[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-reborn-king":3,"chapter-the-reborn-king-the-reborn-king-chapter-145":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},1100765,1437,"Chapter 145: A Crumbing Belief","the-reborn-king-chapter-145",145,"\u003Cp>Marcus looked out the third-floor window at the approaching mob and militia. He saw his men lining up outside to meet them and sighed, wondering what Esmond was planning. He was putting Isra in extreme danger, and no one seemed to care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Marcus. What is it?\" Isra sat with a soft smile,e drinking her tea. She offered the seat opposite her, and he respectfully took off his helmet and sat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May I be blunt, please?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course.\" Isra radiated a warmth right now that made Marcus feel relaxed despite the situation going on in the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Esmond has his plans that he wishes to enact, but I’m sceptical. I don’t know if we have the soldiers to handle the outrage he wants created. The situation has already gone too far to turn back now.\" Marcus passed and sighed. \"I think it would be best if you leave the city. His Majesty, by now, must have gotten word of the attack on you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Marcus,\" Isra said softly, putting her cup down. \"I can’t run away because of some danger. You and the rest of the soldiers fight for me and my Husband. What standard would I be setting if I left you all now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marcus shook his head. \"They would understand. They live and die for You, His Majesty, and the Empire. Their lives have been changed by becoming soldiers. They would not fault you for running.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won’t. And I will hear no more of the idea.\" Isra stopped him, seeing they would only go around in circles if it continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\" He forced the words out, but looking at the strong determination in her eyes, he felt slightly guilty for continuing to underestimate her. \"At least don’t take any risks in the coming days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marcus shook his head, clearing his mind. He had a job to do, and if the Empress trusted him to keep her safe, then it was his job. He picked up his helmet and walked down the stairs holding his sword. He walked past Chris, who stood outside Isra’s door unmoving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gave a small nod to one another, and he put his helmet on, jogging down. He was quick and passed many of his men who had been summoned. Outside, he saw the lights of a fire raging in the distance and could only hope the city guard was dealing with it. \"EVERYONE! LEAVE THE PREMISES OR THIS WILL BE SEEN AS REBELLION!\" Marcus called from the doorway at the mob, who hadn’t attacked yet. He saw their angry faces and knew that his words fell on deaf ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gritted his teeth and was ready to shout again, but was stopped by a sound from above. \"MY PEOPLE!\" Isra opened the window and called down below. He looked up in surprise and wondered why she was taking such a risk. \"IF YOU HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND TALK TO ME! BLOOD DOES NOT NEED TO BE SPILLED!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isra’s words made everyone hesitant about what they were doing, and murmuring began in the mob’s line. She waited patiently, and Marcus didn’t give an order, wondering what she wished to do. Finally, one man came forward. He was one of Saladin’s top men and pushed past the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can speak on their behalf.\" He called up, and it finally silenced the people behind. Isra saw the anger in his eyes and knew that peace was a very long shot.’I hope this buys you time, Esmond.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please come in then. But I must ask you to leave your weapons behind. I hope you will trust me.\" The man waited for a couple of seconds but nodded, taking his sword off and passing it to Marcus before entering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Esmond walked through the dark streets with a couple of his men. They wore plain clothing, but if one looked closely, one could see that all of them were armed with small weapons, hidden away. He had been busy since his meeting with Saladin and finally had located Gregor. Looking back at all his men, he gave a small nod and quickly picked the lock on the door, letting himself in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His people went in first, clearing the house for any guards, but seeing nothing, he finally followed through. Gregor heard the commotion but continued to kneel, praying. Esmond didn’t interrupt, letting him finish. After five minutes, he finally stood up. He was shaken by the intimidating presence and tried his best to hide it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forgive me for meeting you like this, priest,\" Esmond said politely, but Gregor didn’t believe it, seeing his four men behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flashing his soft smile, he spoke in a gentle voice. \"It’s no trouble. Thank you for letting me pray.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will cut to the chase, how things turn out is up to you. Leave the city and never return. I do not wish to spill your blood, but I’m sure you know that I will if I must.\" Esmond said coldly, and Gregor shook more at his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He breathed deeply and smiled. \"I can not. My friend would be heartbroken if I did.\" He thought of Mother. He knew that he could die anytime for her vision, and seeing it in front of him now, that reality finally sank in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will ask once more. Leave the city. I will guarantee your life. The Record Keeper has deemed you a pure man and asked that we make this proposal. He said you would be useful in the future to ensure the survival and right treatment of the Followers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Abdul’s title, Gregor paused and looked at him, confused. \"Abdul? He’s alive. That’s not possible.