“But what if all this is merely a manipulation on his part to sow discord among us?” he challenged, his voice heavy with suspicion. “Recall the confusion and fear we experienced when he first arrived. We cannot afford to let our guard down.”

His words ignited a wave of murmurs and whispers, doubt creeping into the hearts of some council members. The room was filled with a palpable tension as the council members debated, caught between the hope Yoshi had ignited and the fears voiced by their colleague.

Lyra sensed the shifting mood and stepped in, her voice calm and commanding. “We must balance caution with openness. If Joseph truly possesses the powers and capabilities we’ve heard about, he may be our greatest asset—or our most dangerous threat. We must not allow fear to overshadow reason.”

As Lyra's words resonated through the gathering, the room fell into a thoughtful silence. She had spoken from the heart, her own experiences lending weight to her argument.

“Long before I became who I am today, I faced numerous challenges in my life,” she began, her voice steady yet filled with emotion. “All of those experiences led me to this very moment, shaping me into the person I stand before you as now. We all have our past errors, judgments, and trials. No one is perfect; thus, no one should be isolated for their imperfections.”

Her gaze swept over the council members, many of whom looked introspective. “Joseph is no different from us. We should treat him the way we ought to be treated ourselves. A great war is coming, one that will test our resolve, and we all know this. Despite the divisions among the four lands, we have one thing in common: the impending conflict.”

Lyra’s words hung heavily in the air, recalling the shared history of their ancestors. “We should not judge a book by its cover,” she concluded, taking her seat.

King Yusuke nodded thoughtfully, weighing the words of his trusted advisor. “Perhaps a council should be formed to engage with Joseph directly. Let us learn more about him, about his intentions, and his capabilities. We will invite him to participate in the council discussions, ensuring he understands our customs and values.”

“Furthermore,” Queen Naomi added, “we can closely monitor his interactions with our people, allowing us to gauge his true nature. If he truly wishes to ally himself with us, he will need to prove it.”

The gathering remained tense, but the leaders' proposal offered a sense of direction. A new plan began to take shape, blending cautious observation with the possibility of collaboration, as they sought to determine the true nature of the one who had become a focal point in their kingdom’s fate.

With the stakes higher than ever, the council began to devise a strategy, knowing the very fate of their kingdom hung in the balance.

The room remained quiet, each member processing the weight of each testimony. Afterward, King Yusuke and Queen Naomi rose to address the gathering, wrapping up the discussions and reinforcing the importance of unity in the face of adversity before everyone departed.

Once the council members filtered out, Yoshito, Yoshi, and Lyra remained behind, eager to hear what the King and Queen had to say.

“How are the guests?” Queen Naomi asked, her voice breaking the lingering tension in the room.

“They’re safe, Mother, unaware of the attack we encountered,” Yoshi replied, the worry evident in his tone.

“Good! We can’t afford to jeopardize their hopes in us; they all look up to us,” she said firmly.

“We will leave the kingdom in a few minutes for the supreme council meeting,” King Yusuke added. “I believe you all know what to do when we leave. The kingdom rests in your hands.”

“Yes, Father!” Yoshito exclaimed, while Yoshi and Lyra nodded in agreement, a silent acknowledgment of their responsibilities.

“Yoshi, when will you look into the matter brought up by our guest?” Queen Naomi inquired, her brow furrowing slightly with concern.

“In three days, we’ll leave as soon as we gather what is necessary,” Yoshi assured her, determination in his voice.

“Alright. Fair enough; we need to address this issue as quickly as possible,” Queen Naomi replied, her expression softening. With that, she and King Yusuke departed, leaving the three young leaders with a sense of urgency and responsibility.

As the doors closed behind the royal couple, Yoshito turned to Yoshi and Lyra. “We need to prepare ourselves and our people for what lies ahead. We must unite against the threats we face, both from within and outside our kingdom.”

Yoshi nodded, his expression serious. “Lyra, your words today carried great weight. We need your insight as we work to forge alliances and ensure our people are ready for the challenges to come.”

“I will do everything in my power to support you both,” Lyra replied, her resolve firm. “We have much to discuss and prepare for.”

Together, the three began to outline their next steps, strategizing how to unify their kingdom and navigate the looming dangers while fostering a bond with Joseph—a bond that might prove essential in the war to come.

***

As the kingdom and city underwent repairs, with the injured receiving treatment and the deceased being laid to rest, Yoshi decided to visit Joseph's chamber, which had been thoroughly cleansed following the recent incident.

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As Yoshi stepped into Joseph's chamber, the atmosphere felt lighter, a stark contrast to the chaos that had recently unfolded outside. The room was tidy, the remnants of the attack cleaned away, and sunlight filtered in through the windows, casting a warm glow.

“How are you doing, Joseph?” Yoshi asked, his tone genuine as he took in the sight of the young man who had faced death and emerged victorious.

“Alive, I guess!” Joseph replied, a smile breaking across his face, a testament to his resilient spirit.

Yoshi felt a swell of gratitude for Joseph, recalling the heroic acts that had saved lives. “I heard all about it, and thank you for saving lives today.”

Joseph nodded slightly, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. “So, what brings you here?”

“I come bearing good news to you, JBC,” Yoshi said, a grin spreading across his face.

“Well! Spit it out; I’m dying to know,” Joseph urged, leaning forward, his excitement palpable.

But Yoshi needed to confirm something first. “I need to know I can trust you.”

"Absolutely! Haven't I demonstrated that time and again?" Joseph responded with a playful smirk.

“Very well then, since we’re on the same terms,” Yoshi acknowledged, his demeanor shifting slightly.

“You’ve been granted your freedom,” Yoshi announced, the words hanging in the air as Joseph's excitement bubbled over.

