From that day on, the crowd became busier and busier. Arthur also seems to have cultivated his own power and network at the direction of the old king. Spend the day wandering around the banquets and mansions of various nobles.

As for Zheng Ming? In addition to falling into the emotional vortex that day, he quickly regained his senses and acted as if he had nothing to do. Now he has lived in the palace at the invitation of the old king.

Zheng Ming thought very openly. Since he is not destined to stay in this world for long, what is the use of those meaningless emotions? It's just a matter of adding sadness to parting. Therefore, for the current situation that it is difficult to meet Arthur and others, he has an inexplicable sense of ease.

The harsh winter is over, and the climate is warmer. The occasional remnants of snow melt in the sunlight, reflecting a sparkling sheen.

Zheng Ming roasted the warm stove, picked up the wooden cup filled with hot cocoa and took a sip gently. The delicately carved wooden cup had just the right amount of roughness, and his hands couldn't help but rub the lines on it a few times.

"Whew~. It's getting warmer. I don't know how many people didn't survive the cold winter. ”

Zheng Ming looked at the scenery outside the window and sighed casually.

"yes. The hardest time has passed. ”

The old king casually replied, then picked up the dessert in front of him and put it in his mouth.

Zheng Ming glanced at the old king who was half-lying on the chaise longue with a smug look, the other party had frequently invited him over to talk about it during this time, and the content was not qualitative, sometimes it was about the political situation, and even the gossip in those aristocratic circles. changed the image that has always been majestic, and showed a laziness similar to Zheng Ming.

Zheng Ming was also happy to pass the time with this old king who didn't put on a show, and rubbed some wine and food by the way. After all, spices are luxury here, and many of them are not even seen in the market.

"Naru, the food you cooked for me last time was very original. I love the taste, when will you make it for me again? ”

"Oh, yes. But what I said last time ....... ”

"I have already commanded. Whatever you want, ask the chef for it. ”

"That's good. I'll do it for you next time. ”

The two were silent again. They each half-reclined on their chaise longues by the window, squinting outside. The sun shines through the windows, creating a picture of tranquility and laziness.

"Anyway, old man. Do you have nothing to do all day? Every time I was called, I would lie down all afternoon. I think Arthur has been busy all day long. You're not going to blame Arthur for everything, are you? ”

For Zheng Ming's no big or small, the old king is no longer surprised. Seeing that he closed his eyes and asked questions without looking back, the old king also closed his eyes and replied lazily.

"You know what? Good thing for him. That's how I've been here before. He's lucky that competitors don't pose a threat to him. ”

"Cut. It's good to be a king. Being lazy can be said so openly. ”

"Do you want to be, then?"

"Excuse me. Not interested. ”

Talking about this, the old king opened his eyes, got up slightly and turned to Zheng Ming.

"Naru, what do you think of Arthur?"

Zheng Ming also opened his eyes when he heard the movement, glanced at the interested expression of the old king beside him, and said disapprerovitically.

"How's that? Integrity? Determination? Conscientious? And stubbornly obeying the rules of chivalry? Considered a good person? ”

"Oh~Integrity, good man~~~"

Seeing that the old king had elongated the end note, Zheng Ming propped himself up and looked at him strangely.

"What's wrong? What's wrong with what I'm talking about? ”

"Oh, no. This is consistent with what I've received and what I've observed. ”

"Isn't that the end of it? By the way, you ask me what the hell do you want to do? ”

Zheng Ming had just laid back on the rattan chair when the old king's question came back again.

"What about Lancelot? What do you think? ”

"He? Ambitious, capable, and means. It looks fake, but it's pretty good to touch. It's just that sometimes the purpose is too high and lacks some sincerity......" Speaking of this, Zheng Ming sensed that something was wrong, put away his careless attitude, and looked at the old king.

"What's wrong? What is this for? ”

"You know what? At first, I was very unoptimistic about Arthur. I have to say that his qualities are really rare as a knight and a strong man, but as a king, I think there is still something lacking. So even now, I'm more optimistic about Lancelot than Arthur. He has all the qualities I had in mind. ”

"Then why did you force Arthur to marry Gwynna? You should know that Arthur didn't want to do it at first, right? ”

"I can't help it! Who let it be Arthur who got the Hallows, not Lancelot? If Arthur had obvious flaws, it would be fine. It's a pity ......"

