Chapter 373

Like a protagonist, Joshua appeared in the dining hall just as the gathered crowd was thinking about him. Everyone shut their mouths as if they had planned it in advance.

Joshua? Iceline and Charles wondered.

Your Highness? Ranger blankly murmured. Then he noticed who had followed Joshua in and flinched. Cazes, I was wondering where you went

Quiet, Cazes interrupted. Youre all here. His Highness would like to say something.

Rangerand everyone elseimmediately stopped speaking. Everyone turned to look at Joshua, expectantly.

Im sincerely sorry. Joshua bowed to the people. They were stunned.

Yo-Your Highness, I dont understand.

Your Majesty, why are you suddenly?

Despite their reactions, Joshua remained bowing. I escaped from everything for three years already. During those long years, so many people suffered because of what I started. People also got caught in the crossfire due to my false charges.

Anyone would understand what Joshua meant, so a silence quickly fell upon the hall.

I did say Im grateful that youve all been waiting for me, but that was it. In the end, I just talked big like the pigs in the palace. I tried to do everything on my own because I believed that was the only way to repay you for the sacrifices youve made.

Even in his previous life, Joshua had always been alone. He never cared about power, so he hadnt formed a group since he had the power to live on his own. However, that wasn't the right answer anymore.

Today, I finally realized how wrong I was, so Im really sorry.

Just like he had said, Joshua now knew that a leaderno, a rulershouldnt have behaved like that. Since he was no longer alone, he ought to know that his subordinates would worry about him and how his decisions were going to impact the citizens of Avalon.

Joshua Charles said bitterly.

She knew everything that Joshua was going through right now. With one word, she could impact numerous peoples lives. No one would understand how heavy the responsibility was.

Ranger broke the heavy silence.

You know maybe Im just stupid, but Im not sure why youre apologizing to us, Your Highness. Well, I get what youre saying

Ranger scratched the back of his head before continuing.

But I still wonder why you would be this sorry. I know Im being rude, but I must ask you, Your Highness. Ranger locked eyes with Joshua. Did you make us do it? No, rather, did you give us a special order as our superior officer to follow you? Youd already lost your rank and title at the time.

R-Ranger! Cazes nervously shouted.

Ranger didnt stop.

No one forced uswe made this choice. Anyone who wanted to leave already left. Well, Cazes says nonsense like they did it for their families or something Ranger licked his dry lip and muttered, I was happy.

Ranger

Of course, Im still happy. I think I used all the luck in my life becoming Joshua Sanderss knight. In fact, I want to express gratitude to my ancestors for the first time.[1] So Ranger continued, his voice getting louder, ...please dont say that youre sorry. On a similar note, dont bow to anyone else. I decided to serve one person and one person only, so I never want to see my master bowing at someone else, even us.

Ranger was beating around the bush, but it was clear that he was swearing his loyalty as a knight. Their relationship was no longer merely that of an ordinary superior officer and his subordinates; Ranger was offering himself up as the subject of Joshua, the monarch.

The knights of the Auxiliary Battalion clenched their fists. They werent the only ones feeling it.

We Willhelm Knights feel the same, Your Majesty.

Joshua turned his head to look at Kingaitu.

The neutral city of Reinhardt Until recently, I thought protecting that title was the same as preserving the peace of the continent, but when I think about what has happened, I realize that I was totally wrong. Once a war breaks out, every country in the continent strikes Reinhardt first. A good strategic location, the center of the continent there are so many reasons for strong countries to desire Reinhardt, so its no surprise why Reinhardt is attacked first Kingaitu smiled bitterly. Everything happened because of our stubbornness. Calling us the neutral city-state was all glitter and no substance. I want to start making the right decisions from now on. I dont want the citizens of Reinhardt to suffer anymore.Diiscover new tories at nve/lbin(.)c/o

You mean? Cazes asked.

Kingaitu quietly nodded. Im going to persuade the citizens about uniting Reinhardt with the new Avalon Empireno, about His Majesty becoming our one and only king.

Everyones eyes widened.

Theyll understand since were talking about the Joshua Sanders. Kingaitu chuckled.

