CHAPTER 93 — ARRIVAL IN ALSIA
The journey to Alsia was long, silent, and heavy. The Arch Soldiers marched ahead with their polished blue-silver armor glinting under the sharp Mavarian sun, while Moro and his squad walked behind them with their hands bound—not tightly, but enough to show they had "surrendered."
Kiro kept whispering to Moro,
"Relax, bro… just keep your head cool. We don't know what kind of king this Ginos guy is."
Moro gave a small nod, but inside him the tension was rising. "We'll figure out what's going on," he answered calmly.
Steven walked quietly, his sharp yellow eyes scanning the new territory. He muttered,
"Alsia… the Kingdom of the Free Sun. I've heard it's not as free as it sounds."
Herbet adjusted the strap of his gadget bag even though the soldiers had confiscated many devices.
"These guys are old school… barely allowed me to keep my air-scanner," he groaned.
Yaya, however, was fascinated as they entered the grand outer gates—massive stone arches with glowing runes that shone like molten gold.
"Wooow… this place is fancy," she whispered.
Kaya nudged her, "Lower your voice. We're technically prisoners."
But then the gates opened fully, revealing the capital of Alsia.
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THE CITY OF ALSIA
The city was massive—spiraling towers of turquoise stone, floating lanterns drifting across the sky, music echoing through the streets, and people dancing in colorful robes.
Children ran with glowing hoops. Market sellers shouted prices. A festival drum thundered. It was almost… joyful.
Moro couldn't help but smile.
"At least they're not hostile," he murmured.
But Steven narrowed his eyes. "Be careful. Happiness can be a mask."
The soldiers escorted them into the Crystal Palace, a giant fortress shaped like a lotus flower, each petal shimmering with rainbow colors. Servants bowed low as Moro and his team passed through.
Finally, the throne room doors opened.
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THE CAREFREE KING
A man in a bright golden robe lay sideways on a giant cushioned throne, eating grapes like a relaxed clown. He had long silver hair tied in a messy knot, and his eyes were full of mischief.
This was St. Ginos, High King of Alsia.
He sat up the moment he saw Moro.
"Ohhhh! You must be the famous boy everybody's panicking about!" Ginos shouted.
He jumped from the throne and hugged Moro tightly, almost knocking him off balance.
Moro blinked. "Uh… hello?"
Kiro whispered to Yaya,
"This guy is… not what I imagined."
Herbet stifled a laugh.
Ginos grabbed Moro's shoulders.
"You! You defeated Celtic Highs?! HAHAHA! You're hilarious! How'd you even do that?! COME COME—tell me everything!"
The king dragged Moro to a long table, poured drinks, and clapped his hands. Dancers appeared instantly. Musicians started playing upbeat tunes. The whole atmosphere felt like a wild festival rather than a royal meeting.
Kaya looked uneasy.
"Is he always like this?"
Steven replied calmly,
"His aura is strange. He's pretending… too intentionally."
For nearly an hour, Ginos and Moro talked like old friends. They joked, laughed, even argued about food, strength, and adventures.
Kiro leaned back. "Well… at least he's friendly."
But Yaya was the first to notice something wrong.
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THE CHAINS
Behind the throne, half-hidden by curtains, were around fifteen maidens—young women dressed in elegant robes, beautiful but pale. Their wrists were bound with silver chains attached to the throne frame. Their eyes did not sparkle. They looked tired… controlled… owned.
Yaya grabbed Kaya's hand. "Kaya… look…"
Kaya froze. "No way… is this real?"
Herbet's voice tightened. "This… isn't right."
Steven clenched his fists. "He hides cruelty with comedy. I knew it."
Moro finally turned his head—and saw the chains.
His smile faded instantly. His entire demeanor shifted from relaxed to cold fury.
He pointed at the maidens.
"Ginos… what is that?"
The king paused, grape halfway to his mouth.
"Oh, those? Just my maidens. Decorations. Don't think too hard about it."
Moro stood up.
"Why are they chained?"
Ginos laughed loudly—too loudly.
"Because they belong to me! Obviously! They serve, they listen, they obey! They're my property. That's how Alsia works."
Moro's fists tightened.
Ginos walked toward him, still smiling but with eyes turning sharp and unsettling.
"Boy, don't get sentimental. In my kingdom, my rules. I own them. I protect them. I control them. They breathe because I allow it."
The throne room went quiet.
Kiro stepped forward. "Hey, man… watch your tongue—"
But Moro raised a hand to stop him.
Ginos grinned wider.
"What? You disagree? You think you can tell me what to do in my own kingdom?"
He leaned close to Moro.
"You're just a traveler with a loud name. I am King."
Moro stared at him with pure disgust.
"You're not a king. You're a clown with a crown."
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then…
Moro threw a punch.
A clean, sharp, furious punch that landed straight on Ginos' face—
The king flew backwards, crashing into the throne with a shocked howl.
The entire hall gasped.
The maidens trembled.
Soldiers froze.
Kaya covered her mouth.
Kiro whispered, "Oh… we're dead."
Steven smirked. "He deserved that."
Herbet muttered, "This chapter just got real."
Yaya nodded fiercely. "Beat him again!"
Ginos rose slowly, blood dripping from his lip, eyes burning with rage.
His carefree expression had vanished.
What stood now…
was a monster wearing a king's robe.
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END OF CHAPTER 93