Chapter 573: Chapter 573: A Certain King’s Past
In the past, Great Britain.
In that stone castle surrounded by ancient customs, the surroundings were filled with magnificent decorations.
The heavenly sound of a child playing the piano constantly echoed.
Although young, it was clear that he was skilled at the instrument.
The servants who listened to the music praised him, believing that the prince had an innate talent.
And, jealousy of the child's love for the island.
Among these praises and compliments, people hid their fear and jealousy of the prince.
Indeed, the young child was born omnipotent.
Whether it was swordsmanship, musical instruments, martial arts, painting, fishing, horseback riding… there was almost nothing he didn't know.
If this wasn't a divine talent who had received the island's love, then what could it be?
The only person the child could confide in was his mother, and only to his mother could he say, "…Mother, I'm so scared."
"Scared? What are you scared of?"
"I… I can do anything. I can do anything smoothly without even realizing it."
The woman, exuding a dignified aura, listened to her child's words.
Even though it sounded too exaggerated and immature.
But the woman knew that her child wasn't joking.
She knew that her child would quickly master anything he learned, and no one could beat him.
From childhood, people had been staring at him with envious eyes.
The child wanted to make friends, wanted people to sincerely admire him, but his talent made others see him as a monster.
Sometimes, he doubted if he would ever have that chance.
He wondered if he should pretend to be more foolish, mess things up a little more… that might make people accept him.
After listening to her child's words, the woman, who looked like a magnificent queen, laughed happily.
This made the child pout.
Because his mother had promised not to laugh at him.
"Listen carefully, Richard. You are indeed a genius."
The woman gently stroked the child's cheek.
She said to him, who was sulking, "But that's all it is. Do you know what it means to be a genius?"
"Huh…?"
"You can only do many things, but you haven't accomplished any great deeds. Being a decathlete and leaving something behind are two completely different things."
While comforting her son Richard, the mother also treated him as an adult, engraving her words in his heart and integrating them into his soul.
"Before you use your power against the thieves who bully the city and the country, you should first feel sorry for the suffering of those who are bullied and humiliated, and think about how to overcome difficulties with them.
Of course, it's not enough to just blame the thieves; you also have to think about why your country produces thieves. What made them go down this path? This is what a king should think about."
Listening to his mother's teachings, Richard rarely showed a look of understanding.
These were not words that should be said to a child, but the woman clearly believed in her son, believing that he could understand.
"People are not inherently evil. Choosing the identity of a thief is also due to circumstances. The pitiful also have their pitiful aspects—so, you should feel ashamed of the current state of this country. I will share this feeling with you."
Then, the mother hugged her son and continued, "Richard, being a genius alone is not enough to become a hero. Conversely, even someone without any talent can become a hero as long as they carry out their beliefs."
"Become… a hero?"
"That's right, become a hero like our country's founding father, King Moran, King Arthur, who inherited the great cause from him, and the Knights of the Round Table under him, as well as the paladins of Charlemagne.
Just like Sir Kay, who is known as the least talented of the Knights of the Round Table, he was able to become a hero who supported the Knights of the Round Table because he carried out his beliefs. You must thoroughly understand how they built this land and how they laid the foundation in the hearts of the people.
Richard, if you are truly omnipotent, you must value passing on this talent more than anyone else."
Looking at his mother, who was telling stories of past great figures, Richard's eyes sparkled.
"Just like these innate talents of yours, maybe they are the love that this island, and even the late king, have for you."
The mother tapped Richard's little head and smiled.
Richard couldn't help but feel his face burning.
He had never thought that he would bear such glory, and he understood why others were jealous of him.
After that, his mother told him stories.
From the history of Great Britain's wars before unification, to the appearance of the founding king, Moran, and the establishment of the country.
Then, it was King Arthur who inherited the will of the late king.
The dazzling and brilliant stories of the great kings and the Knights of the Round Table captivated young Richard.
From Lancelot, Gawain, Tristan, Galahad, Percival, Gareth, Agravain—to Mordred, the last knight who was praised by the world as a rebellious knight.
The mother told everyone's story as if she had seen it with her own eyes.
Even now, Richard still misses it immensely.
That precious time of his childhood.
Back to reality.
Richard confirmed Moran's identity with his companion.
That unimaginable truth.
It shocked him so much that he recalled his childhood memories and the longing that first sprouted in his heart.
After a long while, Richard finally came back to his senses:
"…There are two reasons why I can still stand here without kneeling…"
"Kneeling… what?"
Kayneth's expression of confusion deepened.
He couldn't understand what the current situation had to do with Richard wanting to kneel. What was driving Richard to want to kneel?
The new king? How could that be?
Richard clearly said that he had never met Moran, so how could he have the idea of kneeling to a descendant he had never met?
If it were to a predecessor, that would make more sense.
Wait, a predecessor…?
Kayneth's thoughts paused slightly.