You and me under the world tree

In Hagen's line of sight, the sage's movements were extremely chic, without any sloppiness.

Perhaps because he was facing the wind, the cloak on him fluttered with the breeze when he stepped on the steps.

In the end, that figure disappeared completely, and there was no one else in the entire empty corridor.

Hagen just stood there, still looking directly at the stairs.

Although he still has government affairs to deal with, and the staff in the office are still waiting for him to make up his mind, but at this moment he didn't think of those at all.

His mind was full of those words that the sage had said before.

Monarch and minister, loyalty.

These topics have always been eternal topics in Midgard...even the entire Nine Realms, because every world and every race has a system similar to a kingdom.

But the only difference is that because human life is too short, certain ideas cannot be deeply rooted for a long time.

In the time and time again of parting and loss, the so-called loyalty will only gradually dissipate.

And what followed was lingering chaos.

Although Hagen didn't understand why the sage suddenly mentioned these topics at this time, he felt that he could understand the man's expectations and entrustment.

He is looking forward to being the second him.

To be precise, he wishes he could do the same thing as him.

"Ah, so it is."

Suddenly, Hagen felt that he gradually understood everything.

In the final analysis, this is still because of the reason of 'blood'.

As a hybrid of dwarves and humans, although Hagen seems to be restricted in terms of body shape.

Taller than a pure dwarf, but shorter than a true human warrior.

However, the dwarf lineage left to him by his mother is not that simple, and it is definitely not a shortcoming.

Although short in stature, he actually has a steady strength that surpasses that of humans, and his life span is far longer than humans.

Ordinary humans may live a long life if they are more than 100 years old, but as far as he is concerned, he may only be "middle-aged" at that time, and his youth can last for a long time.

But Siegfried obviously couldn't do that.

Although he is a descendant of the Volsung family, and this kind of slogan is also extremely loud.

But the so-called Volsunger family is also human after all, even if there is a noble lineage from the gods in the body, it is extremely rare in his generation, far from affecting the life span.

And after Siegfried passed away, what should he do?

Are you leaving directly?

Or is it an oath of allegiance to his heir?

After all, can I really guarantee that my future self will not be obsessed with the position of palace minister and the power under that person?

Thinking of this, Hagen couldn't help but start to look around.

The walls are carved with magnificent carvings, lifelike warrior statues and landscape paintings on the walls.

Even if it is just a certain corridor in the front hall, it is full of a quiet beauty.

Moreover, with his hearing, he could clearly hear the sound of metal trampling the ground.

'click'

'click'

The sound of footsteps was mixed with a little metallic sound, this was because there were people patrolling around here, they were the guards of the palace, the Skywrath Guards led by him—— Palace Chancellor Hagen.

He is obviously trusted by the king now, and he has already touched the pinnacle of power that a non-royal person can touch at a young age.

Now he can even be deeply proud of the prosperity of the Netherlands.

So, what will happen to him in the future?

He has always been proud of his own mood.

But at this moment, after being reminded by the sage, this kind of pride gave birth to another emotion in his heart: fear.

He is afraid of the unknown future.

What will happen to my future?

Will I be addicted to power?

Hagen was smart, but because he was smart, he didn't have any confidence in it.

"Can I become the second sage?"

He questioned himself in a low voice.

The sage can linger for his friend for more than [-] years, carefully guide Siegfried to grow up, and there is no breakthrough so far, so can he do it himself?

In the face of desperation, he still upholds his loyalty to his friends.

wait a minute...

At this moment, Hagen suddenly felt as if he had realized something very strange.

So at this moment, there was a hint of enlightenment on his face.

"I really think too much." He whispered.

Maybe it's because recently... No, because from the very beginning, he often used titles like 'Your Highness' to address Siegfried, who has not yet become a king.

And later, after the descendant ascended the throne as the Lord of Armies of the Netherlands, he also called him His Majesty as a matter of course.

But during this period of time, he gradually forgot one thing: Siegfried is not the kind of person who clearly distinguishes superiors from inferiors.

At least, he will never put on airs to those around him.

And more importantly, his attitude is definitely not giving any favors, but a sincere closeness.

"You are monarchs and ministers, and you are also friends."

The words of the sage lingered in his mind like this.

