Reincarnation Paradise Park

Chapter 1203: Chapter 18: The Beginning

The Old King arrived, and the banquet hall immediately fell silent.

”Father.”

”Father.”

All three princes and one princess stepped forward; they were the Big Prince, Third Prince, Seventh Prince, and Second Princess.

Aside from the Sixth Princess, the four most promising contenders were present in the Royal Capital. The Sixth Princess did not hurry over, not because of the distance, but due to some issues in her territory. She would arrive by tomorrow at the earliest, but possibly the day after.

The Old King looked at the four children in front of him, and the officials surrounding him were silent as well.

After several seconds, the Old King waved his hand, signaling the four princes and princess to go down.

Su Xiao was observing the four princes and princesses. The Big Prince had nothing distinct about him, but the little moustache on his chin was a noticeable mark. The only impression he gave was gentle and courteous, as he sat among a crowd of officials like a gathering of stars around the moon.

The Third Prince was dressed in light armor, with a slightly grim expression. He was of similar age to the Big Prince, yet he gave an impression of iron will, unyielding.

The Seventh Prince was a handsome gentleman, distinctly different from the previous two princes. At only 28 years old, he was flirting in the banquet hall—but only with his own sister. Besides the officials, only wealthy merchants were present, all older men, with only two young ladies, the two princesses.

The Second Princess sat at the table’s edge. Despite her age not being small, she was exceptionally beautiful, with several officials around her trying to flatter her, hoping to leave a good impression. As for taking sides, it was not yet possible.

Today, the Old King was not the main focus of this banquet; it was these four who were.

The Old King signaled his servants and guards to step down. In this setting, the officials in the banquet hall were not required to salute the Old King.

Holding a glass of wine, the Old King walked slowly through the banquet hall, like an Old Lion surveying his territory.

”Your Majesty.”

”Your Majesty, please slow down.”

”Your Majesty...”

Wherever the Old King went, the atmosphere became lively—the Old King’s attitude towards the officials was neither overly familiar nor distant.

The Old King soon arrived near the seating of Su Xiao and the others, and, seeing the Old King walking over slowly, the Kingdom’s Army Commander Hershel shrank his neck—a fearless man except when facing the Old King.

”Your Majesty the King.”

Governor Joe Valentine quickly stood up, hurriedly ran to the Old King’s side to support him, perfectly portraying the image of a bootlicker.

Su Xiao remained seated, unmoving, as did Kingdom Finance Officer Rowen Harvey, who seemed to have drunk too much. Meanwhile, Kingdom’s Army Commander Hershel was looking around, ready to find an opportunity to sneak away.

The Old King was led by Joe Valentine to the vicinity of the trio and sat down in Joe Valentine’s previous place.

”Hershel, when you see me coming, do you want to sneak away?”

The Old King spoke, his pace neither rushed nor slow.

”How... how could I, Your Majesty, you’re overthinking.”

”Sit honestly here. If you dare to sneak away early today, I’ll break all three of your legs.”

”Yes, yes.”

Hershel nodded repeatedly, cold sweat dripping from his forehead, while Rowen Harvey turned his head slightly, a sly smile on his face.

”Rowen, how’s that matter been handled?”

The Old King seemed to notice Rowen Harvey’s sly smile and thus included him in the conversation.

”Your Majesty, apart from immovable properties, Elvi Anthony’s assets have been mostly seized, which includes...”

The Old King raised a hand to signal no need to continue.

”Who dares to cause trouble in the Royal Capital, you four will grind him to dust.”

The Old King’s seemingly casual remark held many layers of meaning, the most obvious being to temporarily unite the power structure among the four.

The four stood or sat beside the Old King, holding different positions: a flunky responsible for managing officials (Joe Valentine), finance overseer (Rowen Harvey), and the Kingdom’s Army Commander Hershel who trembled upon seeing the Old King; as for Su Xiao, as the Iron Hand, his sole responsibility was killing, simple and crude.

The Old King did not take the head seat, so that lone seat remained unoccupied, representing supreme power, as well as loneliness.

The Old King seemed tired of such loneliness and would not be long on the throne, so he joined Su Xiao and the others, drinking jovially together, showing no sign of being close to the end of his life.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall gradually became lively, after a few drinks, the Old King, Rowen Harvey, and Joe Valentine all appeared flushed—ordinary constitution.

Su Xiao and Hershel’s complexion remained unchanged; this low-alcohol fruit wine was nothing to Su Xiao—it was difficult to get drunk.

While they were toasting, a knight in armor quickly walked into the banquet hall, approaching the Old King and whispered something in his ear.

After hearing the knight’s whisper, the Old King’s expression showed no change; he simply gestured for the knight to step down.

”Your Highness...”

Joe Valentine sensed something amiss, so he quietly tested the waters.

”Sharin has been murdered.”

The Old King’s voice was low, and his face showed little emotional fluctuation.

”Little Princess...”

The Kingdom’s Army Commander Hershel just wanted to stand up, but a hand pressed on his shoulder—it was Rowen Harvey.

”Hershel, calm down.”

Rowen Harvey’s eyes lowered, he bowed toward the Old King and whispered something.

”Hmm, then I’ll leave it to you, handle it quickly.”

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

Kingdom Finance Officer Rowen Harvey got up and walked out of the banquet hall, as he had important matters to deal with, and even if the Little Princess was murdered, it was not his place to investigate—the Old King had professionals by his side, like the Iron Hand.

”Your Majesty, shall we lock down the Royal Capital?”

Governor Joe Valentine also spoke to the Old King in a low voice; his face showed no sign of drunkenness at this point. As for what he meant by locking down the Royal Capital, it actually meant restricting the entrance and exit of other officials, which others may not achieve, but Governor Joe Valentine certainly could.

”Lock until... tomorrow morning.”

The Old King nodded, and Joe Valentine also left the banquet hall. At this point, those officials and wealthy businessmen sensed something unusual—the Old King was still seated, yet his two confidants had left prematurely? This was unusual.

”Hershel, you go to the frontlines now.”

”Understood.”

Hershel did not question the reason; the Old King issuing such orders at this time must have a purpose. As for what it was, Hershel was used to ’following orders,’ which was his main reason for holding military power.

Hershel also got up to leave, heading straight to the battlefield, indicating he would have little involvement in the current power struggle. Among those, the biggest loser was Third Prince, as Hershel was an ardent supporter of the Third Prince.