Chương 19: KINGDOM OF EQUINOX

Eli and his trusted knight cautiously made their way through the neighboring kingdom, their senses heightened as they observed the jubilant crowds celebrating the coronation of the new king. Amidst the festive atmosphere, they knew they had to remain discreet, for their true purpose was that of spies.

Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Eli and his knight remained focused and vigilant, aware of the risks they faced as spies in a kingdom filled with joyous revelers. They knew that their actions could have far-reaching consequences, not just for themselves, but for the kingdom they served.

Eli and his trusted knight finally arrived at the majestic Royal Palace of Equinox, their hearts pounding with anticipation. They had successfully navigated the treacherous journey, overcoming countless obstacles in their quest to deliver their gifts to the king. As they approached the grand entrance, their eyes widened in awe at the sheer opulence that surrounded them.

The palace stood tall and magnificent, its architecture a testament to the kingdom's grandeur. Elaborate carvings adorned the walls, depicting scenes of valor and triumph. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the marble halls as they made their way toward the throne room.

"Envoys from the neighboring Kingdom of Solstice!"

A hush fell over the crowd as Eli and his Knights made their grand entrance. All eyes turned towards them, captivated by their commanding presence and the air of mystery that surrounded them. Eli, in particular, His presence seemed to radiate a chilly yet irresistible charm, leaving everyone in awe of his captivating allure.

"My, my what a handsome man."

"Who might that be?"

"Maybe he's a prince?"

"I want to be his first dance"

"Yeah, handsome."

Whispers of admiration and curiosity spread like wildfire, as the guests tried to unravel the mystery behind this handsome and enigmatic man with his pitch-black hair and piercing golden eyes, he exuded an undeniable magnetism that set him apart from the rest.

Eli's Knights, strong and loyal, stood by his side, their eyes fixed on their leader with unwavering respect. Clad in their shining armor, they formed a formidable presence that added to the air of intrigue surrounding Eli. Their synchronized movements and impeccable discipline showcased their unwavering dedication to their leader.

At the far end of the room, seated upon a magnificent throne, sat the king. Dressed in regal attire, he exuded an air of dignity and wisdom. Eli and his knight approached with reverence, their hearts filled with humility and respect.

"I, Elijah Chestre, from the Kingdom of Solstice, present our King's congratulatory gifts to the new King of Equinox," Eli said with a bow, Eli presented their carefully chosen gifts to the king.

The first gift was a beautifully crafted sword, adorned with intricate engravings that depicted the kingdom's history. Its blade shimmered in the light, a symbol of strength and protection.

The second gift was an ornate chest, carved from the finest wood and embellished with precious gemstones. Inside lay a collection of rare artifacts from distant lands, each one a testament to the kingdom's vast reach and influence.

As Eli and his knight offered their gifts, their eyes met the king's, and they could see a glimmer of appreciation and gratitude. The king accepted the offerings with grace, acknowledging the significance of their gesture. "Very well, please. enjoy the banquet."

"Thank you, your Majesty," Eli said. Successfully presenting the gift to the king, found themselves faced with a new mission - to spy on the kingdom. Despite their recent triumph, their duty was far from over. With a subtle nod, barely perceptible to the untrained eye, Eli silently conveyed his instructions to his trusted knights. They exchanged knowing glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. In their eyes, a spark of determination ignited, hidden behind their polite smiles and graceful demeanor.

As the banquet continued, the knights seamlessly blended into the crowd, their movements purposeful yet inconspicuous. They discreetly made their way through the throngs of nobles, their senses attuned to every detail. They listened intently to whispered conversations, observed the interactions between influential figures, and noted any signs of treachery or hidden agendas.

Eli found himself surrounded by a crowd of noble women who were eager to catch his attention. Their eyes sparkled with anticipation as they approached him, hoping for a dance with the enigmatic knight.

People begin to dance, and Eli is perplexed by the woman who wishes to dance with him inviting him to join them on the dance floor. However, Eli politely declined their offers, his voice carrying a cold but respectful tone. "I appreciate your kind invitations, noble ladies," Eli said, his voice carrying a hint of formality. "But I must refuse."

The noble women, momentarily taken aback by his refusal, exchanged glances of surprise. They were accustomed to receiving immediate attention and admiration from suitors. However, Eli's rejection was met with a sense of intrigue rather than offense.

Despite his refusal, Eli maintained a courteous demeanor, his chivalry shining through. He bowed respectfully to each noblewoman, expressing his gratitude for their interest. His actions conveyed a sense of honor and respect, leaving a lasting impression on the ladies.

