Adelman's visit to the capital was formal. So, Adelman was in full armor. The two knights who would be traveling with him were also wearing armor but of a simpler style.
"I'm back to entrust the fortress to you, Destin! You can send word through the wizard if something bad happens here!" Adelman gave permission.
Destin lowered his head slightly. "Okay, General! Hope you get to your destination safely!"
The horse that Adelman will ride is now brown and young. He neighed as Adelman approached and climbed on. It took Adelman a few moments to calm the colt. When the horse calmed down Adelman looked at Destin.
"We go!" he said before kicking the brown horse in the stomach and speeding away.
The two knights behind him followed immediately. The trees of the Black Forest were blurring quickly at the side of the road. Luckily they didn't run into any more black beasts on the way.
After passing through the black forest, the fields belonging to the residents living in the villages near the capital came into view. The villagers who were working in their fields stopped their work and stared at the horses and riders for a while.
They had just seen a larger group coming a few days ago from the same direction.
The entrance to the capital was guarded by sentries. They all immediately gathered when they learned of Adelman's arrival. "Welcome war hero, General Adelman! I didn't expect to meet you!"
Adelman dismounted from his horse. The soldiers who were surprised by his arrival were now standing around Adelman. They show admiration, as well as respect.
"I have to go to the palace now because I have something to report! Can you guys take care of notifying the palace?" asked Adelman.
To enter the palace requires permission. Usually, permission is submitted a few days before departure. However, Adelman could not put off the news he would deliver now. He can wait. "Thanks for helping. I'll be waiting here!" he decided.
Adelman saw one of the soldiers leave the assembly and rush off to the other side. Adelman soon heard the hooves of horses running away.
***
Borneo stood at the door of Algis' room, the crown prince. Since being warned yesterday, Algis only came out to finish his job of taking care of the files. After that, he went into the room and did not come out again.
"Your Honour! The message from General Adelman has arrived." Borneo said while knocking on the door.
Borneo did not get an answer. So, he knocked on the door again.
Suddenly the door opened wide. Borneo was shocked. The maid took several steps back, putting some distance between herself and the crown prince. Before giving the news he had just received, Borneo bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty, the message from the General arrived yesterday."
"Then why is the message being conveyed to me now?"
Borneo was silent for a while, choosing the right words to say to Algis. "His Majesty the King ordered me to inform you this morning, Crown Prince!"
Algis looked away. Maybe he intended to vent his anger on Borneo. However, hearing that his father had already given the order, Algis abandoned his intention. "What message is conveyed?" asked Algis.
Borneo is silent. This time he was silent longer than the first.
Because he didn't even hear the message he wanted to hear, Algis turned and looked at Borneo. He was curious about what happened. "What's the message? Why are you silent?"
Borneo looked down deeper. "Your Highness--General Adelman reports that Cyril has died in battle."
"WHAT?"
"General Adelman reports that Knight Cyril died in battle!"
Algis stood still. He even stopped thinking. He saw what Cyril could do during the trip. The youth had no difficulty handling the black wolf-type beast on the first day. Cyril also made warp--a type of ability to shorten distances by connecting one point to another with energy. And most important of all, Cyril managed to save Adriana, Algis' girlfriend.
"He--dead?" Algis couldn't believe it.
However, Algis also knows that Adelman will not lie to anyone. Algis knows that Adelman also has the same hopes for Cyril.
"That's the news I got from the magicians, Crown Prince!"
"You may go!"
Because Algis didn't know what to do now. Or he didn't know what he was thinking. Algis just needed to be alone.
"There is one more piece of news, Your Majesty!"
Algis did not care about further news. Algis just wants to be left alone in his room. "What?" After listening to the second news, Algis will expel Borneo.
"There is a request for permission to enter the palace, Your Majesty. Clearance for General Adelman!"
***
Adelman was served very well by the soldiers of the fortress. The soldiers gave their horses some water. Then served drinks for Adelman and his followers. Adelman knew that the soldiers were curious about the reason he had come to the capital. However, the guard soldiers did not ask for that reason at all.
