The Kingmaker System

After a couple of minutes, Eric and others were called in, Augustine was seated in his chair while Ocean stood in his place, probably not even had moved an inch.

The doors were thick enough that no one had been able to hear anything that had happened inside.

Eric was wary, Ocean had said that he would show the King his place but thankfully, it seemed like it wasn’t something too big. The room was still intact and the King was also physically fine. Ocean might have given him a good scolding or something. Regardless, Eric was relieved that nothing happened.

He walked over and stood beside Eric while the others took their places.

The Captain of Royal Knights walked over and stood behind the King. They all seemed concerned for Augustine but none were allowed to ask if he was all right or what happened.

"Your Highness, Prince Eric. Please have a seat." Augustine spoke respectfully making Eric blink in surprise but he glanced at Ocean who gave him a subtle nod before he walked over and sat down on the chair.

Ocean took a step ahead and stood right behind Eric like a formidable presence that intimidated anyone from looking down on Eric.

Augustine noticed that and he cleared his throat, "Marquis Ocean explained me everything and I agree, in my desperation to have answers, I suspected Your Highness and Marquis wrongly. I... apologize."

The aides and the knights gasped hearing their King apologise to a mere Prince. Eric too was shocked as he saw Augustine, he glanced once at Ocean who had resumed his icy face before he looked at Augustine.

"I- Please don’t apologise, Your Majesty. I’m still a young Prince who has next to none experience and wits as yourself. I understand that you were thinking of your kingdom first so... it’s only natural for you to suspect us who seemed more conspicuous. Please, I apologise instead that we kept things from you."

Augustine watched the young Prince who bowed his head and couldn’t help but curse himself for thinking that this man who had always spoke of his true nature had been the one whom he suspected to have an evil side. No wonder the Dragon was angry when this child was disrespected.

Augustine smiled, "Please lift your head, Your Highness. It’s rare to find such kind hearted individuals like you."

Eric looked back at Augustine, feeling relieved to see a warm looking smile.

"It’s nothing compared to the compassion Your Majesty has for his people." Eric smiled back.

The other people in the room was slightly confused watching as the tense atmosphere from earlier had suddenly become amicable all of a sudden.

"Now that we have cleared out our misunderstandings, shall we talk about the instigator of that assassination?" Augustine changed the topic.

"Marquis Ocean, do you know anything about them?"

Eric turned to look at Ocean, he knew it would be something that the Golden Serpent planned but they couldn’t possibly tell the King of Denril that the Queen of Sestia tried to assassinated him. It would be a straight declaration of war.

Ocean placed his hand over his heart as he said, "I’m afraid but even after interrogating the others whom my men caught we couldn’t get much information except for the others who were hiding here."

Augustine sighed, "So, I can expect more assassination attempts."

"I’m sure that wouldn’t happen," Ocean said.

"How could you be so sure, Marquis?" Augustine’s tone was more deferential now.

Ocean could see the suspicious glares of the knights who weren’t able to understand why their King was speaking so politely to a mere Marquis of another nation.

"Because the network I had planted here was for the protection and anyone who would enter here through any illegal means then they would be the first to know. In future, I shall handover its leadership to a capable person of Denril or His Highness Arian himself."

The knights and aides were shocked here that Ocean’s men were capable enough to locate any illegal immigrants when not even their own forces were that abled.

The Captain of Royal Knights was barely able to conceal his murderous intent as he glared at Ocean. His grip on the hilt of his sword was tightening with each passing moment.

"Don’t you think it’s risky for you to establish a network in my kingdom?" Augustine asked.

Ocean smiled, the first time since entering Augustine’s office, Ocean had finally managed to smile at him.

"It’s not at all risky because the people whom I call my men are not of Sestia but of Denril, the kind of men who were once a nuisance for Your Majesty’s law and order are now working for the protection of the kingdom." Ocean explained making the knights gasp.

"You’re not saying that the people who are your network are criminals?"

"Not criminals as such, Your Majesty. But those who were filled with resentment, but now that their needs are fulfilled they are willing to lay their lives for their land."

One of the knight who couldn’t take it anymore ended up blurting out, "How despicable! Every man in this kingdom is obliged to lay his life for the crown and the kingdom. How could you say it as if it’s their choice?!"

The Captain of the Knights glared at the young knight and Ocean turned to look at him.

"I understand your emotions, Sir Knight and I also believe that every citizen has a duty to lay their lives for their rulers and their lands, but what of those who have practically nothing but gain but everything to lose?"

