NOVEL NEXT Chapter 145.2
Chapter 145.2. The King
King Fried spoke.
His eyes, lacking in majesty, still gazed steadily at Hermes.
The king continued speaking to Hermes, who stiffened instinctively.
“Did you… think that I lack vigor for a king?”
“Uh, no, I…”
He hit the mark.
Hermes broke into a cold sweat at this unexpected predicament, but then—
“…Haha. It’s fine, it’s true.”
Surprisingly, the king showed a tolerant attitude and began to speak calmly.
“I’m aware of it myself. While I can’t say I’m unfit for the throne… compared to other family members, especially my sister, with whom I once contested for the throne, I am indeed…”
“!?”
“No… in truth, I suppose it couldn’t even be called a contest…”
—And then, Hermes understood.
So that’s it. Yes, it all makes sense given the timeline.
This king—if I may dare say it—is…
—The king who took the throne in place of Rose.
Everyone knew that before she left the capital, Rose was seen as the rightful next ruler.
But when she suddenly disappeared from the capital, the most promising candidate was gone, and the throne was handed to this man instead.
Though it was impossible to grasp the hardships he must have endured fully, Hermes could sense from the king’s words that this fact weighed heavily on him even now.
King Fried continued.
“That is why I sought a hero unfettered by conventions for the next ruler. As a result… Aster grew far too arrogant, and that is my responsibility.”
Even the matter of Aster seemed to carry an implicit intent in his words.
“But it cannot end there. That is why seeking a strong successor is also my duty.”
With a voice that carried a subtle increase in force, everyone present realized—
The main issue was about to begin.
“My children, I know you are vying for the next throne.
…It is not something I can simply put an end to. Overcoming such struggles is a quality of a king, and even if I were to arbitrarily appoint one of you, the conflict wouldn’t end.”
In a way, these words encouraged the rivalry among the siblings.
But then, the king’s tone shifted slightly.
“However, such a situation is far from healthy. If things escalate too far, it could lead to a national crisis. Thus, I ask only one thing from all of you.”
He spoke in a heavy, low voice.
“—Do not trouble the people. Above all, you must follow this rule.”
Everyone present shivered at his words.
“Protecting the people and stabilizing the country is our duty. Anyone who oversteps that boundary… will have their right to the throne revoked, even by force if necessary, under the authority of the king.”
“…”
“As long as that condition is met, I will allow you to continue honing your skills and competing to become the next ruler.
…And while you do so, I promise to defend the kingdom with all my strength from any foreign invaders who might take advantage of the situation.”
…Hermes adjusted his perception.
The king might have had his flaws and was not all-powerful.
But—he had indeed upheld the peace of this country as its ruler until now.
“There is also the matter of the organization that attacked the academy recently.
Be vigilant of your surroundings—especially you two, the silver-haired boy and the gray-haired young man.
Your unclear backgrounds will naturally draw more suspicion.”
“…Understood.”
“Understood, Your Majesty.”
Hermes responded solemnly, while Laplace replied with polite deference.
…Even so, it seemed the king hadn’t realized Laplace’s true identity yet.
If he had, there’s no way Laplace would have shown himself here. In that sense, it was only natural. Nevertheless, the king’s thorough vigilance toward Hermes and the others was, in a way, a reasonable response.
With that, it seemed the king’s address was drawing to a close.
“…From this point forward, I, Chancellor Licht, will take over the proceedings.”
At the same time, the man—who was indeed the chancellor—stepped forward from the side.
The reason the heirs to the throne had been summoned, and the next topic to be discussed, was made clear.
“—The recent regional uprising in the northern part of the kingdom.”