Chapter 391 - There wasn't a single thing about that man Enkrid liked
"Make all the nobles your allies."
That was the condition the Queen gave to Krang. After fulfilling this condition, they could discuss the throne. The Queen said this, and Krang followed through.
"Your Majesty."
Krang looked at the Queen. She looked back at him.
Enkrid didn't know, but the Queen had no desire for the throne. She didn't seek power.
What she wanted was a quiet, peaceful life.
Her dream was to enjoy flowers in spring, seek shade from trees in summer to cool off, and chat. In autumn, she would gather fallen leaves, and in winter, she would sip warm tea while watching the snow fall outside.
It would be even better if she had good people by her side during all those moments.
So, her only wish was not to marry just to secure the throne, but to spend time with truly good people.
For an ordinary commoner, this might have been an extravagant dream, but she was the Queen of Naurilia. So, it was a humble dream.
The Queen, as a person, didn't suit the throne. She desired something other than power.
Yet, she remained.
She didn't shy away from her responsibilities. She did what she could.
Once, she had wanted to divide power among the noble families, including Baisar, and leave.
"If you do that now, Naurilia will be divided into at least three pieces. Oh, and those three will likely be annexed or destroyed by other countries. Ah, the ones who survive might become city-states, but what was your point in doing all this?"
That was the words of Marquis Baisar. He was the Queen's mentor. His words were correct.
A Queen was like the last bastion of great powers.
She couldn't leave.
But neither did she want to hand the throne over to someone like Count Molsan.
'Late King.'
There were nights when she missed her father.
A gift from the late King arrived.
"Kridianat Langdeus Nauril, my name, I was told."
It felt like seeing the late King. There were many similarities between them.
Krang had visited the Queen before everything began.
Krang had to see the Queen. He needed to know if Naurilia was a place worth protecting.
If not, he shouldn't have started.
"The late King was full of love."
That was the Queen's first words when she met Krang. It was sincere. The late King had many women. Even with a queen and concubines, he often went out.
It was surprising that he only had one illegitimate child.
They conversed. Krang left and came back to see the Queen again, and now they had come to this point.
"Have you asked the question?"
The Queen said there was someone left to ask the same question.
No matter what her dream was, the Queen loved the kingdom she was born and raised in. That was why she didn't turn away from her responsibilities.
The three people she had to ask were:
First, of course, Krang.
Second, Marquis Baisar.
She was thinking of elevating the Marquis to Duke and slowly passing on the throne, but her mentor had rejected it.
She had later considered including the Marquis of Okto, but Marquis Baisar had opposed that as well.
"No matter what, it will fail."
Marquis Baisar understood that in order to maintain the country, there needed to be a unifying figure that everyone recognized.
The Queen had to ask Count Molsan last.
If he truly cared for the country, shouldn't she pass the throne to someone like the revolting dog of a man?
Doing things she disliked had somehow become her specialty.
But she never got to ask.
'How ridiculous.'
Just before answering, the Queen thought inwardly.
She felt it was truly ridiculous.
She had meant to ask, but the only person left to answer was one—
The two great nobles who had once been called the great nobles were now on Krang's side. The only remaining person who could have been asked, Count Molsan, had become a traitor. He was someone who could have been called a hero.
And yet.
'That method cannot be called right.'
What he wanted was the throne, not the country. She could see that in his eyes.
So, there was only one choice left.
"Did you intend this?"
The Queen asked.
Krang gave a wry smile.
"I only thought that those who love and would protect the kingdom would remain."
In the end, Krang had set the stage.
He had embraced the Marquis of Okto and also settled matters with Marquis Baisar.
No matter what happened, if he survived, then those behind him would follow.
Marquis Baisar knelt on one knee. His old knee hit the ground with a thud.
"May I say a word, Your Majesty?"
The Queen nodded.
With his head lowered, the Marquis spoke.
"May Your Majesty's dream come true."
He had spent more time with the late King than anyone. He could even be called another father to her.
The Queen didn't respond. She only looked at Krang with eyes that showed no emotion.
