The King's study fell silent for a moment after Kairo's question. The flickering candlelight cast long, wavering shadows across the maps sprawled over the heavy oak desk.
The King finally spoke, his voice deep and steady, carrying the weight of hard-earned experience.
"Kairo… the forests beyond our walls are not like the safe woodlands of fairy tales. Out there, the rules of nature are far harsher. The air you breathe, the ground you walk on, even the beasts that roam — all exist to test mankind's strength."
Kairo leaned forward slightly, his curiosity burning brighter.
The King's gaze grew sharper, his tone turning grave.
"Monsters beyond human understanding soar across the skies. In your old world, they may have been mere stories, but here… they are as real as the sun itself. Some are so large their wings cast shadows over entire villages. Others… can disguise themselves in human form."
Kairo's breath caught in his throat. Dragons… real monsters?
"And it's not just any kind of monster," the King continued, his voice lowering. "You can't see some of them. You can't lay a hand on them. Only those whose hearts are pure can survive their presence."
He paused, letting the words sink in before continuing.
"The forests are home to rare creatures your old world would call myths — creatures whose names even we do not know. Their strength dwarfs ours, and yet…" The King studied Kairo's reaction carefully. "…those who slay such beasts sometimes find themselves changed. Sometimes they lose their humanity for the sake of power and destroy everything in their way. They become far worse than the monsters they killed — doing only evil deeds to satisfy themselves… or perhaps someone else. Things have changed."
"Changed…?" Kairo echoed, voice barely above a whisper.
The King nodded slowly.
"When one defeats a mighty monster, there is a chance — though rare — that they might be friendly to us. It is said that some of the greatest warriors in history rose to power this way… but the side effects are way too deadly, and the chances of dying while absorbing that power are extremely high. Those monsters will destroy us if we are not careful."
Kairo's eyes widened, his heart pounding fiercely. So defeating monsters will give you nothing but money and power — the very things people chase — in exchange for their humanity…? Those bastards… I hope I could kill every single one of them. How dare they do something like that. I will crush all of them, even if I have to lose all my wealth and my life. I couldn't do anything before, but I will be a hero… just like how I watched on TV. And yeah, future me — did I become a hero or something far greater? Well, one thing is for sure… I will not be a loser anyway.
But the King wasn't finished.
"There is more. Many beasts of this world… they can speak. Their tongues are not unlike ours. Some reason, some deceive, some even form pacts. Never assume an animal here is mindless. You may find more wisdom in their words than in the mouths of men. But if you ever encounter them… they are not human. Just run as fast as you can. Think that they will kill you or that they are dangerous — but what I am telling you to run for is because they will make you evil. So run with all your might."
Kairo's lips parted slightly in awe. Talking beasts. Dragons in the sky. Monsters that could grant strength. My new father has defeated them, but he's scared of going down the wrong path… weird.
This world… it wasn't just strange. It was alive in ways beyond imagination — beautiful and terrifying at the same time.
The King leaned forward, his expression solemn and heavy with warning.
"That is why you must train, Kairo. Not only to defend yourself, but to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Every step into the forest is a gamble with life and death."
Kairo clenched his fists tightly until his knuckles turned white. A fierce determination burned in his eyes.
So this is the world I have to survive in… and protect.
The candle flames flickered wildly, casting shifting shadows across the maps as the weight of his father's words settled deep into his bones.
Outside the study window, the vast, dark forest loomed in the distance — silent, waiting, and full of secrets that could either forge a king… or break one completely.
Kairo swallowed hard, steeling his heart.
He would be ready.
No matter how dangerous the path ahead became.
The King's eyes narrowed as he leaned back in his chair. His voice grew lower, almost as if he were sharing a secret not meant for many ears.
"Kairo, you should know something else. Humans… are not masters of magic."
Kairo blinked, tilting his head. "Not masters?"
The King nodded solemnly.
"We can only use the most basic of spells. Fire to warm ourselves, water to drink, wind to push, earth to shield. Simple, defensive things. Enough to live… but not enough to conquer. And even those basic spells are fragile. Do you know why?"
Kairo shook his head, leaning forward with rapt attention.
"Because magic here," the King continued, tapping his desk with a heavy finger, "is as natural as breathing. Even a child — without training, without thought — can undo a spell cast at them. Instinct alone cancels it out. That is why human magic is considered a waste on the battlefield. Against stronger foes, it is nothing but a candle in a storm."
Kairo's brows furrowed deeply. So unlike in stories… humans here really can't rely on magic at all.
