LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 14 - As a King Should
Chapter 14
As a King Should
『 Translator – Divinity 』
The king of a nation.
The weight of that position was too heavy for a mere human to bear.
Edmund Carsein always had to prioritize the interests of his country.
Therefore, he made the biggest decision of his life.
He wanted to push away the constellation faction, which he saw as a thorn in his side, using another faction.
There was a suitable justification.
The followers’ rationality had flown out the window.
Edmund Carsein judged that this was a rare opportunity in his life.
It didn’t matter that the opponent was the apostles of the Father God, with whom they had a deep cooperative relationship.
Uncontrolled followers were no different from a time bomb.
“I-Is that… true…?”
Some of the vassals who heard his opinion gasped and inhaled sharply.
“Your Majesty, please reconsider…”
“No.”
Edmund hardened his expression and solidified his will.
He didn’t have much time left in his life.
During the little time he had left, he had to solidify the world his daughter would live in.
“They have been abandoned by their god, and their power will not last long.”
He knew all too well the fate of a faction without a constellation.
He had witnessed it countless times, and his knights had even finished them off themselves.
“Before they fade away, we will erase the Black Sun from this world…”
The Black Sun.
The name of the old enemy religious order came from the aged Edmund’s mouth.
The tribe that barely managed to survive like cockroaches in the sewers after the constellation called the Father God ascended to the position of absolute ruler.
But Edmund knew.
Once, before they were utterly defeated in the holy war against the Father God…
How large their forces were, and…
How they lurked in the shadows of the Kingdom of Legardium.
‘Why didn’t he destroy them then?’
Edmund, who was just a human, couldn’t understand the Father God’s intentions.
And the price for that was…
With their only counterbalance gone, they would surely move to expand their power again.
“E-Even so, how can we do this to the followers of the Lord God who have looked after us…?”
Some of the vassals opposed his decision.
“…”
Edmund remained silent for a while.
Looking at their faces, every one of them was a member of the Father God’s religion.
He couldn’t overcome their religious resistance.
“We have lived peacefully all this time.”
Enthusiastic believers, far removed from reason and logic, obsessed with miracles and blessings.
It meant that the appearance and existence of a single constellation had that much influence.
To the point where the followers of that constellation were present at this important meeting.
“Do you want this country, this nation, to become a playground for other constellations?”
“Th-That’s…”
“…”
But they couldn’t be unaware of the disasters caused by constellations.
“This is not my kingdom. It is our kingdom.”
Edmund Carsein, despite his old age, spoke with unwavering spirit.
“It is our land, and the place where our families live.”
They had just been lucky.
There was an oddity among the constellations, and he happened to be stronger than the others.
But now he is gone.
Their Lord God, the Father God…
He disappeared somewhere, leaving his children behind.
It was quiet now, but soon the forces of other constellations would move to fill the empty seat.
Therefore…
“You must know. How the devils of the Black Sun have massacred our people.”
They had to eliminate that terrible tribe when the opportunity arose.
“Will you stand idly by and lose your families again?”
Edmund Carsein looked around at the crowd.
“Or will you move first and protect your loved ones?”
No one objected anymore.
That’s how great the charisma Edmund exuded was.
“Our war will be a long one.”
First, create a justification for the apostles of the Father God to attack the Black Sun.
A justification mixed with cunning, so that no one would notice.
If they succeeded in gaining the support of the followers, only then would they mobilize the knights to attack both forces.
“Y-Your Majesty…!”
When he heard the news from the messenger who returned from the royal knights who had left to stop the holy war…
Edmund Carsein’s world crumbled.
“Lord.”
***
“Lord, please, kill me.”
The aged king, using his worn-out body, performed a dogeza.
At his sudden confession, I could only sit there for a while and stare at his empty crown.
‘What in the world is going on?’
I came here to peacefully build up some goodwill, and suddenly the king is bowing down to me.
In this situation, all I, who knows nothing, can do is…
“…Raise your head.”
To act as if I know everything and show mercy.
‘First, calm down.’
What’s important for a constellation is their image, their image.
Even if you don’t know, you have to act like you do, and no matter how flustered you are, you must not lose your composure.
“I don’t want to see someone who once shared the same goal as me in such a state.”
“B-But, Father God.”
“Please get up.”
When I spoke in a slightly firmer tone than before, the king finally raised his head slowly.
I have no interest in abusing an old man who looks like he could be bedridden any day now.
“Ugh…”
I told him to raise his head, and now he’s kneeling on the floor.
No, why are you doing this, really?
“…Please have a seat.”
“…But, Lord God, I…”
“If you don’t sit down, there will be consequences.”
“…!”
Edmund Carsein hurriedly got up and sat on a nearby chair.
Yes, it’s good that he’s obedient.
I took a moment to catch my breath.
Let’s think for a moment.
So, he’s saying that he’s the one who instigated our children to attack the Black Sun.
‘But why?’
Since I’m not around, did he decide to create a situation that would benefit him?
Our children have a severe tendency for separation anxiety.
It’s not impossible that they would go crazy at the news that I’m trapped somewhere without any proof.
‘Huh.’
I never thought the situation would turn out like this.
‘The culprit was here all along?’
He didn’t beat around the bush and just confessed on his own.
I was only thinking about how to avoid the topic of the princess, and…
He suddenly handed over the initiative.
“I am ultimately responsible for all these sins.”
“…”
“The people outside this door are unaware of any of this.”
Does that make sense?
No matter how crazy a king’s decision is, he can’t ignore opposition.
It means everyone agreed to this.
“Therefore…”
The old man, who had been groveling until now, raised his head and met my gaze.
