"What is that, sir?" Jock asked, pointing at the strange artifact embedded between the trees.
"I don't know, Jock, but let's proceed with caution," replied the golden-masked leader, frowning as he assessed the situation. "It could be a trap set by our enemies. Have some soldiers bring picks and pry that object loose from the trees."
Carefully, the soldiers began striking the artifact until it came loose with a dull thud, falling to the ground with a metallic clang. At that moment, a door flew open from within the object, and out stepped a tall man carrying two young people in his arms. It was Rodelos, holding Alita and Ron as if they weighed no more than feathers.
"Well, well… A welcoming committee?" Rodelos said with an ironic smile, glancing at the soldiers surrounding him, their pikes raised high. "I thought I'd landed at a costume party, like the ones we used to have in Avocadalia." He gestured toward the owl masks the soldiers wore, chuckling lightly.
The golden-masked leader raised a hand to stop his men.
"Stand down, everyone. They're avocados, just like us. And one of them…" He paused, studying Rodelos intently. "… There is only one possibility. Are you Rodelos?"
Rodelos met his gaze steadily, his half-smile unwavering.
"If you know my name, then you must already know who I am and what I'm capable of," he replied, his tone shifting to something more serious.
Suddenly, 'X' and Ludra stumbled down from the artifact, disoriented and dizzy from the impact.
"Well, looks like you two are all right," Rodelos commented, glancing at them briefly before refocusing on the group.
Jock, still distrustful, took a step forward.
"What are you doing with those kids in your arms?"
"Relax, Jock. I believe the gentleman—or rather, the former lord of Avocadalia—has his reasons," interjected the golden-masked leader, making a conciliatory gesture. "Please, come with me."
Jock opened his mouth to protest, but his leader cut him off before he could speak.
"Relax, I'll be fine."
"You'd better come with me," Rodelos said, addressing 'X' and Ludra, who had already regained their senses. Outnumbered, both nodded in agreement.
They walked until they reached the golden-masked leader's tent.
"This far," Jock said, stopping 'X', Ludra, and motioning toward Ron and Alita, who were still deeply asleep. "You should stay here and keep watch, Jock," the leader added firmly.
Rodelos gently placed Alita and Ron under a tree, leaving them in the care of 'X' and Ludra.
Though Jock wanted to enter, he knew he couldn't disobey a direct order. He crossed his arms and stayed put, keeping watch.
Inside the tent, Rodelos gave a faint smile.
"Well, it must be something important you're about to tell me if you've left your soldier outside."
Both entered undisturbed. The golden-masked leader broke the silence first.
"I'm glad you accepted my invitation."
"Oh, don't mention it. But I don't know who you are," Rodelos responded, tilting his head curiously.
"Not even the slightest clue?" the leader asked, slowly removing his golden mask.
Rodelos's jaw dropped as the face beneath the mask was revealed to him.
"But… you're…! You're…!" he stammered, unable to finish his sentence.
The leader smiled calmly, revealing her beautiful face and elegant red hair tied back in a sleek ponytail.
"A woman, of course. I am the sole successor in the line."
"I see… I think I remember now. I'm sorry for the loss of your father, King Leit, my lady Ariafilis," Rodelos said respectfully, bowing his head slightly.
Ariafilis fixed him with a steady gaze, crossing her arms.
"What makes you think my father is dead?"
Rodelos gave a soft smile, as if he'd touched upon a delicate but inevitable point.
"Well… what makes me think so? The fact that you bear the weight of your father's kingdom on your shoulders."
She raised an eyebrow, defiant.
"I may be perceptive, yes, but don't assume that, because I'm a woman, I can't lead my people."
"I've never doubted it," Rodelos replied calmly. "I believe in gender equality. It doesn't matter to me who rules, as long as they rule well."
Ariafilis nodded, satisfied with the response, but her voice hardened as she spoke again.
"I see… They also used to say you were a cunning and conciliatory old man, as well as strong. And from what I see just by looking at you, I agree. I am a woman, not a child, and I am the sovereign of this realm. I will reclaim my people. I won't let them enslave us and force us to work endlessly in the mines." Her voice rang out with strength and determination, like an echo of justice itself.
Rodelos observed her silently for a moment before speaking.
"So, you seek my help, my lady."
"Yes, perhaps," she responded firmly but measuredly.
"Very well, you should have it," Rodelos said, nodding decisively. "I also need to recover my grandson, who is somewhere in your realm. I imagine he has already entered and is searching for the last piece of Avocios's scepter. Then it's a deal, Lord Rodelos. You can tell your companions they'll assist me, and I, in turn, will gladly lend my aid."
"That works," she said calmly, though with a trace of firmness in her tone. "But I must make one important note: my face cannot be seen. Not yet. Everyone believes my father is alive and that he wears this mask."
Rodelos nodded slowly, thoughtfully.
"Ah… You remind me of a young man I traveled with, and also of a curly-haired redhead I trained during my travels… What was her name? Ah, I'm terrible at remembering names," he muttered to himself, scratching his head absentmindedly.
Ariafilis carefully placed her golden mask back on, adjusting it with precision.
"To those outside, I am known only as the Lord of the Golden Mask."
"Yes, yes, whatever you wish to call yourself, my lady—I mean, Lord of the Golden Mask," Rodelos replied with an ironic smile.
The Lord of the Golden Mask emerged from the tent with determined steps. Her voice, artificially modulated to sound deep and authoritative—like Lukeandria's when she impersonates Pax—resonated among the soldiers.
"Listen closely. These are not our enemies. They will help us free our people. Here stands the great Rodelos, a very strong man, who will support us in our victory."
A chorus of cheers erupted among the crowd as they heard their leader's words. Hope gleamed in their eyes, like embers fanned by the wind.
Rodelos approached the leader, curiosity sparking in his gaze.
"My lord, what do you propose for entering the realm?"
The Lord of the Golden Mask pointed to a map spread across an improvised table.
"Here's the plan: there are underground tunnels that one of my allies provided us. It's a reliable source. Tomorrow morning, we'll set out, and finally, we'll free our people from the yoke of the shadows. For now, celebrate. Tomorrow, we go to battle."
The soldiers erupted in celebration, sharing food and laughter around small campfires. The night was filled with songs and murmurs of hope, as the wind carried with it the promise of a new dawn.
"Hey, are those two kids just going to keep sleeping through all this?" asked the Lord of the Golden Mask, gesturing toward Alita and Ron, who were still deeply asleep on the ground.
"No, it's time to wake them up," Rodelos replied with a mischievous smile. "They'll be a great help to the mission."
Rodelos approached the young pair and pulled out a small device the professor had created. With a soft hum, he passed a mild electric charge over their bodies. Both teenagers jolted awake immediately, blinking in confusion as they tried to regain their balance.
"What happened?!" they exclaimed in unison, looking around with disoriented expressions.
"It's time, kids. The moment has arrived," Rodelos said, crossing his arms and smirking playfully as he watched them react.