Volume 6 Chapter 53
by Golden DragonVolume 6 + Chapter 53: Arranging The Succession
Kennedy put his arm around Judith’s waist and asked her a question.
“As I recall, your previous business ventures extended into the Dark Elf Kingdom, isn’t that right?”
The elves and the dark elves were hostile toward each other and rarely interacted.
However, among the dark elves dwelling in the underground kingdom, many had needs for goods from the outside world.
Thus, despite explicit prohibitions, quite a few people still risked their lives to engage in trade between the two nations.
Most of these individuals had been sanctioned by the elven military.
Yet there was one exception: Judith.
With Kennedy’s help, Judith could conduct this business without fear of the military coming after her, and she had even come to know members of the dark elven royal family.
“Yes, darling. Just a while ago, I made a deal with a member of the dark elven royal family. I sold some rare plants at a high price and made a huge profit…”
Judith’s hand caressed Kennedy’s cheek.
“What’s wrong, darling? Running short on money lately?”
“No.”
Kennedy shook his head. He pushed Judith off him and walked over to the window.
Judith was somewhat puzzled. “Darling, what’s gotten into you today? You don’t seem interested at all…”
“Judith, the Elf King summoned me today. He held me accountable for failing to secure sufficient benefits for the elven race during the anti-vampire war,” Kennedy explained.
Judith immediately stood up, her expression changing.
She and Kennedy were grasshoppers tied to the same rope, neither could do without the other. Even her voice lost its coquettish lilt.
“What does that damned old geezer want?!”
“The matter hadn’t reached a conclusion when he suddenly collapsed. It might be due to his poor health…”
Kennedy turned around.
“Judith, you should know how many people in this kingdom want to bring me down. If I fall, I will certainly be purged. And then, without the protection of the military, your businesses will become easy pickings for those people.”
“Darling, you have to think of something. You can’t just sit around waiting for death.”
Judith grew flustered and rushed into Kennedy’s arms.
In conducting these businesses, she had also made many enemies.
“You are a towering general! A great man born between heaven and earth should never languish under another’s command for long!”
The implication was clear to Kennedy.
He held military power, had he not considered such a thing himself?
“Judith, I understand your expectations of me, but…”
“Darling, if that old geezer can sit on the throne, why can’t you?” Judith continued to incite Kennedy. “I have accumulated so much wealth. If you want, I can fully support you!”
Kennedy smiled. He had tested Judith, and it seemed she was indeed determined to fight to the bitter end alongside him.
If this path succeeded, it would bring endless wealth and glory, and he would never have to bow and scrape to anyone again.
Of course, he fully understood the risks involved.
“Don’t be impatient, Judith. I already have a plan for what to do next.”
“Darling, have you already worked it out?”
“Yes. We can use your connections to help me establish ties with the dark elves. By leveraging those dark elves, we can achieve our goals.”
Kennedy was brimming with confidence.
“This kingdom will surely fall into my hands.”
…
…
Elven Royal Palace.
“Cough, cough, cough…”
The Elf King lay in bed, unable to rise. His health was deteriorating further and further.
A week had passed since his sudden collapse. He had been receiving treatment from the royal physician, but there had been no improvement.
This was not any illness, but simply that the Elf King’s lifespan was nearing its end.
He had lived far too long, his bodily functions had reached their limit.
“Is there… still hope for me?” the Elf King asked the royal physician before him.
“Your Majesty the Elf King, please do not worry too much. As long as you regulate your health…”
“Tell me the truth!”
“Your Majesty, I am deeply sorry, but we are at our wits’ end! For the sake of the elven race’s future, please make all necessary arrangements as soon as possible to prevent unforeseen circumstances!”
The royal physician gritted his teeth and spoke the truth.
After hearing this, the Elf King’s expression showed no fluctuation. He merely sighed.
“Ah… have I finally reached this day…”
“Your Majesty…”
“Never mind. You may leave. Summon Eve, as well as Apu and the other ministers.”
“As you command.” The royal physician withdrew.
The Elf King felt his mind growing hazy. Dimly, he seemed to hear the calls of the wise elf sovereigns of ages past.
He felt as if his soul were about to drift away, but there were still matters left unfinished…
“Your Majesty!”
The elven ministers, led by Apu, together with Eve, had all arrived.
Apu was an old and senior minister of the court, with considerable seniority, only slightly younger than the Elf King. These ministers sensed the abnormality in the Elf King’s condition and felt a foreboding in their hearts.
“Bring me paper and a pen,” the Elf King instructed.
“Very well.”
Eve brought the paper and pen to the bedside, at the same time helping the Elf King sit up.
Although the Elf King could barely even hold the pen, he still forced himself to write down crucial contents, sealing them inside a scroll.
“This is my final edict. If I pass away, open this edict and carry out its instructions. No one shall disobey,” the Elf King commanded everyone present. “All of you bear witness. Apu, this edict is entrusted to your keeping.”
“Your Majesty, this old servant will surely do as you command!!”
Tears streaming down his face, Apu received the edict and knelt on the ground.
The others showed deeply sorrowful expressions and wept.
Afterward, the Elf King gave further instructions, and the ministers acknowledged them. Once he had finished, he dismissed all the ministers, leaving only Eve behind.
“Ah… Eve.”
The Elf King looked at the gray-haired elven princess, let out a long sigh, and finally called her name.
“You truly resemble Bernice so much… too much. Looking at you, I am reminded of Bernice by my side…”
At the mention of her mother’s name, Eve showed a sorrowful expression.
“Grandfather, I don’t want you to leave. Why not use the Water of Life!”
“What?”
“The Water of Life can save you…”
“Have you forgotten my teachings? How many times have I told you? According to our ancestral precepts, no one is allowed to use the Water of Life lightly! The Water of Life concerns the very survival of the entire elven race! Our ancestors defeated the dark elves by relying on the blessing of the Water of Life. Such an important thing must never be used for personal desires, not even the Elf King is exempt!”
“But I don’t care about the elven race. I only care about the people who matter to me…” Eve spoke her true heart. “I just want my grandfather to live. You are my only family.”
“You… you!”
The Elf King trembled with rage. He grabbed the small table from his sickbed and hurled it at Eve.
“I should never have agreed to Bernice’s request and kept you, this damned monster, alive!!”
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