"Ooh! Is that beef?"
A man with jet-black hair and ruby-red eyes asked as he visited a stall. His companion was a man with lustrous white hair that reached his ears and pitch-black eyes that shone like black pearls.
The man was named Revan, while his companion was Vekas, the general of Aethelgard's army. After the battle against Broshasa had ended, Vekas invited Revan to the city as a thankful gesture, since the black-haired man was the reason for their victory.
However, what the general didn't expect was for the enigmatic man to stop at so many food stalls. Vekas had offered to pay for anything that Revan bought, yet he began to regret his decision, as Revan had already made him spend 100 silver coins for food.
There were 3 types of coins in this world. These coins served as the currency of this world, and each type had a significance of its own.
The first and lowest-costing type of coin is the Bronze coin. These coins are primarily used by the poor and lower-class families. They were meant to be used for necessities like bread, water, eggs, etc.
The second type is the Silver Coin. These coins are often used by middle-class and upper-class families. They were meant to be used for more fancy dishes and exquisite clothing. In fact, even having 200 silver coins could be considered as having a ton of wealth.
Nobles and even Royalty mostly used silver coins, as they were enough to buy almost anything. One silver coin was worth 500 bronze coins, which spoke loudly of its worth.
Despite the low worth of bronze coins, a person is still capable of living decently with them, so having silver coins makes a person extremely wealthy, especially when the amount they possess is huge.
Then comes the Gold coin, the most expensive and rare of them all. These coins were only available to the highest-ranking officials of the kingdom and the royalty themselves. Only the most expensive items, or maybe managing a huge business, required the use of gold coins.
Sometimes, mages are hired using gold coins to help stabilize the damage done by natural disasters or other events. Although most mages would help by being offered silver coins, the stronger ones desire gold, which is why gold coins are needed for such powerful mages.
The greed of the mages was something Vekas despised. He was fine with how most mages only asked for silver, which was a logical price. Yet, strong mages asking for gold is most definitely troublesome, as its value is not to be underestimated.
One gold coin is said to have the value of 1000 silver coins, and in extension, 500,000 bronze coins. This value is the reason why Vekas believed that strong mages shouldn't ask for gold coins.
Gold coins weren't in large numbers compared to silver and bronze coins, even in the kingdom's treasury. Besides, gold coins are also needed to train the military and fund the army for battle.
Yet, the lack of proper funding for the training and the battle was one of the major reasons why Broshasa was winning against Aethelgard.
Of course, it wasn't the only reason. However, it was a major one regardless, which is why Vekas considered not only the strong mages as unreliable, but also the higher-up nobles, who refuse to help the empire with their massive wealth.
"Hey, you there?" Breaking through his thoughts, Revan called out to the general, bringing him out of the daze he was trapped in.
It seemed that Revan was trying to say something to him as they stood in front of another meat stall. Both the black-haired man and the stall owner were looking at him intently, as if expecting something from him, making him shudder slightly.
"Ah, I am sorry. Were you saying something?"
"Yeah. The guy said that this beef roll costs 10 silver coins. Will you pay for it?" Revan asked, his expression representing an innocent and considerate child, yet Vekas knew better. He knew better than to trust someone as dangerous as him.
"10 silver coins? Isn't that a bit too expensive?" The general asked the shopkeeper, his eyes narrowed as he suspected that the stall owner was asking for an amount much more than the product's actual worth.
"I know what you're thinking, so abandon that thought." The stall owner, noticing his suspicion, replied as he cleaned his ear with his finger.
"The beef in this roll comes from a hell bull, so don't take it lightly." He revealed, surprising the general. Hell bulls are quite strong, making even a normal soldier of Aethelgard struggle slightly against them.
"It was very difficult to hunt these baddies down, but I am luckily strong." The stall owner added as he offered the beef roll to the general, implying that he should stop suspecting and pay up.
With narrowed eyes, Vekas briefly glanced at Revan, who simply looked at him quizzically, before sighing and paying 10 silver coins to the stall owner and receiving the beef roll.
"Come again whenever ya want." The stall owner yelled as the two left the place.
"Hmm! This is good!" Revan bellowed as he ate joyfully. "Try it."
Taking a bite of the beef roll from Revan's hands, Vekas then ate the beef he had spent 10 silver coins on. The taste was delicious, as he could tell that some spices were also added to the mix to make it taste better.
