Chapter 313: So Righteous
The Royal Court was far from what Aegon expected, but he reminded himself again that this was just a small kingdom. Even his home back in the Moonrise Kingdom was grander than this, which definitely affected his perception.
It was a small hall, modest in both size and decoration. Thick stone pillars supported the vaulted ceiling, while faded banners bearing the kingdom’s crest hung between narrow windows that admitted only thin shafts of daylight.
At the far end stood a raised dais with a simple wooden throne, more functional than regal. Rows of benches lined either side of the chamber for nobles and officials, leaving a broad strip of polished stone down the center for petitioners.
’Yet this small kingdom dealt such a heavy blow to the Vayrins.’
Shaking his head, Aegon made his way towards the dais as the King and his ministers stopped near the center. The King didn’t dare object upon seeing Aegon walk towards the throne.
Of course, Aegon had no intention of sitting on the kingdom’s throne. He wouldn’t even touch that disgusting thing. Instead, he snapped his fingers.
Shadows rose from every corner of the hall, gathering before the dais. In moments, they formed a massive throne of darkness that towered over the royal throne, making it look insignificant.
Aegon sat down without hesitation, while Elara took the seat beside him.
The entire Royal Court fell silent. No one dared object.
"Time is running short, so I’ll get straight to the point." Resting his chin on his palm, Aegon regarded the King with cold, golden eyes. "Do you acknowledge your crimes?"
The King was baffled by his words. "W-What are you talking about, Lord Valerian? I might not be the best king, but I’ve dedicated myself to the kingdom and never committed..."
"Enough!" Aegon’s calm voice resounded throughout the entire hall, sending chills down everyone’s spine. "I don’t have time for your bullshit. I just came here from Chainbound Sky, and I know everything about your plot."
Color drained from the King’s face as Aegon continued.
"I might have overlooked your kingdom’s past, but not this. The only reason I’m giving you a chance to speak instead of reducing this place to ashes is because I refuse to punish an entire kingdom for the greed of a few."
"L-Lord Valerian, I really didn’t do any—"
Before the King could finish, his right arm dropped to the floor with a wet thud.
Blood poured from the severed shoulder.
A horrifying scream echoed through the Royal Court as the ruler of hundreds of thousands collapsed from his throne, writhing in agony.
The ministers dropped to their knees, their bodies trembling and heads bowed. Nobody even dared to look up once, terrified of meeting Aegon’s gaze again.
"I don’t like repeating things." Aegon looked down at him and said, "This is your last chance."
"I did it! Is that what you want to hear?" The King clutched his side and raised his head, hatred burning in his eyes. "They are subhumans, existing only to serve us, the superior race. What is wrong with that? I was merely using them to enrich the lives of my own people."
He gritted through the pain. "What did they do to deserve that Heaven? They are living such great lives while my people here suffer from famine, poverty, lack of food, and so many other things. I’ve seen countless people die before me, and I will do anything to prevent that. I will help my people at any cost."
"So righteous," Aegon scoffed. "You expect me to feel bad for you because you wrapped your atrocities in a flag? Famine and poverty are tragedies, yes, but you didn’t solve them, not at all. You just exported the suffering. You built your kingdom’s paradise on a foundation of bones and called it charity."
Aegon took a slow breath, feeling disgust rise in his heart.
"You call them subhumans to sleep at night," he continued, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "Because if you admitted they were people, you’d have to admit what you really are: a butcher. You didn’t steal their Heaven to save your people. No, you did it because it was easier to conquer someone else than to actually lead your own."
He raised his hand as two shadows stepped out from the corners, carrying long, dark axes. "Nobody is a perfect being. Similarly, no one is a perfect king. Those tragedies exist even in great empires, but that doesn’t make the rulers there failures. Do you know why?"
The King trembled upon being forced to face the truth.
"Because they try to solve the problems, not transfer them. You brought atrocities upon fellow humans in the name of justice, yet the path you took was that of a coward. A pathetic, cowardly butcher."
"No! You’re lying!" The King waved his hand, even as blood sprayed from his wounds. "I am their savior! Without me, they would have starved! I did what had to be done!"
His desperate, frantic movements only tore his flesh further, a crimson arc splattering across the cold stone floor. He slumped against the base of a pillar, his breath coming in ragged, wet gasps.
The luxury surrounding him, the gilded pillars, the silk tapestries, the stolen treasures, now felt like a mocking cage.
"History won’t remember you as a savior," Aegon said softly, his voice echoing through the cavernous room. "It will remember you as the plague that wore a crown."
His gaze shifted to the ministers.
"And do you truly believe your people are living well? Have you ever visited them yourselves? Or have you simply relied on these men to tell you what you wanted to hear?"
The King slowly turned towards the ministers, his eyes widening in realization.
Aegon chuckled without a hint of amusement. "It’s almost amusing, isn’t it? I didn’t even need to see your kingdom to know its true state, yet you’ve lived here your entire lives, governing it, and never once saw the reality your people endured."
"Y-You..." the King rasped, turning towards the ministers. "Tell me he’s lying. Tell me!"
"Your Majesty..."
"No. Don’t call me that. Answer the question."
"We... we can explain—"
"Explain what?" the King shouted. "Where did the grain go? Where did the treasury’s gold go? Where did the relief funds go?"
"Your Majesty, we only—"
"I asked you a question!"
"What. Did. You. Do?"