nside Blazewood, gongs and drums thundered, firecrackers crackled nonstop, red banners fluttered everywhere, and crowds packed the streets. It was an unprecedented spectacle since the town's founding—"empty streets" didn't even begin to describe it.
The usual gloom was gone. Even the most reclusive, stay-at-home types were grinning as they wandered outside.
What surprised everyone even more was that every shop looked like it was holding a grand opening sale. Flower wreaths and gift baskets piled up at the entrances, while posters plastered on storefronts advertised jaw-dropping discounts. It made people wonder whether these businesses even planned on opening the next day.
Still, no one questioned it. Everyone felt it was only natural.
After all, today was the First Burnice Cup Seven Days and Nights All-You-Can-Drink Carnival, celebrating the Sons of Calydon's victory in the Overlord Carnival Feast!
Granted… no one was quite sure why, when the news clearly said Lucy had become the Overlord, the carnival ended up being named after Burnice.
But nobody cared. That was just how the Sons of Calydon were. Ordinary onlookers only needed to know that good days were ahead and enjoy the moment. The Sons of Calydon themselves, however, had far more to think about.
And on a day meant to be nothing but joy—when no one wanted anything to go wrong—something went wrong anyway.
Amid the laughter and cheer, an extremely discordant voice suddenly rang out from somewhere in Blazewood.
"What? Corin, are you sure this information is accurate?"
The very first thing Lucy did after becoming the Overlord was shamelessly snag a soft, sweet maid from Victoria Housekeeping to serve as her assistant.
The second thing she did was outfit herself with a full set of luxury office furniture.
According to her, only something like that was worthy of her young-lady status.
In reality, it didn't take long before the other Sons of Calydon started using the place as a recreation room—sparring, fire-breathing, stock trading, shoujo manga, you name it.
Over time, Lucy herself stopped cherishing the place as well.
Right now, right in front of Corin, she slammed a baseball bat down onto the desk in fury. The solid wooden table instantly shattered apart, creaking and groaning as it broke.
Corin jumped in fright, leaning back and holding up a stack of documents to shield her face. After a long moment, she cautiously peeked out from behind the papers, her small head popping out as she spoke in a timid, soft voice.
"Lucy… this message came from Miss Ellen. I really believe it's true… I mean, today isn't April Fools' Day, and Miss Ellen has no reason to lie to me."
Hearing that, Lucy completely lost it. She collapsed onto what remained of the desk and yanked at her hair in frustration.
"AHHH!!! I really wish today were April Fools' Day!!!"
"Hey now, Lucy, don't be so tense! It's just one rebel division. Leave it to me—I'll take care of it!"
Caesar had rushed over after hearing the commotion. Hands on her hips, she spoke boldly, her carefree expression instantly setting Lucy off.
Lucy slammed her hand down and roared, "Caesar! Get serious! That's an entire rebel division—at least several thousand people! Take this seriously!"
Caesar listened with one ear and let it slip straight out the other.
Lucy's warning bounced off like a rubber ball, not even lingering in Caesar's head before being swallowed up by her boundless self-confidence. She waved her hands dismissively.
"Come on, Lucy, don't get so worked up! It's a small matter—leave it to me!"
"It's because I'm leaving it to you that I'm worried!!!"
Lucy finally snapped. The young lady's shrill fury instantly filled the room.
Belle and Corin hurried to grab Lucy from both sides, holding her down before her tantrum could turn into a full-on whipping.
Piper also quickly stepped in front of Caesar, signaling her to stop talking.
Amid the chaos, Burnice wore a broad smile as she looked over everyone with satisfaction. Then she slowly turned toward the window.
"So lively, everyone… but what's that red thing in the sky?"
She gazed outside at a lone plume of smoke rising from the distant sea of sand, drifting straight upward without dispersing.
Hearing Burnice, Belle looked over curiously and instinctively reached for her headset.
Inside, Fairy—who had been itching to speak—finally seized the chance.
[Master, you've finally remembered me. Now allow New Eridu's top-tier artificial intelligence to answer your questions, ensuring every bit of your electricity bill is money well spent.]
