"What's the difference between a king and a lord?"
Annan wanted to scratch his head, but that seemed undignified, so he ran a hand through his black hair instead.
"That's what my father asked me once. He said a lord should be responsible for his subjects—though whether you actually are is up to you. Your family and territory are your whole world."
Olmedo gazed steadily at Annan. "Choose to be king, and you must shoulder that responsibility. The wealth and poverty, the life and death, of countless people will hinge on a single decision you make."
"What did you choose?" Annan asked curiously.
"You can probably guess."
Annan did remember Olmedo saying many times that, back then, all she had wanted was to run Breeze City well.
As for Olmedo's choice...
"Don't I have enough responsibilities already?"
Olmedo neither agreed nor disagreed.
The burden of Free City rested on Annan's shoulders alone. The rest of them could only do their best to share it.
Well, except for bringing the foreign races together.
People thousands of miles away knew Free City only through Magic Films and newspapers. In their minds, it must have been a place as vast and magnificent as the Royal City.
Given how far Free City had come, hiding in the background and shirking responsibility was no longer a matter of course. Whether it was their seat on the Holy Council or their standing in Middle Earth, they needed to step forward.
Olmedo added, "I'm only reminding you that you can be a carefree little lord who stays out of politics, or stand atop the Tower and help decide the fate of the Allen Continent. You must weigh the costs and benefits for yourself."
"What do you want me to be?" Annan asked.
"I ask nothing of you.