....
Their footsteps echoed softly through the quiet palace corridor, breaking the afternoon silence.
Clack… clack… clack… clack...
Karrens Bluehost kept walking beside Eleonor, but his eyes never stopped glancing at her suspiciously. Finally he scratched his head—though it did not itch—and stroked his chin with a thoroughly confused expression.
"Ele… hold on a moment," he said slowly, clearly enough for her to hear. "What mission did Head Aulon actually give us? This feels really strange. Why on earth would our first task after all that heated debate be to stop by King Erico's study first? Usually palace matters are handled by his personal guards, not commanders who are busy at headquarters. There's something you're not telling me, isn't there?"
Eleonor Silvio kept walking without turning her head, her tone flat and sharp. "Just be quiet and follow the plan."
"What? Really, you!" Karrens's face flushed bright red, caught between embarrassment at being snapped at and anger at being dismissed. "Could you try being a little more polite? I'm only asking questions, not disobeying orders!"
Eleonor finally paused for a moment, turning to look at him with a blank gaze that carried a hidden meaning. "Enough… let's move faster. You remember what Aulon said, don't you? We have to report 'THAT' to the King before the sun sets completely. And you know as well as I do that this matter cannot wait any longer."
THUD!!
Karrens jolted sharply at those words. His look of irritation vanished instantly, replaced by a tense, knowing expression. He took a long breath and cleared his throat to steady himself.
"Mhm… mhm… v‑very well then," he replied quietly, turning his face toward the window so she would not see how his expression had shifted. "If it concerns that matter… fine, I'll go along. But believe me—if Head Aulon hadn't promised a huge reward once we finish this mission, I would have turned it down flat right away."
Eleonor smiled faintly at his change of heart. "There we go, that makes sense. You really can't resist anything with a benefit attached. But remember: that bonus—those stacks of ancient manuscripts on magical battle tactics you've been hunting for ages, plus full access to the ancient armory for an entire month—will only be yours if this report goes smoothly and the King approves our plan."
Karrens immediately quickened his pace, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Now you're talking! That's a reward worth having! Let's hurry while the King is still in his study—we can't afford the slightest mistake!"
The air around them grew steadily colder as they drew nearer to the palace's inner wing. Despite the flicker of anticipation over the promised reward, the weight on their shoulders remained heavy—for they knew this report concerned the safety of the entire kingdom, and the fate of thousands of lives rested on King Erico's decision.
Side by side, they stepped firmly toward the great closed doors of the royal study.
Shortly then, the two finally stood directly before King Erico's door. Yet neither moved to knock or turn the handle; rooted to the spot, they felt awkward and uncertain about the King's mood. They stared at one another, then at the door, then back at each other again, silently wrestling with their thoughts.
"Your Majesty, we bring orders from Head Aulon… wait, that doesn't sound right at all… ugh…" Karrens fumbled for the right words in his mind.
"By your leave, Sire, we have been given a special assignment… no, that sounds impolite too…" Eleonor thought, equally flustered.
Their eyes met once more, and the same thought struck them both: "Maybe we should just go for it?"
Before they could take a step, the hinges gave a long, drawn‑out creak.
CREAAAAK...…
"Hah…?!" Karrens jumped back a pace.
"??" Eleonor froze completely in place.
The door swung open from the inside, revealing King Erico clutching a thick, ancient leather‑bound volume to his chest. He looked at them plainly, with quiet scrutiny.
"Why are you two standing motionless at my door?" he asked simply.
Karrens straightened quickly, though his voice still wavered. "O‑oh… W‑we came to see Your Majesty."
"That is correct, Your Majesty," Eleonor put in quickly, then pinched Karrens hard in the side. "In fact, Head Aulon sent us personally to assist you with whatever you need. That is why Commander Karrens and I are here. Isn't that right?"
SNIP!
"Ow… y‑yes, exactly what Eleonor said," Karrens muttered through gritted teeth, keeping still despite the sting.
King Erico watched their odd behavior for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I see. And so?"
Silence fell.
"What on earth was Aulon thinking, sending these two here?" the King wondered inwardly, sighing quietly. "Never mind—no time to question it now."
"Very well," he said firmly, gesturing toward his desk. "You two—come here. Lift the iron chest resting there, and follow me to my Private Training Hall."
"Y‑yes! At once, Your Majesty!" they answered in unison, snapping to a crisp salute.
King Erico glanced at them, puzzled by their sudden rigid formality. "Hmm…"
He set off straight down the corridor without looking back. When they still hesitated, he stopped, narrowed his eyes, and frowned.
"Hey… are you coming or not?"
"Ah—yes, Your Majesty! Just a moment!" they hurried.
They stepped inside, carefully hoisting the large, heavy iron chest, then hastened to catch up as the King strode ahead. The corridor air felt cool, yet the weight of this unknown errand pressed steadily upon both their minds.
The three walked slowly, moving carefully as they carried their heavy load.
"Umm… Y‑Your Majesty… what exactly are we going to do?" Karrens asked.
WAIT… WHY DID I ASK THAT?! ARRGH… CURSE IT! CURSE IT! CURSE IT! he screamed inwardly, kicking himself.
"Yes?" King Erico glanced back slightly, then continued. "How should I put this… Ah… we are going to exterminate the Parasites," he said, a sharp, menacing grin spreading across his face.
"So for now, just follow my lead. Once we arrive, I will explain the strategy," the King added coldly.
"Ah… yes, certainly, Your Majesty," they replied in unison, nodding obediently.
Then King Erico suddenly quickened his pace—until he vanished from sight in an instant.
Whoosh…
"Huh? S‑Sire! Wait for us!" they cried out, still clutching the unwieldy iron chest, their faces frozen in disbelief.
By the time the blazing sun streamed through the high windows, they finally reached the King's Private Training Hall.
"Pant… pant… pant… Finally here!" Karrens dropped straight onto the stone floor, lying flat on his back. "Why does this place have to be so far away and so well hidden?"
"Pant… yes… it certainly was… interesting," Eleonor managed between breaths, wiping sweat from her forehead.
So what exactly are we supposed to do here? they both wondered in unison.
[Continued from the last lines above]
King Erico stood before the large magic circle carved into the floor, then turned slowly toward them. His expression had turned completely serious.
"Rest for a moment," he said firmly. "Because after this, there will be no time to catch your breath. The enemy we face does not look like a wild beast, nor smell like a corpse…, gnaws at strength from within, and can only be driven out by the riskiest means possible."
Both of them looked at King Erico slowly then looked back at the chest they were carrying.
In both of their minds "is it possible!???"