Chapter 559: Frightening King Hardlett

I can walk on my own, Aegir. Lower me, its embarra.s.sing.

No no, what if you step on a nail? Leave it to me.

I continue on foot out of the forest with Lucy in my arms.

Fortunately, its a full moon tonight so we shouldnt have any trouble traveling at night as long as were careful where we walk.

Next to me is Celia, and Natia and Felteris, who are staring at me in disgust, riding double on my horse.

Brynhildr is on my back, tugging my ear and hair everytime I converse with Lucy.

Do you know how long itll take to reach the capital on foot?

Celia seems concerned, but is there anything to worry about?

I hurried here to see Lucy as soon as possible, but now well be together forever.

I dont mind if it takes several weeks.

I give Lucy a soft kiss on the lips.

She smiles and returns a kiss on the tip of my nose, then grabs me by the arm and collar.

I repeated myself three times. Youre a bit too obstinate.

My body instantly flips 180 degrees and falls on the ground.

Its a mystery how she managed to throw me while I was carrying her.

Its been so long since I took a leisurely walk outside of the forest. And with another person at that.

Lucy spreads her arms and does a little spin, then pulls Brynhildr down from my back.

Wah, stop! I dont want you toargh, let go!!

Brynhildr yells, but doesnt seem to have any intention of fighting again and allows herself to be dragged.

Its regrettable that the warmth disappeared from my arms.

Um, um.

Celia aims for the time Lucy is separated from me and dismounts from her horse.

About that lady Lucy, I dont know anything except her name.

Well, thats because I didnt tell anybody about her.

In fact, how does she know her name?

You said it in your sleepmore importantly, that person is frankly not human, right?

Yeah, shes a vampire.

Its nothing that needs to be hidden.

W-without hesitationI mean, the reason she gets along well with Aegir-sama means you are alsoof course, Im okay with it and if its an important secret, Im prepared to protect it!

I tilt my head, unsure of what she means, but I soon figure out the source of her worry, and I rub her head to rea.s.sure her.

Worried that Im also a vampire? Hahaha, Im a human no matter how you look at it.

No, there were quite a few suspicious points so I asked. Fugyu.

When I pinch Celias nose and shake lightly, she sneezes adorably to the side and then approaches me again.

She seems like a parental figure and preciousand it appears like Aegir-sama is the one in the lower position. She isnt a past lover, is she?

Well spotted.

I did misunderstand and sobbed at the grave, so I cant say anything at this point.

Yeah, shes a very precious person. As for positionIve never thought about it, although Lucy is someone I cant defy.

Celia leans forward.

Lucy is the person who raised me. I became who I am today because of hershes family, a sisterperhaps I should say a mother.

M-mother!?

Its embarra.s.sing when said out loud.

Fufu, mother you say? Yet all we do day after day is have s.e.x.

Lucy pops up next to us.

Mother play!!

The perverted elf Felteris gets excited at that part.

Then the person who took Aegir-samas virginity was-!

It was me of course~ I remember his pathetic scream and his furrowed brow as he desperately swung his hips to e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.e.

Dont remind me

Ill look uncool in front of Celia.

Lucy lines up beside me and walks like shes dancing.

Who would have thought that boy would become so muscularI mean, a king.

I flex my muscles as she strokes my chest.

She simply pokes my side, as if telling me not to bulk up, deflating my attempt to appeal to her.

My abs can stop a sword, but Lucys finger can bypa.s.s all the way to my insides like its nothing.

Lucy smiles at my writhing and then asks me with an innocent expression.

Now as promised, I am to be whatever Aegir wantsso what shall I be?

The light of the full moon illuminates Lucys pure white skin.

Your sister? Or maybe your mother? Or maybe your wife~? Will you make me your mistress or your s.e.x slave?

Dont be ridiculous, I wont make you a s.e.x slave. Youre the most beloved woman so Ill make you my wifeahem.

Aegir-sama, Aegir-sama, then Nonna-san will be second

I pat Celias head and try to pa.s.s her comments as insignificant.

Lucy smiled mischievously.

