Chapter 143. The Birth of a Hero (3)
Several days had passed.
The royal capital bustled everywhere.
The destroyed plaza.
Collapsed buildings.
Crushed roads.
In all those places, the clattering sounds echoed, and the voices of sunburnt men and lively women filled the air.
Each time, corners of the plaza, the broken rooftops, and parts of the crushed roads were replaced with new bricks, planks, and flagstones.
It was a time of healing and restoration.
As sweat dripped and people caught their weary breaths, they spoke of that day.
There were few in the royal capital who hadn’t gathered in the plaza that day. Many had also gathered in small groups on the rooftops and window sills surrounding the plaza.
Thus, there was no one who didn’t know what had happened that day.
And none who did not revere him from that day.
“We report to Your Majesty. Among the citizens of the royal capital, there has not been a single instance of hostility or suspicion shown regarding the identity of Sir Kim Jangcheol.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Hmmm, haha...”
The Bearded Dumpling King smiled in satisfaction.
Of course he would.
Not a single person hated our Sir Kim Jangcheol. Even though it had been revealed that Sir Kim Jangcheol was of the demon race, even though everyone had learned of it, no one thought to slander him.
How could he not be pleased?
They said not a soul held any prejudice toward Sir Kim Jangcheol.
Perking up his pleased ears, the king heard more reports drifting in from his retainers.
“Moreover, the majority of the citizens of the royal capital, when speaking of that day, mention Sir Kim Jangcheol’s name almost once every three sentences.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Most of those who mention Sir Kim Jangcheol speak with praise and respect. To give you examples from the recorded and transcribed testimonies…”
“Yes, report?”
“Ah, why was I born a man and thus unable to become Sir Kim Jangcheol’s bride...?”
“...Huh?”
“No, Sir Kim Jangcheol is a true man, so anyone would become a bride before him. Therefore, I will not abandon hope.”
“...Haa?”
“Oh dear, how shameless. Wake up from that dream. I’m going to marry him, you know?”
“........”
“But since Sir Kim Jangcheol is of the demon race… wouldn’t he even accept an old man like me?”
“.........”
“...Those are the predominant sentiments, Your Majesty. Most citizens of the royal capital, regardless of gender, age, or social status, speak of Sir Kim Jangcheol as the ideal spouse.”
“...Hmmm.”
Hearing the report, the Bearded Dumpling King’s expression stiffened slightly.
He felt a sense of crisis.
He needed to show that he cherished Kim Jangcheol the most. He was, after all, the first to recognize Kim Jangcheol’s true worth, the very first fan.
‘This is bad, there are far too many competitors. At this rate, even the nobles might fall for Sir Kim Jangcheol.’
That would be troublesome.
He was already struggling with just the archbishop. Even the statue kneeling outside for days was becoming a burden.
At this rate, he might lose ground.
That... could not be allowed.
He must appeal his sincerity to Kim Jangcheol even more.
And to do that?
‘Until Sir Kim Jangcheol opens his eyes... I must remain by his side. That is how I will show my devotion.’
The king, making up his mind, turned to the side.
There lay Kim Jangcheol.
It had been nine days now, and he had yet to open his eyes.
“.........”
Looking at him brought back memories of that day.
The rampaging statue of the Archangel.
Kim Jangcheol, who had stood against it.
Even when the statue’s attack nearly killed the king himself, Kim Jangcheol had pushed him aside and taken the massive blow in his stead.
A savior of his life.
Even more, a benefactor of the royal family.
‘Is that all? In the final moment, he threw everything aside and saved countless lives in the royal capital.’
With astonishing power, he had stopped the statue’s self-destruction. And he had been found standing, unconscious.
‘Didn’t the archbishop call him... the Saint of Ten?’
The archbishop had also said that soon, all the elders of the Holy Order would gather in the royal capital. That the emergence of the Saint of Ten was the greatest and most wondrous miracle in the history of the Order. Perhaps even an event that would alter the course of history.
“...Yet you still have not opened your eyes.”
A sigh escaped the Bearded Dumpling King’s lips.
It was then.
“Tsk. It’s already past nine in the evening. Bearded Dumpling, no, Your Majesty? Don’t tell me you’re planning to sleep here again tonight?”
A rough and disrespectful question came from behind.
This made the captain of the royal guards bristle.
“Such insolence!”
Sureng! Clang!
The agitated captain of the guards, Hector, drew his sword. His blade, imbued with a faint aura, pointed at Asurat, who had just addressed the king without proper courtesy.
“You, demon Asurat, must speak with the proper decorum toward His Majesty.”
“Decorum?”
“That’s right. No matter that you are a demon from the abandoned lands, nor that you are a companion of Sir Kim Jangcheol, benefactor and hero of the royal family, this is still the royal capital, the very heart of the kingdom. To disregard the proper decorum toward His Majesty here is to disregard the royal family itself, and such conduct cannot be permitted by me, the commander of the royal guards...”
“...Or perhaps it can, Sir Hector.”
The Bearded Dumpling King interrupted.
Commander Hector looked flustered.
“Pardon? Your Majesty?”
“Have you forgotten, Captain, that this place is, before all else, the hospital room of a hero?”