Krang had proven himself. Beyond the cleverness of his methods, the fact that all the remaining nobles in the capital were on his side was obvious to anyone.
"Prevent external pressure and punish the traitor. If you do that, I will personally crown you."
The Queen declared.
Enkrid knew that Krang had done all sorts of things to achieve this.
Without that, this conclusion would never have been reached.
Most importantly, he realized that the Queen had already concluded the matter.
'He began this with the promise of the throne.'
"Protect them."
Krang said and turned.
"I will. You do what you must."
The Queen rose and shouted. Krang gave a salute and turned. The two Marquises of Okto and Baisar followed.
Enkrid also left with his group. Just before leaving, Enkrid glanced back.
He saw the Queen stretching out her hand to the side. It was directed at the court magician.
A gesture filled with concern. The magician waved his hand.
Was it a mistake to think their relationship was anything ordinary?
It wasn't something Enkrid needed to understand.
"Where did you go?"
He asked Esther.
"A guy tried to persuade me to join his side."
No need to ask who.
It was Count Molsan. He had probably said it himself. A magician.
Enkrid thought that if Esther left, there was nothing to be done. But she stayed. Should he ask her why? He doubted he would get a proper answer.
Was it just because? Or maybe she felt like it?
Still, he wanted to ask.
"Why didn't you leave?"
Esther turned her head at the question.
She had just burned two half-wit magicians who were chanting spells, turning them into ashes.
"I don't usually listen to others."
She said.
Enkrid thought that she seemed to listen to his requests better than most people.
Krang was walking with the two Marquises, having a conversation.
Talks about promises and conditions were exchanged. They also discussed predicting Count Molsan's actions and strengthening the capital's defenses with the armies of the two Marquises. Ingis was also involved.
"Your Majesty, I have my forces with me."
He said. Without hesitation, Krang replied.
"I will send you some steeds. Rest for a moment and then return."
The smile on Krang's face remained unchanged.
The count's words were not intimidating at all.
Even though the visitor was clearly a formidable force, Krang still told them to turn back.
Ingis, lost in thought, was about to speak when Krang interrupted.
"Protect the southern threat. That is your duty."
Ingis agreed with the sentiment.
Though they had bought three days, there was no point in lingering here. They needed to return.
Stopping Count Molsan? Ingis didn't think that was his responsibility.
But from Krang's perspective, excluding someone like him from their forces must have been a tough decision.
It had to be. That much was certain.
Yet, there was no hesitation.
Was this what they meant by caliber?
The master had said something similar once.
"He's a vessel too precious to break here. Go and help."
It was those words that had brought him this far.
Enkrid, standing behind, listened to Krang with a tinge of regret. But there was no helping it.
"What if I suggested a duel before leaving?"
That would never work. Enkrid wasn't Rem; he knew better.
Having raced here from the southern battlefield without even wiping the blood from his armor, he understood weariness and toil. Suggesting such a thing was unthinkable.
Others might have been baffled by Enkrid's restraint, but he understood when to step forward and when to step back.
Hadn't he just stayed silent moments ago until Krang spoke?
"Enki, I hear Border Guard is under threat. You can return immediately if you wish."
Krang's voice brought Enkrid back to the present. He nodded in response.
"I don't think I need to."
Audin was there, along with Krais. If the situation were truly dire, they would have sent word by now.
Blocking all scouts wouldn't entirely cut off communication—not with Krais.
He was the kind of man who would have dozens of backup plans.
And with both Audin and Teresa present, even a half-knight like the one who had stalled him wouldn't be able to cause much trouble.
Knights of such skill, capable of standing against someone like Ragna to a draw, were rare.
Audin was likely the most capable of handling such a foe.
"Worry about those who need it," Enkrid thought to himself.
Besides, with Krais scheming in Audin's shadow, they were in good hands.
Enkrid's answer seemed to draw the attention of the two marquises, who both turned to him.
"Is there a problem?"
