Kingdom in Crisis
The royal council chamber was bathed in the morning sunlight streaming through the pillars adorned with blue jade, creating a solemn atmosphere. This was my most cherished space. Countless vital decisions had been made here, discussions that shaped the kingdom's future. But today, the news brought by the count shattered the room's peaceful ambiance like nothing else.
"I understand that Rowan, the former captain of the 2nd Knight Order, along with Count Walter, Count Budan, and several other nobles, were followers of the evil god. And that Sir Edgar, who survived the Sia Kalt expedition three years ago, tracked them down with Duke Crosby, only for the duke to lose his life in the process."
Prime Minister Valerius spoke slowly. His gray beard trembled slightly with each word. Doubt was evident in his eyes. He had been my most trusted advisor throughout my reign—a cool-headed man who never fell for fanciful tales.
"But the one who exterminated them was that flower, the very target of the expedition? That flower transformed into a human, and even wielded the powers of Michael’s apostle to slay demons?"
Valerius asked in disbelief, his voice laced with clear mockery. I sympathized with his reaction. The story we'd just heard was more absurd than any folktale or legend.
"Your Majesty, it’s all true." Count Haind said with a grave expression, desperation in his eyes. "I stake my honor on it—there’s not a shred of falsehood. I couldn’t believe it at first either, but I witnessed it with my own eyes."
Edgar nodded in agreement with his father. His face was as steadfast as a priest’s. I glanced back and forth between them. Count Haind had served loyally throughout my reign, and his son Edgar was a valiant knight. Yet, as the prime minister said, the tale was utterly ridiculous. How could a flower turn into a person? And that flower was Michael’s apostle? If such things were possible, this world was far stranger than I knew.
It made more sense to think they’d fallen victim to mind magic from the evil god’s followers. But the Haind family had always been devout, and they had no reason to lie. That was the most confounding part.
"Count, I know well that you’re a brave and loyal vassal. But as you admit, this story is hard to swallow. We’ve summoned everyone involved in the incident. Why didn’t you bring that flower... no, that person, with you? Words alone aren’t enough to convince us."
The count hesitated, as if choosing his words carefully. Embarrassment flickered in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, Lady Ricoris is resting..."
Before he could finish, Valerius cut him off in a fury. The old prime minister’s face flushed red with anger.
"What! How dare you take His Majesty’s command so lightly! Count, have you forgotten your duty to the crown? And ‘Lady Ricoris’? Speaking as if you worship the thing!"
"Valerius, calm yourself." I raised a hand to soothe the prime minister. "Count Haind must have had his reasons. Isn’t that right, Count?"
Count Haind bowed his head. "Your Majesty, I was rude. But Lady Ricoris... she’s no ordinary being. Her power defies imagination. And..."
"And?"
"Her temperament... is somewhat unpredictable. If we’d brought her here, who knows what might have..."
Before the count could finish, a sudden commotion erupted. The clatter of armor rang out as several knights rushed into the chamber. Their armor was caked in dirt and dust, their faces pale with terror.
"What’s the uproar!" the prime minister demanded, leaping to his feet.
"Your Majesty! An intruder! A small girl and bug monsters have overpowered the knights and are wrecking the palace!"
The guard captain reported breathlessly, sweat beading on his forehead.
"A girl? Bug monsters?"
My gaze instinctively turned to Count Haind and Edgar. Their faces had gone ashen—they clearly knew what was happening.
"It’s probably her..." Edgar murmured, anxiety creeping into his voice.
"What in the world is going on? That flower from your tall tale has actually shown up? Your Majesty, this must be some trick!"
Valerius cried out, his face a mask of bewilderment. Fear and distrust mingled in his eyes.
"It’s no trick!" Count Haind declared firmly. "We don’t know why she’s come either! I swear..."
"If you don’t know, that makes it even worse." Valerius interrupted. "An uncontrollable being has breached the palace—that’s a threat to the entire kingdom!"
