I was a lord farming, how did I become an emperor?

Chapter 371 The King's Choice

……

……

evening.

The palace of the Redwood Kingdom.

The Redwood King sat in his study with a frown on his face.

His face looked somewhat pale in the lamplight.

The Redwood King's gaze was fixed on the two reports on the table.

One of them came from the Western Conference.

A terrible plague has spread throughout the Alliance, and people in many cities in the west have turned into cannibalistic monsters.

Moreover, those mutated monsters are attacking the surrounding kingdoms.

We now need to gather all our troops to defend against those crazed monsters.

The other report concerns the army on the border of the Flame Dragon Empire.

The Yanlong Empire's army is behaving strangely, converging entirely on the border, clearly intending to take advantage of the chaos in the west to attack the Western Alliance.

The new emperor, Rhodes, whom the Redwood King knew, was able to control powerful dragons and command an exceptionally strong army.

Those troops were like madmen on the battlefield, exceptionally brave.

To date, no army has been able to defeat them.

King Redwood originally wanted to unite with other kings and dukes to discuss how to deal with Rhodes, but now this has suddenly happened.

What upset the Redwood King even more was that

The intelligence coming back from the west records that the source of the plague that turns people into monsters is likely related to the holy water of the Church of Healing and Immortality.

The Redwood King had once drunk the life essence given to him by Romissa.

The Redwood King had no idea what the connection was between the two.

but.

The Redwood King turned his gaze away from the report and quietly rolled up his sleeves.

The rotting flesh on his forearm was already the size of an egg.

There are also black lines around it, spreading outwards like a spider web.

"I told you long ago, we shouldn't have trusted those evil wizards who control the undead!"

The Redwood King couldn't help but curse inwardly.

We shouldn't have gotten involved with them! They're complete liars!

All those old legends were true!

The Redwood King took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and leaned back in his chair.

He now feels that death is right in front of him.

The Redwood King could face death with equanimity.

But after death, they might turn into those crazy monsters.

This is an insult to my royal status, and it must never happen!
Absolutely not allowed.

The Redwood King clenched his fist.

"Dong dong dong."

Just as the Redwood King was pondering, there was a knock on the door.

The Redwood King composed himself and said, "Come in."

"His Majesty."

The captain of the guards entered, bowed respectfully, and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, I have found the wizard you requested."

"He possesses magical powers that may be able to help you."

The Redwood King calmly observed his captain of the guards. "Are you sure, Lillard?"

"Don't be like those two before, just a fraud." The Redwood King's voice was a little hoarse.

“He showed me magic, Your Majesty.”

"I saw him heal the wounds on the wild dogs with my own eyes," said Lillard, the captain of the guards, earnestly.

"But the wizard said that if you want him to help, you will need to pay him a thousand gold coins, no matter what the outcome."

“If it works, he’ll want five more extraordinary gems,” Lillard said hesitantly.

"Gold coins are not a problem."

The Redwood King replied without hesitation, "If he succeeds, I will give him ten thousand gold coins and five extraordinary gems."

The captain of the guards nodded, glanced cautiously at the Redwood King, and asked in a low voice,

"Your Majesty, what exactly happened to you..."

"Don't ask these questions yet."

The Redwood King gestured to interrupt the captain of the guards, "I'll tell you later, Lillard."

"By the way, has the investigation into the wizard's identity been completed?" King Redwood asked.

King Redwood suddenly realized that this wizard might be a spy sent by the Flame Dragon Empire, or a member of the Church of the Dead.

"This... cannot be investigated clearly in a short time, Your Majesty."

Lillard looked troubled and said cautiously, "Please give me some more time, I will investigate thoroughly."

That being said, Lillard knew in his heart that it would be almost impossible to find out the true identity of such mysterious beings as wizards.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought those two swindlers to the king's side.

The Redwood King seems to have thought of these things as well.

After hesitating for a moment, the king shook his head slightly.

"Never mind, it doesn't matter where he's from."

The Redwood King instinctively pressed down on the rotting forearm.
"Bring him here tonight."

The Redwood King looked at the commander of the guards, "Remember, don't let anyone find out that he is a wizard. This must be kept secret."

Lillard nodded solemnly, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

Although surprised by His Majesty's urgency, Lillard said nothing, bowed respectfully, and withdrew.

After the commander of the guards left, the Red-Clad King looked at his arm again.

The black lines spread out a bit more.

Hopefully, that wizard can really help.

Otherwise, he couldn't imagine what he would become.

……

……

late at night.

The palace of the Redwood Kingdom is under curfew, and no one is allowed to move around freely.

At that moment, a figure wearing a black cloak strode quickly through the palace.

In front of him stood Lillard, the commander of the Redwood King's guards.

Lillard evaded the patrols and bypassed some guards.

