The Captain sat silently in his office, papers scattered across the desk before him.
The candlelight flickered faintly, its glow brushing across the scars on his hand as he turned another report.
The air felt heavy — too quiet after the storm that had passed.
A knock echoed on the door.
"Enter," the Captain said without looking up.
The door creaked open.
Oxel stepped inside, his boots leaving dull thuds on the wooden floor.
"Captain," he said, stopping a few steps away.
"The patrols have been completed. The borders are clear — for now."
The Captain nodded slowly, setting the papers aside.
"Good. Any word from our northern scouts?"
"None yet," Oxel replied.
"But... there's something else you should know."
The Captain finally looked up, his gaze sharp.
"What is it?"
Oxel hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"The new king is preparing to make his first royal address tomorrow," he said.
"He's calling it a 'speech of unity.' All castle lords have already pledged their allegiance to him."
The Captain's expression didn't change, but the air around him seemed to tighten.
"So it's official," he murmured.
"The entire kingdom bends to his rule now."
"Yes," Oxel confirmed quietly.
"Even the border lords have sent their seals of loyalty. The Second Prince… no, the King now, holds everything."
The Captain leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing toward the faint light streaming from the window.
"A speech of unity," he repeated.
"He poisons the throne, kills his own blood, and still speaks of unity. How ironic."
Oxel lowered his gaze.
"What are your orders?"
The Captain took a deep breath.
"For now… we watch. The moment he shows a weakness, we strike. But not yet — not until we know what game he plans to play."
Oxel straightened, his tone more formal now.
"There's something else, Captain… you've been summoned to attend the speech as well. The order came directly from the royal court."
The Captain's eyes lifted slowly from the papers.
"Me?"
"Yes," Oxel said.
"They want all surviving Captains present. The King wants to 'honor the heroes of the civil war.'"
A faint, humorless smile crossed the Captain's face.
"Honor, you say…" he muttered.
"More like he wants to remind the people that even the strongest now bow before him."
Oxel didn't respond — he knew the Captain was right.
After a pause, the Captain stood up and walked toward the window, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Fine. I'll attend," he said quietly.
"But not for him. I want to see with my own eyes what kind of man sits on that throne now."
Oxel gave a slight nod.
"I'll make the preparations."
A few days later
The Captain, Roxy, Oxel, and Rolsten passed through the massive gates of the capital.
The streets were alive — banners of crimson and gold hung from every tower, the air thick with excitement and noise.
The city had never looked more beautiful, nor more tense.
Every stone wall gleamed as if freshly polished, and soldiers lined the streets in perfect formation.
People from every corner of the kingdom had gathered — merchants, nobles, peasants — all waiting to witness the rise of their new King.
Roxy's eyes wandered across the crowd.
"It doesn't even feel like the same city," she murmured.
Rolsten grunted.
"Decorations don't wash away blood. It's just painted over."
Oxel glanced toward the Captain, who remained silent, his gaze fixed on the towering castle in the distance — where the King's banner fluttered high above all others.
"The whole kingdom has gathered," Oxel said quietly.
"It seems he wants everyone to see his strength."
The Captain's voice came low and steady.
"Then let's see what kind of strength he really has."
Hinata finally reached the Captain, slightly out of breath but smiling.
"Captain, it's been a long time since I last saw you," he said, his voice carrying both relief and familiarity.
The Captain gave a small nod.
"Yes… it's been quite some time."
Roxy glanced between them and smiled faintly.
"We'll give you two some space. Come on, Rolsten, Oxel."
The others nodded and began walking toward the main street, leaving the two alone in the lively crowd.
Hinata looked back at the Captain and grinned.
"Come with me — you have to try this! It's really good here."
The Captain raised an eyebrow but gave in with a quiet sigh.
"Alright, alright… lead the way."
After a while, they finally reached the grand stage built at the heart of the capital.
It rose high above the crowd, made of polished wood and draped in crimson curtains, with garlands of flowers hanging around the edges.
The air buzzed with excitement — the murmur of thousands of people filled the square.
A herald stepped forward, his robe gleaming under the sunlight.
He raised his hand for silence and spoke in a loud, clear voice.
"Oh, people of our great kingdom! You have gathered here from all corners of the land to witness this historic day — the rise of our new ruler!"
He paused dramatically, then turned toward the curtain.
"Now, let me present to you… His Majesty, the King!"
The red curtain drew aside, and the new King stepped forward in his royal attire — a deep golden cloak with a silver crown resting upon his head.
He raised his hand, and the crowd erupted in cheers.
"Greetings, my people," the King's voice echoed through the square.
"May our kingdom prosper and live long!
Today marks the dawn of a new era — one of unity, power, and peace!"
As the King's speech echoed across the capital square, Captain and Hinata stood among the crowd near the edge of the gathering.
Hinata's eyes stayed fixed on the stage, his tone low and uneasy.
"I hope this King makes the right decisions," he muttered.
"Because if he doesn't… this kingdom might face the greatest danger in its history."
The Captain nodded, his gaze sharp.
"You're right. One wrong move now—and everything could collapse."
Before Hinata could respond, a sudden voice ripped through the crowd.
"Go to hell!"
The shout came from somewhere near the front—then chaos exploded.
Dozens of men hidden among the people threw off their cloaks, revealing dark armor and blades.
In the same instant, a thunderous blast shook the square—BOOM!—then another, and another.
Fire erupted near the food stalls, screams filled the air, and the crowd surged in panic.
The Captain instinctively pushed Hinata back.
"Enemies! Protect the civilians!" he roared, already drawing his sword.
The ground trembled as smoke and fire spread through the capital streets.
From the stage, the King's guards rushed forward to shield him—but more explosions tore through their ranks.
Hinata unsheathed his blade, eyes sharp.
"This isn't a random attack," he said.
"They planned this."
The Captain's jaw tightened, scanning the smoke-filled chaos.
"Then we'll find out who's behind it… and end this right here."