Theo walked down the hallway, limping to be precise. The wound on his thigh has not yet healed and will take a week or two for it to heal. Beside him was Sir Arslan, the head of the Royal Guard, the acting leader of the ruling council, and the King personal guard. He said that he was the king personal guard in name only because the king never needed any guard.

They both were heading to the king personal chamber. Theo excitement was through the roof, but years of practice to look nice and normal has many benefits. He was able to contain his excitement, to an extent. "So you are the son of Theo Gladium?" Sir Arslan asked.

"Yes. And before you ask, yes, I have the same name as my father." He was so used to that question. He ended up answering before he was even asked.

Sir Arslan laughed. "I can't believe that man survived the suicide mission. As far as I know, no one survived that mission. I did hear some rumor, but most of them are just that, a rumor. So how did he finally rest?"

"Just like he lived, in his own way, on his own term. That reminded me, Sir, my father always told me stories about you. Did you work together during the great war?"

"For a time. We met when the first demon army came to Amaryn. He was sent by the church of Ketu as an envoy. An amazing one at the battlefield. The way he showered the demon army with miracle and lightning bolt was like no other."

"But he said that you are the star of the battlefield, Sir. The way your blade cut through the rank of demons without any resistance was mesmerizing. Also, that slap you gave my father during your duel with him. He could still felt it on his cheek when he told me."

Sir Arslan laughed. "Hahaha! Ah yes, that duel, that was a fine backhand slap I gave him. Your father was really good at being humble, I'm nothing but a simple swordsman."

"The best, Sir."

"I might be, during my prime. But I'm well past my prime now. My age has not been nice to me, and there are many young swordsmen who are going to exceed me in a few years, including you." He complimented him. It was the first time Theo's heart flutter from a man's word.

"In a few years? And I thought you are trying to be humble Sir." They both laughed. "I always wondered Sir, how my father looked like before the war?"

There was a curious look on Sir Arslan face. "What happened to your father after the war?"

"I heard some stories about him, how honorable he was. How he was a person of great moral. A man of principle. But The father I know is very much different than those stories. He abandoned his faith and started to believe in some random god. He was a man depraved of moral. He was still a very principled man, but his principle is very twisted."

"Well, I wouldn't blame him, after what happened during the war. I stayed here in Amaryn and I saw horrors that haunted me years after. I don't know what he saw in the demon realm, but that must have changed him."

They arrived at the King's chamber. There was nothing special about it from the outside. With the exception that there was no guard in sight.

"Theo. Let me tell you something first. The King is..... rather strange these past few years."

"I know Sir, Emilia told me about the King's curse."

"Well, it is good if you know, but still. How do I tell you this, the King is.... a very nihilistic man. I apologize in advance if the King made you depressed by his idea and thought."

"It's fine Sir."

Sir Arslan knocked on the door. "Your Grace, Sir Theo is here."

"Let him in." A deep voice unlike the one Theo heard during his ceremony answered him from inside.

--------

A pair of eye stared into the distance, into the cloud that blocked the setting sun. The glimmer in his eyes had been lost for many years. The undying, unbroken spirit he had when he was a soldier could not be found anymore.

His sight was still excellent, however. Even from his chamber up above, he could see children playing in the street of his city, merchant trading goods. Even past the towering wall, he could see farmers sitting on the porch of their home after a long day of work. A smile could be seen on his people face, but the same smile hasn't been on his face for years.

His throat dry and his hair smelled foul. He hasn't eaten in days, he barely drinks, and he hasn't taken a bath for god know how long. Yet he felt no hunger, no thirst, no disgust, no discomfort. The bed in his room untouched, never used for anything. He never slept or lay down on it. No one ever lay on it. The comfort of women and the pleasure of flesh no longer pleased him. The joy of having a family no longer within him.

Bottle of wine and various alcohol lined on the table. He found that even they couldn't help him regain it, something that he lost many many years ago.

The death of his wife in the past didn't sadden him, the kidnapping of his daughter didn't worry him, and her return didn't bring him any joy. He knew about his first daughter plan of taking over and it didn't make him mad. He felt nothing, nothing at all.

"Your grace, Sir Theo is here." Sir Arslan said from outside the door.

"Let him in!" He said. He turned from the window to face the door.

When Theo entered the room, what he saw was a decrepit old man. In the throne room before, he was at least wore a proper clothing, but now, there was truly no sign of dignity.

"You call me your grace?" He asked.

"Yes. Don't speak so formally with me, it's obvious that you're not fond of doing it." His voice was devoid of any emotion. to the point of it being creepy.

"Okay." He answered quickly, already dropping his manner.

"You're a brash man aren't you? Most people would still keep some respect when speaking to the King."

"You told me to speak normally, and here I am"

"When and where were you born?"

"I was born somewhere in Nippon. Twenty-three years ago."

"Your father and mother?"

"Father is Theo Gladium, and mother is Akimoto Ryo. They never marry so I'm a bastard. And before you ask yes, my name is the same as my father."

"You have a successful life despite being a bastard."

"One of the good thing being a commoner with no family name, nobody cares if you're a bastard, unlike a nobility."

