The next morning, in Cerfis.
Felmer and Irnik stood face to face in a field, ready to fight.
“Day 75, right?” Irnik asked, drawing his sword.
“Yes. This is day 75 of our training…” Felmer responded, unsheathing his sword. “As established, we will fight every 25 days…”
“Correct. Are you ready?” Irnik took his stance.
“Yes, sir…” Felmer smiled.
Almost fifty meters away from them, Lelis and Flexin sat on the ground, watching Irnik and Felmer.
“What are you doing, kids?” An old man spoke behind them.
Lelis and Flexin turned around and stood up after recognising the man.
“Hello, grandpa…” Flexin greeted the man cheerfully.
“Good morning, Lord Emairis…”
“Haha…Lively you are…” Emairis, 115 years old, smiled. “So, what are you doing here?”
“Watching those two…” Flexin replied, pointing at Irnik and Felmer.
“And what are they doing?” Emairis inquired further.
“Training combat…” Lelis answered.
“Hmm…Interesting…” Emairis smiled and, with the help of his stick, sat on the ground. “Well, you have one more in the audience.”
Before Irnik announced the start of the combat, he remembered something important. He straightened and looked at Lelis.
“Lelis!” He shouted her name. “Grab your rifle and come here!”
‘Wait…Is that Lord Emairis?’ Irnik thought, recognising the old man sitting on the ground.
“Coming!” Lelis shouted back. She grabbed her rifle and the dummy bullets. “Guess I will be going…” She said to Emairis and ran off.
“There is a national tournament taking place in a few days…” Irnik announced.
“So you want us to compete in it?” Felmer asked, guessing.
“Correct. But you two will be in it together.”
“A two-man team? Is this the Cerfisian Combat Competition?” Lelis asked, standing near Irnik.
“Correct. The rules demand a two-man team. Solo participation is not allowed.” Irnik explained. “So are you two willing to join?”
“Hmm…I don’t have a problem…” Felmer responded.
‘If I win this, it might help my reputation. A good chance for me…’
“Yep…” Lelis shrugged her shoulders.
“Fine then…We will practice together today…” Irnik took back some steps. “You two against me…”
Lelis loaded her rifle and walked towards Felmer, standing next to him.
“You fight him head-on. I will assist…” Lelis whispered.
“Good idea, but be careful. He is experienced enough to understand such a basic tactic.”
“Don’t worry. I know hand-to-hand combat as well…”
“Ohh…Two against one. This is gonna be fun…” Flexin clasped his hands, excited.
“Haha…This reminds me of when my brother and I used to train with our father.” Emairis commented, feeling nostalgic.
“Start when you are ready?” Irnik took his stance, looking at the duo.
“You take the left. I take the right…” Felmer ordered, running to their right.
“Okay…” Lelis rushed at Irnik from the opposite side.
Felmer, charging his sword with magic, slowed down, imbued his legs with magic, and dashed at Irnik. Lelis increased her pace, grabbing her rifle by the stock.
As the duo arrived, Irnik drew his dagger to counter Lelis. But Lelis ducked and slid to the other side. Felmer, without slowing down, went for a vertical strike from below. Irnik, without flinching, leaned back.
Lelis stopped, drew her handgun while turning, and fired two bullets at Irnik. Irnik used his Wind Art and stopped the bullets.
Felmer pulled his sword and went for a kick on Irnik’s chest. But Irnik successfully blocked with his right hand.
Felmer didn’t waste a second and threw two horizontal slashes at Irnik. But Irnik retreated and successfully dodged again.
“Hmm…That’s good. The coordination between you two is good.” Irnik applauded.
“Thanks for the compliment…” Felmer smiled and dashed again.
Irnik used his Wind Art on Felmer.
“Wind Art, Air Bolts.”
Multiple air bolts rushed at Felmer. Felmer ducked and rolled to his left, followed by three more shots from Lelis.
Irnik easily dodged with his swift reflexes. But just as he turned, Felmer was right in front of him. Felmer engulfed his blade with the Cyan Flame and swung his sword at Irnik.
Irnik retreated with each swing, blocking them with a wall of water. Each time Felmer swung his sword, a wall of water appeared in front of him, slowing him down.
Suddenly, from behind a wall, a foot emerged and hit Felmer hard in the face.
Felmer fell to the ground, and Irnik jumped at him. Felmer didn’t waste a single second and rolled to his right. Just as he sat up on one knee, Irnik appeared in front of him. Felmer moved fast and blocked the attack.
