Chapter 123 - Aftermath
Inside the Great Hall, Elizabeth sat on her seat. The people present were Leon, the general marquis, the Duke and his wife.
Leon was the only person that wasn't directing a questioning gaze at his mother. Seeing his mother's silence, he decided to speak.
"Mother, the secret is already out in the open. It's time we them an answer." Leon said.
"And what kind of answer do you want mother to give them?" Elizabeth said slowly.
"The truth and a direction. We should teach them how to cultivate so they can fend for themselves."
Leon recalled the strength of the demonic cultivator and continued, "The kingdom had long grown complacent and its growth had become stagnant all these years. The Crawford Kingdom is not the same as it was in its heyday. Our kingdom has become weak."
A frown appeared on Elizabeth's face as she contemplated her son's words. His words suggest breaking the rules the Crawford ancestors had set. Rules are dead, but the people are alive.
"Hold on a second. What you are saying is the Royal family knew about those things below all this time?" The Duke interjected, before asking, "And what did you mean the kingdom has become weak?"
"The Crawford Kingdom has always been the guardian that safeguard humanity. How can we be weak?" The general marquis added with a displeased tone.
Obviously, Leon's words did not sit well with him. He had just entered the star rank in cultivation and considered himself one of the powerhouses of the Crawford Kingdom. To say the kingdom was weak was equivalent to saying he was weak.
Leon looked at the general marquis calmly and asked, "When was the last time you visited the other kingdoms, or anyone for that matter?"
"..."
The group was silenced when this question was raised. None of them had ever visited the neighboring kingdoms.
What is there to see in the other kingdom when the resource of the Human Domain was concentrated in their kingdom? Or at least that should have been the case…
"The Four Great Family were just pawns. When I was eradicating the rebels, I fought and drove away their mastermind, sir Zagan." Leon said before continuing,
"If I recall correctly, the Valaran Kingdom had a count-level noble by the name of Zagan. Just a count-level noble, but his strength was at the five stars of the Awakener Realm. If count-level nobles are already this strong, what does that say for the higher-ranking nobles?"
"Now you are just talking nonsense, kid. I don't believe you have the strength to drive away a five-star Awakener Realm expert." Hendrick refuted rudely. His words carried the spirit of a battle-hardened soldier.
Not long after he said these words though, did he suddenly finds himself drenched in cold sweat under the Queen's cold gaze.
"Apologies, your highness. I have misspoken. However, I still stand by my opinion." Hendrick apologizes courtly, but he was firm in his stance. He was unconvinced of Leon's feat. How old was he?
"Naturally, I have yet to reach the five-star Awakener Realm. I relied on tricks and a sneak attack to deal a fatal blow. It's a pity that he did not die even after having his heart destroyed." Leon explained with some regrets.
"That's obviously impossible. No one can survive having their hearts destroyed." Hendrick said confidently. Leon's words only served to strengthen his opinion further.
His good impression of the prince was dropping. He was an honorable soldier and means of tricks and sneak attacks were dishonorable by his standards, not to mention he felt like the prince was bragging.
"Normally, yes, but it is different for demonic cultivators that cultivate the blood arts. Blood arts allow the demonic cultivator to have extraordinarily vitality due to the blood vitality they absorb from other humans." Leon said, seemingly uncaring of the general marquis's impression of him.
"If that's true, it's good that Count Zagan survived. It would have been an international dispute if he died. While we don't know how powerful the other kingdoms have grown, it's not wise to erupt in open hostility with them until we fully understand their strengths." Elizabeth said calmly after being surprised. Unlike the general marquis, she believes in the words of her son, albeit with doubt.
The other three showed mild puzzlement. Evidently, the term 'demonic cultivator' and 'blood arts' were unfamiliar to them.
Leon knew that his mother had always been doubtful of the origin of his abilities and knowledge, but she had never once, asked him. If he wanted to reform the kingdom and spread the knowledge of cultivation to strengthen the people, he would have to at least answer his mother's doubts.
"I wish to speak with my mother alone." Leon said courtly.
Elizabeth saw through her son's intention and nodded.
"Leave us." She waved her hand.
The three people were forced to leave with their doubts unanswered. It was apparent that the prince's secret was only meant for her majesty's ears only. They left the Great Hall sullenly.
