Gun of Ashes

”So you’ve come to kill me, my son?”

Cornel nodded, confirming.

”May I hear your reason?” asked the King.

”War is coming, and any mistake could lead to our destruction by our enemies. As I said before, Gaulunaro is not united; everyone has their own interests. All we can do is try to reach a consensus, forcing them to unite.

But I can’t do it. I’m not the King, and I don’t have the ability to command them.”

Cornel’s voice was indifferent. He had long settled on his decision, and nothing could sway him.

”Father, you are now the King of Gaulunaro, yet you are plagued by illness. Continuing this way will only delay the efficiency of our war, and you might be manipulated by ministers and nobles to make choices detrimental to us.

All I can do is formally establish royal authority before the outbreak of war, or your death during wartime would be a severe blow to our morale, potentially igniting a power struggle.”

”Even if you pass the throne to me, your presence might become a banner for the opposition, perhaps they would resist me in your name, or you might soon judge me wrong and thus try to stop me.”

Countless speculations had long formed in his mind. Cornel’s return to the capital this time was to kill the King, to kill his father.

”Who are you?”

The King asked.

”Gaulunaro.”

Cornel replied.

”I’m very curious; not long ago, you were just an ordinary child. What exactly changed you? Made you become like this.”

The King felt no fear at all, as if death was but an ordinary matter to him, unworthy of fear, neither hoped nor anticipated.

”A Viking.”

Cornel said, appearing somewhat perplexed.

”I did not know him for long, maybe a few hours? He was an anomaly, disliked war, just wanted to find a place to pass his life casually, yet he was eventually caught up in this conflict. Reasonably, someone like him should reject slaughter, but in the end, this anomaly died like a warrior, finding value in his life.

At first, I didn’t understand why he did it, undertaking what he detested most, sacrificing his life for it, enduring great pain in the end, yet willingly for greater benefit.

Now I think I understand; some things must be done by someone, for ideals and purposes neither noble nor filthy.”

”Have you thought about the cost? Regardless of the reason, you will commit evil, err, and such a person must be punished, whether a God exists in this world or not. Are you prepared?”

The King asked.

”My grandfather offered himself as a sacrifice, bringing about today’s Gaulunaro, so what is it for me to offer myself?”

Cornel said expressionless.

”Gaulunaro shall endure forever, Father.”

The King was stunned for a long time before laughing heartily. He patted Cornel’s shoulder vigorously as if in admiration, continuing for quite a while before stopping.

”No, there’s no need for that, child. Doing this, your throne will face controversy; people will attack you, spit on you, perhaps you’ll become the next Mad King.”

”Are you begging for mercy? Hoping I let you live?” Cornel asked.

The King shook his head with a smile, and then his sickly face revealed anger.

”No, I just want to say, you don’t need to become a sacrifice.”

The King slowly sat up from the sunken sickbed, his withered, emaciated arms bursting with an incredible strength. He looked like a dying man, yet the flame of life tenaciously burned within, as he slowly climbed out of bed, stood up after a long absence, somewhat shaky, but finally stable.

”My father, your grandfather, paved the way for me, now let me pave the way for you, Cornel Garrell.”

The King donned the dust-covered robe, placing the honorable crown on his head.

The illusions in his eyes seemed to finally clear away, the King saw clearly the figure at the door, the one-armed Corey smiling at him.

”Let me live a little longer, child.”

Everything seemed to revert to a long time ago, recalling the night before that blood banquet. He turned towards Cornel and said.

”Now, I am going to do something important.”