Chapter 189

Theophila's Theory of Transformation (2)

Divine power had the ability to affect emotions. It calmed human anxiety and sorrow, but unlike magic, it wasn't something that could be trained for or raised in level. It was a God-given innate quality.

Unlike magic, divine power couldn't instantly stop bleeding or conjure fire. However, it was possible for divine power users to prolong the breath of those dying a little longer. As they wiped the tearful cheeks of the sick, even death was delayed for a while.

Theophila was a great noble lady. She had been excommunicated from the Igraine family after consorting with the king, and it was officially announced that she had lost her divine power.

However, the truth was a little different. The faint traces of the divine power that turned her from a commoner to an Igraine remained with her until her final moments. After Theophila passed away, the only person left with divine power was the Archbishop, who had fallen deep asleep in the monastery. Of course, the authority of the Archbishop soon vanished completely.

Arthur couldn't understand it anymore. Why did the great priestess tolerate her tragedy? Arthur shivered alongside his mother every day. Juleika had sent them out on a carriage that wasn't even protected from the wind, and the road to Kision was very long.

On the coldest night, he eventually asked what she saw in Philippe. His mother smiled and melted away the cold as she hugged Arthur with warm arms.

"I saw history."

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'I can see why the day's events brought these things to mind.'

Arthur couldn't understand, then. How did history even have a human face? But now that he was a high-ranking knight, he felt like he was beginning to understand his mother.

That night at Tristen's manor, while wielding the sword of fire Kleio had imbued him with, he had come to realize that fact. History was said to have a beginning and an end, to achieve a future prepared for God's providence and purpose.

'The ambiguous prophecies my mother made... they're starting to look a little clearer now.'

Arthur didn't know how to live differently from the will of the God who made this world. Hope existed only very sparsely. Yet, he understood that it was natural for humanity to fill the gaps between the beginning and the end of the world created by God. To awaken Arthur, who was caught up in the visions, the 'face of history' had appeared, to admit providence to those who disbelieve and who know and understand only the temporal.

Even the fact that Kleio had the name of the God in charge of history now felt like a sign all in itself.

'In fact, the names of the Goddess's nine children are rarely given to people.'

It was a guide and a staff for the humans in the dark.

However, was their life really full of joy? His mother had never regretted her life, but Arthur thought it would be happy for people not to be God's staff.

Arthur quietly pledged that, someday, he would free Kleio from the fate of being God's agent. Wouldn't it be possible after all that God has arranged has been accomplished and the purpose of history has been achieved?

Or else...

Arthur's thoughts were interrupted by a lifeless voice.

"What's with you being at someone else's house this early?"

Kleio, wearing only a robe and pajamas, appeared on the balcony. Though the garden was large, Arthur had walked and walked until he suddenly came to a familiar place. The guest, who had no intent on waking up the householder, was confused.

"Uh...what do you see?"

With his keen ears, he could hear Kleio clicking his tongue on the second floor, even from the garden. His eyelids flickered several times, half-open, and his body leaned against the railing.

"Come on up."

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Arthur leaped up to the balcony. Kleio was glaring at him from an armchair in front of the fireplace.

"I'll pretend you came the normal way."

"Isn't it time to sleep yet?"

"I was, but then a trespasser came."

"Look, it's almost curfew. If I go back out, I'll get in trouble."

"Is my house a place of reprieve for someone who was playing out at night? Should I believe you climbed the fence because you lacked 20 dinars?"

He didn't climb up but jumped over. However, if he said that, Arthur thought he might genuinely get kicked out.

"For 20 dinars, that would be a few ales! Your house is better than a simple accommodation."

"True."

"Actually, I was held up by some drunkards. I was just released from the pub and almost ran into the patrols. Would it sound good if I were drunk and caught by curfew?'

"Hmm. If it's a pub that's still open long after alcohol sale hours, is it Swift Street? The reporters must be very interested in you."

"Ugh. How...?"

Kleio had a very keen perception, and not just because of his unique skill. Even while resting in his room, he seemed to know the work of the whole capital.

"Well, I did make some big waves."

Kleio turned on the gas lamp on the table, revealing a copy of the day's newspaper under it. Arthur's turquoise eyes went wide.

"You were sick and holed up here, so how did you hear about all these things? Was it Cel...? She said she'd be quiet for a while."

Kleio smiled at Arthur.

"Why? Good job."

"Don't make fun of it. I was worried that you would get worse, but I heard you felt better today. Though your complexion is still blue."

Kleio, as if conscious of Arthur's words, simply shrugged.