You already have a girl that youre in a relations.h.i.+p with? Are you trying to two-time in secret? Or are you going to say something cruel like, shes my woman?

Its not just one, and theyre not just going out with each other, muuf-

I knead Celias cheeks and put her back on the horse.

We can save the details for later. Why dont we just enjoy our reunion for now?

We arrived at the capital one week later.

There were a few funny stories shared on the way, but none worth recalling.

I was wondering what you were doing, chasing after women again? Please consider your position and the situation a little!

Adolph complains in a near-yelling tone.

I hate work too. Since you destroyed it, at least take responsibility. If this place falls, it wont just be Goldonia, the entire Central Plains will be wrapped in chaos for who knows how many years to come.

Even Tristan, who normally slacks off, sounds serious.

Leopolt doesnt say anything, but his gaze is the sharpest.

His eyes darted back and forth from me to Lucy, applying a pressure that is to say hes had enough of my fooling around.

Usually, I would try to dodge the issue or fight back.

Mm, tell me what happened while I was gone. If you have any countermeasures, bring them to me.

I throw off my travel clothes, wrap a red cloak around my body and head toward the throne.

You three talk and start from the most urgent matters first. Ill meet with anyone if an audience is required.

The three of them stand blankly, no its four of them including Celia.

Hurry it up. Or is continuing to lecture me a priority?

The three men immediately move into action.

Their subordinates soon follow suit.

Celia, guide Lucy to a room. Ill come when its nighttime.

Either way, its midday now and Lucy probably doesnt want to move.

I can also introduce her to my family at night.

Adolph brought three bureaucrats first.

All of them bowed as a formality, but their discontented faces could not be hidden.

I have decided to leave the governance structure of Goldonia in tact. This is because large-scale reconstruction should not be done during times of turmoil. Thusthose who were not completely cooperative were also kept in their positions.

I see.

Its fine to entrust Adolph with this area.

Domestic affairs officials and bureaucrats are humans too.

If the head is suddenly changed in a reckless way, there is sure to be unhappiness.

That is inevitable.

I urge the three bureaucrats to state their complaints freely.

One of them, as a bureaucrat responsible for human affairs, opposes the special position given to Adolph.

He believed it wasnt right for a domestic affairs official of a mere feudal lord to be supervising the affairs of the kingdom.

And that the person should be chosen from the kingdoms top bureaucrats.

The second one, as a bureaucrat responsible for domestic affairs, after cursing me considerably for wrecking the bridges connecting the roads from Rafen to the roads from the capital, told me that rebuilding those bridges was the top priority, and that repairing the capitals defenses can wait.

He said that it would be fine if there was another political uprising and I fell, but if I didnt fix the streets before that, it would be a disaster for decades.

The last one, as a bureaucrat responsible for legal affairs, told me that my ascension to the throne was against the law and morals, and declared that he could not follow me as a servant of the law.

All of them behaved boldly in my presence, knowing Im an usurper.

Its not like they dont feel fear, I guess they have a bit of backbone.

Guys with impressive spirits.

I smile as I stand on the throne.

I know how capable you all are with the speech each of you gave. The more incompetent individuals are, the more they wag their tails unconditionally. You guys have the brains and the guts. You are valuable a.s.sets.

Their faces relax slightly.

Your wills are pa.s.sable. But actions have consequences.

I draw my Dual Crater and slash the legal bureaucrat diagonally from the shoulder.

n.o.body screamed.

It was an instant death, and the other two were left speechless.

I thought I declared that anybody who doesnt comply will be killed. You are free to express your opinions and I dont mind criticisms toward me. But if you disobey orders, no matter if youre talented or brave, I have no need for you.

This guy was the only one who said he wouldnt follow.

The other two just offered a different opinion, criticism, and an alternate suggestion.

Ill reconsider the issue while taking into account your ideas. My order is absolute though. Otherwise

I pa.s.s the b.l.o.o.d.y blade to Celia and return to the throne.

Scared stiff, the two bureaucrats exit the room.

Come again if you have further complaints.

My voice causes them to flinch.

