Over fifteen thousand soldiers lined up in front of Jekis under the leadership of Uznu Ururu. Occasionally, a group of soldiers would chant Armad's name in a bid to get him handed over.

"Armad, do you dare come out?"

"Bring Armad out. He's guilty."

"Armad!"

"Armad!!"

When the army spoke, the ground trembled and the walls shook.

Meanwhile, the Sisiyan army led by Damjinu Djinn had set out to confront the soldiers seeking Armad.

And in a nearby market, Armad walked with Ilias, Inara, and Spoon. The nearby people gossiped about them. Some courageous ones even pointed at them. By now, many people were familiar with Armad's and his companions' faces. Someone used to say 'if you want to get popular, then get a bounty'. Besides a bounty, Armad had participated in the Walking Day so everyone had seen his face.

Gradually, Armad began to make what they were saying about him.

"It's him."

"He's boasting with his friends despite the situation."

"They bring this upon us."

"They should go out and fight. Why does it have to be our children?"

These words startled Ilias. He grabbed a nearby man and said, "I don't like hypocrites. Weren't you throwing flowers and praying for us just yesterday?"

The man trembled in fear. He tried to escape Ilias' grip but to no avail. The others fell silent and quickly distanced themselves from them.

"He's not worth it. Let's go," Armad said. He turned around and left. Ilias flashed a wicked grin at the man and then let him go.

Half an hour later.

Armad and his friends caught up with the soldiers being led by Damjinu just as the latter were about to leave the city gates.

Damjinu ordered them to stop. He looked at Armad in amazement. Someone must have disobeyed the King's orders by informing Armad. And that someone was obvious... He scrutinized the group and soon his eyes fell on Ilias. He sighed softly and shook his head.

"We don't need you here, groom."

Armad looked at Damjinu and meaningfully smiled. "You may not need me, but your subjects do."

Damjinu took a deep breath and shook his head. He was aware of his people's murmurings about how unfair the situation was, even some of the soldiers were involved in it, but it was something he was used to. It was natural. He said, "Do not blame them. The soldiers behind me are their children, grandchildren, parents, and friends. It's inevitable someone will die. That's why they're spitting nonsense."

"Won't they have honor in death by fighting today?" Ilias murmured to himself. He was loud enough to interrupt the commander.

Damjinu shrugged. He said, "You all have come for nothing. Go back and enjoy your leave. The King's orders are absolute. 'Do not hand my son over', that's what he told me. And I'm here with my men. Doesn't that reassure you?"

Armad smiled and said, "But what if I go out on my own? Did the King ask you to stop me?"

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Damjinu shook his head with narrowed eyes. What should he do? Bihanzin didn't stop Armad from leaving the city or joining the battle on his own accord. He only said 'do not hand him over'.

After a while, he looked at Armad and asked, "What do you want to do?"

Armad replied, "I want you and your army to remain here as a backup. Allow me to go out and confront Uznu alone. Let him tell me why he is looking for me. I wonder if he can still take me on."

Arrogance, absolute arrogance, Damjinu thought. But he shook his head and said, "Of course, I won't allow this. I don't doubt your strength, but you should know your opponent better since you've fought him before. He's one of the five jinzidal commanders in the lower worlds. It will be foolish to even think about confronting him on your own. Besides, I have a plan..."

Armad interrupted him, "I'm going out to face Uznu and I'm doing it alone. I wasn't asking for permission, commander."

Damjinu frowned. He was prepared to send Armad back but then he changed his mind. Perhaps, this was an opportunity to teach the boy some manners, he thought. There was a hierarchy in the world, and you had to recognize it to survive. Even an idiot knew that.

Just as the commander was about to give his command, Ilias criticized Armad, expressing his dissatisfaction with his decision. But Armad had already decided.

"Don't worry, my friend. I promise you I will come back alive and well. It's just one black-eyed man. Why are you all worked up?"

Armad turned and headed for the city gate. Ilias and Inara followed him behind.

Armad turned and said, "Where are you going?"

Ilias said, "Just as we can't stop you from going, you also can't stop us from following you."

Inara nodded in agreement. This wasn't the first time they faced the enemy together. They even had a bounty. What was there to lose? His life? He was prepared for that.

Armad just smiled and headed for the gate without saying a word.

Spoon didn't follow them. He ran back to the palace. The princess must know about this. Perhaps, she could stop this madness.

Damjinu chuckled. How good to be young. Armad reminded him of his younger days. Back when he thought he could defeat the Lord King by himself. It would be painful but the only way to learn the truth about your limits was by testing them. He would let Armad suffer a crushing defeat this time around. Then he would save him when he was about to die. That would be enough to teach him.

"Open the gate," he ordered the captain standing near the gate.

***

Meanwhile, in the sacred place where Bihanzin cured Armad's mother, the King was studying an old book. He was alone except for his djinn who was scrutinizing the pol reserve of the empire.

"It's been getting low ever since the rumors about the war started circulating. This week we are nine hundred years short," the djinn complained. Then it tilted its head in thought. "Are the people losing faith in us?"

Bihanzin didn't respond and the djinn frowned. "Master is ignoring me again. Ugh." The djinn looked away dejectedly.

In this space dimension, time had little meaning. Bihanzin could do as he wished for as long as he desired. Hours passed slowly, and the King continued studying the old book.

Suddenly, the King disappeared and left the djinn alone.

He appeared in front of Nostalgia and Spoon as they sneaked out of the palace.

They both retreated hurriedly, their faces full of surprise, guilt, and awe. When they regained their calm, they knelt and greeted the King.

Bihanzin shook his head at Nostalgia.

"My daughter, where are you going?"

Nostalgia told him about Armad going to the battlefield alone and she declared, "I will stop him, father."

Bihanzin was silent for a few seconds before finally saying, "Today, your star is carrying an unusual light that I haven't seen before. I do not know what that means; good or bad, but I think you should stay close to me as much as you can. So I can protect you if something goes wrong."

Nostalgia smiled respectfully and said, "Father, nothing will happen. And I promise you I will come back and find you safe and sound. I just want to see if I can change my husband's heart. If that doesn't happen, I will just stay back. I want to see him fight. And besides, Damjinu is there, he can surely protect me from all evil."

Bihanzin smiled and touched Nostalgia's shoulder as if pleading with her. He said, "Yet, my heart is in doubt."

Nostalgia shook her head. "I promise. Please, father."

***

Meanwhile, the captain opened the city gate. Armad, Ilias, and Inara headed straight for the jinzidal army. It was crazy just thinking about it. Three people against more than fifteen thousand armored soldiers.

News spread fast.

"Have you heard about it?"

"Armad the groom is confronting the enemy fleet alone."

"I don't believe it."

"Just who does he think he is?"

"Anyway, we have to see it. I pray that he wins even if he's foolish."

Armad's decision to confront Uznu alone spread like wildfire. People ran to the walls to see for themselves. If the rumor was true, they would like to see this fight between one man and 15,000 soldiers.

The security forces tried to prevent people from coming but to no avail. There were just too many people and the city was too big.

In the end, thousands of people gathered to witness the event.