Grind became humanity's hope, and the flowers of life began to bloom again. Yet, the Black Cloaks moved once more.
King Kridon summoned the leaders of the Pyrion squads—along with the new hero: Grind.
Everyone was tense, uncertain about the reason behind the urgent summons to the kingdom.
One of them spoke:
"So, has something happened, Your Majesty?"
Kridon replied with a serious tone:
"We've infiltrated the enemy's ranks… the Black Cloaks. We've discovered what they want—and what they're planning to do. They are an army of outcasts. Konri managed to break into their lines. Speak, Lord Konri, what did you find?"
Konri stood up, visibly nervous, and said:
"They hide their identities—even from each other… and they are immortal. In Pyrion alone, there are 200,000 Black Cloak soldiers. And in other nations, there are commanders and deputies. Each group has a leader, but none of their identities are known. But the most dangerous part is… their immortality. I still don't know how they gained it."
The king asked:
"So, Lord Konri, how did you manage to infiltrate their ranks?"
He answered:
"My scientific team, under my command, dissected the body of a Black Cloak soldier. We discovered that they all possess teleportation gates. And that was their greatest mistake."
One of the commanders asked:
"But how did they not realize you weren't one of them?"
Konri replied:
"As I said, their identities are hidden. Even their leader doesn't know what his followers look like."
The king continued:
"Did you find out where they are located?"
Konri answered:
"They are like revolutionaries. Their numbers have reached nearly a million soldiers scattered across various nations. But I do know there are ten commanders."
A commander exclaimed in shock:
"So there are ten nations harboring Black Cloak soldiers!"
King Kridon interjected:
"What's our next move, commanders?"
He replied:
"Our plan will be as follows, my dear commanders…"
In a secluded room, away from the world, the sacrificial ones gathered to make the world livable.
By midnight, the planning was complete, and everyone returned to their fortresses.
In the Blue Fortress
Everyone surrounded Grind with questions:
"What happened there, Grind? What did they offer you? Did they give you a wife?"
Grind chuckled and said:
"They asked me to protect this world until my last breath… and they gave me some food."
One pointed at a golden sword and asked:
"Then what's with that golden sword?"
Grind answered:
"I have become a knight of King Kridon."
Someone shouted with excitement:
"That's amazing!! Let's all celebrate Grind, the first knight of the kingdom!"
They brought out the wine and began to celebrate.
In a garden far away from the outside world
A mysterious man sat alone on a chair, staring at the sky, then said:
"Everything exists for humanity… so what exists for those things? We're trapped in an endless spiral."
Then he added:
"Goals give life meaning… and without one, you become a living corpse."
Another man asked:
"So, what will you do, Li Sheng?"
Li Sheng smiled as he looked at the stars:
"Look at those stars lighting up the sky… They're so far away."
The other man smiled and said:
"I understand now."
Li Sheng asked:
"What does the leader of the Kana Clan want, Wang Sheng?"
Wang replied:
"Tomorrow, an agreement will be signed with our clan leader, President Tao Sheng."
Li Sheng gave a calm smile:
"A wise choice."
Wang continued with admiration:
"So you're the one who pushed them toward the agreement? …You're amazing, Li Sheng."
Li Sheng said in a mysterious tone:
"Everyone has secrets… and if you reveal even a little, you may fall into the abyss. Isn't that right, Wang?"
Wang froze in place, thinking:
"Did he find out about my secrets? …That's impossible."
Then Li Sheng said:
"Let's head inside."