Chapter 5

"How can this be?!"

King Dalton's booming voice echoed through the throne room. His hands fisted tightly, almost drawing blood. His face is contorted with anger and humiliation.

A few weeks ago, when the right-hand man of King Edoria graced the Kingdom of Sydren he thought it was for the betrothal offer. Edoria has no Prince, for its King did not seek marriage. How funny that he thought the King finds the interest of his daughter only to be disappointed that the king's hand was only there to point out the part of Sydrens land that's long forgotten slowly is causing trouble at the neighboring Kingdom which is the Edoria.

"My King humbly asked for you King Dalton to sweep your land off of these creatures. Have you made a blind eye, King Shidra will be displeased and take your action as an intention to cause trouble to Edoria."

Grinding his teeth with rage, his ears went hot from remembering what that man said.

The sightings of goblins that slowly crept to Edoria from Sydren became a thorn for merchants travel. Goblins are known to multiply easily, and they are often the pest of land. The King's hand personally told King Dalton to check his land and make a haste to resolve the matter.

King Dalton, enrage of the events of being ordered from his neighbor, didn't take it too seriously. He sent over a hundred soldiers who are merely starting for their service. It'll be just a simple sweep, a tour, perhaps. That's what he thought.

The messenger flinch, never dare to look up the throne.

"And the bodies? How would you know that it's my soldiers, you fool?!"

"T-the informant didn't dare to enter any further in the forest, my King. They can't retrieve the corpses. W-we need to send high-ranking soldiers, my King, to be able for the bodies to be home…"

"What nonsense!"

The messenger shrunk even further from his knees. The King seems to breathe fire. Sydren have the largest number of soldiers on his steed. But that is all. The King lacks of well seasoned people. Even if he has, he can't risk of losing them. The King can't gamble his popularity and power. Besides, who knows that his infantry is lacking anyway.

"M-my King, the people are already wary. A-and the bereaved family are -"

"Take him out at once."

King Sydren pointed his cane scepter to the messenger. Two guards of waiting in the corner of the throne room walks with long strides. Their spear made a heavy thump to the pristine floor.

Not minding the messenger's protest, the guards escorted him out, leaving the King fuming on his seat. Leaving the hundreds of bodies behinds the Ehna Forest doesn't bother him at all. In fact, it would be better to leave them as a meal for the monsters. That's what he intended to do. But he has a reputation to keep.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he's left no choice but to dispatch the commander of his soldiers.