The Queen of Naurillia has no children.
This means that there is no heir.
So, who should be the next King ?
Why doesn't the Queen bear children?
This situation has led to many people seeking the throne from all directions.
Of course, the main reason is the Queen's weak central authority.
Because of this, some, like Count Molsen, have falsely claimed to be King of the Frontier.
There are also those within the Capital who wish to become the Queen's consort.
Some have even come from other countries, offering their princes for the throne.
Countless people are vying for the crown.
Krang was one of them.
Krais hadn't seen all the people eyeing the throne.
But even compared to Count Molsen, it was enough.
He was currently the most threatening contender for the throne, wasn't he?
From that, Krais gathered one thing.
'He's different in scale.'
Encrid felt something similar.
Even compared to Count Molsen, it was clear.
It was purely instinct, but Count Molsen's aim was the throne.
His goal ended there.
But Krang was different.
As a Royal Bastard, he didn't just look at the throne, he looked beyond it.
'He's seen the real problems of this country.'
Of course, Count Molsen might have plans for after he seizes the country.
But it's a matter of where the priorities lie.
Is the throne the first step, or is there something more important that needs to be done first?
What are they striving for?
Where does their purpose lie?
Amidst the sunlight, vines tangled over the right side of the barracks wall. Green moss wedged between the cracks of the wall and vines gave off a vibrant sense of life.
It was spring, and the temperature was starting to rise.
It wasn't so warm that one would sweat while waling , though.
In this peaceful sunlight, a man who had drawn everyone's gaze smirked.
"And that's why I really didn't want to do it."
His last words were almost playful.
"Is that so?"
"Don't you ever feel that way? Haven't you ever not wanted to do something? Have you ever been tired of the path you're walking ? Have you ever wondered if you really have to keep going?"
Encrid mulled over Krang's words. He hadn't. He had never felt tired or unsure. Not once.
He enjoyed wielding a sword.
He found joy in the path he carved through it.
Each moment in his journey toward becoming a Knight was filled with ecstasy.
Even though Krang's words were spoken lightly, the distinct atmosphere he carried did not waver.
His eyes locked onto Encrid's.
At that moment, Encrid felt like everything around them disappeared, leaving only the two of them.
"Can you really say there's been no hardship?"
It was as if Krang was asking him that.
It seemed like the only answer he could give was yes. It wasn't pressure, but the atmosphere Krang created made it feel like he had to respond in that way.
Krang's unique aura wrapped around him. Encrid felt like he had become a sword, straight and unyielding.
He spoke from the steady flame within him.
There was no hesitation.
"Not at all."
Encrid answered.
At those words, Krang's smile vanished from his face.
His expression turned blank, and his blue eyes stared straight at Encrid. Time passed, like one savoring a sip of tea before swallowing.
"Hahaha!"
Krang burst into laughter. He threw his head back and let out a hearty, refreshing laugh.
* * *
Krang's guards had never seen their Lord laugh like that.
Seeing him throw his head back and laugh until tears welled up in his eyes was a first.
It felt unfamiliar at first, but they didn't quite understand it.
Considering how he lived up until now, it was almost surprising that he could laugh like that.
Worrying about poison and having separate meals prepared was the least of his concerns.
He was constantly plagued by assassination attempts.
It was difficult just trying to figure out who was behind them each day.
He had to dodge and avoid again and again, while still building his power. He had to turn luck to his side.
"What do you expect me to believe in, to support you?"
A noble had spoken those words, and the guards agreed with him. What reason is there to place trust and support in someone?
"Do belief and trust alone move you?"
Their Lord changed the situation with just a few words and his natural charm.
He captivated others and changed the course of events.
Yet, he always respected the boundaries. There were lines he would not cross. He upheld what needed to be upheld. That was the life he had chosen.
It was harsh. Harsh and endlessly severe. The standards he set for himself were extremely high.
That was why he shone.
To shine means to capture people's attention, to fascinate them, and to stand out wherever you are.
Is that why a colorful stone, which sparkles with light, holds more value than the things we eat, drink, or wear?
The noble who had once said those words became one of the Lord's most steadfast supporters.
"How can you walk the path of righteousness and still expect to get what you want?"
A man known as a sage once asked.
The Lord responded.
"Sometimes, I may have to step into the mud, and the dirt on my boots might sully the room. But I can't allow those around me to frown upon it, can I?"
The sage, in turn, fell into deep contemplation over the Lord's words.
"That's true."
"And your point is also valid."
Krang and the sage became incredibly close.
The guards had witnessed all of this.
They knew the years that had passed.
That's why they knew. Not once had they seen their Lord laugh like that. The sight of him laughing with genuine emotion was unfamiliar.
"Ah, yes. There isn't."
The Lord wiped the tear from the corner of his eye with his finger.
It was from laughing so hard.
"Yeah. There isn't."
The man across from him didn't even ask why he had laughed. He just responded calmly. He wasn't surprised.
Thus, the conversation between the Lord and the man with black hair continued.
