Chapter 489 - Three Pillars of the Realm: Time (1/2)

Chapter 489: Three Pillars of the Realm: Time

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Plop. Duke Abel couldn’t kneel anymore. He sprawled onto the ground.

He didn’t die and was just badly hurt. Kanorse had held back in the last moment, but he was close to death now anyway. In fact, he might be even worse off.

The Naga priestess and Katyusha had escaped, but he remained here to await judgment!

By now, the camp was already turned to ruins by the shockwaves. Link’s Miracle Aura was in effect, but it could only protect 1500 feet. The shockwaves traveled past it, and Link couldn’t do anything.

In the end, more than 2000 soldiers were hurt. Thankfully, they were only light injuries. A few dozen unlucky souls had died though. After falling, they’d been pierced by sharp objects.

Hapsburg’s priests and the army’s priests started treating the wounded.

Link walked towards Duke Abel. He picked up the sword and added Dragon Power to check it. Confirming that there were no problems with it, he tossed it to Kanorse. “It’s yours.”

Kanorse caught it. Brandishing it, his eyes lit up and put the sword away.

“I lost. Kill me now.”

Duke Abel struggled a bit and rolled over to face the sky. Kanorse had stabbed his abdomen. There was a bloody hole, and the skin around it was charred by the lightning. However, his vitality was strong, and he just won’t die.

Link didn’t speak. He pointed the sword tip at Abel’s chest and added in Dragon Power. Using a sealing spell, he sealed Abel’s power. Then he cast a dragon healing spell to keep him alive.

“Why?” Confusion appeared in Duke Abel’s bloodshot eyes.

Link shook his head. “I’m only responsible for taking your power, but I’m not the one to decide your future. That should be King Leon.”

As he spoke, he retreated to the side. King Leon walked over with a woman. Her face was pale and covered in tears. It was Princess Annie.

Seeing his daughter, Duke Abel trembled and quickly looked away.

Annie walked to his side. “Are you still my father?” she asked, voice quivering.

Duke Abel shook violently. He covered his face with one hand and waved at Annie with his other. “Go away! I don’t deserve to be your father! Go!”

It wasn’t his wish for this to happen.

He’d taken the wrong first step and then was lured by the Agatha Nagas. He’d been easily persuaded, mostly because of his mistake at Garrason. There was no way to turn back, and so he was forced to step onto this path of destruction.

Annie’s tears were like rain.

King Leon also sighed. He looked to Link and shook his head tersely. It was clear—he didn’t wish to kill his own brother.

Even if he was the king, he couldn’t make the decision. In the Norton Kingdom now, Link had the power of the final decision. If he said Duke Abel must die, then no one could change that fact.

Link understood this, but he knew even more clearly that though his power to determine one’s fate was useful, there was a horrible side effect. Power was always a two-sided blade!

For example, if he killed Duke Abel now, King Leon would become guarded against him. Princess Annie would stay away from him too. Kanorse, who had purposely kept the duke’s life, would hold a grudge too. Link would also be known for killing the duke and enter the forefront of the Norton Kingdom’s political stage.

This way, Link would lose many allies while also being swept up in the political whirlpool. He’d run into many troubles.

What would he receive?

He would just get the rush of adrenaline from deciding someone else’s fate. Link wasn’t too interested in power. The nice feeling wasn’t necessary either, so he wouldn’t gain anything.

In reality, Link understood his position long ago. He was a protector, not a king, judge, or anything secular like that. This way, he definitely shouldn’t take part in these secular matters.

So when King Leon asked him like this, he just bowed slightly and said, “Your Majesty, my duty is to remove the kingdom’s threat. Duke Abel has been defeated now and is no longer a threat. My duty is completed.”

His message was clear. He wouldn’t take part in the duke’s trial. If King Leon didn’t want to kill his own brother, Link wouldn’t interfere. As long as Duke Abel didn’t commit any more crimes, he could live out the rest of his life as a wealthy man.

Once Link said that, King Leon trembled slightly. After a few seconds, he understood what Link meant.

He let out a deep sigh. Before this, he’d always thought that Link would someday replace him as the master of the North. Now, it seemed that he’d underestimated this young man.

Link didn’t want to become a king in the mortal world. He wanted to become a supernatural saint!

Thinking of Link’s past, he had always done this. He’d created the now-flourishing Ferde territory but gave all the authority to a group of average people. Many Ferde citizens only interacted with Lucy. As for Lord Link, he was just a Legendary figure.

He was a protector who could calm the people by just existing.

Duke Abel found this strange too. He’d always thought that Link would kill him. This was also why he’d been so scared and finally started on the path of destruction. He didn’t expect this ending.

If he knew this would be so, why would he have been scared? It was just being removed from the general’s position! He was tired of the damn fortress long ago.

At this time, the generals who’d retreated crowded over. When King Leon saw that everyone was present, he proclaimed his decision about General Abel.

“I, Leon Abel, patriarch of the Abel family, king of the Norton Kingdom, hereby announce that John Abel is no longer a member of the Lion family. He committed crimes of murder under the deceit of the God of Destruction rather than his own will. Thus, he is absolved of the death penalty. He will be stripped of all power and banished to the South to live his life in captivity!”

For a noble, this punishment was harsh. Though he could live, the rest of his life would be miserable.