"For a truly powerful kingdom, a truly powerful ruler is needed. In the past, hereditary selection has been used to continue the royal bloodline. Logical as this may be, it cannot be fully explained as to why the first sibling is the ultimate inheritor to the throne… this brews conflict. " - Kingdoms of the Past

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Returning from his construction job, Ern stepped into his home, which also served as an inn. The wooden floor squeaked as he stepped inside.

“I’m home!”

“Ah, Ern! Welcome back.”

His mother stood in front of the fireplace tending the flames with her mana-crystal, while his sister Eris stood next to her cooking the food for the inn’s guests. A sweet aroma filled the air, causing Ern’s stomach to growl.

“Are you hungry? Come give me a hand, I’ll go call our guests over.”

Ern’s mother picked up her shawl, wrapping it around her shoulders as she scampered towards the guests’ rooms located in the back of the cabin.

“Here brother,” Eris said, picking up a tray of  vegetables and adding to it various selections of meat from the stick that was laid across the fire, handing them to Ern to be placed on the guest’s plates.  

Ern turned towards a small wooden shrine, located on top of the kitchen table, next to the flame. There, using his mana crystal, Ern lit the small oil candle placed next to a picture of an old man, and with his fist to his chest, he closed his eyes.

I’m sorry dad... If I was half as great as you said I would be, I would’ve at least been able to light the incense without any mana crystals.”

Ern knew that he couldn’t hold a candle to his father’s great achievements; Relgon, Ern’s father, was known as the Holy Magic Knight, a title given to him by the king himself. As he finished praying, Ern dropped his arms and took to cleaning up the kitchen.

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The sound of footsteps became louder as the two guests approached the dining table. As the inn itself was small, the guests were treated similar to family and everyone gathered at the center of the room.  

“...eh? Want to come stay with me in my room, Alia? ”

“Don’t let me out of the fun, haha!”

The two men laughed heartily as Ern’s mother uncomfortably smiled, and waved her hands signaling her denial.

Ern’s mother gestured towards the table, and everyone sat down to eat.

Many men had taken a liking to Ern’s mother, as time did not seem to affect her beauty. In fact, Alia was probably the reason as to why the two guests decided to stay for so long.

The man’s vulgar words couldn’t be restricted, seeing as a destitute inn couldn’t afford to let their customers leave. Ern grimaced, and tightened his fists, while Eris lightly placed her hand over her brother’s to calm him down.

The one sitting across from Ern was called Kedd, and the one sitting across from Ern’s mother was Klip. Both were commonly known in the Ulgard kingdom as troublemakers, and were shunned in places like the adventurer’s guild. Occasionally the two would even have bounties on their heads.

Ern knew it was just a question of time until trouble would brew in the inn. Surprisingly, it had already been around 5 days since the two had come to the inn, and so far, there hadn’t been any trouble or damage.

Dinner finished, and everyone headed back to their  rooms. Suddenly, a knock was heard on the cabin doors.

“Hello, this is the royal guard. Knight Vern, calling for Mr. Ern.”

The knight’s deep voice echoed throughout the home.

“Shut up assholes!!” Klip retorted.

Ern opened the door, and Vern laughed, “The troublemakers making trouble again?”

“Of course… So, what’s the matter? For you to come to my house to call me...”

“Can’t a friend stop by to say hello?”

Both Ern and his sister Eris loved spending time with him since they were little. As Ern’s father was especially close to Vern, they were able to see him often.

“It’s already midnight, Sir Vern.”

“Such a poor sport. Youngsters like you should smile once in awhile, smile,” Vern joked.

Ern sighed, “Just tell me what you’re here for so I can sleep.”

“Well. It seems the royals have made their move. ”

Ern winced at Vern’s words.

Vern furrowed his eyebrows, and explained, “They’re enlisting tomorrow. You need to make your choice now. Seeing as you’re sister isn’t of age, she will be fine.”

“I see...”

Ern was left swimming in his thoughts after they exchanged pained faces at this unfortunate news.  

Vern left, leaving Ern to walk towards his room, careful not to wake the guests.

A shrill scream enveloped the air... “KYAHHHHHH!”

Ern dashed towards the direction of the scream, sounding from inside Kedd and Klip’s room.