A few hours after the coronation ceremony, instead of resting for the night, Lark proceeded with the next step of his plans. With the help of several trustworthy individuals—particularly Gaston, Big Mona, General Carlos, the Grand Chamberlain, and the former King Alvis—he started reviewing the profiles of the nobles currently residing in the capital.
His goal was simple: to find competent individuals who could act as his hands and feet.
Lark knew, no matter how capable the sovereign, it was impossible to do everything alone. A ruler was nothing without his people.
"After recent events," said the retired General Carlos, "most of these nobles won't hesitate to answer your summons, Your Majesty. They'll probably be more than happy to become part of your faction."
Unlike King Alvis, Lark held an amount of authority that had never been seen before in a king in this kingdom. Not only did he manage to cull the plague called the Kelvin Family, he also managed to rally the majority of the high-ranking nobles under his banner.
A king that belonged to one of the ducal houses. An unprecedented event in the history of the kingdom.
A king who held the might of not only the royal family, but also the Marcus Family.
"I don't need yes-men to answer my beck and call," said Lark, his eyes scanning the document he held in his hand. Stacks of papers—each filled with information regarding the various nobles and officials of the kingdom —piled up on top of his table. "I'm not looking for puppets, Viscount Carlos."
General Carlos nodded. "Of course. So, do you have anyone in mind, Your Majesty?"
Your Majesty.
Lark was starting to become used to this title.
"This one," said Lark. He placed a parchment on the table and slid it toward General Carlos.
"Lord Chase?" said General Carlos.
"I really want him," said Lark. He sighed. "But it's not like we can leave Golden Wheat City, one of our major cities, without a competent ruler, right?"
It was truly unfortunate.
Out of all the nobles and officials on the list, the Lord of Golden Wheat City was the only one who perfectly fit Lark's criteria. The man was trustworthy, and despite being born a commoner, he was competent enough to transform a small city into one of the major cities of the kingdom.
Lark remembered the awarding ceremony a year ago. Out of everyone present that day, only Lord Chase approached and talked to him. It was apparent from their first encounter that the Lord of Golden Wheat City could see beyond appearances—he could see a person's worth, without taking their social status into consideration.
Also, based on the records, after the kingdom was struck by the black famine two years ago, Lord Chase suppressed the inflation of the price of grain in Golden Wheat City, enabling the nearby territories that had been devastated by the famine to buy the crops and somewhat recover from the catastrophe. Despite being presented the perfect opportunity to earn massive amounts of money, Lord Chase chose to be virtuous and benevolent. He chose to extend a helping hand to the other territories of the kingdom.
He was really the perfect candidate to become one of Lark's people.
The former King Alvis stroked his beard. "Chase, huh? Indeed, he'd be a great addition to your faction. But, King Lark, that man has no intention of leaving his territory. I've tried recruiting him several times before, but to no avail."
"King Lark," said the Grand Chamberlain, "if recruiting Lord Chase is impossible, how about recruiting his daughter?"
"His daughter?" asked Lark.
"Yes, My King," said the Grand Chamberlain. "His daughter, Irene, is well-versed not only in agriculture, but also in theology and commerce."
Hearing this, Big Mona smiled. "I've met her before, partner. Like her father, she's a stubborn one. Even when she was losing hundreds of silvers each day after opening the Sahanda Road, she remained firm and resolute in her decision."
Big Mona started recounting the time he met Lord Chase's daughter a few years ago. According to the fat merchant, the daughter of the Lord of Golden Wheat City opened a road connecting several towns and villages to Golden Wheat City—and she did this using her own funds, the money she'd saved her whole life.
This would have been a profitable venture, especially if she went ahead with her plan of exacting toll from the passing merchants. But with the advent of the black famine, this plan went down the drain. In order to lift the burden off the merchants' shoulders and make sure the prices of commodities remained as low as possible for her people, for an entire year, Lady Irene waived the passage fee to Sahanda Road.
"Interesting," muttered Lark after hearing the story. "Viscount Lakian."
"Your Majesty," said the Grand Chamberlain.
"Lady Irene should still be at the capital. Contact her for me. Tell her that the crown wishes to see her tomorrow, at noon."
"It shall be done, King Lark," said the Grand Chamberlain.
"And these people." Lark placed a thin stack of documents on the table —the profiles of all the people he'd found qualified for the position. "Make sure I meet all of them tomorrow."
