Four Maniacs, One Crown

The outcome of the duel had left the entire kingdom in disbelief. Everyone knew the heroes had been blessed with unimaginable magical power, but no one had expected them to defeat the king and his champions. Not so early on, at least.
Although they emerged victorious, they all suffered the consequences. Noboru left the arena with the help of Ayumu's soldiers due to his exhaustion. Both Michi and Ayumu were carried away to receive treatment from the healers due to their critical conditions - the general's broken leg and multiple wounds from Edric's sword, and Michi's exhaustion. Thanks to Noboru's skeletons, Michi had survived the duel without suffering any fatal injuries, though he had come dangerously close to losing his right arm—and possibly his life. They were both transported to the nearest hospital, along with Edric. Only Isao and Lyria appeared to have escaped relatively unharmed. Isao's injuries were more emotional than physical. He collapsed on the ground and started crying...
"My favorite jacket..." he sobbed. Isao had worn it for the past ten years and took it everywhere with him. His beloved leather jacket was covered in burns, with several holes where Lyria's flames had eaten through the material. Now, he was sure. It was time to change their appearance.

About two weeks later, most of their wounds had healed. Noboru walked out after three days. His main problems were exhaustion and the lack of sleep he'd suffered since arriving in this world. Ayumu was discharged a day after Noboru. It turned out that wounds inflicted by magical weapons, like the one Edric had, were harder to heal with magic than regular wounds, so he still had to use a cane for walking.
Michi's treatment and rehabilitation took the longest. He wasn't used to that kind of injuries like Ayumu was, so it took time before he could use his arm again. Meanwhile, the rest of the group continued their work. Noboru kept studying the no-longer-forbidden knowledge, occasionally running into Elyra, which led to small outbursts and fires inside the library. Ayumu, despite his injury, decided to put up a special forces unit and work on the morale of Dohalan soldiers. Isao locked himself in one of the royal laboratories, working on new technology along with Dohalan engineers and scientists.
As they recovered, each of them realized their appearances had to change. They prepared their own designs of their new outfits, with or without Isao's help.

On the first day of the week, they gathered in the throne room. 

Noboru had traded his usual white lab coat for an extravagant set of robes befitting his newly chosen title of Archmagos. The predominantly white outfit featured a high, stiff collar and several carefully tailored layers, giving him an almost regal appearance. Intricate golden patterns resembling magical formulas decorated the edges of his robes, while the dark violet lining provided a striking contrast to the otherwise bright fabric.
A decorated black belt held the inner layers in place, and the long outer robes fell almost to his ankles. Golden ornaments adorned his shoulders and cuffs, giving the outfit an imposing appearance without restricting his movements. Black gloves covered his hands, while his familiar glasses remained firmly on his nose.
Unlike the others, Noboru had made absolutely no attempt to appear modest. He looked less like a scholar and more like someone who could command an entire kingdom of mages. The familiar, slightly sinister smile on his face only made that impression stronger.
He seemed rather pleased with himself.

Isao had chosen an elegant yet practical outfit. He wore a crisp white shirt beneath a fitted dark waistcoat, decorated with subtle golden embroidery. His tailored trousers were held in place by a sturdy leather belt, while a long, dark coat with matching golden trim completed his appearance. The entire outfit looked expensive, but unlike Noboru's robes, it was far from extravagant.
A pair of leather gloves and polished boots added a practical touch to his otherwise refined appearance. Isao had paid particular attention to the smallest details, making sure that every piece of clothing matched perfectly.
Despite his expensive attire, he had no intention of spending his days sitting behind a desk. Whenever he entered his workshop, the coat would come off, the sleeves would be rolled up, and he would get straight to work.
After all, looking like a nobleman was one thing. Acting like one was another.

Michi, on the other, remained... Michi. He was wearing what appeared to be the same, or at least very similar tuxedo he had earlier.
"Michi." Noboru looked at him.
"What?"
"You didn't change anything."
"Bullshit. It's midnight blue now." Michi smiled and pointed at his sleeve. Noboru looked him up and down.
"Looks the same for me" he commented.
The doors to the throne room opened and Ayumu walked in, smiling and using his cane as a support for walking.
He wore a perfectly fitted black military uniform. His shirt was buttoned all the way up to its short, stiff collar and neatly tucked into his trousers, held in place by a black leather belt with a golden buckle depicting two crossed swords—the new symbol of Dohala's military. A single golden cord hung from his right shoulder, ending near his breast pocket. Golden buttons and subtle embroidery decorated the otherwise plain uniform, while black leather gloves and polished military boots completed his appearance.
A small necklace bearing the same crossed swords rested just below his collar. His short black hair was neatly styled, and he had shaved his face clean. For once, he looked less like a special forces instructor and more like the general he had become.