"But the magic they used against us is not ordinary magic," the King said, his tone shifting. "There are whispers. Whispers of old magic buried deep in the forests. It was an angel who taught humankind magic long ago… and now he is suffering because he didn't follow the rules. Books left behind by ancient sorcerers. Tomes of knowledge sealed away, waiting for one brave enough to uncover them."
Kairo's heart skipped a beat. "Books…?"
The King's gaze grew intense, locking onto his son's eyes.
"Yes. Whoever finds such a book gains more than spells. They gain freedom from the limits that bind us. They can cast advanced magic — lightning that splits mountains, ice that freezes armies, fire that never extinguishes. And more than that…"
He leaned closer, lowering his voice to a near whisper.
"…they can create magic. Any kind their mind can imagine. The ability to shape reality itself."
Kairo's eyes widened, his young heart racing with a storm of awe and fear. To create magic… just by thought? That's… beyond anything I've ever heard.
The King folded his arms again, his tone turning grave.
"But do not mistake this for a gift without cost. Those who chase such power often lose themselves. And the beasts guarding those ruins… are not ones even I could face carelessly."
"But I wish no one ever finds it," the King added quietly, almost to himself. "Because it just destroys society. Humans are not worthy of magic. God knows that — that's why He didn't give magic to humankind."
Kairo clenched his fists tightly under the table, his mind blazing with conflicting thoughts.
So this world has hidden magic… stronger than anything. If I could find one of those books… I could change everything.
Yet even as the idea excited him, a darker whisper followed: Magic will play with my sanity… but I'll handle it. Just as I did before.
The candle flames flickered, casting shifting shadows across the maps as the weight of forbidden knowledge hung heavy in the air.
Kairo stared at his father, the quiet determination in his eyes deepening.
The path ahead was becoming clearer — and far more dangerous — with every word.
He would train. He would learn. And one day, he might even seek that forbidden power… but only if it meant protecting the people he loved.
The real question was whether he could do so without losing himself in the process.
The King rose from his chair and walked to the wide window overlooking the capital. His broad back glowed in the golden light of dusk.
"Kairo, do you know why our kingdom has stood unbroken for centuries?"
Kairo tilted his head, thinking for a moment.
"Because… we're strong?"
The King chuckled softly, a low, warm sound that filled the study.
"Partly. But strength alone is never enough. Let me tell you a truth passed down from our ancestors."
He pointed beyond the walls, toward the endless forests and distant mountains bathed in sunset hues.
"The land we stand upon — this city, these villages — was chosen carefully by our forefathers. They discovered a place unlike any other, where even monsters of Demon King level would never step foot. A sanctuary where no predators stalk, where only herbivorous beasts roam. A land of plenty."
Kairo's eyes widened with wonder.
"So… this place is safe?"
The King nodded firmly, his expression solemn yet proud.
"Safe beyond measure. Here, even a child can sleep without fear of being devoured. That is why our ancestors named it The Land of Harmony. For here, man and beast could coexist without war."
Kairo's heart warmed at the name, a gentle smile touching his lips. But then his father's tone deepened, growing heavier.
"But our ancestors were wise. They knew comfort is a poison. Had they grown soft in this paradise, their strength — forged through centuries of hardship — would have rotted away. And so, even with fertile lands and gentle beasts, they trained. Every man, every woman, every child. No matter their trade — farmer, blacksmith, merchant — all were soldiers in their own right."
The King turned away from the window, his eyes blazing with quiet pride as they met Kairo's.
"That is why our people still stand tall today. Not because the land shelters us, but because discipline shields us. We enjoy the blessings of peace, but we sharpen ourselves as if war could come at dawn."
Kairo clenched his fists tightly, his young mind racing. So this kingdom isn't just strong because of Father… but because everyone carries strength inside them. Even the kindest villager could become a warrior if needed.
The King stepped closer and placed a heavy, calloused hand on Kairo's shoulder. The weight was reassuring, grounding.
"Never forget, son. Harmony without discipline breeds weakness. But harmony with strength… builds a kingdom that cannot fall."
Kairo looked up at his father, feeling the full weight of those words settle into his chest. The golden dusk light streamed through the window, casting long shadows across the room, yet somehow making the King appear even taller — like a living pillar of the kingdom itself.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The silence was comfortable, filled with understanding and quiet resolve.
Kairo nodded slowly, determination hardening in his gaze.
He would remember this lesson.
He would train harder, grow stronger, and protect the harmony his father and ancestors had built — no matter what dangers waited beyond the walls.
The path of a true king had only just begun.