Almiral kingdom was a kingdom of slavery. Despite it pretty name it was one of the most darkest kingdoms on continent as its main trade was people. The royal family of Almiral never feared invasion as they owned the most powerful  magical artifact : the ring of protection. This ring worn by the king gave protection to his kingdom from any enemies.

Almiral never cared for anything so while most of the kingdom rejected slavery, Almiral still continued with it despite everyone opposition. 

It was the only kingdom that Sar'gen destroyed in his previous life, he left mostly none of the royal family and court alive. He erased Almiral from the maps and history. It was the 10th kingdom that never ended up united. While trying to invade this kingdom few of his people were captured by the Almiral and sold as slaves. It was devastating as his brave warriors ended up being sold as mere cattle. He could not forgive or let go after it. The hateful ring made it extremely difficult to fight. Almiral never had a big army. It was not needed, as the ring granted protection. The wall' of the Almiral would be higher, the arrows would not miss, and the Almiral's warriors would be immune to any damage. Of course, it could not grant full protection to everyone in the kingdom, so Sar'gen still ended up conquering Almiral, but he sacrificed a lot. Almiral' battle took Kedra's life and halted their progress for many years. After Admiral, Sar'gen was forced to return to Ilula to recover.

-What? - Masari looked shockingly at Sar'gen.

-Its crazy...Kedra, Vulal tell him...this is completely crazy...

Sar'gen's plan was the craziest plan ever, but everyone in the tent except Masari, kept their silence.

Masari stood up and walked to Sar'gen

- Too dangerous...you cannot be serious...-

-Masari, all good. You will be with me. It would be enough.

-I would be in the same building but not next to you...as soon as metamorphosis turns you into a man. King Gad- jon even sleeps surrounded by his protectors. He would not be yourself and you would be without any weapons.

-This is the only chance to get the ring. That was the only time he would be removing the ring. His wife is pregnant - continued her story Workluku.

- I do not understand.

-Ring of protection would protect the owner from any danger in exchange for something. As you know all magical artifacts have a price for their services. This already happened before during my great grandfather' rule. It is the price that Ring asked for its service.

- How do you know it?

Workluku showed them a secret script that she obtained from the black market.

Workluku was a magician who worked with Sar'gen. Her expertise was the magical artifacts. She was an old woman who still retained her beauty with white hair and dark almost black eyes. Like many magicians she was not a pleasant person, her personality was abrupt and even rude. Workluku liked to work with Sar'gen who was a warrior and did not require special treatment as many royal families. Workluku was from the magical kingdom of Betraf.

Betraf was a strange kingdom without political struggle or a royal family. It was a small kingdom with a magic tower and magicians. Workluku's clan was in charge of collecting magical artifacts. As soon as Sar'gen started unifying kingdoms, Betraf decided to join Sar'gen without fighting in exchange for handling and keeping magical artifacts that Sar'gen would obtain during unification. Workluku joined their group shortly after, providing advice and her magical knowledge. She becomes a huge helper during their journey. In his past life, Sar'gen did not use magical artifacts a lot, believing as a warrior he should win without magical tricks. It was useless pride. He now was too embarrassed to remember. As soon as Workluku joined them, he tasked her to find a way to steal the ring of protection.

-Ring provides absolute protection for the person who worn it and  kingdom if it would be worn by a king or queen however in exchange for this service it could claim anything. During his great grandfather' rule, the ring reacted to his heavily pregnant wife and she died with unborn child,  - Workluku paused.

- The ring claimed the life of the firstborn heir as the price for its service and his wife as well. He could not remarry after, and his brother inherited the throne.

-Omg, - exclaimed in shock Solala.

- After that, all Almiral's kings would be removing the ring before meeting their pregnant wives. However, to avoid dangerous situations, their contacts would be limited to the royal bedroom which could be protected by guards. So till Queen Olise gave birth, she would be not allowed to meet the king outside their royal chambers. So we have only one chance to steal the ring. It is Queen's birthday in a few days and our spy heard that King Gad- jon promised to meet her. We would need to make sure that we meet the King instead of the Queen first. - Workluku smirked darkly. She also hated Almiral, slavery trade affected their magical kingdom as well.

- I can use this stone instead. - Masari was extremely frustrated at this situation, he was worried.

Sar'gen turned to Masari in surpise. 

