"Today I die... The sea is still rough, The wind is still blowing, The earth is still revolving, The universe is still a wilderness.
The law of karma! Whoever sows the wind shall reap the whirlwind. Whoever plants will harvest the results. Whoever hurts someone's heart will also feel the same pain.
Do we realize that karma exists, because every action will come back to its doer?
Human beings are too arrogant; arrogance is the most troublesome karma, the biggest obstacle.
How people treat you is their karma, how you react is yours.
The boomerang returns to the person who throws it.
Good or evil. When the time comes, it will surely feel the consequences.
Karma always applies to those who do not believe in what they do, so that is what they will receive."
Signed,
Kamishiro Zen.
***
The Prosperous Era, Noctis, 18th Ignitia, 1412.
In the midst of the darkness that filled the empty space, only emptiness covered everything. However, suddenly a light appeared and called out his name, 'Zen...' The light became brighter and illuminated the darkness until the sky, tinted with orange, was seen covering a city.
In that city, Kamishiro Zen was seen sleeping face down with his neck placed between two wooden blocks where the guillotine's blade fell.
"Is this... the dream from back then?" murmured Kamishiro.
A man in a black robe with sapphire blue eyes and black hair stood next to him. "Have you awakened, oh King?" the man asked.
Kamishiro Zen was confused, "King? What do you mean? And who are you?"
"It seems now you can hear my voice."
"What do you mean?"
"Forgive me, my name is ■■■."
"What did you say!?"
"It seems you still cannot hear my name."
"I said, what did you say?"
"Until we meet again, Your Majesty. Your questions will be answered as time passes," replied the man in the black robe.
Slash!
A guillotine blade immediately fell and severed Kamishiro's head.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
He heard someone knocking on the door, calling his name.
"Zen! Zen! Are you okay?!"
"Ha... ha... yes, I'm okay," Kamishiro replied as he got up from his bed.
He walked towards the door and opened it, revealing Lethicia standing in front of his room door in her kamisol.
"Did you have a nightmare, Zen?" asked Lethicia.
"Well, kind of," Kamishiro answered.
"Then let's have breakfast, and after that, we will get ready to go."
"Go? Where?"
"Didn't I tell you that we will be going to the royal palace?"
"Why do we have to go to the King's place?"
"Because the King wants to meet you."
"Meet me? Why?"
"I don't know, but let's have breakfast first."
"Okay..."
***
After Kamishiro and Lethicia had breakfast, they both got ready to meet the King.
As they stepped out of Lethicia's residence, they were greeted by a luxurious horse-drawn carriage. This carriage was a lavish vehicle commonly used by the royal family for various important occasions such as weddings or royal parties. It had an elegant shape with a front part resembling a horse's head, beautifully carved and polished to a shine.
The carriage was pulled by two magnificent white stallions, adorned with beautiful decorations such as flowers, gold embroidery, and fine silk gauze. The reins and saddle used on the horses were also decorated with sparkling gems, making the carriage look even more luxurious and elegant.
The carriage was also equipped with very comfortable and soft seats, wrapped in smooth and gentle fabrics like white velvet. The seats were adorned with beautiful carvings and embroidery, and there were also thin curtains that could be drawn for privacy.
At the back of the carriage, there was a storage space used to store equipment and items needed during the journey. The carriage was also equipped with shimmering lights that emitted soft light, making it look even more beautiful when used at night.
They both got into the horse-drawn carriage right away.
***
On the way to the King's palace,
"Why would a King be looking for someone like me? Does the King have a connection with me? Or is the King himself the one who wants to kill me? Damn it! I have no clue," Kamishiro thought.
Various possibilities came to Kamishiro's mind. He continued to think about how he could escape the worst-case scenario. He thought about it because he didn't know who was a friend and who was an enemy.
"What's wrong, Zen? You look pale," Lethicia asked, seeing Kamishiro covering his face with his right hand.
"Should I use this opportunity to go back? No, what if the King has a clue about the owner of that pocket watch? Wait, why should I care about that watch? Isn't it okay as long as I live? Damn it! I don't know what to do at all," Kamishiro thought.
"Zen? Are you okay?" Lethicia asked again.
"Y-Yeah, it's nothing," Kamishiro replied.
"For now, I just need to follow this flow until I find a clue," Kamishiro thought.
A few moments later, the horse-drawn carriage carrying Kamishiro and Lethicia stopped in front of a magnificent white palace.