The Grand Chamberlain looked at the list and was surprised to see several unexpected names. Most of the people on the list belonged neither to the royal faction nor the Marcus faction.
*** Arzen Boris and Mokuva Boris were surprised upon receiving the summons from the crown. Since the coronation ceremony had taken place just yesterday, they knew that wasn't King Alvis summoning them, but the newly crowned king, Lark Marcus.
"What do you think, brother?" said Mokuva, who looked even frailer than before.
"What's there to think about?" said Arzen, clearly annoyed. "Even though we don't like that brat, it's not like we can ignore the summons of the royal family."
Mokuva muttered, "You're right."
With heavy steps, the two of them arrived at the throne room of the king's castle. Lark Marcus was already sitting on the throne, wearing the same stoic expression.
Arzen gnashed his teeth upon seeing the new king. Although Arzen did not covet the throne, he did not find it pleasant seeing Lark Marcus sitting there.
Although he was against it, Arzen had no choice but to kneel in front of the new sovereign. Together with Mokuva, he lowered his head and knelt.
At the very least, they knew the crown should be afforded this much respect.
"We greet His Majesty, King Lark!" the Boris brothers said in unison.
Lark studied the two for a moment.
"You may raise your heads," said Lark.
The Boris brothers raised their heads and gazed at the young man sitting on the throne.
"It's been a while, Arzen," said Lark.
Arzen gritted his teeth. "Indeed, Your Majesty."
"Mokuva Boris," said Lark.
The frail-looking man respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"I read the book you wrote," said Lark. "Fifty-Seven Assault Tactics, was it?"
Although the title sounded lame to most people, those who'd read it knew it would be used in the military academy for generations.
"Yes. I'm honored that Your Majesty has read my work," said Mokuva.
Lark rested his chin on his right hand. He said to the frail-looking man, "Most of the strategies written there were… let's say, unconventional. I believe some of them have never been used in war before. Especially that tactic of emptying out a city and striking at the heart of the enemy. Some would say it's a stroke of genius, while some would say it's a gamble, a careless move in Hayangji."
Hayangji was the most popular strategy game in the kingdom. Each player had seventy wooden pieces, representing cavalry, light infantry, archers, mercenaries, magicians, guardians, knights, and kings.
Based on what Lark heard, Mokuva had been the reigning champion of Hayangji for seven years now.
"You've never attended the military academy due to your poor health," said Lark. "Tell me, how did you come up with those strategies?"
Unlike his brothers Arzen and Aris, Mokuva Boris had always been sickly. He couldn't even attend normal classes due to his frail body, let alone enter the military academy. Thankfully, Count Boris was among the richest nobles in the kingdom. Using his vast wealth and authority, he made sure that Mokuva received an education in their estate in Daxton City.
"I have my own personal library in Daxton City, Your Majesty," said Mokuva. "Three thousand four hundred and seventy-seven books. I've read all of them at least once."
This answer surprised even Lark.
Lark said, "How old are you?"
"Thirty-one, Your Majesty."
"Thirty-one," muttered Lark.
Judging by his age and the number of books he'd read, it was apparent that he'd spent most of his life cooped up inside that library, reading every day.
Lark did not dislike such dedication. "Interesting. So, you wrote that book using the knowledge you've gleaned from reading everything in your library?"
Lark had read Mokuva's book. And even he was impressed by the strategies and concepts.
"That is correct, King Lark."
Lark smiled. The man had exceeded his expectations. What a great find.
Lark looked at the man kneeling next to Mokuva.
Arzen Boris. The eldest son of Count Boris. After Count Boris had become bedridden due to illness, Arzen acted as the head of the Boris Family. Currently, he was the highest official, overseeing everything in Daxton City.
Lark had been to Daxton City before. And although the city had its flaws, Lark could say that it was governed by a competent lord. Despite his personality, Arzen fitted the requirements Lark was looking for.
"I called the two of you here to make a proposition," said Lark. He paused then added, "Or maybe the word 'offer' fits better?"
Arzen Boris and Mokuva Boris looked at each other out of the corner of their eyes.
"As you've probably noticed, I didn't call for Aris, one of the High Priest candidates of the kingdom," said Lark. "The reason is simple. I'm looking for people to become pillars of this nation."