"General, you have been cleared into the palace."
The soldiers sent to report Adelman's arrival had returned. The soldier's face flushed with suffocation. But, he seemed very happy to be able to help.
"My son idolizes you, General! I will tell him when I meet you!" The soldier who had just returned with permission to enter informed Adelman.
"Does he also want to be a knight like me?" asked Adelman.
"Yes, but we are just ordinary soldiers. I don't think he can become a knight!"
Adelman understood why the sentry soldiers said that. Everyone knew that the majority of knights were nobles. "I know someone who managed to become a knight despite being from the commoners."
"Is it true?"
Adelman remembered Cyril. He also remembered what accusations were currently leveled against the young man. "Yes, your son can become a great person beyond me! Give my regards to your son!"
"He will be very pleased, General! Thank you, General!" The soldier exclaimed happily.
Their horses--Adelman and his escort knight--were handed over to them. The horses have had a good rest.
"Thank you for taking care of our horses!"
After saying his thanks, Adelman kicked his horse in the stomach. They all slid into the center of town. Adelman and his two knight companions passed through rows of residents' houses and entered the shopping and market areas before finally entering the area which was used as a visiting house for regional nobles when they went to the capital.
Soon they entered the palace area. They all dismounted from their horses and handed back the mounts to the stable keepers. Several palace maids and butlers greeted Adelman's arrival.
"Welcome, General Adelman and knights. I have heard of your arrival. I am Octo, I will guide you to His Majesty the King's chambers!"
"Thank You!" Adelman said thank you.
Octo goes first. Adelman followed behind with the two knights that were brought along.
"General Adelman!"
Adelman stopped when he heard the call. He turned his head and saw the Crown Prince appear from the direction of his palace. Behind him Borneo, the crown prince's servant followed. "Greetings to the Crown Prince. I am glad to see you in good health." Adelman lowered his head.
Algis did not return Adelman's greeting and immediately asked, "Is it true that Cyril died?"
Adelman didn't want to answer now. Because he had to meet the king first to submit a report about the oddities found in the black forest. However, Adelman knew that Algis was stubborn and would not let him go without getting an answer.
"That's right, His Highness the Crown Prince. I have already reported it through the magicians."
"How? How could he die? He's not that weak of a knight!"
Adelman didn't know how either. There is still one suggestion that Cryil might have survived. However, Cyril's body could also have been eaten up by forest animals. "I can't give you an answer, Your Majesty."
Prince Algis looked disappointed. He stood still.
"Your Highness, you must return to the palace! You are still being punished!" Borneo whispered to Algis.
"I hope your report is wrong, General Adelman!" Algis turned around, returning to his castle.
"General, His Majesty the king is waiting for you!" The palace butler, Octo, reminds Adelman of his purpose for visiting.
He followed the butler back. They passed through the main hall, turned right, found a guest room, and still walked on until they reached a door guarded by two fully armed knights, the King's study.
The palace butler knocked on the door three times, then entered. After a while, he came out again and this time opened the door wide. "Please enter General Adelman and the two knights accompanying him!" The butler announced.
The king was standing in front of his desk. Adelman paid full respect this time. He knelt before the king, and the two knights who came with him did the same.
"Greetings to the royal leader of the Great Emperatriz, may glory and longevity be with Your Majesty!"
"Please stand, General Adelman, war hero!" The king gave the order and Adelman followed suit. "I was surprised to hear the news of your arrival. Is there anything you should report straight away?"
Adelman glanced at the butler.
"Get out, leave us alone!" the king ordered.
The palace butler and the two knights immediately left. The wide open door was closed again.
"So, what made you come from the Vander Fortress alone?"
"Your Highness, do you know about demons?"
"Well, they should no longer exist after being chased out! Why?"
"Your Majesty, I found traces that they have returned! The explosion of the black beasts that attacked Vander's stronghold this time was probably their doing!"