The Imperial Palace was in complete chaos following the huge explosion. The Royal guards were in panicking since Rick was missing following the chaos. Troops were departed on every part of the town to search for their King while the Knight captain remained to investigate the mysterious crater formed due to the explosion. "Did you figure anything out yet?"He asked someone nearby. It was one of their researchers. They were calculating the residue mana to figure out the source of the attack. But no matter how many times they did the calculation, the expected results didn't come out."Hey!"Seeing how hard the researcher was frowning, the captain nudged him once more in an attempt to make him speak. They were currently facing a crisis of national level due to the missing King and the unknown enemies. He didn't have time to spare."Umm.. Yes.. The results came out."He replied with a slightly confused tone."So..? What is it?"Asked the captain with impatience."No matter how you look a
"We waited patiently just like you wanted!""But we missed you!""Yeah. It's hard staying away from brother."The kids shouted one after another as they clung to Ian from all sides. A small smile appeared on Ian's face automatically as soon as their laughter and giggle reached his ear.It was afternoon. The golden sun reflecting on their faces full of smiles and happiness made Ian feel something warm inside. At times like these, he truly felt grateful for this second chance in life that he received. 'It's truly a blessing.'He couldn't help but think that.'You're weird.'A reply from the Phoenix came as soon as he was done with his thought. He wondered what that guy meant this time as he put the kids down and started patting their head.'Reason?'He asked.'You're satisfied too easily.'A straight answer came from the Phoenix. Ian waited silently since it looked like he had more to say.'No matter what your origin is, in the end you're also a human. And humans are supposed to have g
A peaceful morning. The whole world was covered in a complete silence and the only sound seemed to be that of nature.The birds chirped. Leaves rustled in the wind. In a deep part of the royal palace, where the VIPs usually stayed. Soft breathing sound filled the room as Ian enjoyed a proper sleep after a long time in his comfortable bed. His body was tired and exhausted after exerting all his mana and repeating those steps again and again and again yesterday. Even before he went to sleep, he felt like his body was run over by a car and then crushed by a bulldozer. He felt like he could stay like that forever as he enjoyed the soft chirping noises made by the birds. Ian clearly had no intention of waking up anytime soon. And as if to show him how wrong he was to think like that, a knock soon came from the other side of his bedroom door. Knock knock! He heard the knock but was to lazy to open his eyes or answer. If it were his bedroom, the only person to knock on his bedroom doo
'Let's have breakfast together!'Rick's words were directly delivered to Ian through the servant. He nodded his head with a smile and-"Alright."-followed the servant out of his room and went to the location where Rick had arranged for him and Ian to have breakfast together.They walked for a few minutes and the servant finally stopped in front of a giant door. There were two guards standing outside the door and securing the room.Ian looked at the guards and was surprised when he found the two familiar faces he had seen before. It was none other than Amber and Richard.The red headed wolf looked as playful and sneaky as ever while the blue wolf looked as straightforward as one could be. Even while standing still, their aura was clearly different from each other."Long time no see!"Ian greeted the two of them with a happy smile as he approached them. The servant bowed and left Ian in their care so they could speak comfortably."We just saw each other yesterday.""I'm glad I could me
"I would've given him a pat on the head if I could."Ian mumbled subconsciously as he thought about his younger self. He was reminded of his past full of struggles when he saw Rick having a hard time.But the thing is, he only thought about it on the inside and had no intention of saying it out loud. It was just one of those slip of the tongue moments.And the one sitting opposite of him couldn't help but misunderstand his intentions. It was only natural.Clang.Rick's fork fell from him hand as he heard what Ian just mumbled. He could tell that it was clearly directed towards him by the look his two guards were giving him and Ian. Even the two of them looked surprised.'He wants to pat my head?!'He thought to himself, shocked out of his wits. Although Ian was definitely the older one, but even until yesterday, Rick was the King of a whole tribe.People of all age treated him with fear and respect. And he had to maintain the dignity of a King no matter the situation. As such, althoug
"I'm not crying! It's just.. something's wrong with my eyes.."Rick said those words in a fluster as he tried to wipe away the tears dripping down his eyes. Ian and his two guards simply looked at him with caring and gentle eyes as he did so.After a few moments passed like that, Rick managed to control the tears rolling down his eyes involuntarily and finally sighed. With his ears and eyes turning red in the process, he didn't look as majestic as he did the first time they met.After that, although the atmosphere was a little awkward around the room, it was also more comfortable and soothing than before. There was a strange sense of tranquility."Brother requested for all your party members to be present in the luncheon."The King had arranged for a small luncheon since Ian refused to go public. The luncheon would only be attended by the royal family and Ian's party. But due to the status of the two party that would be attending the luncheon, the preparation was still pretty grand."
"The one I was having a fight with... "Richard thought for a moment and then looked to his right, where Amber was sitting. She looked a little awkward, unlike her usual playful expression as Richard finished his sentence."It's her."He pointed towards Amber with his eyes as he spoke. Ian almost dropped the cookie in his hands as he looked between Richard and Amber simultaneously."What?!"He was shocked. Clearly. And he also felt a little stupid.The two of them were Royal guards, Rick's exclusive guards to be precise. That alone was enough to tell him about their power level and rank within the tribe.After all, only the strongest could stand with the King. And if Richard and Amber were the two strongest individual after Rick at that moment, then the person Richard fought, or rather, the one who flung him away had to be either Rick or... Amber.'Am I stupid or what?'Ian slapped himself internally as he looked at the two of them with a contorted face. But in the end, it wasn't exac
"We can show you around.""I know a very good shop where you can buy souvenirs from."Hearing how Ian wanted to look around the town by himself, Richard and Amber offered various ways how they could be of help. Ian didn't want to bother the kids and let them have their own free time.But a part of him also felt a little lonely thinking how he had to go play by himself. It didn't seem too fun. That's exactly when their offers to be tour guide came."But don't you have to guard Rick?"They were Royal guards, Rick's exclusive one's at that. Ian wondered how they could leave their post so carelessly.'Is it even okay for me to take them?'The question popped up in his mind naturally. But unlike what he was worried about, the two of them had a confident smile in their faces as they looked at Ian."It's fine now.""This palace right now is the safest place on earth for him."They looked at Ian with a meaningful gaze and as Ian began to wonder what they meant, someone's strong presence and g