The majestic and dashing figure sitting on the throne looked very calm after punching Grakthos, who was known to have a strong body and was one of the pillars feared and respected by his followers. It was just one solid punch that happened just like that, unintentional by Elvar, as a result of his skill following his inner desire.
"Grakthos!!" Carmilla shouted, her voice anxious as she saw Grakthos thrown against the stone wall at the end of the throne. "I told you to just follow, but you had to resist! I know you're strong, but that doesn't mean you should challenge the Demon King! Idiot!"
Carmilla approached the weakly collapsed Grakthos, helped him stand with difficulty, and brought him back to the line of pillars to sit and then kowtow facing Elvar. Sincerely, Carmilla also bowed her head and said,
"Forgive Grakthos, Your Majesty," Carmilla explained. "He is very loyal to this kingdom and always struggles to accept criticism from people he just met. And when Your Majesty criticized this kingdom, of course he would be angry. Please forgive his disrespectful behavior."
"Very well," Elvar said in a calm tone, even though my mind was being tormented by the pain from using my skill.
I also don't know how I'm still able to control my body with all this pain I'm feeling. To this moment, the pain I'm experiencing is truly torturous. Even so, I still have to look calm and listen to what they say.
After I analyzed the pain I'm experiencing, it started with the pain in my arm when I punched Grakthos earlier. It felt like my bones were cracking.
If this happened in physical form, my hand would probably look twisted irregularly or limp because all its bones were broken and shattered.
I tried to lift my physical hand, to test whether the pain I was feeling would affect my movement or not.
Elvar was seen raising his hand and pointing toward Grakthos, who was still bowing in pain, without saying a word. Seeing the gesture, Valeria reacted immediately, thinking the King was still angry and would punish Grakthos further.
It turns out it doesn't affect my movement, even though it still hurts so much, I thought, relieved. I just pointed at Grakthos to test my arm. It seems Valeria misunderstood.
"Lord," Valeria said quickly, trying to placate him. "If there is anything else Your Lordship wishes to do, please let me be the one to do it. You do not need to move from your seat."
"Give him understanding," I said in a firm but flat tone, ordering Valeria. "Everything I do is for this kingdom as well, and this is the best choice to make the kingdom better. Or..." I paused for a moment, letting the implied threat hang, "...I will leave this kingdom."
"Yes, Lord," Valeria replied, bowing.
You know, even though I can command them, give directions, and speak calmly behind this mask, my mind is screaming in pain. This hurts so incredibly much. My entire body feels like it's being crushed from the inside.
I've made my conclusion. This is the backlash, the payment for my skill. I'll rethink it. The pain in my arm must be because I punched Grakthos. The Demon King's power has enormous energy and striking force.
If the real Demon King's body punched like that, there probably wouldn't be any backlash, because his body was already trained or was indeed strong enough to withstand the payment.
It's like me, an ordinary human, punching a rock hard, my arm would get injured. Or more extremely, if my arm was tied with a rocket as a thruster, then aimed at a wall.
Something terrible would happen. The arm is pushed quickly by the rocket and punches the wall hard. Then what would happen is severe damage to my arm. Although this analogy is convoluted, I'm sure you're confused. Same, I'm confused too.
Okay, back to the topic. Final conclusion: If the power I use exceeds the limits of my original body's capabilities, then this pain is what I feel. Like that teleportation just now (Shadow Step? I don't know its name).
The speed of movement in the blink of an eye must have a very high G-Force, maybe exceeding 9G which even fighter pilots would be burdened by.
What about me, an ordinary and untrained human? My distance from Grakthos just now, let's say 10 meters. Movement time about 0.1 seconds (a blink of an eye). Then average speed = distance ÷ time → 10 meters ÷ 0.1 seconds = 100 meters per second.
Starting from rest (initial speed = 0), then in 0.1 seconds reaching a final speed (assume constant) of about 100 m/s.
