Ch.1414. What It Means to Be King

A king of a nation.

The meaning of that position was too heavy for a mere human to bear.

Edmund Karsein always had to prioritize the interests of his country.

That’s why he had now made the biggest decision of his life.

He wanted to push away the Constellation forces, which were like thorns in his eye, with another power.

There was even a suitable justification.

The believers would have lost all reason.

Edmund Karsein judged that this moment was a great opportunity that wouldn’t come many times in his life.

It didn’t matter that the opponents were the apostles of the Father God, with whom he had a deep cooperative relationship.

Uncontrolled believers were nothing but ticking time bombs.

“Is… is that really true…?”

Several of his subjects gasped in shock upon hearing his opinion.

“Your Majesty. Please reconsider…”

“No.”

Edmund hardened his resolve with a stern face.

He didn’t have much life left now.

During that short remaining time, he needed to secure the world his daughter would live in.

“They have been abandoned by their god, and their power won’t last long.”

He knew all too well the fate of forces that existed without a Constellation.

He had already faced them several times, and among those, his knights had personally finished some of them off.

“Before they fade away in vain, I will erase the Black Sun from this world…”

Black Sun.

The name of the long-standing rival order came from the aged Edmund’s lips.

The followers who barely maintained their existence like cockroaches in a sewer, after the Constellation called the Father God ascended to the position of the absolute.

But Edmund knew.

Before they were greatly defeated in the holy war against the Father God.

How large their forces had been, and.

How they had operated in the shadows of the Regalium Kingdom.

‘Why didn’t they destroy them back then?’

Being merely human, Edmund couldn’t understand the inner thoughts of the Father God.

And the price for that was.

Now that the only counterbalance had disappeared, it was clear they would move to expand their influence again.

“But, but still. How could we… the believers of the deity who has watched over us…”

Some subjects opposed his judgment.

“…..”

Edmund maintained silence for a moment without speaking.

Looking at their faces, they were all people who had been involved in the Father God’s religion.

He couldn’t overcome religious resistance.

“We have lived peacefully all this time.”

Praise-singers who were far from reason and logic, thirsting for miracles and blessings.

The appearance and existence of a Constellation had that much impact.

Enough that believers of that Constellation were present at such an important meeting.

“Would you like this country, this nation, to become a playground for other Constellations?”

“That’s…”

“….”

But they couldn’t be unaware of the disasters caused by Constellations.

“It’s not my kingdom. It’s our kingdom.”

Edmund Karsein spoke with still-impressive force despite his aged state.

“It’s our land, and the place where our families live.”

It was just luck.

There was just an oddball among the Constellations, and by chance, he happened to be stronger than the other Constellations.

But now he’s gone.

Their deity, the Father God.

Had disappeared somewhere, abandoning his children.

It might be quiet now, but soon other Constellation forces would move to fill the empty space.

Therefore.

“You must know. How the demons of the Black Sun have been slaughtering our citizens.”

Those terrible creatures must be eliminated when the opportunity arises.

“Will you stay still and lose family again?”

Edmund Karsein looked around at those present.

“Or will you move first and protect those you love?”

No one opposed anymore.

That was because Edmund’s charisma was so great.

“Our war will be long.”

First, create a justification for the apostles of the Father God to attack the Black Sun.

A justification mixed with subtle schemes that no one could detect.

If they succeeded in gaining the support of the believers, then they planned to move the knights to attack both forces.

“Your… Your Majesty…!”

When he heard the news from the royal knight messenger who had returned from trying to stop the holy war.

Edmund Karsein’s world collapsed.

“Lord.”

#

“Please… kill me.”

The aged king performs a dogeza, pulling his worn body forward.

At this sudden confession, I could only sit in my place for a while, staring at his empty crown.

‘What on earth is going on?’

I came here peacefully just to gain favor, but suddenly this king guy is bowing his head.

All I could do here, knowing nothing, was.

“…Please raise your head.”

To show an attitude of bestowing mercy, as if I knew everything.

‘Calm down first.’

For a Constellation, what’s important is pride, pride.

Even if you don’t know, you have to act like you do, and no matter how surprised you are, you can’t lose your composure.

“I don’t want to see such a sight from someone who once shared intentions with me.”

“But, but Father God.”

“Please get up.”

When I spoke in a more resolute tone, the king finally raised his head slightly.

I have no hobby of abusing an old man who looks like he should be bedridden tomorrow or the day after.

“Ugh.”

After I told him to raise his head, now he’s kneeling on the bare floor.

Really, why are you doing this?

“…Sit down.”

“…But, Constellation. I…”

“I said sit.”

“…”

Edmund Karsein hurriedly rises and sits in a nearby chair.

Yes. It’s good that you obediently listen.

I took a moment to catch my breath.

Let me think for a moment.

So, he’s saying that he’s the one who tricked our people into attacking the Black Sun.

‘Why on earth?’

I don’t know either. Was it just to create a favorable situation for his side?

Our people have severe separation anxiety tendencies.

It’s not impossible that they would go crazy at the news that I was trapped somewhere, even without evidence.

‘Heh.’

I never expected things to unfold like this.

‘The culprit was here?’

There’s no need to go the long way around, he’s already confessed by himself.

I was just thinking about how to bring up the princess issue.

Suddenly, he’s handed over the initiative.

“All responsibility for these sins lies with me, the final decision-maker.”

“….”

“Those outside this door know nothing.”

That doesn’t make sense.

No matter how crazy a decision a king makes, he can’t ignore opposition.

In the end, it means everyone agreed to the operation.

