Conan gets up from his bed and begins to get dressed. Taking his sword, he steps outside. After greeting Victor, they begin to move.
Celaria Royal Palace...
Elena prepares with Laura's help. She puts on an eye-pleasing royal dress. Looking at Laura, she speaks,"Laura, today I will speak with my father in detail."
Laura,"Your Highness, surely you will not tell him about the incidents that happened yesterday."
Elena,"No, Laura. But I cannot remain silent about what I witnessed yesterday. The people in the center of the kingdom are being subjected to such injustices. And we simply turn a blind eye to it."
Laura,"I understand you, Your Highness. But still, understand that it is impossible to change thousand-year-old laws in a single moment."
Elena,"I know. Even if I do not have the authority to change the laws, I believe I can bring as much justice as possible to the people."
After saying these words, Elena walks toward the throne room accompanied by Laura.
At that moment, in the throne room, King Fernand, with white hair, a short white beard, and an intimidating face, was sitting on his throne. Luis and Lorand stood before him.
King Fernand looks at Lorand,"How are the trainings of our hero candidates progressing?"
Lorand bows respectfully,"Everything is going very well and as you wished. But first, we are giving our hero sword training. If he masters swordsmanship, with the legendary profession he will achieve very good results."
Fernand,"Do not trouble our hero too much, Lorand. Be gentle with him."
Lorand,"As you command, my king."
Luis,"Thank you for thinking of me, my king."
Fernand,"Of course. Thinking of you is equal to thinking about the future of the entire kingdom, hero."
At that moment, Elena asks permission and enters the throne room. For a brief moment, King Fernand's intimidating face turns into that of a gentle angel. He rises from his throne.
Fernand,"My angel, how nice that you came to see your old father."
In this world, the only one Fernand loved and the only being he cherished more than his own life was his daughter Elena.
Elena respectfully bows and greets the king. Lorand and Luis also greet the princess.
Elena begins to speak with a pleasant smile."Mighty king, there are some matters I wish to inform you about."
Fernand sits on his throne. With a serious look,"My angel, tell me, what do you wish to inform me about?"
Elena,"My king, I will not go around the subject and will come directly to the point. For some time, I have been investigating the back alleys."
At that moment, everyone present in the room takes on a serious expression and looks at one another.
Fernand,"What do you mean you are investigating the back alleys? That means you went there yourself."
Elena,"No, father. But I sent people and conducted observations."
Lorand asks permission and joins the matter,"Your Highness, this matter concerns my army and we are taking all necessary measures. There is no need for you to involve yourself in such exhausting matters."
Elena,"This matter is also my concern. I am the princess of this kingdom. Not a decoration of the palace!"
Fernand looks deeply at Elena,"Alright then, tell me, what did your observations tell you?"
Elena,"The majority of the people living in the back streets are those without a profession. This creates problems for them in working elsewhere. The kingdom has always valued those with professions. Those people resort to various methods to survive. The most common of these are robbery, begging, and similar acts."
Fernand strokes his beard with his right hand and thinks. Looking at Elena,"Now what is your opinion?"
Elena,"In my opinion, the kingdom is being unjust to those without professions. And that leads them to seek their own justice."
Lorand,"Your Highness, forgive me, but these rules have continued for thousands of years and our kingdom has always remained standing. We cannot risk the fate of the kingdom by changing our laws because of one or two robbers."
Fernand,"Lorand is right. Even if we apply justice for them, there are many who have made robbery and banditry their profession. They would take advantage of it."
Elena tensely,"But father, there are innocent people there as well. What will happen to their fates? And what about the futures of the little children?"
Fernand,"My angel, I know how pure your heart is. But what can be done? Do not worry, we are doing what we can."
At that moment, Luis cunningly observes the topic and directly joins the conversation to win the princess's favor.
"Then as the hero of this country, I will take upon myself the duty of restoring justice in those streets."
Elena,"Will you truly do this, hero? On behalf of all the people, I am grateful to you."
