~ Book Four Start ~

  “Are you certain?”

  The deep baritone voice of a man clearly used to speaking from a position of power spread throughout the room.

  A voice that was directed towards the only other presence in the room.

  Minister Franc.

  One of the many ministers and officials of the Kingdom.

  The Minister was a short and stocky man, one who was clearly in tune with the physical aspects of life. Particularly combat.

  In his youth, was always known as someone who was gifted in battle. There weren’t many who could look down on him.

  Such thoughts of disregard didn’t begin to reach him until he retired from a life of battle to join the King’s court as a reward for his efforts.

  There were many who whispered that the man once known as the Little Killer, would do nothing but make a full of himself in court. For there were no battle of swords in the audience of the King, only a battle of wit and a keen eye for subterfuge and verbal pitfalls.

  It’s been a few decades since then, and there isn’t a single who lay their bed in the politics of court that doesn’t know about the Little Killer.

  It is often said that his mind is far sharper than that of his blade.

  Even as he sits at the Seventh Tier, people still fear his brain, more so than his brawn.

  The Little Killer, Minister Franc, bowed his head deeply as his own deep voice, responded to the question of the King.

  “I am certain Your Majesty.”

  The King, an older man, yet still clearly in his prime leaned back in his chair for a moment as he let the words of Minister Franc fade into silence.

  “…Are you willing to bet your life on this Franc? If you are wrong…”

  He didn’t finish his sentence as there was no need to.

  Minister Franc more than understood exactly what he was putting at risk by reporting what he had to the King.

  “Your Majesty, I am certain.”

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  “…Then so be it. Hear my words.”

  Minister Franc immediately dropped to his knees and bowed his head.

  “I hereby declare that you are to once again don your weapon in the name of your King and lead the forces of the Kingdom in a great conquest. Make way to the Dark Lands of Mir and capture the being known as the Goblin King.

  “You are to bring his body to my feet in chains.

  “Do not spare any effort in making this a reality.

  “Do you accept?”

  Minister Franc looked up towards the seated King and opened his mouth.

  “This servant has heard the words of his King. I will bring the creature before you without delay.”

  A few minutes later, Minister Franc had departed from the room and headed to prepare to carry out his duty.

  The King stared at the door the minister left out for a few moments.

  “What are your thoughts?”

  “He is likely telling the truth, but things are never so simple when it comes to the schemes of the Minister.”

  A voice responded to the King, from nowhere but everywhere at the same time.

  “Hm…no…they aren’t. Keep an eye on him.”

  “By your will.”

  Time passed, and it wasn’t until a week later that the forces of the King, led by Minister Franc officially departed from the borders of the Kingdom and began making their way towards the Dark Lands of Mir.

  A massive force of three separate Royal Knight Companies. 6000 Knights in total.

  With their strength ranging from the Fourth Tier to the Seventh.

  This was not a small or a weak force and it didn’t take long for word of the force to spread across the continent.

  And with such a massive force on the move, other factions and countries quickly scrambled to figure out the destination and the eventual target.

  Troops were quickly ordered to borders, deals in the light and in the dark, favors were cashed in, and many other things took place, just from the word that the Knights of the Verdan Kingdom were on the move.

  Now while some countries were feeling a bit more apprehensive regarding the move from the Verdan Kingdom, like all of the countries of the Demi-Human alliance, there were others who saw this as an opportunity.

  And perhaps if it wasn’t for the presence of the monster who sat on the throne for the Verdan Kingdom, there might’ve already been an attack…but while overt attacks likely weren’t possible, covert ones would definitely be a possibility as the remaining forces of the Kingdom would spread themselves a bit thinner to cover the gaps left by the departing Knight Companies.

  Something the King was aware of.

  Yet instead of spreading the word of a potential Goblin King being born and currently growing in strength, the King kept quiet.

  Of course, this was at the request of Minister Franc.

  He convinced the King that there would be no doubt about the capture of the Goblin in question with just two full strength Knight Companies, the King decided to allow this ask of one of his oldest retainers, but to be certain he sent an additional Company.

  And he didn’t fail to make it clear to Minister Franc, that should he fail, then the consequence was death.

  Since if word got out that the King kept the knowledge of a Goblin King hidden there would be consequences.

  Ones that could only be resolved through blood.

  So while the King kept watch of his lands and other countries either watched or acted on the sight of 6000 Knights moving, Minister Franc had left the comfort of his luxurious robes to once again don the armor of Verdan.

  And he was riding at the forefront of the massive contingent heading towards the Dark Lands of Mir.

  ‘The time is finally here. The Seventh Tier won’t be my end, and these Goblins will be the key to finally breaking down the wall that has stopped my progress for over 50 years. And once my breakthrough is successful…it will finally be time to act upon the wishes of my ancestors.’