Hayato was lying in the bed recovering after the last trial. His limbs were still numb and he was exhausted.

(Voice) - Are you prepared to head into your next trial?

(Hayato) - What will it be this time?

(Voice) - A trial of Deception will test your capabilities in communicating and deceiving other people.

(Hayato) - Deceiving?

(Voice) - Making them believe your lies.

(Hayato) - But why?

(Voice) - This will show us, as much as show you if you are capable of using brute force and words.

(Hayato) - I see.

The door appeared before Hayato.

(Voice) - You may pass once you are ready.

Hayato tried to get out of the bed and fell to the floor. He was not yet fully recovered. His legs would not listen to him.

*Sigh*

*Thinking*

(Hayato) - At least this next trial will not strain my body any further.

After a couple more days Hayato recovered just enough to walk around and went through the door. He arrived in the middle of a city. Vendors and people talking formed another language making it barely understandable for each party. Hayato found a piece of paper in his pocket.

(Hayato) - North? What is in the North?

He slowly made his way to the northern side of the city. When he reached the wall that surrounded the city he noticed something in the wall. It was another paper.

(Hayato) - Outside. That must mean it is outside the walls.

He went looking for the gate and went outside of the city. Walking near the wall he saw something in the distance. It was a girl with a large brown sack near her.

(Hayato) - Hi.

(Girl) - Greetings.

(Hayato) - What is a girl like you doing out here?

(Girl) - I am waiting for something.

(Hayato) - And what is that something if I may ask?

(Girl) - A brave warrior to save my parents from the malicious king.

(Hayato) - Malicious King?

(Girl) - His army invaded our village and kidnapped my parents and other people.

*Sigh*

(Hayato) - Why would he do something like that?

*Sob*

(Girl) - I don't know.

(Hayato) - How can I help you?

The girl opens her sack and searches for something. She pulled up a vial with a strange-colored liquid in it.

(Girl) - Here, take this. It will help you pass through the guards and free my parents.

(Hayato) - What does it do?

(Girl) - Is a sleeping potion.

(Hayato) - Are you sure your parents are in prison?

(Girl) - I don't know where else they would be.

(Hayato) - Can you describe them to me?

(Girl) - Why would you need a description? If there are people imprisoned they are from my village or other villages.

(Hayato) - Fine.

(Girl) - I will wait for you here.

Hayato left towards the city holding the vial. He thought that everything might be a lie and this is what the trial was truly after. But Hayato's heart was too nice to not help someone in need. Before he jumped to any conclusions or actions he gathered some information about the city he was in and about the king.

All the people he asked praised the king and his doings and heard nothing about such assaults on villages. Later that day Hayato went to a tavern and sat at a table alone. Not long after him a couple of guards came in and the air changed. Everyone became silent some people even left while the guards grabbed their drinks.

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(Guard) - Have you heard that there is a girl outside the walls trying to fool people into releasing the prisoners?

(Guard) - Yes, I heard about her, who in their right mind will do such a thing?

Hayato heard them while was playing with the vial on the table. He was not sure whether or not to help the girl or lie to her. Taking into consideration what the guards were talking about Hayato remembered this trial was called Deception. Still, he was not sure if he needed to deceive others or resist being deceived. After a couple more hours the guards left and so did Hayato. The next day Hayato went back to the girl.

(Girl) - You are back already?

(Hayato) - Yes.

(Girl) - Did you free everyone from prison?

(Hayato) - There was no one in the prison.

*Stomp*

(Girl) - Impossible, it is impossible.

(Hayato) - This means you lied to me.

*Angry*

(Girl) - I did not, you were useless. There had to be someone in the prison.

(Hayato) - And who would that be?

(Girl) - My partner.

(Hayato) - Oh... Well, last time you said that your village got attacked, your parents were imprisoned.

*Cough*

(Girl) - Yes.

*Looking up*

(Hayato) - Who are you?

*Sigh*

The girl disappeared and Hayato heard the voice.

(Voice) - Well done. This was one of the challenges. I sent you enough information to make your decision. But the next ones will be harder.

(Hayato) - Next ones?

(Voice) - You are not done yet.

Another door appeared and Hayato went through it. This time he was in a room full of people. It was an event of crowning the next king. Hayato was familiar with this event and it was easy for him to blend in. People were talking ill of the next king and some even talked about assassination. Hayato did not know what to make of it. Some guards spotted Hayato and approached him, despite him blending in, the guards knew most of the people and Hayato was standing out the most.

