Chapter 19: They’re Just Trifling Tricks
Hearing his father say this, Faust imdiately understood and nodded. “Just like you.”
Back then, was there so extraordinarily ticulous grand strategy behind Qingxi Kingdom’s successful bid for independence?
There was no other reason at all. It was simply because a group of companions from Qingxi had ford a hot-blooded little band and, taking advantage of the Empire’s internal chaos, risen in rebellion and carved their way out with blade and spear.
Pure violence. Absolute martial force.
Power itself was the reason to rule.
Whenever the old king spoke of his glorious achievents of the past, a flush of red would appear even on his pale face, and he would smile as he said,
“I am ashad to say that I can probably only count as the lowest tier of Hero King. Still, it was enough to free the people of Qingxi and establish a small independent kingdom. My capacity only extends that far.”
Alright, alright, stop smiling. I know you are proud of yourself, old man, but you do not need to say it every single ti.
The reason the old king found governing the nation so uninteresting was probably because, deep down, he truly believed those things were useless.
They were just trifling tricks—not worth ntioning compared to the path of the Hero!
And indeed, nothing was more suitable for a king than having supre power belong to himself.
How could Faust not understand this principle? There would be no need to rack his brains trying to balance the officials beneath him. No need to cautiously smooth over conflicts, nor to keep tugging back and forth with hostile forces while playing false and feigning politeness.
Those who submit to prosper; those who oppose perish! Let an invincible sword decide everything.
This world truly did contain powerful beings capable of standing against an entire nation by themselves, leaving behind indelible legends in epic and history.
Faust had once longed for that kind of carefree life as well, but his talent in mysticism was really… rely passable.
If one were to borrow Yoshewood’s brutally sharp assessnt, it would be: “Other than being exceptionally handso, you do not have any particularly outstanding talents.”
In the field of mysticism, outstanding looks were indeed part of one’s aptitude. But aside from that, his elder sister, a high-ranking sorceress, had dismissed him as worthless in every other regard.
Because he understood that clearly, Faust had worked twice as hard in other areas. The path of the “Ruling Monarch” did not depend on talent either. As long as one could beco a qualified and competent monarch and establish sufficient achievents, one’s strength would naturally rise with the tide.
As for becoming an unmatched supre powerhouse—that was out of the question. But if he worked hard enough, it was still reasonable to hope he could squeeze into the ranks of the first-rate.
Moreover, this fairy tale world was still an era of grand ritual and propriety. Though the various nations fought one another so fiercely that they practically beat each other’s brains out, in so respects, they were still quite strict about the rules.
Mysticism nobles with acknowledged status did not need to worry about being assassinated or beheaded by powerful individuals. At present, Qingxi Kingdom had only two lineages that were truly “mysticism noble” families in the fullest sense: the royal family and the Roselin family.
Rules certified by fairy spirits were ones that almost no one dared to violate.
“Becoming… a Hero King?”
The Prince of Qingxi’s eyes lit up. A path he had already stopped hoping for suddenly opened up before him.
Truthfully, Faust did not like playing strategy simulation gas that much either.
Though it was true that he was a Paradox player, reality did not co with a god’s-eye view.
Once he actually started governing, he discovered that difficulties lurked everywhere.
Qingxi Kingdom was no larger than a forr border province of the Empire, yet even that had already left him sowhat strained. He could hardly imagine how much effort future expansion would demand.
But if he could take the path of the “Hero King,” then he would not need to worry about being unable to control it all.
Faust simply wanted to beco a tyrant. He did not care by what route he achieved it!
“The reason a fairy spirit chose to contract with you was most likely because it intended to cultivate a Hero King as well. When fairy spirits favor a mortal, they always do their utmost to grant trials.”
The old king seed to have already accepted the matter by default. He picked up a feather pen, signed a sealed royal docunt, and handed it to his adopted son. “Whenever you wish to go out and temper yourself, just go. The position of Regent will always be left for you. Qingxi’s future will, in the end, still rest in your hands. As for Yoshe, however, you will have to persuade her yourself.”
When he ntioned his daughter, the old king muttered, “That girl stopped listening to a long ti ago. Her sense of belonging to Qingxi is also… sigh. Ever since I brought you back, she has been overjoyed, caring only for doting on her little brother.”
Doting on ? Father, what are you even talking about? How co I cannot see it at all?
Faust nearly laughed out loud. With the way his elder sister always looked at him as though she found fault with everything—
Even if she did value and pay attention to him, it was probably only so she could pick at his flaws.
Sigh. Father really had grown muddle-headed with age. It was only because Yoshewood truly had no interest in power or position.
Otherwise, if a battle for succession had broken out beneath his very nose, he probably would not even have realized it.
Shaking his head, the prince accepted the king’s sealed decree and discovered that it was an appointnt fully transferring royal authority to the Regent…
Even the diplomatic authority he was originally supposed to receive only after his coronation had now been granted to him.
“I leave the kingdom to you. From now on, whatever you do, I will no longer interfere. Cough, cough… I have already done everything I was supposed to do. From this day forward, under the protection and guidance of the fairy spirit, no matter what ending Qingxi Kingdom reaches, it will surely be destiny.”
The aged warrior king seed as though he had finally set down the great stone weighing on his shoulders. He let out a long breath, then waved a hand, adjusted his position, and lay back down on the cushioned bed.
Seeing his father rest, Faust bowed, then slowly withdrew from the bedchamber.
For so reason, why was it that everyone seed so uninterested in the throne, as though they were handing off a scalding hot potato? This feeling that I alone am out of place… could it be that there really is so kind of curse about “he who would wear the crown must bear its weight”?
【Has it ever occurred to you that they all simply care more about the kingdom’s future, while you alone are blinded by lust for power?】
That really was true.
【But if that were not the case, you would never have been bold enough to defy fate. I do so enjoy watching the Children of Man stay true to their desires and pursue them in anguish. And among them, you are one of the finest, Faust…】
“Forget all that for now. Is there anything special about the path of the ‘Hero King’ Father ntioned?”
Faust had more or less grown used to phistopheles’ manner of speaking. The other party simply did not resemble so lofty fairy spirit at all.
Whether joking, teasing, mocking, or ridiculing, it did all of it with effortless ease. There was not the slightest trace of the sacred image attributed to fairy spirits in legend.
What little reverence he had once felt had almost been worn away entirely.
【Are you interested in it? I suppose that makes sense. The Children of Man are simply too fragile. Without enough power in their hands, they can accomplish nothing. When I said I would help you beco a “Tyrant,” I was already planning to take this path】
Faust drew in a deep breath. “So, when do I begin the trial?”
The path of the “Hero” was not sothing one could forge behind closed doors. One had to follow the proper course—adventuring and undergoing trials across the vast and boundless land.
Most royal bloodlines from every duchy and kingdom would go out to travel and temper themselves. Princes were as common as stray dogs by the roadside.
I never thought I would end up becoming one of those wandering bum princes too. Well, forget it—this is probably one of those essential experiences every fairy tale has to include.
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