Chapter 167: The Kingdom’s Army
As predicted, the Restoration Army’s campaign continued its swift and decisive advance, crushing the enemy’s resistance. Initially, they had to demonstrate their strength, forcing the enemy to surrender, but after Givia informed the nobles of Kevin’s downfall, the battles became increasingly easier. Some regions even declared their allegiance to Givia and the Restoration Army without a fight, their local armies switching sides.
It seemed the Lord of Nightmares, even in his dreams, adhered to a certain level of realism. He no longer believed in Kevin’s ability to maintain control, even if he could somehow restore him to power. The people’s desire for freedom and peace was too strong. He had lost the Ossi Kingdom.
After a little over a week, the Restoration Army reached Ossi City, the capital. The western regions, bordering the coast, didn’t even require their intervention. The local lords, sensing the shift in power, had wisely pledged their loyalty to Givia. It was a bloodless victory.
Today, Givia returned to the palace, a place she hadn’t seen since fleeing Kevin. The intervening months had transformed her. Looking at the familiar palace walls, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotion.
“Congratulations, Givia. You’ve reclaimed your kingdom from an Outer God through your own strength and determination,” Abyss said, standing beside her. “It’s a remarkable achievement.”
“Without your help, Mr. Abyss, and the help of Flora, Leona, and Rebecca, it would have been a much more difficult journey, a bloodier one. I’ll never forget that I owe this victory to you,” Givia said, her voice filled with gratitude, but her gaze clear and steady, her joy tempered by a sense of responsibility.
“If not for your courage in confronting the Lord of Nightmares, our efforts to defeat him would have been far more challenging,” Rebecca said, smiling. “We might be powerful, but…”
They were walking towards the royal bedchamber, followed by several generals, Alva, and Haina. The palace guards knelt along their path, awaiting Givia’s judgment, their past service to Kevin now a mark of shame.
Kevin was gone. The former king, secretly rescued and restored to his rightful place, now resided in the bedchamber.
As they approached, a tall, thin figure emerged from the palace.
Abyss, recognizing him, raised an eyebrow. It was King Ludiel, Givia’s father, still the official ruler of Ossi, despite Givia holding the true power.
The former king, his face alight with joy, hurried towards them. Unlike the frail and sickly figure Abyss had seen in the dream, he looked healthy, his steps firm and steady, although he was thinner than he should be for a man his age.
“Givia! My daughter! You’ve returned!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with emotion.
Givia smiled, rushing towards him and embracing him tightly.
Their reunion was a touching moment, both father and daughter deeply moved. The former king sighed, stroking his daughter’s hair, its softness now roughened by the sun and wind, his voice filled with regret. “Givia, you’ve lost weight, your skin is tanned. You’ve suffered so much. It’s all my fault. I couldn’t stop Kevin… I was… too weak…”
The poor king didn’t know that the “Kevin” he had known wasn’t his son, but a Shadowling created by the Lord of Nightmares. His love for his deceased son had been exploited, leading to the loss of his kingdom and almost the loss of his daughter.
His guilt was genuine. Abyss could see the pain in his eyes.
“No, Father, don’t blame yourself. It’s all Kevin’s fault. He’s no longer the son you knew. But I’ll always be your daughter,” Givia said, her voice filled with reassurance.
“Good, good. I only wish for your safety. Seeing you return victorious, a capable leader, fills me with joy,” the former king said, his voice choked with emotion.
Givia released him, then knelt before him, adhering to royal protocol. “I apologize for my late arrival, Father. The Restoration Army has reclaimed our kingdom. Effective immediately, the Restoration Army is now the official army of the Ossi Kingdom, no longer my personal force! Please, Father, resume your command.”
Her decision to relinquish her military power surprised everyone.
If she wanted to maintain her influence, she couldn’t give up her army. Without it, she would have to wait for her father’s death to inherit the throne. And the former king, despite his age, seemed to be in good health.
But the generals, following Givia’s example, also knelt, their loyalty unwavering. They had endured years of hardship with her. They trusted her judgment.
The former king, surprised by her gesture, helped her up. “You could have become the Grand Marshal, commanding our entire army. It’s your rightful position. No one could dispute it.”
“This victory belongs to the people of Ossi,” Givia said. “We reclaimed our kingdom because of their support. Now, I’m returning the Restoration Army to its rightful place, under your command. It’s the right thing to do.”
“Are you sure you don’t want this position? This is your last chance,” the former king said, his brow furrowed.
Givia’s gaze was firm. “I will always serve my kingdom, Father, with or without a title.”
“Very well. Then you’re no longer the Grand Marshal,” the former king said, a smile spreading across his face. “The Restoration Army now belongs to the King, under his complete control.”
“Thank you, Father.”
“I’m not finished. That king… shouldn’t be King Ludiel. It should be Queen Givia!”
Leave a Reply