The Golden King (2)

Azadine was startled by the grotesque appearance of Manja-Jadek but made an effort not to show it outwardly.

“First, allow me to congratulate you on your son, Heavenly Lord. Haha. For a grown child to appear on his own and increase your ranks—what a talent you have.”

“I am humbled.”

“So. What brings you to seek an audience at this time? I did hear you spent some of your fortune to support the city’s defense recently, for which I am thankful.”

As concubines fed him grapes, Manja-Jadek rolled his eyes. His yellow eyes, like those of a massive predator, instilled fear, unease, and disgust in the brave Azadine.

So this was the Golden King of Vthuma?

Heavenly Lord Kazas, already familiar with the King’s jarring appearance, spoke smoothly.

“It is nothing, Your Majesty. Though my foolish child may be lacking, he wishes to contribute whatever meager talent he has to Your Majesty’s cause. Even if only given a humble post, I ask that you allow him to serve.”

Even if Azadine gave his advice on the city’s defenses, the king had no reason to heed him. That’s why the Heavenly Lord of the Blue Turban Party made this direct request—to have Azadine placed under Manja-Jadek’s command.

“Let’s drop the formalities. Everyone here can be trusted to keep their mouths shut.”

Manja-Jadek chuckled and turned to Azadine.

“I’ve heard you’re of the Messenger Clan. Raise your head. Speak freely.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Azadine lifted his head at Manja-Jadek’s words, surprised the king knew his lineage.

“So. Which side are you on?”

“Forgive me, but if you ask where I stand…”

“Azadine. Your sister is the traitor Arael, isn’t she? So why did you reach out to me through the Blue Turban Party? Are you saying you don’t share Arael’s ideals? Then are you with the Elders?”

“…….”

Azadine was taken aback by how well-informed Manja-Jadek was about the Messenger Clan. Judging by his words, he had already been in contact with Arael.

“You already know of my movements… and you’ve already been in contact with Arael?”

“Vthuma is a wealthy place. The gold here can even command spirits. Do you really think that little girl Arael staged a rebellion on her own with no backing? Someone had to fund her. That someone is me.”

Despite his hideous form, his young self must have truly been as handsome and strong as the portrait hanging above them.

“So then. Where do you stand? With the Elders? Or the traitors?”

At that moment, a sharp killing intent poured over Azadine. The skilled fighters hidden in the audience chamber would attack at the king’s word.

Azadine had already sensed that numerous elites were lying in wait throughout the chamber to protect the king’s bloated body.

‘Unbelievable. I thought he was just a madman, but he’s far sharper than expected. So this is the Golden King.’

Impressed by Manja-Jadek’s sharpness, Azadine spoke honestly.

“I only wish to alleviate the suffering of the people. That is the law of the Emperor, and the duty of a Messenger.”

“Hahaha. What an amusing answer. If that’s truly your intent, you’re quite the interesting fellow.”

Manja-Jadek suddenly burst into laughter at Azadine’s response.

“A Messenger, whose people murdered the Emperor, claiming to uphold the Emperor’s law. I suppose it’s still kept secret from the younger Messengers, isn’t it?”

“…Pardon?”

“If you have a brain, think it through, fledgling Messenger. Why did the Emperor, who held all eight crystal thrones alone, suddenly collapse without an heir? You don’t seriously believe he got sick and died of weakness, do you?”

Manja-Jadek laughed as he spoke, then began coughing violently. The concubines rushed to wipe the saliva and food bits from his mouth with damp cloths.

The sight, like livestock being groomed, appalled Azadine.

But Manja-Jadek’s words were even more shocking than his appearance.

“The Emperor was assassinated by your clan.”

The Aragasa were bound by the Curse of Servitude, but they took pride in the fact that the Emperor had chosen them to be Messengers.

Their martial skill, their wit, their abilities were all superior to any other, and though the Curse was heavy, the Emperor’s choice was an honor. It was only because his fall came suddenly and unexpectedly that the contract became a curse.

That was what they were taught.

But now, was that all a lie?

“Oh, my. Seems you truly knew nothing. Or perhaps you didn’t want to know? Heh. Teaching those who don’t wish to learn is rather delightful.”

Seeing the madness lurking behind that smile, Azadine suddenly felt curious.

“If the Emperor truly was assassinated by the Messenger Clan, then why has that not been made public? And how does Your Majesty know of this?”

