The sealed black iron gates began to glow red under an intense heat, eventually turning a radiant gold-red. Finally, they melted into a pool of molten iron.
Muria, having used the simplest and most direct method to open the gates to the outside world, walked out, accompanied by his three nominal teachers. Surrounding the palace were guards, all on high alert, their weapons drawn, watching the group as if faced with an imminent threat.
"Stand down!" Fernand's joyful voice rang out as he hurriedly arrived, flanked by his personal guards. When his eyes landed on Muria and the three distinct figures behind him, the smile on his face deepened.
Fernand wasted no time. He led Muria and the three instructors to the administrative hall, the chamber where affairs of state were discussed. What they were about to deliberate would shape the fate of their nation.
"You've returned earlier than I expected," Fernand said, his expression light and full of relief as he looked at his young yet extraordinary son. "I was planning to hold on for another five years, but now it seems I won't need to wait that long."
"Fernand, you've been shouldering the burden of kingship for far too long. It's not worth it," the elder who had returned with Muria remarked, shaking his head with a regretful expression as he looked at Fernand.
"There was no other choice," Fernand replied with a carefree smile. "Someone had to take up this responsibility. My brothers and sisters weren't capable, so it fell to me."
"How much longer do you have?" Muria asked, frowning as he scrutinized Fernand. He could sense that while his father's strength had grown significantly since five years ago, his life force was fading even faster, like a candle flickering in the wind, on the verge of going out.
This was anything but normal. Under usual circumstances, an increase in power would also elevate one's life force, strengthening the essence of their being and extending their lifespan. But in Fernand's case, his burgeoning power was actively suppressing and draining his life essence.
The root cause was obvious: Fernand's body could not fully control the tremendous power within him. It was a case of "a small horse pulling a heavy cart." This inability to command the inherited power of the kings of Gai was the true reason for Fernand's looming death. The chaotic, unrestrained energy of the Hellspawn lineage, when not mastered, was a death sentence.
"That depends on when you're ready to take the throne," Fernand answered calmly. "But even if I push myself, I can only hold on for five more years at most."
"Is it because of the energy in your chest? I could extract it from your body. That way, you could live longer," Muria offered, observing the pulsating energy within his father. This energy was exceptionally active, but its activity came at the cost of Fernand's dwindling vitality.
"It seems you've made great strides these past years, if you can even sense the power within me," Fernand said, pulling open his shirt to reveal his chest. Embedded in the center of his solid chest was a golden-red crystalline core, radiating a captivating and overwhelming power.
"This is the power crystal left behind by the founding king of Gai, a warrior who had undergone seven awakenings. It is the most sacred artifact of our kingdom, passed down from one king to the next. Whoever holds this crystal is the rightful ruler of Gai."
Fernand began to explain its origin to Muria in detail. "Our ancestor left behind this crystal so that every king could have the strength to govern the nation. But with each generation, the crystal's power has grown stronger, and so has the burden it imposes.
"This has made each successive king stronger than the last but has also shortened our lifespans. The pressure of wielding this power has become too great for us to bear."
"That's not necessarily true," the elder interjected, shaking his head. "The stronger a person becomes, the more power they can handle. And once they reach a certain level, this so-called 'pressure' won't even be an issue anymore." His sharp gaze shifted to Muria, filled with unspoken meaning. Based on his assessment, Muria had the potential to fully bear the crystal's power.
"Exactly," Fernand nodded. "If someone becomes powerful enough, they won't have to worry about their life force being drained by the crystal. That's why, the moment I saw your talent, I decided that you would be my successor."
"Arnold," Fernand said, calling Muria by name, "can you tell me how many awakenings you've completed?"
"Six," Muria answered, meeting his father's expectant gaze.
"Ha-ha-ha!" Fernand burst into laughter, his face glowing with satisfaction. He had hoped Muria would reach five awakenings, which he considered more than enough. But Muria had exceeded all expectations.
"In that case, I will abdicate and pass the throne to you. Will you accept this responsibility?" Fernand asked solemnly, his expression serious as he gazed at his small yet extraordinary son.
"I will," Muria replied without hesitation.
"You must think carefully," Fernand warned. "Taking the throne means gaining immense power and authority, but it also means carrying the fate of millions on your shoulders. The price is steep."
"I've already thought it through," Muria said with a calmness that belied his youthful appearance. "You brought these three teachers to guide me for this very moment, didn't you? And I am far stronger than you think. I can accept the crystal's power without suffering an early death. I am the ideal candidate for the throne."
"Then prepare yourself. In thirty days, I will pass the throne to you," Fernand declared.
"Wait—thirty days? Isn't that a bit rushed?" the cloud woman interjected, frowning. She understood the nature of the royal power of Gai: a new king's coronation often marked the death of the previous one.
"It's not rushed at all. I've waited long enough for this day. I'm tired and want to rest," Fernand said with a faint smile.
"But—"
"There's no need to argue," the elder interrupted, shaking his head to stop the cloud woman from continuing. "You're not Fernand. You can't understand what he's been through. Who wouldn't want to live longer if they could?"
The cloud woman fell silent, and Fernand turned his gaze to his son.
"You've done far better than I ever anticipated," Fernand said softly. "You're so outstanding, you don't even seem like my child." Muria's expression remained unchanged as he listened.
"But that's for the best. This way, your older brother won't have to bear the burden of the throne," Fernand continued, his tone tinged with relief. He was already in the process of handing over his responsibilities, preparing for his departure.
"You've returned earlier than I expected, so my plans aren't fully complete. If you had come back five years later, I might have handed you a Gai kingdom with broader territories and more citizens."
"But now, you'll have to reap the results of the seeds I've sown over the past thirty years yourself," Fernand said, his tone becoming more serious.
"What have you been planning?" Muria asked, genuinely curious. There was no doubt in his mind that Fernand was an exceptionally capable king. After all, not every ruler could wage frequent wars and still maintain a strong and prosperous nation.
"The most powerful nation on the Ymir Plains, our suzerain, the kingdom of As, has been without a king for two years now. Their ruler passed away, and no successor has been chosen," Fernand explained.
"And that has something to do with you?" Muria asked, feigning surprise and curiosity.
"Just a little," Fernand admitted, though his face couldn't hide his pride.
"The previous king of As had twelve children, seven of whom are outstanding candidates for the throne. Any one of them could rightfully claim it."
"And now the Ymir Plains are in chaos because of these seven exceptional heirs," Muria concluded with certainty.
A single qualified heir was a blessing. Two or more? A recipe for disaster. In the case of As, with seven evenly matched heirs, infighting was inevitable. As the strongest nation on the plains, their turmoil would plunge the entire region into instability.
"Exactly," Fernand confirmed, his expression growing serious.
"When I was young, I studied in As and had the fortune of befriending these heirs. I built good relationships with all of them and even gave each one gifts. After I ascended to the throne, I maintained these connections."
"How devious," Muria muttered, his lips twitching. He now had a clear picture of what his father had done. The chaos in As was undoubtedly tied to Fernand's machinations.
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