Chapter 195
Chapter 195
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 195
Chapter Title: Golden King 1
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“The one who seized Grimslown’s body neither kills me nor steals my cult, but simply passes by? What would become of my reputation, rooted in this land? That’s why I must somehow bring you under my authority, no matter what. Rest assured. I demand nothing of you. Simply uphold my authority, that’s all. Surely that’s what you want too? In this situation, you need controlled power more than chaos.”
The Heavenly Lord of the Azure Canopy Cult had precisely grasped what Azadin desired. Realistically, taking over his cult would require immense effort, and Azadin had no interest in that anyway.
What Azadin wanted was to wield influence in Brtuma to prevent the Herald Clan’s internal strife from spreading outward as a foreign threat—and in exchange, to acknowledge the Heavenly Lord’s authority within the cult.
“But must it be adoption, of all things?”
“Grimslown is disappointed in me and will grant no more miracles. But if you become my adopted son, the miracles you’ve experienced become mine as well.”
“Cunning.”
Azadin frowned at the Heavenly Lord.
The man’s appearance was that of a young boy. He had to be older than Azadin, by his age. Was he born this way? Or had Grimslown’s revelation bestowed this form upon him?
Whatever the case, his proposal didn’t match his looks. It wasn’t the whim of a child, but the sly scheming of a seasoned power broker. There was something disagreeable about it, yet an undeniable benefit that made refusal difficult.
“Personally, I’m not thrilled, but from a broader perspective, it’s necessary. Otherwise, this whole journey would be for nothing.”
“You catch on quick. Makes me want to truly make you my son.”
“Then should I call you Heavenly Lord—or Father?”
“As long as you maintain my dignity in public, there’s no need in private. Just show me boundless respect outwardly.”
“Fine, got it. So what’s your name?”
“I am Kazas.”
“Kazas?”
“Why the surprise?”
“No, just someone I know has that name. Why choose that one?”
“It was the name of a very famous elf mage around here long ago. There’s a superstition that using such a strong name keeps you from dying young, even from illness.”
A faint contempt for superstition laced the voice of this cult leader.
Azadin found the sight amusing.
But on second thought, it wasn’t amusing—it was frightening. One who willingly embraced the superstitions and barbarism he despised, as a means to greed, was dangerous.
Even though Azadin had overpowered him and reached an agreement through force, he needed to guard against this man’s deep schemes.
“Welcome to the family, Herald Clan.”
“Second Herald Azadin.”
“Yes. Azadin.”
The Heavenly Lord said this and rose. The bleeding from his ear had now stopped.
Azadin’s spear had nearly split the ear in two, but the wound that had bled profusely was now sealed with something like tree sap, fully healed.
He’d said Grimslown was disappointed in him, yet Grimslown’s power evidently remained with him still.
*********
The Heavenly Lord of the Azure Canopy Cult, Kazas, officially recognized Azadin as one who had received revelation and proclaimed him his adopted son.
It should have been cause for festivals and celebration, but given the urgency, they instead sheltered the residents expelled from the outpost.
They also opened the cult’s warehouses for them, earning praise from both the outpost refugees and Brtuma’s underclass in similar straits for the Azure Canopy Cult’s benevolence.
And thanks to the Azure Canopy Cult’s aid, Shati and Scott passed through without issue.
The blood mages at the checkpoint verifying the disguised ones were Azure Canopy members themselves, so with their cooperation, Scott and Shati made it through safely.
“No matter how necessary it was, becoming someone’s adopted son so easily...”
Shati was astonished by Azadin’s decision.
“It’s just formality. No need to stir up trouble amid all this chaos. Besides, that Heavenly Lord of the Azure Canopy Cult turned out to be quite reasonable.”
Azadin turned his gaze from Shati to the movements of Brtuma’s troops preparing city defenses. It was hard to face her when she prodded at the part that embarrassed him.
“Um, this is truly wonderful. For a moment, I thought the Heavenly Lord saw you as a rival and meant to eliminate you. But if you received revelation, why not tell me too?”
Giswa seemed innocently convinced that Azadin had truly relayed a new revelation to the Heavenly Lord, resolving everything smoothly.
In truth, it had been a push-and-pull of power and authority, but Azadin held his tongue—Giswa’s faith was too deep and fervent to explain the gritty details.
“Giswa.”
“Yes?”
“Help the Azure Canopy people reinforce the city walls. As for me, I’ll seek an audience with the king, thanks to the Heavenly Lord’s introduction.”
“An audience with the king?”