There was a man who, as a king, was trying to take responsibility for everything.
“Please, can you stop here by taking the life of this lowly and aged man?”
I glanced to the side.
Veins were bulging on her white jaw, clenched tightly.
It was the sight of Belladis, who had been toyed with by the king, finally realizing the truth.
Deceived like an innocent lamb, knowing nothing…
Not only did he put the followers of the religious order in danger, but he also hurt her Lord God.
The person responsible for everything was right there.
‘Whoa, whoa.’
I quickly grabbed Belladis’ wrist and shook my head.
“…!”
And like magic, her anger subsided.
It’s a relief that she remained a good follower.
“Please spare the lives of my subjects and my only daughter.”
The old man, Edmund Carsein’s eyes were filled with solemn determination.
“Although this body is insignificant, it is certainly in a position to take responsibility for everything.”
It seemed like he was truly prepared to walk into the fire pit for his people.
‘Responsibility.’
But that responsibility…
It holds no value to me.
What would I gain from punishing the king here?
The wrath of the entire Kingdom of Legardium? Or international ostracization and bullying of our religious order?
I could suppress any of that with pure force, but…
Human relationships aren’t something that can be resolved with just power.
‘Hmm.’
Belladis, having gained enlightenment, is furious, but I’m indifferent.
My original motive for coming here was purely to see the royal palace, not to deal with headaches because of the princess.
Therefore…
“By a stroke of luck, I was able to protect my children before the holy war broke out.”
I made up my mind.
Gently…
I lightly pulled Bella’s wrist and brought her closer to me.
“…?”
With a puzzled look on her face, I raised my hand and slowly stroked her.
Belladis flinched at the sudden contact, then…
She soon purred and obediently leaned into me.
“I cannot express how grateful and blessed I am for that.”
“Aah… My love, Father God…”
Bella looked at me with tears of gratitude in her eyes.
‘If you know what’s good for you, behave.’
“King of the Kingdom of Legardium.”
I looked at the king, who had already made up his mind.
“Why did you give false information to my children?”
“That’s…”
“I need the truth, and nothing but the truth.”
The old man hesitated for a long time and couldn’t easily give an answer.
He must be going through a lot of thoughts in his head right now.
Why did he do such a crazy thing? For what purpose? To gain what?
“It was to protect what I carry on my shoulders… Father God.”
‘That’s it.’
I was worried that a different answer might come out, but fortunately, the words I wanted to hear came out.
“Then, why did you want to protect it?”
The human heart only becomes honest when the emotions hidden deep inside are brought out.
“Why are you risking your life to protect the country, your vassals, and your daughter?”
Like someone who has transcended worldly life, I peacefully observed Edmund’s reaction.
“…!”
Edmund Carsein trembled as if he had been dealt a heavy blow…
He moved his dry, aged lips and slowly looked within himself.
“Because I… I love them.”
That was the true face of Edmund Carsein, the one I knew.
He was branded a psychopath by the users and reigned as a king wearing the mask of a cold-blooded man, but…
—I must protect my country, my people, from the evil gods.
The image of a man hesitating in front of the portrait of his departed wife, making a vow…
It was a truth that only I knew.
—Forgive me. Aisela, my daughter.
He had to push himself.
Even to the point of throwing away the human element of paternal love.
Edmund Carsein was such a foolish man.
“That is enough.”
I said with a bright smile.
“…What?”
The aged king, who was relieved to accept his end after confessing everything, doubted his own ears at my words.
“I said that is enough.”
“B-But, Lord God. I have betrayed your grace and insulted you.”
“It’s alright.”
“Even at my daughter’s plea, I… I did not stop attacking your religious order.”
“That must also be because you loved Aisela.”
Love.
‘By the way, Aisela did that?’
Even if he’s her father, how could she openly take my side in front of the king?
Putting aside the chilling truth, I continued to meet Edmund’s gaze.
As time passed, bewilderment settled on his wrinkled face.
Since he seemed to be tired of answering, I decided to drive the point home.
“Since the answer I wanted to hear has come from your mouth, I will forgive you.”
I looked at Bella’s expression.
She was calm, with no doubts about my decision.
“You must build an even better kingdom from now on.”
Honestly, the current state of the kingdom is excellent, but sentiment is important here.
“A kingdom that can take responsibility for the future of your only daughter, and your vassals.”
“…”
At my playful words, Edmund Carsein…
“I will achieve it with the rest of my life…”
He shed tears for the first time in the 30 years since his wife’s death.
***
「Fantastic speech! ‘Edmund Carsein,’ the King of Legardium, pledges his allegiance to you!」
「Your followers gain additional stat bonuses in battles within the Kingdom of Legardium!」
「A small amount of luck accumulates!」
「Some constellations are shocked by your actions.」
「A suspicious flow of stars is felt…」
***
“D-Darling…”
Edmund, holding his dying queen in his arms, looked at her with trembling eyes.
It was when he was still caught up in his youthful naivety.
When his daughter was barely able to babble, when he should have been happily teaching her what a true king was…
A living hell unfolded in Edmund’s life.
His queen was dying.
The breath of his beloved was fading away.
Despite occupying the position of a king, the feeling of helplessness at not being able to save even a single life…
Edmund Carsein watched her last moments amidst a sensation as if his whole body was being torn apart.
“Our, our daughter… Will she be alright…?”
“Don’t worry. Right now, your body—”
“Promise me, my love.”
The woman wasn’t a fool.
She, the owner of her body, knew best that her life wasn’t long.
“That you will leave a world full of love for our lovely daughter, Aisela, and me.”
Edmund couldn’t remember the last words he uttered to his wife that day.