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Join the Server“Let’s go.”
Before long, Su Mu returned to the entrance with Bai Ji.
Sasaki, still maintaining his indifferent demeanor towards Su Mu, walked ahead without a single word.
Su Mu paid him no mind; his focus was entirely on discovering the new reward the system had bestowed upon him.
He suppressed the urge to investigate immediately, deciding to thoroughly examine it only after this current journey was complete.
Visiting the original body’s father, Su Mu felt a distinct unease, unsure what challenges or difficult questions awaited him.
He considered asking Sasaki for some insight, but recalling Sasaki’s public attitude towards him, he found himself at a loss for words.
Bai Ji, ever obedient, trailed quietly behind Su Mu.
In silent procession, the group arrived at the magnificent and grand entrance of the royal palace.
Su Mu felt a surge of confusion. Why were they here? At this hour, surely the King should be resting in his private chambers, not attending to state affairs?
As if reading his thoughts, Sasaki promptly offered an explanation:
“This way. Father is reviewing documents in his study.”
“Still working at this hour? Where does he sleep at night?”
“The study. Father essentially sleeps in his study all year round.”
Sasaki stated this fact with an utterly calm voice.
Su Mu was taken aback, his perception of the father he had never met shifting slightly.
Upon entering the palace, they found the first floor occupied by the grand council hall. The second floor housed various archives and the King’s personal study, where he conducted his work.
A light glowed from within the study.
Sasaki led Su Mu to the study door and gave a soft knock.
Buried in his documents, a middle-aged man looked up, his gaze falling upon the newcomers. He then lowered his head, returning his eyes to the scrolls in his hand, and spoke in a deep, resonant voice: “You’ve arrived.”
“Father.”
Sasaki bowed respectfully.
Observing this, Su Mu mimicked the gesture, performing a similar bow.
“Susumu is here too.”
“Yes, Father.”
Su Mu felt a tremor of nervousness. From the seemingly gentle yet imposing man before him, he sensed an intense pressure.
“Are your injuries healed?”
Louis asked, without lifting his head.
“Thank you for your concern, Father. My injuries have fully recovered.”
“Good. Sasaki, you may leave. Close the door behind you.”
Louis set down his documents and looked at Sasaki.
“Yes.”
Sasaki gave Su Mu a gentle push, then exited without another word, closing the door firmly behind him.
Within the now-sealed room, only Su Mu and Louis remained.
Su Mu’s body tensed with anxiety. He stood rigidly, awaiting the King’s next move.
Contrary to his expectations, the King did not appear as stern or aloof as he had imagined. Instead, Louis looked at him with gentle eyes, offering a benevolent smile.
“Susumu, I apologize. I’ve been rather busy lately. When I heard about your injury, I genuinely wanted to visit you, but I was simply too occupied.”
Su Mu froze, flattered by the unexpected apology. He quickly replied, “Father, there’s no need for you to apologize. State affairs are paramount, as they should be. It is you who works so tirelessly; please take care of your health.”
“Hahaha… losing your memory seems to have sweetened your tongue considerably.”
Louis burst into laughter, appearing genuinely pleased.
Su Mu offered a polite, silent smile in return.
“After losing your memory, how much do you still recall?”
Once his laughter subsided, Louis continued to probe.
“I’ve forgotten everything…”
“Oh? You remember nothing, yet you address me with such familiarity?”
With downcast eyes, Su Mu replied earnestly, “Father, though my memories are gone, the warmth of our bloodline surged within me the moment I saw you, stirring my very soul.”
Louis nodded in agreement, a look of profound satisfaction on his face. “Good, good, good. You are indeed my son. Even with amnesia, you remain composed and possess the very demeanor I had in my youth.”
“You flatter me, Father.”
“Modesty, haha, you’ve performed well. As a reward, I shall tell you a secret.”
Louis narrowed his eyes, fixing Su Mu with an intense stare. “The assassination attempt on you? Sasaki was behind it. What are your thoughts?”
“Haha, Father, you must be joking again. How could my brother possibly do such a thing?”
Su Mu had not anticipated Louis directly bringing up the assassination. He laughed, attempting to mask his inner panic.
“Susumu, I am not joking.”
Louis’s expression grew serious, his gaze as sharp as an eagle’s.
Su Mu lifted his head, meeting Louis’s eyes without a hint of fear, and smiled. “No, Father, you are indeed joking. My brother could not have done such a thing. There was no gain, no conflict, no quarrel—unless he had gone mad.”
“I will repeat myself: I am not joking. This is the truth.”
Louis emphasized his words.
Su Mu’s smile faded, and he sighed, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness. “Father, it seems you dislike me…”
“What is the meaning of this?”
Louis paused, clearly not expecting such a response.
Su Mu spoke sorrowfully, “If it truly is a fact, yet you do not punish my brother and instead use this to provoke me, are you trying to incite me to seek trouble with him, thereby giving him a reason to kill me? How much do you detest me, to wish for my death so intently?”
‘You bastard, come on, let’s go head-to-head! Aren’t you trying to stir up trouble? Aren’t you trying to force a confrontation? Who’s afraid of whom? If you have the guts, admit you want me dead. Give me a reason to finish you off later,’ Su Mu inwardly seethed with disdain.
Louis fell silent, dark mist swirling in his eyes. Suddenly, his stern expression vanished, replaced by uproarious laughter. “Hahaha, excellent, Susumu. You truly have matured now, far more outstanding than your brother.”
“So, is that why you wish me dead?”
Su Mu asked, unappreciative of the compliment.
“No, that is why you are still alive and standing before me now.”
Louis’s smile vanished as he spoke, his tone deeply meaningful.
Su Mu’s face stiffened. He felt an intense surge of killing intent emanating from the man before him.
This man had genuinely intended to kill him moments ago!
“Susumu, do you desire the throne?”
Louis once again openly dropped a bombshell.
“What if I say no?”
Su Mu asked, his face grim.
Louis merely smiled, offering no words.
“I do.”
Su Mu bit the bullet and nodded.
Louis, however, smiled and shook his head. “No, merely wanting it is not enough. One year from today will be the official announcement of the heir to the throne. At that time, if the heir is not you, hehe, believe me, you will die a very miserable death.”
Gritting his teeth, Su Mu asked, “Does Mother know?”
“I advise you to save your cleverness for the struggle for power ahead. The more you know, the more despair you will feel.”
Louis didn’t answer directly, but the implication was clear: the gentle and considerate Furei knew about this, yet she would do nothing.
Su Mu felt his hands and feet grow cold, and he suppressed a tremor. “One last question: why did you send people to assassinate me? Was my amnesia also under your control? What exactly do you want?!”
Louis propped his chin, savoring Su Mu’s expression, and revealed a playful smile. “Those are three questions. But since I’m in a good mood, I’ll tell you everything.”
“First, the one who assassinated you was your brother.”
“Second, whether you have amnesia or not, you should know best yourself.”
“Third, what I want, hm. I want my kingdom to prosper forever, or at the very least, not be destroyed by the next generation I have educated!”
The adventure continues! If you loved this chapter, Not Me, The Fans is a must-read. Click here to start!
Read : Not Me, The Fans
