Chapter 72 Untrue praise will eventually be met again.
A steaming bowl of mutton bone soup was handed to East; it was Johnny who brought it.
“It tastes good,” Johnny said.
“Thank you,” Easter said happily, taking the hot soup. Then, turning to Avira behind Johnny, he said sincerely, “Little Avira, your mother’s apple pie was delicious.”
Avira's eyes crinkled with laughter. "Of course! My mom makes the best apple pie on the whole street."
“Little Avira,” Johnny called out helplessly, then said to East, “Sir, Avira is still young, she has a strong childlike heart.”
East, “It’s good for kids to be lively.”
“You seem different from the nobles I know,” Harding said.
After a moment's thought, Easter said in a serious tone, "Because I'm not a nobleman at all, how could I be the same as a nobleman?"
The people eavesdropping on the conversation laughed.
"Looking at it this way, what you said does seem somewhat credible," Yves said, though what he truly thought was another matter.
Easter didn't care whether they believed him or not. He carefully finished the apple pie in his hand, wiped his hands with a handkerchief, and sipped the mutton soup.
It doesn't taste as good as what the players make; it has a strong muttony smell. However, compared to what the players make, this mutton soup has a unique flavor.
Easter drank very carefully, leaving not a single drop in his bowl, which showed basic respect for food.
Everyone could see and feel the seriousness with which Easter takes food; for them, food is even more precious than their lives.
“What would you like to talk to us about?” Yves’ tone softened considerably. “We’re just ordinary workers, and we don’t know much.”
“No need to be so cautious,” Ister said, taking the system rabbit off his shoulder and rubbing its ears. “As far as I know, it was your King who forced you to do this construction task. Don’t you resent it?”
East wanted to hear the genuine opinions of these people at the bottom of society. Whether it was a systematic summary or an investigation by his subordinates, it was based on their individual experiences and might not be objective enough.
Before leaving the palace, Easter hadn't thought about what he was actually going to do. Saying he was going to check on the construction progress was just an excuse to go out, not his real purpose. But when he saw the workers on the construction site, a vague idea popped into Easter's head. This could be considered his sudden "public opinion survey" or "public sentiment questionnaire." He wanted to know if his new policies were suitable for the continent of this other world.
"Why do you keep saying things that are so irritating?" Harding said irritably. "That's why I thought you were a little more likable."
Everyone looked at Esther with condemnation, including little Avira.
East looked genuinely bewildered. “Given your aversion to nobles, I thought…” The implication was clear.
“Nobles are nobles, and His Majesty the King is His Majesty the King,” Harding said.
They realized that Ister, this "outsider," was genuinely unaware of the current situation within the Kingdom of Felix. Since he was an "outsider," they should adopt a more tolerant attitude.
“Hardin is right,” Yves said. “Here, I must first correct a misconception of yours. It was not the king who forced us to do this construction work. Every time we were recruited, the conditions and circumstances were clearly stated. It was a mutual choice, and we came to build voluntarily, after all, it is our home that is being built.” The expression and tone with which he said the last sentence were hard to describe, just… quite touching.
"If it weren't for His Majesty the King, how could we have such a good life?" Harding's complex expression showed that he was also a man with a story. But in this world, who doesn't have a past that no one knows about?
"Is it really that good?" Why was East so skeptical? "Although you say it's voluntary, given his methods, there's not much difference between your voluntary and involuntary actions."
"If it weren't for the fact that you really don't understand, I would have punched you already." Harding said, raising his fist threateningly.
“There is no more benevolent and compassionate monarch on this continent than our King,” Johnny, who had been sitting and listening, said. “It is because of him that we have the direction and courage to move forward. He is like the brightest guiding star in the sky, illuminating our path.”
East was speechless. "But because of him, you are all living in the shadow of war. Aren't you afraid?"
“But what’s blocking the way is His Majesty the King’s summoned creature, isn’t it?” Yves looked at Ist with a strange expression.
East, “But…”
"Don't just come and go!" Harding felt extremely irritated. "We'll follow whoever can feed us. Being well-fed is the most important thing. Why all the fuss?"
“We don’t think there’s anything wrong with His Majesty’s decision, so why are you so insistent on telling us that His Majesty’s actions have wronged us?” Yves was a very perceptive person.
Easter remained silent because he genuinely felt that his actions did not deserve such high praise.
“His Majesty the King is a great hero. I will study hard and become a female official when I grow up so that I can serve His Majesty the King.” Avira’s innocent words made Ister even more incredulous.
"He...he's really that good?" East stammered, his hands sinking into the soft fur of the System Rabbit.
Over the next period of time, Easter gained a deep understanding of the straightforwardness and enthusiasm with which Westerners praise others. Many unheard-of words that should not be used to praise others were piled up on "His Majesty the King".
The more Esther listened, the stranger his expression became. Was the "King" they were talking about really him? They were probably praising a god, not a human, and even a god might not deserve such high praise.