The knight frowned, "What do you-"

"You look like you’ve grown in a well-off family with struggling for nothing except for honing your skills to become a knight." Ocean spoke without even having to glance at him fully, "But those people have to fight each day just for a piece of bread, they have to protect their children from being kidnapped by the slave traders and watch their elderly die of diseases because medicine are as rare are elixirs for them."

The knights looked a little taken aback and the one who had had his outburst seemed to have had fizzled up now, "Well, that’s..."

"When you are practically have a war each day just to survive do you think you could spare any thought towards the things like morals or ideals or duty towards someone whom hadn’t paid any attention to them from their stance?"

The knights flinched, it was a blatant way of saying that the King had failed in paying attention to the people of his kingdom, an insult to the sovereign.

"In such circumstances, those people are susceptible to become a wound for the kingdom that if allowed to be festered would only cause harm to others."

"Then, did you..." Augustine stared at Ocean.

"It’s a bit premature, but it’s a prototype of establishing Oasis Foundation in Denril. After all, it’s the people that eventually make a kingdom." Ocean smiled.

Augustine and others were taken aback, Eric who heard it all could only feel more respect for the man who had always been working hard even through the shadows for others.

Augustine couldn’t help but release a low chuckle, "I thought, I had been a good ruler for all these years but I guess I’m not as omnipotent as I thought I was."

"Tha-That’s not it, Your Majesty!"

"Yes, we are blessed to have a ruler like you!"

The knights and aides at once spoke and Ocean couldn’t help but give Augustine a warm smile.

"I agree with these men, Your Majesty. Denril is indeed blessed to have a ruler who looks after them so benevolently and also strives to protect them." Eric said firmly.

Augustine smiled looking resigned and Ocean spoke, "A human however talented or powerful, cannot be omnipotent like a God, Your Majesty. Yet, considering the rulers that I had seen, you are the only one ruler whom I can say has impressed me so much. Your devotion towards your people, your son and your kingdom earns the praise from heavens. I ask you to not be disheartened just by learning that you had been lacking in some areas. No human is perfect."

The knights seemed like they were itching to say something but Augustine chuckled again before he released a sigh.

"To hear such a high praise from you..." Augustine looked at Ocean before smiling, "I am fortunate."

The knights and aides were shell-shocked but nor Augustine, neither Ocean seemed to care.

Ocean and Eric were allowed to leave and the Captain of Royal Knights followed them while a handful of knights stayed back.

"Marquis Ocean Ryujin."

The Captain of the Royal Knights was a mountain of a man who looked like he was in his early forties with shoulder length ashy brown hair tied back in a tail and fierce grey eyes. The way the mana presence rolled off his body was enough to tell that he was barely concealing his murderous intent. He was the most loyal retainer of the King and Crown Prince.

"Yes, Sir Lishen Barclay?" Ocean spoke looking back at the tall man who practically tried to tower over him.

Eric frowned a bit as he saw Lishen glaring down at Ocean. Ocean relaxed his posture and looked up at Lishen, his Dragon’s Presence whiffed out just enough to brush against Lishen and the only reaction that he felt was his heart racing and his gut screaming at him to not pick a fight. But his pride hindered his instincts.

"It was extremely disrespectful of how you behaved in there with His Majesty." He spoke and Ocean tilted his head.

"I only spoke the truth about how His Majesty impressed me for being such an outstanding ruler, how was that disrespectful?"

Lishen’s eyebrows furrowed and Eric stepped ahead, "I’m sure how you’re behaving now would be considered disrespectful, Sir Barclay."

Lishen’s gaze fixed on Eric, Eric didn’t want to stretch it out anymore so he turned to Ocean.

"Marquis, since you only woke up and had to come right away for the explanation you mustn’t have had breakfast. Let’s go eat first." Eric said.

Ocean was about to respond to him with Lishen spoke up, "You took care of those cursed ones yourself last night, Marquis. Did you do that using some magic device like how you did to teleport us all out?"

Ocean looked at him, eyes slightly glowing blue, "If my own mana counts then I used that."

Lishen smirked, "It’s been a while since I had a worthy opponent for a spar. If it’s not much of a trouble for the mighty and generous Marquis then may I challenge you for a duel?"

The knights behind him smirked as if thinking that Ocean was in a big trouble while Eric sighed thinking that Lishen was digging his own grace, he would be destroyed not only physically but also socially.

Ocean smiled warmly, "It has been a while for me to have had a good fight too. If Sir Barclay can honor me with the kind that makes me want to use my full potential then, I’d love to accept your challenge."