“But!” Yoshi added, his tone serious, which caused Joseph's joy to falter.

“Really! There’s a ‘but’ now?” Joseph responded, a mix of anticipation and disappointment creeping into his voice.

“Yes, and it’s under jurisdiction,” Yoshi explained. “Under no circumstances shall you disdain our laws, Joseph Benjamin Carmen.”

“Yeah, yeah! Whatever you say,” Joseph replied nonchalantly, waving a hand dismissively.

Yoshi raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing on his lips. Sensing the moment was right, he snapped his fingers, and with that gesture, the Rada'Han collar around Joseph’s neck fell to the ground with a clatter, its weight and restrictions finally lifted.

Joseph’s eyes widened as he felt the collar’s absence, a mix of disbelief and excitement coursing through him. He stepped out of his chamber, fixing Yoshi with a fierce gaze, and the guards stationed nearby immediately went on alert, weapons at the ready, prepared for any potential threat.

With a cryptic smile spreading across his lips, Joseph clenched his fists, his instincts telling him to assert himself. Yet, Yoshi stood unfazed, a calm presence amidst the tension.

Just then, Joseph reacted with unexpected warmth, extending his arms for an embrace. The guards instinctively tensed, ready to intervene, but they hesitated, confusion etched on their faces as they realized it was merely a hug.

Yoshi was taken aback but found himself relaxing into the embrace, his apprehension fading. Joseph’s warmth enveloped him, a gesture of camaraderie that caught both men off guard. The guards lowered their weapons, exchanging bewildered glances, unsure of how to respond to this sudden display of trust.

“Welcome to your new freedom,” Yoshi whispered, stepping back to look Joseph in the eye. “We’re going to need you in the days to come.”

Joseph nodded, the weight of his circumstances lifting slightly. “I won’t let you down. Just tell me what you need me to do.”

Yoshi smiled, sensing the potential in Joseph. “For now, let’s start by building trust among us. There’s much to discuss, and I believe you’ll find your place here if you give it a chance.”

The guards relaxed further, sensing the tension in the room dissipating as Joseph and Yoshi began to converse, sharing thoughts about the challenges ahead and the unity they would need to face the impending war. The bond between them, forged in the crucible of conflict, promised to become a beacon of hope for their kingdom in the days to come.

After their embrace, Joseph was eager to explore the kingdom, and Yoshi was more than happy to show him around. As they walked down the grand hallway, Yoshi began pointing out significant areas of the castle. They soon found themselves near the staff kitchen, where Joseph’s gaze was drawn to a familiar face—the maiden who usually brought him food in his chamber. She was as beautiful as ever, and their eyes met in a brief exchange of smiles and waves.

While Joseph was admiring her, Yoshi instructed a few guards to spread the word that Joseph was no longer to be restricted or interrupted in his movements. The guards nodded in acknowledgment. Meanwhile, the maiden, noticing Joseph’s gaze, approached him with a warm, knowing smile. Without a word, she took his hand and gently guided him to a secluded corner, completely unnoticed by Yoshi.

Joseph's heart raced as the maiden led him away. Once they reached their secret spot, she stood close to him, her body pressing slightly against his, her gaze intense and seductive. His mind was spinning, struggling to grasp the reality of the moment.

"Could this really be happening?" Joseph thought. "Is this what I think it is? Oh God, I hope it is!"

"Oh, Joseph," she said softly, her voice dripping with affection. "I never had the chance to properly thank you for saving my life... and that of the knights. I wanted to use this moment to express my gratitude."

She placed her soft hand on his chest, feeling the rapid beating of his heart beneath her palm. Her smile widened, playful and teasing.

"Not a scar left after what you went through," she said, tracing her fingers over his chest. "I hope you're not feeling nervous, Mister Joseph," she added, her eyes gleaming with desire.

Joseph was taken aback, his thoughts racing. "She knows my name?"

"You know who I am?" he asked, still surprised.

"Of course," she replied with a smirk. "Word travels fast in the kingdom."

"You seem bolder than I imagined. I thought you were the shy type," Joseph joked, trying to regain his composure.

He attempted to ask for her name, but she gently silenced him with a finger to his lips, teasing him further with soft kisses along his neck. Unable to resist, Joseph wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, tongues entwining with desire. Without thinking, Joseph lifted her, pressing her back against the wall. She locked her legs around his waist, and the intensity between them grew as they kissed feverishly.

With a hunger they couldn't contain, they began tearing at each other’s clothes. The maiden’s bra slipped to expose her left breast, and Joseph wasted no time, his lips eagerly finding her nipple. He sucked, gently biting and teasing her with his tongue, drawing soft moans from her lips. She gripped his hair tightly, holding him close as he continued to devour her breast.

Joseph's other hand ventured lower, slipping into her underwear. His fingers teased her, and soon he was pleasuring her, feeling the growing wetness between her legs. The maiden moaned softly, her body trembling under his touch.

Before long, she took control, pushing Joseph back against the wall. Kneeling before him, she undid his pants and grasped his throbbing manhood. Her mouth enveloped him, and she sucked with a passion that sent waves of pleasure through Joseph’s body. He moaned, unable to contain himself as she expertly teased him to the brink. Moments later, he exploded, releasing himself into her mouth. She swallowed every drop, smiling up at him as she did.

Joseph's head spun, a whispered thought escaping his lips. "Damn... if only my variant with Potiphar’s wife had this kind of success—what a double score that would've been."

Just then, a voice called out softly, pulling him from his reverie.

"Joseph... Joseph... Joseph!"

With a sudden jolt, Joseph snapped back to reality. He blinked, looking over to find Yoshi calling for him to continue their tour of the kingdom. Joseph sighed, shaking his head at his wild imagination. It had all been a vivid fantasy—a daydream brought to life in his mind.