The carriage wheels ground to a halt amidst the sound of footsteps and conversations all around.
The vehicle jolted, and everyone climbed down to stand in the middle of the street.
Enmie hopped down from the carriage, facing the other three and Ersak.
Hawen suddenly spoke up in utter confusion, “Hey, why aren’t we heading straight to the palace?” Enmie walked past the trio to take the lead, turning back around with an excited smile, “It’s our first time here!
Let’s walk around for a bit, it’s not like it’s time yet anyway!” Lusia took a step forward, a look of pure exhaustion on her face, “Hey, what about those prisoners, then?” Enmie turned back around to keep walking, shrugging her shoulders as she spoke, “Just let them into the city, we’ll deal with them later.” She turned her head slightly to look back at the three of them standing frozen in place, “Basically, that’s never been our job anyway.” Lusia narrowed her eyes in helpless annoyance, “Are you seriously okay with that?…” Ersak stood in the back without saying a word, when Hawen suddenly stepped up next to him and threw an arm around his shoulder, “Hey, hey, let’s go.
It’s your first time here anyway, right?” Ersak’s eyes widened in surprise at being dragged along, a thought crossing the boy’s mind, “What the heck?
One way the other day, and another way now…” The group walked down the street, moving slowly deeper into the city, surrounded by a bustling crowd of citizens, market stalls, and food vendors.
Enmie suddenly jumped up, her face lighting up with excitement as her eyes widened into sparkling circles at a barbecue stall.
She ran over, her face bright as she stared at the skewers of meat sizzling on the grill.
The shopkeeper sitting inside wiped his hands and smiled at Enmie, “Buy some, kid, it’s really delicious.” He pointed a finger toward the sky, “This is premium venison, you know!” Enmie’s mouth watered with cravings, and she immediately asked, “Wow, how much for a skewer, mister?!” Standing behind Enmie but ahead of Ersak and Hawen, Lusia screamed out in pure rage, “I’M NOT PAYING FOR THAT!” A short while later, Lusia let out a miserable sigh, walking with her hand resting against her forehead, “I knew walking like this was a bad idea…” Up ahead, Enmie walked in front, happily munching on her grilled skewer.
Hawen stood behind them, flashing a slight smile as he gently pushed up the frame of his glasses, watching Lusia and Enmie.
Ersak stood next to him and suddenly spoke up, his voice deep and raspy, “What’re we even doing right now?…” Hawen looked over at Ersak, holding out his hand with a shrug, “Basically, I don’t really know either.
Let’s just follow along.” Enmie continuously stopped by various stalls, shops, and vendors—eating, playing, and looking at items from one shop to the next.
They kept going like this for who knows how long…
…
The heavy wooden gate was slowly hoisted upward, revealing the four of them bit by bit.
As the gate rose higher, the knights stationed behind it bowed respectfully.
The trio along with Ersak stepped inside the city walls, and the gate gradually shut behind them.
Lusia moved forward to speak with the knights, and the group slowly advanced toward the palace.
Ersak followed behind, scanning the surroundings as a thought crossed the teenager’s mind, “This place is truly magnificent—vibrant flower gardens, waterfalls, small ponds, and lush green grass.” Ersak stared ahead, then looked up, the giant crystal reflecting clearly inside his pupils.
The sound of footsteps echoed as they climbed the stairs.
Ersak looked down, stepping up the stone tiers toward the massive entrance of the grand palace.
On both sides, guards clad in iron armor stood at attention holding spears, while two servants stood at the very top of the stairs.
Ersak stepped onto the threshold, and the two servants bowed, pushing open the palace doors to reveal solid white pillars inside, gleaming with the bright shine of gold.
Behind the pillars, various paintings and sculptures were on display.
They walked to the door on the far side of the palace, which was slowly pushed open by two servants.
As the doors parted, Lusia’s face showed a look of anticipation from the front of the group.
The doors swung wide open, and the four of them stepped inside, their boots meeting the red carpet spread across the floor.
The group reached the center of the hall.
Hawen, Lusia, and Enmie came to a halt, and Ersak stopped right behind the three of them.
Ersak looked up at the throne, where the king sat looking down, his advisor standing next to him with an annoyed expression.
The king rested his chin on his hand, staring down at them.
The king flicked his gaze toward the advisor beside him, who leaned his body over and bowed his head.
Looking ahead, the advisor took a few steps forward and raised his arm.
Suddenly, the three teenagers beside Ersak moved aside to the left and right.
Ersak looked to both sides in deep confusion, standing frozen as a heavy silence filled the room, without a single sound being made.
Ersak looked over to the left behind Hawen and Enmie, where some men sitting at small tables below the throne were whispering about something.
Their eyes fixed on Ersak with disgust, causing the boy’s eyes to narrow for a brief moment, “What kind of messed-up situation is this?…” Suddenly, a loud voice boomed out, making Ersak’s eyes widen as he snapped his head back up toward the advisor, “BOW BEFORE THE KING THIS INSTANT!” Ersak flinched, still not understanding what was happening, when Hawen suddenly gave a quick hand gesture.
Ersak caught it out of the corner of his eye and dropped down onto the carpeted floor.
He bowed his head and closed his eyes.
Up on the throne, the king sat up straight and let out a long sigh, staring down at Ersak.
“What’s your name?” The king’s voice echoed throughout the enclosed hall.
Ersak answered, “Ersak.” Hawen’s eyes widened as if realizing something.
He reached his hand into his coat, pulled out his book along with a pen, and immediately began writing Ersak’s name inside.
The advisor twisted his face in annoyance and muttered under his breath, “Tsk!…
Not a shred of manners before the king…” The king glanced at his advisor, then looked back down at Ersak, “So, what’re your crimes?” All of a sudden, the entire room went dead silent.
Ersak opened his eyes, keeping his mouth shut.
Everyone and everything became cold and quiet, without a single word of response.
The advisor stepped right to the edge of the stairs, leaning downward to bark at the boy, “ANSWER THE QUESTION ALREADY!” Ersak slowly lifted his head, his blank, empty gaze looking straight up toward the throne.
Suddenly, Lusia spoke up, facing the king and bowing slightly as she answered: “Murder and robbery, Sir.
He’s an accomplice of the bandits from Warnar Village.”