[Shouldn’t you be more careful when leaving it to me? You don’t know how I’ll mess it up.]

-Damn, look at you. You’re a tougher cookie than I am. For me to think that you will mess it up? Ha, I know one when I see one.

Surtr was more focused on the fact that he was not able to finish the twin swords because of his short lifespan.

‘So, what is left for me when I get back?’ Davey didn’t have to think for long. ‘I should start getting rid of them.’

-Get rid of… That means there’s someone you resent.

‘Don’t you know already?’

-Sure. However, I don’t know everything. In fact, there’s a place I can’t gain insight on in your heart.

There was something in Davey that even the Dark Lord of the Abyss, Perserque, could not see through. Davey already felt that his body wasn’t normal in the first place, anyway.

-How do you intend to deal with them? It doesn’t seem like you want to violently destroy them.

‘That’s right. A deed done without preparation is better off not being done at all. I don’t know about Queen Lynesse, but there were too many nobles being led by the Bariatta Duke family. They are in important positions, so I can’t weed them out recklessly without placing the kingdom in trouble. Even if I were to start a purge right now, there would be no way for me to stop the kingdom from slipping into disaster.’

It took too long to weed them out one by one. That was probably why Queen Lynesse was so arrogant, and also why the Palace couldn’t easily get rid of the corrupted nobles.

‘I’ll still think of something.’

-Can I just ask one thing?

‘What is it?’

-What is it that you want?

Perserque’s voice was seductive, but she sounded much firmer. She wasn’t one to grant something just because Davey asked for it. She was probably asking a rhetorical question, since she already knew the answer.

‘To start a family, to live a happy and healthy life with nothing to worry about.’

Perserque giggled at Davey, as if she found the answer funny.

-It’s a life very different from royalty. But aren’t you already living that kind of life?

‘Does it look that way?’

-Not at all.

‘Okay, then. I’m going to leave the Palace. Fortunately, all royalty have a small piece of estate, and so do I. Mine’s just pretty barren.’ Davey gave a calm smile.

-You…

‘My estate should still have some character to it. What do you think of the continent’s one and only high-tech city?’

-It’s quite a large and wild dream. It will be faster to become the King of Rowane and change the entire kingdom to be like that.

‘But I can’t lay back in leisure if I become king.’

-Did you think being a seigneur will be any different?

‘It’s possible, since you’re a seigneur. I’m going to earn enough money to not have to worry about it and enjoy my hobbies.’

Davey wasn’t sure if it was possible, but he was still going to try. If there was a technical flaw, he just had to manage it with something else. The development of science was quite slow here, but it was quite advanced in other ways. A safer and greater place may be created. ‘And that is where I will make a city just for myself.’

* * *

There were no more ambushes on the way back to the Rowane Kingdom. No, it was safe to say that they couldn’t afford any more attacks. No one could be after Davey since even Shari, who seemed to be a close aide to Queen Lynesse, failed to attack him. There was no way to tell if Queen Lynesse knew the truth, but she probably now knew that she couldn’t easily touch him.

“You did well,” King Krianes praised.

“I am ashamed.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s the problem of the Boltis Kingdom, since they committed such a brazen act against the Alliance of Nations.”

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

Because of Baltian’s monstrous transformation, the public opinion of the Boltis Kingdom was overwhelmingly negative. If the Rowane Kingdom and the Boltis Kingdom were allied or sister countries, perhaps they could’ve looked for a way to help. Unfortunately, they did not share a great relationship.

“It’s a relief that you came back safely even after such a terrible incident.” King Krianes had calmness in his voice and tiredness on his face. “And…” Slurring the end of his words, he looked at Davey.

Davey said nothing at the king’s gaze, which was strangely filled with both love and hatred.

“I heard that you were given a stigmata.”

“I didn’t deserve it, but I received the attention of God.”

“What a joyous occasion.” After his mumble, King Krianes turned to Queen Lynesse. “Don’t you think so, too, Queen Lynesse?”

“Yes… Such a joyous…occasion.” Queen Lynesse had lost all of her ease. Her face was filled with confusion and complicated thoughts. She had thought that Davey would die, but he had come back alive and well and with a stigmata. No matter who it was, a stigmata was a big deal. If Queen Lynesse publicly started attacking Davey, it would give the holy empire a reason to intervene.

Davey didn’t expect this. But it seemed like he had the protection of the holy empire, although Davey had zero intentions of ever using their protection.

“Your Majesty, you do not seem too thrilled at the fact that I have received a stigmata.” Davey gave a wide grin.

Queen Lynesse covered her mouth with her fan. Then, she squinted and smiled with her eyes.

‘I can see your gaze tremble, woman.’

“Of course I’m thrilled. As a mother, I definitely share your joy from such an event.”

“Then I am relieved.” After speaking, Davey could see Queen Lynesse clench her teeth. It seemed like she was hiding behind her fan, but Davey could still see her expression.