Lelis took the chance and fired two more bullets. Irnik just tilted his head and dodged the bullets.
He stomped his right foot on the ground, and arrows made of water and wind emerged. On his signal, they rushed at Lelis. Lelis placed her handgun in the holster and ran to her right, rolled, and dodged the attack.
‘That’s my chance!’ Felmer mumbled.
He held the sword tightly with his left hand, pulled his right hand back, and punched Irnik in the abdomen, forcing Irnik to step back.
Felmer kicked Irnik in the chin and then punched him in the face. Felmer was about to strike Irnik when suddenly a water bullet emerged from the ground and hit his hand. Felmer lost his sword. Then a wind punch came from the left and hit him hard in the face.
“That’s instant payback…” Irnik chuckled.
Two bullets came at Irnik, but they missed. Irnik raised his hand, summoned a wind bullet, and flicked it at Lelis. The bullet travelled fast and hit her forehead.
The duo had lost.
“You two fought amazingly. I will give you that. You only lost due to inexperience and no Arts.” Irnik complimented, helping Felmer stand up.
Lelis sat up, rubbing her forehead.
“That hurt…” She whined.
“So we are competent enough to participate, right?” Felmer asked, sheathing his sword.
“Of course you are…” Irnik looked behind Felmer. “Right, sir?”
“Correct, captain.” Emairis smiled. “They are…”
…
To the far east of Falvaria, in a small nation, Termon.
Termon, an ancient kingdom, was famous for its dense and lush forests. It was surrounded by rivers and forests, providing natural defence against invaders. It was best known for its dangerous forests and high-quality wood.
In an open field in front of the main government building.
The Termonian people stood in the field, eyes fixed on their new leader.
Their new leader, Larkom, raised his glass of wine.
“This is not just our victory, but it is the beginning of a new era!” Larkom said aloud.
“Hooray!!!” His ministers and party members shouted.
“The old were stuck in the past and failed to advance and cope with the modern world. But we…We will bring advancement to this country. We will leave the things of the past and step into the new era.”
“That’s right!” His second-in-command, Loris, followed. “The old only cared about protecting this forest. They cared about stereotypes and didn’t understand the value of the resource we held. But we will change that. We will do trade and tell the world what we have.”
“Yeah! We will make them beg for our wood. Even the timber business of Hormis will fall…” A minister followed.
“Correct, my friends. But we will not just sell this wood. We will make products and dominate the markets. Sticking to one thing won’t be beneficial at all, but utilising the resources would be…” Larkom replied, standing up. “And why would we forget our old friend, Cerfis? It’s time to get their trust again!”
“Welcome the new era! Glory to Termon!”
“Glory to Termon! Glory to Termon!” The minister and the masses shouted cheerfully.
Soon the voices quieted down.
“The new era won’t be just advancement but justice to the country as well…” Larkom handed his glass to Loris. “Bring them!” He ordered.
After a few seconds, the Termonian Guard brought fifteen men bound by chains. They were in bad shape. Some were bleeding heavily, some were half awake, and some fell with every step.
“These cunts protected the forest for their own gain, sold us the lie of sacred forests, and fed their bellies by selling the same wood. For these cunts the law only demands one thing. Death!” Larkom’s voice echoed in the field.
“Death! Death! Death to the traitors! Death!” The people chanted loudly.
Larkom signalled a soldier to bring his sword. The soldier ran towards him, knelt, and handed him the sword.
“Here, my Lord.”
Larkom grabbed the sword, unsheathed it, and walked towards the central prisoner. He knelt and untied the cloth on his face.
“Termonians! I am sure you recognise this traitor. Our former leader, Kafka.”
“Before you die, why don’t you confess?” Larkom smiled arrogantly.
Kafka spat on Larkom’s foot.
“Confess what? Your lies?” Kafka chuckled.
Larkom looked down at him and kicked Kafka in the face.
“Kick me as much as you want!” Kafka shouted. “You won’t live long enough with your lies!” He shot back.
Kafka struggled and sat up again, breathing heavily.
“As you all can see. Even when faced with justice, he is lying. I don’t care what he says to me. He is lying to YOU. To this nation. The very nation he swore to serve and protect! And now he has broken that very oath.”
“Justice, justice, and justice. This is what you bark about. You can feed them as many lies as you want. But the world will know one day.”
“Hahaha…Care to tell us what the world would know?” Larkom smirked.
“The truth! The fact that you were selling wood! The fact that you murdered Langston! The fact that you are licking Falvarian boots!” Kafka shouted with all his might.
Larkom stared for a few seconds, serious. Suddenly, he broke into laughter, and the people and his ministers followed suit.
“You have got good humour, don’t you?” Larkom asked, wiping the tears from his eyes. “And what proof do you have rather than empty talk?”
Kafka gritted his teeth. He remained silent, for he had no proof.
“Alas! You lack the proof. But I don’t…” Larkom turned towards a lady wearing a robe. “Right, Linia…”
The robed lady, Linia, took off her robe and stepped forward.
“Yes, sir…” She clenched her fists, tears in her eyes. “My father did commit all those crimes. He is a traitor…”
“See?” Larkom smiled at Kafka.
“Wha…” A mountain crashed on Kafka with the confession.
Larkom, smiling playfully, walked behind Kafka and placed his sword on his neck. Without wasting a single second, he decapitated Kafka.
“Justice! Justice!” The people shouted in unison.
Larkom spread out his arms, looked up, and shouted like a maniac.
“Justice is served!”
…
Two days later, at noon in Kilfa.
Laminar sat near the window in his office, looking outside. On the table in front of him was a newspaper. The headline said;
“FORMER LEADER, KAFKA, OF TERMON, EXECUTED PUBLICLY! LARKOM TEFRIS TAKES THE THRONE!”
‘The Tefris family is taking the leadership. I never guessed that.’
Laminar picked up the newspaper and read the whole article.
“The former Termonian leader, Kafka Hans, was accused of smuggling the local Teak wood, the murder of Aristocrat Langston, and corruption. Kafka ignored the accusations as opposition propaganda. But the matter escalated. The Tefris family, under Larkom Tefris, allied with the Termonian Army, and a coup d'état was launched. Kafka and his ministers were captured, and after the unexpected confession of Linia Hans, Kafka’s daughter, Kafka Hans was executed publicly.”
‘Hmm…” Laminar fell into deep thought.
“The rebellion occurs two weeks after Kafka Hans refused to sell Teak wood to AIC (Astral Industrial Complex) at a low price.” Laminar read further ahead. “Now Larkom has taken total command with heavy public support, promising them justice and advancement. Saying that Termon has entered the new era.”
“The AIC…Interesting…” Laminar chuckled.
‘Again, King. Keeping me in the dark again…’ He mumbled, agitated.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Mark entered.
“No, sir. I thought of giving you some company. Your health is still weak. I should stay close…” He smiled and sat in front of Laminar.
“Good. Very thoughtful of you…” Laminar, still angry, replied.
“Is something wrong?” Mark asked, judging Laminar’s expression.
“Read this…” Laminar passed him the newspaper.
“Okay…” Mark said, grabbing the newspaper.
“Huh? Seriously? Hans overthrown by Tefris. Is this a joke?” Mark blurted out as he read the headline.
“I don’t think this is a comedy magazine,” Laminar replied, eyes glued to the gardens.
“This makes no sense. They were doing well and had major public support.”
“You are right. Read ahead…” Laminar pointed at the newspaper.
Mark mumbled the news, eyes narrowing.
“The AIC…” Mark looked at Laminar.
“Correct.” Laminar turned his head towards Mark.
“The AIC is directly under the king. Is this what I think it is?”
“You are sharp, Mark…” Laminar crossed his legs. “It is what you think it is. The AIC is first under the capital. But its administration is directly under me. So, all that happens regarding it, whether directly or indirectly, will be affiliated with me.”
“Isn’t it good?” Mark questioned.
“It is good on the surface. But it has a great defect.”
“And that is?”
“Simple as it is. The king can decide it without my knowledge. If it's good, I benefit. If it is not, then I either face public scrutiny or the Eclipse. And I am no match for the behemoths Eclipse has.”
“But why would he do that?”
“He is pushing me to the extreme. It is his way of teaching and testing. He is forcing me to make a game-changing decision. But something that won’t harm the kingdom and the royal family.” Laminar paused. “It is a fight orchestrated by him. Who will take the command? Me or my brother, Rinfis?”
Mark nodded, completely understanding Laminar.
“So…” Mark leaned forward. “Do you have a plan?”
Laminar chuckled and laughed.
“Of course.” Laminar turned serious. “I do have a plan to flip the board."
Chapter discussion