Let's Build a Nation

"Mr. Rhode, did I mishear you just now?"

Norn did not quite understand how the conversation had jumped to this point. He merely shared Rhode's desire to let more humans learn magic.

Why had it come to the point of founding a Human Race nation?

Why? How had things turned out like this?

"You heard correctly!" Rhode's voice was utterly resolute.

He did not know how the first human nation had come to be in Frieren's world, but that did not stop him from helping bring it about.

They would create a kingdom that belonged to humanity.

It would be the first Human Kingdom in the history of this continent.

Ideal Nation Aer.

"Have you lost your mind?"

Serie finally could not hold back any longer and stepped out from behind a nearby tree.

"What? Not eavesdropping anymore?"

Rhode had long noticed Serie's impossible-to-hide golden hair. Now that she had stepped out, he began teasing her.

There was no harm in letting Serie hear this, since Rhode had been planning to ask her for help anyway.

"Ahem, I was just passing by." Serie would never admit that she had followed them out of curiosity about what the two were discussing. "But are you serious, Rhode?"

"Of course I am. When the time comes, Norn can be the King, while the two of us can be Great Sages."

Though the title of humanity's first King was indeed tempting, Rhode did not have the courage to shoulder the responsibilities that came with it.

Because if he truly established such a nation and became its King, he would have to take responsibility for all humans across the continent.

Rhode was not that kind of saint.

"You..." Serie narrowed her eyes and studied Rhode. "What exactly are you plotting?"

In her eyes, Rhode should not have been the sort of person who acted like some great saint.

Though this fellow was indeed a good person and would unconditionally teach his magic to his kin, he was still far from being a saint.

Yet what he had just proposed was no different from the deeds of a saint.

Rhode spread his hands, his face innocent. "I just think that since Norn wants more humans to learn magic, we might as well establish a nation that belongs to humanity."

"That way, magic can be passed down systematically, and humans can have a sanctuary of their own."

Norn finally recovered from his shock. "Mr. Rhode, this is too sudden."

Norn had never dared to hope for something like this.

There were so many races on this continent, yet only five nations with any real name to them. Even the Dwarven Kingdom had once been destroyed.

That alone showed how difficult it was to establish a nation.

Territory, citizens, an army, and so on—it would all be incredibly complicated. Just thinking about it made Norn feel it was impossible.

"Let's put aside what it takes to establish a nation for now. How will you gain recognition from the other races?"

If you wanted to establish a nation, the other races had to recognize you at the very least.

Otherwise, conflict would be unavoidable.

"Serie, have you ever heard this saying? When you are strong enough, whatever you do, people will find it reasonable."

"But you are not strong enough yet." Serie mercilessly poured cold water on him.

"That's fine. I can wait. Whether it takes twenty years or thirty, I can afford it. Besides, in my world, sometimes a single city is enough to be called a nation."

"What kind of nation only has one city?"

Serie had no idea what sort of nation that was. If its entire territory was one city, then once the city fell, the whole nation would be finished.

Besides, the Dwarven Kingdom had fallen because the Demon Race captured its entire capital. Nearly all the dwarves of the royal bloodline died in the royal city, leaving the other clans leaderless and causing the nation to collapse.

That was completely different from a nation being destroyed the moment its one city fell.

"We only need a name. We raise the banner of a human nation, unconditionally welcome every human, and provide them with shelter. In time, both citizens and an army will naturally emerge."

Norn immediately understood what Rhode meant.

At present, humans were scattered across every corner of the continent, without even a moderately sized settlement among them.

What Rhode intended was to raise the banner of a human nation and draw humans from across the continent to join them.

As time passed, this one-city nation would naturally become a proper country.

"But isn't this world too dangerous for humans right now? I'm worried..."

Norn worried that even if their name reached other human villages, those people would be too afraid to set out.

This world was far too dangerous. Ordinary people had no means of fighting back against Monsters, so how could they cross such vast distances to reach the nation they established?

If that caused other humans to abandon the thought of making the journey, then all their efforts would be for nothing.

"Isn't that why we need to teach them magic?" Rhode patted him on the shoulder.

Thus, fate came full circle at this moment.

"I understand!" Norn looked at Rhode with admiration written all over his face.

This man had already thought so far ahead. Norn could not help feeling inferior.

"It's just that, this thing about making me King..." Norn said with a bitter smile, worried that he could not bear such responsibility.

"It's fine. Believe in yourself. You are the most suitable among us!"

"But..." Norn was still hesitant.

"If you truly do not want the role, then let Serie be King. Do you think it is appropriate for the King of a human nation to be an elf?"

Serie looked utterly bewildered. How had the conversation somehow been dragged back to her again?

Before she could speak, Rhode continued, "I can do it too, but then I'll be a hands-off King and dump every responsibility on you. What do you think?"

"How is that any different from me being King?" Norn muttered.

Serie, meanwhile, looked at Rhode speechlessly. "What an arbitrary fellow."

Rhode shook his head, pretending not to hear Serie's words.

All he could say was that Miss Serie still needed to work on her insults. At this level, they did not hurt Rhode in the slightest.

Maybe if Serie put on a disgusted expression and called him scum or something, it might make Rhode a little happier.

Do not misunderstand. He did not have that kind of fetish; he simply thought Serie would look amusing with that expression.

"So, you see? In the end, you still have to be the King. Don't worry, Serie and I will assist you when the time comes."

"No, I haven't agreed to that."

Serie grew a little anxious. Why should she help someone else become King? There was nothing interesting about that.

"You'll agree." Rhode leaned close to Serie's ear, and the proximity made her face itch.

Norn did not know what Rhode had said, but Serie's expression shifted from reluctance to contemplation. Her pupils contracted slightly, and her small hand began unconsciously tugging at the corner of her clothes.