(Guard) - Come with us.

(Hayato) - Why?

*Whisper*

(Guard) - Trust me, it's better this way.

Hayato followed the guard into a remote room.

(Guard) - I bet you already heard the people displeased with the new king so am I.

(Hayato) - Yes, I did, but I have no idea why.

(Guard) - I see, you are not from around here. This king was rumored to have poisoned the previous heir to the throne and with all the ruckus about it, he climbed to be the next king.

(Hayato) - I can see why everyone is displeased.

(Guard) - I have not yet pledged my faith to him nor the other guards.

(Hayato) - And yet you are still here for him.

(Guard) - Yes, most of us including me are here out of respect for the previous king.

(Hayato) - What about the assassination?

(Guard) - I heard some of my comrades are plotting something, but I am not sure.

(Hayato) - Is there any way that the rumors are wrong? And that the next king did not poison the heir?

(Guard) - Yes, there is, but it will be hard to convince such a large crowd or even the kingdom.

(Hayato) - Was there any proof that the heir was poisoned?

(Guard) - Yes, there were spots on the plate and the coup he drank from.

(Hayato) - May I suggest a thought?

(Guard) - Go ahead.

(Hayato) - What if the ones that want to assassinate this ling are the ones that poisoned the previous heir?

(Guard) - That is indeed an interesting thought, but it is not likely. The previous heir was loved by everyone.

(Hayato) - Where I am coming from things like this are common, one kills the other until they win.

(Guard) - So you say that the ones plotting to kill this king are the ones who killed the previous heir?

(Hayato) - Exactly.

(Guard) - And what do you suggest we do?

(Hayato) - Is there any way I can get close to the king?

(Guard) - Only if his guards allow it, why?

(Hayato) - I want to get rid of him and see who else claims the throne. This way the assassins might come to light.

(Guard) - That is an interesting idea, I will get you as far as possible.

They went to the king's chamber and they stopped in the hallway.

(Guard) - This is as far as I can get you.

(Hayato) - Thanks.

Hayato approached the other guards stationed in front of the door.

(Guards) - You are not allowed in here.

(Hayato) - I came with the news.

(Guards) - What news?

(Hayato) - The assassination of the king.

(Guards) - That is not possible.

(Hayato) - I heard two people talking about it, they planned to shoot him with arrows.

(Guards) - Who?

Hayato took the guards on the balcony and pointed in the furthest direction from the hallway.

(Hayato) - Them.

The guards left the king's chambers and Hayato made his move. He entered the king's chambers and told him about the plotting. The king was surprised and listened to Hayato's words. Hayato finished telling the king about his plan and the king pretended to feel ill. When the ceremony started the king fell to his knees and pretended to be dead.

The guards took him to a safe place where he woke up and told them about the plan. When the guards came back they announced the king was dead. As soon as the people heard the news one of them went onto the balcony and claimed the crown. Everyone watched in disbelief as the ceremony ended with someone from the crowd crowned.

(Felix) - Finally, now I am king.

Some people from the crowd were exclaiming and yelling. The other people were confused about what happened. Hayato and some of the guards approached them carefully and took them out.

(Felix) - Bow before me, peasants.

*Step*

*Step*

(Felix) - After so much work I am king.

The king came behind him.

(King) - And who are you to claim the crown?

People were shocked to see the king standing next to the self-proclaimed one. Felix turned towards the king with a pale face and was tapping the hilt of the sword.

(Felix) - How are you still alive?

(King) - Thanks to this young fellow.

Hayato came from behind taking out Felix's sword and throwing it away.

(Hayato) - You were behind the assassinations.

(Felix) - So what? I did what had to be done.

(Hayato) - That is not how you claim a crown, not while your kingdom is in peace and harmony. You don't need to throw it into war and chaos because of your greed.

The people supported Hayato's words and Felix ran away. But he did not get far because the guards took him to his friends.

(King) - Thank you for helping me.

The king bowed before Hayato and so did the people. And then they all vanished in a thick mist.

(Voice) - Interesting choice you made, helping the king and deceiving everyone into thinking he is dead. Well done. This is more than I needed. You may proceed to your next trial.

(Hayato) - Thank you.