On the open seas near Aurore Island, the Royal fleet of the Spring Kingdom confronted a sizable ship flying the flag of the Autumn Kingdom. Even to an inexperienced eye, it was apparent that the ship was not designed for battle but for commerce, lacking any visible weaponry on its hull or elsewhere.
A young man in black leather armor, accompanied by a few soldiers, stood on the deck. The King, unflappable, asked, "What brings the Autumn Kingdom's ship into someone else's battlefield?"
"Greetings, your grace," began the young man. "I have been ordered by my King to deliver a message to you. If you would be so kind as to hear me out, I will convey it."
The King, intrigued, nodded at the young soldier. "Very well. Speak."
The soldier responded, "The Grand Magic Judiciary has issued an order to suspend the use of fires until a joint meeting with the leaders of the four grand kingdoms takes place."
The King paused for a moment, considering the message. "And why has this order been issued?" he asked.
"I don't really know, sir..." The man placed his hands on his sword's hilt. "As I said, I'm just a messenger."
The man was none other than Calen of Aldmoor, our dear protagonist of this novel, he was here due to the orders of the Autumn King.
"Is that so, son? Then I guess we will seize the fire until all the Kings arrive."
"Eh?"
Calen was fully ready for a battle. There were two orders for him; one was to politely convey the message and wait for the others to arrive, that is if the King accepted the terms. The next was to kill everyone on the battlefield if the King refused the message. Even if he couldn't take them all, at least the King and the Dukes were the targets.
And Calen was sure the King would refuse his offer and he would have to take the King's head with him. But never in his wildest dreams did he think that the King would accept the request without any bickering.
"You mean... uh... you accept the terms?" Calen asked, doubting his own words. He could feel his companions shuffling in confusion. They too were ready to give up their lives today, but this...
"I mean, the Aurore Kingdom is done. My armies are inside the Island right now. They might have captured the boy King also, so why waste more blood? We can wait until the meeting happens. So don't worry, just relax, alright?" said the King, sipping a glass of wine.
'Is he really the King?' thought Calen, 'He's crazy!'
"But your Highness, we can't let this opportunity pass by. We have them pinned. We just have to reach out and grab them. These fools are trying to take our victory. Why are we even seizing the fire?" said Duke Silverthorne.
"Well, remember what I said earlier?"
"About not having any part in the assassination of the Queen?" Silverthorne furrowed his brows.
"No! Not that one, idiot. The other one."
"We can freely play until 'he' comes to the ground?" Duke Zadkiel asked, watching the young man in black. He felt really familiar like he had known this guy, but he wasn't able to pinpoint who it was.
"Yes, that one!" exclaimed the King. "The 'he' is that kind." He pointed at Calen with his face.
"Who... is that?" Zadkiel asked, feeling more and more confused.
"That's the youngest hero in the world right now. Calen. Calen of Aldmoor," said the King, with a hint of jealousy in his tone, as there was no one like him in his Kingdom.
"Calen..." All screws got screwed in Duke Zadkiel's mind as he suddenly remembered that name. A month ago, Damien had told him about the guy. The one who almost slit his son's throat. It's that guy!
The King noticed the sudden change in Zadkiel's face. The air around him became thick and heavy.
"Lord Zadkiel," said the King. "Control yourself, that's an order." He put a cold hand on the man's shoulder.
Only then did Zadkiel come back to his senses. The Duke shook his head, pushing all the negative thoughts from his mind.
"What is it?" asked the King.
"I know that guy," answered the Duke. His eyes still locked on the young man across the ship. "A month ago, he came to our Kingdom and nearly slit my son's throat."
"Whoa? That's...uh...that's wild. He really did something like that? Which one, Daemon or Daeron?" the King asked. He, along with the other dukes, was truly shocked to hear this.
"Damien," answered the Duke.
"Oh?" furrowed the King. "Why is it always Damien at the centre of any problems? You take this Queen Serielle's case, he was somehow connected. Take that boy's case - your son is involved. Take the latest magic Judiciary case - your son is there. I'm not saying bad about him, but there is something about your son. Like he has some natural..." he wiggled his fingers "...force of attraction towards problems. I really want to meet that guy, you know?"
Duke Zadkiel turned to look at his old friend.
"I was just saying," the King held up his hands in defence.
"He's travelling right now," said the Duke. "I'll take him with me the next time he comes home."
"Alright, I should learn this special power of attraction from the kid," laughed the king. A chorus of laughter followed after his statement.
Duke Zadkiel didn't join them as he was still watching the man.
With his trained eyes, he could detect the man's power, and what he saw astonished him.
The power level was comparable to the Supreme Commander of the Spring Kingdom, who was said to be the most powerful in the entire Kingdom.
He wanted to capture the man and beat him up for the things he did to his son, but this...this was beyond his pay grade.
'Strength may be unparalleled, but what about the experience? He's just a greenhorn, after all!' thought the Duke as he brewed instant plans in his mind to take on the guy.