The shock was palpable. But then again, knowing Yui, she was a shy one who always ran away from these kinds of things.
Koul shook his head softly, concluding she had only left because she was shy.
He moved to rise from his bed, feeling the ache of his injuries burn more. But a knock came on his door.
He didn't reply and simply gazed ahead, waiting for whoever it was to speak up. But his door creaked open instead and in came the person.
The vice captain.
Koul really didn't want to ruin his own mood in the morning just because he didn't like the vice captain.
Though he was bitter his face was the first he got to see when he woke up.
But remembering how desperate and concerned the vice captain was for him when he almost died, his heart softened a little.
And seeing him made the past scenario flash fresh in his head. He was reminded of his failure in the duel.
Koul's face immediately tightened with displeasure.
It was past morning.
"Your majesty," the vice captain started, walking toward him.
But Koul paid him no mind.
He moved, intending to get off the bed but the backlash of straining his injured body backfired him.
He groaned aloud, wincing in pain. The vice captain shot forward and held Koul to support him up.
"Get my bath ready," Koul said as he was supported out of the bed.
"Your highness, you aren't fully healed yet so it's not advisable to get soaked in water. I'll tell the maids to come wipe you instead."
The vice captain said with concern.
But Koul, remembering his time with Yui last night and how crazy they got, insisted on taking a bath.
"Just get it ready. It won't be the first time I soak in water while injured," he fired.
This sparked the vice captain's memory, drawing him back to the time Koul showed his back injury to everyone and how severe it was.
Guilt tugged at the vice captain's heart, making him go quiet.
He nodded with a bow then left the room to get Koul's bath ready.
Although he was worried about Yui and would like to see her, his priority currently weighed more than her.
Plus, he still wasn't allowed to go see them. So he had to wait until Yui voluntarily came to see him.
He summoned the task window and on the notification he pressed.
[You have successfully completed the tasks]
[You have been cured of your impotency]
[You have been rewarded 70 points]
[You are now free to leave the palace and roam around its premises]
A whopping 70 points?!!
He was shocked with mouth hanging open. But the aches in his body couldn't let him exercise his shock to the fullest.
And I can even go out now?
Alright! There's no time to waste. I need to commence my journey toward getting strong.
Koul was escorted to the baths where took a warm bath. Then the maids and the vice captain escorted him back to his chambers.
They tended to his wounds, and again casted a low healing magic that they could to gradually heal him permanently.
After that, Koul was offered food but he refused, saying he didn't yet have the appetite.
His determination to train was burning too bright.
After the maids left, the vice captain stayed behind to watch over him.
As they both remained in the room, Koul let out a loud sigh.
Although the vice captain was curious and would like to ask Koul about what was troubling him, he couldn't.
"Get me the dagger strapped to the wall in the halls," Koul said.
His vice was stern and his expression was tight.
If I'm going to train, I'm better off with a dagger than a sword. It's lighter and easier to wield.
"I had given a worker my dagger to wash and return it sometime ago, but they never did. There's one more hanging in the halls, get it for me."
The vice captain, although clueless, bowed and left to get the dagger.
He came back moments later, wielding two daggers. The one from the last time that Koul had ordered to get washed.
"Huh? How did you—"
Koul took the dagger, examining them.
"I think the worker was too scared to give it back to you and left it there with the other one."
Koul swung one of the daggers, gauging his grip, thrust and pull.
"I see."
"But your majesty, what do you intend to do with these?" The vice captain asked.
"What else? I want to train with them," Koul replied.
"There must be a practice room or a yard. Take me there."
"But your highness, you should wait till you're well healed first."
Koul's eyes squinted, turning cold.
The pain from his loss was far too great to pay mind to his injuries. He didn't want anything getting in his way.
Since he transmigrated here, the list of the people he wanted to kill just kept piling. Yet he'd done nothing to start it.
But now he was determined. And some mere pain from physical wounds wasn't going to stop him.
"You know what? Forget this first. I would like to go for a jog before anything."
Since I can leave the palace now, I'm sure I can access the practice ground outside and run laps around.
I'll kickstart the day with a few jogs before carrying out 50 push-ups, Koul decided in his mind, a proud smile on his face.
"Lead me to the training grounds."
The vice captain took Koul as he demanded and there, he started jogging.
When the knights saw him, they immediately came to greet him. And some that were adamant, received a cold glare from the vice captain before they came forward to greet him.
They halted their own training, watching Koul diligently with confusion.
Koul started slow at first but started picking up pace as adrenaline started surging through him.
Everyone was surprised.
Not only were they shocked to see their young, useless king finally doing something productive, they were shocked he could jog around with that many wounds on his body.
He wasn't yet doing great, and he was starting from the bare minimum, but he was trying. Somewhere in their minds, they were proud.
Murmurs couldn't help but rise in the training ground. Some of good and some of bad.
"He finally decided to change?"
"What use is it trying to change now after all the bad things he did?"
But Koul paid them no mind. Only he knew what he carried in his mind. Only he knew the turmoil and pain of losing woefully.
To save his enslaved wife, to protect his wives, to kill the judges and those who had wronged him, and to gain power, he pushed on.
He didn't care about the gripping aches in his bones, nor the searing pains in his flesh. He had a goal and his determination was ablaze.
And thus, began Koul's training to strength.