I Became a Raid Boss

"Well, I heard that there's a law requiring permission to possess a sword.
I can somewhat understand why such a law exists.
The country I’m in, Korea, isn’t a place where people need to carry swords for self-defense because the public order isn’t that bad.
But—
Understanding something and accepting it are clearly two different things."

"...Are you seriously saying you're going to confiscate it?"

My sword...
No, my father's sword. Are you really going to confiscate it?
To me, that was no different from saying, “Let’s end this,” or perhaps, “Please, kill me.”

Edel, with an indifferent expression, tapped the desk.

"Calm down, it's not like that for now."
"For now? So, there's a possibility it could happen?"
"Well, I guess that’s true."

She ran her fingers over the choker around her neck.
There was more to Crimson Aegis than just the memories I had with my father.
But Crimson Aegis was a sword that held far more meaning than mere memories to me.
If they wanted to take it...

"..."

"Ugh, why do you exude such a murderous aura? Are you planning to tear me to death or something?"
"Who knows."

If you tear me to death, that might actually be a blessing.
I swallowed the rest of the words and calmed myself.

"Are you calm now?"
"I just don't want to vent my anger on something innocent."

In other words, if I didn’t like what I heard, I’d turn everything upside down.

"Good mindset."

Edel, understanding the meaning behind my words, nodded.
Her reaction was so unexpected that I subtly asked her.

"...Aren't you going to stop me?"
"Stop you? Do you think there's any reason for me to stop you?"
"I thought you’d tell me not to cause trouble that would affect the greater scheme, like last time."

When was it again?
I don’t remember the exact time, but I had asked Edel that before.
Isn’t it more convenient to awaken our powers beforehand to prepare for the invasion, instead of awakening when the crisis hits?
Since we created "Cilia Online" with that purpose, I couldn’t understand why we were hesitating, so I asked. The answer she gave me was...
Before a public enemy appeared, granting power would definitely cause internal conflict, and if that happens, we wouldn’t be able to unite when the real crisis comes.
I understood it as her not wanting to cause unnecessary discord, but... was I wrong?

Then Edel lightly shook her head.

"Technically, you’re not wrong, but you're a bit mistaken about something."
"...?"
"Look."

Edel clasped her hands together.
Holy power swirled around the neatly gathered hands and soon a round orb appeared inside.
A very familiar shape of an orb.
Spinning the orb that resembled Earth, Edel spoke.

"What I was talking about before was a global issue. Of course, not everyone in the world plays my game, but still, it’s not something that’s limited to just one country."
"Is there really that many people playing 'Cilia Online'?"
"Of course, it’s mine. And after last time, the number has increased."
"Hmm..."

Well, I guess so. It’s already a popular game, and hearing that it’s actually a real world makes it even more intriguing.

"And where we are?"

As soon as Edel finished speaking, a part of the orb began to shine.

"Only this size. Less than a hundred million out of billions of people are here. Would a small country like this really affect the greater scheme if we have some disturbance?"
"Is that so...? But still, it’s a developed country, isn't the evaluation a bit harsh?"
"Developed is just a human perspective. And like you said, even if things get overturned, it wouldn't destroy the nation. Am I wrong?"
"...True."
"That’s what I’m saying."

"So, basically, even if I cause trouble, it’s still manageable."
"And there’s another reason."

The orb in Edel’s hands scattered and disappeared in an instant.
Amidst the faint lingering holy energy, Edel’s voice pierced through.

"You, as a person, are far more important than the few who raised the problem. For me, it would be more troublesome if you, out of frustration, decided not to fight."
"...What exactly do you think of me?"
"What do I think? You’re someone who isn’t honest with your feelings, but is incredibly emotional."
"..."

I was at a loss for words.
To be honest, it’s undeniable that I’m emotional and impulsive.
The fact that she called me a child was a bit off-putting, but if Edel meant 'child' in a different sense, it didn’t bother me too much.
If she meant it that way, she would’ve just called me a little kid or a brat.

After a brief silence, I cleared my throat and changed the topic.

"So, what exactly does 'for now' mean?"
"Huh?"
"When I asked if you were going to confiscate it earlier, you said 'for now.' What does that mean?"
"Ah, that?"

