Akira: Finally, we found the first page… but wait, it's the same one? Is this a joke? He wrote a message and hid the same page again. I want to see it just to hit him.
Kana: Give me the paper. You're the one who should apologize to him. Look, there's something written on the back!
Kana's Mom: Oh, let me see. Yes, there really is something. Well done, sweetheart. I think you've found it! Wonderful, let me read it—
Grandfather: (turning around suddenly)
Kana: Whoa! Grandpa! Don't sneak up on me like that!
Grandfather: Ah, sorry my dear. I didn't mean to scare you. You were so focused, you didn't notice me coming. So… who is that boy?
Akira: I'm Akira, sir. I'm a first-year high school student, and I was helping your granddaughter find the page.
Grandfather: Hmm, and where did you two find it?
Akira: We found it in this desk drawer. It was locked, but I managed to open it.
Grandfather: I see. So that's why no one was able to find it. Everyone was looking through the books—some gave up, and others didn't even care. Well done. But one of you must be punished for breaking the school rules.
Akira: Punished? But we found the page you were looking for.
Grandfather: True. But rules are rules. And since Kana didn't open the drawer, then you'll be the one punished, Akira.
Akira: Huh? And you talk to me about justice? Just because she's your granddaughter! She's the one who encouraged me, so she's the one who should be punished!
Grandfather: Kana, what do you say about that?
Kana: I agree with him.
(Akira looks at Kana with a smile, hopeful...)
Kana: But I didn't open the drawer or touch it. Akira did it. So he should be punished.
(Akira's smile disappears, his mouth left wide open.)
Grandfather: Yes, I agree. No way would my granddaughter do something like that. So, Akira, your punishment is to clean the pool after school.
(Akira is still standing there, jaw dropped. But inside him… a monster is raging.)
Inner Akira (thinking): I'll kill them. I'll kill them both. That arrogant girl and that damned old man. Let me go… Talking about justice? I'll show him justice!
Grandfather: Alright, now back to what really matters. Since you've found the first page, let's read it:
"In a nation known as the strongest among all, the ruler was just. He brought wealth to his land, restored peace, and lived like the rest of the people.
The king had two sons.
One day, the noble prince died before he could share his will—before he could declare who would rule.
The vote was split—some supported one, some the other.
The people fought. The brothers fought.
And the strongest nation was split into two:
A northern kingdom… and a southern one.
Even to this day, the hatred remains.
But let us now shift our focus to the son of the northern prince…
He resides in a neighboring country.
You might think he went there to conquer it, or that he was invited.
But the truth is…
He is imprisoned there
[Messenger]:
Oh, look who has honored us with his presence! It's my prince—
The prince of the Northern Kingdom himself, coming to rescue his messenger.
So… do you have the key?
[Soldier]:
Haha, yes! He brought the key for you—
But he forgot it on his way here.
Still, he came to rescue you, right, Your Highness?
[Prince]:
How clever of you!
You've almost reached the intellect of a hamster. Congratulations.
[Guards]:
Shut up and get in the cell!
If our king didn't need you, we would've killed you already.
Who would've thought that by capturing the Northern prince's messenger,
he himself would come to save him and end up our prisoner?
You're a valuable bargaining chip to gain the South's trust.
[Prince]:
Look at this…
Some puppies hiding behind lion cubs.
I swear to you, as a future king,
I'll make your king kneel before me.
[Guards]:
Oh, we're so scared!
And how exactly will you do that while locked up in here?
You're no longer a prince… you're a slave now! Haha!
[Prince]:
We're doomed...
[Messenger]:
Quiet for a moment.
[Prince]:
Come on, get in. We have things to do.
[Guards]:
So, how do we get out of here, Your Highness?
[Prince]:
If you weren't my childhood friend… my prince… and my future leader,
I would've left you behind.
Listen.
We'll wait until nightfall…
and play a little game of chess.
[Messenger]:
We're doomed:
It's nightfall now. What do we do?
[Prince]:
Alright. As I said, we'll play chess.
Imagine you only have pawns, and your king and queen are cornered—
But suddenly, two pawns arrive and save the game.
(Suddenly, the guards are seen fighting one another. After the chaos...)
[Guard]:
Sir! The soldiers are in position!
[Prince]:
Good. Then... shall we leave?
Perfect. Did you bring him with you, guards?
[Soldier]:
Yes, sir. As you ordered.
The prison warden ran frantically after hearing the prince had escaped.
He found the guards dead—except for one wounded man.
[Warden]:
You! Where did the prince go? Tell me, now!
[Injured Soldier]:
He… he went that way.
He's heading toward the Southern Gate!
[Soldier]:
Soldiers! After him! Quickly!
[Warden]:
Wait… I'm one of your men…
At least check on me…
[Warden]:
How sad…
You failed messenger, your acting is over.
You can get up now. The play has ended.
[Messenger]:
Seriously? Man, you weren't even hurt?
It was just a uniform with fake blood?
Even I believed it!
