[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-reborn-king":3,"chapter-the-reborn-king-the-reborn-king-chapter-144":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Reborn King",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1100764,1437,"Chapter 144: The Cost of Loyalty","the-reborn-king-chapter-144",144,"\u003Cp>Alone, Saladin sat hunched over. His head was low and his foot bounced. The sound of doors opening in the distance forced him to look up and he saw Mother walk in with Aseel following close behind.’I must break the pact. Forgive me.’He silently said to himself in his head. Walking over he kept his flat face. He couldn’t give anything away for what he was about to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it, Saladin? You know it’s hard to move around.\" Mother said annoyed, but Sladin shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s about the attack.\" It piqued her interest as she had left everything up to Saladin to plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about it?\" She watched and Saladin took a deep breath. In a quick motion, he reached behind his back, pulled out the golden dagger, and swung for her neck. Aseel was quick to react, and pulled her back, pulling his own dagger out. Mother was shocked but composed herself seeing Aseel standing in front of her. \"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS SALADIN?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her screams echoed throughout the room as she stared down the man with pure fury. Saladin looked at Aseel in front of him and gritted his teeth. The least he could do now was help her as much as he could before he died. That way he may not completely betray his blood pact. \"They know about the attack.\" He swung the dagger toward Aseel’s chest, stepping back and dodging it. \"They have my brother and his kids. I’m sorry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saladin attacked once more and Aseel didn’t hesitate. Saladin was slow with the attack, his wounds opening and blood seeping through his clothes. Mother saw it and her eyes squinted in annoyance. Aseel hit the gold dagger to the side, and with his free hand, he pulled another blade out and stabbed it into his stomach, not killing him but forcing him to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mother walked forward but made sure to stay behind Aseel. \"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The old snake knows everything. This was the only way to protect the little ones.\" Saladin clutched the wound in his stomach. His breathing became heavy and he breathed heavily. Despite this, he powered through the pain to tell her enough. \"The attack won’t work.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mother looked at him with a frown. Stepping forward she crouched in front of him. \"I understand.\" She rested her hand on his, which held the dagger. \"I’m sorry.\" She took control of the dagger that was in his weak grip. \"And thank you for telling me.\" Taking it off him, she pulled back and plunged it deep into his chest. The air left his body and Saladin looked up to see her cold eyes. \"But betrayal is not tolerated. His Kingdom will be built.\" She pulled the blade out and Saladin slummed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiping her hand on his clothes she stood up. \"Aseel.\" Her tone quickly changed from cold to motherly as she looked at Aseel’s eyes. \"Do you remember those lessons I taught you all those years ago? The ones to do to bad people.\" Aseel gave a strong nod. \"Do it to his body.\" Aseel nodded once more and picked up the cold body. Saladin’s body poured blood as Aseel dragged it to a crate and sat it up. Mother watched as Aseel carefully undressed him and cut his body like a canvas. Each cut drew more blood and Mother watched as Aseel recreated a made-up torture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a heavy knock, Esmond was taken away from the documents he was working on. Getting up he saw Marcus looking down on him with confused eyes. He walked in and took a seat without asking. \"Did you kill the Avenging Sons leader?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do you ask.\" He was neither denied nor admitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His body has been found in an old warehouse by one of my men. Brutally tortured.\" Marcus emphasized the last words and Esmond smirked. \"Many people have already seen it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. I did visit him, however.\" Esmond watched as Marcus waited for more. \"I gave him an ultimatum and it seems he kept his side of the agreement,\" Esmond said with disinterest, seeing his plan failed and it annoyed Marcus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know what’s happening because of this? The people are annoyed and blame us. We can’t brush this off. They know he worked for Mother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s fine. I did my job.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your job. We have given fuel for Mother to rally the city against us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And she will,\" Esmond said looking up angrily. \"We need the people to force her to move quicker. A way to draw out the ringleaders. She is orchestrating this for that sole purpose. I want her to show her true self.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why?\" Marcus asked. If he was to keep the peace he needed to be kept in the loop, something Esmond realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Abdul has made a request for cooperation first of all. One that is fair. Second, we cant destroy this without removing all those involved. Wether we are the one that does it or someone else matters not.