"Just because of that golden scabbard?"

"You may not understand. Legend has it that the golden scabbard is a symbol of royal power, and the first king of the ancient kingdom of Ronan also founded the ancient kingdom of Ronan after obtaining the holy weapon. ”

"Huh?"

"Think about it, what happens if a person who receives the recognition of the holy artifact is not the heir to the throne? What do the people think? What did the aristocrats think? What will the careerists with their own freaks think? They even dared to secretly attack the prince, what would happen if there was a Hallows who was not yet the heir to the throne? That will only lead to turmoil, division and war. ”

Zheng Ming looked at the helpless old king in front of him. Sometimes, even if you are the king of a country, you will make compromises because of the irresistible tide.

"I don't think so, right? With Arthur's character, the desire for the throne is very low or even none. It doesn't have to be taken advantage of. Why couldn't it be Arthur who assisted the new king in securing the throne? ”

"A lot of times even I can't help myself!"

The old king sighed in a low voice, did not stop on this topic, and continued: "Fortunately, it seems that Lancelot does not have excessive obsession and ambition for the throne at present. It seems to be moving in the direction of assisting Arthur. With his help, I'm much more relieved. But no one can be sure what the future holds? Being the Hand of the King, Lancelot is reassuring. But if he covets the throne, then his reassuring virtues worry me a lot. ”

Speaking of this, the old king glanced at Zheng Ming, who was lazily lying on the rattan chair, and a serious look appeared on his face.

"So I set up the Shadow of the Throne. There is no financial and military power in this position, but I have given almost all the privileges beyond that. You can come and go as you please, as long as you are within the borders of my Celtic kingdom. And the commander of the Dark Guard and the Guards is half a rank higher. With the king's approval, you can even send troops directly to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for money. Most importantly, you have the right to kill the nobles. Theoretically, you only need to obey the king's orders, and the rest of the people are not qualified to dictate to you. Even if you kill someone in the street, you will be exempt. ”

"Oh, you're trying to make me the villain who everyone fears. This position was created specifically to clear the obstacles that threaten the throne, right? ”

"Yes. How? Would you mind? ”

Hearing the old king's rhetorical question, a bright smile gradually appeared on Zheng Ming's face.

"Of course...... No! Old man, it seems that you have done a lot of research on me~. ”

"Hahaha. I've said from the beginning that I've never seen you and Arthur separately. Since you want to pass the throne to Arthur, of course, you must also know something about Arthur's half-body existence. Your personality, which is more human than Dragon, intrigues me even more. ”

"I know what you want me to do. But after all, I am not a person from this world, and I can't be in this world for the rest of my life. ”

Zheng Ming's words made the old king fall into a trance, and he closed his eyes and lay back. He whispered words full of meaning.

"You think too highly of our human lifespan. For you Dragon, this is a short time, but it is a lifetime for us as human beings. ”

Zheng Ming waited quietly for a while, and when he saw that the old king had said this, he closed his eyes with a tired face and got up, and stood up with interest to leave.

"Old man, then I'll withdraw first."

The old king didn't open his eyes, but just waved his hand casually, signaling that Zheng Ming could leave at any time.

For the casualness of the old king, Zheng Ming has also been accustomed to it after coming into contact with it for a while. got up lightly and walked to the door, Zheng Ming suddenly stopped in front of the door. A calm voice came out of his mouth.

"Old man, what would you do if Arthur refused the marriage that day?"

"It doesn't make sense to say that now. If I had to, I'd probably go out of my way to get rid of him. After all, he could cause turmoil in the kingdom. ”

Zheng Ming turned to look at the old king who was lying on the rattan chair and couldn't see the slightest expression, his eyes flickering slightly.

"Even if he didn't just get the Hallows, he was also a true dragon knight?"

Hearing Zheng Ming's question, the old king finally opened his eyes again. Something seemed to pass through his deep blue eyes.

"Yes. Even if he's a true dragon knight. ”

After receiving the old king's categorical reply, Zheng Ming took a deep breath and slowly spit it out. With a deep breath, a complicated look appeared on his indifferent face.

"I see."

After leaving a sentence, Zheng Ming pushed open the door and strode away.

The cold wind of late winter rushed into the room and blew on the old king. The old king shuddered uncomfortably, tightened his clothes, closed his eyes again, and began to fall asleep.