Also, how did you change your voice like that?
[Prince]:
Talent.
When you grow up watching stars and stage plays,
you start copying them… and I did.
Anyway, let's get out of here.
The guards have probably spread out to all the exits,
which means fewer guards elsewhere.
[Messenger]:
Then how are we going to escape?
[Prince]:
Who said we're escaping?
Like I said, we're playing chess—
and the game doesn't end until the king falls.
We're going to the palace… through a secret path.
[Messenger]:
A secret path?
The king knows every hidden passage.
How are we going to enter the palace?
[Prince]:
Simple.
We'll use one I built.
What did you think my spies were doing here?
Let's go.
[Messenger]:
This passage leads straight to the guards, prince!
Are you leading us right to them? They can see us!
[Prince]:
Enough talking. Get out already, dummy. Move!
[Palace Guards]:
Stop! Who goes there?
[Prince]:
I want to meet the king. It's urgent.
[Soldiers]:
Enter.
[Messenger]:
Huh? They allowed you in? And… why didn't you change your voice? How?
[Prince]:
Just come in with me. And now… here we are, face to face with the king.
[King]:
Who are you—oh, Prince of the North!
You're still here? Tell me, didn't you escape?
No matter. Your presence here makes it easier to capture you.
Guards! Arrest him!
[Messenger]:
We're doomed… we should've run.
[Prince]:
Look around you… do you see the soldiers moving?
I never act unless the results are guaranteed.
[King]:
Soldiers, I said attack! Why aren't you obeying me?
[Prince]:
Allow me to explain.
All these soldiers are my spies, dear prince.
Which means… your neck is now in my hands.
Shall we talk? Or would you prefer to die right now?
I wouldn't mind taking over your kingdom.
[King]:
So, the rumor that you fled toward the outer gates…
was just to mislead the soldiers?
Clever…
Fine. Say what you must. I have no choice.
[Prince]:
Let's begin with the betrayals:
First, the capture of the messenger and the king.
Second, attempting to ally with our enemies.
Third… gaining weight, which ruins a royal image.
[King]:
What does my weight have to do with this?!
Are you saying that's a betrayal? You're just bullying me now!
[Prince]:
And what if I am?
Now back to the law:
Since you admit to these acts,
First — the White Castle Kingdom will now fall under the banner of the Northern Eagle Kingdom.
Second — you will pay tribute for your life and your people's lives for the next three months:
Half of your winter and summer crop storage,
and half your kingdom's gold.
[King of white castle]:
That's outrageous!
How are we supposed to fulfill this demand?
You'd let the people starve just for your greed?
[Prince]:
What do you mean? They're already starving!
Don't pretend you care when you're the cause!
And if you speak one more word while I'm talking,
your tongue will be cut off. Understood?
[King of whit castle]:
Ugh… go on, please.
[Prince]:
Third — the guards will now escort us to the Northern Eagle Kingdom.
As for the final term…
[King of white castle]:
Fine. I agree.
[Returning guards]:
Ah, there he is—
The fugitive prince is with the king. Let's capture him!
[King of white castle]:
Stop!
Soldiers, do not arrest him.
Inform all units to return to their posts.
Escort the prince back to his kingdom.
Anyone who tries to stop him will be considered a traitor. Understood?
[Soldier]:
Yes, sir. This way, Prince.
[King of white castle]:
You… You snake! I can't believe among every group of my soldiers, you had a spy!
If I had said even one wrong word, I'd be dead now.
Who are you, King of the Northern Eagles?
[Messenger]:
My prince, I'm glad we're returning to our kingdom.
But I do agree with the other king—
We don't let innocent people starve for the mistakes of their ruler.
[Prince]:
You'll make a fine future minister.
But don't worry, I'm not the one taking from them.
We'll collect the tribute—
and give it back to their people.
That way, we win over their hearts and weaken them.
Now do you understand
[ "Knight of the Southern Kingdom"]
Oh, look at the proud Prince of the North!
Well done, soldiers, for bringing him to us.
We should thank the White Castle King for this generous gift.
[Prince ]
Look who we have here—
The Commander of the Southern Knights!
You came to take me back?
Unfortunately, the king has decided to join us.
So I'm sorry—
I was planning to visit your king too…
but not this time.
[. "Knight of the Southern Kingdom"]
:
What?!
Your king went back on his agreement to hand me over?
How could this happen?
[Prince]:
I don't know.
Go ask him yourself.
I have a kingdom to return to.
Goodbye.
(The Southern Commander returns to the White Castle King to ask why he broke the deal.)
[King of White Castle]:
Because the Southern Kingdom will cut all trade with us.
And when I asked your commander…
[Commander]:
He said it was the prince's condition for alliance.
And I agreed.
[. "Knight of the Southern Kingdom"
]:
Damn it…
We won't forget this insult, Your Majesty.
From today, we are the ones cutting off the alliance—
not you!
[King of white castle]:
Damn it…
That was his goal all along.
Damn that Prince of the Northern Eagles!