Kazuki and Larkin walked towards the main gate of Amane. Larkin is carrying the wounded Zoi on his back. They were doomed when they found out about what happened. They can't believe that the man who taught them things, more than that of fighting had fallen to the hands of the enemies. They're dreading his lost but it's more than that. They feel like they've lost the entire battle. They've tried to deny their regrets especially Kazuki who had the greatest influence of the strategic plan. Larkin felt remorseful of himself seeing how badly was Zoi hurt and now the old man but he's unscratched. Zoi on the other hand don't know what to think. He knows that the old man is now gone but somehow part of him doesn't want to believe that.
When they arrived at the gate, the citizens of Amane mixed with the Barbaric people have gathered already before them. The three of them stayed silent. Not to long, the generals have gathered also. They saw Zoi however, they don't know how to react by the way the three of them looked. A little while had passed and made the people impatient. They were already doubting if the news is really true. Some even tried to start a fight.
"What's the wait?! Where's the boss!" one Barbaric man said angrily.
"Maybe it's not really true." Some of the citizens of Amane whispered to each other. But it did not escaped the ears of the Barbarics.
"What was that peasant?! Are you telling us that we're liars?!" the Barbaric man said. The citizen shook in fear and tried to back away from them. Some have the courage to glare at the Barbarics but that's all they could do.
"I asked you what was that?!" the Barbaric man exclaimed and swung his spiky bat but it was stopped by General Kenelm. The general looked at him with fierce eyes. It is full of rage.
Among the generals, he suffered the most lost when he heard about the fallen Bal. They are of the same age and have been rivals ever since they've met. Hearing the news made him furious with the fallen friend. It's as if he had lost his will to get stronger.
Suddenly, General Jotham placed his sword on the Barbaric man's neck while he landed on his nape. He eyed him angrily. The huge man gulped as he knew that he has no escape.
"Don't be too cocky just because you're all general! You're still outnumbered! You won't stand a chance!" the other Barbarics said boastfully and they laughed together.
The generals knew this. Their number is not enough to deal with many of them. Not to mention they could take the citizens as hostages. Their soldiers doesn't even have a chance of defeating one of them even if they fight together. This is really getting troublesome. Then, the generals looked at Zoi as if they are awaiting his orders however, the three of them were focused of what they have seen.
"Your highness….What should we do?" General Beau asked Zoi awkwardly because he's still not accustomed of Zoi being the prince.
"We don't need to fight." Zoi whispered still staring at the same place.
"Huh?" the generals and the citizens shared the same confusion. For them he just sounded like he'll gonna submit to the Barbarics.
"See?! Even your Prince already admitted your defeat!" the Barbaric said. The generals looked at Zoi with disappointment. They expected a lot from him only to hear him say this?
"Huh?! What are you talking about?" Larkin asked looking at the Barbarics. "Why would we submit ourselves?" he added.
"We won." Kazuki sighed. Everyone was shock. How could she say that? The Barbarics snorted and some of them even laughed. The Barbarics as well as the generals were thinking that they are deluded.
"Hey brats! Did any poison reached your brain?! I understand that you're being optimistic but that's rubbish! I can't believe that that damned Bal raised some awful lots!" Kenelm said angrily. Suddenly, Zoi pointed on the other side where the top of the gate was located without uttering a word. Angsty, Kenelm followed his pointer and was shocked with what he saw.
"I-I-Impossible…." Was the word he manage to say. The others got confused so they looked as well.
And there they saw a man stood up with pride as he looked down on the citizens of Amane. He wore a proud grin with him as he held hs enemy's severed head. Everyone's jaw dropped. There's a defeaning silence from the people and the only noise that could be heard is the sound of the leaves when the wind blows through them.
The man standing is an old man in well and muscular built body. The severed head looked diabolically and it bears an expression of grief.
"Boss…. Zaman…" a Barbaric man uttered in disbelief.
"This… is impossible." Uttered by some.
The generals and the citizens of Amane were still speechless. It is the total opposite of what they have expected. The thing that had been pictured in their minds was Zaman holding Balthasar's severed head but it is actually Balthasar who's holding Zaman's head.. Kazuki had smiled half heartedly while tears streamed down her face. Larkin smirked and Zoi chuckled.
"He got us! That old man." He said.
"Well, he always do that." Larkin replied.
"As much as they're glad to see you alive, I wanna ask you something, old bun!" General Kenelm announced.
"O-O-Old bun….?" The other generals whispered in surprised.
"What is it Ken?" General Balthasar responded.
The generals were surprised even more. The generals were calling each other with formality however, these two seems to be treating each other more than just a general.
"What is this all about?!" General Kenelm asked furiously.
"What is this all about, you asked? Hmm… Isn't it obvious? To declare that we're the victors of this unnecessary war." General Balthasar said gently.
"That's not what I meant! I mean, everyone heard it didn't you?!" General Kenelm exclaimed and looked at the other generals. They nodded.
"Yes, we also heard the same voice. But I thought it was General Zaman's." General Amiana said.