- You want to go instead of me? 

-Yes. - Masari looked around, It amazed him that no one volunteered from other generals to take Sar'gen's place. It was a dangerous mission. He wondered sometimes at the strange dynamics between Sar'gen and his friends. Everyone greatly respected and loved Sar'gen but all dangerous missions were left for him to do.

Tall Ilula warrior smirked at Masari and patted him on shoulder.

- You cannot use this artifact hahaha. It is bound to me forever. - Sar'gen laughed. He never used this stone in his previous life because this magical artifact traded life for granting the wish of transformation. Sar'gen would never allow his generals to do so.

Workluku turned to look at Sar'gen who moved his hand, indicating for her to not interrupt. He was hiding the price from his friends. In his previous life, Sar'gen extended his life instead, but he led an unhappy life, living through the deaths of his beloved people. This time, he would use his life to make everyone happy.

+++

- Help, he is bleeding - Masari was holding wounded Sar'gen as they ran towards Ilula's tents chased by Almiral's guards. He could feel hot blood gushing from the Sar'gen's wounds as they moved.

Sar'gen was very pale, but he was still conscious.

-Calm down Masa...I am fine.

-You are not. Please stop talking...Please...- Masari tightly grabbed the weakening body of the Sar'gen.

Kedra was following them behind, defending from pursuit attacks. Solala from the other side of the battlefield was leading her warriors to the Almilar walls. The Admiral kingdom was no longer protected by the ring. It would be a quick battle as Almiral had no army only royal guards. It was not needed as they heavily relayed to the magical artifact so no generals were trained in Almiral. Admiral lost everything in one second.

Vulal helped carry Sar'gen from the other side and moved him inside the tent. The doctor was already there.

The mission was a success, they managed to deceive King Gad- jon and stole the ring. However, as soon as Sar'gen turned back to his original self, everything went into chaos. The ring of protection after changing ownership did not protect Sar'gen so everything went into a bloody nightmare as Sar'gen and Masari were fighting for their way out of the Almiral's royal palace. They were lucky that the king was not expecting it, so he had fewer guards than usual, and as soon as the ring went into Sar'gen, everyone panicked as none knew what was going to happen. Royal guards were too afraid to approach Sar'gen for some time as he walked away from the royal chamber unhurt.

Sar'gen lost a lot of blood and was not doing well. Masari could not sleep as he sat opposite the tent, waiting for Sar'gen to regain consciousness. He was distressed, his beloved person was in danger, and there was nothing he could do to help.

-General Masari, we need your help with something, - one of the Ilula's warriors, a tall and dark-haired man approached him.

- Yes of course...- Masari was too distracted to notice how this commander was not familiar to him at all. However, as Masa walked a bit his instincts kicked in, and he stopped.

- Who are you? - General unsheathed his sword but it was too late as a magical circle around him went red.

A young woman emerged from it. She was holding a dark flame-emitting artifact in her hands.

-Oh General Masari. Welcome to my home.

Similar to the time, when Sar'gen tricked him everything changed around Masari as he was transported away from Ilula's grounds to Maron's royal palace.

Masari recognized the young woman immediately, Queen Zahla was standing in front of him. Despite her evil deeds, Zahla was an innocent-looking beauty, with platinum blond hair and light clear-as-sky eyes. The over-50-year-old ruler of Maron had the deceitful appearance of a youthful maiden. This appearance was granted to her by evil cursed artifacts. No none could remember what Zahla looked like in real anymore.

Masari tried to assess the situation but a dark red circle around remained so he could not move or talk.

-General...- Queen Zahla, stepped closer to him...- You are a very beautiful person...- She smiled predatorily and touched Masari's face. Her hands were cold and Masari felt disgusted...- I want to have you by my side. Together we would be able to conquer not just the continent but the world.

-This arrogant mutt does not deserve to have you...- Queen Zahla commented furiously, as she mentioned Sar'gen her appearance momentarily changed to a more sinister look. Zahla moved her hands around artfact that she was still holding and the dark red circle around Masari started changing in colour.

- You would be mine, do not worry. - Queen Zahla turned mystical artifact in her arms and Masari felt like his body went on fire.

The pain was terrible as thousands of red needles from the circle stabbed him.

- I will see you soon, my beautiful general...- Queen Zahla left the room as Masari was held by the cursed circle.