Elden: Ring of Calamity

Chapter 465: The Measures of the King

When he went on the Western Expedition, he led an army of one million and over a thousand personal guards. Even the chariot he rode was a mountain-like imperial chariot lifted up by thirty-two giants of the next generation. But when he returned, he had only one carriage. On the empty snowfield within a hundred miles, there was no sound except that of the coachman who was traveling with him.

During this ups and downs, Kalelius himself did not show any displeasure, but Amodia, who was driving, could not help but feel resentful.

"A bunch of rebellious, short-sighted and greedy parasites who have no respect for the emperor!" The Ninth Ancestor cursed loudly while drinking the cold wind.

The injuries he suffered from the last attack by Lucia and the first star beast incarnation have not yet fully healed, and not long ago he heard the news of his brother's death in the rear. Even with the body of Amodia's ancestor giant, he almost fell ill.

During the retreat, it was thought that His Majesty would regroup the troops and wait for Ophelia to intercept Lucia's southern expeditionary army, and then seize the opportunity to counterattack. However, as soon as the army crossed the middle section of the Elunga River, many middle-level generals who were born as nobles of the Holy Land began to flee. Within a few days, more than half of the remaining troops fled, and even the southern regiment that was protected by Vigia on the flank was affected.

More and more rumors spread in the army like growing mold. At first, some people said that Marshal Rexxar was completely defeated on the northern front, and the Thor Storm Army was chasing south with the Samir people. There was also a rumor that the Ice Dragon Borelius had raided the holy land from the east, and Starfall Peak was in danger. Later, the rumors became more and more outrageous, saying that the Central War Group had collapsed months ago, and His Majesty forced them to go to the front line to die even though he knew the chance of victory was lost.

What Amodia could not tolerate the most was the rumors about the remains of the evil god. A bunch of idiots said that His Majesty had known about the remains of the evil god at the bottom of the tunnel of Hierro Yannis, and knew that Lucia had transformed it into a biological weapon and deliberately used it to consume the vitality of the Holy Land!

If Your Majesty really thinks so, why bother to risk your life to stop the evil god? Why not let him kill all of you stupid guys!
Until three days ago, His Majesty suddenly ordered the disbandment of all troops and ordered his personal guards to lead them back to the garrison. He also refused Vikia's escort and asked her to drive him back to Starfall Peak alone.

"Ahem" a weak voice came from the carriage, "Water"

The voice was no longer as gentle and majestic as before. The chaotic airflow blew over the alveoli covered with blood scabs, making a dry and hoarse muffled sound, like a shabby bellows whimpering under the huge force.

Amodia's eyes turned red. She pulled the reins to slow down the horse, got off the carriage, scooped up ice and snow in a leather bag she carried with her, melted it into water with fire, lifted the curtain and passed it in.

A pale hand took the water bag, and Calelius tilted his head back and drank madly.

Water splashed all over his chest and sleeves. His once majestic body had shrunk by nearly one-third, and even the outline of his ribs was clearly visible. The chest and forearms that were not covered by clothes were covered with deep scratches that could see blood. A quick glance told what kind of torture the owner of the body had suffered.

"Huh——" Kalelius' arms dropped down, and the empty water bag was thrown aside, his brows still full of pain.

Even the ice water from melted frost and snow could not extinguish the black and red flames lingering in his chest. He could not tell whether the feeling was burning hot or icy cold. The feelings of the two when approaching their extremes were so similar. But he understood clearly that the pain that almost tortured him crazy was called death.

Esti's dying divine explosion not only severely damaged his body, but also indirectly triggered the destined death that had just been suppressed. The vitality accumulated in his body was no longer sufficient to eliminate this force of death in the battle, so he had to return to the holy land, back to the place where he rose to become a king. Only there would he have a chance to recover.

Although he understood that what was waiting for him in the holy land at this moment would be a tight net laid by the Elders' Council.

"Your Majesty." Amodia, who always showed a rough attitude, couldn't help sobbing softly at this moment, "I don't understand why you want to dismiss the guards and let Marshal Vigia return to the southern defense line?"

"The North is too dangerous now, Ati." After a long time, Kalelius said softly.

"Although the area south of Snowfall Valley is still under our control in name, no one knows where those elusive Samir Ice Knights have gone. Without my personal guards leading them, nine out of ten defeated soldiers would die in this endless snowstorm, even if they don't die in the enemy's pursuit."

"As for Vikia, he is the marshal of the Southern Regiment, not my captain of the guard. It is his responsibility to guard the southern defense line."

"I'm afraid that countless dragon warriors are circling the North to search for flaws in the Jedi Seal. Radagon is not a trustworthy ally. It's okay for Thor to reach the frozen lake. Neither the Royal Court nor the Council of Elders will neglect the defense of the north line. The fear is that if something unexpected happens on the south line, no one will be able to react in time. As the King of Giants, I must foresee and prevent all this."

"But you! Don't you know that if you go back, they will deprive you of your military power and put you under house arrest, and even take away your power?"

Karelios was silent for even longer.

"Maybe your ideas are too extreme, Artie."

His voice was as erratic as the wind, as if he was speaking to his loyal subordinates in front of him, but also as if he was speaking only to himself.

"Among the nobles of the Holy Land, there are not only insects like the Council of Elders, but also loyal and enthusiastic people like you and Vikia. The reason for my defeat in this battle is that I lost to Lucia, but I will not be defeated by the same opponent a second time."

"I hope that those soldiers who suffered defeat because of me can give me a second chance. I am also willing to endure some insignificant criticism and disrespect from those despised and rebellious people for this."

"As long as everyone can tolerate each other, this newly established, young and fragile dynasty can continue to grow. Once we have eliminated all dangerous enemies, we can sit down and resolve conflicts among our clansmen one by one. This is the most basic quality of a king. I think, even if there are many mediocre people in the Holy Land, there must be a few knowledgeable people who understand these principles, right?"

Yamodia lowered her head for a long while, then suddenly asked, "What if they don't understand until they die?"

This time, Karelius did not answer.

The howling wind and snow soon covered up the traces left by the carriage. The king and ancestor of the giant clan staggered forward like two patients supporting each other until the long night gradually turned white. The mountains that were shading each other on the side of the road retreated, and the towering Starfall Peak that broke through the clouds appeared at the end of the field of vision. Large areas of dark ruins mixed with firelight spread along the foot of the mountain.

The cemetery in the mouths of humans and the holy land in the mouths of giants are all the three thousand miles wide plain ruins in front of us.

Three months later, the Giant King Karelias returned to his hometown, but it seemed like a lifetime ago.

(End of this chapter)