In the royal palace of the Apollo Kingdom, the throne room stood as devoid of any grandeur one might expect from a powerful kingdom.
The walls that was once filled with gold, the lavish weavings and intricate carvings had been all sold off long ago to fund the kingdom’s functioning. The throne was filled with numerous cracks.
What remained was a dull space that lacked the magnificence and royalty of a true royal court.
The atmosphere in the room was heavy. The higher nobles of Apollo were not concerned with maintaining their royal and noble image, but rather with managing the declining finances of the kingdom.
In the worn throne, a man in his 40s sat but he looked far older. Wrinkles covered his face and his eyes was dull with the burden of ruling a kingdom that was on the edge of ruin.
He seemed lost in thought. He was the current king of Apollo kingdom.
Before him stood a man in all black. His entire figure was concealed beneath the dark, flowing garments, with a mask hiding his identity.
His presence was unsettling. The figure was calm, silent but exuded an aura of authority and mystery.
The king despite his position seemed almost powerless in the presence of this man, as if the man held knowledge or power far beyond anything he could comprehend.
The king of Apollo’s voice rang out filled with frustration and anger, “What do you mean you want us to withdraw our attack?” His tone was loud, filled with disbelief.
The masked man remained calm and simply replied, “It’s just as you heard.”
The king’s fury erupted. “We are all about to get destroyed by the plague, and you have the nerve to tell us to cease the attack?”
He slammed his fist onto the arm of the throne. The masked man stood motionless.
The king of Apollo stood from his throne, his face flushed with anger, and shouted, “We have asked for help from many of those selfish bastards, but none have answered us! And now, we are about to lose everything, and you come to me to say we should cease the war?”
His voice echoed through the throne room filled with rage and desperation.
The king’s eyes narrowed. “You better have a satisfying explanation, or I swear, even if I have to die today and my kingdom collapses, you will not get out of here alive.”
The masked man’s laugh echoed through the throne room.
“What a desperate soul you are,” he mocked, his voice cold and detached.
Then slowly, he reached into his cloak and brought out a flask. It glowed under the dim light. It was a small vial containing an unknown substance.
The king’s eyes widened in disbelief. His breath was caught in his throat as he saw what was inside.
“You… what is that?” His voice trembled however, a mix of shock and hope was rising within him.
He could sense that this vial contained something that could change everything. For the first time in what felt like forever, the king felt a flicker of hope.
The king immediately ordered his ministers, “You go and call the army back!” he ordered as his eyes fixed on the flask.
The minister was stunned by the sudden change in his demeanor, hesitated.
“But Your Majesty—” the minister began to protest, but before he could finish, the king’s furious shout cut him off.
“Just do as you are told!” The command was final, and the minister, knowing better than to argue, quickly bowed and rushed out of the throne room to relay the king’s orders.
The masked man chuckled. “This is what we will offer,” he said. “But when the time comes, you must mobilize your entire kingdom’s army. No hesitation, no holding back.”
The king who was still shaken, nodded vigorously. He understood the stakes now, this potion was their only hope.
*******
Back in the city of Siracusa, the marquis bowed deeply. “Your Majesty, we have prepared your rooms. Please, take some rest.”
The king and the dukes nodded in acknowledgment. They were grateful for the marquis’ hospitality and followed the marquis to the chambers prepared for them.
Julian also followed the marquis and marchioness to their castle, admiring its magnificence and grandeur. The stone walls and spoke of wealth and prestige, but to him, it was nothing compared to the sheer scale and power of his own newly constructed castle.
His gaze then lingered on the marchioness as she walked beside the marquis. Her ass was swaying with each step. He couldn’t help but smile to himself acknowledging his insatiable nature.
Julian slowly retreated to the room that had been assigned to him by the marquis. As he closed the door behind him, he let out a deep breath.
Feast was hosted to welcome the king and the dukes to the city of Siracusa, but Julian decided to skip and get some rest.
Julian woke up early the next morning feeling refreshed and ready for the day. He stretched his body and a faint smile crossed his lips as he looked out at the first light peeping through his window.
********
Back in the city of Bajang, the atmosphere shifted dramatically as the sudden order from the capital travelled throughout the army. The soldiers who were initially prepared for battle were caught off guard.
Miya, the vice commander immediately sought out Henry. Her face was marked with concern.
“Commander, the order just arrived. We are to pull back,” she reported.
Henry stood still for a moment processing the unexpected turn of events. “Pulling back now?” he said.
Why the sudden change? Was there something they knew that he didn’t? The masked man’s presence had already unsettled him, but now with this sudden order, his tension only grew.
“Prepare the troops. We will follow the command,” Henry said.
As the army began to retreat, the masked man who stood at the corner observed the scene with a hidden smile,.
The masked man laughed as he spoke, “So you have succeeded.”
Henry’s brow furrowed in confusion as he turned to the masked figure. “What do you mean?” he asked.
The masked man gave a slight smile before replying, “You do not need to know.”
His words left Henry with a sense of unease, but he had no choice but to follow the command.
