Such a terrifying scene naturally left the onlookers horrified.
The nobles and officials watched in stunned silence.
This "exile" clearly did not appear to be a "benevolent act."
In fact, this maneuver might be even more terrifying than outright execution!
Once these people began to harbor such thoughts, Marco and Mystogan's objective was achieved.
This kind of deterrence could be more effective than death itself.
Sometimes, a fate worse than death truly was more frightening than dying.
Marco's image also played a role here.
While he himself was handsome and not the gloomy type, it couldn't be helped that "he" in the world of "Edolas" was notoriously known as a butcher.
And Marco Dreyar, the "butcher from another world" who had slain "this world's butcher," naturally appeared even more terrifying.
With this move, Marco made them all fall in line.
Their previously restless hearts gradually calmed down.
It seemed that with the new king's ascension, there wasn't much room for them to maneuver.
Instead, they had to serve this young monarch with utmost caution.
The coronation ceremony concluded perfectly amidst songs of praise.
Everyone was satisfied, and even those who weren't dared not voice their discontent.
As king, Mystogan had already established his authority and successfully taken over his father's faction.
It must be said that King Faustus had chosen his people well, especially the exceptionally valiant Erza Knightwalker.
Her merit in quelling the "Royalist Rebellion" allowed Erza Knightwalker to regain her freedom and be reinstated to an official position.
This former captain of the Magic War Unit was still highly valued by Mystogan and continued to be regarded as a key military representative of the kingdom.
She was far more capable than her two former colleagues, Sugarboy and Hughes, whose current situations differed.
Sugarboy, having merit without fault, also regained an official position, though now he could only serve as Erza Knightwalker's subordinate.
There was no helping it.
On the real battlefield, Erza Knightwalker had demonstrated her true abilities, proving that her status wasn't solely reliant on magical tools.
Sugarboy's performance, on the other hand, was barely passable.
His skills were average, but at least he didn't make any major mistakes.
As for Hughes, he completely embarrassed himself, losing all dignity and face.
When tasked with leading troops to mop up the remnants of the southern rebel army, he nearly capsized in a minor skirmish, almost getting himself killed by those defeated soldiers.
It was truly a disgrace to the "Royal Army."
There was no other way.
Although Sugarboy also heavily relied on his magical tool, the "Rose Sword," he at least had some experience leading troops and practical field experience.
Hughes, however, was truly limited by his magical tool.
He was practically confined to the palace's amusement grounds and had very little experience leading troops into battle.
When Mystogan assigned him to lead the campaign against the remaining rebels and even specially arranged a group of Magic War Unit officers to assist him, he still nearly failed.
This effectively ended his military career. It was lenient that he wasn't directly court-martialed.
It must be said that Hughes being able to continue living in the royal capital now, even if idle at home as a wealthy gentleman, is already a reward for his willingness to step up and help when Mystogan was short on troops and commanders.
If Mystogan had been even slightly more ruthless, Hughes would have been sentenced.
Forget about "killing the donkey after it's done its job"—this donkey never even got to the millstone and instead nearly pushed the millstone over.
Not slaughtering it for meat is purely a testament to the owner's kindness.
Yet despite Hughes' disastrous performance in battle, he still managed to secure a peaceful retirement.
This, in turn, has become a symbol—a showcase for those loyal to Mystogan.
This is the treatment a loyal subject receives!
Especially when compared to the "banishment ritual" of the "rebels," the contrast becomes stark.
This is the message Mystogan is sending: as long as you are sufficiently loyal, even if your abilities are lacking, this nation will not begrudge you a meal.
But if you are disloyal, sorry—go find your meals in the "Earth Land" world.
Whether you eat or are eaten depends entirely on your own abilities.
As a new king, Mystogan's approach is understandable.
He first needs to gather a group of people around him, then select the best among them to entrust with important responsibilities and nurture them, ultimately forming his own core team.
Otherwise, even the most capable individuals, if they cannot carry out Mystogan's will, would only become more troublesome the more capable they are.
This is because Mystogan's path is different, and his interests do not align with those of the traditional nobles.
"If the path differs, the more knowledge one has, the more reactionary they become."
This statement holds true not only in a feudal kingdom like the "Kingdom of Edolas" but also for a new king like Mystogan, who seeks to develop technology for the benefit of the entire nation.
Marco did not interfere with Mystogan's personnel decisions because he recognized Mystogan and his sincere intentions.
Thus, although Marco believed that individuals like Erza Knightwalker, Sugarboy and Hughes—who had previously hunted down Mages on a large scale—deserved death, he did not oppose Mystogan's use of them.
Marco knew that he could not remain in the "Edolas" world forever to support Mystogan, so having some stubborn individuals like "Erza Knightwalker" around was beneficial.
Erza Knightwalker could be considered exceptionally talented.
Despite being unable to use magic or channel magical power, she trained her physical strength to a level not far inferior to Erza's.
Coupled with her "Ten Commandments Spear," she could even rival Edolas Marco, who had indirectly gained some advantages due to Marco's presence.
This alone proves her talent.
Erza Knightwalker's personality is even more unique.
She was once a staunch "royalist" and a firm "pro-magic advocate," firmly believing that if the "Edolas" world lost its magical power, everything would collapse, and the world would descend into chaos.
Thus, she was terrified of losing magic, even falling into confusion after magic disappeared, fearing the world's destruction.
But now, facts have proven that the disappearance of magic and magical power does not doom this world, and her obsession has consequently faded.
Now, she has embraced a new ideology—one that belongs to Mystogan.
They should not pursue magic that should no longer exist in the world of Edolas, but instead seek the path of technology that belongs to the world of Edolas—a path that can truly benefit the people.
The current Erza Knightwalker, just as she was once a staunch "magic preservationist," is now the most loyal "technology preservationist."
So loyal that even if Mystogan were to abandon her, she might not necessarily give up.
Unless she truly sees the moment when technological development fails to benefit the people, but that possibility is unlikely.
The "Kingdom of Edolas" is also unlikely to suddenly enter a "cyberpunk" era.
"Since things on your end are already settled, I'll head back now."
In the palace, Marco bid farewell to Mystogan.
He hadn't actually stayed in the world of Edolas all this time.
After all, he could come and go as he pleased, even returning to sleep at night.
With the Another Dimension Space, Marco could afford to be this capricious.
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