by Michael Sisa
The Sword Saint easily saw through the King’s intent, but decided to accept it regardless. He had grown fond of the Valley of Witches and its soldiers during his prior stay there.
“I humbly accept, Your Majesty.”
Unlike before, the nobles and merchants seemed satisfied with what was given to the Sword Saint. They all knew that Alexander was the one who had slain General Alvaren, justifying the forty-five grand gold coins reward. Furthermore, the Aden Territory was unfertile, and the Valley of Witches was located on top of a cliff, making trade difficult with the surrounding territories. Just by location alone, the merchants and nobles had no interest in a territory sharing borders with those damnable beastmen.
There was only one military officer remaining.
Lark felt all eyes falling on him.
“And lastly, Lark Marcus.” The King cleared his throat. “For leading the Third Army to the Western Front, for reclaiming Yorkshaire City, and for slaying the Ghost of the Empire.”
There was silence in the entire throne room. Everyone waited with bated breath for the next words of the King.
“You shall be awarded with forty-five grand gold coins! Furthermore, you shall be granted sovereign over the City of Tranta!”
Lui Marcus’ eyes widened at this declaration. He looked at his little brother, his eyes filled with anticipation.
The City of Tranta was a small territory near the Marcus Duchy. With this, it’d be possible for him to meet Lark frequently once he became the Lord of the city. Even Duke Drakus would be powerless to oppose this, since this was an official decree by the King.
But Lui’s excitement was short-lived.
“I’m honored, Your Majesty,” said Lark. “But I have no intention of leaving my territory.”
Everyone in the throne room was stunned upon hearing these words. Lark was basically saying that he would not exchange that small town in the middle of the wilderness for an already prosperous territory. A city?
Seeing the surprise face of the King, Lark added, “Your Majesty, please allow this subject of yours to be impertinent.”
The King carefully studied Lark. “Go on.”
“Instead of the City of Tranta,” said Lark. “Would it be possible to be granted sovereign over the Endless Forest instead?”
Murmurs filled the throne room once again. The Endless Forest was one of the uncharted territories of the Kingdom. To say it belonged to their country was also a misconception. The Endless Forest was simply so large that even the neighboring countries didn’t know where it ended. The Kingdom claimed ownership over it, but everyone in this throne room knew that no one held sovereignty over that vast territory.
The Endless Forest alone was larger than the entire Kingdom, after all.
The King fell silent. He could not decide whether Lark’s request was too ambitious or if it was mere stupidity. The young man had literally asked the King for a territory larger than the Kingdom itself.
Should he give it to him?
The young man did surrender the glaive of General Alvaren to the royal family the moment he arrived at the capital. Just that weapon alone was worth more than three hundred grand gold coins. Definitely more than enough to cover all the rewards granted in this awarding ceremony, if you exclude the granted territories.
The King tapped his armrest. He continued to ponder. Eventually, he said, “Very well! With my authority as the King, I’m hereby granting you sovereign over the Endless Forest!”
“But your Majesty!” one of the Royal Advisers protested. “Isn’t it too much? He may be a war hero, but granting such a massive land to a single person is unheard of!”
“Enough!” said the King. He waived his hand and the Royal Adviser shut his mouth. “My decision is final! I believe that this young man deserves at least this much, considering all of his merits in this war!”
The Royal Advisers were obviously displeased with this outcome.
Lark ignored them. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The King stroked his ashen beard. He stared at Lark for several seconds and said to the guards, “Tell Esmeralda to come here.”
“As you wish, Your Majesty!”
The guards left then came back shortly thereafter, escorting a young woman with them. A woman with platinum hair wearing a simple turquoise dress. Her large, blue eyes nervously swiveled left and right. She froze for a moment upon seeing the numerous nobles, priest, city officials and merchants watching the awarding ceremony, and the military officers kneeling on the ground.
“Esmeralda,” said the King, smiling softly. His voice gentle. “Come. I want to introduce you to someone.”
The young woman was obviously terrified of the huge crowd, but she went toward her father regardless. With elegance befitting someone from the royal family, she walked up the stairs and stood next to King Alvis.
“Lark Marcus,” said the King. “What do you think of my daughter? Beautiful, isn’t she?”
Lark was taken aback by the question. He immediately realized what the King was trying to do in this situation.
Thankfully, he’d experienced such a situation several times before in his previous life. Back then, even the Emperor himself tried pairing Evander Alaester with one of his daughters.
Lark immediately regained composure. He flashed a smile.
“She’s beautiful, Your Majesty.”
Seeing Lark’s smile, and hearing an unknown man praise her in front of a very large crowd, Esmeralda’s face flushed. This is too embarrassing, she thought.
The King heartily laughed. “Of course, she’s my daughter after all!”
The King boastfully claimed, without the slightest hint of shame. His daughter glared at him for saying something so embarrassing.
“Father!” she whispered. “What are you doing? And this is the awarding ceremony, right? Why did you call me here?”
King Alvis cast an amused smile at his indignant daughter.
He whispered back, “I’m trying to find you a fitting husband. You’re already twenty-one. All of your sisters are already married—”
“—I don’t need a husband!”
Esmeralda realized that her whisper had turned into a shout. All gazes fell on her and she immediately had the urge to hide behind her father or sink into the ground.
King Alvis spoke to Lark. “She may be like this, but she’s a gentle soul. I heard that you are without a wife, moreover a fiancé. Then, how about this? What do you think about becoming part of the royal family?”
Lark looked at Esmeralda. She looked like she wanted to pinch the cheeks of her father hard. She was obviously against this.
“She’s a beautiful woman,” said Lark. “But I have my hands full with managing Blackstone Town. Permit this subject of yours to be impertinent, but I have to decline, Your Majesty.”
Esmeralda looked really relieved upon hearing this. She sighed then clenched her fists while glaring at her father.
King Alvis ignored his fuming daughter. “Is that so? How regretful. And here I was, thinking I finally found a suitable husband for my daughter.”
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END OF VOLUME 4
WHERE TO FIND VOLUME 5 + AUTHOR’S NOTES:
First of all, thank you for purchasing the book. If you like my work, please take the time to leave a review on Amazon. Their algorithm requires a certain number of reviews before they promote my work. It will really help an indie author like me.
You can find advance chapters of the book at my Patreon page: patreon.com/crazyblackchili
—Spoiler beware—
Book 5 focuses on the Curse of Agares. The curse of the current King of Lukas. I also hope to incorporate more town building in that book, and if the number of chapters permits it, add a little bit of romance in the story.
Thank you to all of my Patrons!
Especially Elfi, Jamie, Josh, Adams, Henson, and Way.
You guys are the best!
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Michael Sisa, Legend of the Arch Magus: Havoc