Eternally Regressing Knight-Chapter 545 - Not All Kings Are the Same

Chapter 545 - Not All Kings Are the Same

Not all kings are the same.

Aspen, since its earliest days has been deeply influenced by religion.

This relationship afforded Aspen recognition as a city-state by the Holy City-State and their support when needed. However, it also meant constantly treading carefully to appease the temples, making autonomous decisions nearly impossible.

But the Holy City-State wasn't Aspen's only challenge.

Had it been, the king might have managed to maneuver around them while still asserting his will.

No, religion wasn't the sole obstacle.

Looking back through history, the Duchy of Aspen began as a territory granted by the Empire—a nation established under the Empire's approval.

Digging deeper, one might see it as the Empire's ploy to bind an extraordinary hero to the land, a plan that worked brilliantly.

However, to those living in that era, Duke Aspen the founder, would have been nothing short of a hero among heroes.

After all, the hero who founded a nation couldn't have been an ordinary figure.

Given these beginnings, Aspen's ties to the Empire were tenuous at best.

It was essentially, a separate kingdom disguised as a duchy established with the unspoken agreement, "Here's the land just don't cause trouble."

Over time, Aspen evolved into a kingdom in all but name.

Yet, asserting that status outright was not feasible, especially now.

"Do you mean to say you wish to reject the Empire's assistance?"

Every year, envoys from the Empire would arrive in Aspen bringing grains to the mountainous nation where arable land was scarce.

The Empire's support was not exploitative; Aspen was treated fairly, paying reasonable costs for the supplies.

However, even at fair prices Aspen's limited resources left little room for stockpiling or stability.

Aspen's challenges didn't end with the Empire.

Another major power loomed large: Lihin-Stetten, the Southern Nation.

Unlike the Empire, which provided Aspen with food, Lihin-Stetten acted as a buyer purchasing metals and other resources produced in Aspen.

In this delicate balance, Aspen became trapped between two giants—one a supplier, the other a consumer.

This left Aspen hesitant to engage in trade with the southeastern coastal trade cities for fear of upsetting either party.

'What an utterly wretched situation.'

Argius Bona Aspen, known as "The Chosen of the Gods" sat upon the throne deeply dissatisfied with the state of his nation.

'Must we truly remain a nation that survives only by extending hands in all directions?'

And not just to one, but to three?

The Temple of Abundance had established itself within the royal palace, constructing a temple within its walls.

They preached that the teachings of their god were necessary for the people's stability.

Naturally, in a land where food scarcity was the norm, many in Aspen turned to the god of abundance for solace.

While some priests genuinely prayed for the people, others were corrupt to the point of stench.

Yet, they couldn't simply be cast out.

Killing even a single low-ranking priest would provoke an outcry across the land.

The king himself lacked the power to act freely against them.

This inability to separate church and state was one reason Argius longed for secular governance.

Why did the people of Aspen so devoutly believe in the god of abundance?

Their poverty left them no choice but to seek refuge in faith.

Is relying on belief as an escape truly the answer?

The king understood that escapism provided only fleeting comfort.

Still, he knew his people were not all like him.

He wanted to lead Aspen out of this predicament and he saw an opportunity on the horizon.

'Green pearl.'

Just beyond the border to the southeast lay fertile lands—potential granaries that could solve Aspen's problems.

Expanding the border slightly southward to claim these lands could provide the answers Aspen needed.

If they secured these fertile lands, they wouldn't need the Empire's aid or to rely so heavily on selling their metals to the south.

With full bellies, even the devout might turn away from the temple allowing the removal of corrupt priests.

All Argius needed was to show the people that their king had accomplished this transformation, reducing their reliance on religion.

Argius had long dreamed of this—a dream of Aspen not as a duchy, but as a fully independent kingdom.

A kingdom that stood on its own without aid, a limping nation walking steadily forward on its own legs.

Many dismissed him as a dreamer, but some had followed him believing in his vision.

They had failed.

Now, a young king over a decade his junior, stood before him spouting grandiose claims that bordered on madness.

"Why is it impossible?"

"You think removing the demonic domains is possible? Peace on the continent? Ending war? Uniting the races to fight together? You think all that makes sense?"

Argius felt his frustration boil over.

His voice rose and his emotions seeped into his words.

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freёnovelkiss.com.

He wanted to shout: Do you even understand what you're saying? Why are you uttering such absurdities?

"Have you tried?"

"...What?"

"I asked if you've tried."

If no one had walked the path, did that make it impossible to tread?

Once, Argius had thought the same. His dream was to walk a path unfettered by the influence of others.

While many had dismissed it as impossible, Argius had simply seen it as a path no one had yet taken.

"If no one has stepped on the land, does that mean it's uninhabitable?"

The young king gave voice to Argius's innermost thoughts.

But their capacities were different.

Just as not all knights are equal, not all kings are the same.

"Will you abandon the attempt without even trying? Is that the dream you chase? Then why did you cross Naurillia's border? Enkrid, strike down the King of Aspen and rally the troops to slaughter everyone in this land!"

Krang's voice was calm but carried an edge that made his words land like blows.

His tone shifted only slightly, but its weight was palpable.

Even Jaxen glanced at Enkrid to gauge his reaction.

Enkrid, knowing Krang's words weren't serious, remained silent watching the situation.

Others in the room reacted instinctively.

Aspen's representatives unconsciously stepped back while Illode, the young man who had introduced himself earlier, placed a hand on his sword's hilt.

Yet, no one dared make a move.

Krang's aura had convinced them all his words were genuine.

"Is that what you truly want?" Krang asked.

Argius looked at the young king.

Behind him was the night sky and further back, a knight stood firm ready to act at his command.