The general had eaten a hell bull before, and he could tell that it really was legit. Yet, he still felt that the price was too much for a single roll. The guy was arrogant due to his strength, which led him to charge so much.
Arrogance and pride were something Vekas despised, even more than strong mages who ask for gold coins. Whenever someone fills themselves with pride, they tend to lose the ability to think clearly, instead being too overconfident and worrying more about themselves than others.
Prideful people considered themselves superior to others, which eventually led to their demise. It was precisely because of pride that the nobles and other officials led the empire to the decline it is currently facing.
"Hey, you good? I am sensing anger from you." Breaking his train of thought once more, Revan asked as he ate his roll, though there was no hint of concern in his tone or his expression.
"Ah," Vekas muttered, stumbling back to reality. "Sorry about that. It's nothing to worry about."
"You sure? I mean, if you don't like the beef roll, you can just point it out."
"No, it's not that. I actually find it to be pretty tasty."
"Then stop being so grumpy!" The black-haired man exclaimed as he wrapped his arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer. Vekas then smiled slightly as they walked. He had expected Revan to be more aloof and unresponsive, yet his demeanor spoke the opposite.
He was far more joyful and easygoing than the general had expected. However, there wasn't much time to waste, as they now needed to head to the Royal Palace to greet the king of Aethelgard.
"We shall be heading to the royal palace. It would be best to be more civilized and formal, Sir Revan." Vekas reminded sternly as they faced the giant palace.
"Alright, Vekas. Lead the way." The Wanderer replied with a carefree smile as they entered the palace, the guards bowing in respect for Vekas.
As they walked further, Revan noticed the striking interior of the palace and how intricate each detail was. The walls were coated with gold and silver, alongside other metals and different portraits of historical figures.
They were either the portraits of the previous Aethelgardian kings or of people who contributed to Aethelgard's legacy significantly. Even in the hallway, several chandeliers could be seen hanging from the ceiling, their light illuminating the whole hallway.
As they passed by several guards, Revan felt their gaze on his suit, particularly due to how unknown and different it was. It was intricate, noble, and had a proper sense of style to it. If a person were to see him wearing it, they might assume that he was an informal person, judging by how the top button of his shirt was open and his coat was unbuttoned.
No one who saw the suit knew what it actually was. It was never seen before in the world's entire history, so it puts everyone in a state of confusion and curiosity. Despite his seemingly informal appearance, people would often call his dress formal as well due to how neat and pristine it looked.
"Ah, look who's here." A voice echoed throughout the silence as a woman walked in front of them. Her gaze was focused on Vekas, rather than Revan, who was the guest of the palace.
Observing her, Revan noticed how her long, shiny blonde hair highlighted her high status and intricate beauty. Her skin was white and spotless, with her facial structure being capable of stunning any man with its beauty. Some weak-minded people might even call it divine.
Her chocolate-brown eyes further complemented her features as she stared at Vekas with a small smirk. Her outfit was a red gown that exposed her shoulders, yet her arms were fully covered by it. Her hips swayed with elegance as she stepped closer and closer to the general.
"Madam Lynera De Voldaro. It's a pleasure to meet you." Vekas replied, his expression and tone as serious as ever, as his eyes never left hers. Soon, the two were standing only inches away from each other, while Revan observed with a critical gaze, forgotten in the moment.
"You know, you don't always have to be this serious, General." She muttered in a sultry tone, her voice barely above a whisper, as she stared at him with a daring gaze.
"You should relax a little. Being so serious and worked up doesn't suit your handsome face." She added as she placed her hand on his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat, while silently disappointed at how she wasn't making him feel anything.
"Maybe... you should rest. I could... help you with that." She whispered into his ear, making him feel her hot breath. It was a clear attempt at seduction, one that Vekas had experienced quite a lot from her.
"Pardon me, Madam Lynera, but I have to go. His majesty is waiting for me." The general replied as he pushed her back gently, his gaze cold and unwavering as he stared at the woman, who had a surprised look before forming a pout.
"You are no fun, General." She muttered before finally landing her gaze on Revan. "This must be the guest His Majesty wishes to see, correct?" She asked as her gaze sized up the black-haired visitor.
His short, jet-black hair gave a perfect look to his handsome face, while his ruby-red eyes held an intensity that seemed to bore into her very soul. His face was defined and charming, and she could imagine many girls falling for him, though she didn't really see him as that handsome.
