The grand throne room glowed with an ethereal light as the towering figure of King Karyu sat upon his majestic throne. His presence seemed to shift the very air around him, heavy with power and authority. He gazed down at Kudo, who stood before him in perfect discipline, his form a contrast of silent strength and respect.
The King's voice boomed like thunder. "Kudo, I have summoned you here for a reason. Tell me, are you wondering why?"
Kudo bowed his head slightly, his tone formal but respectful. "Yes, my liege."
A faint smile tugged at the King's lips, a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You don't need to be so formal. Call me Karyu."
Kudo stood straight, his eyes never leaving the King. "Of course… Karyu."
Karyu's gaze softened ever so slightly, the weight of a thousand years of rule in his eyes. "I want you to enlist Kaosu and his companions for the Knight Academy. The King's orders."
Kudo raised a brow. "Why are you so intrigued by me and Kaosu?"
Karyu's expression darkened, an ancient fire flickering in his gaze. "I see myself inside you. You are a product of my design, Kudo. A reflection of the might I once had. Perhaps Kaosu and his friends will be the key to our future."
Kudo took a deep breath, the weight of Karyu's words not lost on him. He nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "Understood, my King."
"Very well," Karyu continued, his voice calm yet commanding. "You are dismissed, Royal Guard No. 1, Kudo the Gray. But first, bring Guard No. 2 Toko, Guard No. 3 Seriro, and Guard No. 4 Jinmoku. I wish to see them now."
Kudo bowed, then turned and walked out of the throne room, the sound of his footsteps echoing through the grand hall.
As Kudo departed, his mind already focused on his task, King Karyu settled deeper into his throne, his eyes narrowing as his thoughts turned toward the coming storm.
Meanwhile, Kaosu and his team had made their way through the village, the atmosphere tense, every corner full of unseen eyes. The question of how to get closer to the King's domain loomed over them.
Kaosu turned to the healer who had aided them, a curious glint in his eye. "Is there any way to get closer to the castle faster? We can't waste any time."
The healer nodded solemnly, his voice low. "There is one way. But it requires more trust than I can easily offer." He glanced at them, his face obscured in thought. "But I will help. Gather close."
Without another word, the group huddled together, their forms pressing into one another as they waited. The healer moved his hands in a graceful motion, murmuring something under his breath. A soft glow enveloped them, and before they could react, the world around them shifted.
In a blink, they found themselves at the farthest entrance of the kingdom, the intimidating stone walls of the castle looming before them. The air was thick with magic, the kingdom's presence overwhelming.
Standing before them was none other than Kudo, the man they had been chasing, the man who had just barely been an enemy and ally. His eyes met theirs, and his lips curled into a slight smile.
"So, the King's guests have arrived," Kudo said, his voice smooth as ever. "Follow me. I'll take you to the King."
Without another word, he turned and led the group toward the towering spires of the palace. The golden soldiers lined the path, watching them with cold eyes, and the sheer scale of the castle made Kaosu and the others feel small, insignificant.
As they walked, the weight of the moment pressed on Kaosu's chest. He couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking straight into a trap, and yet, he couldn't stop himself from moving forward.
Inside the castle, the air shifted. The very walls seemed to breathe with life, echoing with the power that thrummed through the kingdom.
Guard No. 2, Toko, stood in her position, her sharp eyes scanning the new arrivals. When she glanced over at Kori, however, her expression faltered, the briefest flicker of recognition crossing her face.
Kaosu, walking beside Kori, didn't notice the exchange. But Toko couldn't stop herself from staring. She had seen that face before—the same eyes, the same presence. A familiar warmth she couldn't place.
She quickly masked her emotions, her stoic exterior returning.
The moment they entered the King's throne room, the tension was palpable. Kaosu's eyes widened as he looked up at the throne where King Karyu sat. His aura was crushing, suffocating in its power.
Karyu, seated on his throne, raised his head slowly and looked down upon the group. His eyes fixed on Kaosu, and a smile—a cold, calculating smile—spread across his face.
"I've been expecting you," Karyu said, his voice deep, reverberating through the room. "Kaosu… it's good to finally meet you."
The room seemed to hold its breath. Every soldier stood still, their eyes locked on Kaosu as if waiting for something. The walls themselves seemed to listen, as if even the castle acknowledged the arrival of the one the King had been waiting for.
The chapter ends there, with the ominous weight of King Karyu's words hanging in the air.