After the two of them arrived at the northern part of Tupmur. Rihisna, who had been silent all this while, as if under a spell, did not utter a single word. Noriala could only watch from behind. She had never seen Rihisna like this in the few days since she had known him. Rihisna was usually cheerful, friendly, and calm. Yet on this quiet night, not a single word was spoken after they returned from Teratak Gana.
"Err… um… Rihisna, don't worry… I'll always be your traveling companion," Noriala tried to speak, her voice slightly hesitant.
"You don't need to worry. After all, this was the choice I made," Rihisna replied softly while looking at the Book of Teratak Gana, which had already been burned.
Rihisna tried to hold the Book of Teratak Gana. In an instant, the book crumbled like dust. He used his wind iktas to blow away the burned book. It scattered into the air like dust carried by the wind.
"Phew… we stayed at Teratak Gana for so long that it's already night," Rihisna said as he looked at the dark sky dotted with stars.
"Yes, it felt like it was only a moment," Noriala replied, also gazing at the sky.
"Wait!" Rihisna suddenly panicked.
"Huh! What's wrong?" Noriala panicked at Rihisna's reaction.
"Oh no! We're late! The ceremony has already started! Aaaargh!" Rihisna shouted and immediately ran off.
"Is that so? Wait for me!" Noriala quickly chased after him.
"Hey, where is Rihisna? Don't tell me he's not coming," said Saona as he looked toward the entrance of the Grand Hall of the Kingdom of Tupmur.
"What are you looking at, Saona?" a voice was heard from behind him.
"Oh! Young Master? Please forgive me," Saona replied, bowing respectfully.
"I'm just waiting for someone. They haven't arrived yet," answered Saona.
"Who? Our guest? The Traveler?" the Young Master asked while taking a glass of water from the table and handing it to Saona.
"Your guess is correct, Young Master." Saona accepted the glass.
"Don't worry, he'll be here soon," said the Young Master as he drank his water.
"How can the Young Master know?" Master Saona asked with a puzzled expression.
"Hahaha! I can sense the aura of a king drawing closer to this place," the Young Master replied with a laugh.
"Huh? Is there a royal entourage coming?!" Saona asked in panic.
Some of the guests in the Grand Hall turned to look at Saona. The atmosphere became chaotic because of his shout.
"Hey, calm down," the Young Master tried to soothe him.
"My apologies, Young Master," said Master Saona, bowing.
"What's all this commotion, Saona?" Suddenly a voice came from behind and to the left of Saona, accompanied by a tap on his shoulder.
"So it's you, Izzif! I thought it was someone else!" Saona turned and saw a bespectacled man holding a glass of drink.
"You're causing a scene even here," Izzif teased, taking a grape and eating it.
"It's just that the Young Master said the aura of a king is getting closer," replied Saona.
"WHAT! A king?!" Izzif immediately rushed to the Young Master.
"Is that true, Young Master? Is there a royal entourage? We weren't informed at all!" Izzif bombarded him with questions.
Once again, the Grand Hall became noisier than before. This time, almost the entire hall fell silent for a moment, with all the guests looking toward the Young Master.
"Tsk, he's making a fuss again," Saona muttered inwardly.
"You too, Izzif. Look, all the guests are confused," said the Young Master while glancing around.
"Everyone, please forgive us! We were actually discussing work matters. Please continue enjoying the food provided, and I sincerely apologize to all distinguished guests!" A loud voice from a woman standing on the stage echoed throughout the Grand Hall. The guests resumed eating. The situation calmed down for a moment. The woman then stepped down from the stage and walked toward Izzif.
"Why are you all so noisy?" she scolded Saona and Izzif.
"I apologize on their behalf, Young Master, for causing a disturbance," the woman said apologetically.
"It's fine, Luna. I'm the one who made them panic," the Young Master replied, stepping back slightly.
"What do you mean, Young Master?" Luna asked, puzzled.
"I mean, it's not a royal entourage that's coming just someone of royal blood," the Young Master explained while looking at the three of them.
"Oh! You mean? A prince or princess?" Saona asked from behind Luna.
"Yes. I believe that person is accompanying the Traveler," replied Young Master as he glanced toward the entrance of the Grand Hall.
"Are you two the Travelers who were invited?" asked one of the hall guards.
"Yes, we are the invited Travelers. This is the invitation card," Rihisna replied respectfully, showing the card he had received from Saona.
"Very well. You may enter, but before that—" Before the guard could finish, someone interrupted.
"You both need to wear special attire for this ceremony," said Saona as he hurried over.
"Master Saona! Sorry we're late. Has the ceremony started?" Rihisna asked with a smile.
"Not yet. Hurry and go change your clothes," Master Saona instructed.