However, what caught her attention was his suit, which was pristine and intricate. Despite its informal appearance, not even a single messy wrinkle was present. It was an outfit she had never seen before. It was as if he were wearing nobility itself.
"Greetings. You can call me Revan. I hope we get along." He greeted with a polite smile while bowing slightly. Upon running an [Appraisal] on him, she only found complete darkness and nothingness. It implied that he was too strong for her to analyse.
However, rather than getting worried about it, she wore a pleasant smile on her face, hiding her suspicions about him. He was someone extraordinary, and she planned on finding out more about him.
"Likewise, Revan. I am Lynera De Voldero, the head minister of the Goods Production of Aethelgard." She replied while giving a small bow of her own. Her eyes, however, told an entirely different story.
Vekas had expected this. Not even he could completely analyse the Wanderer. Apparently, it seemed that the only thing he could learn from his analysis was his name, Revan, which he already knew about thanks to the black-haired enigma introducing himself on the battlefield.
Meanwhile, the black-haired man was pondering how a woman rarely received a position like this. It wasn't normal, especially since the other kingdoms never gave women any high position, and whilst Aethelgard was different in this regard, it wasn't easy for most women to get such a position.
Moreover, it had been over a century since Aethelgard had a woman in such a high position, so seeing her status in the kingdom could definitely be considered surprising.
"Say... are you a noble, perhaps?" She asked with narrowed eyes as she continued to observe his body language and expression for any irregularities, yet her sweet smile was still present.
"I understand why you would think so, but I am not a noble. You can consider me a nobody." He replied, his polite smile maintained as he spoke to her, his gaze not betraying anything suspicious. It was mixed with joy and discipline, two aspects that interested her.
"I see... well then, hope you have a good time here." She muttered with a low and polite voice, her suspicions increasing further at his response. He was hiding a lot about himself, and she intended to uncover the mystery he had veiled around himself.
Turning to Vekas, her expression became momentarily sultry, making the general realize that she was about to flirt with him again.
"Well then, if you want to relax, General... You know where to find me." She muttered in a husky tone before walking past them. As the two men stared at her retreating figure, Vekas sighed, relieved that her teasing was over.
"I hope you weren't bothered by her, Sir Revan. She can tend to be... eccentric at times." He muttered as he rubbed his temples slightly.
"No worries. She's an interesting woman, having such a significant position in the empire." Revan replied, shrugging off Vekas' concerns.
"Besides, she must be quite strong." He added before turning back to where they were heading.
"She is one of the strongest mages in the whole empire." He revealed as they resumed walking to the throne room.
"Her strength is considered to be among the best of the best. Even I would have a bit of difficulty against her." He added, though both he and Revan knew that the difficulty would be very little. She may be strong, but Vekas, who was Aethelgard's military general, was in a league of his own.
There was a valid reason as to why Vekas was made the general. It was not only his fighting ability that impressed the king, but also his charisma and his decision-making skills. To the king, he seemed perfect for this position, so he was not someone to be underestimated.
After a few more minutes, they finally arrived in front of a large door. It was mainly red in color with some gold details as well as a black outlining. Not many doors existed that had such a delicate and fancy design.
There was also the strength of this door. Even intermediate magic, which is quite strong, is unable to make a dent in it. There is also the fact that this door weighed far more than what a strong human was capable of carrying using physical strength.
Needless to say, it could still be lifted with magic, and beings like Vekas could lift it themselves, yet it would be difficult for them. It was also easy to open when needed, thanks to a magic spell cast on it; a spell cast millennia ago.
Two guards stood in front of the door; one on each side. They had intermediate control over Vyr, so they were capable in terms of fighting. After being told to inform the king about their arrival by Vekas, one of the guards knocked on the door and entered after receiving permission to do so.
After some time, the guard came back, informing them that the king was waiting for them. Hearing this, both Revan and Vekas entered the throne room.
The room was large, far larger than any other throne room. Gold and marble covered every inch of the floor and the walls. Revan could observe the Vyr oozing out of the marble, making him realize that these were Magouls, a type of mineral fused with Vyr. It was far sturdier than even marble, thanks to its magical properties.
In the middle of the room lay a red carpet made of silk infused with Vyr, increasing the comfort and softness of the fabric. As they walked on the carpet, with all footprints disappearing thanks to the carpet's magical properties, they faced the King of Aethelgard, Charlie, as he sat on his golden throne that had a velvet outline.