Elizabeth shot a lazy glance above and said coolly, "That includes all of you."
There were some movements among the shadows above, before it became still again, and silence filled the Great Hall.
"Mother, I know you always wanted to ask about the origins of my knowledge and abilities. It might sound unbelievable, but I learnt them in my dreams." Leon said.
He began to explain how he lived through the life of another person in his dreams and inherited the knowledge and techniques from there.
He did not explain the whole truth to his mother. At most, it can be considered half-truth, a white lie.
Until this day, he had yet to comprehend the truth of his reincarnation. Because he possesses the memories of both lives, he wasn't sure whether his soul reincarnated into the body of Leon after the original host died or he was reborn in the fetus with his memories sealed, only to awaken after the near-death experience.
It had been mere speculation on his part to make sense of his situation, however if it was the former... He dared not let his mother know the full truth. He feared losing his mother's love.
The two process may sound the same, but the difference was worlds apart. One meant he was the son of Elizabeth, while the other implied he was a foreigner that took over her son's body.
Elizabeth was more accepting of Leon's reason than he expected after his explanation. Elizabeth only knew that he was her flesh and blood. That reason was enough. The blood does not lie. His hidden worries were immediately swept away after her motherly hug.
Shortly after, Elizabeth called the others back to continue their discussion. Matters relating to other kingdoms can only be shoved back to a later date.
Currently, the problem outside the palace required immediate attention. The commoners demanded answers, but issues regarding homes and food also had to be settled.
The farmlands outside had been ravaged by the crawlers and now the Capital was suffering from an unprecedented food crisis. If the problem isn't swiftly dealt with, many will die of hunger.
Elizabeth was a virtuous wife who was devoted to a fault. She had never managed the kingdom's affair because although she was the queen, she was not of the Crawford royal bloodline. The decision maker of the kingdom affairs had always been the king.
She felt that she would be usurping the King's authority if she took matters into her own hands. This was the reason why Elizabeth only defended her husband's throne and took no other action.
However, to the people, her passiveness was taken as inactivity and abandonment. Leon felt his mother was really silly on this point.
Whether she was of royal bloodline or not, she was still royalty when she married into the Crawford royal family. The queen holds the second most authority after king.
Only scheming officials and ministers with ulterior motives would jump out to object her authority in such a situation, but who would dare to do such a foolish thing? That is simply asking for death.
"Mother, you can't remain silent on this matter forever. The kingdom needs you to manage it right now. Wouldn't father blame you when he wakes up if he sees the kingdom in shambles?"
Elizabeth was moved into action under his urge and persuasion. However, she was no longer the kind queen she once was. Thus, her reaction was bound to be different.
"Hahhh? Would he dare blame me after I've been defending his throne while he lies comfortably in bed?! Hmph! But you are right son, we can't let him see the Capital in such a state. Heck, if the herb arrives, don't treat your father! He has been sleeping for 17 years. It doesn't matter if he sleeps a bit longer. We must make the Capital look nice before he can wake up." Elizabeth said with a strong tone.
"Uh… right."
Leon wondered how long it would take for the reconstruction of the Lower District and farmlands. Weeks? Months? Not too long. But for the crops to be grown and ready for harvest, at least half a year. However, the Greene's miraculous wood ability could be used to speed up the process.
Elizabeth soon delegated separate tasks for the Lancaster duo and the general marquis to carry out. They were required to collect enough supplies from the western frontier and surrounding cities to support the Capital's population for the next few months.
It would ease the burden on the Capital's food reserves considerably. But the cost would also deplete a fair amount of the royal family's wealth.
Fortunate, Leon was now loaded after taking all the Four Great Family's wealth. He had already sent the gang members out to the hilltop woods to retrieve the goods. There were no scruples in spending this wealth for the commoners, as the wealth originally belong to them.
Rather than the commoners being exploited of their wealth, it was like they had been saving up for years with the Four Great Family as the banker. Leon chuckled when he thought like this. But when he remembered that they also suffered miserably and many lives were lost due to the Four Great Family machination, he immediately stopped.
After finishing the arrangements to settle the commons, Elizabeth headed out to face her people.