SSS SKILL: DUPLICATE

Chapter 13: Facing the King

Edgar taught Elena for a few hours. Addition and subtraction were easily understood by Elena because they are used in Sid calculus. Elena understood a bit of multiplication and division. She also learned the double-entry bookkeeping system. She is astonished that there is a very magical way of calculating. She can see how much the income, expenses, debt, and assets are. If the kingdom's treasurer knows the double-entry bookkeeping system, he will probably prostrate to the ground.

"Just keep practicing what I taught you. Teach it to the treasurer and prime minister. Teach it also to people that could become teachers. They will be teachers in schools that I will build later." Edgar knows the importance of education. He will not only teach calculations in school. Nobles monopolize knowledge. Most of the kingdom's land is governed by nobles because of a lack of available officials.

Nobles have too much power in the local area, which is very dangerous. There are already many cases of unjust treatment of ordinary people in a noble's land, but evidence disappears before it is discovered. There are many cover-ups in the nobles' land. Ordinary people will probably be easily fooled if nobles decide to rebel.

Edgar thought of a way to increase the influence of the royal court in the local area: the newspaper. Edgar thinks that the right time to launch a newspaper is when the royal court has a strong grip on the army and more people can read.

The local army must reform to minimize the influence of nobles and serve as a deterrent force in the local area. Building many schools will definitely cause a fierce reaction from nobles, but building one school that teaches miscellaneous subjects will be ignored by them.

He will only teach a small number of personnel first. He will slowly increase the number of schools and entice nobles with benefits. Edgar will tie nobles to the interests of the kingdom by forming a business alliance and giving authority when establishing a constitutional monarchy. In exchange, Edgar will cut the power of nobles in the local area. The plan will take a long time, but nobles will be frogs in cool water being slowly boiled.

Edgar ate lunch after teaching Elena and rested for a while. He went to the Royal Library, but he still did not find any clues about gods. He went to the training ground and continued his training with Marco. He was able to execute the fourth movement. It will probably take only two months before he can completely execute all 24 movements. He returned to the castle after training and soaked in a medicinal bath.

"I should talk to the king after taking a bath. The king should have known the changes that happened to me. He definitely has eyes and ears in the castle. He will probably question why I changed and where I got my knowledge on extracting oil from soybeans. I did not go yesterday to give time for the king to think. I want him to think that I was just acting as an incompetent prince," thought Edgar. As a prince, he must show respect to his father. Van had not visited the king since he became regent. Van's behavior chills the allies of the king and many royal members of the family. Van does not like the king because he was always punished.

Edgar went to the king's chamber after taking a bath. There are many guards along the way. The door is guarded by two powerful aura masters. Their faces are serious, and their faces do not look good when they see Edgar in front of them.

The king's health is in serious danger. It will become worse if he is stimulated by anger. Every time the king meets Van, there is always a roar of anger inside. The two guards have been with the king since he was young. The bond between them is strong, so they do not like Van, who always disappoints the king. There are maids and doctors standing in front of the door. A head maid moves and bows to Edgar.

"Your highness, the king ordered that you enter the chamber when you arrive," said the head maid. Edgar nods.

"Your highness, the prince is here," the head maid announced so she could be heard by the people inside. The door is opened by the guards, and Edgar goes inside.

Edgar saw the queen and king. The queen has anger on her face while looking at Edgar. The king is thin, his face is wrinkled with large eyebags, and his hair is turning white. The king is just 50 years old, but he looks 70 years old. Edgar did not expect the king to look like this. It is different in Van's memory.

"Why are you only visiting now? Do you think you already hold the strongest power in the kingdom and can disregard your own family? How can you be so foolish? You do not even know that you are already losing allies. You are wasting the hard work of your father!" The queen did not know the changes in Van. The king was not able to tell her since he is sleeping most of the time and the queen needs to return to her chamber.

"Mother, Father, I'm sorry for not acting filial to both of you." Edgar kneeled and apologized sincerely. The king and queen are shocked. They did not expect the actions of the prince. The prince did not appreciate the care of the king and queen, but Edgar does. In Van's memory, he saw the sincerity of the queen and king.

"You have really changed. How?" the king asked weakly. He looks kindly at Edgar. He finally feels at ease that the prince really changed. He has an idea why the prince suddenly changed, but he still wants to know how the prince will answer. The queen looks at the king, who seems aware of the prince's change, then stares at Edgar and expects an answer.

Edgar looks at the queen and said, "Mother, please block the sound in the room. I don't want to leak what I will tell you."

The queen nods and casts magic. A white magic circle appears on her feet.

SOUND BLOCKADE

A white magic shield appears and expands until it reaches every corner of the room.

The people outside the room are startled by the magic fluctuation inside the room.

"It's fine. It is a sound blockade. It is cast by the queen. I am familiar with her mana," said the head maid to calm the crowd.

Edward looks at the king and queen. His eyes are red, and tears are dropping. Edgar started his Oscar Award act.

"Father, Mother, I have to pretend to be an incompetent prince to save my life!"