Chapters 38 

~Leon’s POV~

After many tireless months, I’ve finally got the people's half-hearted support.

I knew that most of them probably wouldn’t want me in power, but I was all they had.

It’s not like they had a choice in the matter. Plus, it seemed I was the only one trying to make a difference.

Hearing from locals about how the nobles and local leaders used to run things in Azeron boggled my mind.

I had to make changes, so I did.

I levied the tax on goods, making it easier for trading. The taxes on the people dropped significantly from what it was, to fit the average workers' income.

I implemented new rules and regulations to help keep the peace from going sour in the territory.

As well as cut some stupid rules that put a strain on many people's daily lives.

The more I did to improve the downtrodden territory, the more the people started to accept me.

Though I knew I was far from full acceptance.

———

I stopped at almost every town or city in the territory, trying to help each of their problems as well as gain people's acceptance.

Every so often I would go back to the mansion for a break.

Jesse continued to persevere, though he would always lose when we would have a mock battle, that’s expected since I’m a Demon after all.

A Demon’s sheer power and mana are much greater than that of a human.

His spirit and experience grew stronger with every passing day.

The last time Jesse and I fought head to head, he could encase his sword and arms in mana.

His father,  William, recovered quickly, he’s still a tough nut to crack, giving me a glare or two often.

Thomas was the same, though after a couple of weeks he started calling my name with a tone that didn’t scream, “I hate you”.

Thomas and I started getting along well, far from what our first encounter was like.

Now I don’t have to fear what’s in my drink when he serves me.

————

I was on my way back to the mansion.

When riding in the carriage time went by slowly and in a very boring way.

Watching the green, wilderness landscape was what I did to pass the time, until I finally made it to the mansion.

I was greeted by Thomas, he seemed very dignified, as any good butler should.

I heard some noise off where the training grounds were and decided to take a look.

Blue light shined from both men as they went head to head, though one was fainter than the other.

The two’s swords clanged together until one of their swords fell to the ground.

It was William’s sword that was knocked out of his hand.

Now his son Jesse had finally beaten him.

One of the strongest knights in the territory was just defeated.

I told him he needed to prove he was strong enough to succeed his father.

Now I knew he was, so I walked over to the two.

“Congratulations, it seems you are capable enough.”

They both stood straight up, doing a slight bow.

“Thank you for your words of praise.”

“Sir William, don’t you think your son is ready, to take the reins?”

He had a very stubborn tone, and he seemed a little frustrated, yet he seemed to be proud as well.

“No, not quite yet.”

“Why don’t you think so?”

“Even though he defeated me, that was just one match, he still has a ways to go.”

“Well, can you at least acknowledge he is ready to become a full-fledged member of the guard?”(I’ll refer to a knight as a guard and vice versa, just to let you know)

He looked towards Jesse, and the two made eye contact for a brief second, before looking back toward me.

“Yes, he is.”

————-

Later after Jesse become a member of the knights, he continued to work under his father.

After a year or two, I appointed Jesse as the leader of the knights, William agreed after losing to Jesse so many times.

William was still able-bodied, so he continued to be a part of the knights.

I decided to move him to one of the major cities in the territory.

There he could train more people and keep the peace.

——

To be continued