‘It’s amazing. I heard these things are common in his world.’
The weapons that Joonbum brought did not require torturing the enemy. After asking a few questions and locking them up, they began to talk. It wasn’t a lie or false information coming from the torture, but true secrets that they wanted to hide. No one was able to hide it as they did not know they were being heard. As Doral watched High Priest Gordon running away, sacrificing everything to keep himself alive, he became somewhat sympathetic for the man.
‘I wonder what will you think when you find out that we have been electronically eavesdropping on you,’ Doral thought.
“Let’s go, the man moved. Let’s see where their other hideouts might be.”
Jinpok stood up smiling as he watched Gordon in the distance.
*
Thousands of people in the city plaza shouted in delight after the song ended. The nobles from foreign countries seemed startled and confused at such enthusiasm. Everyone was chanting, “Prince Joonbum, the God of War and Savior of Khalodian!”
“The prince is really popular now,” Hectos mumbled as he watched the thousands of people chanting. Jackson nodded.
“Yes, I heard they are singing songs of him. I believe even a seven-year-old kid made a song for the prince.”
“Wow, that is amazing. A seven-year-old?”
“Yes. I will present that song to the prince soon.”
“Huh? Is it starting now?”
Hectos turned to Jackson, who was smiling.
“Yes. There will be a succession.”
“Finally.”
“Don’t be surprised, but there will be a coronation ceremony for the prince to become an emperor.”
“Wh-what? Is that possible?”
Hectos looked shocked. It didn’t seem possible to him; however, Jackson smiled.
“It wouldn’t be if it was under normal circumstances. But it’s easy now.”
“Easy?”
“Yes, the prince isn’t alone.”
“What do you mean?”
“He didn’t get to sleep with all of them, but do you know how many wives he has now?”
“Oh!”
Hectos opened his eyes wide.
“They are from all over the continent. Most of them are from wealthy noble families. They will stand by the prince. Any opposition will be easily quelled. Besides, listen to that chanting. We have our people on our side.”
Jackson turned toward the people still chanting Joonbum’s name. He was like a god now.
“I see. So you had this up your sleeves all this time then? I wondered why you didn’t object to the prince attacking the Horuns by himself.”
“He wouldn’t object being crowned emperor if he was here.”
Joonbum was not ambitious, all he wanted was to live in safety. However, that simple wish made all sorts of things happen over time and became larger in scale to accomplish.
“So how are the preparations?”
“They’re almost done. We just need to wait for his return.”
“Any objections?” Hectos asked. Jackson bit on his lip with cold eyes.
“Some followers of King Brant are objecting. They claim he is the real king.”
“Fools.”
“Hernan Oto, Baril Mondra, and Seil O’dre are the leaders of that group.”
Hectos frowned. Those three were the pillars of Khalodian lands. They all retired from after Joonbum took to the front lines.
“Let’s be nice to them.”
“What?”
“They were once our superiors. They are still our people.”
“We can’t let our feelings ruin the plan. But… I will see what I can do.”
“Yeah,” Hectos answered with a smile.
“I haven’t forgotten those days.”
Their fate changed since the days at Khaloda Village, but they never forgot the good times.
*
“Finally…!”
Gordon quickly glanced around. He couldn’t see anything but darkness and let out a sigh of relief.
‘They won’t find me here… Not unless they are a god or something! And there is no God!’
He was a High Priest, but he realized that there was no God as he delved deeper into the religion. He thought there was no way corrupt people could live well if God existed. He, himself did terrible things to satisfy his greed, and yet he was never punished. There was no God.
‘They can… never…’
No one knew of this place except him. It was surely safe from all harm. He even set up a trap for anyone possibly following him and consistently checked on his way here.
“Who are you?! This is the castle of Lord Wallace!”
“Go tell the lord that Gordon is here.”
“Huh? Who are you to want your name reported to the lord in middle of the night?”
The guard answered angrily, and Gordon frowned. But it was natural since there was no way that a low-ranking guard could wake the lord in the middle of the night.
“YOU! I am here for an urgent matter! Go tell your lord my name right this moment! You will not live to see tomorrow’s daylight if you do not run.”
Gordon shouted arrogantly and the guard bowed in shock.
“S-sorry! I need to report to my captain first! Please come in and disarm yourself.”
The guard answered apologetically and opened the door behind him. Gordon walked in with relief. As he stepped inside, Jinpok mumbled while watching from a distance, “The Wallace Estate?”
“So he is here.”
“Yeah.”
The estate was built on the perimeter of the old Torian Kingdom and the Galian Kingdom. Lord Loron Wallace was a cunning man, and he always profited from the Torian and Galian Kingdoms whenever the time was right.
“He always surrendered first. So this was why.”
“The Ainos Guards reported that Loron Wallace is a devout Horun believer.”
The estate was already part of the Khalodian Kingdom. It was the first to surrender to the Khalodians as Galia fell.
“I can’t believe this man was one of ours,” Jinpok spat.