“You weren’t hurt anywhere?”

“As Freyja, the King of the Gods, watched over me, I do not have a scratch on me.”

King Krianes nodded in satisfaction and glanced away. “Duke Bariatta.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“We can’t let this go lightly. We have to send in a petition to the Alliance of Nations and strongly complain about the Boltis Kingdom, who caused this incident.”

“Your wish is my command.”

It wasn’t as obvious as Queen Lynesse’s expression, but King Krianes seemed somewhat irritated as well. It was a headache that the guy, whom he didn’t really like, came back with a stigmata.

“You are probably weary from the long travel time; go rest.”

“Your wish is my command.” Davey bowed and stood up, and Baris and Winley followed suit.

Just then, King Krianes called, “Davey.”

‘It took you long enough to say your son’s name.’ Davey was almost about to blurt this, but he bit his tongue and schooled his expression.

“Can you stay back for a moment?”

As Davey understood what King Krianes wanted and bowed his head, all the others slowly arose and took their leave. Queen Lynesse looked somewhat anxious and discontent at the fact that Davey and King Krianes were going to stay behind at the office, but she still just bowed her head and left.

It was a quiet, private meeting between the two of them. And Davey was meeting King Krianes, who ignored Davey’s numerous requests right after he woke up.

“Davey.”

“It’s been about half a year.”

“....”

“That Your Majesty has called on me separately.”

King Krianes stayed silent.

Davey could only see an exhausted, weak lion who no longer had the spirited, vigorous appearance of the past. He asked, “Do you resent me?”

“Is there a reason to lie? Yes, I resent you. I don’t really have to tell you how long I’ve felt this way.” King Krianes let out a bitter sigh.

‘Did you think I closed my heart because of a short-standing issue?’

“It’s a relief that you look healthy.”

“Yes, you still took some care of me.”

“Did you know?” King Krianes bitterly smiled. “Of course, it’s just as we expected.”

“May I ask what you mean?”

“There is no dull-witted parent who cannot notice the difference in their own son. It’s right to say that you have changed a little after waking up from a coma.” King Krianes slowly got up as he was speaking calmly. Then, he offered something as he sat at the table the servant already set for him. “Have some tea at least.”

“I am undeserving of it; I will decline.”

“...” King Krianes bitterly smiled once again at Davey’s indifference. “Are you going to call me Father?”

“Your Majesty.” As King Krianes remained silent, Davey continued, “The word ‘Father’ is to reference a father.”

It was very disrespectful, but all King Krianes did was bitterly smile without saying anything.

“Do I have to call you ‘Father’?”

“No. How could I be your father after abandoning you during your hardest times?”

Davey was silent. ‘I guess you knew, at least.’

“You wanted to see me for a while,” King Krianes said. “I’ve thought about it, and I wanted to ask you just one thing.”

It was a different question. Although it was just for a split second, Davey was reminded of his past.

[Father, please make Mother live!]

[Everyone knows about the Queen’s illness.]

[It’s not a disease! Like a poison…]

[That’s enough!]

In the past, King Krianes strictly scolded Davey and made him bury the stories about his mother. Four years later, when Davey turned nine and asked one more time, when he knew that the person behind his mother’s murder was Queen Lynesse, King Krianes said…

[The previous Queen, Rennie Alishad, had a long-standing illness. An illness incurable by a doctor or even the power from a priest!]

[Still going on about that? It doesn’t make any sense! Do you think it does?]

[Davey!! I can’t forgive even you if you keep talking about absurdities! Leave now!]

“How did you feel when you abandoned my mother, the woman you once loved?”

King Krianes’ expression turned bitter. “Davey.”

“Your Majesty, you chose the country over Mother. You left Mother, who was poisoned, and remarried the country’s nemesis for the stability of the country.”

“Don’t fault her too much. This is all something that we will have to deal with.”

“Your Majesty, I am no longer interested in your so-called romance. It doesn’t matter anymore whether Queen Lynesse was Mother’s best friend, or whether it happened because of her jealousy.”

“Davey.”

“I really wanted to ask: were you completely okay when Mother died? Mother said that she wanted to see your face even when she was about to die. She looked for you even when she was coughing up blood from the poison.”

“...” King Krianes said absolutely nothing.

“And then she passed. She apologized to me while crying and then passed, just like that.”

“Become the king.” King Krianes was calm, simply saying what he wanted to say. “I was neither an affectionate father nor an outstanding king. I lack wisdom and strength.”

“...”

“You will be different, but…now is not the time. You’re not ready yet. The world isn’t as nice as you think. There is danger throughout, and deft people who would cajole you.”

“Is that so?”

“Being king is not as freeing as you think. Sometimes, you must make questionable decisions because you are king. Lay low and hone your power, so that no one can object to what you want to do.”

Davey coldly smiled at King Krianes.