Argius knew his life could end with a single gesture from the man before him.

Yet, in that moment, all Argius could see were Krang's eyes—eyes brighter than the moon, capable of outshining the stars.

The eyes of one who carried a dream burned brighter than anything else in the world.

"Your racial integration policy succeeded because of fairness, didn't it? Care to share your secret?"

Krang's words were devoid of malice, spoken with a sincerity that felt disarming.

Yet, Argius found himself drained by the exchange as if each word sapped his strength.

'The difference in our capacities.'

Argius felt the weight of this truth. The man before him was larger than life, broader in vision and depth.

"Why have you come here?"

This time, Argius asked without anger seeking only understanding.

"Does it matter?"

Krang smiled and Argius let out a hollow laugh.

Not all kings are the same.

Argius finally understood. The man before him carried a vision too vast for him to fathom—a vision of erasing the demonic domains and ending the continent's wars.

"And how will you achieve all that?"

Argius asked again. Though his words lacked a subject, their meaning was clear.

"How will you bring peace to the continent?

How will you confront the demonic zones?

How will you eradicate the cults?"

Each question alone seemed like folly.

Krang smiled once more, his expression radiant as if his words carried magic.

"Let's figure it out together."

Argius laughed. Starting with a hollow chuckle, he soon threw his head back in genuine mirth.

Argius recalled the vassals who had opposed his decision to stand alone.

'A dreamer.'

Compared to him, the man before him was a madman who dreamt with his eyes wide open.

Yet.

'I've lost.'

Not a single expected word had been spoken.

The King of Naurillia hadn't mentioned any of the concerns Arguis had feared.

He had only shown the difference in their capacities.

"You will need a granary district. You will want to free yourself from the Empire and the southern powers and there's also the religious issue."

'At least his mind seems sharp.'

Argius remained silent, simply listening to what Krang was saying.

"I can't give you the entire land. But here's what we can do. If we add this, you'll secure the farmland."

Krang pressed his palms together as he spoke.

'Even if this is just a delusion, so be it.'

Argius thought to himself.

Krang was offering to merge the borders. To divide the agricultural land between them without conflict, proposing peace instead of war.

Though the idea sounded simple, in reality it was far from it.

The two nations, once divided by the entire Green Pearl territory had fought countless times.

How could old grudges be ignored?

'Would the Empire and the southern powers simply stand by?'

It was as if Krang had been waiting for this very question.

"If anyone objects, well, just say you were forced into this by this friend of mine. There's a knightly order capable of wiping out a capital city like Aspen and we'd threaten them with swords, so they wouldn't dare oppose."

Krang gestured casually with his thumb toward the back, clearly indicating Enkrid.

Enkrid uninterested, nodded briefly.

"Is he your vassal?"

"He is my friend."

Enkrid remained impassive as he heard Krang refer to him as a friend in front of another king.

Arguis couldn't help but wonder about the relationship between them, though it wasn't important at the moment.

"Is that really possible? You're at war with the south and they won't just let it slide."

"I'm not the one fighting, but yes. My people, those who share my dreams will defend it alongside me."

"I see."

Argius's tone fell flat.

Yet, his eyes began to sparkle.

They weren't the defensive, resigned eyes Krang had seen when they first met.

They weren't eyes that spoke of despair or surrender.

They held something different now, something that sharpened his focus.

Krang's next words continued to ignite the spark of realization in Arguis.

"You'll receive the farmland out of goodwill, but you can't let the remaining land go to waste. Isn't that just what the God of Prosperity would want?"

Such childish thoughts, Argius thought.

What kind of foolish talk was this?

The rabbit living in the cave couldn't understand why others lived outside.

Why go out where it's dangerous?

You can survive by eating the grass inside the cave.

Argius had never seen beyond his own cave.

The man before him wasn't simply asking for help or inviting him to share his dream.

He was clever.

Krang understood the situation clearly and articulated it with precision, forcing even those who would argue against him into silence.

Everyone has their turning point in life.

For Enkrid, it came with the words of a second-rate mercenary swordsman.

You're a genius.

It also echoed a line from a ballad sung by a wandering minstrel:

The knight who ends the war, the knight who ends the battle.

Now, the King of Aspen had experienced a similar revelation.

Krang smiled and continued speaking.

"What are you afraid of? Death? Failure? If not, then why not dream with us?"

No answers.

No alternatives.

But a dream.

Krang was a dreamer, and Argius wanted to reach out to that dream.

What must be done first to make that happen?

Drunk on the young king's words, Argius realized that the person who had made this moment possible was Enkrid.

As everyone else became intoxicated with the conversation, Enkrid remained calm and steady.

His name was Enkrid, The Unyielding Knight.

It was he who had made this meeting possible.

Argius smiled, realizing that he was indebted to the one who had spared his people from shedding blood.

The King of Aspen stood up and laughed.

"What should I call you?"

"Krang."

"I am Argius. Before it's too late, I intend to do what I want. Will you allow it?"

Not what must be done, but what he wanted.

A king who understood the weight of words had spoken it correctly.

"Do as you wish."

Krang responded, and Argius looked at Enkrid.

"I am remiss in my manners. Sir Enkrid, The Unyielding Knight. Thanks to your efforts, my wife will no longer cry herself to sleep, the children who nearly lost both parents now can smile and the elderly parents who sent their child off to war can breathe a sigh of relief. For all this, I thank you."

The king bowed his head.

He hadn't forgotten that it was the legendary hero who had held back the army and made this meeting possible.

--------------------------------------------------------

If you enjoy the series and want to get more Chapters early, head over to my kofi

www.ko-fi.com/samowek

Become a member and receive the next 50 Chapters for 10$.

Many thanks to azuring for proofreading the Chapter