"I have returned, your majesty." Vekas greeted as he got on one knee, kneeling before his king. "We have claimed victory against the kingdom of Broshasa."
"I know." The king, Charlie, replied curtly, his voice calm and deep. "And I assume that you are the one who assisted my army in this endeavor?"
Revan nodded at Charlie's question. Unlike Vekas, Revan stood in front of the king calmly, a polite smile on his face, though his eyes had a glint of mischief and detachment.
An odd combination... The king thought as he observed him.
Looking at him, Charlie was quite handsome himself. No one could possibly think that he was actually 95 years old merely by his looks, as he looked far younger and more handsome than even a 25-year-old man. His facial features and pale complexion could almost make anyone fall for him instantly.
His hair was short and a shade of platinum-blonde, while his eyes were emerald-green, complementing his stunning features. His beard was there, though it wasn't as bushy as Ameron's beard.
His defined face and chiseled jawline radiated his beauty more than what one would expect. His clothes consisted of red robes with gold embroidery. Several colored fabrics were attached to his red robes as outlines, including blue, green, white, black, and purple fabrics. Together, they complemented his clothes and made him seem more regal.
"Well, as the king of Aethelgard, I express my deepest gratitude for helping our kingdom claim victory against the antagonistic kingdom of Broshasa. Your actions are truly appreciated."
He remarked, bowing his head slightly as he did so. Revan's gaze momentarily landed on Charlie's wife, observing how she flinched slightly at her husband's gesture, before focusing back on Charlie.
"However, we still can't simply leave it like this. You are an enigma, and we wish to know why you wanted to save us. While yes, you did do well for us, that still doesn't answer our questions." Hearing those words, Revan sighed before donning a smirk that screamed mischief.
"Oh? And what questions do you have, exactly?"
"We fear that you might turn against us someday. Due to this, we ask you to tell us your origins, your motives, your plans, etc. Basically, we wish to know nearly everything about you." Charlie revealed, his eyes narrowed as his grip on the arms of his throne tightened slightly.
A laugh then echoed throughout the chambers as Revan couldn't hold back his amusement at the situation.
"Know about me? How amusing." He muttered, his demeanor unnerving everyone in the room.
Ignoring the slight click of the Queen's tongue, Revan then looked at him with a gaze that was hollow yet amused, his hands buried in his pockets.
"I am merely a Wanderer. I wander around, see what I want to see, and I move on. That's all there is to it." He revealed.
Still, no one believed that was all. His demeanor, all the way to his overwhelming power, spoke of an unknown being ready to ravage the world if needed.
"However, I feel like you have something else to talk to me about, correct?" Revan asked, his question sparking alarms in both Vekas and Charlie's wife; their eyes widened in surprise as they turned to face the king.
Charlie kept his composure, but he was shaken from the inside as well. His narrowed eyes, stiffened shoulders, and the sweat drop on his forehead all gave away the shock and anxiety built within him.
"And what makes you think that?"
"I can sense the tension in your body, and how you seem too invested in me. You have something going on, don't you?" Revan continued, his words narrowing Vekas's eyes as the general wondered what he meant by that.
"... fine." The king relented, releasing a sigh as he did so. "I guess I have no choice but to reveal it."
"Reveal what, your majesty?" Vekas asked, confused at what the king was talking about. To him, the situation was bizarre, and he couldn't understand any of it.
"You see..." Charlie began, standing up from his throne as he did so. " The citizens are secretly planning a rebellion against the empire."
Charlie's wife stiffened further, something that Revan didn't fail to notice, while Vekas straightened himself up in surprise.
"They plan on attacking the main castles of each province as well as the royal palace. According to my spies, they have quite a significant number of personnel." He continued, walking on the red carpet as he did so.
"My lord, this is dangerous. We should deal with them quickly." Vekas blurted out, his body stiffening in worry as his brows furrowed.
Yet, Revan remained silent, noticing Charlie's slightly hunched posture. He raised an eyebrow at the king's demeanor, prompting Vekas and the Queen, Charlie's wife, to look at him with confusion written on their faces.
"You don't wish for me to stop them, correct?" The red-eyed man asked, alarming everyone in the room, all while Charlie merely turned to him, his eyes narrowed.
Then, to the horror of Vekas, he nodded while his wife pressed her lips into a thin line, confirming Revan's suspicions. Seeing this, Vekas immediately stood up firmly, his eyes widened in shock and confusion.