Arzen and Mokuva quickly realized the new king's intentions. He was looking for government officials. It seemed that Lark Marcus was here to offer them positions in his faction.
"I need men who would be able to properly lead the army that I'm going to create. The Blackstone Legion," said Lark. "A catchy name, isn't it?"
With that word as the cue, the five suits of armor quietly standing next to the walls started to move. Each of their steps created loud clanking sounds.
"These suits of armor are sentient to a certain degree," said Lark. "They don't feel pain, and will keep on following orders even when their bodies are cut and dented."
The suits of armor stopped right before the throne, and as though they were knights serving their lord, they all knelt.
"The Blackstone Legion. An undying army consisting of thirty thousand soldiers," said Lark. "It will take some time and, more importantly, money. But it should be feasible to create them within a year."
Hearing this, Arzen and Mokuva shuddered. They'd heard before that Lark Marcus used a unit like this back in the war with the empire. They'd heard how the metallic monsters tore through the gates of Akash City as though they were made of parchment, not solid wood.
Thirty thousand of them?
The amount of iron needed to create them aside, that number of metallic monsters would be enough to destroy even the Great Empire.
"B-But is it possible?" Mokuva found the courage to speak out his doubts. "It would take an absurd amount of gold coins to create such a massive army. Forgive my impertinence, Your Majesty, but I heard that the royal family's treasure is almost empty…" "I've already procured the necessary funds," said Lark.
Although he would end up spending a portion of the treasure inside the golden statue, Lark didn't mind. He knew it was a necessary expense to ensure the Kingdom of Lukas would survive.
Arzen and Mokuva probably thought the Blackstone Legion was meant to subdue the surrounding nations of the kingdom, but in reality, these suits of armor were a countermeasure against the demons. This much military might would be needed if they wanted the human race to survive this predicament.
Fortunately, the Sword of Morpheus alone was more than enough for Lark to continue creating the Blackstone Knights. Moreover, with the help of Jaraxus and the Arzomos, procuring the necessary bodies of monsters for the extraction of essences would be a simple task.
"All that's left are the iron ingots required to create this massive army.
And, of course, the military officials to lead them," said Lark. "So, what do you think, Arzen? Mokuva?"
Arzen carefully said, "King Lark, I'm aware of all your achievements during the war with the empire. But please think through this plan carefully.
The kingdom, as it is now, will fall into poverty if the new king decides to allocate all remaining funds into the military."
Lark liked the fact that Arzen still chose to voice his thoughts, even after Lark ascended the throne.
Indeed, this was what he needed. People who would voice objections if they thought the monarch was straying on the wrong path. Lark didn't need yes-men who would always follow his whims and commands.
"So, what do you think is a proper alternative?" said Lark.
Arzen fell silent as he pondered. He said, "Cut the number of soldiers from thirty thousand to five thousand, and use the remaining funds for the development of roads and the agricultural sector instead. Now that the black famine has been culled, it's the perfect time to do this, King Lark. There's also the issue regarding the ports and the destroyed Kelvin Duchy. And since Your Majesty belongs to the Marcus Family, there should be no conflict if you decide to finally develop the mines near Silen River. I believe that most of the monsters from Louan Plains were taken care of after the recent war with the empire. With the absence of the monsters in the territory, developing the mines should now be feasible. A seventy–thirty cut. Seventy percent of the profits shall go to the royal family, the remainder to the Marcus Family. I'm sure that this would be a fair proposition, even for Duke Drakus."
Lark nodded. "Excellent. Everything you said is perfect, Arzen. But there's one thing you failed to take into account…" Arzen looked at him quizzically.
"And that is where the funds will be coming from," said Lark. "The funds we'll be using to create the Blackstone Legion will come not from the royal family's treasury, but from my own pocket. I may not look like it, but I'm quite rich."
Lark smiled in amusement.
"F-From your own pocket?" said Arzen in disbelief.
They were talking about thirty thousand living suits of armor here.
Although the Boris brother did not know exactly how those metallic monsters were made, each of them must have cost a lot of money. Even if Lark was the second son of a duke, it seemed unlikely he'd have the astronomical amount of money needed to create all of them.
"That's right." Lark nodded. "Funding the various projects I'll be implementing in this kingdom will not be a problem, I assure you that."
