The grand doors of the royal palace opened, and Hikari and Lothar stepped inside the King's office. The atmosphere was heavy, the golden banners swaying slightly as if echoing the tension in the air.
Hikari bowed.
Hikari: "Your Majesty, we have returned to the combat team."
King Jugram leaned back in his chair, his piercing gaze fixed on them.
King Jugram: "I see. But… where is Light?"
Hikari hesitated for a moment before answering.
Hikari: "He is still absent, Your Majesty. He said he needed more training before returning."
The King gave a small nod.
King Jugram: "Very well. Now, get to the point. Why are the two of you here?"
Lothar stepped forward, his expression serious.
Lothar: "We need to report something, Your Majesty."
Hikari turned sharply toward him, her thoughts racing.
No, Lothar… you promised me you wouldn't tell him about the Kaijus targeting us.
The King narrowed his eyes.
King Jugram: "Go on. I am listening."
Lothar clenched his fists.
Lothar: "The Kaiju we fought… it could talk. Just like us."
The King's expression darkened, his voice low and sharp.
King Jugram: "What did you say?"
Lothar: "Your Majesty… is this normal? Do Kaijus like that exist?"
For a long moment, silence filled the chamber. Then the King finally spoke, his tone grave.
King Jugram: "According to history, Kaijus first began appearing when the very first Voltra being was land in earth — the one people call a god. As you both studied in the academy, all Voltra beings are said to be descendants of that god. But in thousands of years, never… never has there been a Kaiju capable of speech. This is no ordinary matter."
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes burning with intensity.
King Jugram: "What exactly did this Kaiju say?"
Hikari's heart sank as she glanced at Lothar, silently begging him not to reveal the truth.
Please, Lothar… don't tell him.
Lothar exhaled, lowering his gaze.
Lothar: "It didn't say much. Only that it wanted to kill us… and consume humans."
Hikari let out a quiet breath of relief, tension leaving her shoulders.
The King nodded slowly.
King Jugram: "I see… still, we must not take these Kaijus lightly. If you encounter another one like this, do not kill it. Capture it alive — we need answers."
Lothar: "Understood, Your Majesty."
The King sat back, his tone final.
King Jugram: "Good. I will inform the other combat teams of this matter. You are dismissed. The Kaiju Search Division will brief you on your next mission once a new threat is spotted."
Hikari and Lothar bowed respectfully before turning and leaving the King's office, their footsteps echoing against the polished marble floor.
Meanwhile, in the royal house garden, Light was drenched in sweat as he pushed through another round of training. His fists struck the air with precision, each movement sharp and relentless.
From behind, an elderly yet elegant voice broke the silence.
Seliora (his grandmother): "Light… why must you insist on training here in the garden? There are training halls for this. You're disturbing the peace of the house."
Light froze mid-motion, wiping sweat from his forehead. He turned with an apologetic smile.
Light: "Sorry, Granny. I'll be more careful from now on."
Before Seliora could scold him further, footsteps approached. It was Karem, Light's childhood friend, carrying his usual carefree smile.
Karem: "Still at it, Light? You haven't stopped, have you?"
Seliora looked at him and sighed, shaking her head.
Seliora: "Karem, perhaps you can talk some sense into him. He's been making noise here for ten straight days."
Karem blinked, then quickly bowed his head, embarrassed.
Karem: "Lady Seliora… forgive me, I didn't notice you there."
Her stern expression softened, a faint smile touching her lips.
Seliora: "It's alright, child. And you don't need to call me 'Lady.' Since you're Light's friend, you may call me Granny as well. Now, raise your head."
Karem lifted his gaze respectfully.
Karem: "Yes, Granny."
Seliora gave one last glance at Light before slowly walking away, leaving the two boys behind.
The moment she disappeared inside, Karem crossed his arms.
Karem: "Light, enough already. Take a break. Have you even eaten today?"
Light shook his head, still breathing heavily.
Light: "Not yet."
Karem groaned, throwing his hands up.
Karem: "Then that settles it. Let's go out somewhere. It's been days since we last stepped outside together. Come on, let's hit a restaurant before you collapse in this garden."
The restaurant buzzed with the low hum of nobles and soldiers sharing meals, but Light and Karem sat at a quiet corner table, steam rising from their plates.
Between bites, Karem leaned forward curiously.
Karem: "By the way… where's your sword, the Dark Shield? You usually carry it everywhere."
Light sipped his drink calmly.
Light: "Oh, that. I left it at home. I wasn't doing sword training today—just physical drills. And then you dragged me here."
Karem chuckled, shaking his head.
Karem: "Strange to see you without it. Even back at the academy, when swords weren't allowed, you still carried it around. Nobody dared stop you… probably because you're a prince."
Light's expression softened, his eyes lowering for a moment.
Light: "It's not about status. You know why I keep it with me. Thirteen years ago, during the war between the Draekors and the Eastern Kingdom… my grandfather was killed. I was only five years old then. Somehow, I ended up on the battlefield, right by his side when he was taking his last breath. That's when he placed the Dark Shield in my hands."
He paused, fingers brushing the edge of his cup.
Light: "Since that day, I've carried it everywhere. It's not just a weapon—it's the last piece of him I have."
Karem tapped his fingers on the table, thoughtful.
Karem: "Yeah, I know… but honestly, I never understood one thing. That sword, the Dark Shield, is said to have belonged to Zerek—the first Voltra Being, the one people call a god. From what I've read, that blade was supposed to stay with the kings of the Central Kingdom. Passed down from ruler to ruler. So why is it with you? Shouldn't it be in the King's possession instead?"
Light leaned back in his chair, his tone calm but firm.
Light: "You're right. By tradition, it should belong to the King. But my father… he was never interested in the Dark Shield. for some reason, That's why the sword stayed with my grandfather. And when his time came, he give it to me."
Karem leaned forward, curiosity in his eyes.
Karem: "Wait—you were actually there? I knew about the war, but… I never asked you the details. Tell me, Light. What really happened in that Great War against the Draekors?"
Light set his cup down slowly. His jaw tightened as the memories rushed back.
Light: "Alright. I'll tell you everything."
Now Light was about to reveal what exactly happened to Draekors in that great war of kingdoms.