Acceleration = change in speed ÷ time → (100 m/s - 0 m/s) ÷ 0.1 seconds = 1000 meters per second squared.
We know 1 G ≈ 9.8 m/s². So: 1000 ÷ 9.8 ≈ 102 G.
So, that instantaneous movement over 10 meters is equivalent to experiencing a force of 102 G! A normal human body can usually only withstand up to 9 G for a short time before passing out or suffering organ damage. And my weak body... should have been obliterated.
Confused? Of course, I'm confused too.
Okay, that's the gist of it. My body is affected by my Mask Actor skill. My physical part will follow the abilities of the body being imitated (Demon King), so I can perform that super-action.
The physical wounds I can receive are only attacks that can actually hurt the original Demon King's body. But the payment is this extraordinary internal pain.
I really have to consider what powers are safe to use with a body like this. And it seems, I also have to start training my body so I can get better at using this Demon King Skill's power.
At the very least, I have to make my arms stronger to withstand the recoil, or the backlash, from my future punches. Is it possible with push-ups? Strengthening muscles? Sit-ups? Or weightlifting? I don't know what the training is either, but I'll try them one by one later, whether they're effective or not.
I have to train my body when not wearing the mask, so the training effects truly influence my original body.
The pillars just bowed silently, waiting for further directions from Elvar. Elvar was seen just sitting silently for a long time, staring blankly at the five pillars. The room's atmosphere was so quiet after the earlier punching incident.
Elvar, who was actually busy talking and explaining the cause of his pain with the reader in his mind, didn't remember that he was in an important meeting to discuss plans and make decisions. No one knew what he was thinking.
Eh, I forgot... Right, let's continue the story.
"Is there anyone else who disagrees with my plan?" I asked again, looking at all the demons in the throne room.
All the demons in the room were seen just staying silent. Their silent attitude indicated that they accepted Elvar's decision to lead and run the kingdom as he wished, especially after seeing the "demonstration of power" earlier.
"Good. If you are all just silent, I'll assume you agree with everything I've planned," Elvar said, then turned towards Valeria.
"Valeria," I commanded, "from now on you are my personal assistant. Help me manage citizen data and other administrative matters."
I made Valeria my assistant because she has a body similar to mine, making me more comfortable if I'm accompanied by her everywhere compared to other scary demons.
"Yes, Lord. With pleasure," Valeria replied with a firm yet gentle voice, bowing slightly.
"Terrax," I called the Shield Pillar, "you are the General of the Defense Forces. Take your troops and help me gather wood from the surrounding forest. When a sufficient amount has been collected, let me know."
I gave him the task with a firm and heavy tone. Terrax just nodded silently.
"Nyx, the shadow," I turned to the humanoid spider figure. "Your task is to watch the border territory while all the citizens are working later. If there is anything dangerous or suspicious, report directly to me."
"Understood," Nyx replied briefly, her voice like a soft hiss, yet full of meaning.
"Carmilla and Grakthos," I looked at the two remaining pillars. Grakthos was able to stand straight although he still looked in pain. "Your task is to gather special vine materials from the Green Forest with me tomorrow. I also want to see the environment further from this kingdom."
"Yes, Lord," said Carmilla, glancing at Grakthos. "I will relay this to Grakthos as well." Grakthos just growled softly, but didn't object.
"And for the rest of you," I looked at the nobles present, "help the other citizens gather other necessary materials. I will write a complete list later."
"Are there any questions?" I asked everyone in the room.
Several demons were seen shaking their heads, and the others just remained silent, bowing.
"Very well. If there are no more, this meeting is adjourned. You may leave," I said, dismissing them.
Ahh, finally it's over. You know? Enduring this pain was so agonizing. The pain from using that skill earlier still really hurts. How do I overcome this pain?
Oh yeah, when I sleep later, I want to ask your opinion. Does this delivery style of mine make you feel uncomfortable reading this story? Should I maintain this style, or maybe reduce it a bit? Please tell me through a dream tonight, okay. Thanks for reading!!