“Therefore.”

The old man who had been taking a submissive posture until now raised his head again and met my gaze.

There was a man who, as king, was trying to take responsibility for everything.

“Would you be willing to cut off the head of this wretched and aged man, and stop here?”

I glanced to the side.

I could see veins bulging above a white jaw with clenched molars.

Belladis, who had been playing in the palm of the king’s hand all this time, had come to a realization.

Deceived like an innocent lamb.

Not only endangering the believers of the order but also hurting her deity.

The mastermind behind everything was right there.

‘Whoa, whoa.’

I quickly grabbed Belladis’s wrist and shook my head.

“….!”

As if by magic, her anger subsided.

I’m glad she remains a good believer.

“Please spare the lives of my subjects and my only daughter.”

In the old man’s, Edmund Karsein’s eyes, there was a solemn determination.

“Though this body is worthless, it is certainly the position to take responsibility for everything.”

He truly seemed prepared to walk into a fire pit for his citizens.

‘Responsibility.’

But that responsibility.

It has no value to me.

What would I gain from punishing the king here?

The anger of the entire Regalium Kingdom? Or international bullying and harassment toward our order.

While any of these could be suppressed by pure force.

Human relationships aren’t problems that can be solved by force alone.

‘Hmm.’

Belladis, having come to a realization, is very angry, but I’m not bothered at all.

Rather, I might have a headache because of the princess issue, but my motive for coming here was purely to see the palace.

Therefore.

“Barely having the opportunity, before the holy war broke out. I was able to protect our children.”

I made my decision.

-Swish.

I gently pulled Belladis’s wrist, bringing her closer to me.

“….?”

Over her questioning face, I raised my hand and slowly stroked her.

Belladis stiffened at the sudden contact.

Then she purred and surrendered herself to me.

“I cannot express how grateful and blessed that fact is.”

“Ah… my love, Father God…”

Belladis looked at me in a wave of emotion.

‘If you know, do well.’

“King of the Regalium Kingdom.”

I looked back at the king who had already made up his mind.

“Why did you spread false information to my children?”

“That’s…”

“I need the truth without any lies.”

The old man hesitated for a long time and couldn’t easily provide an answer.

By now, he must be thinking countless thoughts in his head.

Why did he plot such a crazy thing? For what? To achieve what?

“It was to protect what I bear… Father God.”

‘Good.’

I was worried a different answer might come out, but fortunately, it was the answer I wanted.

“Then, what did you want to protect?”

Originally, human hearts become honest only when you draw out the emotions deep inside.

“Why are you risking your life to protect the country, your subjects, and your daughter?”

I watched Edmund’s reaction peacefully, as if I had transcended worldly matters.

“….!”

Edmund Karsein, as if he had been hit hard, trembled for a while.

Then, moving his dried lips that had withered with age, he slowly looked into his inner self.

“Because I love them.”

That was the true face of Edmund Karsein that I knew.

Despite being vilified as a psychopath by users and wearing the mask of a cold-blooded person while reigning as king.

-I must protect my country and my people from evil gods.

The image of a man hesitating as if making a vow in front of his departed wife’s portrait.

That was a truth only I knew.

-Forgive me. Aisella, my daughter.

He had to push himself.

Even to the point of throwing away the human element of paternal love.

Edmund Karsein was such a foolish human.

“That is enough.”

I said with a gentle smile.

“…Pardon?”

The aged king, who had been ready to accept his end after spilling everything, doubted his ears at my words.

“I said that’s enough.”

“But, but. Father God. I have betrayed your grace and disgraced you.”

“It’s alright.”

“Despite my daughter’s plea, I did not stop the attack on your order.”

“That too must be because you loved Aisella.”

Love.

‘Meanwhile, Aisella 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 maintain eye contact with Edmund.

As time passed, confusion settled on his wrinkled face.

Since it was becoming annoying to answer, I decided to drive the point home.

“Since the answer I wanted came from your mouth, I will forgive you now.”

I checked Belladis’s expression.

She looked peaceful, without any doubts about my judgment.

“You must create a better kingdom from now on.”

Honestly, the current level of the kingdom is already excellent, but emotions are important here.

“A kingdom that can be responsible for the future of your only daughter and your subjects.”

“…..”

At those playfully uttered words, Edmund Karsein.

“I will surely achieve it with my remaining life….”

For the first time since his wife’s death 30 years ago, he shed tears.

#

「Fantastic eloquence! The King of Regalium, ‘Edmund Karsein,’ swears loyalty to you!」

「Believers gain additional ability bonuses in battles within the Regalium Kingdom!」

「A small amount of luck accumulates!」

「Some Constellations are shocked by your actions.」

「A suspicious flow of stars is felt…」

#

“My… my dear….”

Edmund, holding his dying queen in his arms, looked at her with trembling eyes.

It was when he was still swayed by youthful impetuosity.

At a time when his daughter could barely babble, when he should have been teaching her what a proper king is in the midst of happiness.

A piece of hell unfolded in Edmund’s life.

The queen is dying.

The breath of his companion is fading.

Despite sitting in the position of a king of a nation, the helplessness of not being able to save even one life.

Edmund Karsein watched her final moments with a sensation as if his entire body was being torn apart.

“Our, our daughter. Will she be… safe…?”

“Don’t worry. Now, your body first—”

“Promise me, my love.”

The woman was no fool.

As the owner of her body, she knew best that her life was not long.

“Promise to leave a world full of love for our lovely daughter, Aisella.”

Edmund never remembered the last words he spoke to his wife that day.