Thirteen: A Cruel and Wealth-Hungry Warrior

Exodus

3557 (50 years before Alven's birth in 3591)

Albert Zhadnost was a wealthy nobleman who could afford to spend all his money on gambling, throwing money at people, and excessive drinking. He was like a pet waiting for his master to return. He and his family were once nobles of the Exodus kingdom who were famous throughout the kingdom, but Albert was looking for a way to seize the throne of this kingdom from King Ivige Justysje who was Alven's father who was currently holding a closed session in his office and Albert was also there.

"Good morning, Your Majesty. We will be having a banquet in the study to discuss the money we will be donating to the orphanage," said the servant.

Then the king said, "Very well, please prepare the agreement forms."

King Ivige and his staff held a private banquet, but Albert wanted to go inside, but the room had troops guarding it until the agreement was completed.

*Kukfufufu* “Humans are like animals in a cage, you must be surprised by my actions. But where should I start?” Albert then started his action secretly.

As Albert began his action, King Ivige left the room. "Your Majesty, we're going to the orphanage, right?" The guard said, then…

“Hello, Your Highness, how are you?” Albert immediately came as the king came out of the room and took a knife from the kitchen.

"What are you doing here, Albert?" The king also felt that someone was following him from behind and the one who was following him was Albert himself.

Albert himself was a great warrior who led the kingdom's troops during his time. His character was greatly admired by everyone, and even the king was delighted with this strong warrior on the battlefield.

"I'm here to give you His Majesty, but this kingdom is not doing well. I will ascend the throne and become king of this kingdom FOREVER!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!" *Cough* Albert was so confident that he even coughed mid-story—a bit of a joke.

Albert was so happy that the king was confused by the soldier, "Albert, when I am old, you will replace me as the next king," said King Ivige who was confused by Albert's behavior.

At the same time, Albert's soldiers also joined in the shouting in the hope that the king would step down from his throne, but the king still did not believe what Albert had done to the point of behaving impolitely towards the king. King Ivige insisted that Albert be put in prison, because his behavior had violated the articles of the kingdom. Albert also fought with the guards and the soldiers under Albert's leadership also attacked.

"Where are you going, I've been tormenting you for a long time in your shadow," said Albert, who started his action with a kitchen knife in the kitchen area and tried to attack first, but the guard was there to protect the king from the Knight. They were guarding the king, and the guards said,

"You've betrayed the king, huh?" One of the soldiers approached and *SSIIINNNGG* carefully slashed his sword, and the guards struck his arm to escort the king to safety.

The Palace Hall, which was usually quiet and orderly, was shaking that day with a sound that broke the silence. A young knight from the borderlands, Sir Gideon, had just finished delivering his report to King Ivige Justysje. Who knows what triggered it, perhaps Sir Gideon's too-quick hand movement towards his belt to retrieve an extra map roll, or perhaps the shadow of fatigue in his eyes was misinterpreted.

Suddenly, one of the palace guard soldiers who was standing not far from the throne, a young man named Lyra, who was known for his fanatical loyalty, stepped forward with his eyes burning.

“You have betrayed the king huh??” Private Lyra exclaimed, her voice echoing off the hall ceiling. Without waiting for an answer, SSIIINNNGG! A flash of silver cut through the air. Lyra slashed her sword carefully, not at Sir Gideon's heart or neck, but at the arm that had moved, a slash that was meant to paralyze, not kill, but still deadly in its intent.

King Ivige Justysje hadn’t even had time to change his calm expression. Before Lyra's slash could reach its target, Commander Regulus, the ever-vigilant head of the King's personal guard, moved with lightning speed. With the flat side of his greatsword, Commander Regulus struck the arm of the Lyra Warrior who was swinging his sword. CRACK! The sound of bone clashing with dull metal rang out.

Lyra’s sword slipped from her grasp, clattering against the marble floor. Commander Regulus, the main guard, hit his arm with precision to stop the reckless attack. Instantly, two other guards immediately formed a tight formation around King Ivige, starting to escort the king to a safe place towards a secret door behind a large tapestry depicting the Justysje symbol.

"Soldier Lyra! Control yourself!" Commander Regulus snapped, his eyes fixed on the young soldier, who was now grimacing in pain, clutching his arm. Sir Gideon stood frozen, his face pale, one hand still holding the map scroll he was about to show.

The atmosphere was tense. The King has been secured. The soldier Lyra, acting out of suspicion and blind loyalty, was now the one who was crippled. In the Kingdom of Exodus, even good intentions that lead to rash actions without orders in the presence of the King have serious consequences. Lessons on obedience and procedure will soon be enforced.

“You will go to prison for doing something disrespectful to the soldier Albert for the assassination plan with a life sentence” *TOK* *TOK* *TOOOOOKKK!!!* The judge has given a heavy sanction to Knight Albert Zhadnost for attempting to assassinate King Ivige Justysje by giving him a life sentence.

The Royal Regulations of Exodus on the Decree of Obedience and Allegiance to the Crown Justysje clearly state in Article 1, paragraph 2 concerning Crimes Against the Crown and the Person of the King (Lèse-majesté and Attempted Regicide): "Entering the King's private area or an official meeting room without the express permission of the King or the Chief of the Palace Guard, especially with malicious intent, is considered a grave offense against the security and honor of the throne."

Albert Zhadnost officially entered prison with a life sentence and he was once a brave and dashing figure but now he is in sadness and loneliness due to his actions because he entered the king's room without permission from his superior.

Years passed in the cold depths of the Black Stone Prison, the darkest fortress in the Exodus Kingdom, where King Ivige Justysje's justice took its most concrete form. For Albert, who was once the Knight Albert Zhadnost, every day was a repetition of silent regret. His title of "Knight" had been stripped, his honor stripped away along with his regalia, now replaced by the rough clothes of a prisoner. The prohibition against entering the King's private quarters was a constant reminder of his grave transgression—a greedy ambition that nearly destroyed everything, perhaps even himself, were it not for the unexpected intervention of a "Shadow" he heard only as a whisper among the guards, who changed his fate from execution to life imprisonment.

Albert no longer thought about luxury or power. The fire of greed ("Zhadnost" in the language of his distant ancestors) that once burned in his soul had long since died out, replaced by the cold but constant embers of regret. He spent his time working in the prison smithy, forging metal not for grand weapons, but for simple tools. His hands that were once skilled with swords were now accustomed to the hammer and the heat of the forge, creating something useful instead of destroying.

The Decree of Obedience and Loyalty, especially Article 1 Paragraph 2 which had ensnared him, often rang in his mind. He was well aware of the gravity of his transgression. Every night, before falling asleep on his thin straw mattress, he reflected on how a single misstep had led him to this point. "Entering the King's private area... especially with evil intentions..." – yes, the evil intentions were there, whispers of greed to seize something that was not his right, even though it never reached the stage of attempted murder. His regret now was not only for being caught, but for having let that darkness take over him.