The weather around the Blackfix Kingdom began to calm down, as if nature itself had settled after the new Demon King's coronation was complete. Some of the demons still gathered outside the altar thought that the King's anger had finally subsided.
Elvar was guided to his chambers to rest, escorted by several humanoid demon servants who walked silently through the dim stone corridors. After arriving in front of a large double door made of solid black wood, the servants opened it and bowed respectfully. The room behind it was magnificent, incredibly spacious and dark, with thick velvet curtains hanging from the high ceiling, covering the large windows.
Elvar showed no signs of happiness. His form behind the mask remained calm, proud, and brave. He stepped with an erect and elegant posture into his room in front of the servants.
The door closed. After ensuring no other demons were watching and that he was completely alone, Elvar took off his mask. His face was now uncovered. The next second, all the strength that had been supporting his body seemed to vanish. He fell onto the black silk-sheeted bed, showing just how mentally exhausted he was.
"This is crazy. This is really real," I muttered, looking at my own hands.
"Now that I've taken off this mask, look, my hands are shaking. My legs feel so weak. This is my real self, weak and cowardly. Will I be able to sleep tonight? What will happen tomorrow? Whatever, let fate answer that. I need to rest my body. I'm really tired today."
Somehow, I actually managed to sleep that night. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. And you know what? When I slept, it wasn't a nightmare about demons that came, but a memory from my past. The dream showed me at the campus library with my professor, Mr. Budi, who often gave me life advice. He was a Business Management professor. Even though it wasn't directly related to my major, he was somewhat close to me.
Inthe dream, I was sitting next to him. He pointed towards the window, and outside,
a skyscraper could be seen. "If you were appointed to lead the company in that tall building, but its condition was deteriorating and it was about to go bankrupt, what would be the first thing you'd do?" my professor asked.
And honestly, back then, I had no idea what I should do. I couldn't answer his question because it was so far from my chosen major. Of course, I answered, "I don't know."
"I don't care. It's impossible for me to lead a company that big," I muttered in the dream.
The professor's voice continued to echo. "Remember, if you inherit a company on the brink of collapse," Mr. Budi's voice said in my memory, "the first thing you must do is not panic. There are three steps: Analyze, evaluate, resolve."
"Who would leave me a bankrupt company? My parents are already gone," I grumbled again.
"Think of it this way, Elvar," his voice continued, as if he knew my exact situation. "'Analyze the problem' means gather information. Do market research! Information about your company's location, your competitors, and the office politics within your company."
"Then, 'evaluate your assets'. Know your company's resources. How many employees do you have? What are your fixed assets? What is your current financial situation?"
"Only after that, can you 'realize your solutions' and plan how to proceed. Or well, the other option… If you want to give up and let your company go bankrupt, just hide under your bed," the professor explained at length in the dream.
I woke up in a cold sweat. The memory of a lecture I once considered useless suddenly felt incredibly relevant. What the professor said made sense.
…and if I could, I'd still want to choose to hide under my bed. But that's impossible here, or I'll die.
Okay, let's carefully examine what my professor explained in that dream. Three steps: Analyze, evaluate, resolve.
'Analyze the problem', what does that mean? It means I need information. Information about what? Yes, about this kingdom and this world. You could say it's the 'market research' my professor mentioned.
So, what specific information should I look for? Information about the things that are making this kingdom fail.
Starting with… the Economy. Let's make the questions first.
"Hmmm, what should I ask? Hold on, let me think…" I muttered to myself, pacing around the spacious room.
Not long after, I came up with some perfect questions.
Why is this kingdom poor?
What are our main sources of income?
Agriculture, mining, or is it just raiding?
Do we have any unique products or resources to sell?
Something that only the Blackfix Kingdom has?
What's our logistical situation?
Do we have safe trade routes, or does every merchant who leaves here immediately become a meal for Humans or other creatures?
Then what else besides the economy? The Military? Oh yeah, that's part of a kingdom's system. Let's come up with questions for that.
A while later…
They said this kingdom is considered the "weakest". Why?
What is the total number of combat-ready troops in this kingdom?
Hundreds? Thousands? Or is it just the Five Pillars?
Who was the main enemy that killed the previous Demon King?
How strong are they? What are their weaknesses?
What is the quality of our soldiers' weapons and training?
Do we have magic units, special forces, or is everyone just running on pure grit?
Okay, what's next? A kingdom is like a country, right? Seems about the same. There must be politics. There are politics in manga too. But a demon kingdom? It's probably the same. I'll think of the most fitting questions for this topic.
Are there other Demon Kings?
If so, what is our relationship with them?
Are we hostile, rivals, or just considered non-existent?
Why are demons in general treated cruelly by other races, especially humans?
What is the root cause of this "misunderstanding"?
Of course, I'm scared of demons myself.
is it because we're scared of them?
But it doesn't seem like that here. Within this kingdom itself, besides the 5 Pillars who just swore their oaths, are there any other factions or noble families I need to be wary of?
Who is truly loyal, and who is just following along out of fear?
Okay, okay, enough. My head feels like it's about to explode. This is no longer market research for a college assignment; this is like managing a failed state from scratch. But at least now I have a clear list of questions.
The next step… I can't find all this out by myself. I need someone who knows everything. Someone who can be the "Google" for this kingdom. I have to summon the one person who seems to have all the answers.
Valeria.
In the morning, I was already awake and couldn't sleep anymore. Not because I couldn't sleep, but because I was afraid of the uncertain situation. I'm a new king here, and I don't know who might not accept me. That thought kept running through my terrified mind.
Before leaving my room, I didn't forget to put on my mask. And right at the moment the Demon King's mask touched my face, a holographic notification panel appeared before me.
"Heh, what's this?" I muttered, startled.
-Notification -
Exclusive Mask
User Skill Name: Mask Actor
Mask Type: Demon Lord
Note: This mask has been used by its rightful owner for 1 day, with 270 years of the mask's soul experience. Power is derived from the legacy of the previous Demon King's body, absorbed as a vessel of experience, the absolute requirement for summoning a new Demon King.
- This notification will not appear again after you wear it for the second time. -
"Skill? Mask Actor? Demon Lord Mask Type?" I muttered,
trying to process the information.
"It's like in the comics, but what is this skill? Mask Actor? So this is why I can imitate the nature of a Demon King and can't do things outside of a Demon King's true nature? Because I'm using this Demon King mask?."
I took off my mask, then put it back on. Just as it said, the notification didn't appear again. I just realized, the first time I wore this mask, I was still on Earth. Maybe this is a world with high magic intensity. Isekai? Wow, so this is really an isekai.
Okay guys, so now it's clear. My skill's name is Mask Actor. That means I can imitate the entire nature of the type of mask I use. I wonder, what other masks can I use?
Not long after Elvar tried to understand his skill's mechanics, a knock was heard on the door.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Elvar opened the door. Valeria was standing there, and she immediately bowed respectfully before inviting him on a tour to introduce him to the kingdom's territory