While the outside world focused its attention on the Marines, waiting for their response—and while the Marines themselves were urgently discussing countermeasures—
Inside the Royal Palace of the Kingdom of Ruse, in a magnificently decorated chamber.
"Your Majesty! Over a dozen nobles led by Grand Duke Ansel of Ruse are currently waiting outside the palace gates. They request an audience with you!" a soldier reported hurriedly.
"Your Majesty! This is the financial report of the Kingdom of Ruse. Please review it!" another soldier said, presenting a document.
"Your Majesty! With the high officials of Ruse all dead, the country's administration has fallen into chaos. We request your instructions!" a third soldier reported anxiously.
"Your Majesty! The surrendered soldiers of Ruse have been counted. The total number is 43,000. They are all under our control now. How should we handle them?" yet another soldier asked.
Reports continued to pour in one after another.
Sitting on a soft couch, Arthur rubbed his temples with one hand and leaned back against the chair helplessly, letting out a long sigh.
For some reason, he suddenly found himself missing Xixi, the little maid who would gently massage his shoulders whenever he was tired.
Only now did Arthur truly realize—
Being a king was not an easy burden to bear.
"Enough! You may withdraw for now. His Majesty needs some rest!" Stanley noticed Arthur's expression and quickly waved the soldiers away.
"Yes, sir!"
The soldiers immediately fell silent and withdrew.
After a moment's hesitation, Stanley stepped forward respectfully.
"Your Majesty, should we transfer some administrative specialists from our kingdom to handle these matters?"
"Mmm."
Arthur responded with his eyes closed.
Then he opened them and sighed lightly.
"Stanley, in the future, don't bring trivial matters like these to me so frequently. Just assign the appropriate personnel to deal with them."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Stanley nodded immediately.
"Also," Arthur continued, his gaze turning cold, "announce that the Kingdom of Ruse is officially annexed into Zephir Kingdom. Its administrative system will be unified with ours."
"All noble privileges are to be abolished."
"If those nobles refuse to cooperate… deal with them."
Stanley's expression turned serious.
"Understood."
"And the surrendered soldiers," Arthur added calmly, "incorporate them all into the Royal Army. Find a way to make them serve me."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Lastly…"
Arthur rubbed his brow again.
"Handle the remaining affairs of Ruse yourselves. Prepare a ship to send me back to Zephir Kingdom."
"As you command!"
Morning arrived.
Gentle sunlight spread across the ocean, reflecting dazzling waves.
Early dawn had barely broken, yet the harbor of Zephir Kingdom was already overflowing with people.
Almost every citizen had gathered there.
Their faces were filled with excitement and reverence as they looked toward the distant sea.
Because today—
Their king was returning in triumph.
He had conquered the Kingdom of Ruse and returned with glory.
"There! I see the ship!!!"
Someone suddenly shouted.
Everyone immediately looked toward the horizon.
In the distance, a warship slowly approached.
The blue-and-white flag of Zephir Kingdom fluttered proudly in the wind.
"Your Majesty!!!"
"Welcome back, Your Majesty!!!"
"Long live the King!!!"
The citizens shouted themselves hoarse.
Cheers surged like ocean waves, rising one after another.
Under countless gazes and thunderous applause, the warship slowly docked.
The sails were lowered.
The anchor dropped.
A wooden gangplank extended to the shore.
Fully armed soldiers stepped off first, forming a line to hold back the excited crowd.
Then—
A young man in a white robe with golden trim, wearing a faint smile, stepped down from the ship.
Arthur.
The cheers instantly became even louder.
Suddenly—
A voice shouted from the crowd.
"Your Majesty! You defeated the Marine forces—aren't you afraid they'll seek revenge?!"
The chaotic cheering suddenly fell silent.
Everyone turned toward the voice.
Arthur also stopped walking and looked over.
A beautiful young girl stood among the crowd.
Though nervous, she met his gaze bravely.
Many of the citizens looked toward Arthur as well.
Clearly—
Most of them were curious about the same question.
Arthur looked at the girl quietly for a moment.
Then a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Why should we fear the Marines?"
His voice was calm.
But it carried a strange power that clearly reached everyone present.
"I once said this before."
"Whether it is the Marines or Zephir Kingdom—there is no absolute difference between strong and weak in this world."
"We only think the Marines are invincible because we retreat before the challenge."
"We never dare take that single step—like a fearless flower leaping across the abyss and reaching toward the sky."
"My people…"
"Today I will make one thing clear to you."
He paused.
His voice became firm and domineering.
"The Marines are nothing to fear."
"If they dare show even the slightest disrespect toward Zephir Kingdom—"
"I will kill them."
After saying this, Arthur turned and walked toward the palace without another word.
The soldiers followed closely behind him.
The young girl stared at his departing figure, her eyes shining with admiration.
"Your Majesty… I believe in you!" she shouted excitedly.
Her voice ignited the crowd like a spark.
Soon countless citizens began shouting as well.
"If the Marines dare disrespect Zephir Kingdom—"
"We will kill them!!!"
It was not only Arthur's declaration anymore.
It had become the belief of the entire nation.
What confidence.
What dominance.
What overwhelming reassurance.
"Your Majesty!!!"
"Your Majesty!!!"
"Your Majesty!!!"
Soon all the voices merged into one thunderous chant.
Arthur listened to the unified cheers behind him.
A faint smile appeared on his face as he continued walking deeper into the palace surrounded by soldiers.
And at that moment—
A system notification sounded in his mind.
"Ding! National Reputation Level increased! Current Level: 2!"
"Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have obtained one Exclusive Lottery Draw. Would you like to use it now?"
Arthur's footsteps paused slightly.
Then he continued walking as usual.
Only the smile on his face—
Became even brighter.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
To Read Advance Chapters, Head over to my Patreon
patreon.com/AnimeVerseTL