The white palace building exuded elegance and luxury, with numerous towers, dome-shaped roofs, and large windows made of beautiful stained glass.
In front of the palace entrance, there was a large staircase made of white marble with gold balustrades filled with beautiful carvings. At the top of the stairs, there were two beautiful fairy statues holding lit torches on each side.
Kamishiro and Lethicia then got off the horse-drawn carriage. There, an old man dressed as a head servant was standing to welcome their arrival.
"Welcome, Mr. Zen Valerius and Miss Lethicia Shaquilla. His Majesty has been waiting for your arrival," greeted the head servant politely.
"Let me escort you to the King's chambers," continued the head servant.
The two of them followed the head servant and made their way to the King's chambers. After passing through the gate, they entered a large and beautiful garden filled with fragrant flowers and lush trees. In the center of the garden was a tranquil and clear fish pond with a small waterfall flowing into it. Around the pond were several comfortable chairs and small tables adorned with flower arrangements.
Upon entering the palace, Kamishiro saw a grand hall with a very high ceiling adorned with beautiful paintings. In the middle of the hall was a large staircase leading upstairs to the private rooms of the royal family.
Along the corridor, there were works of art and carvings adorning the walls, including statues of heroes and famous figures who had been part of the kingdom's history. In the private rooms, there were large and comfortable chairs, very comfortable beds with soft silk sheets, as well as other luxurious and beautiful furnishings.
Shortly after, they arrived at a room with a very large entrance door. The head servant knocked on the door several times.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
"Your Majesty, Mr. Zen Valerius and Miss Lethicia Shaquilla have arrived to see you."
The large door opened wide and inside, several soldiers were seen standing at attention in every corner of the room. And there was a man with shoulder-length dark red hair wearing a crown, sitting on a throne. The man was none other than the King of the Herbertus kingdom.
There was also a blonde-haired woman standing next to the King, who was the Queen of the Herbertus kingdom. The head servant who stood in front of Kamishiro and Lethicia bowed his head to the King and immediately left the room.
Lethicia walked up to the King followed by Kamishiro who walked behind her. Then, Lethicia and Kamishiro kneeled before the King.
"I have brought Zen Valerius as per your command," said Lethicia.
"Are you Zen Valerius?" asked the King.
"Yes," Kamishiro answered shortly and lazily.
"Very well, seize him!"
"What!?" Kamishiro exclaimed, surprised by the King's words.
The guards in the room immediately ran towards Kamishiro and subdued him. Kamishiro didn't have time to react and he ended up being captured by the guards.
"Damn! What's the meaning of all this?" Kamishiro asked.
"There's no meaning, I'm just doing what I have to do," answered the King.
"I told you, what do you mean?" Kamishiro asked again.
"Of course, to kill you," answered the King.
Kamishiro suddenly became calm and asked, "Do you know about all of this, Lethicia?"
"Yes, I do," answered Lethicia.
"Then what about the contract you made with me? Was that all fake?"
"No, it was real."
"Then how do you explain all of this?"
"I didn't kill you and I didn't break the contract. Was I wrong?"
Kamishiro lowered his head and remained silent for a few moments.
Ba-dum
Ba-dum
His heart suddenly started beating faster. Kamishiro grinned widely and burst out laughing...
"Hahaha, I'm such an idiot for not realizing something so small like that." said Kamishiro while laughing loudly.
"To be honest, Zen. I have no grudges against you and-"
Lethicia was interrupted by Kamishiro.
"I will definitely kill you!" shouted Kamishiro.
Instantly, everyone in the room fell silent and directed their gaze towards Kamishiro.
Kamishiro's booming voice echoed in the room, making it quiet.
"Before I kill you, I will rape you and make you my slave before torturing you until I'm satisfied!"
Kamishiro looked at the King. "Then I will also kill you and the woman next to you! But before I kill you, I will rape the woman next to you right in front of you! And after that, I will cut your body into small pieces and make her eat you! Then, I will also kill the woman!" continued Kamishiro.
"I think I understand the meaning of the saying that someone will show their true nature when they are near death." said the King calmly.
"Disgusting." said the Queen while looking down at Kamishiro.
"Lock him up!" commanded the King to the guards.
"Remember this! I will definitely kill everyone here!"
Then, the guards took Kamishiro to a prison located in the underground chamber.