And so, they finally came out of the forest after a week. Abel, unable to face people with a clear mind, asked Karas for a favor. He wanted to pretend to be asleep. Karas, who had never felt shame in his life, didn’t understand but agreed, thinking it might be better this way.
If Abel were awake, the people who would flock around them would probably delay them further. However, he underestimated his subordinates. Even though Abel appeared to be asleep, they still held them back long enough. The butler, in particular, displayed the surprising skill of conversing about the sleeping young master.
“He twitched! Could it be a seizure? Perhaps the soreness on his hole from excessive intercourse is causing him to twitch even in his sleep?”
This time, the embarrassment spread among the listeners. Melmond and Nani turned their heads and coughed awkwardly, while Ashler and Roster couldn’t look directly at Abel and subtly shifted their gaze. Kin and Clara also looked away, a mix of shock and dismay on their faces. However, the person feeling the most embarrassed was Abel, who was desperately pretending to be asleep. He unconsciously flinched, something everyone could see.
“Oh no! The young master twitched again! Despite his remarkable endurance from severe constipation, it seems he couldn’t help but tear his hole and feel pain….”
“I applied ointment on it.”
Annoyed by the loud chatter, Karas interrupted, causing the butler to finally relax and sigh with relief. As the distractions quieted down, Karas moved to leave. But this time, Ashler stepped forward and blocked his way.
“Your Majesty, if Abel is not unwell, could you please meet the nobles immediately? Many have been waiting for an audience with Your Majesty for a week. There has been friction among the nobles due to the matter of handling the King’s Heart, and they await Your Majesty’s decision. Additionally, the preparations for the festival you ordered have also been prepared.”
Ashler continued to speak as he walked alongside Karas, who ignored him and kept walking.
“These are tasks that only Your Majesty can handle, so we have no other way to resolve them. If you could spare just a moment…”
Pause.
Karas halted his steps, finally turning to look back at Ashler. To be honest, Ashler didn’t expect a positive response. The only reason Karas had stayed in the forest for a week was solely because of Abel. Even if he reluctantly agreed to come out, Ashler was concerned that he might not properly attend to state affairs. However, Karas’ response was unexpected.
“If it’s something only I can do, then fine.”
After all, he would be eagerly waiting for him with a racing heart. On a soft bed at that. Although a dark desire was already spreading in his narrowed eyes, someone who was pretending to be asleep while being carried on his back was shedding tears of frustration.
⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖
“Festival?”
“Yes, I heard a festival will be held soon.”
Nani nodded, relaying the words he’d heard from Ashler. The festival was planned to be held to lift the spirits of the people dampened by the King’s Heart and the madmen. Nani excitedly added at the end of his long explanation.
“They say it’s going to be held wherever there’s a market, so it’s going to be huge. Word has already spread that the food and goods confiscated from the temple will be also distributed that day. Everyone’s really excited about it.”
“It seems like you’re the only one who’s excited?”
Melmond asked back with a laugh, to which Nani grinned, not bothering to hide his true intentions.
“Hehe, with a festival being held, there’ll be gambling everywhere, and this time, I’m planning to hit it big.”
Melmond and the butler’s faces distorted as they listened, but Nani was already making plans to recruit Roster to join him. Melmond clicked his tongue and then asked the butler.
“Ah, why don’t you take this opportunity to visit home as well? Since the work here is mostly wrapped up for now.”
When Melmond looked over at Abel lying on the bed, Abel’s shoulder stiffened as he pretended to be asleep. Fortunately, no one noticed because he was covered by the blanket. Melmond confirmed that Abel was still sleeping and continued.
“Now that Abel has shared a bed with His Majesty, there are no problems left, so you can leave for a while. Well, you might be worried about…uh, his backside needing some treatment, but we can leave that to the doctor.”
“Yes, I also think it’s fine to leave it to the doctor. However…”
The butler trailed off, glancing tensely at Abel. Perhaps noticing his expression darkening, Melmond and Nani asked what was wrong. The butler sighed heavily and spoke.
“It’s not a problem for me to go home, but I feel sorry when I think about my Master and Mistress waiting for the young master. When do you think the young master will be able to return home?”
Abel’s home?
Melmond and Nani exchanged glances, surprised by a question they hadn’t considered. Now that they thought about it, their precious son, who had come back to life, hadn’t returned home for several months, nor had he even sent a message.
“Your young master must have been frail, so I assumed he probably didn’t travel often. But isn’t it worrying that he hasn’t contacted them for so long?”
“Of course, it is. However, I’ve been sending letters every once in a while, describing the young master’s every move, so they’re at ease.”
“I see… every move? Wait, so you’ve written everything Abel has done, including opposing the King’s Heart and his search for the wooden pendant?!”
The question that Abel, who was pretending to sleep, desperately wanted to ask burst out of Melmond’s mouth. The meticulous butler, however, smiled calmly and shook his head.
“Of course not. I wrote them in a way that wouldn’t worry my Master and Mistress. Ah, actually, I’ve kept copies of the letters, allow me to show you.”
Everyone was curious as to why a copy of the letter was left behind, so the butler quickly went to his room and brought back a large bundle of papers. Yes, a bundle of papers. And a large stack at that. As soon as he saw it, Melmond felt something ominous. Abel, who was also watching with half-closed eyes from the bed, felt the same.
What on earth did he write to make the letters that thick?
Thunk!
The heavy stack of papers landed on the table, and the butler invited them with a smile.
“Please, go ahead and read them. They are beautifully adapted letters that capture our young master’s personality, presenting reality in an elegant light.”
⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ ⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖
As Ashler had mentioned, many nobles were lined up waiting for the Emperor. Most of them were individuals who wanted to reclaim the territories and lands seized by the King’s Heart, or those who had claimed that their lands bordered the temple’s properties and thus belonged to them. There were also those who were interested in the market rights previously held by the temple.
Since the temple had collapsed, they came bearing jewels and money, asking for the market rights. While the King’s Heart and the temple, which had exploited the people’s blood, were gone, new contenders were waiting. Karas had not decided yet who to return the land to or who would receive the market rights.
He merely listened to the nobles’ words and watched as the pile of jewels, gold coins, fine fabrics, and luxurious furs they brought continued to pile up. After many people spoke their desires and stepped back, one person entered midway through who, unlike the other nobles, came empty-handed. Moreover, his purpose in meeting the Emperor was also different from the others.
“I heard the kind words that Your Majesty would hold a festival. However, I’ve come here because of the rumors that the festival will only take place in the markets and that the treasures from the temple will be distributed at that time. Your Majesty, I apologize, but I believe that the temple’s treasures should be returned accurately to all those who were robbed of them. Fortunately, the temple kept records of those who donated their wealth. I beg of you to distribute them fairly, even to those who cannot attend the festival.”
There was a scent of perfume coming from the person who spoke and retreated. He was the lord who used to assist Kin. The fragrance oil has now become cheap, but he had once made a lot of money from it. However, due to Karas’ orders to spread it throughout the country, the price dropped significantly, and he suffered great losses. Nevertheless, his first concern was for others.
After finishing his plea, the lord smiled at Kin, whom he had seen briefly upon entering. Kin also nodded slightly and turned his anxious gaze to Karas. At first glance, the lord’s words could be considered as a brazen criticism of Karas’ orders, which could possibly provoke his anger.
However, Karas remained as indifferent as ever. Yet, for the first time that day, he spoke from the throne.
“Summon everyone.”
Those who had left were called back, and the massive hall was soon filled with people. Everyone watched Karas with eyes full of anticipation, wondering what the Emperor would say.
Will I get the vast lands and wealth that belonged to the King’s Heart?
“We will not return anything retrieved from the temple to its original owners.”
The unexpected statement caused a stir among the crowd, disappointment clear on their faces. Karas slowly scanned around the nobles’ increasingly displeased expressions.
“The grains and wealth will be used to build a new temple on the site where the King’s Heart’s temple had once stood. Whether they are free farmers, tenant farmers, slaves,”
Karas paused and looked around at the nobles again before he continued.
