Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Talent In An Apocalyptic World-Chapter 120: Taming Kings

"Fear and respect are two sides of a coin. To abandon one is like using only one hand in a fight against a foe wielding a two-handed sword."

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Hahahahaha!

King Zevrath burst out laughing, diffusing the tense atmosphere in an instant. His tone made me believe he was mocking me, and his condescending gaze put everyone on edge.

"You may be a hero, but you are a fool," he said.

Buzz!

Eyes flew my way as everyone waited for my reaction, but there was none. I stood still and watched him with a look of indifference, waiting for him to finish what he had to say.

"You actually called us here to threaten us?" King Zevrath scoffed.

At this point, the other kings who had been huffing and puffing began chuckling like men about to carry out some evil plot.

"For this act of stupidity alone, we will never step foot in this sorry excuse of an empire until it has been reduced to rubble by the orcs."

Saying this, all six turned around simultaneously, but I clapped my hands and Selric, who was positioned at the door, slammed it shut.

All six kings froze—rooted in their positions and unable to say a word. Maybe they could finally feel the danger looming over them like a dark cloud.

Thud! Thud!

I walked down the staircase of the elevated platform before sitting down on the stairs. Patience is one of my greatest strengths, so I waited until these men turned around to meet my indifferent gaze—with a hint of fear in their eyes.

"What is the meaning of this?" King Tiberion said in a fierce but low tone. "Our army is garrisoned at your barracks. If word spreads that you harmed us..."

"Nothing will happen," I cut him off.

Buzz!

All six kings shivered at my words, and a few even exchanged glances.

"Now, you all will keep quiet and listen to everything I have to say," I said while flexing my shoulders.

"I have no need for you or your people." I watched them grow pale. "My power is one that grows stronger with each battle I fight and each person I cut down."

Rising to my feet, all six kings timidly took a step back.

"Calling you here, I had two plans in mind. Make you and your people submit—or use your kingdom to grow my strength," I said while taking a step forward.

That step alone made them jolt like they had been struck by lightning.

"You..." King Orun gasped with a reddened face, his chest heaving like he hadn’t breathed in years.

He looked like he would die from just my threats.

How the hell did these pathetic figures end up ruling a kingdom?

"I stood against ten thousand soldiers and the famous Spear of Lothlórien. I slaughtered his men in the thousands. He tried to fight back, so I beat him until he was half-dead and watched them carry his unconscious body away in retreat. Do you think your case will be any different?" I took another step forward.

"I will slaughter all six of you here and head straight to the barracks to kill your men. But I won’t stop there." I shook my head. "Once that’s done, I’ll head over to your kingdoms and kill every living thing—man, woman, child, livestock. I’ll erase your existence in just a month." I snarled causing black fumes to explode from my body while black cracks spread across my face.

The shivering kings exchanged brief glances, and Orun tried to put on a brave face.

"These are just threats?" he spat out before running behind the rest to hide himself.

"Threats, you say?" I chuckled. "I apologize, but I don’t make threats—I make promises. And so far, I have never failed to keep those promises. So I’ll make this promise to you six...

You have five seconds to kneel. Whoever is left standing by the time I’m done counting dies."

Buzz!

The entire court glanced at me with genuine shock. Only Selric smiled sheepishly in the background like he was enjoying the show.

Bam! Bam!

I hadn’t even begun counting, and all six were already on their knees.

This was meant to make me happy, but somehow, it pissed me off.

I expected some sort of resistance!

Have some honor and at least hold out till the count of three—or better still, hold out to the count of four!

The court was silent. I could see the horror in their eyes as they gazed at the kneeling kings. They had never seen this side of me, and never in their wildest imagination did they think something like this would happen.

Even during the days when they were at the top and looked down on the kingdoms, I’m certain they never treated them as badly as I was doing today.

Wiping my face with my hand, I let out a heavy sigh and walked back to the staircase and sat down.

"Why have you refused to help Solinthar in its fight against these barbarians?" I asked again, but this time, there was no backlash from the kings.

Instead, they exchanged worried glances before King Kaelus raised his hand to speak—like children did in school.

"Go ahead..." I nodded.

"T-they promised to... to let... us live if we don’t get involved," King Kaelus stuttered.

"And Solinthar always bullied us before this war, so why should we help them?" Orun screamed from behind the group.

"And Solinthar is losing. Why should we endanger our families and join a losing war?" King Zevrath chipped in.

As expected, their reason was similar to what Selric and the others said in the meeting room.

"You six are actually very foolish. Did you really believe the orcs would let you live after fighting against humanity in a joint alliance for centuries?" I leaned back and crossed my arms.

Buzz!

All six kings froze and began thinking about it like this was the first time the thought had crossed their minds.

"Let me break it down for you in a simple way you’ll understand," I said while adjusting my seating position. "Humanity has fought against the world for centuries, displaying a strength that one empire alone could never handle. This same humanity forced enemies into an unholy alliance. Do you really think they will let you people live in peace and grow in size after struggling against Solinthar for centuries?"

Buzz!

Even those in the courtroom were shaken by the way I described the entire situation. Glances were exchanged, and whispers slowly spread across the court as people argued among themselves.

These dumb kings were no different. Their facial expressions contorted as the illusion of peace sold to them began to wear off.

"They lied to us?" King Tiberion asked.

I nodded.

"Divide and conquer," I said. "If all humans in the Ashen Realms came together, the orcs would stand no chance. So they disarmed one side. Believe me, once Solinthar falls, your homes will be set ablaze next."

"How do I know this?" I added. "Because it’s the kind of thing I would do—and this is coming from a man who has lived ninety-nine lives, and in each of those lives, he was involved in wars."