“Wow, Captain, you’re on a roll. Things are falling into place. Who’d have thought we’d meet that Manja-Zadek.”
“The king has his duties, so we’ll meet when he’s free. Why’s an orc necromancer like you so worked up?”
“Huh? You don’t know Golden King Manja-Zadek?”
“Isn’t he just Manja-Zadek?”
“Manja-Zadek repelled those coveting Brtuma’s wealth, especially subjugating countless ogres in his youth. We orcs lent our innate sharp intellect to ogres and nagas for hefty fees, but we tasted bitter defeat against Manja-Zadek’s armies. My parents died to his elephant legions.”
That made Manja-Zadek an enemy to Scott, avenger of his parents’ deaths. Yet Scott seemed to admire and respect him.
“That’s what makes a strong, great king. Look at this golden city too. I’d love to meet him myself.”
“I’ll go alone to the audience hall, with the Azure Canopy people.”
“Shame. I wanted to behold the Golden King’s glory.”
“I’ll tell you all about it after.”
Azadin felt a pang of complicated emotions watching Scott’s sincere admiration for Manja-Zadek.
Just then, an Azure Canopy messenger arrived for Azadin.
“Vice Lord. The audience is set—prepare to enter the palace. We’ll assist you. This way.”
It seemed preparations for the audience with Manja-Zadek were complete.
*********
Azadin changed into Brtuma attire prepared by the Azure Canopy people and met the Heavenly Lord before the audience chamber.
“Watch your words, Azadin. His Majesty the King is the Golden King—wise and fearsome.”
The Heavenly Lord shared precautions for meeting Manja-Zadek. Yet they were far simpler than those for meeting him. They simply awaited a slot amid the king’s busy schedule.
Bored with waiting, Azadin questioned the Heavenly Lord.
“Oh, since we’re family now, mind if I ask—why the ritual procedures? They seem grander than for the king.”
“What do you think?”
“Hmm... probably to establish hierarchy?”
“Impressive.”
Heavenly Lord Kazas marveled at Azadin’s quick insight.
“Exactly. I was a merchant traveling between Brtuma and Corasarr when I became Grimslown’s kin... and realized this power couldn’t be contained in one body. I needed to distribute the burden somehow. You can’t run an organization alone. So I got my merchant companions’ consent, making them my first lieutenants. Sharp, capable fellows—all, or they couldn’t have been Brtuma merchants.”
Heavenly Lord Kazas praised them.
“But they knew my past and motives better than anyone, which became my weakness. They grew insolent, threatening my authority.”
“So you created these formalities?”
“Necessary, so not mere formalities. Call them rituals pursuing real gain.”
“And those first lieutenants submitted to the ritual and served you?”
“No. They opposed it openly, broke it flagrantly, and were purged.”
Azadin had half-expected as much. A cult leader wouldn’t spare those treating him as mere business partner.
These formalities made perfect pretext for purging them, allowing the leader to claim the cult fully as his own.
“But astonishing. To infer the ritual’s purpose and my circumstances at a glance—you’re exceptionally bright. With that immense power and a sharp mind too? Truly of the Herald Clan. Or are you exceptional even among them?”
“Well, it’s a long story.”
Azadin decided against delving deep into his and the Herald Clan’s tales with the Heavenly Lord—it could be risky.
Then the king’s page entered, announcing the audience was ready.
*********
Manja-Zadek’s palace, like the Azure Canopy Heavenly Lord’s building, followed Brtuma style.
Massive pillars supported vast hanging cloths in place of walls, their arrangement adjustable for ventilation when needed.
Between pillars stood self-appointed walls: enormous oil paintings the length of a horse. Within those vast frames depicted a dignified black-skinned man wielding a golden scepter, trampling an ogre warlord’s corpse in victorious pose.
He was the Golden King who repelled northern ogre invasions, safeguarding Brtuma’s wealth.
But... at the audience chamber’s center sat a man so grotesquely obese he scarcely seemed human, upon a jade throne. Elephantine in bulk, his flesh strained as if on the verge of bursting its skin.
Yet his facial features oddly resembled the portrait, confirming him as Manja-Zadek.
‘Did the painter draw at swordpoint? Or was he like that in youth and became this? But how does a man turn out like that? And why so huge? A giant?’
Azadin eyed the massive scepter beside Manja-Zadek’s throne—the golden one from the portrait.
Twice a man’s height, it suggested Manja-Zadek was born with a physique far grander than ordinary humans.
Yet this was the Golden King even proud Scott admired.