The New King of Kouku

King Yuan looked disapprovingly at the cobwebs that had accumulated in every corner of the fallen King Hideki's throne room. Since the murder of the Kouku royal family, the palace was vacated and shut off by its personnel as they were no longer serving anyone. Only four royal guards were employed by General Tori, the right hand man of the dead king, to prevent thieves and trespassers from entering the palace grounds. Three days ago the Tao monarch received a telegram from the general inviting him to be a distinguished guest in an upcoming assembly of Kouku's high-ranking military leaders. The palace doors were reopened to accommodate the said gathering but the light and fresh air that flowed in were not enough to dispel the gloomy atmosphere of the once lively royal abode. The chamber where the king and queen were murdered was left locked and untouched since that night for the investigation was not yet over.

The meeting had started a few minutes ago but the only thing that caught King Yuan's attention was the empty throne before him. It was covered with a black sheet to signify that the rulers of the kingdom were dead. He had a strong feeling that he knew what the agenda for the day was all about.

"The townspeople are getting restless. They feel unsafe without a king. Who would lead us when another war breaks out?"

"Do not wish for another war, General Homura. Peace had prevailed for more than a hundred years because of the treaty."

"Are you blind General Tako? The murder of the royal family is a clear indication that Kasai and Kouri are declaring war against us."

"I suggest that you do not let your emotions blur your thinking, General Ishikawa. We have no proof that those two kingdoms were responsible for the crime."

"Then who do you think would have planned the whole murder if not them? Our beloved king has no known enemies."

"I agree. King Hideki is a peace-loving man. We should revive the investigation and wait for the results."

"The investigation will go nowhere. We all know it's against the laws of our land to cross borders to interrogate people from the other side."

"Then we will break the law as they had already done."

"Silence!" King Yuan pounded his right fist on the wooden table. The heated debate instantly died down and all the generals turned towards his direction.

"I think we are missing a point here," the Tao ruler began. "Why are we talking of war already when your kingdom's immediate concern is the absence of a leader?"

"Your benevolence is what had driven me to request for your presence, Your Highness" General Tori who was keeping quiet the whole time had finally spoken.

"What do you propose then, Your Majesty?" inquired General Ishikawa.

"The most logical thing to do, my dear generals. We need to find a new king."

"Perhaps Your Highness you would be so kind to take us under your leadership? After all, your son was supposed to marry our princess." suggested General Homura.

Majority of the attendees nodded their heads in approval.

King Yuan walked towards the throne and removed the dark and dusty cloth from it. "This seat should not remain empty for so long. However, I cannot grant your request to be king of Kouku. The treaty forbids the merging of the two kingdoms. We have to respect the laws of our forefathers."

"Forgive me for my impudence, Your Majesty but if not you, who will be our next king?" asked General Tako. "Must we contact the heads of the Kyouyama clan's branches?"

"That won't be necessary," King Yuan threw the black cloth aside and walked back to his seat. "King Hideki and his direct ancestors each had a single child. We have to do tremendous amount of work to retrace the Kyouyama family tree and determine among his existing distant relatives who would be next in line. General Tori, you are King Hideki's trusted right hand man. If there's someone in this room who is the ideal candidate to be Kouku's next ruler, it is you."

All eyes went to General Tori's side. "I am greatly humbled by your recommendation, Your Highness but I do not deem myself rightful to be king of Kouku."

"Don't be foolish General Tori. King Yuan had made a wise choice," remarked General Ishikawa. "Those who agree must raise his right hand to pledge his allegiance and support to the new king."

Every man in the table raised his hand.

"So it is settled then. Congratulations General or should I say King Ryuuken Tori?" The Tao monarch smiled and bowed at the new ruler of Kouku.

"I'm not used to regal titles, Your Majesty. I would like to seek justice for the royal family's murders first before I'll let myself be called king."

"Very well, your will be done."