In the royal chamber—
Duke Theodore Rutherford, Duke Edmund Harrington, and Duke Lucian Montclaire, all heavily injured, knelt with one knee on the ground.
Imperial Marshal Aleric Voss knelt as well, placing his greatsword vertically before him in solemn pledge.
Archduke Cassian Valmere bowed deeply before the throne.
King Magnus Daimoor IV said nothing.
For fifteen long minutes, he simply stared at them.
Silence filled the chamber.
The three dukes trembled slightly.
"We have been kneeling for nearly fifteen minutes… and His Highness says nothing. Don't tell me he is playing another game to kill his boredom…"
Finally, Cassian broke the silence.
"Your Highness, we have maintained this etiquette for fifteen minutes. Perhaps you were lost in thought."
"The results we brought may not have satisfied him… They certainly did not satisfy me", Cassian thought.
At last, the king spoke.
"I begged you to take me with you. But you refused. You locked me in a room, Uncle. Why?"
Shock spread across the chamber.
Duke Edmund Harrington blinked.
"What kind of childish tantrum is this…"
He sighed inwardly.
"Well… considering His Highness's nature, this was expected".
The other dukes nodded faintly, some nearly on the verge of tears.
Cassian suddenly erupted.
"What kind of madness is this, Magnus—"
He stopped himself and lowered his head.
"Forgive my behavior, Your Highness."
"I told you to stop using honorifics," Magnus replied lazily.
"Whatever relationship I have with you, in this royal chamber I am your subject. Please pardon me," Cassian answered obediently.
"Whatever, Uncle."
Magnus leaned forward slightly.
"I heard the reports from the counts. The brutality that occurred. Now I want a detailed account of everything you witnessed."
"With pleasure," Cassian replied.
He narrated everything — from Michael's appearance to the Varkhals' disappearance.
When he finished, Magnus leaned back.
"So… the superhuman barbarian tribe we believed annihilated has reemerged. And in that during my reign."
"Hahahaha hahahahah "
He began to laugh.
Those who knew him felt a chill.
Something reckless was about to follow.
"What a way to kill my boredom."
He stood abruptly, enthusiasm flashing in his eyes.
"I hereby decree—"
"Stop, Your Highness!" Cassian interrupted, concern heavy in his voice. "Please reconsider before issuing any decree."
"Uncle, be patient," Magnus said calmly. "I am not the same boy who would act on impulse."
Cassian slowly relaxed.
That is true… he has changed.
Magnus continued,
"Place wanted posters across the entire continent. In streets, roads, ports, and adventurers' guilds. Anyone who captures the murderers will be rewarded with five hundred million gold coins."
Whoooooooosh
Complete silence.
The jaws of the royal council dropped — including the three dukes and even Cassian.
"You truly haven't changed at all…" Cassian muttered under his breath.
Suddenly, a voice echoed from behind.
"Add another five million gold coins for the safe rescue of Yelena Sterling."
Everyone turned. Step of boots echoed the royal chamber.
Adrian Bradford entered the chamber, one hand fractured and wrapped in bandages.
He knelt on one leg.
"Greetings, Your Highness. Forgive me for appearing in such an unpresentable condition."
Magnus's expression softened.
"How are you, my friend?"
"Not fine," Adrian replied. "Not until I find my love."
The mood in the chamber shifted.
Magnus felt a trace of guilt which was visible to Adrian who was his closest and best friend.
"Don't pretend in front of me, Your Highness," Adrian continued. "You didn't even speak her name,did you?"
Cassian frowned.
"Adrian, that is inappropriate—"
"No need, Uncle," Magnus interrupted. "He is my best friend. My brother-in-arms. We crushed our enemies together while our time at in war with demons and Eryndor. He need not speak formally to me."
The chamber was stunned.
Magnus stepped down from the throne and stood before Adrian.
"My apologies, my friend, for not being there at your lowest."
Jealousy flickered among the nobles.
Adrian did not care.
"No need for apologies," he said firmly. "Let us hunt those barbarians together."
Magnus smiled.
"As you wish."
Later—
In a dim royal bedchamber heavy with the scent of medicine and fading incense, the former king, Magnus Daimoor III, lay bedridden.
Once a ruler whose command shook continents, he was now reduced to frail breaths and trembling fingers. His voice had nearly abandoned him, yet his mind remained sharp. He could understand every word spoken around him.
The door opened.
King Magnus Daimoor IV entered alone.
He stood beside the bed, staring down at his father.
"So, Father," he began casually, "how is retirement? How does it feel to outliv your past crimes?"
A faint, irritated sound escaped Magnus III's throat. His fingers twitched against the sheets.
Magnus IV tilted his head.
"Oh? Still some stamina left in you? After everything you and your father did?"
Silence fell between them.
Thick. Bitter.
The son's expression darkened.
"Whatever sins you buried in the past… they're crawling back now."
At those words, the old king's hand began to shake violently.
Magnus IV noticed.
He laughed.
"Relax. Who would bother killing a dead snake? Not even I would."
He turned toward the exit.
But before leaving, he paused and glanced back.
"Though I must admit… your past mistakes are about to cure my boredom in the most spectacular way."
His laughter echoed as he walked out.
Behind him, Magnus III trembled uncontrollably, fear gripping what little strength he had left.
—
Outside the chamber, Magnus IV spoke without turning his head.
"Well, Uncle… when did you start eavesdropping?"
Archduke Cassian Valmere stepped from the shadows.
"Before you learned to walk."
Magnus chuckled.
"As expected from the strategist who advised two generations of kings."
Cassian's expression remained stern.
"What you announced today is radical. Yes, the reward may restrict the Varkhals' movements due to their small numbers. But five hundred million gold coins? That sum could fund an entirely new army."
Magnus looked at him sideways.
"Oh? There's more to it, isn't there?"
Cassian frowned.
"You mean… you didn't think that far?"
"No."
Cassian stiffened. "You—"
Magnus raised a hand lazily.
"Uncle, I'm simply complicating matters. For them. For us. Let's see what unfolds."
"That is not a strategy—"
"What was his name?" Magnus interrupted.
Cassian exhaled in resignation.
"According to the overseer… Michael."
Magnus smirked.
"A name outside Varkhal tradition."
His eyes gleamed with dangerous curiosity.
"Let us see, then… who wins this battle."