Money would be useless if all the human nations were wiped out by the demons anyway. Lark wouldn't hesitate to use the treasures stored in the golden statue.
Lark took out two small crystalline vials from his pocket. He said to a nearby personal guard, "Give one to each of them."
The guard was among the fifteen soldiers tasked to accompany Lark all the way here from Blackstone Town. Now that he'd become king, they'd been promoted to personal guards of the nation's king.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" said the guard.
Still kneeling, Arzen and Mokuva received the crystalline vials.
Sloshing inside was liquid gold, or was it something similar? They weren't sure.
Lark said, "Arzen, I heard that the former captain of the royal knights is your teacher?"
Arzen nodded. "That is correct, Your Majesty."
"Consider that potion as a gift. You can give it to the Knight Captain, or you can keep it for yourself. Just know this—that potion can bring a person near his death back into full health. It goes without saying that it's capable of regrowing even amputated arms. Your teacher, Captain Symon, lost one of his arms, right?"
Arzen's eyes widened.
The potion indeed looked incredibly expensive, but he hadn't expected it to have such miraculous effects. If it was capable of bringing an almost-dead person back to full health, this vial could probably be sold for tens of thousands of gold coins in the market.
The potions Lark had given them were pinnacle-grade potions.
Currently, Lark couldn't concoct them due to the unavailability of ingredients. Fortunately, there were fifteen vials stored inside the golden statue. And just for the sake of recruiting these men, Lark decided to hand out two of them.
"Mokuva," said Lark.
Mokuva's hands were trembling. He, too, was staring at the crystalline vial with wide eyes.
"I heard that your father, Count Boris has fallen ill. You can choose to keep that potion to yourself, or give it to your father," said Lark.
"Y-Your Majesty, the healers said that father has around a year left to live," said Mokuva. "Would t-this potion really help him regain his strength?"
Without a hint of hesitation, Lark replied, "Of course."
Mokuva carefully stored the vial inside his inner pocket. He lowered his head until it touched the ground.
"If this potion can indeed bring my father back to good health," said Mokuva. "I, Mokuva Boris, vow to serve His Majesty until the end of my life. I shall serve as your limbs. And if my health finally fails me, if the time comes that I can no longer move my body, I shall use my eyes, ears, and tongue to continue serving His Majesty."
"The potion will help your father regain his health," said Lark. "I assure you that."
Mokuva looked up and gazed at Lark, before bowing his head low once again. His head struck the ground, creating a loud thud sound.
"I am truly grateful Your Majesty!" said Mokuva.
Lark looked at Arzen. Contrary to his little brother, Arzen hadn't come up with a decision yet. He looked conflicted.
Arzen also wished for Captain Symon to regain his lost limb, but he wondered if this was enough reason for him to serve King Lark. There was also the question of whether or not the potion would really cure the count and the former captain of the royal knights.
"Please give me some time to think about it," Arzen eventually said.
Lark found this reasonable. "Of course. You can take the potions with you and go."
Arzen bit his lip. He had not expected Lark to let them go this easily.
He said carefully, "Are you telling us that it's fine to take these potions for free?"
"That's right," said Lark.
Although the number of pinnacle-grade potions was limited, it was not like he was wasting them on useless individuals. The count held the highest political power in the southwestern territories, while the former captain of the royal knights was a man well-versed in both military tactics and martial arts.
In a sense, this was a calculated gamble by Lark.
There was also the fact that Captain Symon lost his arm due to Blackie in the first place.
"I shall not take them from you even if you decide not to work for the royal family. Worry not, the crown shall take no offense. You can take the potions with you," said Lark.
Arzen lightly bowed his head. "Then, we'll be taking our leave for Boris County."
"Two months," said Lark without raising his fingers. "I hope you'll be able to come up with an answer by then, Arzen. The same goes for you, Mokuva."
The frail-looking man shook his head. "If this potion indeed brings my father back into good health, I'll depart from Daxton City on the same day and serve you, Your Majesty."
Lark found this answer satisfactory. He smiled and nodded.
After the two brothers left, Lark summoned the next person he was interested in recruiting for his faction. The daughter of the Lord of Golden Wheat City.
A woman in her early twenties entered the room and knelt before the throne. She had the same sun-kissed skin as her father, and the light blonde hair of her mother. Her eyes were sharp and golden.
"Irene Chase greets His Majesty."