As the rulers of the west left, the rulers of the east remained behind. Shocked by the sudden declaration of war, they were forced to strategize despite the exhaustion still clinging to them from the previous conflict.

  "Can't believe they would decide to declare war, like we haven't been healing from the previous one," King Derick said with a deep frown etched across his face.

  King Arthur, who had been quietly listening until then, spoke up. "I do not believe they will change their minds. Knowing King Alvan, he will go through with his decision no matter what."

  The Fairy Queen Merlin added, her tone troubled, "So we should now be preparing for another war. Our armies are still damaged from the previous one."

  "Even if our armies are damaged, we still have to fight back. We do not have any other choice," the man with green hair said, his voice steady and serious.

  "Yes, we have to fight back. We can't let them conquer us without a stance," King Arthur agreed firmly.

  "Also, from the war, not only our armies are damaged — theirs are damaged too," King Derick pointed out.

  "But they have the giant race. Are we able to fight back against Hindan?" the Dwarf King Levi asked, worry heavy in his voice.

  "With King Jakar, we will be fine," the man with green hair replied with unwavering confidence.

  "Yes… King Jakar is the only chosen one we have. But the West has two," King Arthur said, concern lingering in his tone.

  King Derick stood up, his presence commanding the room. "We should not worry. They may have two chosen ones, but we have more numbers, more strong soldiers, and a contract of protection from one of the archangels — and also a chosen one. Now we should all return to our kingdoms and prepare for war. We of the East will show no mercy to the West. They will know which side is superior."

  As his speech concluded, King Derick looked toward King Arthur. Then he said, "King Arthur, you have to release it."

  King Arthur’s eyes widened, shocked by the request. "That is not a request I can fulfill. Releasing it will result in a bigger chaos."

  "Then only release it when the situation gets dire," King Derick replied earnestly, hoping Arthur would accept the compromise.

  King Arthur hesitated, thinking for some time before he finally said, "Okay. Only when we're in a situation where we are about to be defeated."

  King Derick nodded. "That'll be good enough."

  The meeting soon came to an end. As King Arthur headed to his chamber, Valir rushed up to him and asked urgently, "My lord, why did you agree to release the most destructive dragon in all of Zephyria?"

  Arthur stopped walking, gazing forward for a moment before answering. "Yes, I know. That is why I rejected the idea at first. But the situation, and Derick’s request… it made me think that if things get dire, we will have him as a last resort. Even if it will cause chaos."

  Valir listened closely, then slowly nodded in understanding.

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  At Kingdom Shlaym

  As the green-haired man stepped off his royal Dagon-drawn carriage, he noticed a knight rushing toward him in haste. Vedal stopped walking, allowing the knight to reach him. Panting slightly from the run, the knight said, "Sire Vedal, King Jakar has called for you. He said to reach him fast."

  Vedal appeared surprised for a brief moment at the sudden summons, but he quickly regained his calm composure. "Okay. I will be there," he replied before leaving the courtyard, now heading toward King Jakar’s chamber.

  When Vedal reached the chamber, he slowly opened the door. Inside stood King Jakar near an open window, allowing the cool breeze to flow into the room as he observed the scenery outside. His half-black, half-white hair swayed gently in the wind. Feeling Vedal’s presence, Jakar turned to face him. He appeared to be in his twenties, his calm black eyes fixed on Vedal with a measured, calculating gaze. For a moment, the room remained silent.

  Then Jakar finally spoke. "I'm glad you've come so quickly." Taking a seat, he continued, "You must be wondering why I have called you here so urgently."

  "Is it because you wanted to know what happened in the meeting, right?" Vedal asked.

  "No. I already know what happened in the meeting. It is something else." Jakar paused, taking in a slow breath before he said, "You will be the new king."

  Vedal froze, stunned. "What do you mean, my lord? What about you? You are an amazing king. Why are you quitting?"

  "I’ve brought professional sealing magic users to seal me away. They will begin an hour from now."

  "Seal away? Why, my lord?" Vedal asked, confusion and concern mixing in his voice.

  "I will be sealed so that in the future, I will be there during the arrival of the Wanderer, and I can be reawakened," Jakar said calmly.

  "How do you know about the Wanderer, my lord?" Vedal asked, baffled.

  "I've known for quite a while," Jakar answered.

  "My lord, if you do know the future, then you must know about the war that is about to happen. We need you there, my lord," Vedal pleaded, trying to convince Jakar to stay.

  "No, Vedal. I cannot stay. You have to fight this war without me," Jakar said firmly as he stood and left the room.

  Vedal followed him, still trying to persuade him to reconsider, but Jakar ignored every plea. He led the way down into the underground bunker beneath the palace, where many mages were waiting for him.

  As Jakar entered, the mages bowed respectfully. A woman with long brown hair and large glasses that magnified her green eyes stepped forward. "Are you ready for the sealing, King Jakar?"

  Jakar nodded. "I am."

  The woman nodded back, then guided him toward the center of the room. The other mages began drawing five large, glowing purple circles around him with magic.

  She pressed her palms together, as if in prayer, and began to chant:

  "Oh, the one who traps all — be it magic, ice, fire, or water, The one who isolates a soul from everything, even joy, Oh, the one who binds and takes away one’s right to live on…"

  As she continued, the circles glowed brighter, mana filling the room with a sharp, rising pressure.

  "The Seal of Void."

  A surge of purple light burst outward, engulfing King Jakar. When the light dimmed, he was suspended inside a massive purple crystal — trapped, sealed away.

  Vedal watched the entire process unfold, his shock overwhelming. The woman approached him and said, "Our work is done. He said you are now the new king. My name is Sarah. I hope we meet again."

  She bowed politely, then left with the other mages, leaving Vedal standing alone in stunned silence.

  He remained there for several minutes before finally deciding to go to King Jakar’s — now his — chamber. Upon entering, he looked at the chair Jakar once sat upon. After a long moment, he slowly sat down.

  As he looked ahead, the weight of what had happened finally settled on him. He was now the king — responsible for leading the kingdom through an upcoming war and eventually telling the civilians that their beloved ruler had sealed himself away.

  The burden settled heavily on his shoulders as he began planning how to face the threat approaching their land.