Kapitel 3: Fake it till you make it

The Dragon Throne Room of the Kingdom of Avaloria is a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight to behold. As one enters the room, the first thing that captures the attention is the massive throne made of pure gold that rests at the far end of the room. The throne is carved with intricate dragon motifs and is adorned with precious gemstones that glitter in the light.

The throne is elevated on a platform of steps, surrounded by a golden balustrade with carvings of dragons and phoenixes. The room itself is grand and spacious, with high vaulted ceilings that are painted with frescoes of legendary battles and heroic tales. The walls are made of polished marble and are decorated with exquisite tapestries, paintings, and gold-plated reliefs of dragons in different forms.

Along the sides of the room, tall columns rise up to support the ceiling, each one carved with the likeness of a dragon in a different pose. The floor is made of polished stone and is adorned with intricate dragon patterns. Torches line the walls, casting a warm golden glow over the room.

At the foot of the throne, two massive dragon statues flank the steps, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly intensity. The room is filled with the scent of incense and the soft sounds of music played on traditional instruments.

As one looks up, one can see a magnificent dragon mural painted on the ceiling, its scales glinting in the light. The overall effect is one of awe-inspiring grandeur, a true representation of the power and majesty of the Kingdom of Avaloria.

As Zenki sat on the throne, he appeared lost in thought, his mind preoccupied with the weight of his current circumstances. His gaze was distant, and his expression was pensive as if he were grappling with some internal conflict. Despite his regal posture and ornate attire, there was a sense of unease about him, as if he were not entirely at ease in his own skin. Perhaps the burden of ruling a kingdom had taken its toll on him, or perhaps there was something else troubling him deep within his soul. Whatever the cause of his distraction, it was clear that Zenki was in a contemplative state, lost in his own thoughts and concerns.

As Zenki sat on his throne, he couldn't help but ponder on the challenges that lay ahead of him. Unlike the other transmigrators he had read about in novels, he had not been granted any special cheats or memories to help him navigate this new world.

"It's sink or swim now," Zenki thought to himself. "I can't let my lack of knowledge or abilities bring me down. I'll have to fake it till I make it, or risk perishing without knowing why."

Despite the daunting task that lay ahead of him, Zenki was determined to rise up to the challenge and prove himself worthy of his position as the ruler of the Kingdom of Avaloria.

With a regal gesture, Zenki signaled to the eunuch who had aided him earlier, summoning Zhang Liang to his presence.

Zenki signaled the nearby eunuch with a quick glance, and the eunuch immediately stepped forward. "Is there anything I can do for you, Your Majesty?" he asked respectfully.

"Yes, I'm feeling a bit muddled from the intoxication and I'd like to exercise my mind by asking you some basic questions," replied Zenki, beckoning for Zhang Liang to come closer.

Zhang Liang approached the throne and stood before Zenki, waiting for his questions.

"Can you tell me my name?" asked Zenki

"Your Majesty's name is Zenki Lee," answered Zhang Liang, masking his inner thought of "What's this fool going on about now" with a servitude appearance.

"So, the body's name is Zenki Lee, with Lee being the first name. I see," thought Zenki to himself.

He then turned to Zhang Liang and asked, "Now, what is the name of our kingdom?"

Zhang Liang responded with his usual servitude, "Your majesty, this is the kingdom of Avaloria, which was established and ruled by your forefathers."

"May I ask for your name, as well?" Zenki inquired

"Certainly, your majesty. My name is Zhang Liang," replied the eunuch with a bow.

Zenki nodded in acknowledgment before continuing,

"Can you describe my family circumstances?" asked Zenki

"Your Majesty, your parents passed away while you were ascending the throne. They were on a vacation trip to the Kingdom of Valkoria, and their sudden deaths prompted warmongers in our nation to push for war, suspecting that Valkoria was responsible. However, war was prevented through a marriage alliance that they proposed," replied Zhang Liang respectfully.

"What, this body is married" Thought Zenki

"Hmm, Zhang Liang," Zenki said, a hint of excitement in his voice, "please remind me of my empresses' names and origins again."

Zhang Liang bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, you are married to three empresses. First, there is Her Highness Zenki Zhenji, your childhood friend and first wife. Then, there is Her Highness Zenki Zhenyue, from the United Realms of Ardenia, as part of a marriage alliance. Finally, there is Her Highness Zenki Qingyi from the Kingdom of Valkoria, also part of a marriage alliance to prevent war."

Zenki's mind raced with the realization that he had a harem of empresses. He couldn't help but think, "God, I have a harem."

As Zenki settled back into his throne, he asked, "Zhang Liang, do I have any children?"

