(The Duke) Former Thief Who Doesnt Want to Be King 2

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In the garden of the Ashgo Kingdoms royal castle in the early morning currently being used as an evacuation shelter for the citizens of the royal capital.

Listening to the sound of food being prepared in the distance

Sbos was gaping.

Because the royal blood relative, other than himself, who he thought hed never see again

Is right in front of him.

Your Highness, with all due respect, I must correct you.

Zydeo, on the other hand, was being cautioned by the bespectacled female knight, Negamen, standing beside him.

To be precise, Your Highness will inherit the throne after todays coronation ceremony. Please refrain from making careless remarks.

Ah? Shishishi, sorry. But to think things would turn out like this. Without needing a coronation ceremony today

Its precisely because things turned out like this that we need some good news.

Zydeo, relaxed, scratched his head.

Negamen, on the other hand, looked unwell.

She was looking around restlessly, rubbing her stomach over her armor.

Shes serious and tends to worry about every little detail.

A um, well

Here, Sbos finally snapped out of it and spoke.

Zydeo, you? Theres no doubt that youre Brother Nideros grandson. You look exactly like him but, to be honest, I dont really care about that

Sbos desperately tried to use his tired, sleepy brain, and asked the young man in front of him.

What do you want from me?

There was a slight edge to his words.

It contained the distrust of others that Sbos had cultivated throughout his life.

Are you here to make fun of me too? To call me a fool, a good-for-nothing?

Silence flowed between Sbos and Zydeo.

Zydeo, once again, scratched his head, this time with a troubled expression, and

Well I do think youre an idiotic old man

He honestly said.

Sbos was surprised to hear those words.

People who ask him questions like that always say, No, no, not at all, and awkwardly try to make excuses.

And in those excuses, using roundabout expressions, they end up making fun of him.

So he has never been called an idiot directly and since hes a Duke, there shouldnt be anyone whod be so insolent as to say that to him but anyway, he was shocked by the unprecedented situation.

But

Sboss heart, which should be sensitive to the malice of others

Didnt feel that much aversion to Zydeos words, idiotic old man.

For some reason, he even felt warmth.

Sbos was confused.

I wanted to talk to you while I still had the chance.

Zydeo continued, not caring that Sbos was confused.

His eyes were staring straight straight at Sbos.

He called him an idiot.

He called him an idiot, but there was no hint of mockery in his eyes.

Hey, why did you start a coup dtat? Im the one who has to wear the crown, even if its just a decoration, for a while. I want to know.

Sbos, hearing that was at a loss for words.

Why did he start a coup dtat?

Even if hes asked theres no reason.

If he had to say, it was because he was swept along by those around him.

To be more precise, because he didnt care about anything anymore.

Thats what he thinks

But somehow, it didnt feel right to answer that.

Your Highness, with all due respect, I must correct you.

Here, Negamen, the female knight, interrupted the two, who had fallen silent.

Duke Daychib did not start a coup dtat.

Huh?

Both Sbos and Zydeos eyes widened at her words.

Of course. Theres no way that Duke Daychib, who inherits the blood of the noble royal family, would betray the country. The mere existence of such a fact could potentially divide the country.

Negamen continued, still rubbing her stomach.

Insolent scoundrels kidnapped His Excellency and held him hostage in the Dukes mansion. The Royal Army, led by His Highness, defeated the rebels after a fierce battle and rescued His Excellency Thats all that happened last night. That is the truth.

That that cant be!

Sbos tried to say something, trembling, but Negamen ignored him.

His Excellency suffered a great mental shock during that time. So, as soon as the preparations are complete he will begin recuperating in a section of the royal castle until he recovers.

Thats! Thats absurd! How can you!

Sbos, involuntarily sitting up, shouted.

His face flushed red, his body trembling, tears rolling down his cheeks.

I I

Sbos sobbed, and

I cant even become a great sinner!?

Those words instinctively came out of his subconscious!

At that moment

Sbos finally understood.

He became clearly aware of why he started the coup dtat.

He always wanted to be something.

He wanted to be a hero.

He wanted to be a Demon Lord.

He wanted to be a Golden Dragon.

But he couldnt.

When he woke up from his dreams, he was always the same a foolish, good-for-nothing.

He was tired of it.

Of who he is now.

So it didnt matter.

Becoming a king.

Becoming a great sinner.

It didnt matter.

Because either of those

Is something that he is not now.

Anyway, he hated himself.

He wanted to be something.

But

In the end I couldnt become anything

Sbos lay back down, powerless.

No matter what I do, Im still Sbos

He muttered.

What spread out before his eyes was the cold, lonely pale blue morning sky

Hey, hey, old man.

But something interrupted his vision, pushing aside the cold pale blue.

Its Zydeo.

He plopped down next to Sbos, looked into his face, and

Why are you crying? You cant be anything other than yourself. Its only natural.

He said that, and then flicked Sboss forehead.

Flick.

A light flick, just enough to register.

But Sbos has never been flicked before.

So he was startled, his eyes widening again, staring intently at Zydeos face.

Youre you, and no one else. Thats true for everyone. Ahhh thats why

Zydeo, searching for the words he wants to give this old man from his heart, said, slowly, fumbling.

Dont we strive to become a better us?

Thats Zydeos life philosophy.

After meeting the hero Torch

He reformed

And his way of life is to continue fighting to be a better person.

To accept who you are, and yet, struggle to change yourself.

Thats what living means, Zydeo thought.

Shishishi yeah, Ill come again.

Zydeo, realizing that he had said something preachy, something uncharacteristic of him, blushed, covering his embarrassment with a chuckle.

Next time, lets talk properly.

And he stood up, waving his hand, and left the section where Sbos was lying, with his soldiers.

Sbos, with a dumbfounded expression, stared at his retreating figure.

Become a better us.

Sboss starting point is self-denial.

He hates himself, hates himself so much.

Thats why these words should be difficult for him to accept.

Even if he tries to be better, hes still himself.

He doesnt see any value in that.

But

Even though that should be the case

For some reason, he was able to honestly accept those words.

Why?

Sbos didnt have the time to think about that.

The sudden visitors had left, the tension broke and fatigue and drowsiness came over him again.

As he drifted into a hazy slumber

(But somehow I feel like I talked to someone for the first time in decades)

He thought that, and then, unable to resist, closed his eyelids.

This side story doesnt end in two chapters.

This side story will end in the .