Chapter 429


    Yeverie’s interest was roused as she listened attentively to Jonathan. He sounds like a professor when


    he’s talking about this. Jonathan had always been a man of erudition. While he didn’t attend sses


    much, he did travel and experience a lot. Additionally, he was well-read.


    As a result, one of his skills was simplifying profound ideas.


    Jonathan might read plenty about history, but he didn’t believe everything he learned blindly. Instead,


    he would rely on his wisdom to judge if what he absorbed was valid.


    He continued, “The previous king before Julius was his father, an excellent ruler who took good care of


    the country. When Julius ascended the throne, he killed the former crown prince. That was the


    circumstances in which he became king. He was a man who strived for sess and wanted to do a


    better job than his father so that people would praise him. It was always his desire to be remembered


    by the future generations. While his private life was interesting, such as when he married his father’s


    consort, it wasn’t anything oundish for people in his position. For example, there was a king who


    married his dead older brother’s consort. There are many more examples of this, but you understand


    my point. Of course, I’m not iming Julius was a good king. He indulged in a life of luxury and was a


    licentious man. That is the truth. However, he was also a monarch with foresight who ordered the


    construction of canals. While it was slightly rushed, people are still enjoying the benefits those canals


    brought centuriester. Also, before his time, government officials were chosen because of their


    distinguished families. As a result, no officials originated from less-than-ster backgrounds. After he


    became king, he established a new system. Through imperial examinations, he picked talented


    individuals to help run his country. Back during the age of feudalism, this system changed many


    people’s destinies. It alsosted over a thousand years and was only abolished around a hundred


    years ago.”


    Yeverie was thoroughly absorbed in his storytelling. “Also, back then, prominent families had a lot of


    influence and could shape the country’sws. Julius wanted to remove this system, which he did in


    addition to establishing the imperial examinations. However, this affected the families’ benefits.


    Eventually, his position was threatened due to the turmoil the families caused. Moreover, the three wars


    he waged and the development of the canals emptied the country’s coffers. It was his desire to achieve


    greatness that ended him. However, through these events, we can easily see that he wasn’t as terrible


    as history described him to be. Also, Julius’ twisted story was the handiwork of a king with an infamous


    bad habit of embellishing himself and interfering with historians’ work.”


    As Yeverie processed all the information Jonathan disclosed, she recalled another king of a simr


    reputation. Previously, she thought that monarch was a terrible ruler who only knew how to cause


    trouble and indulge in women.


    After listening to Jonathan’s exnation, however, she believed it was tantly unfair for her to view


    that monarch in such a simple manner.


    Yeverie shed a knowing smile at Jonathan. “I understand now, Your Majesty. I think you would’ve


    been a good king if you were one in the distant past.”


    In response, Jonathanughed. I think if I do, I’ll probably also be a perverted king who marries a new


    gal every night.


    “I often read a Chanaean book in the past about a general called Erwin. He was a heroic man, and I


    feel sad whenever I think about the injustice he suffered. Is his subordinate, Judas, really that evil?


    When I traveled to Chanaean once for vacation, I saw Judas’ statue kneeling before the general.”


    Yeverie’s voice was soft and moving.


    The night was long, yet they still didn’t feel sleepy.


    Enthusiastically, Jonathan replied, “I don’t think the injustice Judas faced was anything less than


    Erwin’s.”


    “I think so, too. Back then, Erwin was a general whomanded many soldiers and had amassed


    many achievements under his belt. If the king didn’t desire Erwin’s death, Judas wouldn’t have been


    able to aplish his famous feat. Additionally, Judas kept requesting to wee Albert and Philip


    back, which was a vition of the king’s taboo. If Erwin had crushed the enemy army and returned with


    the brothers, the king’s position would’ve been threatened.”


    “Initially, when I studied this piece of history, I thought that was the case, too. However, when I dug a


    little further, I realized the truth was different.”


    “Oh?” A glint shed past Yeverie’s eyes.


    “For one, the reigning king, Louis, was absolutely not afraid of Albert and Philip returning. Imagine if I


    visit Anakin alone. Do you think he’ll be afraid of me? No! He’ll just kill me on the spot! The brothers


    had no authority, anyway. If the king wanted to dispose of them, he could just hire some thugs to y


    them on their way back and im they died from an illness. Back then, when the enemy army


    surrounded his city, Albert ran for his life and Philip became king. Thus, even if he returned, there was


    no way for him to reim the throne. Moreover, he was confined by Philip. Therefore, he had no power.


    As such, Louis had no reason to fear the brothers. Philip even asked someone to tell Louis that he


    didn’t have the nerve to covet the throne. He also requested Louis to appoint him a monastery so that if


    thetter did return, he’d spend the rest of his life in the monastery as a monk. The more shocking part


    was that Louis himself was the one who proposed to wee the brothers back. Also, it wasn’t like


    Erwin didn’t think about the matter. He wasn’t foolish enough to say he’d bring the brothers back and


    kick the king off the throne. When he departed with his army, he announced that the imperial family


    was returning home. In other words, he was merely weing the king’s rtives back.”


    Upon hearing that, Yandell was confused, “In that case, why did Louis shoot himself in the foot by


    killing Erwin?”


    Jonathan grinned. “That’s the question, isn’t it? Why did Louis want to kill Erwin if he wasn’t afraid of


    Philip or Albert? Well, there’s a reason for that. There is no hatred without a cause. I was interested in


    this period of history, so I investigated the matter thoroughly. The first main reason I discovered was


    Erwin’s personality. One could tell from how he wrote his letters that he was an extremely loyal and


    honest man who loathed evil. Hemanded many men and didn’t pander to Louis. Here’s an


    interesting bit. When one of Louis’ generals grew old and retired, he needed someone to lead his army.