A few minutes later, Rihisna emerged from the changing room wearing the outfit specially prepared by Saona for the ceremony. His attire resembled a full uniform from head to toe. The main color was green, accented with white and a touch of yellow. It's design was similar to the royal attire Rihisna had worn during the Oath Ceremony. He wore boots that reached almost to his knees.
"Where is she? Is she still taking long?" Rihisna whispered as he waited for Noriala.
Noriala appeared wearing a similar full uniform, paired with high-heeled shoes. She felt somewhat awkward in them. Moreover, the outfit was rather tight but fitted. She also wore gloves that reached almost to her elbows. The main colors of her attire matched Rihisna's ,green, white, and yellow.
The two of them looked harmonious together. What made their outfits unique were the patterns and symbols resembling leaves and flowers. After admiring their attire, Rihisna and Noriala met in the dining area of the Grand Hall. They were both shocked to see how different they looked, as if they were no longer the people they once knew.
"Wow, you're both ready! You look elegant and stylish, hahaha!" Saona greeted them.
"So this is the Traveler! Beautiful and sweet!" Izzif praised as he walked over slowly.
"So the Young Master was right there really is royal blood among the two of them," Luna chimed in, gazing sharply at Noriala with a smile.
"Huh? How does she know I'm of royal blood?" Noriala whispered to herself in shock.
"Oh no… we're just ordinary people. It's just these clothes that make us look different… hehehe," Rihisna replied shyly with a smile.
"Before that, let me introduce you. This gentleman is Master Izzif, the head of the Western Division of the Kingdom of Tupmur," said Master Saona, gesturing toward Izzif behind him.
"Hi! You can call me Master Izzif or Handsome Brother, if you like, hehehe," Izzif grinned.
Izzif was tall, slightly smaller in build than Saona, with a slender M sized physique. His face was handsome, with sharp, deep red eyes. His long red hair extended past his shoulders. At first glance, he appeared cheerful and calm.
"Ahem! Allow me to introduce the head of the Eastern Division Lady Luna," Saona continued, stepping closer to Luna.
"Hi! I'd like to know which one of you is the royal child," Luna asked, her sharp gaze filled with intense curiosity.
At first glance, Luna appeared stern and stood as tall as Saona, with an M sized build. Her face was quite beautiful despite her strict demeanor, and her eyes were brown. Her light-blue hair flowed down her back to her waist.
"I think that question can be answered later. What matters now is that we gather to listen to the Young Master's speech," Saona said, inviting Rihisna and Noriala to the front row near the stage.
Without objection, Rihisna and Noriala followed Saona, with Izzif and Luna behind them. As they walked, the two of them glanced around the Grand Hall. A massive tree with sprawling vines stood at its center, while tall bookshelves lined the sides. The Grand Hall resembled a vast library. Chairs and tables were neatly arranged to the left and right of the giant tree. Above, bright lights shone like sunlight, illuminating the entire hall. The atmosphere felt warm and comfortable, as if it were daytime, even though night had fallen. The green hues of the tree, combined with the golden-yellow lighting, created a beautiful, garden-like ambiance. They were both mesmerized.
Upon reaching the front row,Saona showed them their reserved seats, clearly labeled with the names Rihisna and Noriala. They sat down without delay, followed by Saona, Izzif, and Luna.
"Distinguished guests, please be seated!" announced the emcee of ceremonies from beside the stage.
"We are gathered here tonight to present an honorary medal to the Traveler who successfully resolved the crisis in the Kingdom of Tupmur by defeating the bird monster that troubled the northern region. Additionally, this ceremony is held to appoint the new King of the Kingdom of Tupmur," the emcee announced while reading from a sheet of paper.
The guests in the Grand Hall were shocked. There had been no prior announcement that a candidate for King had already been chosen; the people had only been informed that this was an award ceremony.
"Please remain calm, everyone! Allow me to explain," the emcee said, trying to soothe the crowd.
"It was indeed not announced that a King had been chosen, as this was the King's own request to avoid causing an uproar," the emcee explained as he stepped to the center of the stage.
"Without further ado, I hereby present our new King. Formerly the head of the Western Division, please welcome our new King, Marki!" the emcee shouted enthusiastically.
The guests were stunned as someone leapt onto the stage from behind. A young man appeared, around sixteen to eighteen years old, with a slender S-sized build. His face was cheerful, like that of a teenager. His eyes were golden yellow, and his long hair, yellowish-brown in color, covered his ears. He was neatly dressed, wearing a short robe draped over his chest and back, covering the lower part of his neck.
"Hi everyone! How are you? I'm Marki, the new King of the Kingdom of Tupmur! You can call me the Young Master!" the King introduced himself cheerfully.
The guests remained silent, speechless. Saona, Izzif, and Luna merely smiled at the King's antics. Rihisna and Noriala were equally shocked.
"Alright! The Young Master is invited to deliver his speech!" said the emcee as he handed over several sheets of paper.
"Very well! Let us begin!" the King replied, taking the papers from the emcee.