Treatise Of A Failed Knight

Chapter 341: The Great Kingdom (Part 2)

"Our Great Kingdom of Dustinville is in an age of peace and prosperity."

Davina proudly announces with her sonorous voice, snapping not only me, but the rest of my comrades, from our dazed state.

"We have maintained this state for over a thousand years," she continues while flashing us a beaming smile. "Crime has been quelled to its minimum, making this the most peaceful place you can ever live in. No Large-sized Kingdom in the Northwest can boast of this impeccable achievement. The cause of this Kingdom’s greatness can be attributed to many factors, but if not for the wisdom and blessings of the Royal Family, none of these would be possible."

I chuckle softly upon hearing this.

If I wasn’t able to confirm it before, I have no doubts in my mind now.

The Royal Family of this Kingdom has a Leviathan!

No, maybe not just one.

It wouldn’t be extreme to say that the reason this Kingdom has lasted so long, and is so confident in itself, is because almost everything in the Kingdom is being controlled by its ruler.

"Dustinville is currently being ruled by King Julius Karmados Levis Dustinville IV. His Majesty is from a long line of rulers who have led this Kingdom since ancient times. And, just like his predecessors, King Julius has continued the culture of excellence. He has made it his priority to ensure the prosperity of this Kingdom as well as all neighboring nations."

’King Julius, huh?’ Considering how his full name is a mouthful, I can only resort to addressing the king by his first name.

I’m very sure this man is a Leviathan.

Or, at the very least, his strings are being pulled by a Leviathan.

’Even the Randalorion Kingdom had influences of a Leviathan in its founding, and Dustinville has surely existed for far longer than it.’ I think about the matter very deeply, growing more and more certain of my suspicions.

But what Rank is the ruler of this Kingdom?

They certainly can’t be a Rank 1 Leviathan; that I am certain of.

’If the Kingdom is being run by such a ruler, even I would be sufficient in taking them down. After all, I should be stronger than the average Rank 1 Leviathan. Then, could they be Rank 2? No, this still feels too low...’

After thinking about it for some time, I have to say... the bare minimum is Rank 3.

A single Rank 3 Leviathan can destroy a Mid-sized Kingdom.

I saw it in the case of Lucien Zevalis.

To properly rule such a vast Kingdom, one has to possess that kind of power as a bare minimum.

’They may even be a Rank 4...’ I smile wryly, almost lampooning. ’This wouldn’t surprise me that much, considering how many things I have now been exposed to.’

A Rank 4 Leviathan... I haven’t seen such an existence before.

However, based on what I know, they would have access to the ’Year’ Layer, allowing them to use temporal abilities up to the limit of a year.

If they were a Seeker, they could use Prophecy to peer a year into the future, or Vision to witness events that have happened a year in the past. They could also use Clairvoyance to observe anything within their range of travel within a year.

In essence, as long as they can traverse such a distance within a year, they can immediately observe real-time events in such locations.

This is a terrifying power!

The Randalorion Kingdom is within a year’s travel from this Kingdom for an ordinary person.

It should even be shorter for a Leviathan.

’That means a Valiant can observe events going on in a faraway Kingdom with ease. It shouldn’t even be difficult for them to lock onto targets and keep a close watch on them without such a person being aware.’ I shudder at the horror. ’Without the existence of leftover Trace Elements, there is no way of actually knowing that someone is being watched.’

This is a great leap from Rank 3, which only has a Month as its limit.

’A Valiant should also have a much higher Interference Power and will be able to embody far more Mystical Characteristics. They would be able to use Existential Compulsion to command more Magivores, and they would also have greater upper limits in terms of both strength and speed. The qualitative change at Rank 4 will surely be something I cannot even comprehend, not to mention contend with. I’m still a weak Rank 1, after all...’

Upon realizing this, I feel a sudden and greater urge to get stronger as soon as possible.

But that means undergoing another frightening Apotheosis.

’What am I so terrified of? Lady Anastasia will be there, right? But she wasn’t around the last time. I also can’t be guaranteed that I will be able to regress in my second Apotheosis...’