And these words are like a pointer, illuminating the front of his thoughts.

"Are you friends..."

Interests need to be considered between monarchs and ministers, but not among friends.

If it is said that the sages cultivated Siegfried for the loyalty in their hearts, that would be nonsense, the so-called 'loyalty' will be consumed.

As praised by the folk poets, the relationship between the sage and the former king Siegmund is not a monarch, but a friend.

What about yourself?

Siegfried regards him as a friend, but what kind of thoughts does Siegfried have?

In his eyes, what exactly does Siegfried symbolize?

Is it the master who has discovered his talent, is willing to give high-ranking officials a generous salary, and let himself display his ambitions?

Or a friend who can confide in the secrets of the heart and entrust them behind the scenes?

After all, there should be no conflict between the two, right?

"My lord."

While Hagen was staring at the stairs leading to the courtyard, other people's voices came from his ears.

It's the guards patrolling here.

At this moment, the guards in fine armor were standing in front of him, and they were just simply saying hello.

"Well, let's work hard."

Before the guards could ask any more questions, Hagen suddenly spoke.

This sudden encouragement made the two fighters at a loss for a moment.

They only saw the little palace minister walking towards them, and then stretched out his hand.

At first, Hagen intended to pat them on the shoulder, but he realized that he was still too short compared to those carefully selected Skywrath fighters, so it was a bit strange to raise his hand to pat their shoulders.

So, he simply reached out and patted their waists and small arms.

"Good job." He smiled.

This sentence is not only for these soldiers, but also for himself.

…………

"The so-called courtiers only need to do their job, because that's their job, but friends are different."

Stepping on the stairs, Hodder gradually went up.

"Because we are friends, we have to listen to his troubles, and even think about him. I can't bear to see him sad, so I will share his worries...or even block everything."

Finally, he walked up the final staircase, and before him was the entrance to the beautiful garden.

The tall figure of Barnstock entered his line of sight instantly.

"Huh, the wind is really comfortable."

He relaxes.

Chapter 24: Fidgety Siegfried

For Hodder, Barnstock, the Children's Tree, and the gardens that dominated it and expanded, were a place of absolute relaxation.

Although the weather in the Netherlands itself is uncertain, and because it is close to the northern peninsula, there is no terrain barrier, so the bitter north wind can even blow directly to this land.

However, Howard felt that this was nothing.

It has nothing to do with people's livelihood, or other causes or consequences and influences, he is just simply used to this kind of weather.

And more importantly, there is Barnstock, the Tree of Children.

Although the layout here has a little change in details compared with the courtyard in his memory, this is not harmful at all, because for this courtyard and for the Volsung family, the tree of children is the root.

"Huh..." He took another deep breath.

The small fragrance spreading in the garden made him smile.

"Humph."

Under the helmet, the corner of the sage's mouth was raised just like that.

He didn't rush into the courtyard either, but carefully looked at the scenery in the courtyard.

From the flowers to the lawn, and then to the top of the tall tree of children, although it is thick, it is not very dense, and the fine sunlight leaks through the intertwined branches and leaves, illuminating the hazy shadow like a veil .

And in that 'shadow', a young man was taking a nap with his eyes closed.

He was dressed in noble and gorgeous clothes, but he looked like a sleeping child.

The crown, which symbolizes supreme power, was casually placed on the side by him, that kind of tranquility and comfort seemed to block out time.

At least at this moment, this silence cannot be disturbed by anyone.

In this world, after all, the king is for life, and there is no such thing as off-duty.

From the moment he ascended the throne, he became the eternal king of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Even if he took off his crown and robes, he was still a king.

Unless he cede the throne to his heir, or directly overthrow him if he has nothing to do, then he can step down from this seat.

However, such a thing is currently impossible.

Although he has a sweetheart, he hasn't disclosed his love affair for some reason.

After all, grand strategy requires him and the Icelandic princess to conceal these things.

If they made their relationship public, it would be nothing less than a major earthquake for the entire Midgard.

This is especially true for the kingdoms in the northern peninsula.

As for the other, it is even more impossible.

Because Siegfried is very shrewd, although he seldom participates in the internal government affairs of the palace, he is basically a ruthless approval machine, only responsible for the final review and signature.

However, he firmly controlled the general power in his hands.