    Without giving his decision much thought, he handed the position over to Erwin, which thetter was


    happy to receive. However, after Louis thought about the situation a little more, he questioned his


    choice. Eventually, he regretted his decision to transfer all his soldiers to Erwin’smand. Hence, he


    demanded control of the army back. Erwin was furious and argued with Louis. In the end, he


    relinquished his title as general and mourned for his mother instead. Afterward, Louis wrote multiple


    letters to Erwin asking thetter toe back.”


    A swift pause ensued before he continued, “Unfortunately, Erwin was still furious and refused to reim


    his mantle. When Erwin was questioned by another general if he truly had the guts to oppose the king,


    he finally saw through the situation he hadnded in. Fearing for his life, he apologized to Louis and


    asked for thetter’s forgiveness. The king exined he was never furious at Erwin, though he did


    imply that if he had been, Erwin would’ve been dead. Therefore, a major contributing factor to Erwin’s


    death at the hands of the king was his personality. While Erwin was a marvelous general, he wasn’t


    great at anything else besides that. Back when Louis was on the run, he was so distraught that he lost


    the ability to have children. Additionally, his only son passed away. In response, Erwin suggested a


    candidate for the crown prince to Louis. From this event, one could see how low Erwin’s emotional


    quotient was. A court official brought the matter up, so Louis listened to it. Then, he faced Erwin and


    said something along the lines of, ‘Why did you bring up this matter, Erwin? Do you know the sheer


    amount of soldiers under yourmand? What are you implying by mentioning this?’ As much as


    Louis was displeased by that incident, he was well aware of Erwin’s personality, so he didn’t do


    anything.”


    Taking in a deep breath, he raised two of his fingers. “There were two main reasons Louis wanted to


    execute Erwin. Firstly, while Erwin was in control of the army, their rations were distributed by the court.


    It was a ploy by Louis to put a leash on the soldiers. Of course, Louis could allow Erwin to gather


    rations on his own. However, if he did that, he wouldn’t be able to control Erwin anymore. Secondly, the


    court back then was split into two factions, one of which was pro-war while the other supported peace.


    Erwin was, naturally, the leader of the pro-war faction. It was a battle between factions and one that


    Louis couldn’t afford to continue going to war anymore. Some events around that time involving Erwin


    were frankly embellished by his descendants. In truth, Erwin’s victory in the battle of Zaprington didn’t


    really leave a mark in history. Additionally, at that point in time, he hadn’t wiped out the main enemy


    base yet. Hence, Louis was in support of peace. Also, generals whomandrge armies tend not to


    have a good ending. Louis was aware of Erwin’s loyalty, especially considering thetter even had a


    tattoo stating his allegiance to his country on his back. However, some people tried insinuating to Louis


    that Erwin was a ticking time bomb by citing a previous instance of treason with simr circumstances.


    Even if Louis was certain Erwin was loyal, what about thetter’s men? Furthermore, everyone was on


    guard against each other. For example, if two people with guns meet each other in a dark forest, what


    do you think will be their first move? To kill the other one, of course! After all, neither of them knew if the


    other person is going to shoot them or not. To put it simply, everything happens for a reason.”


    Yeverie nodded. After listening to Jonathan’s exnation, the confusing facts in history start to make a


    lot of sense to me.


    Finally, Jonathan and Yeverie were feeling sleepy.


    “You’re an incredible storyteller, Your Majesty. Can you continue this tomorrow?” asked Yeverie.


    “Sure.” Jonathan smiled.


    In response, she yawned.


    “You should sleep.”


    Without dy, Yeverie shut her eyes.


    Jonathan, too.


    The next morning, when Jonathan woke up, he realized Yeverie had wormed into his embrace.


    She slept soundly as though she had temporarily forgotten about her worries.


    Smiling, Jonathan chose not to disturb her.


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    However, Yeverie soon awoke. When she discovered she was in Jonathan’s arms, she blushed.


    Immediately, she sat up. “Your Majesty, I…”


    Jonathan smiled. “You’re such a silly gal. Come on, let’s continue our journey.”


    Taking in a deep breath, he raised two of his fingers. “There were two main reasons Louis wanted to


    execute Erwin. Firstly, while Erwin was in control of the army, their rations were distributed by the court.


    It was a ploy by Louis to put a leash on the soldiers. Of course, Louis could allow Erwin to gather


    rations on his own. However, if he did that, he wouldn’t be able to control Erwin anymore. Secondly, the


    court back then was split into two factions, one of which was pro-war while the other supported peace.


    Erwin was, naturally, the leader of the pro-war faction. It was a battle between factions and one that


    Louis couldn’t afford to continue going to war anymore. Some events around that time involving Erwin


    were frankly embellished by his descendants. In truth, Erwin’s victory in the battle of Zaprington didn’t


    really leave a mark in history. Additionally, at that point in time, he hadn’t wiped out the main enemy


    base yet. Hence, Louis was in support of peace. Also, generals whomandrge armies tend not to


    have a good ending. Louis was aware of Erwin’s loyalty, especially considering thetter even had a


    tattoo stating his allegiance to his country on his back. However, some people tried insinuating to Louis


    that Erwin was a ticking time bomb by citing a previous instance of treason with simr circumstances.


    Even if Louis was certain Erwin was loyal, what about thetter’s men? Furthermore, everyone was on


    guard against each other. For example, if two people with guns meet each other in a dark forest, what


    do you think will be their first move? To kill the other one, of course! After all, neither of them knew if the


    other person is going to shoot them or not. To put it simply, everything happens for a reason.”