Chapter 46. Because I Am a King

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I Will Eventually Embark on the Path of No Return Called a Hero [Arc2] - 46. Because I Am a King

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"Lord, I have something to say to you."

Vlad III put down the rubble he was holding and stared at the resolute Darnic for a while before nodding.

The two of them silently moved to a desolate, abandoned area away from everyone.

"What is it, Darnic?"

Vlad III rolled up his sleeves, crossed his arms, and leaned against a wall that had not yet collapsed, quietly watching Darnic.

"Bang----"

Darnic threw aside his staff, knelt on the ground, and pressed his forehead tightly against the dirt.

Vlad III lowered his gaze. He had seen such determination before, similar to those servants who risked their lives to remind him, but he knew Darnic was not trying to remind him of anything. The only result could be the demand that would lead to his death.

"Lord, if this continues, we might lose," Darnic's ten fingers slowly dug into the ground.

"You think I might lose? On this land of mine," Vlad III narrowed his eyes.

Darnic bit his lip and remained silent.

Vlad III's greatest strength was his terrifying number of iron stakes, which were both numerous and elusive. But now, to secure the Hanging Garden, Vlad III had used up all twenty thousand of them, leaving him just a highly rated Lancer. He was already at a disadvantage compared to the Red Lancer.

"I admit it. I am no match for the Red Lancer," Vlad III sighed. "Even with Saber and me attacking together, we still haven't forced out the true strength of the Red Lancer. Moreover, I've lost the iron stakes. So, Darnic, what do you want to say?"

"I hope..." Darnic clenched his teeth. "I hope Lord will use that Noble Phantasm!"

"The Succession of Blood" Noble Phantasm would dramatically increase Vlad III's power. Even without the twenty thousand iron stakes, he could still defeat the Red Lancer. But the cost of this Noble Phantasm...

"Darnic..." Vlad III walked up to Darnic, staring coldly at him, the terrifying killing intent bearing down on him. "I have said before that it is my blemish. Even in death, I will not use that Noble Phantasm. Your demand now is like spitting in my face."

The cold spear pressed against the back of Darnic's neck.

"You should know what I'll do to you."

"If Lord wants my life, then take it," Darnic clenched his fists. The killing intent from Vlad III was like an invisible hand clutching his heart, but he had reached a dead end. "I want to win! Win this Holy Grail War!"

"Darnic... what is your wish?" Vlad III lowered the spear, small drops of blood oozing from the tip. If Darnic's answer couldn't persuade him, Darnic's Holy Grail War would end here.

"The continuation of my family! Even if I know this war I started is wrong, I don't care! Even if I'm called a demon, I don't care! I want my family to continue! I don't want them to experience my suffering!"

Darnic roared with all his might.

This was probably the first and last time he couldn't control his emotions.

Vlad III silently watched the man kneeling and roaring before him.

For the first time in a long time, he felt interest in someone. The first person he saw when he arrived in this world had something in his eyes that was similar to his own.

So he wanted to understand Darnic's past. The result was surprisingly simple and unexpectedly made one speechless.

Because of a single sentence, all futures disappeared. His brothers became distant, his lover abandoned him. Despite this, he held no resentment or despair, continually striving and being denied. No matter what achievements he made, the label affixed to him would negate them.

Even so, Darnic did not give up, constantly struggling, amassing strength, fighting for his family's continuation and for his children not to suffer his tragedies, even instigating a rebellious war.

But such a man had lost hope because everything was about to be taken away from him.

"Please! Protect the future of my family!"

Darnic looked at the Command Seals on his hand, with only two marks left. Perhaps he could use the Command Seals to force Vlad III to use the Noble Phantasm, but he couldn't guarantee whether Vlad III would commit suicide or if his wish would be fulfilled. So he made a decision he would never have made before.

Trust the king named Vlad III.

"Darnic, I once impaled my enemies and hung them outside the city to protect my people," Vlad III put away his spear, took a few steps back, and sat on the ground. "But my people feared me, and this blemish seems to have arisen because of that. However, I have no regrets. Even if I become a demon, even if I am betrayed by my people, I do not mind. To rule harshly and execute without mercy, being impeached for this is reasonable. I do not hate them. But I am Vlad III. I am not a vampire! No matter how many times I fail in the Holy Grail War, my wish will not waver!"

Darnic closed his eyes.

So, it was still a failure...

His long-cherished wish, his obsession, was almost over...

The next reincarnation of Darnic would be another person with memories. The Darnic who was unwilling to give up and wanted to rewrite fate and continue his family would disappear completely.

"But, this is my land, and you are my people," Vlad III looked up at the clear sky, the breeze gently stirring his white hair. "I am already dead. As long as I am in the Throne of Heroes, I have countless chances to participate in the Holy Grail War, countless chances to cleanse my blemishes. But the people on this land have only one life and one chance to continue their family."

Darnic suddenly looked up, staring blankly at Vlad III.

"I am a king. To protect this land, to protect my people," Vlad III smiled lightly. "To protect my subjects, I am willing to become an object of fear. I was like that back then, and I will not hesitate now."

"Lord..."

"Do not show such a disgraceful expression, do not show such a pitiful posture. Darnic, you are my Master, and you are my people. You do not need to bow to anyone. Stand up with your head held high," Vlad III stood up and extended his hand to Darnic. "Your war has no mistake. Even if there is, I will take it to hell. This is my resolve as your Servant, as your king."

Yes, even now, the flames of hatred still burned in his body and mind. He is a king, the king who protects the land, absolutely not a vampire! But...

If it is to protect this land, if it is for the continuation of his people, even if he becomes an object of fear again, even if he becomes the posture he despises, he is willing to do so.

There is no need to say more, simply because...

He is a king!