Chapter 23: Kings and Assassins
At Amper's command, the platoon of 100 soldiers instantly attacked Kai. Kai asked in astonishment, "Hey, what's this? What's happening?" The soldiers surrounded him from all sides. Finally, Amper stepped forward with heavy steps. He was a giant of a commander, a full 2 meters tall and weighing 125 kilos.
Kai asked, "Who are you? What do you want from me?"
Amper immediately retorted, "Who are you and why were you fighting Neros?"
Kai realized these soldiers hadn't actually come for him and answered accordingly: "I don't even know that guy. I just learned his name from you. I'm just a traveler passing through. I take it he was your enemy too, right?"
Amper reluctantly confirmed it: "Yes. But what does that change?"
Kai replied: "It changes a lot of things. The simplest is that we are not enemies."
Amper stated: "You can't decide that. March ahead of us, we're going to the capital. King Reacherd will decide your fate. Then we'll see if you're an enemy or a friend."
Kai, having no choice, said, "Okay." He thought to himself, "I can't fight these guys right now. I have to go." And they set off.
Central Nexan, The Ancient Fortress
Impernos sat on his throne, calm but angry. "Neros... So you're dead. But why? How? Who killed you?" He took a deep breath. "I need to lie low for a while. These lands will change soon. That's when I will reveal myself, and my reign will truly begin then."
The Ice Kingdom
Morde and Flem teleported to the Ice Kingdom thanks to Flem. A scout was watching them from afar. This scout was a member of the 'Independents'. The Independents were the group that refused to obey King Task's rule. The scout quickly set off to report what he had seen to his leaders.
Morde couldn't get used to the place immediately and complained: "What's with this cold? Don't you feel it at all?"
Flem answered: "This is my homeland. I've been here since I was born, how could I be cold? Anyway, let's go. We're here. My King wishes to receive you with a special greeting, he is waiting in that cave up ahead."
The duo moved towards the cave. They reached the cave after 10 minutes. King Task was sitting on a rock, waiting for them. Flem immediately bowed and saluted: "Great King Task, as you requested, Morde is here and is quite receptive to your offer."
King Task turned around and faced Morde. "So you are Morde. The news of you destroying Fevay has caused concern in all the kingdoms. The rumor that even Nexan couldn't stop this attack is on everyone's lips."
Morde, dismissing this, said, "I don't care about that. My goal is to destroy Nexan first, and maybe the whole world after that. That's why I've agreed to form an alliance with you."
King Task replied, "Good," and added: "A show war will begin soon. But before that, there's something you need to do. In Ashura, there is an old man named Fizz who is very powerful. You need to kill him."
Morde asked with a mocking laugh, "I'm wanted all over the world now. How will I get in there?"
Task answered: "Don't worry, our secret intelligence will get you to the area where Fizz is. But the rest is up to you. They will wait for you where they drop you off. If you can't return, they will leave. If you succeed in returning, this war is guaranteed to be ours. And the plan has already started. King Reacherd will die soon."
Morde asked: "Who's that?"
Task explained: "The King of the Nexan region. I've planned an assassination for him."
Flem interjected: "Your orders, sir? What about Flower?"
Flem answered: "Sir, Flower has already reached Nexan. The news of that dog Reacherd's death will arrive very soon."
"Good," Task responded. "That's when the real war will begin. First Nexan, and then all the kingdoms up to Ashura will be destroyed." King Task extended his hand. "Are you in, Morde?"
Morde looked into Task's eyes for a long moment, then said, "I'm in," and shook Task's hand.
Nexan Capital
Amper and Kai had reached the capital. Kai saw that the capital was no different from the other regions. There was chaos everywhere. Kai asked: "How does a lawless region stay standing?"
Amper answered: "That's thanks to Commander Swain."
"Who's that?" asked Kai.
"Our 1st Commander. If something happens to King Reacherd, he will be the new king."
Kai replied, "I see." And they entered the palace. After a long walk, Kai and Amper entered the king's chamber. Inside were King Reacherd, Commander Swain, and one unknown person. Amper thought to himself, "Who is this? I've never seen him before."
At that moment, Reacherd spoke: "Who is this, Amper? What is his business here? Why did you bring him?"
Amper answered: "Your Majesty, when we reached Fevay, Impernos's right hand Neros and this man were fighting. This guy killed Neros. And what's more interesting, he uses soul powers."
Reacherd took a deep breath and said, "Is that so... So you are the two chosen by the universe. Morde and..."
"My name is Kai," Kai completed.
"Yes, Morde and Kai. Morde is our enemy. What about you?"
Kai answered: "As far as I know, the Sovereigns and the regional kingdoms are enemies. And I killed your enemy's right-hand man. So, I am not your enemy."
Reacherd asked: "Which faction are you affiliated with?"
Kai answered: "I am an Independent."
King Reacherd said, "There it is! We could form an alliance with you to overthrow the Sovereigns. But first, I need to be able to trust you."
Kai asked: "What do I need to do for that?"
King Reacherd stood up and slowly walked over to Kai. Just as he was about to say something, the unknown person in the room lunged forward at incredible speed. He muttered silently, "Glacial Death," and pierced right through King Reacherd's back, through his heart.
Everyone was shocked. "What's happening? What is this?" Swain immediately shouted, "Your Majesty!!!" and launched an attack. "Weren't you an envoy?" He used Demon Claw to attack, but it was futile. The assassin immediately teleported away.
Swain immediately gave the order: "Close all border entry and exit points! Immediately! No one leaves Nexan!"
Amper was frozen in shock. Even Kai was in shock. Swain immediately bent down and asked, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, are you okay?"
Amper immediately ordered: "Arrest him immediately!"
All the soldiers surrounded and chained Kai. Kai shouted, "I'm not guilty! I just got here myself!"
Amper ordered: "Take him to a cell immediately!"
"As you command, sir!" the soldiers shouted and took Kai to a cell.
King Reacherd spoke with his last bit of strength: "Swain... My kingdom is entrusted to you. Protect this place well. And the agreement is over now. Fulfill what I said." And King Reacherd died, a victim of the assassination.
Swain said in a very angry tone, "Whoever is behind this, I will show them hell! Amper, gather all the people! Immediately!"
"As you command, my new king!"
Swain quickly went to the cell where Kai was being held. Kai was sitting calmly, waiting. When Swain arrived, he asked only one question: "Did you do it?"
Kai answered in a cold tone: "No."
Swain then said only one thing: "We'll see about that now. Domain Expanse..."