Inside a large hall, many low wooden tables were arranged neatly. In front of each table was a cushioned seat.
The doors of the hall opened, and many people entered before taking their seats.
Present there were:
Bit,
Precious,
R. Kizu,
Udera,
Ashi,
Backtion,
Rental,
Gesha, Priya, Grass,
Takumi and some of his top members,
and Palakh (female) along with her top members.
After everyone settled down, Udera spoke,
"I hope all of you enjoy this banquet. I also hope that no one's mood is ruined today because of tomorrow's meeting. So… let's enjoy this meal."
Soon, several servants entered carrying plates filled with food and began placing them on the tables.
Palakh looked at the food and said,
"Oh… what a nice dinner. Puri, mixed vegetables, fried meat, fried rice… and in this glass… what is that?"
Udera replied,
"This is called madira, a type of wine. It is a specialty of my Blegree Kingdom. So please, give it a try."
Takumi smirked slightly,
"Oh, seriously? Well then, let's try it. But I don't think this small cup of wine will do anything to me."
Udera laughed,
"Hahaha… just try it. This is one of the best wines in my kingdom."
At that moment, Precious quietly picked up his cup and placed it aside without drinking.
Meanwhile, the others drank.
After taking a sip, Bit said in a slightly intoxicated tone,
"Wow…! This is awesome!"
Palakh also drank and said,
"Yeah…! This is out of the world…!"
Udera smiled,
"Thank you, thank you."
Ashi then said,
"Well, now let's continue our dinner."
Everyone began eating.
After some time, Rental raised his glass and said,
"Give me more… madira…!"
The servants refilled his glass, and he drank it immediately.
"Give me more…"
Gesha spoke calmly,
"King Rental… I don't think you should drink that much."
Neither Gesha, Priya, nor Grass had touched the wine.
Rental waved it off,
"Hmph… it's fine… it's fine. Hey, Udera… when we make a new treaty, I would like to include this wine as well."
Udera, while eating, replied,
"Hm… yes, sure. Why not?"
Rental laughed,
"Hahaha… good…"
Then Backtion spoke,
"By the way, Blegree Kingdom, Empire, and Zinau Kingdom are going to be newly added to this alliance. But why do the three of you want to join our alliance?"
Takumi looked toward Backtion. Despite his slightly intoxicated expression, his tone was serious.
"Empire… that word alone is enough to bring fear to many kingdoms. But no matter how powerful I am… I cannot face the entire world alone."
He continued,
"And now, many powerful forces have emerged like Naco Country, Eluto Kingdom, and Secret Sky City… so it's better to join an alliance for protection. And among all alliances, the one as trustworthy and powerful as them is this one… led by Secret Sky City. That's why I'm here."
Backtion nodded,
"I see…"
Then Udera spoke,
"I want to join because my kingdom is surrounded by powerful forces. On one side is Eluto Kingdom, on another is the Empire, and on another is Secret Sky City. If I join this alliance, I won't have to fear them."
Rental laughed,
"Hahaha… nice…"
Palakh added,
"Well, I want to join so that my kingdom can grow. There are many kingdoms whose names are barely known… like my Zinau Kingdom."
Ashi nodded,
"Right. There was a time when there were alliances of kingdoms that called themselves countries… and today we have a full country known as Naco Country. So maybe in the future—"
Takumi interrupted her,
"Not possible."
At the same time, Rental also spoke,
"Right, that's not possible. I will never allow my Green Land Jungle or Secret Sky City to follow the orders of another king."
He continued,
"And just like me, no king or queen would like to see their kingdom under someone else's rule."
Ashi agreed,
"Yes… I also don't like it when another king gives orders to my people."
Rental nodded,
"See…"
Then Gesha spoke,
"Well… if a certain person rules, I wouldn't mind."
As she said this, she glanced at Precious.
He also looked at her, but she quickly turned her face away.
Palakh asked curiously,
"Oh really? And who is that person?"
Backtion spoke,
"Well… if that certain person rules, I wouldn't mind either."
Grass added,
"Nor me."
Priya said,
"And nor me."
Udera looked confused,
"Hmm…? Then who is this person?"
Backtion glanced at the others but remained silent.
Gesha said,
"I won't tell you. Because I can't."
Rental let out a small laugh,
"Hmph…"
Then he said,
"If that person were to rule our alliance… I'm sure no one in this world… no, in this entire universe… could stop us."
Everyone fell silent.
Their expressions were filled with shock and confusion.
Rental looked down at the ground and said,
"But that's the problem… that person is not ready yet. Or rather… he doesn't want to."
With a slight smile, Precious asked,
"And why does he not want to rule?"
Rental's eyes widened in shock as he suddenly looked at him.
"B… because he wants to live freely for now…"
"Oh… then when he decides, he will rule?" Precious asked.
Rental nodded,
"Yeah… sure…"
Everyone was still confused.
Rental added,
"If he wants… he can destroy this entire world in one second."
Everyone was shocked, but no one spoke.
Udera thought,
Is Rental crazy…?
Takumi thought,
Hahaha… that's ridiculous. No one can destroy the world in a second. And even if someone could… there are True Dragons and other powerful beings to stop them.
Then Palakh suddenly laughed,
"Hehehe…"
Everyone looked at her.
"Sorry… I just couldn't control my laughter. King Rental said something funny."
Rental replied coldly,
"It's not funny. It's real."
Palakh smiled,
"Yeah sure… maybe it's a myth. But if anyone could do that, it would be a True Dragon."
Rental didn't respond. He picked up his glass and drank.
"Well, believe it or not… I don't care."
Gesha said softly,
"Right…"
The atmosphere became heavy.
Palakh lowered her head,
"I'm sorry… I made a mistake."
Grass replied,
"It's okay."
"No… I'm really sorry," Palakh insisted.
Priya said calmly,
"If our lord wanted… you wouldn't even be alive right now."
Palakh swallowed slightly,
"I… I don't know who your lord is, but I'm still sorry."
Backtion spoke,
"Let's end this topic here."
Bit added,
"Yeah…"
Rental said,
"No… he didn't say anything wrong. He just asked questions."
Udera nodded,
"Right… let's continue."
Ashi smiled lightly,
"Yes, enjoy your food."
Everyone resumed eating and drinking.
Then the scene focused on Palakh.
She was eating puri…
But suddenly—
her cheerful expression faded.
Her face turned serious and sharp.
With cold eyes…
she stared directly at Rental
while continuing to eat.