Chapter 294: The Nation’s Wealth and Strength

King Rathbart Walsheid gathered all the civil and military officials in the great hall to hear Viktor’s report, but Viktor requested a private audience instead.

Receiving praise from the king in front of a large audience is the highest honor for a knight. Why would he throw away such a privilege?

Seeking the opinion of his trusted advisor, Marquis Beowulf Eldenburger,

“For a man who is always bold and attention-seeking to request a private discussion, it must be something significant. I suggest we hear him out.”

Rathbart nodded in agreement.

Thus, what could hardly be called a hero’s triumphant return took place in the throne room. The participants were King Rathbart, Marquis Beowulf, Knight Commander Victor, and a few royal guards—a far cry from the assembly of civil and military officials.

“Well, let’s hear it.”

“Yes, sir.”

While he had heard that Victor had fought and defeated giant orcs, Rathbart wanted to hear the detailed account from the man himself.

Victor began to speak quietly. He described the battle against fifty giant orcs and the fight against the parasitic fungus that took over their bodies. The sheer horror of his tale left Rathbart and Beowulf pale and frozen.

If the Fourth Knight Order had failed to stop the giant orcs’ advance and they had reached the capital, the damage would have been unimaginable. Just the thought sent chills down their spines.

But the story did not end there. In fact, this was just the beginning.

“My subordinates found something in a cave…”

Victor handed over a charred book. Beowulf took it first, and upon opening it, realized the gravity of the situation. This book contained evidence of the empire’s involvement in an incident that could have destroyed the capital.

What should they do with this book? How should they use it? If they summoned the empire’s diplomats and confronted them, it would be bad enough if they feigned ignorance. If they admitted their involvement, it could lead to another war with an even stronger adversary than the coalition they had just fought.

“Marquis Beowulf, let me see that.”

“It will dirty your hands…”

“Now is not the time for that!”

Rathbart took the book, almost forcibly, and began to read. A long, tense silence followed. Everyone held their breath, waiting for the king’s words.

Rathbart, as if touching the door to a forbidden truth, finally spoke.

“We must first determine our true enemy.”

“By enemy, do you not mean the empire?” 

Victor asked, puzzled.

With a grim expression, Rathbart shook his head.

“Whether the empire as a whole or a single madman was behind the creation of this curse within our kingdom, we must not misjudge. Or perhaps…”

With a mix of self-deprecation and anxiety, Rathbart continued.

“This charred book could be a trap set by the coalition to drive a wedge between the kingdom and the empire.”

“Isn’t that a bit far-fetched?” 

“Indeed, without any solid evidence, it would be considered slander. But can we guarantee that they wouldn’t try such a thing? Who stands to gain the most if the kingdom and the empire clash? I don’t genuinely believe such a wild idea, but it is worth considering the possibility.”

Endless doubts could arise. Rathbart didn’t voice it, but the burnt book could have been fabricated evidence prepared by a man named Keith.

“This book will be securely stored. We must cautiously identify our true enemy. Also, if church officials see this, they might call for an attack on the empire. It’s not as if they would fund it.”

Rathbart sighed deeply, and Victor cast a distrustful glance.

While he agreed with Rathbart’s reasoning, Victor suspected it meant no action would be taken.

Viktor, having lost many subordinates, was eager for retribution against those behind the scenes. He needed to clarify one thing.

“Your Majesty, you’re not planning to do nothing after all this talk, are you?”

Rathbart and Beowulf were stunned by Victor’s bluntness, and the royal guards were furious.

“You insolent fool, how dare you speak to the king like that!”

“Silence, you sycophant!”

“I will not be silent! Apologize by bowing your head to the floor, or else…”

“Or else what? Are you challenging me?”

The guards, armed, placed their hands on their sword hilts. Victor, unarmed, still wore a defiant smile, confident he could take down one or two soldiers with his bare hands.

“Both of you, be quiet!”

Suddenly, a voice like thunder echoed through the room. It came from Rathbart. Victor was astonished that this weary middle-aged man could produce such an imposing sound.

“Victor, your concerns are valid. Therefore, I will speak my true mind.”

The king’s voice was filled with such dignity that Victor almost wondered who this person was. He quietly waited for the king’s next words.

“They have had their way in our kingdom, and I want to strangle the mastermind behind this immediately. Believe this, you and I are comrades, not enemies.”

“Those are generous words…”

“However, the kingdom currently lacks the strength for war. In other words, we have no money.”

Everyone had a vague sense of this, but hearing it directly from the king was still shocking.

“Victor, I will become a miser. But not by squeezing the people dry; I will enrich the entire nation. First, we must make the country wealthy and then strengthen our military. This is the concept of enriching the country and strengthening the military. We will do this alongside investigating the mastermind. We cannot strike back immediately, but we will definitely achieve it.”

Victor was conflicted. Had the king truly changed, or was he just delaying the problem with pretty words? As he pondered, he recalled that the king had allowed him to dispatch a hundred knights.

…I am not good at judging people. So I will speak through my actions as a soldier.

Deciding to believe in the king, Victor sat cross-legged on the spot.

“I apologize for my rudeness. To make amends, I offer my head.”

He bowed his head.

Rathbart, amused by Victor’s somewhat theatrical gesture, stood up and lightly tapped Viktor’s neck with the edge of his hand.

“I accept your life. From now on, you will serve as my close aide, just like Marquis Beowulf. I need allies—reliable allies who will never betray me.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Far from being executed, Viktor had been given a major promotion. Serving under this king might be interesting, Victor thought, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth as he kept his head bowed.

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