Chapter 373
That night, in Vancouver’s slum district, Alex sat on the clinic’s crumbling front steps, the cold concrete pressing through his coat as he watched the street come alive in its own quiet way.
A line of homeless men and women stretched along the cracked sidewalk, waiting for a simple gift-a steaming bowl of porridge.
Josephine ladled it out with a wide, warm smile, just like she did every day.
The wind cut sharper than usual, icy enough to bite through coats, yet it couldn’t wash away the warmth flowing here.
Laughter rose from the line-genuine, unshaken, immune to the cold.
This place had nothing compared to a rich man’s banquet.
Here, a day’s worth of free porridge cost barely fifty dollars, enough to feed a hundred-sometimes a hundred and fifty-people.
A banquet for the wealthy? Five to ten thousand for the same headcount, and most of it drowned in false smiles.
But here, every smile was real.
Alex felt something shift inside him, a truth pressing against his ribs.
His advisors, his people, always asked: As our king, where will you steer this nation?
His country was the weakest in the world-the poorest by every measure, a place others overlooked or pitied.
Should he turn his nation into a military giant?
Push it into a technological race?
Force every citizen to master martial arts on a national scale?
Alex exhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing.
No. None of that.
At last, he knew exactly what he wanted.
He pulled out his phone, the cold metal heavy in his palm.
This call could mark him as the worst king in the nation’s history—and he knew some would never forgive him for it.
“Prime Minister Robert Trudeau,” Alex said, his voice steady but edged with steel. “I’m ready to issue my first command since taking the throne p>
“Yes, my King,” came Robert’s calm reply. “I’m listening. What is your order p>
“I want all military spending stopped-immediately. Every cent redirected into building our nation’s food production. No citizen should ever go hungry p>
“I want farms expanded, food-processing centers built, and a full transport network from the smallest village to the capital so food prices stay within reach p>
Silence crackled on the line.
Then, “Pardon me, my King?” Robert’s voice wavered, as if he couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.
Did the king really just order the nation to abandon its military ambitions… and turn it into a country of farmers?
“If we stop military expenses for just one year and invest it all into food production,” Alex said firmly, “we can end hunger in our country-forever p>
“Yes, my King,” Robert replied cautiously, “but without our military strength, we’ll be vulnerable. Others may attack us p>
Alex’s gaze hardened. “I became king through my own power. I will handle any threat that dares to come. Meanwhile, you will actively pursue peace treaties with other nations. And under no circumstances will we meddle in foreign conflicts p>
Robert hesitated. “We have thirteen states, sire. Some depend on income from weapons manufacturing and military contracts p>
“Then have them produce farming robots, machinery, and cheap public transport instead-tools that save lives, not take them p>
“The governors won’t like it,” Robert warned.
“I don’t care if they like it. I am their king. It is my approval they should seek, not the other way around p>
“It will come at a price, my King p>
Alex’s eyes lifted to the night sky. Stars glimmered cold and indifferent, offering no answers.
“And I am willing to pay it p>
In the end, every choice brings both praise and resentment.
A man cannot live by measuring how many like him or hate him.
What matters is to keep moving forward-through any storm, under any weight- without ever turning back.
“Then, my King,” Robert said carefully, “I will make the announcement. It will be the nation’s top priority this year, and it will be official. Do I have your approval p>
“Yes, Robert.” Alex’s eyes sharpened.
“And add this-justice will be equal for everyone, rich or poor. Every citizen will have food to eat and work to support their family p>
“That will be our priority. And if anyone dares to rebel against it—including the governors-I’ll be knocking on their door myself p>
“You will be remembered as a wise
king, my lord,” Robert replied, though in his mind the thought was
big-many would call t
king a
fool.
Abandon the future to go backward into farming?
Madness.
Utter madness.
“I wish the best for our people,” Alex said quietly, then ended the call.
He leaned back, gazing up at the night sky. Stars burned above, silent witnesses
to his vow. He prayed he would be a good king for this fragile country.
Time slipped by unnoticed until Josephine came running, breathless, clutching her cracked smartphone.
“Alex, you need to see this!” she said, almost tripping over herself.
“What is it?” he asked.
She shoved the screen in front of him.
“The new king-our king-who took the throne just a year ago has finally made his first order. The whole country’s been waiting for this.” Her
eyes sparkled.
“And you know what p>
“What p>
“He’s prioritizing food production! Feeding his people before anything else! Not
the military, not politics-just the people! He’s a godsend p>
Josephine laughed so hard her teeth flashed in the dim light, spinning in little circles on the street like a child.
“Alex, there will be no more hunger in this country. Finally-our prayers are answered p>
“Are you happy?” Alex asked.
“Of course! Look around-see all the homeless? They’re smiling, Alex. Really smiling p>
Alex’s gaze swept the street. Old, frail faces lit up with genuine joy.
“Jo,” he said quietly, “do you think the king is wrong? Feeding people like them— the weak and useless p>
Josephine froze, then met his eyes. “Alex, they’re human. Someone strong has to protect them p>
“Even in a pack of wolves, the alpha looks after the old and the weak. Our king must be something extraordinary to think like that p>
Alex stepped forward and took her hands in his.
“Maybe the king’s just a man… a man who decided to act after seeing your two small hands keep working to help people who can’t help themselves.” “Maybe you’re the one who moved his heart-a heart that’s been filled with revenge for far too long p>
Josephine narrowed her eyes in mock suspicion. “Are you drunk p>
“No p>
“How could a nobody from the slums move the king of an entire country?” she laughed, shaking her head, then hugged him.
“But… you make me feel special saying that. You’re such a sweet talker p>
He hugged her back, his voice low.
“You’re the amazing one, Josephine.
Your kindness… your actions… they’ve sparked a change big enough to save this entire country. Because of you, every homeless sout in this land will have a chance to five p>
Josephine giggled softly.
“It’s all the True Source’s Love, Alex. We humans are just specks of dust. I’m
nothing just someone who keeps trying to be light… and love p>
That night, under Prime Minister Robert Trudeau’s direction, the king’s first order
sent shockwaves through all thirteen states.
Just as Robert predicted, not everyone welcomed it.
In one of the states, a governor slammed his desk so hard it rattled
“So the king wants to humiliate us-demanding our factories stop making
weapons and start building farming robots and cheap transportation p>
He stood, fury in his voice. “I’ll use those same guns to hunt him down. Who’s with
me in taking this king out p>
The governor’s words were broadcast live to six other states—states that had once sworn loyalty to the old king.
It was clear now. The greed and power of the elite had drawn a battle line.
The king stood with the people.
The elites stood with their profits.
And the country was headed for civil war.