Chapter 5 — The New Leader Of Xenozia

The next day, the atmosphere in the Kingdom of Xenozia had completely changed. Just a day earlier, all of its inhabitants had felt happy and relieved, but now the kingdom was filled with despair and tension. The King felt as though there was no one who could stop the White Cloak.

News of Morgan's death quickly reached the ears of the entire population. This caused several citizens to gather in front of the Kingdom, demanding that the King take responsibility for his failure to defeat the White Cloak.
After several hours of being unable to think of any other solution, the King finally decided to take matters into his own hands and fight the White Cloak himself. He felt that this was the only path left, even though the Queen and all of his children tried to stop him because they believed there was still another way.
However, the King had already made up his mind. He could no longer keep paying to hire someone else, only for them to lose their lives and have everything end in vain.
The King then left his Kingdom and approached all the citizens who were protesting. He said,
«"My people! Forgive me for all of my decisions and for this leadership that has ultimately ended in failure. I promise that I will fight the White Cloak myself and bring back the peace we once had."»
After that, the citizens gradually dispersed and returned to their respective homes, including Akito's adoptive father.
Meanwhile, Akito was at home, thinking about what would happen to the Land of Xenozia the following day. He wondered whether this land would continue to slowly fall apart.
That night, everything was extremely quiet. A light drizzle fell and covered the entire castle of the Kingdom of Xenozia and its village.
King Raiden Von Bahgrain and several of his soldiers stood on guard, waiting for the arrival of the White Cloak as he had promised. Even though the chances of winning were extremely small, a distant memory began to surface in his mind.
Before the White Cloak Organization existed, this Kingdom had been nothing more than a peaceful place—a precious land that had left countless memories in his mind.
He remembered the day his grandfather ordered him to become the next King. He remembered meeting his first and last love, Queen Elena Von Bahgrain. He remembered the harmonious family they had built together.
But all of those things vanished when the White Cloak Organization began attacking his Kingdom.
At that moment, the sadness within him transformed into a burning determination, while his anger continued to overflow.
From the top of the castle, the Queen watched her husband continue waiting in the rain, which was beginning to grow heavier. Together with her two children, she could only look at him with sadness and despair as tears continued to fall from her eyes.
On the other side, Akito continued staring at the rainwater flowing down his window while thinking about Agasa. He had not seen her lately and hoped that he could meet her again as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, at the White Cloak Organization's headquarters, all of its members—numbering in the hundreds—had gathered in the same room. Agasa was among them, listening to the organization's boss giving his orders.
"Kill every member of the Kingdom. Do not leave a single person alive."
After receiving the order, all of the members began moving simultaneously toward the Kingdom.
Upon their arrival, the members spread out and surrounded the entire area of the Kingdom of Xenozia from different directions.
The King and his soldiers were shocked.
But that was not all.
Standing directly before them was the boss of the White Cloak Organization.
Without hesitation, the King and his soldiers attacked him.
The boss drew his sword and effortlessly slaughtered the Kingdom's soldiers one by one.
Several minutes later, only the King remained.
He continued to stand despite his body being severely wounded.
But before the King could attack, several members of the White Cloak suddenly appeared with the Queen and the King's two children. They were bound and unconscious.
Seeing this, the King became furious.
However, the boss threatened him.
"If you move even slightly, your family's lives will be the price."
The King was forced to obey.
He then asked what the White Cloak Organization's true purpose was and why they continued terrorizing the Kingdom until Xenozia was completely destroyed.
Suddenly, the boss laughed.
"Hahahahahaha!"
His laughter echoed loudly through the tense atmosphere surrounding the King.
After he had finished laughing, the boss finally revealed his purpose.
His goal was to take control of the Kingdom by slowly destroying the mentality, spirit, and trust of its people. He also added that this was merely a small step in the plan he had prepared.
He then spoke once more.
"Therefore, I ask you, Your Majesty Raiden Von Bahgrain, to simply surrender... and accept your fate of death if you want your little family to live... hahaha!"
After hearing those words, the King fell silent.
Eventually, he agreed to what the boss wanted, on the condition that his entire family would be allowed to live and would not be harmed.
The boss accepted the King's final request.
Raiden then planted his sword into the ground and knelt down, preparing to be killed.
With a single slash, the head of King Raiden Von Bahgrain was severed.
That night, the boss ordered the town bell to be rung so that all of the inhabitants of the land would wake up and witness the face of the new King of the Kingdom of Xenozia.
Once the bell rang, all of the citizens, from the center of the Kingdom to the farthest corners of the land, including Akito and the people of his village, awoke.
The boss then flew into the sky above the center of Xenozia.
He announced that he was the new King who would rule the Kingdom and the entire land.
He also declared that the following day would be his coronation ceremony and demanded that every citizen attend.
"If you don't come, you will be killed."
As he said this, he held up the head of King Raiden Von Bahgrain in his hand.
The declaration caused panic among the entire population.
Everyone began thinking that this was the end of Xenozia.
Even Akito's father felt the same way.
Akito himself, however, tried to process all of the words and events that had taken place throughout his homeland.
Morning finally arrived.
The city and villages, which were normally filled with the busy activities of their inhabitants, were now extremely quiet.
However, several citizens were forced by the members of the White Cloak to decorate and prepare the city for the coronation ceremony of their new King.
Some citizens also prepared themselves to attend the ceremony with feelings of tension, fear, and helplessness because they had been threatened with death if they refused to attend.
In Akito's village, the entire population could also be seen preparing gifts, such as crops, portions of their wealth, and various other things, to give as gifts or as congratulations to the new King.
Akito was also forced to give half of his own harvest as a gift.
After several hours, all of the inhabitants of the land, including Akito, entered the city.
There, he saw White Cloak soldiers wearing robes and masks standing along the roads.
When they finally arrived at the castle grounds, a large crowd of citizens had already gathered there.
Then, from the top of the castle, the boss of the White Cloak appeared.
"Hello, all citizens of the Land of Xenozia... This land is far too boring, isn't it? So, the previous King will be replaced by me! Welcome to the new era of this Kingdom, with your new King! Hahahaha—"
Suddenly, one of the citizens interrupted his laughter.
In an instant, that person was killed by a blast of wind magic that pierced directly through his chest.
"Sorry, that was a little excessive... I hope you all learn from that person. And one more thing, my name is King Jugdrist. Alright, everyone. Enjoy the ceremony..."
Jugdrist slowly walked away from the sight of all his people, leaving everyone behind with the fear they desperately tried to hide.
Then came the moment when the gifts were delivered.
Everyone lined up one after another.
When it was finally Akito's turn, he noticed that one of the White Cloak members had been staring at him from a distance.
The man's gaze made Akito feel slightly frightened, causing him to immediately leave the Kingdom grounds and head back toward his home.
However, while he was on his way home, a voice suddenly called out his name.
"Akito..."
Akito turned around.
And when he looked behind him, he was shocked.