Past
The fire burned quietly inside the room's chimney. The castle of Norm's kingdom stood silent as always, its old bricks holding the warmth of the flames. The air inside felt calm, almost alive.
Aron sat near the fire, staring into the dancing flames. In his mind he imagined many things—stories, battles, and heroes.
The wooden door slowly opened.
His father, Agarth, stepped inside. The moment he saw Aron sitting there watching the fire, a small smile appeared on his face.
Agarth: "What are you doing, Aron?" he asked calmly.
Aron immediately turned around.
Aron: "Father! You're here!"
He ran toward him happily.
Agarth laughed softly and lifted the boy onto his shoulders.
Agarth: "Man… your dad worked really hard today," he said with a tired smile.
He walked toward the chairs near the fire and gently placed Aron on one of them before sitting beside him.
The warm light from the fire reflected in Aron's curious eyes.
Aron: "Father, I wanted to know about King Fredo," he said eagerly. "I heard Ling talking about him. Was he dangerous?"
Agarth looked at the fire for a moment,
thinking about how to explain it.
Agarth: "Well… how should I put this?" he said slowly. "Alright, listen carefully."
He turned to face Aron.
"Long ago, during the time when the legendary Norm walked this world, many people feared him."
"Some said he was against humans. But that was never true."
"It was humans who were jealous of him."
"Even though he sided with humanity, many rulers still feared his strength."
Agarth leaned back slightly.
"But there was one king from the Arklands… King Fredo."
"He saw Norm as a great threat."
"At that time, Norm didn't obey anyone. He didn't serve any kingdom."
"So King Fredo sent an army of Jolts—his greatest warriors."
Agarth paused.
"But Norm defeated them all… alone."
Aron's eyes widened.
"After defeating them, Norm walked directly to Fredo's castle and calmly threatened him."
"King Fredo tried to lie and avoid the truth, but Norm noticed immediately."
"Yet… Norm didn't kill him."
"Because he never wanted to kill a human."
The fire cracked softly as the wood burned.
Agarth continued quietly.
"Even after all those years, people from those lands still hate us."
"Though I don't truly know how things are now… I have never met them myself."
"But remember one thing, Aron."
"They are dangerous."
Aron leaned forward eagerly.
Aron: "Father, please tell me more about Norm!"
Agarth smiled.
Agarth: "Alright… just a little more. But after that, you must go to sleep."
Aron quickly nodded.
Agarth looked back at the fire.
"There is an old myth," he said slowly.
"They say that once, Norm walked into a king's castle."
"And when everyone bowed to the king…"
"Norm didn't."
Aron's eyes sparkled.
Aron: "Really? He didn't bow?"
Agarth chuckled.
Agarth: "Yes."
"He said something that people still remember."
"A Norm does not bow before a human."
Aron whispered in amazement.
Aron: "That's how fearless he was…"
Agarth nodded and placed his hand on Aron's head.
"Listen carefully, son."
"A true Norm never bows before a human."
"And a human should never bow to another human simply because they hold power."
"Even if someone possesses greater strength or wealth… it does not make them greater as a person."
Agarth fell silent.
The fire crackled again as small pieces of coal dropped from the burning wood.
When he looked back at Aron, he noticed something.
The boy had fallen asleep.
Agarth sighed softly.
"This kid…" he muttered with a smile.
He gently leaned forward and kissed Aron's forehead.
"You have a long road ahead of you," he whispered.
"I'm sure… someday you will understand everything."
Present
Inside the giant throne hall, the atmosphere felt heavy.
Nobles, guards, and officials stood across the room, watching the scene unfold.
At the center sat King Amrock, leaning slightly forward on his throne with a smug smile.
King Amrock: "Bow down… kiss my ring… and you will have your freedom."
His voice echoed across the hall.
Keiss stood beside Aron, silently watching him. He knew the king was trying to humiliate him.
He waited for Aron's reaction.
Aron stared at the ground.
Bow?
The word echoed in his mind.
Bow… to him?
Suddenly, a memory appeared in his thoughts.
His father's voice.
A true Norm never bows before a human.
Aron slowly raised his head.
His eyes met the king's gaze.
Then he spoke calmly.
"A Norm does not bow before a king."
The words struck the room like thunder.
Everyone froze.
Even Keiss looked confused.
"A Norm?" he repeated quietly.
The hall, which had been filled with whispers moments earlier, suddenly fell into complete silence.
Keiss looked directly at Aron.
Keiss: "You… are a Norm?"
The words spread across the room like fire.
Everyone knew the name.
The Norms were respected throughout the lands.
Yet here stood one… refusing the king's command.
King Amrock stared at Aron silently.
For a moment, even he seemed unsure.
But then the king quickly changed his approach.
He knew that Norms were legendary warriors.
If this boy truly was one… he could become dangerous.
So he chose another path.
King Amrock: "You're a liar."
Fletcher, the king's daughter, looked shocked.
A Norm?
Even she had rarely heard of them.
But as she looked at Aron, she noticed something else.
The cruelty in her father's eyes.
Still, she remained silent for now.
King Amrock slammed his hand against the throne.
Amrock: "Imprison him!"
"He lies about his identity."
But Aron stood calmly.
He didn't react.
Prison meant nothing to him anymore.
The soldiers began escorting him away.
As Aron walked out of the throne hall, the massive doors slowly closed behind him.
The king's vision of him disappeared as the doors shut.
The soldiers led him down a staircase into the underground prison area.
Dark stone walls surrounded them.
Cold air filled the narrow hallway.
But suddenly—
Keiss stepped forward.
"I didn't know you were a Norm," Keiss said quietly.
"Things changed very quickly."
He sighed.
"It was never really my decision to imprison you."
He looked ahead at the prison cells.
"I originally wanted to recruit you for war."
They stopped beside a prison cell.
Keiss reached for the key.
But suddenly—
"Stop!"
A voice echoed through the hallway.
Both men turned around.
A girl stood at the entrance.
It was Princess Fletcher.
Keiss looked shocked.
Keiss: "Princess Fletcher… what are you doing here?"
She walked forward calmly.
Fletcher: "Let this man stay in the old guest room."
"But do not free him yet."
"Just… don't imprison him."
Keiss hesitated.
"But the king—"
He stopped himself.
After a moment he sighed.
"Alright."
"In the end… you are the princess."
"I will listen to your command."
He closed the prison lock again without putting Aron inside.
Aron looked at Fletcher silently.
For a moment, their eyes met.
Then Aron lowered his gaze again.
Fletcher turned around and walked away with calm dignity.
Keiss watched her leave before speaking again.
Keiss: "You're a lucky man."
"You were saved by the most unlikely person in this kingdom."
Aron looked at him.
Aron: "Really?"
"What was her name?"
Keiss answered calmly.
Keiss: "The daughter of the Seventh King Amrock."
"Fletcher Amrock."