My life as a king

Chapter 7: Chapter 7 - The calm before storm



The past 17 days in the royal capital had been unusually quiet. It was a silence that felt unnatural, like the city itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to disrupt the uneasy peace. The eradication of the major gangs by Roman had left a noticeable impact. With their leaders dead and their power dismantled, the remaining smaller gangs had retreated into the shadows, too afraid to challenge the new authority of the king. For the first time in years, the streets of the capital felt safe, but Roman wasn't fooled. He knew this peace was only temporary—a calm before an inevitable storm.

Over the course of those 17 days, Roman worked tirelessly to consolidate his power within the royal palace. The first and most critical step was ensuring his own security. He had always been wary of the royal guards, knowing many of them were informants planted by Prime Minister Velden and his allies among the councilmen. Leaving them in their positions was a risk he could no longer afford to take.

Thanks to the system panel, Roman summoned 100 soldiers daily. By the end of the 17 days, he had accumulated 1,700 new troops. These weren't ordinary soldiers—they were system troops, imbued with unwavering loyalty to him. No matter the circumstance, they would follow his orders without hesitation. This absolute loyalty set them apart from the previous guards, who often harbored divided loyalties between the council and the throne.

With Luke's help, Roman began quietly removing the old guards and replacing them with his system soldiers. It was a slow and methodical process, one that required careful planning to avoid drawing too much attention. Luke, as the kingdom's only 4-star Aura Swordsman and Roman's most loyal supporter, played a crucial role in this operation. He personally oversaw the deployment of the system troops, ensuring they were stationed strategically to secure every corner of the palace.

By the end of the 17 days, the transformation was complete. The palace was now guarded by 1,870 soldiers, including 170 veterans who had fought and survived the battles against the gangs. These veterans, having been tempered by conflict and imbued with the system's unique enhancements, formed the backbone of Roman's new guard. The remaining 1,700 soldiers were the fresh recruits summoned daily from the system. While they lacked the experience of the veterans, their absolute loyalty and potential for growth made them a formidable force.

What set this new guard apart was its quality. While the previous royal guard had numbered 2,000, many of them had been complacent and unmotivated, their loyalty divided between the king and the council. Roman's new guard, though smaller in number, was far superior in both skill and dedication. The presence of the four 1-star Aura Swordsmen among them only solidified their strength.

Roman stood in the palace courtyard one evening, observing his new guard as they trained under Luke's watchful eye. The sight filled him with a sense of pride and confidence. These men represented his vision for the kingdom: strong, disciplined, and unwavering in their loyalty. He knew they were still far from perfect, but they were a foundation he could build upon.

As Roman strengthened his position, news of his actions began to spread. Prime Minister Velden was the first to hear of the changes within the palace. His informants reported that Roman had replaced the entire royal guard with his own men, a move that sent shockwaves through the council. Velden was furious. The boy-king was proving to be far more dangerous than he had anticipated.

"He's consolidating power," Velden muttered to himself as he paced in his chambers. "First the gangs, now the palace guard. If we let him continue, he'll be unstoppable."

Velden wasted no time. He called for a secret meeting with several key figures who shared his ambitions. Among them were Duke Arvid, Marquis Elenor, and a handful of other influential nobles who had long harbored dreams of taking the throne for themselves. They gathered in the dimly lit hall of a secluded estate, their expressions grim as Velden laid out the situation.

"This boy has become a threat to all of us," Velden began, his voice low and filled with anger. "He's young, but he's no fool. He's already proven he has the will to act and the ability to rally support. If we don't stop him now, he'll grow too powerful to overthrow."

The nobles exchanged uneasy glances. They had all underestimated Roman, dismissing him as a child playing at being king. But his recent actions had forced them to reconsider. The eradication of the gangs and the restructuring of the palace guard were not the actions of a naïve ruler. They were the calculated moves of someone who understood the game of power.

"But how do we stop him?" Duke Arvid asked. "The boy has the support of the people. His soldiers are loyal, and Luke, the only 4-star Aura Swordsman in the kingdom, stands by his side. We can't simply march on the capital and depose him. That would spark a civil war."

"Exactly," Velden said, nodding. "A direct attack is out of the question. We're already stretched thin dealing with the threats from the surrounding countries. But there is another way."

The room fell silent as Velden leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Assassination."

The word hung in the air like a dark cloud. The nobles looked at one another, some nodding in agreement, others hesitating.

"It's the only option," Velden continued. "We can't defeat him in open battle, but we can remove him quietly. Once he's gone, we can install someone more... cooperative on the throne. Someone who understands the balance of power."

"And who do you propose to carry out this task?" Marquis Elenor asked, her tone skeptical.

Velden smirked. "I have my ways. There are plenty of skilled assassins who would be more than willing to take on the job—for the right price."

The plan was set in motion. Velden and his allies began pooling their resources, hiring the most skilled assassins they could find. They studied the palace's layout, looking for weaknesses in Roman's defenses. But what they didn't realize was that the palace had changed. The guards they had once relied on for information were gone, replaced by men whose loyalty lay solely with Roman.

As Velden and his conspirators plotted in the shadows, Roman remained vigilant. He knew his actions had painted a target on his back. His enemies were numerous and powerful, and they would stop at nothing to see him removed. But Roman was prepared. His new guard was a testament to his determination, and he was ready to defend his throne against any threat.

For now, the capital remained quiet. But Roman knew this peace was only temporary. The storm was coming, and when it arrived, he would be ready.


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