Silas and Ermis stood before the massive gates of the capital city.
A towering stone wall rose into the sky, like it was trying to touch the heavens themselves.
One of the five central nations.
Silas looked ahead calmly.
"Capital city..."
Ermis glanced at him.
"...What are we going to do here?"
Silas smiled slightly.
"The process of choosing a king begins here."
⸻
Entering the City
The guards at the gate stepped forward and blocked their path.
"Halt. State your identity."
Silas answered without hesitation.
"Travelers."
Their eyes shifted towards Ermis.
Something felt… off.
Not dangerous.
Just unfamiliar.
"...Who is this child?" one guard asked.
Silas shrugged.
"My companion."
A simple lie.
Enough to let them pass.
⸻
Inside the Capital
The city was alive with movement.
People, trade, noise, life.
But Ermis felt something else beneath it all.
Two kinds of presence.
Different flows of power.
Different "rules" of existence.
He stopped walking.
"...Something is different here."
Silas nodded.
"Real Nature users and Enhanced Body users."
"But today... their roles will change."
⸻
The Royal Palace
They reached the palace gates.
The massive doors slowly opened.
Inside was a vast hall.
And at the center—
a throne.
Empty.
But not truly empty.
It felt like it was waiting.
Silas paused.
"...They are already here."
Ermis looked around.
"…Who?"
Silas smiled.
"The people who will serve you."
⸻
The Seven Knights and Others
One by one, figures stepped into the hall.
But this time...
none of them were enemies.
None of them were rivals.
They were not here to compete.
They were here to serve.
⸻
Nox
A lazy-looking young man stepped forward.
"I am Nox."
He glanced at Ermis.
"...So you're the king candidate?"
Silas smiled slightly.
"He's not just a candidate. He's the direction."
Nox sighed.
"Then I guess I'll work under him... if I feel like it."
He knelt.
Not out of fear.
But choice.
⸻
Florence
A woman with long white hair stepped forward.
Her red eyes were cold as frozen blood.
"I am Florence."
Her voice carried no emotion.
She slowly knelt.
"...I will follow orders."
Ermis looked at her.
"…Why?"
Florence answered simply.
"In this world, power defines logic."
⸻
Itsuki
A man holding a sword stepped forward.
"I am Itsuki."
"I am not from this dimension."
He looked at Ermis.
"...But I will serve you."
Then he knelt.
Calm.
Detached.
⸻
Elvira
A tall woman with a commanding presence stepped forward.
"I am Elvira."
Her eyes were strict... but not hostile.
Protective.
"I will protect you until you become a king."
Then she knelt.
Not as a subordinate.
But as a guardian.
⸻
Mirey
A girl with a sharp but thoughtful gaze stepped forward.
"I am Mirey."
She tilted her head slightly.
"...I usually don't follow anyone."
A pause.
"But you feel different."
She smiled faintly.
Then knelt.
⸻
Aren
A lively young man stepped forward.
"I am Aren."
He scratched his head.
"A king, huh? Sounds fun."
He grinned.
"Alright, I'll follow you."
And knelt immediately.
⸻
Lumira
An elf maid stepped forward softly.
"I am Lumira."
"I serve the royal palace."
She smiled gently.
"...And now, I will serve the king."
Then she knelt quietly.
⸻
The Silent Hall
All of them knelt.
Not as rivals.
Not as enemies.
But as chosen followers.
The throne still remained empty.
But its meaning had changed.
⸻
Silas looked at Ermis.
"...Do you understand now?"
Ermis stared at them.
"...They are all under me."