Chapter 01: The Normal Days
On a vast and vibrant continent, nestled among rolling hills and lush forests, lies the kingdom of Eden—a land of peace and prosperity, home to a diverse array of races living in harmony. The kingdom was founded by a group of extraordinary adventurers, bound not just by their shared destiny but by a deep, unbreakable bond forged in the fires of their childhood. These adventurers, known as *The Guardians*, were led by a man whose name struck fear into the hearts of his enemies and admiration in the hearts of his people: **Lito Lambert**, the cunning and tactical king of Eden.
Lito, though a mere human, was no ordinary man. His brilliance lay not in physical strength or magical prowess but in his unyielding determination and sharp mind. Yet, beneath his confident exterior, Lito carried a secret burden—one that gnawed at him daily. He was a king who felt undeserving of his crown, a leader who believed he owed his success to the extraordinary friends who stood by his side.
The Guardians were a group of six, each a legend in their own right, each possessing abilities that defied reason. There was **Gark**, the towering Oni warrior whose fists could shatter mountains; **Luminos**, the vampire healer whose light magic could mend even the gravest wounds; **Yune**, the forest elf archer whose arrows never missed their mark; **Nia**, the fiery knight of the fire spirits, whose presence alone could scorch the battlefield; **Truth**, the iron dragon mad scientist whose inventions bordered on the miraculous; and **Luna**, the moon elf witch who had founded Eden's prestigious Mage Academy.
They had all met Lito in the orphanage where they grew up, a place where they were ostracized and bullied for being different. Lito, though just as vulnerable, had stood up for them, shielding them from harm even when it meant taking the brunt of the abuse himself. His selflessness had inspired them, and they had vowed to become strong—not just for themselves, but to protect the boy who had given them hope.
Now, as adults, they had fulfilled that promise, becoming the pillars of Eden and the protectors of its people. But for Lito, the weight of their loyalty and trust was a constant reminder of his own perceived inadequacies. He was just a human, after all—a man without the extraordinary talents or powers that his friends possessed. To mask his insecurities, Lito had spent years collecting magical artifacts and items from dungeons, using them to create the illusion of strength. Though the artifacts were far from powerful, they served their purpose, earning him the nickname "The King of the Dregs"—a title that both amused and haunted him.
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The sun hung high in the sky as Lito sat in his office, surrounded by towering stacks of reports. The kingdom's affairs were endless: production quotas, distribution logs, security updates, and facility maintenance. Each document demanded his attention, each problem required his input. Lito sighed, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
"Huh, these reports never stop at all," he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "I should get some fresh air first to cool my mind."
Pushing himself away from his desk, Lito stood and made his way out of the office, the weight of the kingdom's responsibilities momentarily set aside. As he wandered through the grand halls of the castle, his thoughts drifted to his friends—his Guardians. They were out there, each fulfilling their roles, each contributing to the kingdom in their own unique way. And then there was him, buried in paperwork, a king who felt more like a figurehead than a leader.
Lost in his thoughts, Lito didn't notice the petite figure rounding the corner until it was too late. He collided with her, the impact sending her stumbling back. It was **Luna**, her silver hair shimmering like moonlight, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
"M-m-m-my lord, my apologies!" she stammered, quickly bowing her head.
Lito chuckled, reaching out to steady her. "It's okay, Luna. It was just a small accident."
Luna pouted, crossing her arms. "You could have hurt me, you know... You're always too reckless, and that will never change."
"Me? Reckless?" Lito raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Well, when you were little, you wanted to reach for something on a high shelf and fell. Luckily, I was there to catch you—even if I ended up flat on my back."
Luna's pout softened into a smile at the memory. "I was just a kid back then! And I was curious. It's not my fault you were nearby to catch me." She stuck her tongue out at him, her playful demeanor returning.
Lito laughed, but his expression soon turned curious. "You don't have any work at your Mage Academy today?"
Luna shook her head. "For now, I have other assignments. I'll be leaving the academy for a while."
"What kind of tasks?" Lito asked.
Luna's eyes lit up with excitement. "Truth and I are working on a new magic artifact—one that will light up the entire city at night! Isn't that amazing?"
Her enthusiasm was infectious, and Lito couldn't help but smile. Yet, as he looked at her, a pang of self-doubt crept into his heart. Luna, like the rest of the Guardians, was extraordinary. She had founded the Mage Academy, a place where the brightest minds in the kingdom came to learn. And what was he? Just a man hiding behind magical trinkets and the accomplishments of his friends.
Noticing the slight frown on Lito's face, Luna's expression softened. "Hey, what's wrong? Why do you look so down?"
Lito shook his head, forcing a smile. "Oh, it's nothing."
Luna wasn't convinced. "It's clearly not nothing. You're usually more cheerful than this. What's bothering you?"
"Nothing, really. You can go back to your activities. I'll take my leave now," Lito replied, his tone dismissive. Before Luna could press further, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing in the corridor, her concern etched on her face.
---
Back in his office, Lito slumped into his chair, his gaze fixed on the floor. The weight of his insecurities pressed down on him, heavier than any stack of reports. He thought of his friends—their strength, their talents, their unwavering loyalty. They were the ones who had built Eden into the kingdom it was today. And he? He was just a man who had been lucky enough to stand beside them.
"I wish I could go out and travel, to live a relaxed and peaceful life," Lito murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. But he knew that was a dream he could never fulfill. He was the king, and the kingdom needed him—even if he felt he had nothing to offer.
As he returned to his work, the reports seemed to blur before his eyes. The conflict within him simmered, a quiet storm threatening to break. Little did he know, this internal struggle would soon be put to the test, as the peaceful days of Eden were about to be disrupted by a challenge that would force him to confront his doubts and rise to the occasion.
To Be Continued...