“Nobles, and commoners alike will receive equal wages according to the work they do. The new temple will not accept any donations, and anyone associated with the former King’s Heart will be barred from entering. The temple will be managed by the village community, and anyone caught embezzling funds from the new temple will be publicly executed. The new temple will manage the lands of the former temple, but the original landowners will be allowed to lease them free of charge for five years. However, after five years, they will have the first right to purchase the land.”
Only a five-year free lease?
One of the angry nobles couldn’t hold back any longer and stepped forward.
“Your Majesty, why won’t you return the land that was taken away from us? Moreover, only a five-year lease? This is unjust!”
The other nobles nodded in agreement with the angry noble, while the commanders looked at Karas with tense eyes. Karas, who had been sitting casually on the throne, stood up and twisted the corner of his lips.
“Your land?”
The noble, who had spoken out in anger, realized his slip of tongue at Karas’ question.
“Your Majesty, that land has been under my family’s rights for generations…”
“Ashler.”
Karas merely glanced down at Ashler, who soon stepped forward.
“I thought I had become the owner of this entire continent?”
“Indeed, Your Majesty.”
“Then why is there someone who claims my territory as their own?”
Ashler cast a cold glance at the noble instead of responding to Karas’ irritated tone. Only then did the noble realize the situation had turned unfavorable and tried to apologize, but Karas’ words came first.
“It seems I was unaware that an enemy remained right before us.”
“Y-Your Majesty. I apologize. That wasn’t my intention.”
Clang.
A different sound interrupted the noble’s words. The noise of a sword being dragged on the ground caused those who had followed Karas on the battlefield to flinch and step back. The noble raised his eyes in confusion, not understanding what this meant. Holding a sword with his lowered hand, was he trying to threaten him?
“Your Majesty, please, let there be no misunderstand—”
Slash—
Thud.
The noble couldn’t finish his sentence this time either. His head, cleanly severed with a single stroke, fell from his body and rolled across the floor. His mouth was still open as if trying to speak. Karas thrust his sword into the gaping mouth.
Squish.
The mouth, still open, was slashed and mutilated as if to show the consequences when one speaks carelessly. Some nobles who were only experiencing Karas’ cruelty for the first time, covered their mouths in horror as they retreated.
“Kin. Send the 1st Battalion Commander to the enemy’s lands. Reclaim my territory that hasn’t been fully conquered yet and completely trample the enemies.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
After Kin quickly disappeared with his response, Karas looked around the nobles with an indifferent gaze.
“Anyone else?”
Everyone held their breath, unable to answer, only staring at Karas as he repeated himself.
“Who else dares to claim my land as their own?”
The room remained silent, not a sound to be heard. Karas finally returned to his throne and, with apparent boredom, instructed Ashler.
“It’s over, send them all out.”
Once the order was given, the nobles began to leave the hall on their own accord before Ashler could even send them out. However, one person did not leave.
“You.”
Karas pointed at the lord, commanding him to stay. The lord, fearing that he might be punished for his earlier words, stepped forward nervously. However, the words that came out of Karas’ mouth were completely different from what he expected.
“From now on, you’re the Minister of Finance.”
“Ah? …Pardon?!”
The lord was so surprised that he couldn’t respond properly, but Karas, seemingly eager to conclude this matter immediately, pointed towards the jewels and gold coins that the nobles had brought and piled up in a room.
“Start by distributing those to the people during the festival.”
“Ah, yes, yes.”
“I’m going to watch.”
“Yes, to watch… yes?!”
The lord, unable to think clearly, could only express all his intentions with a ‘yes.’ Roster approached and supported him as he led him away, while Karas quickly stood up.
Now, let’s see Abel…
“Your Majesty.”
A low call stopped him. Karas knew that whenever he heard Ashler’s low voice, it usually meant something troublesome tasks would follow, and he turned his cold gaze toward him. However, Ashler, ignoring such a look, quickly stated what he needed to say.
“There’s still one more person you must see. He’s a lord from the distant north region, with almost no contact with the kingdom. His reason for coming here is entirely different from the other nobles.”
Karas stopped walking. There must have been a good reason if Ashler had deliberately saved him for last. The brief explanation from Ashler as he raised his head was enough to justify it.
“He has come to ask you to remove the power left behind by the dragon.”