Regardless, this isn’t something that can be delayed any longer.

Once I settle in this Kingdom and receive an ample opportunity, I will have to undergo my Second Apotheosis. Hopefully, not too much time will pass, which will allow me to get accustomed to my new abilities and prepare for my third Apotheosis.

Only then will I become a genuine Rank 2.

’How tiring...’

I solemnly stare at the tour guide, who is still doing her best to explain the rich history and greatness of this amazing Kingdom.

Honestly, I have to admit that Dustinville has exceeded my expectations.

During my past life, I never left the Randalorion Kingdom. Everything I knew about Dustinville was related to the exploits of Lady Beatrice, my sister’s hero and my master’s niece.

’Actually, it’s the Great Shamahk Kingdom that I knew better. This is because it had started its epic conquest to dominate the Northwest during the later periods of the Randalorion Kingdom’s decline. It was swallowing all the smaller Kingdoms in the area, and many believed it would eventually consume our Kingdom too. That’s only if a nearby Kingdom didn’t finish the job first...’ I cackle bitterly, reminiscing on old memories.

But this has led me to another thought.

The fact that they were so brazen in the later parts of my life, to the point that their influence and infamy exceeded even Dustinville, must mean that something happened to the latter.

Somehow, for whatever reason, Dustinville wasn’t able to stop their conquest.

’But why?’ My brows furrow as I deeply think of this matter.

Right now, Dustinville seems to be even more prosperous than Shamahk. Of course, this is largely propaganda, but this Kingdom wouldn’t boldly spew such statements if they could easily be debunked by its competition.

So why hasn’t Shamahk rebutted a lot of Dustinville’s statements or taken action yet?

It shows that the former is relatively weaker than the latter, right?

At the very least, they could be on equal footing.

Yet, Shamahk was able to outshine Dustinville in the future, to the point of conquering many nations and even advancing closer to the Randalorion Kingdom.

Shamahk exists towards the east while Dustinville is closer to the west, which makes the latter closer to Randalorion. For Shamahk to advance towards us, it means that the Great Kingdom must have passed Dustinville’s borders.

Yet, it did nothing to stop Shamahk’s conquest!

’This suggests that something must have happened to Dustinville in my past life. That’s the only explanation I can think of!’

"... The Royal Family and the Noble Families have maintained a long-standing cooperation since ancient times. Unlike many Kingdoms, which are divided by the Royal Faction and the Noble Faction, this isn’t the case here. Both sides share the same objectives, which is the prosperity of the Kingdom, and as such, there is no strife."

As I listen to the words of the tour guide, I can’t help but lampoon.

’If only our Randalorion Kingdom could learn from this place. We wouldn’t have had a Civil War in my past life had that been the case. But this is inevitable, since people from different walks of life are bound to have all kinds of motives. Factions are merely a reflection of that. The reason Dustinville can avoid this problem is likely because the Royal Family has consolidated the power of Leviathans, making it the absolute authority in the Kingdom. If that’s the case, the Noble Faction will be unable to resist its might and will have no choice but to go along with whatever the Royal Family says...’

Of course, I could be wrong about all of this.

It’s very possible that the cooperation between both factions is another piece of propaganda that is intentionally spread by Dustinville to give an illusion of cohesion.

Maybe there is actually trouble boiling in the background.

’Could that be why the Kingdom eventually fractures in the future?’ I can’t help but wonder.

While carefully listening to Davina’s speech, I notice yet another difference between Dustinville and the Randalorion Kingdom.

And that is the influence of the Church in this place.

’The Church actually has a lot of power in Dustinville. It’s because the people here are quite religious. That must mean the Church has its own faction and will naturally exert a great deal of influence in the political affairs of this Kingdom if it so wishes. But it appears the Church also does not openly challenge the Royal Family...’

This makes me certain that the Royal Family actually has a monopoly on the Leviathans.

No other faction possesses this invincible might.

’However, the fact that they are being docile must mean that these bodies know about Leviathans and the threat they pose.’ I mull on the matter, arriving at a reasonable conclusion. ’Only by having such knowledge can they willingly submit themselves without any sign of resistance.’