“…I shall obey.”
The dejected captain of the royal guards sheathed his sword.
The Bearded Dumpling King turned to Asurat.
“So, you are a companion of Sir Kim Jangcheol, hero and benefactor of the royal family. Your name is Asurat, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Yet, just now, you asked if I planned to sleep here again tonight… did I hear that correctly?”
“You certainly did.”
Asurat replied, glancing around.
The royal chamber provided for Kim Jangcheol.
It was a luxurious, spacious room, grand enough to be called the finest hotel suite, and in one corner gathered his companions.
Sirgi, Baal, Artanis, along with Zephyros and Tbong, were all looking at the Bearded Dumpling King with expressions of discomfort and dissatisfaction.
Asurat felt the same.
The reason was simple.
“A king usually receives reports on the nation’s affairs in the palace, handles state matters… you know, does kingly things. Why, then, have you not missed a single day in nine days, staying here all day long?”
Asurat’s words were true.
It had already been nine days since their lord collapsed while standing in the plaza. For all that time, he had remained lying in this chamber.
Yet the king too… had not left this place even once, remaining steadfastly by their lord’s side!
Sleeping here!
Eating here!
Receiving reports here!
Handling state affairs here!
Even trimming his Bearded here!
“This is a bit much. No matter that you’re the king, you’re not even part of our group, so why are you taking care of him more diligently than we are?”
Asurat pressed with sincere (?) frustration.
He and his companions found the king unsettling.
The king, oblivious to all signs, had stayed glued to the room 24 hours a day for nine days, making everyone nervous.
And the king was not alone.
“Furthermore, because you’re here, the commander of the royal guards, the guard captains, and various ministers have all been coming in and spending time in this room. This… frankly, doesn’t seem normal at all.”
Asurat’s sharp remark!
Hearing it, the captain of the royal guards nodded inwardly. Likewise, the guard captains and various ministers, also stuck in this chamber for nine days without being able to return home, nodded their heads in silent, intense agreement.
They all thought the same.
Your Majesty, please, enough already.
They understood that His Majesty was deeply concerned for the hero and benefactor and wished to care for him, but if so, he should do it alone.
Why had they, too, become part of this set menu, stuck eating and sleeping here for nine days?
Because of that sentiment…
‘Go, Asurat!’
‘Yes, well said!’
‘That’s exactly what I wanted to say!’
‘True praise for your courage!’
Everyone silently cheered for the bold Asurat.
Asurat pressed the king further.
“Moreover, we are the companions of the patient lying in this chamber… so why are you, the king, the one clinging closest to him? Isn’t that strange too?”
“Strange? I am?”
“That’s right.”
“Hahaha.”
The Bearded Dumpling King chuckled.
He paid no mind to the disrespectful tone, one he had hardly heard in his entire life. After all, the other was a member of the demon race. Expecting politeness would be ridiculous.
Instead, the king focused on his sincere (?) feelings toward Kim Jangcheol.
“Why would it be strange for me to guard and care for Sir Kim Jangcheol from the closest spot? Have I, perhaps, forcibly pushed you all aside?”
“…What?”
“I have never pushed you away. I have never blocked you from approaching Sir Kim Jangcheol. Isn’t that right?”
“..........”
Asurat was at a loss for words.
The king continued with confidence.
“I am merely! Out of worry and concern for Sir Kim Jangcheol! Out of the simple wish that my hero and benefactor will awaken in good health! Naturally staying by his bedside! Rather, it is you all, keeping a distance from Sir Kim Jangcheol, who should reflect on your actions as his companions, should you not?”
“What the…”
The flustered Asurat stammered.
Unable to bear it any longer (?), Zephyros stepped forward.
“There is a slight flaw in Your Majesty’s reasoning. Ah, I am Zephyros, the archivist of the abandoned land.”
“Oh, you seem like someone I can reason with.”
“Thank you. Then, I shall refute what you just said. The patient currently lying here… Kim Jangcheol, is a precious member of our abandoned land, a family member, and my older brother.”
“Older brother? Yours?”
“That’s correct.”
Zephyros calmly lied.
It was to hide the fact that their lord was the Demon King.
If the truth came out that he was the Demon King?
The blame for the rampaging statue of the Archangel would fall entirely on them. That would complicate matters. He wanted to avoid that.
Zephyros continued.
“The patient is my blood brother. Ah, of course, I am much better looking. Also, Asurat, Sirgi, and Baal are his cousins. We are all family. In contrast, Your Majesty, despite your proclaimed friendship with Kim Jangcheol, you are neither kin nor blood relative. That is what makes us uncomfortable.”
“Because I, an outsider, am present in a family member’s sickroom?”
“That’s correct.”
“Then, wouldn’t it be fine if I became family too?”
“…What?”
“Chamberlain! Summon the princess! And the head of the department that arranges royal marriage talks! Quickly!”
“........”
This time, Zephyros was struck speechless.
But the Bearded Dumpling King’s relentless love offensive was only just beginning.
This one is so exciting! I'm waiting for further interaction between Aged Kimchi and Kim Jangcheol!
I really enjoy reading this, and I adore the loyalty Credos' people held to him!