On a blessed morning bathed in sunlight, the entire populace had gathered since dawn to welcome the arrival of the royal procession that would introduce the new King of the Kingdom of Tupmur. The procession was held in the southern region of the realm. As dictated by tradition, the King would arrive in a horse-drawn carriage, accompanied by his attendants and several guards.
"Wow! There are so many people! They really can't wait to welcome the King," Noriala said, glancing around at the thousands of citizens filling the streets.
"That's enough. Let's go," Rihisna urged, already intending to leave the Kingdom of Tupmur.
"What? We're leaving already? You don't want to wait for the Young Lord's speech?" Noriala protested.
"No need. I already know what the Young Lord is going to say," Rihisna replied casually as he continued walking.
Without another word, Noriala followed behind him. Suddenly, they noticed a muscular man standing tall with his arms crossed.
"So you're quite clever, aren't you? You get a medal and then immediately leave," Saona remarked toward Rihisna.
"Oh, no, not like that. We're just in a hurry to look for an ancient artifact," Rihisna replied, smiling and lowering his head politely.
"Huh? An ancient artifact? Sounds important," Saona said, puzzled.
"Yes, very important, because it's extremely difficult to find," Rihisna answered confidently.
"What do you mean important? You didn't tell me anything about this," Noriala suddenly interrupted.
"Oh, sorry. I forgot… hehehe," Rihisna grinned sheepishly.
"Hmph! How could you not tell me?" Noriala turned her face away in a sulk.
"Come on… even if I told you earlier, it would be the same as now," Rihisna coaxed.
"Wait? Is this artifact a weapon or something?" Saona asked, having observed their exchange closely.
"Yes… Two Cursed Swords hidden within the Ancient Sanctuary," Rihisna replied, clenching his right fist with enthusiasm.
"Swords? Why are you looking for swords? Can you even wield one?" Noriala asked, startled.
"Of course I can. Master Gana taught me. Why? can't you use a sword?" Rihisna replied spiritedly.
"Hah! Swordplay is nothing special. My mother taught me since I was little," Noriala retorted confidently.
"Oh? Then it really is true, you're of royal blood, Noriala," Saona commented.
"Oh no, I slipped," Noriala whispered to herself, covering her mouth.
"That's not actually…" Rihisna began to explain.
"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone," Saona said before Rihisna could finish.
Clip-clop, clip-clop—the sound of hooves echoed, signaling the arrival of the royal procession. Four horses advanced, ridden by Izzif, Luna, and two guards. The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Whew… there are so many people!" the Young Lord said as he peered out from the carriage window.
"Well then, it's time to make an entrance!"
The King suddenly leapt out of the carriage and sprinted toward the front hall of the palace. Once more, the King vaulted upward, landing on the second floor of the palace's front hall. The crowd gasped in shock. Never had they imagined a King who would personally leap into the palace grounds himself. More than that, they were stunned to see that their new King was merely a teenage boy. Indeed, the rumors were true, the new King was exceptionally young.
"YOUNG LORD! WELCOME!"
One group shouted toward him. The King responded with a cheerful smile, waving to his people. Soon, the crowd waved back in unison.
"Young Lord! Is it true what the legend says, that every hundred years, a just King and a tyrant King will appear?" someone shouted.
The atmosphere instantly fell silent.
"Hm… First of all, I thank everyone who has gathered here. It is true, the legend says that both a just King and a tyrant King will rule. Perhaps I will become a just King, and also…" the King said calmly, then suddenly paused.
"…a tyrant King," he continued. The crowd gasped, frozen in disbelief.
"Do not worry. If that day comes, I want all of you to end my reign as King, because I am also an ordinary human, who once could not even walk. We are all the same. In the beginning, no one knew how to walk. Therefore, if I rule with tyranny, everyone has the right to kill me," the King declared solemnly, sorrow flickering across his face.
The people lowered their heads, moved by his words.
"All humans are equal at the beginning. What changes one's status or fate is…" the King said with grave intensity.
"THE FLOW OF DESTINY WRITTEN BY THE CREATOR!"
The words rang out spoken simultaneously by the King and by Rihisna, who stood far behind the crowd, his expression sharp and resolute.
"Rihisna, how could you?" Noriala whispered softly.
"I told you. I already knew what the Young Lord was going to say," Rihisna replied, fixing a piercing gaze upon the King and curling his lips into a faint, knowing smile.
"Alright. If that's the case, you two may leave now," Saona said as he stepped forward into the crowd.
"Then it's not impossible that the Young Lord will rule as a tyrant!" a voice suddenly shouted. A figure clad in a hooded robe emerged.The figure leapt into the air, unleashing vine-like roots that lashed toward the King.Luna swiftly slashed through the roots with her sword.
"What are you doing?!" Luna shouted.
"It's fine. Let him speak. I want to hear him," the King said, stepping forward.
The King leapt down from the palace hall toward his attacker.
"Why do you say such things?" the King asked quietly.
"I am from the Lugh Organization. We intend to stop you. We have been watching the Young Lord for a long time," the man snarled.
"Aaarrgghh… there's no more time!" He released even more roots from his hands.
The King did not move. Blood splattered from his hand as he stopped the roots with his bare flesh.
"Why don't you fight back?" the rebel asked in disbelief.
"Why should I, when you are also my citizen?" the King replied, his gaze unwavering.
Chaos erupted. Panic spread among the people. Some covered their eyes and mouths, unable to bear the sight.
"Everyone, remain calm! Let the Young Lord handle this!" Izzif shouted.
"Hear me, all of you! With the blood on my hands, I swear that I will rule the Kingdom of Tupmur with all my strength and my life!" the King proclaimed loudly.
"Then… please forgive me, Young Lord! I, Luokh, swear loyalty to you with all my strength, to defend the Kingdom of Tupmur and protect the Young Lord!" Luokh said before kneeling deeply.
"Good. By my decree, the Lugh Organization is hereby dissolved. In its place, I establish the Royal Knights, and I appoint you, Luokh, as their leader," the King declared, placing his sword upon Luokh's shoulder in a formal rite of appointment.
The crowd rejoiced. Awe filled their faces. What began as conflict had transformed into loyalty. Smiles spread everywhere.
"It's over. Let's go, Noriala," Rihisna said, turning away.
Without a word, Noriala followed him.
"Was that an order, Rihisna?" Saona suddenly asked in a low voice.
The wind seemed to halt time itself. Silence fell. Rihisna inhaled deeply and spoke.
"Yes… it was an order from the Young Lord. The legend will soon begin to move, so I must act as well," Rihisna replied, closing his eyes without looking at Saona.
"So it's true… every few hundred years, an heir appears," Saona murmured in understanding.
"But before you go, take this," Tuan Saona said, tossing a stone to Rihisna.
"Eh, hey, what's this?" Rihisna asked, catching it.
"This is a teleportation stone. It can send you straight to the exit of the Kingdom of Tupmur, but it can only be used once."
"Alright. Thank you, Sir Saona," Rihisna said with a smile.
"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go," Noriala said, staring at the stone in Rihisna's hand.
They vanished instantly, leaving Tuan Saona behind. He simply smiled as he watched the two of them disappear.