Chapter 35: Saint fall (3) (2/2)

”So? What will be your choice? You always wished to surpass your father right? If you accept those conditions you can say goodbye to your dreams and the throne. You will–”

”I accept.”

Silence settled in the scene. Luxuria and the goddesses were clearly taken aback by how fast he answered.

”What?”

”I said I accept all of your conditions. I am willing to lose all my power, all my potential if it can save her and allow her to keep her power and title. In the first place, she should never have to pay such a price for me.”

”Don't you feel reluctant?” Luxuria asked in genuine wonder. She could have read his mind, but it would have made the situation boring. She wanted to hear it directly from him.

”Of course I am!” A little heat escaped from his voice as he raised his head and glared at Luxuria. He wasn't a Buddha. He couldn't take everything calmly without changing his expression.

Surpassing his father had always been one of his hidden goals. And as the goddess said, losing not only his mana but also his capacity to contract meant that he was doomed to be a normal person for the remaining of his life.

But,

”I really feel reluctant. But, I do not mind paying this price for her.”

Sol would never abandon his loved ones simply for more power. He refused to be such a bastard.

”You are truly different from all the previous kings. Even Mars. Should I say that your mindset isn't suitable to be one?”

Luxuria spoke lightly. ”A king is the father of the nation he presides over. He must be impartial and his power uncontested. He lives for his subjects and his subjects live for him. A king must not be selfish. A king must always put the interest of his nation before his own-”

She raised her head and watched the sky.” Jupiter manipulated your little teacher from start to finish to make Lustburg what it is today. His son, Pluto didn't hesitate to use all his descendants as bargaining chips to calm the deteriorated relationship between Lustburg and the surrounding kingdom. The most recent one, your grandfather didn't hesitate to use his daughter to assure the power of the next generation.”

Sol's eyes widened as he asked hurriedly,” What do you mean?”

Luxuria completely ignored him and continued, ”Your father sacrificed himself to protect his kingdom. All of your ancestors had different personalities. Different dreams and different circumstances. But–they were undoubtedly all worthy of the title of King–Not you.”

Understanding that Luxuria wouldn't explain to him what she meant about Lilith, Sol decided to ask directly to her later. Now though, he had to answer her. Not that he had much to say.

”So what?”

Sol wasn't particularly interested in power.

”What was wrong with being selfish?”

Sol had no particular attachment to the kingdom of Lustburg or even to his world.

The number of times he walked outside of the tower of babel or church could be counted.

His sense of belongings was so weak it wouldn't be a mistake to say that it was non-existent.

What more he knew one thing. Citizens were the most fickle and ungrateful beings in the world.

One moment they were singing praises about you, the next they were screaming for your head.

”In this world, only those people close to me matter to me. For them, I am willing to pay any price and I know that they are willing to do the same.”

He didn't even doubt that should he lose all his power he would become the laughing stock of the kingdom. He would also lose his rights to the throne and would most likely be used as a breeding stud to give birth to the next generation.

But, as sure he was about the kingdom giving up on him at any moment, he was also sure about the fact that the women who surrounded him would never give up on him no matter how low he fell.

As long as they were with him, what did it matter if he lost his power?