Ron accepted the invitation and followed the guard.
After changing into a noble suit, he joined the grand gathering inside the hall. All the princes and princesses were already there, laughing and talking beneath golden chandeliers—but Ron's mind was elsewhere. He scanned the crowd, searching for one face.
That old man... where is he?
At last, Ron spotted him standing near a column, sipping wine with an amused smile. Without thinking, Ron pushed through the crowd. But when he reached the spot—the old man was gone. He turned around and froze. The old man now stood exactly where Ron had been moments ago, waving lightly.
Ron narrowed his eyes and started toward him again, only for the old man to vanish and reappear somewhere else, chuckling as if enjoying a private game.
After half an hour of this maddening chase, Ron finally slumped into a chair, rubbing his temples.
"Damn that old man. He's fast. Is he even really an old man?"
Before he could rest, a few well-dressed men approached him.
"Hello, sir. May we ask your name?"
"I'm Ron," he replied, straightening up.
"Ah, Ron! A pleasure. We're guests from the Kingdom of Song."
"Kingdom of Song?" Ron muttered under his breath. Then aloud he said, "I'm from this kingdom. Please, enjoy the gathering." He gave them a polite nod and turned to leave.
"Thank God," he sighed quietly—only to be stopped again, this time by a group of women giggling near the fountain.
Ron groaned. "Damn it," he murmured, bracing himself for another round of introductions.
"Hi, sir. May we ask your name?" one of the women said politely.
"I'm Ron," he replied with a small smile. "It's an honor to make your acquaintance."
"Ron, which kingdom do you belong to?" another woman asked, her eyes fixed on him.
A third added, "We haven't seen you before."
I'm cooked, Ron thought grimly. Just as he was searching for an excuse, a familiar voice rang out.
"Ron, my man! Long time no see!" Harrison exclaimed, appearing out of nowhere and wrapping an arm around Ron's shoulders.
Nice save, Harrison. You're the best, Ron sighed in relief.
"Ladies," Harrison said with a grin, "this is Ron. He's new to this kingdom—and a fine gentleman, I might add."
"Oh, we thought he was an outsider," one of them said.
"Yes, sorry, Sir Ron," another added before they all drifted away, giggling.
Ron exhaled deeply. "That was close."
"Hey, Ron," Harrison said, still grinning, "why don't we go meet the princess?"
Ron frowned. "I've got something to do."
Harrison tugged him forward. "Nope. You're not going anywhere."
Damn it, Ron thought. Help me, old man…
As Ron was being dragged by Harrison.
"Sir Harrison, I have something very important to attend if I don't, something will happen. Its urgent." The excuse sounded weak to Ron himself.
"Sir Ron, I invited you on Princess's orders." Harrison says. Ron stares at him, his brow furrowed.
Suddenly, The old man appeared behind Harrison, his presence so sudden that even the music seemed to falter for a moment.
"Sir Harrison," the old man said calmly, "would you mind if I had a word with this young man?"
Harrison blinked. "Of course, sir." He gave Ron a confused glance before stepping aside.
Ron crossed his arms. "So, old man, care to explain?"
The old man just laughed—deep, loud, and hearty.
"Ha! Hahahahaha!"
"You first hit me on the head and now you appear out of nowhere." Ron says with slight anger in his voice
"Last night, I was about to tell you but you won't listen." The old man says, delivering a slight punch to Ron's left shoulder.
"So, Ron? What are your plans?" Old man asks
"I'll lay low, and find a way to go back to Hero Town." Ron says
High above the hall, the King and Queen watched the gathering from their golden balcony.
The King leaned forward, narrowing his eyes. "Honey, look at that."
"What is it?" the Queen asked.
"That old man… it's the first time I've ever seen him laugh."
The Queen's expression changed. "He's here? But I heard he never accepts invitations or works with anyone."
The King nodded slowly. "Indeed. I've invited him several times. He never even replied. He is strong enough to take on many nations at once. Rumors are that he always lay low."
"Then why did he come this time?" the Queen asked, her eyes fill with curiosity.
The King's gaze followed Ron and the old man as they talked. "That man beside him… Harrison mentioned a stranger entered the city recently—the one who saved our daughter."
The Queen's eyes widened. "You mean that young man talking to Legend?"
"I don't know," the King said quietly, still staring at the pair below. "But if that old man came here because of him… then that young man isn't ordinary."