I woke up as a King in a Fantasy World

The king never manifested his ability?

The weight of that revelation hit Jareth like a bolt of lightning. His mind momentarily went blank as he processed the implications. 

No ability? As in… none at all?

Up until now, he had felt a stroke of luck at having transmigrated into the body of a king. It was an ideal situation—status, power, resources, and most importantly, people at his beck and call who could help him navigate this unfamiliar world. But to think that the body he inhabited belonged to a ruler… of a kingdom where supernatural abilities were the norm… and yet he, the so-called king, possessed absolutely nothing?

What kind of cosmic joke is this?!

Jareth felt a mix of disbelief and impending doom settle in his gut. The more he thought about it, the worse it got. 

How was this guy even ruling in the first place? How did he maintain power in a world where strength seemed to determine one's worth?

His lips twitched. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. 

Wasn't a king supposed to be the pinnacle of power? A symbol of strength? A ruler above all? And yet, here he was, stuck in the body of someone who, in the eyes of this world, might be seen as… lacking? 

No wonder Roderic and Atticus had looked so serious. No wonder they spoke about loyalty with such intensity.

Did they… pity him?

Jareth resisted the urge to groan aloud. He suddenly felt like a fraud sitting on a stolen throne. He had assumed he was playing the part of a powerful figure, only to now realize he might be masquerading as a ruler who, in the eyes of his people, was already seen as 'incomplete.'

He exhaled slowly, steeling himself. 

No ability? Fine. So what? 

If the original king had managed to hold onto power despite that, then there had to be something more to the story. Something that made his rule unquestionable. He just needed to find out what.

Jareth cast a measured gaze over the three before him, his expression unreadable. He let out a slow breath and then spoke with an air of nonchalance, as if the matter was of little concern to him.

"I know. Don't overthink it. I'm not worried about that. Just make sure there won't be any mistakes this time."

His tone was calm, yet it carried an underlying weight that made the room feel heavier. Though his words were simple, the underlying message was clear—he was aware of the risks, but he would not allow failure.

Roderic straightened, placing a fist over his chest in silent affirmation. Lilliene still looked hesitant but nodded, while Atticus, as always, smirked slightly, his expression unreadable.

As Jareth observed their reactions, his mind was already dissecting the situation. Something must have happened during the last ritual—something big.

A mistake, a failure, or perhaps… sabotage.

Jareth had already come to an obvious conclusion. The king's lack of ability was bound to have created factions in the kingdom—those who supported him and those who thought him unfit to rule. There were likely people in the noble class who saw him as a joke, an unworthy ruler who did not deserve the throne.

Being ruled by someone they perceived as weaker than them must have been intolerable. Even on Earth, he had seen this kind of thing happen among nobility in the shows he had watched before.

He could already imagine the whispers behind closed doors. 

A king without power? What a disgrace. How long will he last? Wouldn't it be better if we placed someone else in his stead?

The worst-case scenario? They didn't just want him gone. They wanted a puppet. A king they could control.

Jareth's fingers lightly tapped the armrest of his chair as he considered the implications. The only reason they hadn't succeeded must be because this king—despite his lack of ability—wasn't easy to manipulate.

And, more importantly, because of the people standing before him.

His gaze flickered toward Atticus. 

Especially this guy.

Atticus—witty, cunning, and brimming with unwavering confidence. As one of the highest-ranked individuals, he was undeniably a dangerous man. Yet, perhaps it was that very trait that made him indispensable to the king.

Jareth had misjudged him at first, assuming he was nothing more than an opportunist who enjoyed playing mind games. But now…

Maybe being cunning was simply a part of his nature. A necessary trait to survive in a court filled with hidden daggers.

Still, the fact that Atticus was still here, standing so firmly at his side, meant one thing—he was loyal. Whether it was loyalty to the king or loyalty to his own interests, Jareth couldn't be certain yet.

But one thing was clear.