Enkrid asked nonchalantly, genuinely curious. Marquis Okto blinked, while Marquis Baisar's lips twitched as he maintained his expressionless demeanor.
It was because of his casual tone.
Krang chuckled at the sight.
"Let it go. I said he's a friend, didn't I?"
"Your Highness, it undermines your dignity."
"Others may take notice."
Both marquises had already pledged their loyalty to Krang. Their words were fair, but they were dealing with Krang, after all.
"If a few words—no, the words of a friend I personally befriended—are enough to undermine my dignity, then I have nothing left to offer as a person."
A king must maintain decorum.
A king must keep everyone beneath them.
A king must stand alone.
But does that truly define a king?
It was a question Krang seemed to ask the world with every word and action, revealing his character in the process.
He was different. The weight of his words conveyed that.
The heavy atmosphere soon dissipated.
"What if scolding Enki for offending me led him to join the enemy?"
Krang said, his tone playful.
The marquises' faces twisted awkwardly. They were well aware of Enkrid's capabilities—and those of the infamous Madmen Unit under his command.
Without them, a battle against Count Molsan could become unpredictable.
Sure, they could summon the knights if necessary.
Perhaps Lord Cypress would come, no matter the stakes.
Krang knew this too. Yet, he chose not to.
This wasn't about the present moment.
Stopping a civil war was just a checkpoint.
To secure the throne, Krang had to think beyond immediate victories.
First, the damage caused by failing to contain Lihin-Stetten in the south or the Demon Realm would be irreparable.
Second, and more importantly—
"If I can't keep my own word, who will follow me?"
He had won the argument with the count. When words failed to determine the victor, Enkrid had raised Krang's hand.
It was almost laughable, yet one thing was clear.
When words couldn't end a conflict, action had to.
So, the knights would stay out of this. Krang had to handle it alone.
"Will you help?"
Enkrid nodded at the question, delivered with a playful tone.
The marquises glanced between Krang and Enkrid, feeling the undeniable difference in their caliber.
The night sky had darkened, and moonlight streamed through the windows of the great hall.
The commotion had subsided, and there was no longer any noise.
A group of Royal Guards approached but stopped short.
At the front was a man in a dark gray helmet.
"Your Highness."
He knelt on one knee. Krang nodded.
"Well done."
"…I will accept my punishment later and beg for forgiveness."
"You did your duty. That's not because you're on my side; it's because you did what you had to do."
Krang dismissed him with those words.
He wasn't the only one.
Most of those stepping forward were warm toward Krang.
Enkrid saw this as Krang's power—drawing people in, earning their recognition after spending time with him.
As they walked, Enkrid noticed a woman with orange hair limping toward them. Her broken nose had altered her features oddly, and she clutched her side in pain.
She stopped in front of him, her gaze fixed solely on him, ignoring Krang entirely.
"Enkrid."
Her focus was unwavering.
Enkrid saw that she had survived—and with that, he understood the day had passed.
Wasn't this what the boatman had promised?
He had to admit it.
He had saved someone he wanted to save.
That alone was enough to fill Enkrid with satisfaction, a warm feeling in his chest as he watched Aishia breathing, broken nose and all.
"Did you sleep well?"
His words carried everything he wanted to say. Aishia smirked, then clutched her side. It wouldn't heal in a day or two.
"Do you know her?" Krang asked casually.
It was time for Enkrid to explain her circumstances—how she had opposed them but had her reasons.
"She's a junior-knight. Fights well, just a bit worse than me."
Aesia's eyes narrowed at the comment, while Krang seemed satisfied with the explanation.
"You should recover."
"Huh?"
"There's a civil war coming."
Krang's smile as he spoke betrayed no tension, as if discussing a mundane routine like having a meal. But his words were true.
The civil war was beginning.
Count Molsan had chosen war to settle things.
What had he prepared?
Enkrid found himself looking forward to it.
Whatever came next, he would slash, pierce, and cut his way forward to stand face-to-face with the count.
A threat to the Border Guard?
Scheming against Esther?
There wasn't a single thing about that man Enkrid liked.
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