"What to say? When I woke up, I couldn't help but admire your actions."

Arthur sighed. Kleio had a tendency to ignore his own body's problems. Well, there wasn't much he could say about that now.

"I would say thank you for that. In the afternoon, I met Viscount Angellium at the Senate bar, and he was supported by people who didn't even have the right to vote, but he just clicked his tongue."

Kleio's neck creaked as he stretched it out.

'Although Angellium's estate gives Arthur the strength to solve the problem of inheritance, there is still work to be done, so the way of thinking is uneven.'

But in Kleio's eyes, Arthur's judgment was surprisingly correct, and it wasn't a judgment that had been made solely by the arrangement of God. Arthur was, by nature, an attention-grabbing human being. When he raised his voice, eyes naturally gathered on him. People wanted to share words with him and pour him drinks. His talent was to stand at the center of people naturally. It was the talent of Arthur, Kleio's friend, not the protagonist of b The Prince of the Albion Kingdom}.

"It will all be of use. It's a different era from when your father ascended."

"That's why it's legitimate, but it's unfamiliar to be treated like a prince. I suppose I have to endure it."

Arthur messed with his hair as he spoke. Kleio's eyes narrowed.

'Look at your clothes. They don't fit well because they're made ready-to-wear. But, well, it fits the concept.'

The actions that weren't in the previous manuscript seemed to have affected Arthur himself as well.

"Hey, the youngest prince must've known a little about the pursuit of power. Did it seem easy to gain governance and executive power?"

Arthur was weak as a royal, and he couldn't treat it as natural. That was both his disadvantage and his advantage.

"Well, you'll be considered royalty as long as you deserve a solar eclipse."

"That's the weirdest! If you think about it a little, it seems superficial. I'm supported as if I had done something bigger when I just supported the treatment and livelihood of thirty-four people."

Thanks to Arthur's speech becoming a huge topic, those caught in the collapse of the mansion were expected to receive treatment and compensation soon.

"Why isn't that a big deal? You set a precedent. Whatever it is, the first one is difficult, the second is easy, and the third becomes standard."

As a result, the future war would lead to a natural reform, and suffrage would inevitably expand. It wasn't easy to ask for other's lives without giving them the right to delegate.

'If the king is supported by those sharing power with the council in the new century....'

The confrontation Arthur would face with his brothers in the future was a civil war and a reform movement. As Arthur abolished the current system, he also institutionalized a new order with popular support. The world order was built on the ruins of a complete catastrophe. The revolutionary will to reorganize the foundations of the world demanded tremendous blood regardless of rightness.

'It may be that God is trying to pass the century with the king's neck still attached in order to establish a world with less suffering.'

Revolution always resulted in bloodshed.

'The two French Revolutions could tell you that....'

A government that could be said to be relatively democratic is a law that could only be established after the tedious process of revolution and restoration.

'Yes, even in the last manuscript...in a sense, Arthur changed the world in a completely different way.'

Arthur stared at Kleio, looking seemingly lost in thought. At that moment, his eyes didn't see him, and their gazes that crossed didn't connect. He had a strange foresight as if penetrating through the past and future.

"I think you're right. You came because you wanted to have this confidence." But, if you climb the terrace, Mrs. Canton won't be happy. Haah."

Kleio yawned as he hugged Behemoth. The cat, who was mumbling, had fallen asleep on his lap. At times like this, he was an extremely ordinary-looking friend.

"When you look through everything, I have nothing more to say. Cheh."

"I guess what you said was good to hear. Let's think. A hundred years ago, every country on the continent had a royal family. But now, how many are left? How many will be maintained over the next hundred years? Having the people's support will never be in vain."

"...Yes, Lei. I thought you would understand. I'm bad at history but good at counting numbers."

"Hey, I hope it's fast."

"Yes."

Kleio felt complicated. It was easy to set up a new system amid enthusiasm and cheer. However, maintaining it was another problem.

Arthur was a mighty weapon himself, and his progress wouldn't be easily overpowered. This kid also had memories of the future. However, in a non-destructive way that set him apart from Melchior, he read the direction of the world earlier than others. People three steps ahead of the era were burned, but those half a step ahead were considered outstanding.

'And the rest of the country's candidates for king are those who want to step back ten steps and aren't interested in human history."

"I think you're praising me, but it sounds like a curse."

"That's your illusion."

Suddenly, Arthur's stomach loudly rumbled.

"Uhhh... let's eat first. Did you pick up anything at the pub or drink alcohol?"

"No, that..."