The Herb King

"Sir Aethelwolf, what are your plans for the future?" Julius Reynolds asked. As an ally of the Lassiter Household, he was lucky enough to have a seat together with the bigwigs of the Leone Empire.

Hearing this question, Aethelwolf pondered for a moment. "I haven't thought far ahead, but at this moment, I'm increasing the strength of the Lassiter Household's armed force."

When they heard this, they couldn't help but look at the emperor's reaction, but Emperor Ragnar showed no obvious change in his expression. He was still smiling happily.

"The Zion Empire and the other large empires aren't the only threat we are facing. I heard from Aenwyn that the Underworlders who have been silent for centuries are showing signs of aggression towards the forces of the Regalis Continent. I believe you guys have also heard about the rumors related to them."

Everyone's faces turned solemn when they heard his words. They knew that Aenwyn was the elven woman who was always with Aethelwolf.

"Sir Aethelwolf, are those rumors actually true? I thought that they were just stories spread by the merchants."

"I thought that the corpses found were from a new species of magical beasts. Who would have thought that those are actual corpses of the Underworlders?"

Aethelwolf nodded his head as he crossed his fingers. "Your Majesty, I hope that you would allow my Lassiter Household to develop our force. With the current strength of the Leone Empire, it wouldn't survive the attack of the Underworlders. If you give me this opportunity, I will make the Leone Empire one of the powerhouses of the Regalis Continent!"

They could feel the confidence in his voice.

Emperor Ragnar stared at him silently for a long while before he eventually replied. "You're right, Sir Aethelwolf. The Leone Empire is indeed very weak compared to the large empires. In that case, I will give you full authority to strengthen your force, but with one condition."

Aethelwolf tapped his fingers on the armrest of his chair as he muttered. "Please tell me, Your Majesty. I'm all ears."

"I hope that you will never betray the Leone Empire." Emperor Ragnar muttered in a solemn tone. Everyone couldn't help but nervously stare between him and Aethelwolf.

"I will always be a citizen of the Leone Empire." Aethelwolf extended his hand toward the emperor and Emperor Ragnar immediately shook hands with him. "Great!"

Emperor Ragnar abruptly stood up from his seat and this immediately attracted everybody's attention. They all looked at him in confusion.

Facing their perplexed gazes, Emperor Ragnar smiled as he announced. "From this moment on, I hereby declare that Barden City and its surrounding lands will be renamed as Barden Territory and Sir Aethelwolf Lassiter will be crowned as the King of the Barden Territory! His status will be equal to mine! Everyone, please pay respects to the King of Barden Territory!"

Aethelwolf who was looking at the emperor almost spat his tea when he heard this.

'What nonsense?!'

He was already busy as the headmaster of the Mystic Arcana Institute of Magic and now the emperor was openly declaring him as the King of the new Barden Territory!

The guests were stunned when they heard the emperor's declaration, but after a moment of shock, they stood up from their seats and bowed politely at Aethelwolf.

"Greetings to the King of Barden Territory!"

"Greetings to the King of Barden Territory!"

Aethelwolf glanced helplessly at the emperor, but the latter merely chuckled at him. In the end, Aethelwolf could only accept his new identity so as to not embarrass the emperor.

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. I promise that I will develop Barden Territory well." Aethelwolf said.

"Sir Aethelwolf, now that we have the same status, I prefer that you would call me by my name or Sir Ragnar will do too." Emperor Ragnar laughed heartily. He didn't even hesitate when he appointed Aethelwolf as the King of Barden Territory. He was a Level 5 Esper and this was the only way to make Aethelwolf stay in the Leone Empire. Now that he had accepted his new status, his interests were already tied to the empire!

"Alright, Sir Ragnar." Aethelwolf could only play along with the emperor.

"Good! Good! Good!" Emperor Ragnar patted Aethelwolf's shoulder eagerly.

And just like that, Aethelwolf had become the King of Barden Territory.

He readily accepted the emperor's arrangement since it would hasten the progress of his recruitment of new soldiers. This also lessened the emotional burden in his heart since he no longer needed to lie to the emperor whom he treated as his friend.

"Sir Aethelwolf, I will send you the official documents soon. You just have to sign them. I will also send your new identity token. Just send us the design that you want and I'll have our Blacksmiths carve them for you." Emperor Ragnar said.

Hearing this, Aethelwolf shook his head. "I'll sign the relevant documents, but as for the token, I will make it myself. I haven't told you this, but I'm also a Blacksmith. Though I'm only a Level 4 Blacksmith." He didn't want to tell them that he was a Level 5 Blacksmith since it might scare them out of their wits.

"Eh?! You're also a Blacksmith?! And a high-level one at that!" Emperor Ragnar and the others were shocked by this. Only Johann wasn't surprised when heard this. He had already seen Aethelwolf making a bunch of tools a long time ago.

Aethelwolf nodded his head and smiled lightly. "I just craft random things during my free time. It's not worth mentioning."

Everyone ignored his words.

"Now that you mentioned this, I don't see anyone from the Maynard Household here. That old man, Lucas Maynard would certainly feel ashamed if he knows about this." Julius Reynolds chuckled.

Hearing this, Aethelwolf's eyes turned cold. "I didn't invite them."

Looking at his cold expression, they realized that there must be a conflict between him and the Maynard Household. However, everyone tacitly agreed not to ask anything about the matter.