Only a few personal guards who were not under his command remained, but with His Majesty's order, the guards naturally dared not obstruct him and could only let them pass.

Lillard then knocked on the door of the King's bedroom.

"Your Majesty, the person has been brought."

"come in."

The voice of the Redwood King rang out.

Lillard pushed open the door and led the man in the black cloak inside.

The man bowed slightly, removed his hood, and revealed an ordinary face to the Redwood King.

The wizard didn't introduce himself, but instead fixed his gaze on the Red King's face.

"Your Majesty the King."

The wizard's voice was low and somber. "It seems you're not in very good condition."

The Redwood King's pupils contracted as he stared at the figure.

The palace fell silent.

"Felson, watch your attitude toward His Majesty the King!"

The captain of the guards sternly rebuked him, then whispered a reminder: "You can be arrogant with me, but you can't be like that in front of His Majesty the King!"

Surprisingly, however, the Redwood King was not angry.

"Can you solve my problem?" the king asked hesitantly.

"I need to see the specific circumstances."

The wizard known as Felson said expressionlessly.

"it is good."

The Redwood King nodded without hesitation, "Lillard, you may step down now."

"Your Majesty." The commander of the guards looked flustered.

"It's alright, you can step back now."

King Redwood waved his hand, "I believe this wizard is not that foolish."

The commander of the guards was still somewhat worried.

After all, Emperor Agnar of the Shattered Rock Empire was killed by a necromancer.

"Please rest assured, Commander."

Wizard Felson said calmly, "I would not do something as foolish as assassinating His Majesty the King."

He paused, then continued, "Because His Majesty the King is in such a condition that he doesn't need anyone to assassinate him, and he won't live much longer anyway."

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

The commander of the guards' eyes flashed with anger, and he immediately gripped the hilt of the longsword at his waist.

"stop."

The Redwood King hissed sharply in a low voice, "Get out, that's an order."

The captain of the guards glanced at Felson. "Yes, Your Majesty."

Although reluctant, the captain of the guards had no choice but to bow and leave, closing the door behind him.

But he didn't leave; instead, he stood outside the door and waited quietly.

He would rush in immediately if there was even the slightest mishap.

In the bedroom.

After the captain of the guards left, Felson took the initiative to step forward.

"Your Majesty, please show me the location of your symptoms."

The Redwood King immediately rolled up his sleeves and showed them to Felson.

"It's just his arm; it looks fine."

Felson asked, "How long has it been?"

“It has been thirteen days since I discovered it,” King Redwood replied.

"Fortunately, it shouldn't have spread to the heart or head." Felson examined the rotting flesh. "There might still be hope."

Do you believe me?

Felson looked at the Redwood King and asked.

Just like you said.

The Redwood King sighed softly, "Even if I don't believe you, I probably won't live much longer."

Felson nodded slightly, without offering any further assurances.

"Do you have any bandages?" Felson asked.

"Have."

The Redwood King himself got up, took out bandages from the cabinet, and placed them aside.

Felson wasted no time, placing a small bottle of medicine and a packet of powder aside.

"Your Majesty, this may hurt a little."

Felson uncorked the bottle, stepped forward, and looked at the Redwood King. "Please bear with it."

"it is good."

The Redwood King himself was also a top-tier knight.

He was completely indifferent to ordinary pain.

However, he underestimated the extent of the pain.

When the medicine was applied to the wound, puffs of white smoke rose from my arm.

A piercing pain that went deep into the bone marrow instantly spread throughout my body.

The Redwood King's teeth were clenched so tightly they were grinding together, cold sweat rolled down his forehead, and his body began to tremble.

The rotting flesh was rapidly dissolved in the liquid until the bright red flesh underneath was exposed.

Felson quickly opened another medicine packet, sprinkled the powder inside onto the wound, and bandaged it up.

"This time."

King Redwood, panting heavily, looked at Felson. "You wouldn't just treat the surface wounds like other wizards, would you?"

"Will it rot in a couple of days?"

Although the symptoms have subsided, the Redwood King remains very worried.

"I apologize, Your Majesty."

Felson said seriously, "You guessed right, I did only temporarily remove the necromantic energy from it."

Necromantic energy?

The Redwood King was somewhat puzzled and pressed further, "Is it the same as the plague in the west?"

"Perhaps the same, but I don't know for sure." Felson shook his head slightly.

"This cleansing effect should last for three to five days."

Felson looked at him. "The necromantic energy has now penetrated deep into your body."

"If you were to undergo a complete purification in one go, you would be in excruciating pain."

"I need more time to treat you,"

Felson paused, then added, "We might even need to look for other solutions."

“I believe you, Wizard Felson.”

The Redwood King clenched his fist. "Whatever materials you need, I can provide them."