"Enough!" I raised my hand to halt their argument. There was no time for debate. "Count Haind, is that girl the guard captain mentioned really the ‘flower’ you spoke of?"
The count nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty. It has to be Lady Ricoris."
I assessed the situation swiftly. What had seemed an unbelievable story moments ago had suddenly become reality. But as king, I had to remain composed.
"Subdue her and bring her here at once."
The knights exchanged glances, and finally, the guard captain shook his head.
"It’s... Your Majesty, she’s too strong. Dozens of knights are already down. She’s no mere mage. She summons roots from the ground to crumble walls and scatters powder that paralyzes knights."
"We have nearly a hundred knights in the palace, and she’s overpowering them?"
My voice rose. Rage and fear filled my chest in equal measure.
"What of the 1st Knight Order? The guards?"
"All neutralized, Your Majesty. She’s like... a calamity."
The guard captain bowed his head.
"We’ll go see." Count Haind and Edgar stood simultaneously. Fear lingered in their eyes, but so did resolute determination.
"Count, can you and your son stop her?"
The count hesitated. "We can’t stop her, Your Majesty. But we might calm her down. She’ll recognize us."
Valerius grabbed his arm. "Your Majesty, you should evacuate first. This is surely a rebellion—or an invasion by foreign forces. Your safety comes first!"
I pondered briefly. Fleeing wounded my pride. As king, I needed to witness and control what was happening in my own palace. Yet I also knew not to act recklessly. In the end, curiosity and duty overpowered fear.
"No, I’ll see for myself." I said firmly. "If that flower is as powerful as you claim, hiding won’t help. Better to meet her and talk directly."
Valerius looked ready to protest but fell silent at my resolve. We gathered more escort knights and headed toward the disturbance with Count Haind, Edgar, and the prime minister.
As we traversed the palace corridors and descended the marble stairs, signs of destruction grew clearer. Cracks marred the walls, marble chunks had fallen from the ceiling. Several chandeliers lay shattered on the floor.
This palace, built in our kingdom’s golden age two hundred years ago, was a symbol of royal authority. It embodied the glory and prestige of our lineage, a beacon of stability and prosperity for the people. Master stonemasons and artisans had devoted their lives to its creation—this magnificent structure was the kingdom’s history incarnate.
And now, all that history and tradition was crumbling at the hands of a single girl.
When we reached the Grand Hall, the sight before us was shocking. The palace was entwined with massive black roots, sections collapsing. Dozens of knights lay frozen like statues. The ornate chandeliers, the palace’s pride, were smashed on the floor. Pillars in the Grand Hall were half-ruined, cracks spiderwebbing the floor as black roots thrust upward through them.
What in the world...
And at the center of it all stood a girl. She looked like a child with crimson eyes, but her presence was overwhelming. She wore a black dress, her red pupils like pools of blood. Around her floated a massive ice hornet, a red butterfly and a blue butterfly, and a strange metallic orb.
The giant hornet lounged against the wall; one butterfly stared at me oddly. In the distance, a young man who looked like a mage and another girl stood awkwardly.
The girl’s gaze turned to me, a mix of curiosity and arrogance.
Is this one really a flower turned human?
"Hmm? So you’re the one. The monarch ruling this land. With the count and Edgar here too, all the more welcoming."
The girl spoke in an elegant yet haughty voice. Her tone and bearing were like those of an imperial high noble. But clear contempt laced her words.
I blinked. No one had ever addressed me so dismissively.
"Lady Ricoris! What are you doing!" Count Haind shouted, bewilderment in his voice.
"Isn’t it obvious? I’m delivering judgment. Through blood and slaughter, the goddess of vengeance swings her blade."
Her calm, elegant voice echoed through the hall. In that moment, it felt as if everything in the palace had frozen. Not even the escort knights’ breaths could be heard; no one dared move.
Before the judgment of the crimson-eyed girl, our century-old kingdom trembled like a falling leaf.
The kingdom’s fate now hung in the hands of a single flower.