Easter didn't interrupt them, not because he liked their unfounded praise, but simply because it wasn't his place to speak.
"Avira, why did you come up with the idea of serving His Majesty the King?" Seeing that their conversation was getting more and more heated and they were even pulling in other people, Esther gave up the urge to interrupt and turned to talk to Avira.
“Because His Majesty the King saved my sister.” Avira’s eyes shone brightly.
Avira's sister, Heda, was a woman who was almost trafficked. Human trafficking is strictly prohibited by Easton, and anyone found guilty of it will be sentenced to death. During this period, many people were rescued.
After Ister's sweep, many slave traders could no longer survive here, and now the Kingdom of Felix is a complete no-go zone for slave traders.
After listening to Avira's explanation, Esther understood the key point and his feelings were indescribable. The ordinary people on this continent ask for very little. As long as they have basic survival security, they are satisfied. But even for this simple thing, there are very few monarchs who are willing and able to do so.
"I want to become a useful person like my sister, someone who can help the King like she did," Avira said, her face full of longing.
After being rescued, her sister became the director of an orphanage thanks to her outstanding abilities. The orphanage was built by order of His Majesty the King. There were dozens or even hundreds of people who applied for the position of director of the orphanage, but her sister was chosen in the end. Her whole family was very proud of her sister.
Easter thought to himself, should he work even harder? Otherwise, how could he be worthy of their sincerity?
"Then you'll have to study hard from now on." Easter didn't want to spoil the fun, nor did he think too much about how he would explain things if Avira really met the "King" in the future. He just felt that a child's dreams and aspirations were the most precious things in the world.
“Of course,” Avira said without hesitation. “We are not ungrateful people. His Majesty the King is willing to impart sacred knowledge to us selflessly. How could we dare to waste it?”
Avira's choice of words didn't sound like that of an ignorant girl. Easter seemed thoughtful. "Little Avira, may I ask your sister's name?"
“My sister is Ms. Heda.” Their sister was their pride, and Avira didn’t think there was anything wrong with saying that.
East realized why; the system had mentioned to him a couple of days ago that the new director selected by the orphanage was very capable. After observing him for a while, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he could be given important responsibilities with some training.
Easter smiled, "I hope you can become a girl as excellent as your sister, or even surpass her in the future."
Avira smiled brightly. "Thank you, handsome sir."
East, "..."
He smiled helplessly, "Lady, that's not the kind of thing to say."
“I’m an honest girl,” Avira said.
“Little Avira, you should go home now, don’t worry your mother,” Johnny interjected in their conversation.
Avira nodded obediently, "Okay, Daddy," she said, turning to Easter, "Goodbye, handsome gentleman." She waved and left, carrying her empty basket.
East asked the three of them, "You said before that you didn't mind your king bringing war because it was your king's summoned creatures that stood in front of you during the war. Now, suppose that your king were to forcibly conscript soldiers and send you to the battlefield, would you still respect him as much as you do now?"
Selfishness and fear of death are human nature. No matter what they answer, East will not care. After all, he is the one who is most afraid of death. He has no reason or right to criticize or resent them.
“That’s even better,” Harding laughed. “It is our honor to serve His Majesty the King with our lives, and to die for our King is our greatest glory. What is there to fear?”
“We had been calculating the time, wondering when the king would issue the conscription order, but after waiting for a month or two, what we received was news that the king’s summons were being sent to the battlefield. It was such a pity,” Yves said.
“Who wouldn’t want to go to the battlefield and fight for our King?” Johnny asked. “It’s good to do construction work here. We deeply appreciate the King’s love and care for us, but as His Majesty’s subjects, we also want to do more for him.” Many people on the construction site shared similar sentiments. They all said that His Majesty the King was too good, so good that they felt they would be doing a great disservice if they did nothing.
Easter looked around. Everyone on the construction site had eyes that burned with fierce passion, which reminded Easter of Wiestan—intense, sharp, and full of love for life and fearlessness of death.
East sighed slowly, stood up, and bowed deeply to them. "You all have a great sense of righteousness. It is an honor for your King to have such citizens."
Everyone was stunned by his actions. They were puzzled and confused. They couldn't understand why this stranger would act this way. If they could see the king's portrait many years later, they would probably be even more surprised, but they would also understand the current situation.
East straightened up. "I should go."
"Who are you?" Yves suddenly asked. Previously, they hadn't been curious about Easter's name or his background, treating him as someone indifferent. But now, he desperately wanted to know Easter's name; he had a feeling that it was a very important matter.
Easter paused, turned back and smiled, "Assuming you share the same beliefs, we will meet again someday."
An incredible thought popped into Yves' mind, but it was so incredible that he dared not think about it further. However, it also strengthened his resolve to enlist in the army.
As Esther walked back to the palace, he felt he had received so much, and he should do more, better, and more diligently.
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