Chapter 214: 214: The Former Kings

Chapter 214: Chapter 214: The Former Kings

Chapter 214 – The Former Kings

After the war, the kings weren’t killed. The Elf King Antares and the Beast King Mbam were only captured—not executed.

After all, Antares was Aphasia’s father, and his crimes weren’t great enough to justify the same end Rome met.

Antares hadn’t stopped Aphasia from gaining power. He hadn’t belittled his daughter. His only sin, if you can even call it like that, was wanting to keep his bloodline pure—and so he wanted Aphasia to marry inside the family, not outside.

That’s why, the moment he found out about Aphasia’s relationship with Noah, he’d been so furious he was ready to thoroughly beat his daughter and kill the one who had “sullied” her.

But…

Antares found out that he had greatly underestimated the human who did this.

Then again—

‘No human should’ve been capable of such a feat,’ Antares thought bitterly. And he meant it.

Humans were inherently the weakest race. No matter how monstrous one of them became, they were never meant to stand on the same level as the geniuses of other races—especially not a genius like Nephis.

Never.

But Noah?

Not only was he on par—he surpassed all of them with tremendous ease.

It was maddening. And humbling.

It shattered something deep inside Antares.

And now… he understood. There was no place for stereotypes in this universe.

Because if you dare to think like that…

you will die sooner or later.

He was lucky this time. But next time, his opponent might not care that he’s the father of their woman.

At that thought, Antares sighed, then slowly stood and walked toward the library inside the White Castle.

Something he had personally built from scratch.

Noah had told him to be useful.

So he became useful.

He created a library and filled it with all his knowledge—about the world, the universe, magic, and more.

But he didn’t stop there. He went to each individual in the White Castle and gathered their knowledge too—everything they knew. Everything they remembered.

The most enlightening moment was when he sat with Justicia. That conversation alone sparked something new inside him. Something that made Antares want to know more about the universe.

It became his new drive. His new goal.

To make the Vaelgrim Library the most complete library in existence. One that would hold all the knowledge of the universe.

And the more he thought about it, the more excited he became. So Antares walked faster, eager to get back to his work.

When he arrived, people were already inside, reading.

The moment they saw him, they all stood and nodded respectfully.

“Greetings, Keeper of Knowledge.”

Yes—that was his new title inside the White Castle.

And truthfully?

‘I like this more than “King Antares.”‘

Antares smiled even wider and nodded warmly in return.

And as for his wife, Sonomi?

Antares knew she was now Noah’s maid. And he knew she was no longer his.

And that was fine.

After all—

‘I am the Keeper of Knowledge. I only need books now.’

He smiled.

He accepted the green hat with grace.

What a man.

…

Beside Antares, there was also Mbam—the Beast King, the Golden Lion.

In his case, it wasn’t because his daughter was Noah’s woman—but because his subordinates were.

Ray and Domy.

But that wasn’t the only reason Noah spared him. Mbam was spared because, honestly?

He didn’t deserve blame.

He had been a good father. Never favored one child over the other. Gave them everything he could. Trained them the best he knew how, so they wouldn’t die the moment they stepped outside.

And when all that was done, he let them walk their own path—without interference.

Because for Mbam, he had walked his own path the way he saw fit. So he wouldn’t force his onto his children.

It might break them. Might destroy their potential completely.

And in the end? He wasn’t disappointed in their choices.

Because now, Mbam was doing what he loved most—

Teaching.

Mbam loved to train youngsters. He loved helping them realize their potential and shaping that potential with his own hands.

He loved watching those he trained grow into monsters.

He lived for that.

So when Noah asked him what he wanted to do to contribute to the family, he didn’t hesitate.

He told him—”Let me train your soldiers.”

And Noah didn’t hesitate either. He gave him full authority. Full responsibility.

And Mbam was deeply touched.

He hadn’t expected Noah to give a former enemy this much power without blinking.

Sure, it was probably because Noah could crush him like a bug if he ever screwed up—but that didn’t lessen the trust.

It meant something.

So Mbam gave his all.

And after the destruction of their world?

He gave even more.

Noah didn’t say anything to him.

But Mbam knew.

A battle was coming. A big one.

And his job was to make sure Noah’s army would be ready to face monsters.

Right now, he stood on an elevated platform, overlooking the training grounds.

Below him, demons. Humans. Elves. Dwarves. Every race.

Training together. In harmony.

He stared for a moment. Then—

“Soldiers!!”

Mbam’s voice exploded outward, instantly stopping every movement.

All eyes on him.

He paused a moment.

“You will be fighting battles. Battles that will shake the very fabric of the world or even the universe.”

“And in every one of those battles, you will still be lesser beings—races that higher ones can suppress with nothing but their presence.”

“And that… is something I—no, we—cannot accept.”

Mbam’s eyes narrowed. His tone dropped. His aura sharpened.

“So to prepare for that moment, you need to learn to fight under pressure. You need to move even when your body is screaming.”

He smiled.

“But don’t worry. I’ll help.”

And without giving them time to brace—

“Concept Activation – King of the Jungle.”

Instantly, a predatory pressure flooded the entire training field.

Half the soldiers collapsed on the spot. Their bodies crushed beneath the weight of Mbam’s concept.

Bones cracked. A few demons fell, howling—not from pain, but ancestral fear.

Others managed to stay on their feet—but barely.

And Mbam wasn’t impressed.

He didn’t want them standing.

He wanted them fighting under pressure.

So—

“From morning till night, you will be submerged in this pressure. Anyone who stays down for more than five minutes…”

He paused, his grin turning feral.

“…will get special treatment. The pressure will be tripled.”

He scanned their faces.

Then bared his teeth in a wild, beastly smile.

“Now—show me what the Vaelgrim’s soldiers can do!”

“YES, GOLDEN COMMANDER!!” they shouted in unison, their voices fierce and resolute.

Mbam nodded in satisfaction. Their spirit was not bad.

And as for his wife, Katy?

‘She better not disappoint Lord Noah.’

Yes. Mbam had become a fan.

But truly?

Who the fuck wasn’t?

—End of Chapter 214—