\" Gregor said with a wavering confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He has agreed to work with His Majesty to help bridge the gap between the Church and the Followers.\" Esmond analysed the man in front of him and drew on his prior knowledge. He knew Gregor was someone who valued faith above all. He was also a good man, and although he would, Esmond didn’t wish to kill him. \"Unlike what you help preach, His Majesty is someone who sees the beauty in religious freedom. His hands are tied in some aspects, but he is trying to allow as much freedom to the Followers as he can grant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\" Gregor shook his head in disbelief. \"Abdul is dead. We have been told this.\" Esmond hid his smile and reached into his pocket, pulling a letter out. Handing it to Gregor, he instantly recognised the seal. Reading its contents, his hand shook. \"This has to be fake.\" As much as he said that, it was his handwriting. Something he knew well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gregor,\" Esmond said in a soft tone. \"Can we be honest with each other and trust our word?\" The bald man nodded weakly. \"The Empire didn’t kill Saladin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the bo..\" He was stopped by Esmond’s raised hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did talk with him and I did lightly torture him. But I never killed him. I gave him a choice and sent him back to Mother to complete something for me.\" Esmond said with a dead expression. Gregor looked at him and tried to find any hint that he was lying, but couldn’t. He also knew the man had no reason to lie, already admitting to torturing Saladin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Much like you, I believe in something greater than myself. Not a God, but a motto. I exist solely to ensure the survival of the Imperial family and Empire. This will be achieved no matter what. That is why when I tell you I say the truth, I hope you trust me. Because I will force you to leave Mother’s side by any means. I only do this because Abdul deems you someone who could let the Empire prosper.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gregor knew his threat was true. He saw the slight insanity and zeal in Esmond’s eyes he had only seen in the most faithful. His breathing became heavier. A man like that had no reason to lie to him. He was sure of it. Because if he did lie it made no sense for him to be talking. He would already be strung up and tortured in the most horrific way possible. Not for any reason other than his cause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he looked at him, the more he saw his closest friend’s face overlap with him. The same fervor that she held. The same insanity driven by an absolute belief. And although he wished not to know it, the same coldness. He only lacked her warmth. Something Gregor could tell, he forced himself to lose for his cause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But what about Mother. Her cause. Her belief. I can’t turn my back on it. On her, it would break her.\" Gregor said with a breaking voice. The thought that he had been lied to and the idea of having to leave his friend merged together brought him to tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gregor. Do you honestly believe she will keep her word?\" Emsond asked back and Gregor froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She must. She truly believes what she preaches. You know this.\" Esmond nodded to the reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She does. But does she only believe it because she is the one leading it?\" Esmond fired back but didn’t give Gregor time to think. \"Do you know about her son?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. I watched him grow up.\" Gregor was reminded of the cute face of the small boy who used to call him uncle. He wondered when it stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Esmond smiled. In the brief talk, he could tell what type of man Gregor was, and he was sure Gregor knew who he was. \"I won’t force you to leave today. If you can promise me something.\" Gregor thought and gave a weak nod. \"See how the two interact. A mother will show their true self in private with their child. When you see the true face of your friend, come to this address.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gregor took the slip of paper. \"Can you swear on Khors’ name you won’t reveal our little conversation?\" Esmond asked coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He froze again and looked at the old man. He felt conflicted about what he should do. On one hand, he knew his death was assured if he lied, but on the other, he felt bad for lying. It was a dilemma he had never faced before but the words Esmond told him. He knew the man told the truth with everything he said and a small seed of doubt had formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Putting his hands in front of his chest, he performed a religious bow. \"I swear on Khors and his holy sister’s names that I will not tell a living soul other than the Lord of this conversation.\" Seeing this, Esmond smiled and got up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Find the truth and return to me. I promise you, if you still reject me, I will see to it you do not suffer.\" Gregor gave a weak smile. He could tell Esmond was trying to be kind, but it was in a twisted way that he didn’t know how to feel. Despite this, he had already prepared himself for death when they walked in. His promise was a good relief for his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>",1870,"2026-06-03T11:17:48.774Z","2026-06-03T11:17:51.400Z",1,"novelbin.me","347ff1b4a3c9eab168b19fe6365669ea155fcfb933180597b05ef4cb32f6dbee","the-reborn-king-chapter-146","the-reborn-king-chapter-144",487,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-reborn-king-cover.jpg"]