\" Esmond said slowly, not breaking eye contact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stared at each other in silence and Marcus broke first sighing and looking away. \"What now?\" He knew that Esmond didn’t do the kill. It was too sloppy for a man of his ability. But he also knew that it was what he wanted. Moreover being told some of his plans was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keep the Empress safe tonight. They will still attack. Some of his men will be especially fierce looking for blood. In the meantime, I will go for my next target.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what about the speech.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Follow the orders as I have told you. If you have any complaints go to the Empress and see what she says.\" Esmond stood up walking back to his desk. \"If you don’t mind, I have work to do. You have your orders. You know who to see if you feel different.\" Marcus clicked his tongue and got up leaving Esmond alone. He could only sigh. He hoped it would succeed and Mother would die, but it just meant he had to follow his contingency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mother took to the stage. She saw her faithful brother and sisters in the crowd looking towards her in fear, anger, hope, and reverence. All around Saladin men’s had cold faces that screamed for the desire for revenge. Some didn’t wish to join the cause but now their leader had died for it, it was their duty to see his wishes through. Mother smiled knowing her militia was now completely loyal to the cause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, we have all lost a great man. A man who joined our cause because of his belief in his Kingdom. Today The Empire has shown its true colours. A ravenous beast that will stop at nothing to ensure that the world is subjected, to its iron fist. Saladin was the start. But I warn you all. Men, women, children, and the elderly will be next. If we show even a hint of something that isn’t complete obedience then we will fall onto the sword much like Saladin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Khors does not want this. I do not want this. You do not want this. Our children should be able to live in freedom and peace. Not having to worry about their every waking moment. They shouldn’t have to wonder where their parents are for days on end, only for them to never return. They shouldn’t have to fear when they will be forced to watch as bodies hand from the gallows. Our bravery. Our belief in his true power is what holds the Empire at bay. Our very way of life is under threat. They stop the children from going to school. They stop your fair businesses from running. They fear you. We do not fear them anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And it is why I summoned you all today. We must begin to oppose the system. We must begin to fight back for the liberties that we deserve as children of Khors. We must...\" The sound of the thunderous footsteps cut her off, as multiple armed men stormed in behind the crowd. Mother looked at them with cold eyes and Aseel took his place in front of her. She carefully lifted her hand and pointed her finger at them. \"They are the enemy. The oppressors. The puppets of the ’Blessed.’\" She said mockingly talking about Alfred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heads turned and Saladin men reached for their weapons, moving through the crowd and taking a place opposite them. \"THIS IS AN ILLEGAL GATHERING! EVERYONE DISSPERSE AND RETURN HOME!\" Some flinched from the order but no one moved, watching as the Ammary soldiers moved closer. Mother looked as a fire raged in the distance. Her plans would not stop even if Sladin was dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the crowd, one man gritted and reached into his pocket. Pulling out a large stone he threw it at the soldiers, hitting one in the face. \"MURDERS!\" The cry stunned everyone, and the soldier who had been hit, felt the blood pour down his face. Grabbing it, the blood poured through as he looked at everyone with cold defiance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING! EVERYONE DISSPERSE AND RETURN HOME! OR YOU WILL BE FORCED TOO!\" The soldier shouted once more and Saladin men raised their weapons blocking them. The people stayed still, however, despite the chance they had to leave. Mother watched hiding her glee.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are free people. We can do what we want.\" Mother said kindly adding fuel to the fire. The soldiers watched and saw nothing change and sighed. The commander took out his whistle and blew it, signaling the start of the melee. Saladin’s men moved to intercept and blood soon began to flow. The people watched and felt ashamed. They watched as Saladin’s men died for them and many couldn’t take it anymore. They moved forward unarmed, trying to help as best as they could. Others helped the woman escape and Mother watched as Aseel attempted to take her away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She watched the madness and tried not to scream in joy. The people had enough. Soon, the Empire would face its wrath.\u003C\u002Fp>",1695,"2026-06-03T11:17:48.774Z","2026-06-03T11:17:51.400Z",1,"novelbin.me","786de9a083a70a52269782a942266105e9173dec2155010780e86f7a246374f9","the-reborn-king-chapter-145","the-reborn-king-chapter-143",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-reborn-king-cover.jpg"]