"Stop calling him General! We know he did not really fit to be one." General Beau said with disgust.
"But yeah. We heard it. We thought it was really him." General Jotham to calm down the atmosphere.
"Damn right! That's why tell us what happened!" General Kenelm demanded.
"Well, it is really him… But how did it turn out like this is something I could not tell." General Balthasar said playfully.
"Damn old man! Everyone get him!" one of the Barbaric men said and prepared to attack the old man even if he's on the top of a high rise gate.
"Are you lots idiot?! How can you climb over there?" Zoi said.
"Oh? An idiot asking other idiots if they are idiots?" Larkin said and Zoi strangled him from behind. "Hey! What are you doing?! Stop that or I'll drop you!" Larkin said struggling.
Kazuki just sighed at this sight.
"Then come down here this instant old man! Let me tear you apart!" Barbaric shouted from below.
"Tch! As if someone's gonna do that just because you wanted them to." General Shun blurted.
"Then, if we can't climbed there, then we'll make him come down here! By killing some of his friends here!" one of them said and grinned widely and looked at the citizens.
"As if we would let you do that scums!" General Kenelm said.
"As if you would stand a chance!" the Barbaric men said as they are ready to charge against them knowing that with their number, it's easy as killing chickens. But before they could even take a single stepped, Something that sounds crack was heard from above. Then the Barbaric stood in horror. General Balthasar showed them how he crushed the huge head of Zaman in his hand.
"One wrong move and all of you will be crushed. Not just your head but your whole body if I wanted to." General Balthasar said seriously and glared at them. Even Zoi and Larkin were surprised. The Barbaric men were stoned. They were shaking in anger as well as in fear. The look in General Balthasar's eye seems to drained every drop of their weapons. Some even fell on their knees.
"Now then." General Balthasar said and descended from above and landed in front of Larkin. He bowed down.
"Your highness. We await your orders." General Balthasar said. Zoi's eye widened. He's not used to something like this. He even hates the royals. What surprises him the most, the other generals bowed down as well.
"Hey! Don't make it obvious! Don't look so stupid!"Larkin whispered jokingly.
"Shut up womanizer!" Zoi replied irritably.
"Well, as much as I hated to be treated like this, well, I guess it can't be helped. First thing is, we must treat the wounded." He said awkardly. The generals were all waiting for his words. He can't take the pressure not to mention the citizens are also looking at him. He then struggled and scratched his head.
"Hey stop it idiot!"Larkin said as he was about to lose balance because of Zoi's tantrums.
"Hey old man! I don't really know what to say! So do what you want!" Zoi exlaimed. The people and the generals laughed at his innocence.
"What should we do with these Barbarics? They've caused too much trouble and damage to this country." General Kenelm said.
"Not to mention, they've killed some." General Jotham added.
"Hmm…. As much as I feel sorry for the bereaved families of the dead but we can't kill them." Zoi said. The generals were shocked. The ruthless creatures who caused terror and chaos to the country and killed many people were being spared by the prince.
"What do you mean, your highness?" General Amiana asked him with his stern voice.
"I mean what I said General. However, they are not totally being spared. We'll gonna use their brute force and size in repairing the damages that was caused by the chaos. I know they did ruthless things that would be enough for us to kill them. But I believe death is merely not enough as payment for the lives that are lost. Hence, we'll gonna punish them letting them live with burden until their death." He explained. General Amiana felt something strange as she watched the prince spoke those words. She looked at the prince as if he was the ideal man she's looking for.
Suddenly, her face felt hot and realized that she's already blushing. She mentally slapped herself and tried to brush off that idea from her mind. Other generals too looked at him with adoration. It seems that they've found the king they've been looking for.
"Very well said, your highness." General Balthasar said.
"Well, then I guess General Kenelm should be in charge of looking after them while they're doing the repairs." Zoi said.
"Huh?" General Kenelm said because he dislike working with criminals. He might not e able to stop himself from fighting them. But General Balthasar elbowed him. He got it and just nodded.
The Barbaric men looked gloomy and doomed. Their freedom and glory days had now come to an end. They will be used as tools and slaves for this country and there's nothing they couldn't do. They just stood there together and gritted their teeth and containing their anger.
"Well then your highness. We must first schedule your coronation." General Balthasar said.
"Wait! I must think about it first! I mean, you have not ascertain yet if I'm really cut out to be a leader!" Zoi exclaimed.
"We know your doubts your highness. But we still find you fittest to lead us." General Bal said. Zoi is still doubting. As Larkin said, he's an idiot and he doesn't know anything about politics.
"Worry not your highness. We, the divine circle was created to guide and enlighten the king we are serving. It would be our utmost responsibility." General Beau said.
"Hurry up!" suddenly Larkin said tensely.
"What happened?" Kazuki finally talked.
"I almost forgot! His wound reopened! We need to treat him right away." Larkin said. Zoi became unconscious as he was losing blood. Everyone were panicking and went to tend the prince.