The King smiled, slightly, but still smiled, for the first time in many years. King Alonon stroke his dirty beard. "Theo Gladium and Ryo akimoto..hmmm.. so that's why you're familiar. Your father, is he a paladin and is your mother a kunoichi?"

"Yes. You know them?"

"They work under me during the great war." He turned to the window again. "You're dismissed."

"Then I take my leave." Theo left without even giving the King a bow. Theo was a bit confused to why the King called him there. His question didn't even give a hint of what the King true intention was.

The King stared for a long time at the setting sun. There was nothing in his eyes. "So he's Aki's child. Maybe he could...." He looked his hand that was still strong even after not eating for days. "No....It doesn't matter. Nothing matter."

"So you've returned. Oh, noble hero, savior of the princess." Lyana said in a mocking manner as Theo entered the room. She was lying on the bed reading a book. There was a huge stack of book on the table next to her bed.

"Envious?" He asked.

"If you define boredom and anger as envy, then yes I'm Envious." She replied then continue reading the book in her hand.

"So what did you two do when I was gone?" he asked. "And how much money I gave you is left?"

"Zero. We spent it all since you were not here." Lyana answered.

"What?" He couldn't believe it. "That was 100 gold coin! and you spent it in like, what, Four days."

Lyana slammed the book she held. "It's your fault for leaving us like that!"

Theo sighed. "Okay, I'm sorry. It was my fault for not telling you everything." Theo looked at Vivi who was sitting on his bed facing away from him. "Vivi, you didn't mind control Lyana right?" There was no answer from her. "Lyana, what happened to her?" He asked.

"Oh, I don't know." She knew.

Theo approached Vivi, but she turned so that he couldn't look at her face. Theo smiled and tackled Vivi to the bed. He then kissed her, but instead of being replied by a kiss, he was met with a good cold slap on his right cheek.

"Ohohoho. that's a nice slap there."

"Humph!" Vivi pouted. Theo could believe how cute she was when she was pouting. He really wanted to do her at the moment, but doing that wouldn't fix her mood. Theo kissed her on the cheek.

"I. Am. Sorry. And I will make amend. I will give you my best tonight until you are completely satisfied. how about that?"

Vivi couldn't hold her pouting expression and it turned to a smile. "Maybe I will forgive you. If you are good enough that is."

Lyana pulled Vivi and separated the two. "NO! I won't be able to sleep tonight. You lover should rent another room for that!" She yelled. "Also Vivi, I thought that we already agree to this. We're not going to give in to his demand."

Vivi giggled. "Sorry, Lyana." She rubbed Theo's cheek. "But I can't resist him." She then grabbed his crotch. "And I can't resist the big guy here."

"Why not just join us?" He asked.

"LIKE HELL I WOULD!" She coughed and regain her composure. "Anyway, what's our plan right now? I believe saving the princess and getting a medal changed something."

"Yes. But first, let me tell you something." Theo sat on the bed with Vivi next to him. He told them everything that happened and about the succession war. "Our long plan still doesn't change, during the turning of the season, we're going to the eternal city. I believe there's enough time to wrap things up here."

"You expect to solve a succession war in a month?" Vivi asked unsure if she heard him right.

"Solve? No, that would take years, but I have a plan to make sure that neither princesses killed each other while we're away from here. But that is for later. For now, I have something to give both of you, as an apology for leaving you two here." Theo took out three magically carved wood from his pouch. "There's a show tonight in the city theater. It's a quite famous folklore in Amaryn Kingdom, good for both of you to know more about the culture of this kingdom."

Lyana and Vivi took the carved wood from his hand. "Thank you Theo-Sama!"

"Whether I accept your apology depend on how good the show is." Said Lyana as she examined the wooden carving. It was a normal block of wood with a carving of stone and glass. There's a small trace of unique magic on it to make sure that most people can't fake the ticket.

Theo laughed. "Don't worry it's good, and even if you don't like it I'll bring both of you to a good place to eat. You'll forgive me, just see."

"I want another room just for myself. Only then I will forgive you." Lyana said.

"Also, you didn't make any trouble did you?" Theo asked both Lyana and Vivi.

"Nope." Said Lyana quick.

"Actually..." Vivi said. But before she could complete her sentence, Lyana interjected. "VIVI! I thought we agree to not tell him."

"Vivi, tell me. That's an order."

"Yesterday when we went to the public library, Lyana was teased by a man. Judging from his look, he's a noble. We ignored him at first, but he was overconfident and grabbed Lyana's hand. So she punched him in the face. He ran away while crying and said that we will pay for it."

Theo stood up. "You what?"

"He's lucky I didn't kill him there. He's disgusting." Said Lyana.

"Well, thabks for not killing him. Do you know that hitting a noble is a criminal act for a commoner?"

"What? what kind of law is that? that's ridiculous!" Lyana said.

"A corrupt feudal law. Ever heard of it?" Theo massaged his head and sighed. "If this was Aeston, I could talk with...This is not Aeston. Forget it. You will get your own room Lyana but if someone knocks on your door, let me handle it."