“From the perspective of the King’s Church, the Emperor denied the very foundation of royal authority, yet he was also the closest being to the Yaegas God tribe. If such a person were slain by the Emperor-slaying Messengers, their irreverence and depravity would be exposed—but so too would their competence. I possess many texts that verify this, but what matters isn’t the evidence. What matters is whether you wish to believe it or not.”

Manja-Jadek’s attitude—and the vagueness surrounding the Emperor’s downfall—lent credibility to his claims.

“Your clan, who killed the Emperor, now uses his name to enforce a forgotten curse and extort loyalty. So, why not abandon the Messenger Clan and serve under me instead? Many former Messengers already serve me. You need not worry about the Curse of Servitude. As a descendant of the Yaegas God tribe, I can block its effects.”
“I came here because the Naga clan, who serve the Nether, are about to attack Vthuma. My kin are planning to seize the throne during the chaos. Countless citizens of Vthuma will be slaughtered. I’ve come to stop it.”

“Hahaha. I thought you were joking, but you’re serious. A Messenger who truly follows the Emperor’s Law!”

The Golden King, Manja-Jadek, laughed as he realized that Azadine had genuinely come to protect the people.

“All the more reason I want you. Azadine, serve me.”

“Isn’t that what I’m petitioning for now, Your Majesty?”

“No, you’re just hoping to assist in the city’s defense briefly and then vanish. I want you to truly serve me. Ah, but first I must prove I am a lord worthy of your loyalty. If you look at me without knowing the truth, you’d think I’m just a pig wallowing in excess. Isn’t that so?”

“Not at all.”

“Hahaha. You’ll make a fine servant. You can lie convincingly when needed. But it’s fine. It’s not easy not to scorn my appearance without knowing the full story.”

Manja-Jadek gestured toward his throne. It was made from a massive tree trunk, large enough for even an elephant to sit upon.

“Below this is the Crystal Throne—the Throne of Yaegas. Do you know why I behave like this atop such a sacred seat?”

“I can only assume, as a mere commoner, that there must be far-reaching wisdom beyond my understanding. How could I grasp the depth of Your Majesty’s intent?”

“It is because I am trying to strengthen the Light of the Crown, even by a little. But first… I must tell you why the Light of the Crown has been weakening.”

“You would tell me that?”

Azadine was startled, realizing that Manja-Jadek was about to reveal the secrets of the Yaegas God tribe.

“Yes. I must prove that I’m a sovereign worthy of your service, must I not? So listen well. I will tell you what I’ve researched—the secrets of the Yaegas God tribe, and the Emperor’s secrets.”

Drawn in by Manja-Jadek’s words, Azadine listened intently.

The Yaegas God tribe once possessed physical bodies, but one day they attained great enlightenment and transcended their flesh, becoming higher spiritual beings.

When they discovered the Hubris Continent, it was ruled by the Naga, and humans suffered under the Naga’s tyranny or were violated by the incomprehensible messengers of the Nether.

The Yaegas God tribe, noble in their ideals, descended to save suffering humanity. Though among them were also those who descended not out of noble purpose, but to indulge once more in the pleasures of the flesh they had long discarded.

Eight Crystal Thrones were established on the Hubris Continent, and through them, the Yaegas God tribe began their war to save mankind.

When the war ended, those who descended for noble ideals returned to their realm. Those who came to indulge in fleshly delights remained. That is why the descendants of the Yaegas God tribe were left on this land.

But even pleasure grows dull. When the gods who had descended returned to their realm, those who remained realized they were inferior to their ancestors.

And their power gradually weakened.

The order established by the Yaegas God tribe—the King’s Church—was originally devoted to honoring the divine beings who brought forth the Light of the Crown.

At first, this order was a faithful tool for royalty. But as divine power waned, the royals and nobles began to realize that this tool had become a shackle tightening around their necks.

Their divine ancestors, the Yaegas God tribe, had abandoned them. The divine bloodline that once distinguished them from commoners was weakening. Meanwhile, the powers of darkness were resurging.

Royal families, learning the truth and consumed by fear, committed mass suicides or descended into madness. They began hiding the truth from their descendants and claimed to be gods themselves.

The term “Yaegas God tribe” originally referred only to those who had descended from the divine realm.

But the descendants deliberately muddled the terminology to bolster their authority, and sought to replace the vanishing divine power with the many remaining magical forces of this world. Among them were those tempted by the very dark forces they had once fought.

It was in such times that Emperor Yaeslat was born.