Chapter 152: The Scatter for Power (1) Epilogue

Green Knight's Perspective

These parts are like bonus chapters but works as an epilogue for the final battle and volume

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After watching Arthur and his friends leave the Kingdom of Caerleon, the eight of us mercenaries returned to the palace. Arthur and the people anointed me as their new king, which meant….

"New problems," I exclaimed, while heaving out a lengthy sigh.

Those past secretaries of the king had their faces relieved from stress as soon as they saw me on my seat. Those assistants had their eyes sparkling like bubbles found on the lake when the moon basked itself with its moonlight.

Instead of those elegant meals, parties, and sitting in the throne room, the butlers and maids escorted me somewhere. It was a place called an "office", which had nothing besides paperworks I had to sign.

"Why do I have to do this?" I asked the butlers overseeing my work.

"Your highness, it's for the people. Arthur and you have come up with some master plan that would truly benefit the entire kingdom! Our people would rejoice once you sign these papers and send them to the nobles," the butler replied, while lowering his head. "If you would excuse me, I have some chores to do. I will come back for you and check everything you've worked on, King Green."

"W-What?! Aren't you going to help me?!?!" I asked, paired with some thousands of question marks floating above my head.

The butler shook his head and answered, "I'm afraid I can't do that, King Green. This is your job, not mine. I do the laundry and other miscellaneous things, while you help confirm all the process of our kingdom."

"But I have no idea how to-...."

"And you're probably going to have an all-nighter for today! I wish you luck, King Green!"

Before I could finish my sentence, the door slammed shut before my face, leaving me alone inside this office. It was what the butler had mentioned. The nobles wrote all the concerns of this kingdom, which was my job to inspect every one of them. I had to govern everything at my sight, including the taxes and infrastructures these people wanted to build. My mercenary friends had no idea how to help me. So they were now on their way towards a bar while chugging the ale inside their mugs.

I had never imagined becoming the king of an entire kingdom and governing the lives of these people. I had experience on becoming a leader in our party, but that didn't compare to the responsibilities I had as a king.

There was only one thing I needed to do as a mercenary. And that was to kill anyone that my client would ask for, as long as we accepted it. Mercenaries did that for the money but not us. Our group were the only people who targeted corrupt politicians, bandits, and whatnots surrounding the Kingdom of Caerleon.

But since I sat on this chair, I had to kiss those fighting days goodbye. I couldn't give my half-assed effort, since I handled the livelihood of these people. 

"I know what it's like to have a corrupt and greedy official. But I am not like that at all. It doesn't take a genius to know how these leadership works. All I have to do is…." I mumbled to myself, and went on forever to the documents.

The second day came, and I finally finished every paper that I needed to sign. I only had a few days of rest, considering everything that happened. 

The tyrant king and his followers didn't die in our hands. Those people remained inside the dungeon, heavily guarded by a few comrades and other soldiers I trusted. They kept blabbering about the treaty they had with the Kingdom of Camelot, saying that we disobeyed its orders. And the Albion, an alliance formed by the king of Camelot, would come for us.

The previous king's words also came from my valuable information broker. That mysterious man we hired as a scout from our kingdom also entold the same words said by the former king. He said that the forces of Albion would soon arrive around seven days, which the man also spotted from afar. Since I already wasted two days by signing these documents, we only have five days left to prepare for another war.

"It's a good thing Arthur gave us the system, or else we would have to fight them with limited sources," I murmured to myself, as I headed out towards the barracks.

Fortunately, six of my comrades all settled inside a camp. They all greeted me and gave me a salute that the knights did every time they saw me. But I waved my hand and knocked someone's head out, while gritting my teeth.

"You're not supposed to do that to me! We're brothers and sisters from different mothers! Spare me with these formal greetings!" I growled at the six mercenaries laughing at me. 

"We couldn't help it, your highness! You're royal now, right?" one mercenary remarked, as she gave me a bow.

All the five other mercenaries chuckled up a storm when they heard our comrade cracked a joke. I couldn't hold myself for any longer and joined in the laughter, regardless of the place.

"By the way, where's Lara?" I asked, and noticed that there was someone missing in our group.

We were eight mercenaries in total, since our leaders died from battle. But we were just seven standing inside the room filled with guards, mages, and warriors. However, despite the noise we made, those knights didn't mind our tones.

"Lara went to her sick sister. She said that she accepted a quest to buy her sister some medicine."

"That girl also said that she would return a few days from now."

My two mercenaries explained the details of Lara's disappearance. Lara was also a mercenary who fought with us against the tyrant king. 

But despite Lara's appearance, she also had an ill sister living outside the kingdom. Although we trusted each other, Lara still didn't want to disclose the location of her sibling. Everyone respected her thoughts and remained friends after that. We didn't mind if Lara didn't want to tell us about her sick sister, since we all planned to help her if she needed us the most.

"I don't know what has gotten into that girl! I'm the king of Caerleon! Although it's illegal, I could borrow some money from the stash and give her what she needed. Or I could also help the farmers plow the field or accept some mercenary quests as a team! Why would she run off just like that!" I confessed, while caressing my forehead. "I don't know what is more difficult, my paper work or that girl!"

"Come on, Green. We all know what she has been through. We could give her a break every now and then, right?"

"She did that for the sake of her little sister. Lara didn't want to bother you and your work as a king! Even if I was in her position, I would have done the same thing."

"You have a kingdom to feed. And those people trust you and your wisdom. Place your trust on Lara too and just wait for her to return. Maybe we could hold a banquet if that happens."

My mercenary friends narrated their thoughts to me as they tapped their hands over my shoulder. My friend's hands continued pressing on my body and gave me the ease that I needed to feel. 

"Sorry….I just….I just want to help you guys if something happens. I'm your leader right now and the king of a kingdom!...But I can't help my friends? That's bullshit, you know?" I cursed, while looking at the knights training against each other.

"That's nonsense, Green! If there's one thing, we are so delighted to work with you! I was a dark mercenary before but look at me now! I still do mercenary work, but we save people! And you became a great king for this land! And I am working for that very king!" a mercenary told me as he flashed me a smile.

All my five comrades did the same and grinned before me. Those knights who overheard our conversation cheered for my name, claiming that the kingdom would be on the right path. These people's expectations rained upon me. But instead of feeling anxious for my work, all I had to do was to be myself. 

"We have our systems. This kingdom doesn't have anything to worry about!" my friends said, and continued chattering with each other and the knights.

But our peace had finally shattered open upon returning to my office. I resumed my evening routine of checking the papers when my thoughts got disrupted. Dozens of knocks on the door echoed inside, followed by my butler hurriedly opening the door. 

"Milord, I have terrible news to tell you," my servant said, while gasping for air.

"Slow down, my friend. What's the matter?" I asked, while helping the man stand.

Much to my surprise, crimson paint covered his shirt as the butler looked at me in the eye.