After that, the radiant atmosphere vanished. Only a few trivial words were exchanged.
"Why did you charge into the enemy camp alone back then?"
"It wasn't a charge. I meant to hit and run, but I got stuck."
They were talking about the time they had fallen into the trap set by the strategist Avnair.
"Wouldn't it have been easier if you had led your forces?"
It was a statement meant for the future, not to question the past, but to reflect on that situation and prevent repeating the same mistake.
Krais, listening nearby, found Krang's attitude wise.
Just because it was a battlefield situation didn't mean there was nothing to learn.
Krang wasn't questioning, he was showing a willingness to listen.
He had a similar ability to Encrid when it came to attentively listening to others.
"If I had, the damage to our forces would have been uncontrollable."
Encrid had survived by sheer luck. If he had led the troops into that situation, they all would have died inside. At least half of them would have been lost.
In hindsight, it was the right choice.
"You didn't know that at the time, did you?"
Krang asked.
"I thought that if I attacked alone, I could draw enough attention, allowing our forces more freedom to move."
"So it was an elite operation, huh?"
To an outsider, this might seem like a serious conversation about strategy and tactics, but to them, it was trivial. So it wasn't surprising that the topic quickly shifted.
"What's that scar from?"
Encrid asked.
"It's from misjudging someone."
Krang had a long scar under his chin. It was a wound that had nearly cost him his life.
Encrid didn't say much in response.
He just had an attitude of "Oh, I see."
However, internally, he wondered if Krang's judgment of people was flawed.
What does it mean to be a King ? A King is someone who commands people. Without the ability to discern others, one will inevitably suffer.
There are times when meaning is conveyed without words.
Encrid's attitude was conveying just that.
Even without speaKing , what needed to be said was communicated.
Seeing this, a vein bulged on the guard's forehead.
It wasn't a matter of misjudging someone. If they knew the situation, they wouldn't speak so casually.
"I've learned a lot from that."
Krang chuckled as he replied.
This, too, was a new sight for the guards.
Up until now, the most they had seen was a faint smile.
The walk and conversation, enjoying the peaceful spring weather, came to an end.
"Until next time, friend."
Krais felt a bit deflated.
Krang hadn't asked him outright to join his side after all.
Why had he prepared all those counterarguments, then?
No, but isn't this the moment when you say something?
Normally, wouldn't you say something like:
"Why don't you dream of such a Kingdom? Join my side and make those dreams a reality. I'll make sure you swim in gold coins, and you'll spend an entire month playing with different beauties!"
Isn't that what people usually say?
Then again, if Krang were that kind of person, he probably wouldn't have made it this far, would he?
Such thoughts ran through his mind.
"Are we friends?"
Encrid asked Krang.
"Why, aren't we?"
"Let's just say we are."
The conversation was the kind that made the guards' necks stiffen in tension.
But they couldn't step in. Hadn't their Lord told them to stand down?
More importantly, they trusted that there was meaning and purpose in their Lord's actions.
But that didn't make it any easier to watch.
It looked like their Lord was practically handing over Krona and asking the other person to be his friend.
In other words, he was offering silver coins just to become friends.
The guard's jaw muscles tensed.
Without realizing it, he was clenching his teeth.
"If this keeps up, I think that guard's whip might come flying at my head."
Krang remarked.
"Try to dodge it well."
Encrid replied, smirking .
Once again, Krang chuckled lightly.
Encrid also smiled faintly.
After all, he had become friends with Leona, the owner of the Rockfreed Trading Company, so it wouldn't be a bad thing to be on friendly terms with someone who might one day sit on the throne.
But honestly, it wasn't for that reason. Encrid simply liked Krang as a person.
"Well then."
"Yeah."
Encrid and Krais left.
Krang quietly watched them as they walked away.
Seeing this, the guard spoke up.
"You do realize how dangerous it is for you to come here, right?"
"I know."
Krang placed one hand on his waist and looked up.
The more he thought about it, the better the day seemed.
The sunlight was warm, and the air was gentle. It was the kind of day where it would feel great to lie on some grass and take a nap.
The guard, observing this, felt compelled to ask a straightforward question.
It was something their Lord had said countless times.
If you leave doubts unaddressed and don't communicate, misunderstandings will inevitably build up.
Don't create situations where a simple conversation turns into a need for a drawn sword.
The guard followed that advice.
"Then why did you come?"
"Curiosity."
He must have been referring to the man who had just left. Naturally, this question arose. The guard voiced it.
"Curiosity about his skills?"
Did they need to clash, then?
The guard wondered inwardly.
Krang shaded his eyes with his hand against the bright sunlight and gazed up at the sky.
The sky was clear with scattered clouds.
Nice.
He thought, and then answered.
"I was curious if he had changed."
As Krang said this, he chuckled again.
The guard tilted his head in confusion but left it at that.
He couldn't ask about every little thing.
He didn't need to know every detail of Krang's thoughts.
All he needed to know was that his Lord had come to confirm something, had confirmed it, and was satisfied.
That was what mattered.
And with that, his own questions were resolved.