The King summons Eli a bit later. He follows the servants on their way to the King's office.

"Your Majesty, The King." he bowed as a sign of respect.

"Please sit," the king urged, and Eli did. "I'm astonished by your unexpected arrival," King said. But, before Eli could say anything, the King spoke again. "We know that the previous King of this area had a strong relationship with your Kingdom, yes?" he asked.

"That is correct, your Majesty." Eli simply answered.

"I assume that you didn't want just to deliver the gifts, but you want to find out something, did you not?" the king said and Eli look at him solemnly.

"What do you mean, your Majesty?" Eli inquires. "Our Kingdom has an excellent connection with this country...before," Eli said, "but if you want to ruin it, we won't simply sit back and relax," Eli said in a calm tone but a cold expression

"So, it's true...you want to find something in my Kingdom." he added and bitterly chuckled. Eli remained emotionless and unbothered.

"I simply happen to sit on the throne...I don't want to start a war...at least not yet," he remarked as he rose to his feet. "...And if I want to start a war...Solstice isn't the greatest Kingdom to mess with," he grinned. Eli began to crease his brow.

"What do you mean to say...your Majesty" Eli asked but remained calm. he knows what the King of Equinox said but he remembers what King Nicolas said to him.

{'he must not be trusted'}

"You came here to see for yourself if this Kingdom was a danger, didn't you?" he remarked as he walked back and forth. "All I'm saying is…as you can see, we're not capable of conquering your land...this Kingdom is just starting to emerge, and I don't want to develop an adversary, with your Kingdom or any other neighboring Kingdom. We simply want peace," he added.

"How can I trust you? The time you sat on the throne...is when the hordes suddenly came on our borders," Eli got up and spoke. "...and you also killed the former King Gust—-" but he didn't complete his sentence.

"A demon? A threat? and killed…the previous King you say?" confusedly ask of the King.

"Don't play innocent…your Majesty," Eli said and drew his sword and pointed at the King's throat.

"Don't forget that you are stepping on my land, my Kingdom. I am the King in this----" Eli cut what the king is saying.

"You…are no King to me..." he coldly said to the King of Equinox. the King smirks

"Indeed, I have no right to mess with the Kingdom of Solstice," he said and pushed the blade of the sword slowly out of his neck. "Come with me, I'll show you." the King said and walked towards the large cabinet. he pushes the book and it opens.

Eli sheaths his sword and follows the King to a secret passage. It's dark inside and the magic torch is the only light to see the way.

"Don't worry, you must see this so you'll believe me." the King assured.

The king stops and one by one the torch lightens the whole room. Eli's eyes widened as he saw the previous King being kept in a magical cage.

Eli rushed to see the Previous King. He was startled when he saw the eyes of the Previous King. eyes that are tinted with crimson blood, which means…

" A demon..." Eli mumbled to himself. he feels a sudden rage flowing in his body. as he starts remembering who killed Yule.

A demon.

"I don't know...why you assume that I killed the previous King. All of my people...in this Kingdom, knew that he was a Demon and secretly killing innocent lives. he just recently exposed himself because of his creepy hobby of killing and torturing. I believe he is possessed by a demon." The King said and walked towards Eli and slowly whispered behind his back " You, look at him, he looks terrible and looks like he's going to kill anytime, anywhere, anyone, once he comes out of the cage." King said.

"Kill..."

The previous King repeated the words 'Kill'. He looks like he's gone insane. His eyes flowed with so much anger and devastation just like any other demon who has a hunger for blood war.

"When we discover that the King is like that. hordes are coming nonstop, in every part of our kingdom." the King said. Eli looks at him furiously

"Then, why didn't you kill him?" he asked, unsheathing his sword and about to kill the previous King. but King Theodoric stopped him.

"He-he must be saved. a demon possesses him. so, I'm sure that there's a way to save him. this Kingdom still needs him." King Theodoric said. Eli calms himself down. he looks at the King

"Once I returned. I will say a word to my King. but this demon must be killed. that's the only reason hordes are coming nonstop. We must eradicate the source" he said and looked at the previous King.

Eli and King Theodoric returned to the banquet as if nothing happened. He then signals his colleagues to go back and stops the task they're doing.

"Captain! What's going on?" one of the knights asked him.

"We're going back," he said seriously.

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THEODORIC 's POV

"You almost had me killed!" My stupid little sister said. I chuckled while unlocking the cage