Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 66: World Reserve Bank [3]

"Should I also go away?"

A voice interrupted him.

Akamir looked to the other side of the bed.

Only to find Duke Darvin sitting on a chair.

Akamir blinked a few times, groaning internally.

Of all the people he didn’t want to see first thing after waking up, Duke Darvin topped the list.

He sat up, dragging the pillow off his face and tossing it to the side. "How long have you been sitting there?"

"Long enough to know you sleep like a rock," Darvin replied calmly, his fingers laced together over one knee.

"And that your servant has no sense of propriety."

Zia bowed slightly but didn’t say anything.

Akamir didn’t reply right away.

He rubbed his eyes, swung his legs over the side of the bed, and stretched his back.

Standing up, he looked at Zia. "Can I get something refreshing?"

"Yes, young master," she replied and rushed out of the room.

Akamir looked back at Darvin. "Why are you here?"

Duke Darvin stood up from his seat and began to walk. "Can’t I come to see my son?"

Akamir chuckled. "...Yeah, I am not buying it."

Darvin didn’t reply as he walked out of the room.

Akamir just stood there, not moving an inch.

There was silence in the room before Darvin walked back. "Follow me."

Akamir sighed as he began to walk behind him.

Darvin kept his eyes around the place as he looked at the condition of the estate.

"How is your academy life going?" he asked, glancing back at Akamir.

Akamir gave a noncommittal shrug. "It’s school. What do you expect from it?"

Darvin didn’t smile, but his gaze lingered. "That doesn’t tell me much."

"Then maybe you’re asking the wrong question."

Darvin stopped as he looked back at him. "Were you always this sharp-tongued?"

Akamir looked dead into his eyes. "You would have noticed if you actually cared for me."

Duke Darvin stared back before he turned and began to walk out toward the garden.

The evening air in the garden was crisp as it hit them.

Darvin slowed as he approached an old stone bench beneath a leaning cypress tree.

He gestured to it. "Sit."

Akamir didn’t move. "I’ll stand."

Darvin didn’t argue.

He sat down himself, resting his hands on his knees.

"Are you here to just stare at me?" Akamir asked, tilting his head in confusion.

For a long moment, he didn’t speak.

Then—

"There has been a rumour circulating around the kingdom," Darvin said. "A very terrible rumour."

Akamir’s face turned serious as he looked at him. "What rumour?"

He pointed at Akamir. "That you killed the crown prince," he said, "and framed your brother Morris."

Akamir tilted his head. ’Can I kill him right now?’

"You can’t," Nayomi’s voice echoed from behind him. "He is still stronger than you."

Akamir took in a deep breath, calming himself down. "Do you believe those rumours?"

Darvin didn’t answer right away.

He just stared at Akamir for a long moment.

Then, slowly, he said, "It doesn’t matter what I believe."

Akamir narrowed his eyes. "That’s a political answer."

"Did you do it?"

Akamir leaned forward just slightly. "What would you do if I said yes?"

Darvin met his gaze. "Depends on why."

’Hah. Look at this fucker.’

Akamir sneered internally.

If it had been the time before the engagement, Darvin would have jumped at him to get the answers.

’And now, he’s just shrugging off his son’s death like nothing.’

Akamir wasn’t seeing a father but a man hungry for more power.

"I did no such thing," Akamir replied, looking into his eyes. "And I would never harm my brother."

Darvin just nodded, looking at him. "I thought so. You aren’t the type to do such things."

"And where are these rumours coming from anyway?"

"I will look into them, don’t worry," Darvin said quietly. "They will be punished accordingly."

Akamir nodded, keeping his face stoic. "Anything else?"

Darvin stood slowly, brushing imaginary dust from his coat.

"The Aure Kingdom has sent an official statement after what happened at the engagement party," he said, looking at Akamir.

"They have asked for compensation for the humiliation."

’Well, I guess money can also buy a royal’s dignity.’

Akamir quietly asked, "And what if we don’t pay the price?"

"Then they will wage war on us," he replied, moving toward a flower. "A war with no restrictions."

Akamir stared at the flower Darvin had stopped to observe.

War.

A war with no restrictions.

Being the king in his previous life, he had led a lot of wars himself.

He knew what it did to people and was well aware of the consequences of it.

If a war really happened, only the poor will suffer.

He looked at Darvin. "What are you going to do?"

"Nothing," he replied, picking up a violet flower. "It’s more beneficial for us if the kingdom goes to war."

He turned to look at Akamir, who stared at him without any emotion on his face.

"This way we can strengthen our army and make the royal family bleed," he continued, walking closer.

"And the weaker they are, the easier it is for us to take over them."

"..."

Akamir just looked at him without a word.

Had he been strong enough, he might have just killed the man right here.

’He is way too dangerous for everyone.’

"Even the World Reserve Bank has given their word to support me," he said calmly. "All I need to do is show my worth."

’...’

There was so much Akamir wanted to say, but he chose to remain quiet.

He tilted his head. "Anything else?"

"Duke Vareon of Polama will enter the core dungeon soon," he said, looking into his eyes. "If he doesn’t return, then we are overtaking their lands."

Akamir just nodded and didn’t even bother to argue the loopholes in his plans.

"Are you going to stay?" he asked, tilting his head. "Because I have my classes tomorrow."

"No, I will be leaving now," he replied as he walked past him. "I just came to check on my son."

Akamir remained silent as he waited for him to leave.

"Asher," Darvin called from behind.

Akamir turned to look at him.

"Impregnate Princess Inara," he said, his voice cold. "I don’t care what method you use....just do it as soon as possible."

Akamir was already aware of the reason for him to ask such a thing.

She’s of direct bloodline to the throne.

If she bears his child, it will make it easy for them to capture the kingdom.

’What a sick bastard.’

Akamir let out a sigh as he saw him leaving the estate.

The first thing he did was look at Nayomi.

"How strong is he?" he asked.

"Blue core."

Akamir frowned. "Wasn’t that impossible for humans to achieve?"

"Not all of them," she replied quietly. "Some can achieve it—like Darvin, who is light blue core, or King Aldric, who is dark blue core."

Akamir nodded silently as he began to stare at the sky.

"I still have a long way to go, huh?" he mumbled, raising his hand upwards. "Still a long way."

Nayomi curiously moved just above him as she stared into his eyes.

He frowned. "What?"

"Are you really going to impregnate Inara?" she asked curiously.

"Why would I do that?" he grumbled, brushing her aside. "And what right does she have to have my child?"

"Wow. You talk like you’re the royalty here."

"Think what you want."

He let out a sigh as he began to walk back to his room.

’Anyway, I should talk with Inara about this.’

Akamir thought silently.

’She needs to know the consequences of her actions.’

---

The next morning, Akamir walked through the teachers’ building, his mind still occupied with yesterday’s conversation.

"Akamir," Nayomi said, making him look at her. "Something is wrong."

"Hm—?"

"ARGHH!!!"

As he moved past the first floor, a sudden scream pierced the silence.

’Wait, what was that!?’

Instinctively, he rushed toward it, prepared for the worst—only to find Professor Velyrian, arms raised, grinning like a madman.

"We did it!" the professor shouted, eyes wide with happiness. "We made it stable!"

Akamir blinked, confused. "Made what stable?"

Milo was standing close to him, looking happy yet concerned.

Velyrian pointed at the glowing orb at the centre of the room.

"The Ven! It’s stabilized!"

Akamir’s eyes narrowed as he looked into the lab, where a suspended core pulsed rhythmically.

He glanced back at Velyrian. "Show me everything."