When the plot-skips players into the game world-Chapter 1328 - 51 Swan King

To a child, claiming to be a Swan Knight is not a strange thing.

The identity of the "Swan Knight" in the Iris Flower is like Spider-Man, Batman, or Superman, those superheroes who hide their identities through costumes. They are mysterious, just, and invincible embodiments of heroism. Children can’t escape that "I’m actually a mysterious hero who can’t reveal my true identity" coolness; it’s completely normal.

But for an adult to still firmly believe he is a Swan Knight, well, that’s a bit like "the Dragon King Returns".

And for a prince—or even a king—it’s even more preposterous.

At the same time, he is an exceptionally handsome man. His beauty and temperament make him stand out among his siblings, and anyone who glances over is bound to notice him first—this is the manifestation of his exceptional talent on the Path of Beauty. You see, the entire Iris Royal Family flows with the hereditary traits of the Path of Beauty; none of them are ordinary people, and any one of them would singly incite people’s fervent pursuit and adoration.

Yet in front of this "Swan Prince," they seem so ordinary.

This prince possesses extraordinary and transcendent sensibility, able to propose very sharp criticisms of master-level artworks as a teenager; despite his beautiful and enchanting looks, he remains indifferent to matters of sex. freēnovelkiss.com

When he was beheaded, he left no heirs. Just like the Swan Knight parted with his wife on their wedding night... Even though he was married, he was always the "Virgin King."

No doubt, he is an eccentric, gentle, beautiful, pure, graceful, and mad artist.

The perfect creation of the Gemini Mirror, the embodiment of the Apostle of Beauty.

The only issue lies in that—he became a worldly king.

Some worship him fervently, but more envy him. Endless malice continually assails him.

Politics is the art of compromise, yet the proud Swan King is unwilling to compromise—he always responds to others’ malice with the most radical attitude. He is overly sensitive and can realize others’ true intentions and thoughts just by seeing their face and eyes, or hearing their voice.

If the Swan King senses malice in someone’s heart, he immediately turns hostile: ordering large flowers to be placed in front of visitors so he needn’t see their faces. If he notices someone is using him, he improvises a sharp and pungent poem to give to them on their departure.

If someone suggests an unjust act, he immediately turns and leaves; even if other nobles, or even his own relatives, seek benefit from him, he shuts them out—refusing to see them at all. He’d rather write poetry in his room or sing on the balcony... much like a caged canary in the Royal Palace.

To him, most people seem uninteresting. Only those most pure... those artists or children can spark his interest in conversation.

This is precisely why his enemies grow ever more. Almost all nobles deliberately resist his orders, nearly all officials delay his policies—either unwilling or afraid to execute them.

The government’s efficiency slows ever more, or rather, the efficiency of the nobles in "targeting this monarch" increases. Eventually, the flames of poverty finally ignited on the petals of the Iris Flower, causing them to wither and fall.

"This overly pure king is utterly incompatible with his nobles. He is unwilling to commit dirty acts to soil his hands, even unwilling to execute anyone—even ministers who openly oppose him. He still hopes to change decisions through speeches, through his songs and poems.

"He seems to not live in reality, but rather in a fairy tale."

Sherlock said slowly.

This monarch seems to believe that as long as he speaks sincere words that move people, the wicked will repent, and the good will be invigorated. His worldview is entirely different from others... Like Don Quixote, he’s immersed in his own fantasy filter. Perhaps he doesn’t even see the real world, or just doesn’t want to see it.

"Under the guidance of public opinion, the populace, unsure whom to blame, gave this monarch a new nickname: the Mad King.

"—But even so, people actually still somewhat adore this strange monarch.

"Because he is like a true knight, abolishing almost all national taxes upon taking office, even trying to judge cases seriously like a king in a fairy tale—after being thrice assassinated by assassins disguised as criminals, this entertaining activity was abolished by his queen consort.

"Later, he tried to travel incognito and investigate corrupt officials and evil policies across the land—but he had scarcely a few of his own people around him, so all his ’secret travels’ were essentially high profile. Everywhere he went he found only actors, and he was keen enough to see through all falsehoods, so he lost interest after a few times.

"—And after the people of the Iris Flower twice launched rebellions, only to be suppressed again... this Mad King suddenly had a crazy idea."

Sherlock sighed slightly at this point.

It was a sigh of regret, as well as disagreement and pity.

"He believed that the people’s rebellion against the nobles would only bring cruel suppression. And he himself was powerless... He didn’t know how many loyal people were by his side, so he intended to use this method for a ’test’.

"Just like scenes often seen in operas—for example, in dramas about fighting for family inheritance, the family head fakes death to see who truly respects them; the monarch fakes death to judge who is truly loyal to the kingdom. He wanted to use fake death to find out who around him was truly trustworthy.

"—Therefore, he tried to direct this rebellion towards himself."

Upon hearing this, Aiwass couldn’t help but crack slightly.

Mostly because both he and Sherlock had faked their deaths before...

Hearing this sentence evoked an inexplicable sense of embarrassment.

"I remember... you said there was involvement from the Playful Sky Department behind this?"

Aiwass asked, "Is it this part?"

"That’s right, the Playful Sky Department was the second driving force in this."

Sherlock nodded: "The three Dukes all knew this was just the monarch’s trick—they all learned the truth of this matter from the Playful Sky Department. Because if the Dukes wanted to seize power, the Mad King couldn’t resist at all, so the three always remained neutral, being the most reliable grand dukes with a state within the state... Conversely, without their consent, the rebels couldn’t possibly breach the Capital. After all, the military power and security rights of the Iris Flower were basically in the hands of the three Dukes.

"For this reason... none of them seriously quelled the rebellion. And the nobles couldn’t imagine their monarch would take such a dangerous move—so although some heard of this matter, they never dared to believe it. But whether they believed it or not, they pretended to be loyal, trying to stop the rebellion to demonstrate their loyalty, to mock their monarch... but it was completely fake, loud yet powerless.

"As a result, because no one exerted real effort, the rebellion actually succeeded. That ’hot-blooded young Louisov’ had the opportunity to have the Swan King executed.

"Later, that young man mysteriously disappeared. No one knew which faction he belonged to... Iris Flower lost their monarch when no one was prepared. Those nobles who shouted loudly were also cleansed by increasingly fervent mobs—but the Dukes still did not intervene, and people dared not act against the Dukes who truly controlled the military corps.

"—The question is, who does this suddenly appeared youth belong to?

"Some believe he comes from one of the three Dukes, others think he’s Hawkeye’s man, others believe he’s a blood slave of the Son of the Moon, and some think he’s foreign... like a spy from Star Antimony. Because of this person’s existence, the three Dukes remain wary of each other to this day... and all who investigate this youth have mysteriously disappeared.

"The Duke commissioned me to investigate precisely this matter."

Sherlock recounted the entire course of events.

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