The original king must have trusted him.

And for now, Jareth had no choice but to do the same.

His lips curled into a faint, knowing smile.

"Well then," he said, his voice smooth and assured. "Since we're all in agreement, let's make sure this ritual goes off without a hitch. I expect nothing less."

Atticus chuckled, tilting his head slightly. "Of course, Your Majesty. You wound me by even implying we would allow anything less than perfection."

Lilliene's expression softened, though her eyes still held traces of concern. "We will do everything to ensure your safety, My King."

Roderic nodded firmly. "On my honor, I will not allow what happened before to repeat itself."

Jareth met each of their gazes, then leaned back in his seat.

Good.

If there were enemies lurking within the court, waiting for an opportunity to strike, then Jareth needed to be ready.

 -

After finishing breakfast, Jareth bid farewell to Atticus and Lilliene before heading back to his chambers with Roderic. As they walked through the grand hallways, Jareth's mind was already preoccupied with what he might find inside his room. 

Would there be books—preferably ones that could grant him insight into this world's history, politics, and magic? Or would the previous king's notes be left behind, something he could use to piece together the identity he now had to assume? 

The mere thought of gaining valuable information sent a thrill through him.

When they arrived at his chamber doors, Jareth turned to Roderic, speaking in an almost dismissive tone. "You don't need to stand guard. I'm planning to rest for a bit."

Roderic, however, remained unfazed. His expression was firm, his posture straight. "I will wait until Caelum arrives," he stated, voice steady and unwavering.

Jareth raised a brow. "There's no need to trouble yourself. It's just some rest."

Roderic didn't budge. "Your Majesty, you were unwell yesterday. And given the... matters discussed at breakfast, it would put my mind at ease if I remained stationed here until Caelum takes over."

Ah. So he's still thinking about that. Jareth internally sighed. He could see the concern in Roderic's eyes, subtle but present. It wasn't just duty—Roderic genuinely worried for the king's well-being.

Jareth could have pressed the issue, but he knew when to pick his battles. "Suit yourself," he muttered, waving a hand as he stepped into his chamber, the doors closing behind him with a soft thud, a sense of anticipation bubbled within him. 

As Jareth stepped further into the room, his sharp eyes took in every detail. The chamber was vast, exuding both luxury and restraint. It was not cluttered with unnecessary extravagance, yet every piece of furniture and décor spoke of wealth and status. Near the entrance, a cozy space was arranged like a mini living room—something akin to a lounging area one would find in a noble's estate on Earth. A set of elegantly crafted chairs and a low, polished table rested atop a thick, dark carpet. A faint scent of something floral lingered in the air, likely from the ornamental arrangements placed subtly around the room.

His gaze then drifted past the lounging area to a door positioned near it. He didn't yet know what lay beyond, but he made a mental note to check it out soon. Further into the room, a massive bed dominated the inner space, positioned directly across from a wide veranda that allowed natural light to spill into the chamber. The soft rustling of curtains in the breeze added a gentle, calming effect to the space.

To the left of the bed, near an oversized mirror, stood a double door. Jareth had been in there earlier, it led to both the king's personal closet and the bathroom. 

Meanwhile, on the right side of the bed, another door stood, its purpose unknown to him. He hadn't had the chance to explore it yet, but now, without the pressure of an audience, he intended to.

Jareth let out a small hum of intrigue as he slowly turned in place, scanning the room for anything unusual. "Hmmm… no hidden doors?" He ran a hand along the smooth walls, knocking lightly in different spots. Nothing. At least, not anything obvious.

Or perhaps… the mechanisms to open them were cleverly hidden. A secret passage wouldn't be impossible in a place like this, right? This was a king's room, after all. There had to be hidden ways in and out.

Shrugging, Jareth decided to start with the nearest door— the one close to the lounging area. He pushed it open and was immediately greeted by an unexpected sight.

