Chapter 684 The Burden Borne By The King (1)

As soon as he connected to the flower, Farest found himself in a world of darkness. He did not panic, having heard that the same happened with the memorial flower in Kynigo. Looking around in curiosity he felt this was very similar to the magic abyss.

Farest was the most talented of all his siblings, it was why despite his young age he had been elevated to king. While the tradition of only allowing the strongest to rule had always made sense, in times like these it made even more so. Despite being the youngest, Farest was not the weakest.

He had two older siblings who had reached Tier 9, however that was only in one area of expertise. Farest instead had managed the same in all three fields, his favorite weapon was the spear but he was a master of the sword and bow too as well as being an Archmage.

During his magic training, he had managed to enter the magic abyss a handful of times, each attempt took days of preparation and hours of meditation. Being pulled to a world similar to the magic abyss just by attempting to connect with the flower was something beyond his wildest dreams.

He had thought the reports were mistaken, that people simply wanted to connect the two. But now he understood that the similarities were truly great.

As he was thinking of all this, the world changed. He heard his own words ordering those kneeling before him and it caused his heart to ache as all those before him were now dead.

In particular, Farest focus on Sodren. Knowing that he had sent him to his death caused Farest deep pain, it cut through him like a cold dagger freezing his heart. Leaving him clutching his chest.

His death was still too recent, it hurt too much. Even with the artifact reducing the emotional impact one would receive, Sodren had been like a father to Farest. He had been his bodyguard and teacher since young. Farest had spent more time with Sodren than with his actual father who was often too busy with kingly matters.

As he was struggling with this heavy weight crushing his heart, the vision changed to one of the earliest he had of Sodren. The memory had long since been lost to time, yet here it appeared before him as if time had been rewound.

A much younger version of Sodren was kneeling before a little Farest. At this time Farest had yet to learn how to shift to a human form. With Sodren kneeling he was right at the young Farest's eye line.

"Young master, I am Sodren. Your father has asked me to teach you. Will you have me?"

​ Despite being young, Farest had already been taught the proper manner in which to respond. However, he paused. "Is this your wish?"

"My lord?" Sodren tilted his ever so slightly, failing to understand the question.

"Do you wish to serve me, despite knowing that I am the youngest of my siblings?" The implications of such a question were clear, young Farest was asking if Sodren was willing to serve him. Knowing that in all likelihood he would not become the next king. After all, the age difference between him and his eldest brother was simply too large and no one knew yet if he was talented or not.

"There is no need for concern. I shall train you to surpass even me. As long as you will have me, I will be by your side until the end."

Young Farest nodded stiffly, soon the vision changed again. Yet the memory caused Farest to cry as he clutched his chest all the more. He was filled with gratitude at being able to finally recall his first time meeting Sodren.

The next vision was in the royal training ground, Farest having mastered shape-shifting was mastering combat in his human form. It was important to be competent regardless of his form, especially since a centaur was a much larger target than a human. He was instructed that should he be attacked, he was to seek refuge behind his guards and make himself as small as possible while they protected him.

However, Farest never wanted to hide and hope others would save him. Each day he trained until his hands bled and his clothes started to change color from his sweat. Determined not just to be king, but to be able to protect the kingdom.

Even though he thought the stories about massive worldwide invasions were a myth. Their kingdom however was surrounded by enemies. While he did not believe in such large invasions, fighting against their neighboring enemies happened often.

Once he was done with his physical training, he would sit down and meditate. First focusing on regaining control of his breathing, then his thoughts, and then he would start practicing magic.

His efforts had paid off, when he was close twenty he had already reached Tier 8 in all three fields. A feat most impressive and if he continued to grow as he had then he would reach Tier 9 in a few years more, most believed he would reach Tier 10 before turning 30. Something worthy of being recorded among the legends of the kingdom.

Of course, Farest could not thank Sodren -his teacher- enough. His guidance had allowed him to not simply progress quickly but also build a firm foundation. And that was when the myths no one believed to be true had turned out to be just that.

Since there was no true successor for the kingdom yet, with the requirement to be king being to reach Tier 10, the current king had a thought decision ahead of him. It was an absolute necessity that the king be capable of reaching Tier 10, not just that they were the strongest of his children. Thus talent was prioritized above all else.

Talastos, the old king, had wanted to give his youngest more time but sadly he couldn't. It was not unprecedented that a king be selected before reaching Tier 10, but normally there would be great resistance.

However, Talastos had to be capable of moving freely. Thus Farest was thrust into the position, an act that would most certainly stall his growth as he now had to manage the burden of the ruling. What could have become a legend would now likely be only a slightly impressive feat.

And just a few years later he sent his teacher to die. Along with countless others.

It all happened according to his orders. Hundred of thousands had died, and while they had finally managed to defeat the orc horde, the aftermath was the destruction of nearly a quarter of the kingdom.

If they had pulled all their strongest they might have been able to circumvent all this, but the orcs were stronger if looking only at their strongest.  The warlords were not old centaurs nearing the end of their lives as was the case with Talastos and Duke Voda. Whether they would be able to defeat the warlords was uncertain, and if they could not the kingdom would be lost.

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