Under Stark’s lead, the trio approached the guards.

“HALT!” shouted the guard clad in golden armor.

The other guard stepped forward with a mocking tone, “If it isn’t the old captain of the Wall Guard Squad. What brings the great ex-captain to the Chancellor’s palace today?”

The other guard added with laughter, “The head of those mutts, huh?”

Hearing this, Ryan scowled and stepped forward fiercely, only to be stopped by the old man Stark.

Stark, with his massive build, stepped closer to the guard and looked down on him. The very shadow of the man covered the entire figure of the guard. The guard’s fist clanched ,eyes twitched, left leg stepped back, almost losing his foothold, but he managed to support himself with his right foot and avoided falling.

With a stern voice, Stark said, “Guards, I am here with urgent news. Open the gate—I need to meet the Chancellor.”

Though mocked, Stark’s position still held enough authority to demand an audience.

The guards opened the grand gate.

“Inform the Lord, hurry!” said one guard. The other ran towards the massive golden castle.

The trio entered the compound.

The place was filled with luxuries—grand fountains, gold-clad horse steads, carts, and a lavish garden filled with exotic species of plants glowing under the night, rivaling the stars’ glow. The sound of guards moving, armor clanking—the gold still rang like metal. Leo noticed the courtyard was unusually active for the late hour. Even the occasional screech of wyverns echoed.

After a while, the guard returned.

“The Great Golden Star has permitted you to enter. Be honored.”

The grand doors of the mansion opened, revealing a massive hall. Leo couldn’t help but wonder, This won’t lose to the royal castle. In front of them stood grand stairs with golden handrails embedded with rubies.

The guard led them up the stairs, and the trio continued following him under Stark’s lead.

He took them through the halls—vast corridors past many rooms—until they arrived at yet another room with a huge, gold-clad, decorated door.

The door opened.

“I welcome the great experienced Guard Captain,” said a short, fat figure wearing a uniocular lens on his right eye, with a golden chain attached to it. He wore a grand white robe lined with gold, and his unnaturally large smile held a hint of mockery.

Stark bowed his head.

“I greet the Great Golden Demon.”

Seeing this, Leo and Ryan followed Stark’s lead and slightly bent forward.

“Greetings, Great Golden Star.”

“Welcome, young friends. All of you, take a seat. Let’s have a feast,” he said, inviting the trio to his massive dining table. Almost twenty people could sit there and still be a foot apart from each other.

Stark interrupted, “Sir, we bring news of grave importance. The ancient barrier is weakening. The beasts are passing through the ley lines. The culling is near. We need to activate the Knights’ Array.”

The man, named Gord Goldenblood, didn’t change his expression. Almost as if he already knew. With a sterner voice, he struck the bottom of his cane on the ground, his gaze intimidating.

“Sit down. Let’s talk.”

The boys looked at Stark. He nodded. He sat on the opposite end of Gord, and the boys followed suit.

Gord continued,

“We know of the situation, Captain. We’ve already considered it. Our most brilliant mages are on the case. Nothing to worry about. The ancient core has been in use for a long time—its time has passed. We are working to fix it.”

Leo sensed something amiss in his words but observed silently.

“What if it’s not done in time? Can’t you just activate the Knights’ Array?” Stark asked.

“We sent the Guard Knights on a mission to the Hound Kingdom. They were tasked with escorting the new Vice Chancellor—the youngest knight to reach Knight-Captain level—the only daughter of the Hell Demonic Star. Even if we wanted, it can’t be done,” Gord replied.

Stark stood up, slamming the table.

“What do you plan to do if you fail to fix it in time, Respected Golden Star?”

“We are planning a contingency. Don’t worry,” reassured Gord.

Leo, without hesitation, spoke up.

“Lord Gord, if I may—I think I can help with this.”

“Hahaha! Heroes often come from youth, indeed. Please, I’m all ears. If the people can be saved, I would be most delighted.”

Ryan and Stark looked at Leo, worried. Leo nodded to reassure them.

He began,

“Lord, I lived in the Forest of Nightmare with my grandfather. He was an old guard who worked in the deepest sections of the ley lines. He shared his knowledge with me.”

Ryan, conflicted hearing this, almost stood but collected himself and decided to trust Leo.

Leo continued,

“There are ancient records of the core being able to move to the top of the outer wall. We can cut off the ley line’s supply to the city. That will boost the core’s mana.

The beasts are always attracted to mana. They will gather at the wall. At that time, we can evacuate the people and sneak them into the Forest of Nightmare.”

Gord interrupted,

“What about the beasts along the way? The remaining knights can’t guard everyone. There will be huge casualties.”

Leo replied,

“Sir, I have a solution for that too.”

He took out a herb from his pouch.

“This is Orizion herb.”

“Yeah, isn’t that the weed in the Mercenary Guild’s dump yard? There’s tons of it there,” said Gord.

Leo continued,

“I lived in the forest—we avoided the beasts using this. All beasts are repelled by its smoke. As long as we use it, we can reach the southern part of the forest. We can hide there for two days until the culling ends. Then, we’ll have two years to reinforce the barrier and save everyone.”

Thud. Thud...

Gord clapped.

“Young hero indeed! Thanks to your idea, the people will be saved!”

Stark and Ryan, though still suspicious of how Leo knew so much about the core, accepted that this wasn’t the time for doubt. There were more pressing matters. They chose to trust him.

“Good job,” said Stark.

Ryan whispered to Stark, “Can we trust this cruel lord to save the people?”

Stark replied,

“Even this tyrant wouldn’t be foolish enough to let his kingdom fall.”

“Enough talk! Now let’s celebrate. In honor of our young hero—let’s feast!”

Reassured by Stark, Ryan and Leo began eating, relieved that disaster might be averted.

After two bites, Stark saw everything double. He immediately stood and pushed the food plates aside.

“It’s poisoned! Don’t ea—...t it…”

Ryan and Leo spat the food out—but it was too late. They had already eaten it.

The massive figure of Stark slumped down, trying to support himself on the table. His legs gave way. He collapsed, vision fading, and lost consciousness.

Leo and Ryan fell soon after. Ryan lost consciousness.

Leo fell too—unable to move a muscle—but for some reason, he remained conscious.

“It’s just great. Now we have a perfect escape plan, thanks to this young hero lying here. Just a small change—only I and my Golden Guards will be escaping,” laughed Gord maniacally.

“If only you stayed home, you might’ve survived. Guards, throw them into the jail. They’ve consumed mana-disrupting poison—they won’t wake for a few hours. Put them together with the little princess.”

,"don't forget to get every last piece of the orizion herb".

"Yes sir " said th guards

“Tomorrow, the youngest knight will die tragically in an accident, along with the destruction of the kingdom’s shield. Then, no one will stop me from turning this land into gold! Hahahahahaaaa!”

Laughed Gord rising his cane ,his face twitching in unlikely angles,his eyes like that of a maniac like a madman.

Leo heard everything. Slowly, he understood what was happening.

The trio was carried by the golden guards and thrown into jail.

---

What will happen next?

Who is the princess?

Why does Gord want her dead?

Will Leo save the people?

Stay tuned to find out!

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