The head eunuch cleared his throat and replied, "Your majesty, you currently have four children. From Empress Zhenji, you have a son named Zenki Zhen Yi who is the first in line as the heir to the throne, and a daughter named Zenki Yu Mei. From Empress Zhenyue, you have another daughter named Zenki Mengting and a son named Zenki Mingliang."

"What about Qingyi?" asked Zenki, a hint of confusion in his voice.

Zhang Liang looked at Zenki with a raised eyebrow and hesitated for a moment before answering. "Your Majesty, you have not acknowledged Empress Qingyi as your wife, nor do you have any children with her."

"Empress Qingyi was part of the marriage alliance with the Kingdom of Valkoria, Your Majesty," Zhang Liang explained. "You were married to her in a political union to prevent war between our kingdoms."

Zenki nodded slowly, trying to recall the details. "I see," he said finally. "Thank you for clarifying that, Zhang Liang."

"Where are the empresses anyway?" Zenki inquired.

"They are currently away visiting their maiden families, did you forget, sire?" replied Zhang Liang.

Zenki pondered for a moment and replied, "Ah, yes, of course. This was just an exercise, Zhang Liang. I perfectly know where they are."

Zhang Liang bowed his head apologetically and said, "I apologize for being presumptuous, sire."

"Thank you, Zhang Liang. Your guidance has been invaluable, and I feel that my mind is much clearer now after that exercise," said Zenki with a grateful smile.

"Now Zhang Liang, can you guide me to our library for a bit as I need to look some things up?" asked Zenki

"Right this way, your majesty," said Zhang Liang, leading Zenki through the palace halls towards the grand library. As they walked, Zhang Liang couldn't help but recall the last time Zenki had visited the library after a night of drinking, resulting in several books being damaged and countless hours of restoration work for the palace librarians. However, he trusted that Zenki had learned his lesson and wouldn't repeat the mistake. As they arrived at the library, Zhang Liang held open the door for Zenki and followed him inside.

The grand library of the castle was a sight to behold, with its towering shelves and a vast collection of books, scrolls, and manuscripts. The first floor was reserved for general knowledge, history, and literature. The shelves stretched high to the ceiling, filled with books of various sizes and colors. There were also reading tables and comfortable chairs for visitors to peruse the books at their leisure.

The walls were adorned with paintings and tapestries depicting scenes from famous stories and events from the kingdom's past. The natural light from large windows illuminated the room, casting a warm glow on the polished wooden floors. The library was a serene and peaceful space, and the scent of old parchment filled the air.

The second floor was accessible via a grand spiral staircase made of marble. This floor was dedicated to cultivation materials, with shelves filled with scrolls and books detailing the arts of war, strategy, and cultivation. There were also many rare and precious tomes containing the secrets of powerful techniques and magic.

The second floor was also illuminated by natural light, but it was dimmer than the first floor, as it was important to protect the fragile cultivation materials from sunlight. The atmosphere on this floor was more intense and focused, with scholars and cultivators alike studying in silence.

Overall, the grand library of the castle was a place of knowledge, learning, and contemplation, where visitors could lose themselves in the wonders of literature and the mysteries of cultivation.

As Zenki took a look around the grand library, he was amazed by its sheer size of it. The shelves reached the high ceiling, and the smell of old books filled the air. He could hear the faint sound of pages being turned and whispers among the patrons.

Approaching them, a librarian greeted Zenki and Zhang Liang with a courteous bow. "Welcome to our library, your majesty. How may we assist you today?" she asked, hoping to provide the best service to the royal family.

As Zenki gazed around in awe, he asked, "Can you please explain to me the contents of your library?"

The librarian replied with a polite smile, "Certainly, your majesty. The first floor is where you can find the general knowledge, history, and literature of our kingdom. We have a vast collection of books, ranging from ancient scrolls to modern volumes. The second floor, on the other hand, is where we keep our collection of cultivation materials. It is a restricted area that can only be accessed by the royal family and those who have been granted permission by them."

Zenki nodded thoughtfully, impressed by the organization and selection of the library. The librarian couldn't help but hope that his majesty would treat the books and the library with the utmost respect and care, unlike when he came in the past.

"Thank you. You may leave now as I peruse the library," Zenki told the librarian while signaling Zhang Liang to stand by as he searched the library for anything that could help him understand and survive in this world.

The library was a grand and impressive structure, with towering shelves of books lining the walls and high ceilings decorated with intricate frescoes. The first floor was divided into various sections, each housing a different type of literature, from ancient texts and historical documents to works of fiction and poetry.

Zenki wandered through the aisles, his eyes darting from shelf to shelf as he searched for anything that might catch his interest. As he walked, he could feel the weight of the knowledge contained within these walls pressing down on him, filling him with a sense of awe and reverence.