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The moment she heard those words, Crusch's expression froze.

Every single thing he said is actually true.

In other words, from start to finish, he was entirely certain that he could take the entire Kingdom of Lugunica?

Thinking of this possibility, Crusch's expression didn't change in the slightest as she continued listening to Kenma's words.

Kenma couldn't be bothered to care about the expression or thoughts of the person across from him, and simply continued, "Let's talk about that so-called Council of Wise Men first. They're just a bunch of old fossils holding the country's power."

"The only reason I'm keeping them around right now is because managing the country afterward would be troublesome once I become king. If any of them refuse to obey, I'll just kill them and replace them with new ones."

Speaking of this, he smiled, but his gaze made the knowledgeable Crusch sitting across from him feel somewhat chilled.

"You know, humans have always been creatures that bully the soft and fear the hard. There's no need to suppress all of them at all."

"Let me ask you a question. Suppose you are alone, without any helpers, and you have 100 subordinates. Among those 100 people, many are dissatisfied with your position as leader. You have a move that can only be used five times, and this move can only kill one person each time. They don't know how many more times you can use this move, so how would you manage those 100 people?"

Hearing Kenma's question, Crusch was momentarily stunned.

After thinking seriously for a few seconds, she shook her head. "If there are no helpers, this is almost impossible to achieve. Sooner or later, they will become dissatisfied and try to usurp the throne. At most, your move can only kill five people, and the remaining 95 people simply cannot be killed off completely."

Receiving Crusch's answer, Kenma nodded, and then the corners of his lips hooked into an arc.

"This problem is very simple. You don't need to use up all your moves, you just need to personally kill someone with that move right in front of those 100 people."

"That way, the remaining 99 people will all submit to you. They will fear you, and no one will dare to stick their neck out, because they don't know how many more times you can use your move, nor whether the next one to die will be themselves."

"The old fogies of the Council of Wise Men are the same. If any of them develop feelings of dissatisfaction, I'll just kill them and replace them. Anyway, the Kingdom of Lugunica isn't short of people."

After listening to this portion of Kenma's words, Crusch opened her mouth several times, but didn't know what to say.

After a long while, she raised her head and said in a serious tone, "Subaru-sama, although your thoughts have many similarities with mine, it is inevitably a bit too extreme. Such a maneuver will trigger turmoil in the kingdom."

As her voice fell, Crusch was surprised to find that Kenma was looking at her with the gaze of someone looking at a fool.

Facing the hypothesis raised by Crusch, Kenma merely shrugged, "Crusch-san, this world is not egalitarian. Here, individual power can surpass the collective. My strength is sufficient to suppress almost anyone in the world, so naturally I won't fear so-called turmoil."

"I am merely killing a few corrupt old fossils. If they want to raise an army in rebellion, I can wipe them out along with their troops. That is the confidence with which I dare to propose this idea."

"Uh..."

Crusch was momentarily speechless and couldn't refute Kenma's words.

Kenma was already one of the most powerful beings in the kingdom and even the world. A rebellion staged under his nose would likely be suppressed instantly.

Watching Crusch, who was now somewhat speechless, Kenma continued, "Now that we've finished talking about the Council of Wise Men, next it's the turn of you royal candidates who are trying to compete with me for the throne. A while ago, the Emilia Camp announced its withdrawal from the royal selection. You know about that, right?"

Crusch's gaze narrowed.

Could it be...

She naturally knew that about five days ago, news spread that the kingdom's strongest mage, Margrave Roswaal, had been killed by the Witch Cult's Sin Archbishop of Greed.

Following that was the withdrawal from the royal selection by the Emilia Camp supported by Roswaal.

Anyone with discerning eyes could see that after losing Roswaal as its pillar, the Emilia Camp immediately fell apart.

When all is said and done, the Emilia Camp was originally the weakest among the five royal candidates. Coupled with her identity as a half-elf, her public approval rating was pitifully low.

Organizing the thoughts in her mind, Crusch replied, "I am naturally aware of it. This matter has long been known to everyone in the kingdom."

Kenma smiled. "I figured that by today, you all should understand that even if the three royal selection camps unite, you have no hope whatsoever of defeating me."

"To put it bluntly, in my eyes, you are all nothing more than a mob of rabble, existences that will shatter at the slightest touch."

"The reason I didn't choose to use force to become the King of Lugunica is simply because I wanted to experience this kind of political game."

"Duke Crusch, withdraw from the royal selection. That way, after I become king, you can continue to sit in the position of duke and handle official business for me."

"Otherwise, bear the consequences at your own peril."

Crusch's expression grew stern and she said solemnly, "Can I take Subaru-sama's words as a simultaneous declaration of war against the other three royal selection camps?"

She hadn't expected that Kenma would be so direct during today's visit.

Keep in mind, it had only been a few days since the royal selection conference ended. According to common sense, it was currently just entering the early stages of the throne competition.

Yet now, Kenma was like a massive mountain, pressing heavily upon the heads of the other royal selection camps, completely impossible to overthrow.

Whether it was influence, achievements, right to speak in the kingdom, or even public votes, he far exceeded the other three royal selection camps.

Crusch abruptly stood up, her eyes staring straight at Kenma with a solemn gaze.

"Subaru-sama, do you intend to suppress all voices of opposition and establish hegemony in the Kingdom of Lugunica?"

Hearing the woman before him pin such a label on his head, Kenma smiled disdainfully and pointed his thumb at himself.

"Make no mistake, you are the challengers."