Inside, the space was filled with objects—preserved artifacts and peculiar plants encased in glass. Some items shimmered faintly, as if infused with some kind of magic. The entire room seemed to hum with an unseen energy. Strange trinkets lined the walls, and at the center, positioned atop a dark wooden pedestal, was a set of glowing stones that pulsed with an almost hypnotic light.

Jareth blinked, taking a step forward as his eyes roamed over the collection. "Oh… a treasure room?" His voice carried a mix of surprise and intrigue.

He walked further in, reaching out to hover his hand over one of the glowing stones. The warmth that radiated from it sent a small thrill through him. "Alright, this definitely looks magical," he muttered under his breath.

The preserved plants were just as fascinating. Some of them were frozen in perfect condition, suspended in crystal-clear containers as if they had been plucked from the ground moments ago. Others looked exotic, with colors and textures unlike anything he had seen before.

"Was the previous king a collector?" Jareth mused, glancing around. "Or maybe these are artifacts with actual power?"

The thought sent a small shiver of excitement through him. He wasn't sure what he had been expecting when he opened this door, but an entire room dedicated to mystical objects was far from disappointing.

Stepping carefully, he continued inspecting the items, mind already buzzing with questions. 

What exactly were these things? Did they have a purpose beyond decoration? And most importantly… was there something in here that could help him?

In a secluded corner of the room, something caught Jareth's eye—a crystal orb resting elegantly atop a polished pedestal. The glass-like sphere gleamed faintly under the ambient light, its surface smooth and flawless, almost beckoning him closer. Intrigued, he strode towards it, his fingers lightly tracing the ornate silver frame encasing its base. Unlike the other objects in the room, this one exuded a distinct aura, as if it held knowledge within.

Beneath the crystal orb, a wooden plaque had been carefully placed, engraved with neat lettering. Jareth leaned in to read it.

Plant and Beast Sphere

Function: Identifies and provides essential information on plants and beasts.

Rank: Class 4

Jareth's brows lifted in pleasant surprise. "A dictionary for plants and beasts?" he murmured, his interest piqued. He had expected something decorative, but this was far more practical.

The implications of such an item thrilled him. If it truly functioned as described, it would be invaluable. He could identify unknown flora, assess potential threats from beasts, and even determine which plants had medicinal or poisonous properties. 

An item like this could make a significant difference—especially for someone like him, who had just been thrown into an unfamiliar reality.

"This… this is perfect," he whispered.

His thoughts raced. 

Why was something this useful just sitting here, collecting dust? If the previous king had access to this, why wasn't it being utilized? Had it been forgotten, or was it simply not considered valuable enough? 

Jareth carefully opened the glass case, his fingers grazing against the smooth surface as he lifted the orb from its stand. It was unexpectedly warm to the touch, a soft, pulsing heat that almost made it feel alive. The sphere looked delicate, its crystalline surface gleaming under the light, as if a single misstep could shatter it. Holding it securely, he turned toward a nearby plant that had caught his attention.

It resembled ginseng in shape, with twisting roots and a thick stem, but what made it truly striking was its glow—three distinct colors intertwined within its leaves, shifting like rippling light beneath water. Jareth brought the orb closer to the plant, curious to test its function.

The moment the orb was aligned with the plant, faint golden letters flickered to life within the crystal, forming words that hovered in the transparent depths. The text flowed seamlessly, providing a structured breakdown of the herb's properties, its classification, and its uses.

Name: Life Root

Function: Possesses potent healing properties, capable of mending both internal and external wounds.

Rank: Class 3

Jareth's eyes widened in amazement. It felt almost like using a high-tech scanner or an advanced database—something akin to searching the internet, but with magic. "Incredible… It's like a magical Google," he muttered under his breath, thoroughly impressed.

If only this tool could provide him with information about everything in this world, it would be even better. An orb that could answer all his questions would be an invaluable lifeline, a true game-changer in his current situation.