The King’s Reckoning

“It is truly an honor to have you all here today.

Even in these trying times, beholding the pillars of our nation and the rising stars of tomorrow always brings me a measure of solace.

It reaffirms that the sacrifices made by the late Emperor, myself, and our entire generation were not in vain.

Many of your fathers, esteemed guests, were my comrades in arms.

Together, we sought shelter beneath the same city walls, fought against inhuman foes across the same desolate plains, and advanced step by arduous step until we reclaimed our homeland.

The world as it is today, and the prosperity of our kingdom, are inextricably linked to those who fell in battle, sacrificing themselves for glory.

We enjoy this peace only through their sacrifice, and as I have often said before, this peace is not something to be taken for granted; it is never a given.”

The King declared, raising his goblet:

“To our ancestors, and to the Border Legion, I offer our most profound respect.

While we indulge in wine and feast here, they bear the full weight of duty at the frontier.

I want you to comprehend this truth.

It is a truth that must never be forgotten, by anyone, now or in the future.”

“…To the Border Legion,” the assembly echoed, raising their own goblets.

After they had drunk, the King of Draynes stepped to one side and continued:

“Ten years have passed since we reclaimed this wasteland from foreign occupiers, establishing watchtowers and forming our border army.

Though the frontier has seen numerous skirmishes, a fragile balance has largely been maintained.

Yet, recently, the Demon Lord’s forces have once again surged with renewed ferocity.

We have indulged in too much complacency, and it has extracted a heavy toll… Baron Greer.”

“I am here, my King,” Greer responded, dropping to one knee.

The King of Draynes approached him and declared:

“The relationship between Linders Fortress and the border outposts is paramount; when an outpost comes under attack, Linders’ role is to immediately provide backup and support.

However, on this occasion, Linders failed in its duty.

Not a single reinforcement reached the outpost.

Our kingdom’s warriors held their ground in the border watchtower until their dying breath, yet we betrayed them.

Linders betrayed your brothers.

You did not deploy your troops.

You broke your oaths.”

“…I apologize,” Knight Commander Greer uttered, no other words escaping his lips, for the truth was undeniable.

“I am prepared to bear any punishment, for I indeed failed to lead my brothers in upholding our oaths.”

“However, I am not one to mete out indiscriminate judgment.

This matter is not yours to apologize for.”

The King pronounced:

“The fall of a border outpost is never the result of a single decision.

The administrator of Linders sent you here, and though I need not explicitly state his intentions, everyone present understands them.

Nevertheless, I abhor such tactics:”

The King then clapped his hands.

From one side, guards escorted a man clad in prisoner’s attire.

The assembled nobles gasped in astonishment, for this was no ordinary man to be seen in shackles.

It was none other than the administrator of Linders Fortress, the very man Anto had encountered, the one who had obstructed Greer’s rescue efforts:

“Count Philip Horne, you are the governor of Linders.

Your father, Count Horne, once stood as a shield at the frontier, transforming Linders into the kingdom’s most formidable defense.

Yet, after it was entrusted to your care, what have you allowed it to become?”

The King of Draynes spoke slowly, his words deliberate, prompting Count Philip to hastily reply:

“There was no other recourse, my King.

I was compelled to contract our defenses, otherwise, Linders itself might have been lost…”

“Excuses.

Cowardice,” the King stated bluntly.

“Do you truly believe such a narrative holds any weight here?

Why have these circumstances come to pass?

The system of Linders was established by myself and those who once stood with me in this very hall.

Every aspect, from supply routes to reinforcement paths, from the overall structure to methods of preventing enemy infiltration, was meticulously planned and clearly defined.

Yet, what has become of these under your governance?

Critical junctions along the roads between border watchtowers have been abolished, signal towers meant for construction have been reduced to mere wooden frames, and the annual funds allocated for road maintenance and the village system’s continuous training and road support—where did they all go?”

“Th-this… this…”

“Since you are incapable of speaking it, I shall speak it for you,” the King declared, his voice cutting like a blade.

“All of these funds found their way into your coffers: your taverns, your gambling dens, your private storerooms within your own home!

You amassed a fortune, leaving our border defenses outwardly strong but inwardly hollow.

In times of peace, perhaps others might overlook such actions, but when crisis strikes, all will be laid bare in this manner.”

At this, the King’s gaze was laced with utter contempt:

“The four thousand three hundred and twenty-seven warriors of the watchtower… their deaths are a direct consequence of your actions.

You are inextricably implicated.”

“I… I… Spare me!

Have mercy, my King!” Count Philip shrieked, his voice raw with desperation.

“I truly never intended this, never imagined it would come to this… I truly…”

“I have nothing further to say to you.

I warned you before, yet you evidently dismissed my words.

Therefore, I must now rectify my own oversight.”

The King declared, rising to his feet:

“You are hereby exiled.

Neither you nor your family may take a single asset.

You are banished from the lands of Draynes, stripped of all possessions.

As for you, Greer, I require you to assume this post.

Due to this calamity, dozens of border villages have been razed, and countless citizens rendered refugees.

I charge you with leading the reconstruction efforts, and concurrently, establishing new defenses to confront the challenges ahead.

I have faith you can accomplish this.

What say you?”

“If this is my King’s will,” Greer replied, bowing low,

“then I have but one path to choose.”

“That is excellent,” the King affirmed, before moving among the gathered nobles and fixing his gaze upon the young woman in the nun’s habit:

“You are Sister Antolia, are you not?

A novice nun.

I have heard tell of your deeds within the city of Draynes.

You have done remarkably well; the people truly need assistance, and you are precisely the one to provide it, are you not?”

“Yes, my King,” Anto affirmed, bowing her head.

The King of Draynes chuckled softly:

“There is no need for such formality.

As you just stated, you hail from a border village, which means you are also one of my subjects, are you not?

Disregard such minor details; simply be as you were before… You can wield Holy Light, can you not?”

“…I can,” Antolia replied, “though not with great proficiency.”

“The Kingdom of Draynes requires diverse talents to ensure its security,” the King stated at this juncture.

“Would you be willing to demonstrate?

Just for a moment, I wish to see if the light that once illuminated the battlefield still shines as brilliantly as it did then.”

“…Holy Light is not a thing for mere demonstration,” Sister Antolia slowly articulated.

“However, if my King insists, then I… I shall not refuse.

Here, you are the sovereign, a great King.”