"Your majesty, what is the meaning of this?! Are you just going to let them overthrow you?!" He asked, his voice raised louder than normal, making the queen flinch once more, and the king let out a deep sigh at the general's outburst.
"These rebels plan on not just overthrowing me, but they wish to destroy the empire itself." He revealed, his voice low and his expression grim. "They wish to create a republic where there wouldn't be one ruling class."
This shook Vekas further. Destroy the empire? Outrageous! It would be catastrophic. He couldn't let that happen. He was born and raised in this nation, and no way he would let it fall to those ungrateful citizens.
And yet, Revan's previous words hit him like a stab to the heart. Not to stop them? And the king wants that? There's no way that's true.
But didn't his majesty nod in agreement to Sir Revan's question? At this point, his breathing had grown faster, his eyes wandering around in confusion, sweat trickling down his face, and his lips quivering.
"Y-your majesty, if they destroy the empire, then the great nation of Aethelgard would cease to exist. There would be chaos everywhere. Every-"
"Everything would improve." Charlie cut him off, his voice deep and abrupt, causing Vekas to turn sharply to him, his expression betraying confusion and dread.
"The empire had fallen from grace long ago. It's now nothing but a sea of corrupt officials and greedy ministers. The treasury is constantly looted, the soldiers aren't trained well, and the justice system is now a failure. There is no point in all this. Aethelgard would improve upon becoming a republic, one that provides people with the protection and justice they deserve."
Vekas couldn't believe what he was hearing. Charlie, the king of Aethelgard, wished to relinquish the empire that had endured for millions of years, the empire that had shaped the world to its current state. It was as if all the battles their ancestors fought, all the places they conquered, all the sacrifices made for Aethelgard's success; it didn't matter at all.
"This is unacceptable!" The general, blinded by rage, roared as he faced the king, his posture slightly hunched.
"General Vekas!" The queen exclaimed as she put on a defensive stance. "You cannot address the king like that!"
"Androma," Charlie called out, causing her to briefly stare at him before taking a deep breath and backing off.
"Our ancestors gave away their hearts and souls to make sure this empire stands strong. Our soldiers crushed their dreams, their feelings, their relationships, and even their lives, just to help Aethelgard stand through thick and thin. And now, you plan on not caring for any of that?! What about the battles we fought? What about the battle I just returned from?! Do you not care for that at all?!"
He blurted, he raged, he exclaimed, but all he received was silence.
"Answer me!!" He insisted, narrowing Androma's eyes and making her grit her teeth, all while Charlie simply sighed in response before gazing downwards, as if afraid to face his general.
"I do care, Vekas... but the people of Aethelgard do not, and for good reason. Despite the heavy sacrifices our nation's people made to keep us alive and prosperous, we have fallen. Aethelgard is no longer the empire our ancestors dreamed of. It's ruined, corrupt, and unfit to stand any further. A republic would be much better. That way, not only would Aethelgard prosper, but it would also become the nation that our ancestors dreamt of; one that served justice and stood tall against all forms of adversities, such as invasions and corruption."
As the king held his gaze at Vekas's eyes, the general was shaken by the words he had just heard. The king no longer liked his own kingdom, and now he planned on leaving it to die at the hands of its people.
"No... this can't be happening... I refuse to let this happen..." Vekas muttered, tears escaping his eyes as he contemplated the situation.
"Vekas, I understand how much this empire means to you, but it can no longer last. Its time has come, and there is nothing we can do about it." Despite Charlie's words, Vekas narrowed his eyes, his teeth gritted together in rage and sorrow.
"We can do something about it, and we will! I will! I will make sure that the rebels don't destroy this kingdom, even if I have to slaughter each of them myself. Heck, even my own life can be destroyed if it means protecting the empire!" He declared, his eyes carrying a glint of an unbreakable resolve.
"The only reason I am alive is because of this empire. It protected me, raised me, trained me! I can't let it go! Not even for a fleeting moment!" He continued, his piercing gaze fixated on the king.
Charlie responded by simply sighing, understanding Vekas's motivation but not agreeing with him. Vekas had a tough upbringing, with the kingdom being his only place of refuge and comfort. The king knew how devoted Vekas was to Aethelgard because of this.
And yet, he couldn't help but go against his wishes. Charlie considered Aethelgard a failure that needed to be renewed. The rebellion was inevitable, and he planned on letting them have their way.