"Enough, enough."
Just hearing the words "electricity bill" made Belle's head hurt. Pinching the bridge of her nose, she stepped up beside Burnice and stared at the smoke.
"Fairy. Explain."
[Master, this is a special signal flare. The red smoke condenses without dispersing and can last for up to three hours. Based on its current state and timing analysis, if nothing unexpected has occurred, Phaga and Ellen have already made direct contact with the rebels' Seventh Division.]
"Wow, that's impressive!"
Belle's headset was on speaker. Caesar heard every word and immediately got excited, pumping her fist toward Lucy.
"See, Lucy? Just the two of them are already taking on a whole division head-on! And look how many people we have here! A measly Ninth Division is nothing!"
Caesar laughed without a care in the world. Lucy's eyebrow twitched violently. Her fists clenched tight, though she forced herself to suppress her anger.
She really wanted to smash Caesar over the head with a bat, grab her by the ear, and scream—
They have a vampire!
Once their numbers get high enough, they can self-destruct like it's a basic attack!
Racial advantage beats everything—what are you going to use to compete with that?!
"Haa… don't get angry. Don't get angry. Getting mad at an idiot isn't worth it."
Lucy repeated it to herself over and over. After a long while, she finally let out a deep breath and gave her orders.
"Piper, notify the residents of Blazewood. Tell them tonight's carnival will proceed as scheduled."
Proceed as scheduled?!
Corin was completely stunned.
Piper nodded. "Understood."
She turned to leave.
"W-Wait!"
Corin hurriedly grabbed Piper before she could go, then turned to Lucy, asking timidly,
"Lucy… I'm not questioning your decision, but holding the carnival as usual seems a bit…?"
"A bit unbelievable, right?"
Lucy didn't dodge the question at all.
Seeing how straightforward she was, Corin's eyes lit up with little stars as she nodded like a tiny quail.
"Mhm!"
"This has to do with the Outer Ring's cultural environment."
Lucy sighed and glanced at the group of rather abstract Sons of Calydon nearby before explaining simply.
"In the city, New Eridu is in a post-apocalyptic reconstruction phase. Most people there are 'calmly insane.' Life's pressure makes them laugh instead—though they occasionally lose it."
"But in the Outer Ring, that level of madness is nothing."
"Because no matter how bad things got in the city, the apocalypse there is already over… but in the Outer Ring, the apocalypse never ended. It's still ongoing."
Life and death meant little here.
Corin and Belle were utterly shocked by Lucy's words.
As pure city dwellers, their understanding of the Outer Ring was shallow at best—nothing compared to Lucy, who had run away from home long ago and seen it all.
With that, Lucy—the city-born Outer Ring veteran—waved her hand decisively and issued her commands.
"Piper, pass the word. The carnival proceeds as scheduled. Everyone, equip firearms and protective gear!"
"Burnice, start mixing drinks! First requirement: alcohol strength. Second requirement: it has to taste good!"
"Lighter, gather all the residents scattered outside Blazewood and bring them back."
"Corin, stay by my side. My emotional state is part of the battlefield."
"Eh?"
Corin froze again. Ever since coming to the Outer Ring, witnessing baffling decisions had somehow become routine.
Lucy didn't explain. She simply took Corin's small hand and clasped it tightly, then turned her gaze to Belle.
"Proxy, I need a favor. The Outer Ring doesn't have much surveillance equipment, but we can probably use phones instead. Can you help set up a local network with full coverage?"
Belle smiled and gave a playful OK sign.
"No problem!"
"Good."
With the second major issue resolved, Lucy finally relaxed a little. Then she turned to the last person who hadn't received an assignment yet.
"Which leaves you, Caesar."
Caesar lit up with excitement, swinging her arms enthusiastically.
"Say the word, Lucy! Am I charging in first?"
"Something like that…"
Lucy's eyes drifted away, clearly unable to look at her.
After a long pause, she cleared her throat, steadied herself, and pointed to a corner of the map.
"Caesar, you go here…"