Edel nodded her head.

"Well, if you look at the document you’re holding, you’ll understand. The violation for possessing a sword or whatever is just a reason."
"A reason, you say."
"Yeah. The real purpose is this."

Edel’s words trailed off as she wrapped her hands around her neck.

"I want to put a leash on you."
"...Explain it more clearly."

"Anyone who has done a bit of research on someone named 'Canaria' knows that confiscating the sword doesn’t really matter."

As she said, having the sword would make things more convenient and stronger.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
But the so-called 'dangerous situation' suggested by the law for possessing a sword could easily be handled with bare hands.
It’s essentially a meaningless law for me.

"But that applies to others too, doesn’t it?"

Anyone who’s had some physical training could probably cause harm to others, even if they’re not as strong as me.

"So, there’s another law for those kinds of people. They get punished more severely than regular people if they cause trouble."
"...You know quite a lot."
"Not a big deal."
"So, in the end, the reason they said I broke the law is just an excuse, and their real goal is to prevent me from causing trouble?"
"No, I said it’s a leash. Why would people put leashes on animals? To control them smoothly."

If someone has power that others don’t, it’s natural to fear them.
Conversely, if you have power that others don’t, there’s no reason to fear, right?
Especially if you can control that power however you like.

"Isn’t that just the icing on the cake?"

Jeju Island and Seoul.
The two invasions didn’t cause significant damage, but they were enough to raise awareness in those sensitive about their safety.

"If there’s someone who can turn an uncertain future into a certain one, it’s only natural that you’d want to have them in your hands."
"...Oh, come on."
"So, as written in the document, we need to discuss future plans, so they want you to attend soon."

I skimmed the document and saw all the regulations about possessing a sword without permission, violating certain laws, possible prison sentences or fines...
Skipping through the mundane details, I finally saw what Edel was talking about.

"It’s real."

So, all the complicated stuff written above was just for this one line?

"Starting by breaking their momentum makes negotiations smoother."
"I know that too."

Even though I’m not into politics or social circles, I’ve seen and heard things.
There have been people trying to sway me and the Red Flame Knights that way before.
So, did it work?

"Not a chance."
"Really?"
"Yeah, nothing."

I shook my head in response to Edel’s questioning look.

"...I never thought I’d be hearing threats like this."

Isn’t it normal for them to welcome me with open arms if I came to help their world?
The way they’re holding onto me, shaking me, is just absurd, so I mumbled in disbelief.

"What will they do if they confiscate the sword and something unexpected happens?"
"Well, I don’t think they actually plan on taking it. They’ll probably just say they’ll forgive you and make you follow the regulations they set."
"...Is that right?"

If I get upset and decide to just leave for another country, it’ll be their loss.
What are they relying on, being so forceful with me?
Do they think I can’t leave this country?
Because Da-eun and Demonius are still in Korea?

"You probably don’t fully trust what I said. The faith here is very different from the faith in our world."
"That could be true."

They can believe in physical force because they’ve seen it, but they can’t believe in the existence of the gods... I guess that’s the feeling.

"What are you going to do?"
"..."

I rubbed my lips and fell into thought.
It’s true that following the rules in a rule-of-law country is expected.
But when they come at me this forcefully, I don’t feel like complying willingly.
But I can’t just ignore it either.
If I refuse to follow the rules and ask to be accepted as a resident of this world, they probably won’t look at me kindly.

"So, what do you think we should do, Edel? Should I just overturn everything?"
"If that would make you feel better, I don’t mind. But as I said before, if you’re confident that you won’t mind what comes afterward."
"Then, I guess not."

I quickly dismissed the impulsive thought.
If I did that, the consequences would be enormous, and I didn’t want to deal with them.

"Can’t you just make a prophecy or something? Like, ‘Don’t touch the one I care about.’"
"I can’t. This isn’t my world."
"Can’t you ask the Administrator?"
"They’d probably refuse. They don’t like to intervene."
"Really not helpful."

Just as I sighed, Edel, who had been silently watching me, spoke up.

"How about this?"

She said, holding up another document.

"An eye for an eye, a threat for a threat. Since they came at you forcefully, you can come at them the same way."