I would recognize the size of their b.a.l.l.s if they smiled back, but maybe thats too much to expect from bureaucrats.

rule by fear yet not silencing them

Next, Leopolt brings in four, no five messengers of feudal lordsthere are a lot of them.

Each of them are lords of small domains who didnt yield to the threats. We can subjugate them, but they are far from the capital and from Rafen, and its a bad move to go on a military expedition when the foundation of the government is uncertain. It would be best if we can settle the matter amicably.

Leopolt whispers in my ear.

He spoke very fast, Im surprised he didnt stutter.

The messengers laid out various lines of logic.

I listen and nod, waiting to answer at the end.

So, which is it? Do you want to be exempted from the tax because youre short of money due to the civil war I started or do you not want to pay the same amount as before because you dont like the way I became king?

The messengers look at each other and then try to gauge the reactions of me and Leopolt.

Naturally, neither of us show anything.

Celia is the one who is the least composed, though she is just an attendant and isnt entertained by them.

I speak on behalf of my lordmy father! It would be a mistake to judge me as a minor lord! Even in turbulent times, injustice is a vice! Because I do not want to see the dismantling of Goldonia, I will not rebel against King Hardlett! If you desire the loyalty given to a rightful king, appropriate

I slam a fist on the throne and stand.

Thats the spirit!!

I walk slowly toward the messenger.

The courage to stand against any opponent without withdrawing a single step is the kind of courage I expect of a feudal lord. Wonderful. I commend your lord.

The head of the feudal lords son goes flying as I finish my sentence.

Leopolt, send soldiers out immediately to crush this guys house.

Leopolt doesnt say anything and bows in response.

That face tells me hes definitely going to say something after.

Sorry for the delay. What did you guys think about the first question?

The rest of the messengers bowed their heads to plead for a tax exemption.

There is no military power to spare.

Leopolt says.

I know. That house can ready about 200 men, right?

They have a branch family in the vicinity. A full mobilization will amount to 500 men.

Its practically the same thing.

Then gather 100 men. I will crush the house myself.

Leopolt twists his neck slightly.

In that case, 50 men will do. The branch family will not act if His Majesty is personally heading out. You can let them live in the capital on the condition that his eldest son and wife are taken as hostages

I dont need his son. Ill take his wife and daughter for a year in the capital.

And youll return them with a bigger belly? I understand.

Recently, Celia has been coming up with harsher retorts.

Above all, Leopolts somewhat happy stone-faced expression grosses me out.

It was right when I walked into the corridor, thinking I was finished.

Tyrant, prepare yourself!!

A maid who was cleaning pulled out a hidden blade from the handle of a broom.

At the same time, a servant gardener whipped out a crossbow and took aim.

Aegir-sama!

Celia pounces on the maid while Leopolt silently steps in the line of fire of the crossbow.

No need.

I push Leopolt aside and throw my Dual Crater, which deflects the bolt and flies straight into the gardeners chest.

The maid slips past Celia, but I bend the blade with my hand and lift her up by the neck.

Ghmortifying

I put just enough pressure on the carotid artery for her to fall unconscious and set her down on the spot.

I will accompany you in the interrogation process. No torture.

Man, theres not much time until night, and its still so busy.

Aah, if I may add one more thing, the king of Aless has sent a letter saying he wants to meet with you.

Tristan has brought up another troublesome matter.

To begin with, arent meetings something that are requested? Why has it been decided to be held already?

And also, dont read the contents of a letter sent from king to king.

I didnt. When the letter was given, the contents were yelled so loudly that the entire palace could hear it.

That is something the idiots of Aless would do.

Unfortunately, the letter seems like the real deal.

Okay, postponed. Well postpone that.

I have to introduce Lucy to my family later today.

I dont know what will happen the next day.

The thing is, King Gildress himself delivered the letterhe said hed go drinking today and come tomorrow.

He came himself? theres no point in requesting the meeting then.

I was planning to do my own thing for a bit, but I cant win against someone whos born with a wild personality.

Hell come regardless of whether I postpone the meeting or not.

Things are already a mess and if I refuse, it will become messier.

Also, three shabby-looking feudal lords requested a meeting.

Oh, who cares anymore.