Chapter 29

- Tch, look at him, huh? You, who are even more ruthless than me, are saying you'll ruin it? You'll see.

He placed more emphasis on the things he couldn't complete due to his short life.

Now, if I return, what will be left for me?

His contemplation didn't last long.

'I need to get rid of it soon.'

- By "get rid of it"... you mean there are people who bear grudges against you.

'You already know everything, don't you?'

- That's right. However, even the original you doesn't know everything. There are areas even the original you can't access when looking into your inner self.

There's something even the Abyssal Demon King can't see. I've long felt that my state isn't normal.

- But, how do you plan to handle it? It seems you don't want to just destroy everything.

'Right, acting without preparation is as bad as not acting at all. The Queen Liness is one thing, but if I hastily purge the noble faction led by Duke Varietta, it would cause an emergency in the entire Laun Kingdom. Even if I start the purge immediately, I can't prevent the Laun Kingdom from wobbling.'

It would take too much time to filter them out one by one. That's why she maintains such an arrogant appearance, and the royal family can't easily execute the noble faction.

'I have a plan.'

- May I ask what it is?

'What is it?'

- What do you want?

That voice was as sweet as a demon trying to tempt a person, yet it was also very clear. She wouldn't listen to me if I asked for something.

Her question was a conclusion drawn by someone who already knew the answer.

'To settle down, live comfortably, and live a long life without any headaches.'

At my words, she burst out laughing as if finding it amusing.

- A life far from the life of a royal. But aren't you already living like that?

'Looks that way, huh?'

- Not at all.

'Then I understand. I'll leave the royal palace. Fortunately, the royal family is small, but I have a fief, just like me. Although it's barren.'

I smiled calmly.

- You...

'I might as well make it unique. How about the only advanced city on the continent?'

- Quite a grand and disorganized dream. It would be faster to become the king of Laun and change it that way.

'If I become king, I won't be able to live a carefree life.'

- Would it be different if you were a duke?

'It's possible, as a duke. I'll make enough money to not have to worry and pursue my hobbies.'

I'll do it until it's possible. If there are technical flaws, I'll deal with them in other ways.

This world is slow in scientific development but quite advanced in other aspects.

Perhaps a safer and more impressive place will emerge.

'I'll build my own city there, a place I can return to.'

* * *

On the way back to the Laun Kingdom, there were no more attacks. Or rather, it's safe to say there's no one left with the means to attack me.

With the failure of Shari, a maid who clearly seemed to be a close confidant of Queen Liness, who would dare to target me?

Whether she knows the truth or not, she must have realized that she can't mess with me so easily now.

"You've worked hard."

It was a brief encouragement.

"I am unworthy."

"It's not your fault. It's the problem of the Boltez nation, which dared to do such a brazen act against a coalition of nations."

Baris, kneeling on one knee and bowing his head, remained silent.

Due to the monster Valtean, the current public opinion on the continent is overwhelmingly against the Boltez nation.

If they were close brother nations or allies, they might have sought ways to help, but unfortunately, the relationship between the Boltez Kingdom and the Laun Kingdom wasn't that good.

"Even with such a major incident, it's fortunate that you returned safely."

King Crianes' expression, though calm, was filled with fatigue.

"And..."

He looked at me, trailing off.

"I heard you manifested a holy mark."

"I received the attention of the gods, though undeservedly."

"Congratulations."

He muttered briefly and turned his head.

"Does the Queen think the same?"

"Yes... congratulations... indeed."

Her expression had lost its composure.

Her face was filled with confusion and complexity. Not only did I, whom she expected to die, return alive, but I also came back with a holy mark.

Regardless of who I am, anyone with a holy mark is an important figure.

If she openly attacks me, it will give the Holy Kingdom a reason to intervene.

Unintentionally, I've ended up under the protection of the Holy Kingdom.

Of course, I have no intention of seeking their help.

"Your Highness, it seems you're not pleased that I received a holy mark."

I smiled, and she covered her mouth with a fan.

Then she gave a playful wink.

Her eyes are twinkling. This woman.

