When A Mage Revolts

Regardless of the situation, Benjamin first brought these people back to their temporary location in the Candela Mountains.

Along the way, he understood from the King that there were a lot of similar situations. Since they had arrived at this stage, other than relying on Benjamin, it was obvious that the King did not have other options but to expose everything that he knew.

This also gave Benjamin a deeper understanding regarding the political situation in Candela.

Even though the Church controlled the Palace, but outside of it, the majority of people were still loyal towards this present King. Each officer, ignorant citizens... Maybe they did not wear their love on their sleeves but at least they respected the King.

After all, the word "King" had a power above all else in their hearts.

Benjamin could use this point.

Even more so, the King's escape was a huge disruption in the flow of the Church. Before that, they had always used the King to control major situations like the saying "relying on the emperor to make princes". And now, without the King being within their grasp, the Church would also loose the arrow in their hands - making them unable to resume with the control they were enforcing on Carretas's situation.

With that being said... This situation was very beneficial for them!

"We should immediately announce it to the whole country, expose the Church's conspiracy and let everyone know that the King has left the Palace. Then, the Church can only grab their tails and leave."

In the meeting, Benjamin hit the table and said.

When the other mages heard, they all nodded their heads in agreement.

Since the King was already on their side, then what else did they had to be afraid of?

However, when the mages were all dancing with joy, Miles raised his hand and suspected, "I do not want to be the party pooper, but... I have to remind you that the Church is secretly preparing for a substitute."

All the mages went blank when they heard.

Substitute...

Suddenly, a horrible sixth sense appeared in Benjamin's mind.

"What you mean is... The Church has already found someone who is a look-alike of the King and he could replace the real King's seat?"

Miles shrugged his shoulders and said, "I am not too sure. They are very careful with these operations and it is very hard to find out. I have previously found some indications, which is why I have to remind all of you."

As Benjamin heard, he could not help but shook his head and let out a sigh.

They spoke too soon....

After some thinking on regards of how to steal the royal throne, the Church should have very rich experience in that field - how could they not have thought about the possibility of such a basic operation like a substitute?

"Sorry to trouble you." Benjamin's face turned gloom and he spoke again after giving it some thought, "I need you to go out and inquire about the situation. Gealorre's movements and whether the King's escape created any unforeseen circumstances - please try to look into these situations clearly."

Miles heard and he did not say anything. He just nodded his head, turned around and left the simple, yet crude meeting tent.

However, there was another crisp and neat work that could be done.

Seeing this, Benjamin's sunken heart was a little more at ease.

But... With the possibility of a substitute, then the whole situation would be flipped around.

Once the substitute showed himself, the Church would then have a King and so would Benjamin. This play of fake and real King could cut the royal power's appeal in half or maybe more. After all, the other King would be residing in the Palace, wearing the royal crown and sitting on the royal throne. Yet, their King... Forget it, it would be best not to bring it up.

For a moment, circumstances had become unpleasant.

"Teacher Benjamin, what should we do?" Frank observed that he had not spoken for a while and he could only say, "If we attack Gealorre, what is our chance of winning?"

"Basically zero." Benjamin immediately shook his head and came up with a suggestion, "Moreover, even if we do have a chance of winning, we still cannot do that. Now, whether the Church can control Gealorre is still unknown. Considering that the people in the city do not have a clear understanding of the situation and if they all unite as a defense, we will be helping the Church instead if we attack them."

"Then according to the original plan, we can spread the information of the King's escape. At least we have one King here which would definitely persuade some people," Varys suggested.

Benjamin did not shake his head nor did he come up with a decision.

After some pondering, only did he open his mouth to say, "Let's wait for Miles to come back with some news, only then we'll talk again. The Church has their eyes on many people, we cannot act as recklessly as we did before anymore."

The mages heard and nodded their heads without objection. Just like that, this meeting was now over, as they one by one exited the tent.

The only one left was Benjamin, deep in thought while leaning against the table.

"... Mage Benjamin? Your meeting has ended?"

Suddenly, a voice was heard from outside of the tent. Benjamin lifted his head only to find the King in layman clothes just like a commoner, wearing a worried look as he walked in.

Benjamin saw and hesitated for a bit. But in the end, he nodded his head and said, "For now, it has ended."

"Then... What do you plan to do?"

"No idea," Benjamin frustratedly waved his hand and said, "The Church might have prepared a substitute for you - in the front, you escaped; at the back, they upgraded your substitute onto the royal throne - Gealorre will still be nice and sunny as if nothing happened at all."

When the King heard, he went blank for a moment.

"You, what you said is real?"

Benjamin nodded his head and said in a weird way, "Miles did not bring this up with you? I assumed you would know about this."

However, the King did not reply.

At that moment, his expression looked as if the sky had fallen down, with no sense of hope.

Needless to say, the substitute's existence was like a lightning which could throw him into hell and destruct his chances of reincarnation forever. If the substitute could stabilize the royal throne under the support of the Church, then this King in front of him would never be a King again.

He would just be another commoner.

In regards to the brought up he has had as a King since he was young, this would definitely be cruel - it might even ruin his whole world.

Yet….. At such an old age, he should have experienced what real cruelty was.

With that thought, Benjamin walked over with a cold face and held the King's shoulder.

"The taste of having your own identity stolen by another must not feel good." He woke the King up from his despair, starred in his eyes and slowly said, "But... Identity, name - these are all a part of your outer appearance. Tell me, what do you have left since the halo that was given by your thrown was stolen?"

"Who are you? Carretas's King? Or are you a chubby and bald middle-aged man with nothing to offer?"

"You..." The King was a little taken aback and stunned. Then, he flusterly said, "How dare you speak to me like that? I am….. I am..."

Instead, Benjamin shook his head, only to reveal a pitiful smile.

"Tell me, who are you?"

"I'm... I'm..."

It was as if the King had a rock between his throat; he stared blankly for half a day but still could not say anything.

Seeing that, Benjamin shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, you really disappoint me." After he finished, he did not care about the King's reaction. Instead, he turned around and left through the tent's entrance.

As he was at the entrance, the King finally called him.

"... I'm sorry."

When Benjamin heard that, he turned around to look at the King and yet, the King had his head down low, with his back towards Benjamin like a disheartened statue, afraid to have eye contact.

"If you did not mean that, I will not accept it," Benjamin said.

"Then what do you want?" The King turned his body around and glared at him with a pair of despaired eyes.

"Do something." Benjamin said with an expressionless face as he raised an eyebrow, "Apology and determination through words do not mean anything. Before you become a King, you have to first think of how you can become a useful person."

When he was done, he was too tired to say anything else so he turned back towards where he was facing and left the tent as he pleased.