Chapter 40: King Edric

Words : 1031 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

The grand halls of the royal palace of Eldoria, the heart of the Raltheon Kingdom, shimmer with golden candlelight. The scent of parchment, ink, and old wood fills the air as servants hurry through corridors, their footsteps muffled against thick carpets. Inside the king's private chamber, a heavy silence hangs in the air. King Edric, a man in his late fifties with silver-streaked hair and sharp, calculating eyes, sits at the long table. His fingers pinch the bridge of his nose as he exhales slowly. A headache pounds behind his temples. Across from him, Marshal Walric, stands rigidly, his posture as straight as a drawn sword. His polished breastplate gleams under the dim candlelight. "Say that again," King Edric says, his voice low but edged with restrained fury. Marshal Walric does not hesitate. "Misorn has fallen, Your Majesty. The city is now in the hands of monsters." King Edric presses his fingertips against his temples, exhaling slowly through his nose. The news is a hammer blow, but he cannot afford to show weakness. He lifts his gaze, sharp as a blade, to Marshal Walric. "How did this happen?" His voice is dangerously calm. Walric does not flinch. "The city was already on the decline, Your Majesty. Corruption, poor leadership... Governor Vylan's negligence allowed the monsters to gain ground. And without General Aldric there to maintain order, the city was defenseless when the attack came." Edric's jaw tightens. "Aldric..." He leans back in his chair, folding his hands together. "Remind me why one of my strongest generals was forced to abandon his post?" The marshal's expression darkens. "Because Governor Vylan drove him out. Heavy taxes, senseless decrees, and a refusal to supply the army. Aldric was left with soldiers who could barely afford to eat, let alone fight. He requested reassignment, and I granted it." Silence stretches between them. Edric clenches his fists, barely resisting the urge to slam them on the table. A level 340 knight—is already a top powerhouse in Raltheon, only to be squandered because of his brother-in-law's incompetence. And now, the city is lost. Edric exhales sharply. "What of the survivors?" "Most fled before the city fell completely. Some have made it to nearby settlements, but others... reports suggest they were either killed or taken by the monsters." "Taken?" Edric narrows his eyes. Walric hesitates. "What are your orders, Your Majesty?" Edric leans forward, his voice like ice. "First, gather intel on what monster has taken control of the city." "Yes, Your Majesty." The king stands abruptly, pacing toward the massive window that overlooks the capital. Below, the grand city of Eldoria sprawls in elegant streets and towering structures, untouched by the chaos that has befallen Misorn. Edric exhales, rubbing his temple. "This is my fault too," he mutters. Walric remains silent, but the truth is undeniable. The only reason Vylan was given Misorn was because of Edric's promise to the queen—his wife. He had turned a blind eye for her sake, believing that Vylan's failures could be contained. "My wife is such a good soul," Edric murmurs. "And then there's her brother..." Before he can finish, the doors to the chamber swing open. Queen Nefia rushes inside, her silk gown flowing behind her, her golden hair disheveled. "My love, I heard the news. Please—" Edric turns to her, already knowing what she will ask. His expression hardens. "You want me to spare him from severe punishment?" Tears shimmer in Nefia's eyes as she nods. "Please, Edric. He is the only family I have left." Edric exhales slowly, his gaze heavy with disappointment. "I can't promise that, Lysara. What he has done this time... It's a disaster. Everyone already blames me for letting him govern Misorn in the first place." "I know," she whispers, voice trembling. "But he is my brother." Edric watches her for a long moment. Lysara has always been gentle—too gentle for court politics. She sees the world in kindness, even when it does not deserve it. And yet, how many chances has Vylan already squandered? ---- Alix sits in his grand study, the dim glow of enchanted crystals casting a soft light across the spacious room. His sharp eyes remain fixed on the transparent screen floating before him, visible only to him. [Population: 6,437] His fingers drum lightly on the wooden desk as he scans the numbers. "Hmm," Alix mutters. "Misorn is quite large—it could house a hundred thousand, yet we barely have six and a half thousand citizens. The city still feels empty." Beside him, Draya, his ever-loyal maid, stands with perfect posture, her hands neatly folded in front of her. "Draya," Alix says without taking his eyes off the screen. "Do you think the monsters in the surrounding forests are avoiding the city because they don't feel comfortable living among others?" Draya tilts her head slightly, considering his words. "It is possible, Your Majesty. Many of the forest-dwelling monsters are used to their own territories and way of life. Living in a structured city with unfamiliar species might feel... restrictive to them." Alix exhales, closing the screen with a thought. "Then perhaps we need to change that." Alix leans back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, his thoughts racing. "What should I do to attract more monsters to the city?" he mutters to himself, tapping his fingers on the desk. A moment later, his eyes widen as an idea strikes him. "Of course... how could I forget about the dungeons?" He thought, 'In the game, dungeons were always a key element. If you placed them in your city, it would attract stronger and more diverse citizens. The higher-tier dungeons, the better the citizens you'd draw in.' He turns to Draya, his gaze focused. "But I don't think I've seen a dungeon in this forest. Do you think this world even has them?" Draya looks thoughtful for a moment before replying. "I'm not sure, Your Majesty. But there are many things we've yet to learn about this world. If dungeons exist, perhaps they are hidden away or have yet to be discovered."

Chapter 40: King Edric

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