There were no misunderstandings.
"I see."
He replied.
"Yeah."
Krang held Encrid in high regard.
More so than anyone else who knew him.
In fact, he valued Encrid more than Encrid valued himself.
'If someone can remain unchanged like that.'
The unwavering pursuit of a path captivates those around. It draws them in and holds them. It influences them.
From Krang's perspective, having influence was an extraordinary feat.
'If only he were involved in politics.'
A man who could have built a great family chose to wield a sword. He dreamt of becoming a Knight.
A Knight stands at the pinnacle of martial power.
So, what happens if someone like that becomes a Knight?
It doesn't matter. His demeanor is constant. He doesn't change.
He simply follows his own path.
Krang was satisfied because he had confirmed that.
Indeed, Encrid hadn't changed.
He was determined to become a Knight.
Krang, on the other hand, was set on leading a Kingdom.
"Is a continent without war even possible?"
"If it's what my Lord desires."
"Easier said than done."
Krang chuckled and patted his guard on the shoulder.
He was now back to his usual self. Although, his shoulders seemed a little more relaxed than usual—was that just an illusion?
Krang began to walk.
"Let's go. If we don't want to die, we still have to struggle."
The guard knew this all too well.
"Yes."
With the sun behind them, the guard followed Krang.
* * *
"A throne should be occupied by someone who doesn't want it."
As they walked back, Encrid said.
Krais corrected him.
"More precisely, it should be occupied by someone who knows what they're doing. Someone who doesn't even know what they're doing wouldn't be able to beg properly, let alone sit on a throne."
Krais mixed a proverb into his correction.
Even to become a beggar, you need to know what you're doing, or you won't succeed.
It was a saying from the continent.
Encrid's words were an answer to a question Marcus had posed.
It's not about wanting and desiring the throne. It's about understanding its weight and knowing the path ahead.
"In that sense, he's quite an impressive person."
"Not because he's dumb, right?"
Encrid's question had a different implication, and Krais picked up on it. So he responded accordingly.
"No, that's definitely not it."
Krais speculated about why Krang had come to this place.
What other reason could there be?
'He came to see this man.'
Why did he come to see Encrid?
Was it because he was a man maKing a name for himself, rising through the ranks?
Was it because he'd become somewhat famous recently?
Who cares? That's probably not the reason.
Then what was sacrificed to see this leader?
Time, place, information, position.
"Isn't it dangerous?"
Encrid asked suddenly.
He had sensed, or rather deduced, the dangers that might arise from Krang's presence here.
That's what makes a great leader—quick thinKing .
Krais, recognizing this, replied.
"Yes, I'm not sure if he'll make it out alive. Didn't he say he was heading to the Royal Palace?"
He had mentioned that before. That he would soon return to the Royal Palace, and he anticipated the journey would be perilous.
Despite knowing that, he had come all the way to the Border Guard.
Whatever the reason, it was clear that he had taken quite a risk.
The Border Guard outpost Krais had established had led to explosive growth in trade.
Moreover, with the involvement of the Rockfreed Trading Company, trade had literally skyrocketed.
This had all happened in just a few months, and the city was buzzing with excitement.
That meant more and more people were gathering.
And when a large number of people gather, it becomes the perfect hiding place for those up to no good.
'It's impossible to block all the spies anyway.'
Krais ensured that only the key facilities were tightly secured.
As for the rest? He left them alone for now.
He did plan to expand the Information Guild in the future to tighten internal control, but that wasn't a priority at the moment.
What if Krang was still under threat?
Naturally, Krais assumed that he was.
Even now, Encrid was muttering about the factors that guided his own judgment.
"That guard changed his stance. He's tensed, ready to move at any moment."
"He doesn't eat or drink anything unless it's prepared by his own people—he's been through some rough times."
"He doesn't seem to have any hidden guards around, so it doesn't look like he's surrounded by many people."
Given that, there might not be a more dangerous place for Krang right now than the Border Guard.
It seemed highly likely that as soon as he left this place, an assassin would ambush him, perhaps even attacking his carriage.
Krais nodded as he listened to Encrid's words.
He also understood why his Commander was saying all this. The reason was simple.
"If you want to do something, shouldn't you just do it?"
Who leads the Madmen Platoon?
The madman with black hair and blue eyes.
It was Encrid.
"I get it, but we still need to know why."
"I agree that he's someone too valuable to die here."
When they returned to the barracks, Marcus was already there.
Encrid, expecting that assassins—or their brothers, fathers, sons, or even grandfathers—would eventually show up, decided to speak before Marcus could start giving him a serious lecture.
"I'll escort him to the Royal Palace. You can discuss the fee with Krais."
Marcus let out a confused noise, "Uh—" and froze with his mouth still open.
Encrid's quick thinking had far surpassed Marcus's expectations.
"Huh? Where are we going?"
Rem asked from behind.
He was already itching for action.
Looks like I'll have to take him along, Encrid thought, nodding to himself.
In this state, Rem was bound to cause trouble. It would be better to keep him close.