katori-sensei! If it were people from different schools like Melissa or Saijo-kun, it wouldn't end up like that. Right. I had just fallen into a stagnant loop with my internal training. I'd invite Rikochi to train as well. Yes, that would be good.
You might think it was strange, but I was serious. To be precise, I had so much free time that I had the luxury to worry about such things. During the Zork War, I only thought about surviving until tomorrow.
Hmm, I'd certainly come up in the world.
...My head was starting to feel clear. I'd set Parcion aside for a moment. I'd go talk to Berger-san and Kachiya. I’d think about finishing off the Ghouls.
As I thought, moving my body really made my brain work. Exercise was important!