If I were to guess, I’d say the Church will often serve as an intermediary between the two forces:

Nobles and Royals,

Humans and Leviathans,

... as well as other affairs that exist in between.

Apart from all of this information, there are quite a few other differences that exist between a Mid-sized Kingdom like Randalorion and a powerhouse like Dustinville.

When it comes to the central governing body, this issue could not be more glaring.

’There are twelve Dukes in Dustinville, fifty Counts, two hundred and fifty Viscounts, one thousand Earls, and thousands of Barons—approximately 4,000—each having their designated territories. There will also be innumerable Lesser Nobles with their fiefs...’

This is far greater than the Randalorion Kingdom’s meager number of three Dukes, seven Counts, and so on.

However, this should be expected.

Dustinville is far bigger than the Randalorion Kingdom, after all.

’The central religion is also different...’ I nod in profound observation. ’Terra-Celestism, also known as the Church of the Earth Mother and Heavenly Father, is the most dominant here. Its worshipers believe in the existence of the Earth Mother, who is responsible for fortune, longevity, health, and prosperity, as well as the Heavenly Father, who is responsible for judgment, strength, and power. Apparently, these two deities formed the world and govern its affairs.’

Unlike Talidology, these divine beings are involved in the lives of the believers. Also, depending on their faith and offerings, they can curry the favor of the Earth Mother or Heavenly Father.

Most people, especially peasants, prefer to look to the Earth Mother, but they cannot fully ignore the Heavenly Father, since He is responsible for life after death and will judge everyone according to their works.

This religion is a major reason the Church has so much power, as it can directly influence the believers who truly believe in the existence of these deities.

’Talidology is very weak in this regard. It openly states that the Gods will not involve themselves in the affairs of man, since they have given the world for man to rule and inherit. If a man lives a noble life and is filial to his family, ensuring he does right by his fellow man, he will be able to rest in the embrace of the Earth. If not, he will be stuck as a wandering spirit and live a life alone and destitute, before slowly getting eroded by the passage of time...’ A wry smile forms on my face as I remember the times I seriously believed in those doctrines.

Now, I am not so sure anymore.

’Dustinville, due to its prosperity, has a very astounding military might, and it also has immensely deep foundations. From my observations alone, its reserves are even higher than many Large-sized Kingdoms put together, and this is largely due to its longevity.’

For, you see...

Dustinville isn’t simply over a thousand years old.

This Great Kingdom actually has a history of nearly a hundred thousand years, existing since the mid-period of the Epoch of Conquest!

It was first formed during the Banner Wars and continued after.

That means it dates as far back as the 11th Era!

We are currently in the 15th Era!

How impressive!

’Based on the history this tour guide is telling us, Dustinville wasn’t always a Large-sized Kingdom. Apparently, it was the wisdom and greatness of its Royal Family that slowly brought them to supremacy...’

This tells me that it began as an average kingdom with a slow but steady accumulation.

Then, the eventual harnessing of the power of Leviathans gave it the necessary protection it needed. This led to it eventually entering the scene of powerful kingdoms, ultimately solidifying itself as a powerhouse on the Continent.

The power of Leviathans truly cannot be underestimated.

The current king, Julius, actually has a lot of great achievements under his belt.

He’s also not very old.

Maybe he is actually a Rank 3 Leviathan, not a Rank 4 as I was led to imagine.

’The Royal Family, or should I call them the Dustinvilles, are still quite terrifying. They must have maintained this Leviathan heritage for at least tens of thousands of years. I will have to do my best not to cause any trouble or draw too much attention to myself... at least not until I become a powerhouse myself.’

Honestly, seeing so many things like this is stirring up an emotion within me.

An ambition to be stronger!

So much is possible with immense strength.

A greater degree of freedom can be achieved through the power that being a Leviathan brings.

’From a small and unimpressive kingdom, Dustinville has achieved so much already. Will I also be able to reach such heights one day?’

I can only wonder.