Thats!

Kingaitus remark was truly shockingReinhardts title of neutral city-state held great weight. Even if Kingaitu successfully persuaded the citizens, many problems still remained; the biggest problem was the other countries objecting to the idea. It hadnt been long since the Continental War had come to an end, so it might look like the Avalon Empire was starting to get greedy and aiming to instigate another war. The people gathered in the hall were worried because they were well aware of that possibility.

If things worked out so easily, then I wont be able to feel zero sense of accomplishment. Although he noticed the tension in the hall, Kingaitu slightly shrugged as he continued, We cant walk on eggshells forever, and Im sure that it wont be impossible if were with His Majesty.

When Kingaitu finished speaking, silence fell upon the hall for a long time.

Why is there always something happening around this man whenever I visit him? a beautiful voice asked.

Joshua turned to look at the two women.

But I always envy that about you, Charles said.

Joshua looked into Charless fiery-red eyes for a moment and then looked at Iceline, whose wise eyes gently smiled back. Although she wasnt saying anything, it was clear what she wanted to say.

Dont blame yourself. Everyone here believes in you.

I Joshua paused. He now knew how his people truly felt, but still, he couldnt help but feel worried. Joshuas last enemy was him, so if Joshuas last scenario came true, something irreversible would take place.

Dont worry. Ill help them as much as I can.

Everyones heads turned to the entrance, where the new voice came from. An old man stood tall by the gate with crossed arms, smiling.

Ho-how? Cazes said with a trembling voice. Hi-His Grace Tremblin?

The Sword Emperor!

The great Star of the Avalon Empire!

The wrinkled duke paid the shocked WIlhelm Knights no mind and winked. Why are you all shocked? Im the biggest fan of His Highness Joshua.

* * *

Meanwhile, in the Agnus main residence, Heimdall was standing with his back against the sun. The apostles stood silently waiting for him.

Heimdall

Jabel and Marco, its not like you to do something like what you did today, Heimdall scolded. The two apostles bit their lips. I wont punish you any further. Head back to Acardia and wait until I give you new orders.

Yes, sir!

The apostles quickly disappeared except one.

Do you want to say something, Jabel? Heimdall asked.

Ill gladly accept punishment, Jabel firmly answered.

I told you I wont.

Then please answer me one thing. Jabel quietly raised his head. Do you, by any chance, still feel attached to your son?

Heimdalls eyes turned sharp as he hadnt expected to hear that question. Jabel wouldnt normally ask such a question.

He ruined the plan that weve been working on for dozens of years, so why would you leave him be? I really

The wheel of destiny has already started to turn, Heimdall said.

Pardon?

Jabel immediately stopped running his mouth.

This god-knows-how-long ill-fated relationship was personally influenced by the Demon Spirit.

Jabels eyes widened in shock. The Demo-Demon Spirit? What are you suddenly talking about?

It was decided a long time ago, Heimdall nonchalantly continued.

Heimdall, I dont want to interrupt you, but I really dont understand Why would the Demon Spirit hold a grudge against Joshua Sanders? Jabel cautiously asked.

Have you forgotten? Berber, my follower, signed a contract with Asmodeus, the thirty-second strongest demon. He told me.

Jabel had indeed forgotten about Berber, who had died while building an army of undead three years ago.

Ill be able to test his destiny with this. On top of that, the Emperor made a contract with the Demon Spirit in the end.

What?! Jabel shouted, his surprise bursting out. D-do you mean the Demon Spirit has incarnated into the world?!

Heimdall nodded. Yeah, hes going to begin in earnest.

Th-then is that why you spared the Emperor?

Asmodeus told me that it takes a human who killed at least tens of thousands of people to make the Demon Spirit descend.

Jabel had goosebumps all over his arms. When he looked at Heimdall, it felt like this was how real revenge should be.

Heimdall faintly smiled. Who else could be a better sacrificial offering than Marcus ben Britten, the tyrant?

1. This belief is quite popular in Asian cultures. Ancestors look over their descendants and shower them with luck.

Chapter end