Fernand,"I appreciate your courage, hero, but the kingdom will handle this matter. Do not neglect your training. You are being raised to prevent future threats."
Lorand,"His Majesty is absolutely right, hero. Focus on your training."
Luis thinks inwardly,"Damn it, I wanted to escape from these foolish trainings. But it did not work. At least I managed to enter the princess's heart. I must continue like this and secure my place in the kingdom. Elena… do not worry, pure-hearted angel. I will soothe your heart."
Fernand,"Then Lorand, at the same time strengthen the investigation in the back streets. Search for the truly needy people and help them. At least let my angel's heart be at ease."
He looks at Elena.
Elena half-disappointed,"Thank you for listening to me, father."
Elena asks permission and leaves. In the corridor, followed by Laura, she begins walking toward her room.
At that moment, Luis's voice is heard from behind."Your Highness, may I?"
Elena stops and turns back."Please, hero, what did you wish to say?"
Luis,"I truly wished to help you, but forgive me. It is not in my hands."
Elena smiles gently,"It is not your fault, hero. So do not be disappointed."
Luis,"The only reason for my disappointment is that I could not fulfill the wish of a beautiful lady. As a hero, pleasing the princess's heart is an honor for me."
Elena,"I understand. But first, do not neglect your training. Then you will grow as a hero. That alone is enough to please my heart."
At that moment, Rose sees them approaching and comes closer. She respectfully bows and greets Elena. Then looking at Luis,"Luis my love, the others are waiting for you. Where have you been?"
Luis,"I was discussing an important matter with the princess, Rose."
Elena,"Our conversation has already concluded. You may go and focus on your training comfortably."
Elena finishes her words and walks toward her room with Laura.
Rose,"Were you discussing something serious with the princess, my love?"
Luis,"Do not mind it."
He walks toward the training arena without paying attention to Rose. Rose follows behind him with sarcastic looks.
Back alleys… Ardin's house…
Ten days have passed since the incidents. Conan and Victor are spending the last day of their punishment. This meant their final training with Ardin.
In Ardin's house, in the training hall, both Conan and Victor were standing in balance, drenched in sweat, holding large tree logs on their shoulders.
Suddenly, the log slips from Conan's hands and falls to the ground. Conan stands up angrily.
"This is completely nonsense!"
Ardin,"What happened, young one? Has your patience and endurance broken?"
Conan angrily,"We came here to learn combat. But you are teaching us defense like a tank. The students in the other hall receive more combat training than us. We either carry sacks, do push-ups with heavy weights, or carry logs on our shoulders."
Ardin,"What is it? Are you dissatisfied with the training? You asked for this yourselves."
Conan,"Yes, we asked for it. But we thought we would learn combat, not carry loads! Today is the last day of our training, yet we have done nothing but heavy labor."
Ardin,"So that is the reason for your objection. Then take your sword and step into the arena."
Victor tries to intervene,"Master, Conan is just a bit tense—"
Conan cuts him off,"At last, the time for real combat has come."
Ardin takes his great sword and steps into the arena."If you can bring my knees to the ground, I will personally ask Lorand for permission for you and teach you real combat!"
Conan agrees and approaches the center with his sword. With Victor's signal, the battle begins.
Without seriously using his sword, Ardin delivers simple strikes to Conan. Each time, Conan hits the ground.
Badly bruised and with no strength left, Conan plants his sword into the ground, one knee on the floor, and looks at Ardin who sees him as small.
Ardin shouts mockingly,"What happened? What can you do better than this? Is the best thing you can do bow before others or lose!?"
"You spoke very arrogantly. What happened? Is this all you can do, Conan!?"
In his exhausted state, Conan looks at Ardin and at that moment hears Kaelhor's voice.
"Human, if you wish I can give you my current power completely. But I will fall silent for a while. Even a little of it is enough to defeat this old man."
Conan,"I accept. I no longer want to be crushed!"