"There's no way. A child's good fortune is the mother's good fortune."

"If that's the case, I'm relieved."

At my words, I could see her clenching her teeth.

Though hidden by the fan, it was obvious, and I couldn't pretend not to notice.

"Are you injured?"

"No, thanks to Lady Freya's care, I returned without a scratch."

I answered calmly, and he seemed satisfied, turning his head.

"Duke Varietta."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"This is not something to be taken lightly. We must petition the coalition of nations to strongly protest against the Boltez nation, which caused this situation."

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Unlike Queen Liness, who showed her displeasure, he had a strangely dissatisfied expression.

Especially since the one he disliked has now received a holy mark, it must be quite a headache for him.

"You must be tired from the long journey. Go and rest."

"I will."

I bowed calmly and stood up, and Baris and Winry followed me.

"David."

At that moment, Crianes, who had been silent, quietly called my name.

It's been a really long time since he called me by my name.

The words almost burst out of my throat, but I didn't show it.

"Can you stay for a moment?"

Realizing what he wanted, I bowed quietly, and everyone slowly stood up and left.

Queen Liness, who had been looking at me and Crianes with unease or dissatisfaction, bowed silently under Crianes' gaze and left.

A quiet private meeting.

It was the kind of meeting I requested right after waking up, but was ignored.

"David."

"It's been almost half a year."

"......"

"Your Majesty called me here separately after waking up."

I spoke calmly, and he said nothing.

He just looked like a powerless lion, having lost his former vigor.

"Do you resent me?"

"Is there any reason to lie? Yes, I do. I don't need to say when it started."

At the bone-chilling words, a bitter sigh escaped his lips.

Did you think I turned out this way because of a short-term issue?

"I'm glad you look healthy."

"You did pay some attention to me during this time."

"Did you know?"

"I have a good intuition."

At my words, he gave a bitter smile.

"Indeed, my expectations were correct."

"Can I ask what you mean?"

"No parent is oblivious to their child's changes. You were a bit different when you woke up from your coma."

He spoke calmly and slowly stood up.

Then he sat at the table set by the attendant and quietly offered me a seat.

"Have some tea."

"It's too much, I'll decline."

"......"

At my calm response, he smiled bitterly again.

"You won't call me father?"

"Your Majesty."

At my calm words, he fell silent.

"The word 'father' refers to a father."

Though disrespectful, he just maintained a bitter smile without saying anything.

"Should I call you father?"

"No, what right do I have to call myself your father after making you go through such a hard time?"

At his words, I said nothing.

You do know, don't you?

"During this time, you wanted to see me."

"I've been thinking. I just wanted to ask one thing."

This time, it was a different question. For a moment, I felt like I was back in the past.

Back then, he would sternly press me for information about my mother.

When I was 9 and learned that Queen Liness was behind my mother's murder, I asked him again, and he answered like this.

"How did you feel when you abandoned the woman you once loved so much?"

At my words, his expression turned bitter.

"David."

"You chose the nation over my mother. You let go of my mother, who was poisoned, for the sake of the nation, and you remarried for the sake of the nation."

"Don't blame her too much. This is all my karma."

"Your Majesty, I no longer care about your past romance. Whether Queen Liness was my mother's only close friend, or whether jealousy led to this, it doesn't matter to me."

"David."

"I wanted to ask. Really, didn't it bother you at all? My mother said she wanted to see you before she died. Even as she was vomiting blood from the poison, she was calling for you."

"......"

He said nothing as I continued.

"That's how she went. In front of me, she shed tears and said she was sorry, and then she left."

"Be a king."

Instead of answering, he calmly said what he wanted to say.

"I wasn't a good king or a caring father. I lacked knowledge and power."

"......"

"But you will be different. You will set things right. But not now. You're not ready yet. The world is not as easy as you think. Dangers lurk everywhere, and there are people with silver tongues who can manipulate you."

"Is that so."

"Being a king is not a position where you can do everything as you wish. As a king, you must make choices that you can't understand. So, bide your time and build your strength. Make it so that no one can refuse what you want to do."

I laughed coldly at his words.