Chapter 385: Chapter 252: Adding Insult to Injury

The news of the death of Moncalleta’s King, the just Ola the Eighteenth, could not be suppressed. At this moment, the city is rife with rumors. Such a strange phenomenon occurs in this era, compounded with the King’s death and aided by those with intentions to stir the pot; one cannot imagine the power it could unleash.

Overnight, Hokele matured greatly. His years of experience enabled him to remain calm in such a sudden and crisis-ridden situation, quickly stabilizing Hedan’s situation with the help of Queen Kelly, the Royalists, and the Celestial Principle School. He then announced the obituary of King Ola the Eighteenth. Rumors cease before the wise, but wise ones are few. Instead of allowing enemies to ferment them, it is better to unveil them oneself. This is where Hokele differs from previous successors; nurtured under the Celestial Principle School, he is unafraid of tradition. The King sacrificed himself to protect the Kingdom; he was unquestionably a brave and just King.

In extraordinary times, Hokele was not soft; he swiftly deployed the army into the city, taking control of vital departments.

Hokele began arranging follow-up matters, and his cooperation with the Celestial Principle School was very harmonious. The arch-masters calmed down and began their counterattack; they were also adept in public opinion. In the days that followed, the Moncalleta people grieved. Though some attempted to cause trouble, most were promptly dealt with, and most people remained calm. This King did a lot during his reign. Though perhaps not perfect, the lives of the Moncalleta population improved greatly; he was a good King.

Relying on the old King’s prestige, Hokele maintained the Kingdom’s normal operation with the assistance of the Celestial Principle School. With the stabilization of the Golden Tree, celestial and urban anomalies dissipated. Although doubts lingered, people’s hearts had begun to stabilize.

Yet the rumors did not decrease but grew more rampant. Hokele did not ignore this situation. Raised under the influence of the Celestial Principle School, he understood these strategies well. Through constant announcements by the new King and the Hex Bird Report’s countering of rumors, he of course concealed complex situations, informing the subjects that Your Majesty sacrificed himself to save the nation’s lifeblood. In times of crisis, he, as the King, did not retreat, proving to be a true Moncalleta hero who defended the Kingdom’s lifeblood, simultaneously issuing a continental wanted notice for the Song of Hell.

Years later, the Song of Hell by the Seven Stars Travel Group once again shocked the Dao Yuan Continent; this wasn’t the first time and wouldn’t be the last.

The game between the sides was intense, yet the Royal City did not suffer massive destruction or riots. Though emotions ran high, people chose to believe, and Hokele constantly worried about the Earth Mother Goddess Court, which made no special moves at this time.

If the Church Court intervened now, forcing people to choose one over the other, it would be detrimental to him. But such action would face the backlash of the Sixth Epoch’s laws, which the Court also feared. The unwilling Churches of the past had all fallen due to the laws’ backlash, regardless of their former strength.

Destiny and laws cannot be defied.

Second Prince Achilles was responsible for the Royal City’s security. This prodigal Prince put aside his frivolity and moved among the nobility. Unlike the serious Hokele, he spoke to each according to their character, furthered by his past achievements, he was able to divide and win over some people, thus releasing royal goodwill from another level, doing his utmost to assist Hokele. Even a royal family, if isolated, would find itself helpless.

After all, more people are optimistic about Prince Oliver; the Prince likely has great potential to ascend again.

Queen Kelly forced herself to help Hokele complete the handover with the Cabinet, then fell ill, cared for by Estella at her side. A sad atmosphere enveloped the royal family, but it finally stabilized.

However, regarding the arrangement of Ola the Eighteenth’s funeral ceremony with the Church Court, Hokele was outraged; the Court rejected the Pope’s attendance, only dispatching the Red-robed Archbishop. Given the damage to the Golden Tree, the King’s negligence, and requiring further discussion on specifications, they hinted that the Pope’s attendance might be considered at the new King’s coronation ceremony, though currently uncertain.

The Church Court undoubtedly intended to belittle his father, and at the same time slight him as the soon-to-be King, but he had learned from his father to endure, especially in the current situation, where some nobles are already conspiring to propose making Prince Oliver the Regent.

This was expected, and it was also something he must confront and handle; he wouldn’t give his uncle a chance. Once things stabilize, he would definitely settle scores.

Yet as one wave calms, another rises; problems again emerged in the Golden Tree world.

Upon receiving notice, Achilles and Estella visited the Golden Tree World, and upon seeing the decline before them, were stunned. Hokele’s eyes still showed a hint of defeat, losing his composure under pressure: “Is the Moncalleta really doomed?”

The luster of the Golden Tree was fading, and its leaves gradually wither. Although not as exaggerated as last time, it was visibly aging.

Many rumors swirled in Hokele’s mind, which he had never believed before, for the Golden Tree still stood. He was the child of destiny; he inherited everything from his father, able to lead the Kingdom to glory. But the decline of the Golden Tree made cracks appear in the fortress of confidence he had always consolidated.

“Am I unworthy of being this King?” Hokele muttered.

Hokele could face external challenges but could not accept that his father sacrificed his life and still could not save the Golden Tree. Without the Golden Tree, the royal family would lose its status.

Hokele’s hidden power was weak, nor had he officially become King. His perception was not yet clear. Achilles, possessing very strong hidden power, gazed at the Golden Tree, frowning a bit. “Big brother, it’s not what you think. The injury to the Golden Tree has actually healed. I think it might have suffered great losses. Originally needing to absorb Wish Power in its fragile state, not absorbing enough before suffering severe injury led to vitality dwindling.”

Upon hearing, Hokele looked at Achilles, yet his mood did not improve, but his gaze became urgent. “Second brother, speak quickly, whatever it takes. This is what our father saved with his life; we cannot let the Golden Tree fall!”

Estella gazed quietly at this Golden Tree that devoured her father’s life, without reverence. Once, she thought it beautiful and mysterious like a deity, but now she merely watched silently; this tree was but a demon.

“Second brother, do I need to sacrifice myself?” Estella asked softly, seeing the avoidance in her elder brother’s eyes.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep