Guests

Two days later in Cerfa.

The Cerfisian Combat Competition approached; three days were left. And with its arrival, people and fighters from all around Cerfis poured into Cerfa.

People buzzed with curiosity, poring over the list of fighters. And among them, four duos were the favourites.

First is the duo from the Western Coastal District, Gorgit and Foltis. This duo was the five-time winner of the competition and three-time runner-up. Every fight they fought left the audience in awe. They were in perfect sync and were only overpowered due to a gap in magical prowess. They were also loved for their calm, composed personalities.

The second duo is from the Eastern Forest District, Horfia and Mulka, undefeated for seven years. This middle-aged couple was on another level of magical power. They emerged from the shadows of the forest and rose to the top in just their debut. They were unmatched in both strategy and raw power.

The third duo is from the Northern Highlands District: Lewis and John. They have made it to the finals quite a few times, but have won only twice. They were famous for their hardworking and reckless nature, and also for their lineage. The two brothers were from the Kaflan Clan. Kaflan had won fifteen times throughout their history.

Lastly is the duo of Felmer and Lelis. Their strengths were unknown as they were making their debut. The duo was only a favourite due to Felmer. He was the heir after all.

As Cerfisians and travellers from around the world poured into Cerfa, a robed boy slowly crossed the main gate. One of the guards caught him out of the corner of his eye. He observed the boy for a few seconds, then walked up to him and seized him.

“For security purposes, I request that you put off your hood and show me your documents.” The guard demanded politely.

The boy stopped immediately, searching for something in his pocket. He pulled out a badge and handed it to the guard.

“Eclipse…” The guard whispered.

He keenly observed the badge to ensure it wasn’t fake, and after confirmation from his captain, he returned the badge.

“You can go…” The guard said, giving him the badge.

“Do I need to remove my hood?” The boy asked in a soft tone.

“Ugh, no. There is no need.” The guard smiled.

“Thank you…” The boy nodded softly and continued walking.

After walking a few meters, the boy pulled out a handkerchief, pulled down the hood, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

It was Melfer.

‘I am sweating in winter…’ He thought.

Walking through the market, he was easily distinguished by his light yellow eyes and faint yellow hair. Two ladies looked at him and smiled.

“Look at him. He is cute…” One whispered to the other.

Melfer walked past them, smiling back.

‘Hehe…’ He chuckled inwardly.

He cleared his throat. “I must remain focused on the mission…” He reminded himself.

As he walked towards a hotel, the words of Equinox echoed in his mind.

“The combat competition is about to take place, and at the same time the delegates of the new Termonian government are heading to Cerfis to renew the alliance pact and also watch the competition. They will be headed by Larkom Tefris. In the past, the Tefris clan has been suspected of colluding with Falvaria, though there is no evidence. But we can’t eliminate the possibility that they might do something against the Gorbin family.”

Her orders continued.

“Unlike the whole unit 96, you were born and raised in Cerfa. You know the place like the back of your hand. I am sending you there to keep an eye on the Termonian delegates and guard Felmer from the shadows. He is your old friend, so I don’t think you would hesitate. Moreover, after the failed assassination attempt in Maska, Falvaria must be conspiring about something.”

He stood in front of the tall hotel, scrutinising it as her final words sounded in his ears. It was the famous Sefra Hotel.

“We have informed our channels in Cerfa. So you won’t be alone. Good luck, soldier.”

Melfer stepped into the hotel and looked around.

“The informant is a young-looking man with blue hair and eyes.” He mumbled, observing the people.

Soon, he found him.

It was Irnik.

He was sitting at a table in the far corner, drinking tea and eating pastries.

“They sure live up to their name…” He praised the taste, taking another bite.

Melfer took off his robe, walked up to Irnik, and bowed slightly in respect.

“You are Irnik Karlin?” Melfer asked respectfully.

Irnik swallowed the pastry and straightened his body.

“Yes. And you are Melfer Erkinson, right?”

“Correct. I am…” Melfer smiled. “May I sit here?”

“Of course. Why not.” Irnik gestured for him to sit. Then he passed the plate of pastries towards Melfer. “Here, have some…”

“No, no…” Melfer rejected the offer.

“C’mon. There is no need to be so polite. Take some…” Irnik gestured for him to take the pastries.

“Okay…” Melfer hesitantly took a piece.

‘He is more polite and mannerly than most noble kids…’ Irnik commented inwardly.

“I think you are aware of the mission…”

“Yes, I am…” Melfer replied, enjoying the delicacy.

“So, it is simple…” Irnik leaned forward. “You guard Felmer without him knowing that you are…Will you?”

Melfer chuckled. “Of course…”

…

Before noon in Kilfa.

Laminar entered his office and took his seat. He picked up a few documents and read them.

“Hah…Nothing special.” He murmured and placed them into the dossier.

Laminar looked out the window, observing the gardens, feeling dejected.

‘The same sun. The same weather…’ He thought and leaned back in his chair.

His gaze was fixed on the ceiling, and he was busy thinking.

‘I wonder what you are planning, King Larnet. I have the basic grasp…’ He turned his head and looked at the door. ‘But I won’t be your puppet. That’s what I have decided…’ He chuckled.

Then he straightened his body and picked up today’s newspaper.

“The Cerfisian Combat Competition draws closer. Will the undefeated duo extend their streak?” He read aloud. “Among the many participants, all eyes are fixed on Felmer Gorbin and his partner Lelis Mifi. Will they make a good debut or run away as they did before?”

“Hahahaha…The double standards are clear as day.” Laminar burst out in laughter. “Good Debut…Run away…I applaud the propaganda…But I wonder why he is participating? Too bad I can’t go and watch…”

Then he turned the page.

“Larkom Tefris is to visit Cerfis. The main purpose, as he said, is to renew the alliance pact that was broken in the First Great War of Fin a century ago. He also intends to watch the Combat Competition.”

Laminar smiled as he read the news.

“Development in Iskeria! Governor Laminar reduces working hours and increases salaries! He stated that a worker-friendly environment is necessary for the expansion of AIC.”

“Hah…” He threw the newspaper on the table.

‘I wonder why I feel depressed and dejected today…’ He thought, staring blankly.

Suddenly, the door opened, and Mark stepped in. He slowly closed the door and sat in one of the chairs beside the tall window. He took some deep breaths and looked at Laminar, who was staring at him.

“Tired?” Laminar asked, smiling.

“I had to go on foot. So, yes, I am tired…”

“Why? What happened to your horse?” Laminar was confused.

“All the horses in the stable were diagnosed with a disease. It felt odd. But I couldn’t find anything suspicious.” Mark explained. “So I have to go on foot.”

“Hmm…So? Did it work?”

“They accepted immediately…” Mark smirked.

Laminar chuckled. “Good to hear…”

As they both looked at the lush gardens outside, someone knocked.

“Come in…” Laminar permitted.

The door opened slowly, and a servant from the guest house entered.

“You are from the guesthouse, aren’t you? What’s the matter?” Laminar asked, leaning back.

“Sir, there are guests from Termon. Larkom Tefris and his delegates.” The servant bowed lightly before replying.

“Huh? Why are they here? Weren’t they going to Cerfis? They are allowed passage.” Mark blurted out.

Laminar, thinking something, stared at the servant. Then he slowly stood, placed the documents in the drawer, picked up his weapon, and walked towards Mark.

“Let’s go…” He patted Mark’s shoulder.

“Yes, sir…” Mark mumbled, standing up.

The governor and the assistant left the building, got aboard a carriage, and went to the guesthouse.

Larkom and his delegates were seated in the living room.

Soon, the door opened, and Laminar entered, followed by Mark. Larkom stood up to meet him, but Laminar completely ignored him.

Laminar sat peacefully on a sofa and looked at Larkom.

“Why are you standing? Please sit…” Laminar gestured for him to sit.

Larkom, humiliated, clenched his fists and sat back in his chair.

“I was informed of your arrival. So I thought of meeting you…” Laminar started the conversation. “But isn’t your destination Cerfis? Is there any kind of help you require?”

Larkom, absorbing his anger, looked at Laminar and replied, “No…We don’t need any help. We were tired from the long journey.”

“Hmm…That’s good. The journey from Termon to Cerfis for sure is long…”

“Also…I wanted to meet the new governor of Iskeria.”

Laminar nodded softly.

“Well, congratulations…I hope the future will be bright for this province.”

“Thank you…” Laminar smiled. “Same to you. You took the throne in an applauding and dramatic way…”

“Hehe…Serving justice is applauding, but not dramatic…” Larkom chuckled.

“Hmm…”

“As I am the leader, I would love to have a deal with the AIC. It will be honourable for us if the first-ever industrial complex buys wood from Termon.”

“You are here to rest. So it would be best if you rest and head to your destination. Contracts and deals demand time. And none of us has it…” Laminar rejected the idea.

Larkom didn’t respond. He gritted his teeth and, after a few seconds, spoke.

“It’s a pity that you are here, far from the capital. Life here isn’t luxurious, is it?”

Laminar’s face turned serious.

“Yes, you are right.” Laminar agreed.

“But you are free here. The king isn’t nagging you. But also sad that no one is here to babysit you.”

Laminar’s eyes twitched, but he remained quiet.

“It hurts when your little strength gets undermined by the greatness of the King…”

“Mind your words, Termonian. I won’t hesitate to bury that head of yours…” Mark shot back, grabbing his sword’s hilt.

Laminar raised his hand, stopping Mark.

“It’s okay…Let them bark…” Laminar whispered to Mark.

“Why are you agitated? We are just talking…” Larkom grinned.

Laminar looked back at Larkom.

“You sure talk big for a boot licker.” Laminar remained serious.

“Huh?” Larkom blurted out, face turning red.

“Justice delivered!” Laminar said in a dramatic tone. “Hahaha…This would be a good line for a play.”

“I don’t understand wh…”

“We both know,” Laminar interrupted him. “Wood deal get rejected, and then the government falls…”

“You are misunderstanding. It was just a coincidence…”

“Planning requires timing, not coincidences. You can fool the illiterate masses, but not leaders.”

Larkom opened his mouth to say something. But Laminar spoke first.

“You have rested enough. Evening is arriving as well. So you should reach Cerfa before nightfall.”

Larkom gritted his teeth, his eyes boiling with anger.

“Why do you look angry? We were just talking…” Laminar smirked.

Larkom immediately stood up and burst out of the room, followed by the delegates.

Then a soldier entered and whispered something in Mark’s ear.

“What is it?” Laminar asked.

“The orders have been implemented…”

“Haha…It begins…” Laminar smiled. “I feel very good now…”

…

The next day, after dawn, at 6 am, in Cerfa.

Felmer and Flexin stood in the courtyard of the Nol Building. At some distance, Raftin and Marnis stood as well, waiting for someone.

“What were we waiting for, again?” Flexin asked, yawning.

“For the Termonian Delegates,” Felmer replied, wide awake.

“Weren’t the Termonian Delegates planned to arrive yesterday?” Flexin asked, trying not to fall asleep. “And when is sister Elna arriving?”

“They were, but they didn’t. They stopped at Kilfa, the capital of Iskeria, and then at Eastern Forest District.” Felmer looked at Flexin. “And sister Elna arrived last night at 11 pm. She is resting in her room.”

“Oh! I didn’t know.” He was surprised.

Flexin rubbed his eyes and scratched his temples.

“Act a bit educated. You are the second heir to the throne…” Felmer reminded Flexin.

“Yeah, yeah…” Flexin replied lazily, then looked behind him.

A robed boy was standing, wearing a mask. He was the same height as Felmer. He was Melfer.

‘I was ordered to remain hidden. But Lord Marnis changed the orders to remain right beside them, but I can’t reveal my identity…’ Melfer thought as Flexin looked at him. ‘I really want to put off my robe and greet Felmer. But alas, I can’t.’

“Who’s that?” Flexin whispered in Felmer’s ear.

“A guard appointed for Lelis and me.”

“Huh? Do you two even need one?” Flexin asked, confused.

“Father said that during the competition, many people all around the country will be here in Cerfa. The ones with bad intentions, too. So having a guard is important. It also eases our parents…” Felmer summarised Marnis’ words.

“But he is as tall as you.” Flexin frowned.

“Don’t talk about others' height. Some people find it offensive. Also, some people have small height but are older.”

Melfer kept staring at the two brothers, controlling his laugh.

‘I can hear you both loud and clear.’ He chuckled inwardly.

After ten minutes, a royal carriage and five horses entered the courtyard.

As the carriage stopped, a Termonian guard rushed and opened the door. But Larkom remained seated. Then another guard placed two wooden steps at the entrance. That’s when Larkom stood and stepped out of the carriage.

He was wearing a heavily embroidered silk cloak. He looked around, chin up.

“Larkom Tefris…” Raftin mumbled the name.

‘A show-off and literal dumbass…’ Felmer judged Larkom.

“Larkom Tefris. Welcome to Cerfis…” Raftin stepped forward and greeted Larkom.

“Thank you, Raftin Gorbin.” Larkom smiled.

Marnis remained quiet and nodded slightly.

Felmer walked up to them, hesitating. He extended his hand towards Larkom.

“Hello. Nice to meet you. I am Felmer Gorbin…”

“Oh…Felmer Gorbin. I thought you were still hiding in the mountains…” Larkom chuckled.

Felmer’s mouth twitched. He pressed Larkom’s hand tightly. Larkom groaned inwardly, trying to free his hand. But Felmer didn’t let go.

‘He hadn’t changed a bit…’ Melfer smiled under the mask.

Raftin placed his hand on Felmer’s shoulder.

“That’s a long handshake. We should talk inside…”

Felmer softened his grip and pulled back his hand.

“Sure…” Larkom replied, controlling his emotions.

“After you…” Marnis pointed.

Larkom nodded and walked inside.

‘That brat!’ Larkom thought, massaging his hand.

Felmer watched the guests go.

“You will regret it badly…” He mumbled.