The announcement came exactly at noon.
Punctual.
A cyclopean officer knocked twice on the door of the diplomatic wing and informed us that the king was waiting.
I stood up without hurry. It was not a moment for anxiety.
It was a moment for posture.
Liriel approached first. Her presence was naturally serene. Her light magic remained contained, but perceptible to those who knew how to sense it. Rai'kanna adjusted the swords at her waist with precision. Elara checked the magical seals on her sleeves. Lyannis mentally organized possible political variables. Vespera kept her gaze attentive, evaluating every detail around her.
We left together.
The path to the main hall was wide. Massive columns supported the high ceiling. Each one had ancient inscriptions carved into the stone, narrating battles and lineages.
Nothing there was decorative.
Everything had meaning.
The doors of the royal hall opened with a heavy and controlled movement.
We entered.
The space was vast, but not ostentatious. There was no excessive gold or luxurious tapestries. What dominated the environment was stone crafted with precision.
At the center, elevated by three wide steps, was the throne.
The king of the cyclopes was imposing, even seated. Robust structure, upright posture, firm gaze. A dark mantle fell over his broad shoulders, and a simple crown of ancient metal rested upon his head.
To the right and left, members of the council observed.
No smiles.
No open hostility.
Only analysis.
I advanced to the mark indicated on the floor, where visitors were meant to stop.
I inclined my head slightly.
"Your Majesty."
His voice was deep, but not aggressive.
"Takumi."
He pronounced my name clearly.
"You and your group have been recognized for recent deeds."
"We did what was necessary."
He nodded.
"Fame does not sustain kingdoms. Results do."
I agreed.
"That is why I am here."
Brief silence.
He rested his arms on the throne's armrests.
"Speak."
I breathed in a controlled manner.
"There are rumors about the Fourth General of the demons."
Some council members exchanged discreet glances.
I continued.
"They say he is immortal."
No exaggerated reaction.
The king replied:
"Immortality is a term used when the mechanism is not understood."
"I agree."
He studied me more closely.
"And what do you seek in my kingdom?"
"A hypothesis."
Calculated pause.
"I heard that there exists a magic stone, kept by the royal family of the cyclopes, passed down from generation to generation."
The atmosphere became slightly denser.
The king did not look away.
"It exists."
A direct answer.
"It is an ancestral relic."
"I heard it may be connected to the weakness of the Fourth General."
A council member on the left frowned.
The king spoke calmly.
"You heard."
"Yes."
He folded his hands.
"That stone has never been used against a General."
"I know."
"There is no guarantee."
"I know."
The silence stretched.
Liriel remained serene behind me. Rai'kanna maintained a firm posture. Elara observed with scientific attention. Lyannis mentally recorded every reaction. Vespera evaluated the microexpressions of the nobles.
The king leaned slightly forward.
"Why should I consider handing over an artifact that represents the continuity of my lineage for a hypothesis?"
A fair question.
I answered without raising my tone.
"Because if the Fourth General is not stopped, no kingdom will be beyond his reach."
The hall remained motionless.
I continued.
"I do not ask for the stone as a weapon of conquest. I ask for it as a tool of containment."
One of the council members spoke for the first time.
"And if you fail?"
I looked directly at him.
"Then I will return it."
The king raised his hand, silencing the council.
"You speak with confidence."
"I speak with responsibility."
He studied me for a few seconds that seemed longer.
"You have already faced lesser Generals."
"Yes."
"And survived."
"Yes."
"But this one is different."
"I know."
He relaxed his shoulders slightly.
"You understand that this stone is not merely a magical object. It is a symbol."
"I understand."
"If I hand it over and you fall, the symbol will fall as well."
That was the real question.
I answered without hesitation.
"Then I will not fall."
It was not arrogance.
It was commitment.
The hall remained in absolute silence.
The king briefly shifted his gaze toward the members of the council. Some maintained neutral expressions. Others showed clear resistance.
He looked at me again.
"The stone exists."
He confirmed again.
"It carries ancient energy."
He paused.
"But we do not know if it is effective against what you face."
"Even so, it is worth the attempt."
He rested his chin on his hand for a moment.
"You ask me to risk ancestral heritage for a fifty percent chance."
"Yes."
A slight movement passed through the council.
The king breathed deeply.
"I will not make this decision alone."
Fair.
"I must consult the nobles."
I nodded.
"I understand."
He continued:
"If there is authorization, the stone may be lent."
The word was clear.
Lent.
"Temporarily."
"I will return it."
He inclined his head slightly.
"If you fail, you will return here."
"Yes."
The king leaned back again on the throne.
"The decision will require time."
"I will wait."
He observed my group.
"Are they aware of the risk?"
Liriel answered before I could speak.
"We are."
Her voice was soft, but firm.
Rai'kanna added:
"We did not come here by accident."
Elara kept her gaze direct.
Lyannis maintained balanced posture.
Vespera remained still, but her presence was evident.
The king analyzed each of them.
"You do not seem driven by desperation."
"We are not."
I answered.
"We are preparing."
The king made a slight gesture with his hand.
"The audience is concluded for today."
He added:
"While you await the decision, you are guests of the kingdom."
I inclined my head.
"Thank you."
We turned and walked toward the doors.
As soon as we crossed the outer corridor, the air seemed lighter.
Rai'kanna released a brief sigh.
"He is direct."
"Yes."
Lyannis commented:
"The council is divided."
Elara analyzed:
"But it was not a rejection."
Vespera concluded:
"Now the real test begins."
Liriel looked at me.
"You were clear."
"I had to be."
As we walked back to the diplomatic wing, I realized something important.
The king did not treat us as ambitious adventurers.
He treated us as a strategic variable.
And that is already progress.
Now it remains to see whether their internal politics will allow reason to overcome attachment.
The stone exists.
But it is not ours yet.
And until it is,
the gamble remains only theory.