"Sir Revan..." The king began, finally addressing the spectating guest once more.
"The rebel army will attack soon, and they will try to kill my entire family. Due to this, I plan on faking my death and escaping the nation with my family in one piece. I want your help in holding them off so that I can successfully run away. I am aware that you are capable of stopping them, but I just wish for you to hold them long enough to help me escape."
The Wonderer's smile widened slightly in amusement, his eyes narrowed as he processed the king's words. Charlie had formed a whole plan regarding what would happen during the day of the mutiny.
"I see, so you wish to be the villain they all unite against. A way to unite the people of Aethelgard and make sure that they don't break away from each other. Correct?" He asked, making the king widen his eyes in shock, as well as the other bystanders.
"Exactly. You are quick to catch on."
"The problem is that this is unnecessary."
Huh? The King, puzzled, furrowed his brows at him.
"Please elaborate on what you mean, Sir Revan."
"Simple. You could simply renew Aethelgard without changing it into a republic. Just eliminate the corrupt nobles and establish a new system that keeps a watchful eye over all corruption."
The King stayed momentarily silent at his words, observing the enigmatic smile and aloof gaze Revan had fixated on him.
"Even in the past, Aethelgard's government always made sure to remove corruption from itself. However, look at this kingdom now. The system is worn out, and there is nothing to do that could save it except turning the nation into a republic."
The King bellowed as he stood up and stepped forward, his wife fidgeting nervously.
"Even if we ended up following your suggestion, it will end in the same result. Corruption will begin, and it will plague the empire in a way possibly worse than it is right now." He added, gesturing around, as if signalling to the kingdom they are in.
"And do you seriously think that the nation will remain united and prosperous after becoming a Republic?" He asked, stiffening him in place.
"What?"
"Think about it. The only reason this kingdom, which is as big as a continent, is still standing is that there is one king who rules over everything. A republic would result in many people gaining authority over the nation." He explained as he stepped closer to the king.
"And what does that ensue? Conflict. Conflict will end up bringing disaster. Plus, do you seriously believe that a whole continent could ever simply exist as a Republic? It would divide into several nations of their own, destroying the unity you desperately seek."
He revealed as he stood behind the King, his presence rushing a chill down Charlie's spine.
"Are you saying... my nation is doomed to fail... whether as an empire or a Republic?"
"I am saying that a Republic is not the solution. Simply create a new system that would be stronger than the previous one. One that would match your ideals. One that would even keep the future rulers of Aethelgard in check. It's your choice how you shape it, but shape it in a way that it prevents further corruption and injustice."
As Revan stood in front of him once more, the king narrowed his eyes further, pondering over his words.
"But what if... What if my laws aren't enough? What if I become the cruel, unjust ruler myself?" He asked as tears welled up in his eyes, revealing the vulnerability hidden within.
"You won't, your majesty!" Surprised, the King turns around to spot Vekas, a fierce determination in the general's eyes, as if everything was exactly as it was supposed to be.
"You won't fail. You won't be the corrupted one! You care about Aethelgard more than any of us — to the point that you are even willing to change it to a Republic just to make those under you happy. A king like that absolutely can not be unjust, corrupt, and a tyrant!" He exclaimed, widening Charlie's tear-filled eyes.
"I have full faith in you, my King. You can be the light that rids this kingdom of the darkness it is trapped in. Your ideals, your courage, your care; all of it can be the perfect component to lead Aethelgard to its former glory. Just please, don't dissolve this kingdom." As Vekas pleaded, his eyes hinted at a form of vulnerability, highlighting the sincerity in his words.
"Vekas..."
"He's right, my love." Hearing her wife speak in favour of the general, Charlie turned to face Androma, who seemed to have a steady resolve despite her rigid body.
"I know you can rule our kingdom efficiently. The moment you take over completely and establish a system of your own, the whole of Aethelgard would heal and prosper, just like it used to back in its prime." Charlie's tears finally escaped his eyes, rolling down his cheeks, the cold sting sending a chill down his spine.
"I... but we are too weak... too fragile... what if it doesn't-?"
"YOUR MAJESTY!!!"
The door burst open as a guard stepped in, his armor covered in crimson blood, earning shock from Vekas, alongside Charlie and his wife, all while Revan turned to the bloodied guard with interest written on his expression.
"Your daughter... Princess Sofamy has been attacked!"