“If you really cure me, I will make you the chief physician of the Redwood Kingdom.”

"I only hope that you will get better."

Felson added with a laugh, "And there's the agreed-upon compensation, which needs to be paid after each treatment."

At this moment, Felson resembled a greedy businessman.

But this made the Redwood King feel more at ease.

"no problem."

The Redwood King nodded. "I'll have someone send it to you right away."

……

……

Seven days later, at noon.

The Redwood King sat at the long table in his study, staring intently at his wounds.

Wizard Felson is indeed capable.

He came twice in those seven days, and the wound stopped festering and began to scab over.

Moreover, after each treatment, the Redwood King felt full of energy.

The Redwood King harbored some anticipation.

I have a feeling that this wizard might actually be able to heal me and completely expel the so-called necromantic energy from my body.

"Today is the eighth day."

The Redwood King muttered to himself, "I wonder what the outcome was for him."

Just as he was thinking, the captain of the guards rushed in.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?!"

The guard captain's voice was filled with anxiety, "The wizard Felson has disappeared!"

The Redwood King's brows furrowed instantly. "What's going on?!"

Didn't I tell you to keep a close eye on him?

The Redwood King suddenly stood up, "What on earth happened?!"

“Our people fell asleep in the early morning.”

The captain of the guards hurriedly explained, "They've never made a mistake, but they still haven't come to their senses!"

"But, she might have been drugged by that wizard!"

“I have already sent people to search for him, but he left this letter for you.”

The captain of the guards respectfully presented the envelope.

What are you waiting for?

The Redwood King said coldly, "Open it!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The captain of the guards respectfully tore open the envelope, quickly unfolded the letter inside, and presented it to King Redwood.

"Your Majesty the King."

"I'm so sorry, I can't fully heal your injury at the moment."

“I need to find my teacher and seek help, which may take a long time.”

"I'm really sorry if you don't make it to that point."

"Of course, if you still trust me, you can find me in the remote forest town on the northeastern border."

"If you need it."

After reading the letter, King Redwood fell silent.

He casually handed the letter to the captain of the guards.

The captain of the guards took the letter with both hands and quickly glanced at it.

"This...this is a trap, Your Majesty!"

The guard commander said worriedly, "This small town in the wilderness is not within our jurisdiction!"

"Your Majesty, this Felson is a spy from the Flame Dragon Empire!"

The Redwood King didn't speak. He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the sunlight outside.

King Redwood knew that such a distant place, away from the capital, could be dangerous.

Just as the captain of the guards said, this is very likely a trap.

As the ruler of the empire, one's life does not belong solely to oneself.

If the other side captures him, it could very well threaten the entire empire.

But if I don't go, I might die and turn into a monster.

The Redwood King took a deep breath and unconsciously stroked his forearm.

"You can go now, Lillard. Let me think about it myself."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The captain of the guards bowed respectfully and quietly left the study.

But before the Redwood King could think, there was another knock on the door.

"what happened?"

The Redwood King frowned. "Come in."

"I apologize for disturbing you, Your Majesty. An urgent intelligence report has arrived from the Golden Lion Kingdom in the north."

The guard captain stepped forward quickly and reported in a low voice, "King Golden Lion suddenly transformed into a man-eating monster and was killed by the Golden Lion Royal Guard."

"The fourth prince of the Golden Lion ascended the throne and became the new king."

The Redwood King was startled and clenched his fists involuntarily.

Because the Golden Lion King, like himself, had once drunk the life essence of Romissa.

"Wait, why is it the fourth prince who has ascended the throne?"

The Redwood King frowned and asked, "The Fourth Prince is only thirteen years old. What about Lance's eldest prince?"

Lance was referring to the Golden Lion King, who had transformed into a monster.

The captain of the guards cautiously reported, "The eldest prince, the second princess, and the third princess have all transformed into monsters..."

"Have someone prepare; I'm going to find Wizard Felson."

The Redwood King said without hesitation, "Let's set off tonight!"

The commander of the guards stood there, stunned, and suddenly seemed to understand something from his emperor's resolute decision.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The commander of the guards did not hesitate any longer and respectfully responded.

"Wait a moment."

Just as he turned to leave, the Redwood King suddenly called out to him.

The captain of the guards turned around and awaited orders.

"Prepare another dose of poison."

The Redwood King solemnly declared, "If it's a trap, I absolutely cannot become their prisoner."

"The throne will be inherited by Will, who is the healthiest."

The Will mentioned by the Redwood King is the second prince, who has not drunk the Essence of Life.

The captain of the guards' Adam's apple bobbed, and he immediately knelt on one knee.
"Please rest assured, I will arrange everything!"

The Redwood King closed his eyes and nodded. "Go and prepare."

(End of this chapter)