Chapter 37: Annulment
Suddenly, Clay asked the Holy King Guren, "So what now?"
His voice carried across the hall without hesitation, as if everything that had just happened was nothing more than a short conversation that had already passed.
The Holy King leaned back on his throne, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest as his golden eyes rested on Clay. For a moment, he did not answer. Instead, he looked at the ministers, then at Cross, then back at Clay again.
Then, slowly, he began to speak.
"A king..."
His voice was calm, but it carried weight, the kind that pressed against the chest of anyone who heard it.
"A king does not go back on his word."
The hall quieted once more.
"From the moment a decree leaves the mouth of a king, it is no longer just a statement. It becomes law. It becomes the will of the land itself. It becomes something that binds not only the one who hears it, but also the one who speaks it."
He paused, letting his words sink into every corner of the hall.
"A weak ruler changes his decisions whenever it suits him. A foolish ruler bends his words for convenience. But a true king... stands by what he has declared, even if it costs him something."
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"If I were to withdraw a royal decree without reason, what would that say to my people? What would that say to the nobles who serve under me? What would that say to the enemies watching from beyond our borders?"
The ministers nodded instinctively, as if those words were the truth they had always believed in.
"It would say that the Holy King can be swayed. That his word is not absolute. That his throne can be shaken."
He exhaled slowly.
"And that... is unacceptable."
The atmosphere grew heavier again.
Even Cross lowered his head further, as if those words reminded him of the weight of the crown he served.
Then—
The Holy King’s expression changed.
A faint smile appeared.
"However..."
His gaze returned to Clay.
"There are exceptions."
The ministers stiffened.
"A king does not go back on his word without reason."
His fingers tapped the armrest once more.
"But when that reason is something greater... something that cannot be ignored... then even a king must acknowledge it."
He leaned forward slightly.
"You saved me."
The hall froze.
"You stood in that dungeon and forced that monster to halt. You stood there and made even me feel... pressure."
A faint chuckle escaped his lips.
"I may not understand how you did it. I may not know the full extent of your strength. But one thing is certain."
His voice lowered.
"I am alive because of that moment."
He straightened again.
"And so, I choose to believe... that this is the will of the God of Light."
The ministers looked at each other, unsure whether to speak or remain silent.
"If the God of Light placed you in that situation, and if that same chain of events led you to stand here today and reject this marriage..."
He spread his hand slightly.
"Then perhaps this annulment is not a retreat from my word, but a continuation of it."
His eyes moved toward Frazanna.
"Of course..."
"It is not mine alone to decide."
The entire hall turned toward her.
"You are also bound by this engagement."
His tone softened slightly.
"So tell me, Frazanna Goldfren..."
"Do you accept this annulment?"
Frazanna stood still.
Her hand tightened slightly at her side.
Her gaze lowered for a moment.
So... this is how it ends...
She remembered the stories she heard about Clay.
She remembered how when they were betrothed, he avoided her.
How he ran.
How he did not want her.
And now... he stood here and asked for freedom in front of everyone.
Her chest tightened slightly.
Is it... relief?
Or something else?
She could not tell.
But something inside her felt it isn’t right.
After a moment, she took a step forward and bowed.
"I understand."
Her voice was steady.
"I accept the annulment."
Clay’s eyes widened slightly.
Then—
Inside his head—
YES!
FINALLY!
I’M FREE!
His entire being erupted with joy.
No more heroine! No more fate! No more getting dragged into disasters because of her plotline!
No more arranged marriage nonsense!
I can finally live peacefully!
He clenched his fist internally.
This is it! This is the first step to my peaceful life!
Just avoid all the main characters and I’m safe!
No drama, no danger, no dying for plot convenience!
His heart felt lighter than it had in days.
Then—
Ding!
The system’s voice echoed.
Ding!
The host is no longer suspected by fate.
Clay froze.
Then slowly...
He exhaled.
Finally...
Finally, that annoying pressure is gone...
He felt as if something invisible that had been watching him had finally turned away.
"Yeah..." he muttered softly.
Then he noticed something.
His father.
Cross was staring at him.
Not with pride.
Not with relief.
But with a face that clearly said he wanted to punch him.
Clay blinked.
Then made a face back.
A simple one.
Mocking.
Carefree.
Cross’s eyebrow twitched violently.
"You—!"
But before he could explode again, the Holy King raised a hand.
"By the way..."
His tone turned casual.
"You haven’t introduced me to her yet."
His gaze shifted toward Cerys.
Clay blinked.
Then shrugged.
"Don’t mention it."
"She’s just my maid."
Cerys stepped forward and bowed.
"I am only a maid serving my young master."
The Holy King laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"A peak Mana Core Formation expert... just a maid?"
The hall exploded.
"What?!"
"Mana Core Formation?!"
"Impossible!"
"She’s that young!"
The ministers stared at Cerys with wide eyes.
Mana cultivation had clear stages.
Mana Infusion.
Mana Condensation.
Mana Foundation.
Mana Core Formation.
Each stage required years.
Decades.
Some never reached even the third stage in their entire lives.
Yet this girl...
She stood there, calm, quiet, and was said to be at the fourth stage.
At such a young age.
She already reached that level.
Maxwell stared and felt something was off. The maid’s presence was too invisible.
How is that possible?
She looks barely older than the younger generation.
Even geniuses cannot reach that level so fast.
Their eyes turned intense.
A sense of greed became heavy in the air.
Clay frowned. His voice cut through the hall.
"Stop staring at my maid. Or I will beat you all up."
The hall fell silent again, they remember...
This guy was being followed by that guy and their Holy King was wary of him.
On the other side, Maxwell swallowed. He asked his master in his mind.
Master, is that true?
His Master answered.
Yes.
She is strong.
Maxwell frowned. But how. Her level is too high.
There was a long pause.
Then his Master continued.
Most likely an inheritance... Could be a fortuitous encounter coupled with a terrifying level of talent.
Maxwell was shocked.
Really?
Suddenly, Clay turned.
"We are leaving."
The Holy King nodded.
"Very well."
Clay gestured slightly.
The Holy King raised his voice.
"Next."
But then, Cross suddenly spoke.
"Wait. Where are you going after this?"
He was worried his son, who became unruly, wouldn’t come back again for a long time.
Clay answered without hesitation.
"North."
"The northern region of the Holy Kingdom."
Maxwell’s eyes widened.
"You cannot."
Clay paused, then looked at Maxwell.
"Who are you?"
Maxwell straightened and bowed slightly.
"I am Maxwell Calloway.
"I am a disciple of the Radiant Path, trained under a hidden master.
"I have saved multiple villages from beast tides.
"I have warned military outposts of incoming threats.
"I have participated in missions that protected thousands of civilians."
Clay blinked once.
Then again.
"Wait."
Maxwell continued.
"I am investigating abnormal events in the northern region. Strange beasts. Unnatural movements. Signs of something larger."
Clay’s expression shifted.
Hold on.
"If you go there now, you will be walking into danger."