n

n

n--Silence--

n.

nThe hall remained so quiet, that if one should've dropped a pin..... even those at the far back would've heard it.

nEveryone's mind blanked out for a split second, as what they had heard was too had to believe.

nBut from his Majesty's reaction..... it seems to be true.

n.

n

"What?

nThe brat is still alive?

"

n

"How come?

nDidn't you tell me that you had personally seen him on death's door before?

"

n

"Don't look at me like that bro.... I really did see him looking lifeless, so I truly don't know how he survived.

"

n

"_

"

nThe people were stunned by what they were hearing.

nThe brat was alive and well.

nAnd on top of that, he had also built a stable empire for himself too.

nThis was too unbelievable.

n.

nAs they heard Duke Winchester narrate several tales about how Landon turned the barren lands and made it fertile..... to how he came up with all these ideas, they couldn't help but wonder whether it was the same person or not.

n.

nOf course, Duke Winchester had told them the stories that came from all those crewmen and knights who had previously visited Baymard.

nThe tales had become famous tales in Carona.... so of course he had heard of them during his visit to Carona.

n.

nAt this point, the nobles had all gathered around Winchester, as if they were listening to a bedtime story.

nIn fact, they had even forgotten about Alec who was before them.

nBut of course Alec didn't mind, as he too was too immersed in Landon's achievements.

n.

nGood Gracious!

nWas that fellow pretending to be weak all along?

nDid he persevere here in the Capital, because he had plans?

nFrom the tales, it was clear that the most valuable thing wasn't the goods..... but Landon himself.

nWith these sorts of ideas and inventions, one could even acclaim him to be a rare genius!!

n.

nAlec's body vibrated slightly from extreme anger..... as he clenched the handles of his seat.

nVery good!!

nWhat a little schemer that son of his was.

nDid he plan everything from the start and play him like a drum?

nSo was he pretending to be stupid so as to fly under his radar?

nBecause if so... then it worked!

n.

nOne should know that Landon being an illegitimate son, he was entitled to study only sword practice... as things like war tactics and so on, were strictly forbidden to him.

nThey wanted to turn him into a puppet for Eli.

nSo subjects that required him to think, was definitely not an option for him.

nHence he had only been allowed to learn the ways of the sword.

n.

nAt that time, he didn't even need to follow up on that son of his..... news had quickly spread out of how bad Landon was at fighting.

nHeck!

nEven the teachers had confirmed the matter to Alec... so he had been utterly disappointed with Landon.

nBecause a good pawn opportunity had been wasted just like that.

n.

nNow hearing these tales, even in a hundred years from now... most people would call him a fool.

nHis name would go down in history as a jester.

nBecause no matter how one looked at it, he who had publicly denounced this son.... was now getting the shorter end of the stick.

n.

nThe more he thought about it, the more his blood began to boil.

nIf he had known that the brat was a genius, why the hell would he chase him away?

nHe would've imprisoned him and forced him to create all these goods for Arcadina in hiding.

n.

nOf course he would've stolen the credit for all the inventions and killed Landon before handing the throne over to Eli.

nAs sometimes, sacrifices were essential for the greater good.

nBut sadly, this son of his was way trickier to deal with than he thought..... and now, he would be seen as Arcadina's most foolish ruler ever.

n.

n

"Where is retired sword master Roshi?

nCome out now!!

" Alec bellowed in anger.

n

n

nAnd soon, the crowd immediately gave way.... as a shivering man walked forward as if he were going to attend his own funeral.

nOnce I'm front of Alec, he literally lied down and begged for his life.

n

"Oh great one, great sovereign..... great ruler of Arcadina, I am here.

"

n.

nLooking at the frightened man, who was constantly stroking his ego.... Alec calmed down a tad bit.

n

"Hmpp!!

nAt least you know your place!

nNow tell me, how come you as a teacher never noticed how smart my son was?

nSuch a brilliant child, why didn't you tell me that he was so amazing?

n

"_

"

n.

nEveryone almost puked out blood from listening to Alec's pretentious words.

nWhen have you ever acknowledged the child as yours?

nWeren't you the same person who criticized the child's mother, and even said that for all you know that child could be anybody's?

nYou called her a whore for her entire stay here.... and now, you're acting as if youare innocent?

n.

nLooking at their king's pitiful and caring act towards Landon, they almost wanted to clap at his performance.

nEven the royals were taken aback as well.

nWeren't you the same person who slapped your son one day because he accidentally bumped into you?

nBravo, your majesty!

n.

nAlec was completely oblivious to everyone's inner thoughts.... as he did this so that news could reach Baymard, that he had a change of heart towards Landon.

nHe had to get Baymard under his command no matter what!!

n.

nHe had inwardly noted to send his spies to access the overall power of Baymard.

nHe wanted to know how many knights they had at hand right now, and how many they were hiding away from the public's eyes.

n.

nEven though he truly doubted that Landon would ever have more men than he did..... he still needed to know a rough estimation of Baymard's forces, so that he could send out the proper amount of knights for the task.

n.

nIn this way, if this son of his proved stubborn, then he would have no choice but to use the hard way.

nAfter all, he had a hundred percent chance in coming out victorious in the end.... as there was no way that a newly established empire would take down Arcadina.

n.

nNo matter how he looked at it, it was only a matter of time before Baymard belonged to him.

nAnd by then, he would kidnap Landon and keep him alive in a secret dungeon.

nAfter all, with a mind like that..... the real treasure was the boy.

n

n