Michi looked at him, making sure he judges his appearance the most of all of his companions. He would have never guessed that his small-brained friend could wear something like this.

"You look like a reformed Nazi officer" he finally said after a few moments.
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?!" Ayumu shouted furiously.
"I think he's referring to your personality" Noboru added.
"That doesn't make it any better!"
"Well, you do have a rather authoritarian approach to—"
"I will have you executed!"
The four of them suddenly noticed the terrified guard standing by the door.
"It was a joke..." Ayumu scratched his head.
"A very convincing one, General." Noboru bowed to him.
"It's Ayumu to you!"
"Yes yes, don't frighten my soldiers please." Noboru took off his gloves.
"Your soldiers? They are my soldiers!" Ayumu grabbed his cane like a sword, ready to strike any second.
"Enough! We are all kings and they're our soldiers!" Isao tried to stop them.
"Ours?! So we've got a communist now!" two of them shouted in unison and turned on Isao. The guard continued watching the chaos unfold.
"Sergeant..." she quietly asked the guard on the other side of the open door.
"Yeah?" the middle aged soldier, his eyes closed, responded with a calm voice.
"I know that we shouldn't talk, if they hear us-" she was still whispering but her sergeant interrupted her.
"They couldn't care less. Trust me." He still hadn't opened his eyes.
"Should we... you know... intervene somehow?" she asked with a normal voice this time. Her supervisor looked out the open door on the clock tower. Two minutes to eight. He looked back at his kings, three of them fighting, only Michi standing in the middle of the room.
"Looks monday enough to me. Besides, Mira should be here any minute now."
"Frank, do you mind?" Michi suddenly approached him, handing him the his suit jacket.
"Nah, have fun." Frank took the suit off Michi's hands.
"Thanks!" Michi shouted and jumped in the middle of the fight, trying to separate his friends, only to end up as a part of the struggle himself.
"His Majesty knows your name?" the guard couldn't believe it.
"Yeah, and they insist I call them by their first names, too. Let's just say Noboru decided to throw himself a welcome-back party after leaving the hospital, and I happened to be on night duty when he invited me."
"That's such an honor! Who else was invited?"
"Isao."
"What about lady Elyra?"
"Banned. Noboru avoids her."
"I see. What about the rest of our kings?"
"We visited Michi when Ayumu walked out of the hospital. Trust me, there's nothing good about drinking with them." his voice remained completely emotionless throughout the whole conversation.
"Oi, you shit-for-kings!" a woman's voice rang through the throne room.
"Eh?"
"Eh?"
"Eh?"
"Eh?"
The four of them looked up at Mira. Ayumu held Isao off the ground with his left hand while swinging Michi around like a mace with his right, using him to beat Noboru, who was lying helplessly on the floor. It was the same maid they met the first day they got here. Guards looked at the clock tower again. Eight o'clock.
"Right on time, as always." The sergeant closed his eyes again, still holding michi's suit.
"My darlings, the breakfast is ready." Mira smiled at her kings.
"Yes ma'am!" they shouted in unison, getting instantly up and saluting her.

"As you already know, the elves took notice to our situation. They are aware that you took the throne. My scouts told me that their envoy sent to us should be here soon." Mira started the conversation, as they all sat down in the dining hall.
"How soon?" Michi asked, eating the breakfast Mira prepared.
"According to my reconnaissance team team they should be here in an hour."
"So as soon as we finish breakfast we should get going. Well, I'll finally meet the mages of this continent!" Ayumu pictured elves as the noblest, most intelligent race that could ever walk this world. Elyra had only reinforced his assumption that elves had a natural affinity for magic.
"You mean the elves?" Mira asked.
"Who else could he mean? The elves are always the magically gifted race" Isao finished his food. Mira giggled upon hearing this.
"I suppose you're up for a surprise then" she said standing up.

An hour later, they were sitting back in their throne room. While they were in the hospital, Mira ordered to make three additional thrones, so they all could sit and look like proper kings.
"I guess that's what happens to races uplifted by the Dwarves..." Noboru muttered, visibly disappointed. Three muscular men, each over two meters tall, entered the hall. Their pointed ears were the only indication that they were elves. For the kings, the only reason why they could tell them apart from the Dwarves was the height difference. Brown, bear pelts on their back, serving as a cape, and full steel armor made them look like the legendary vikings from their world.
"We are the diplomatic envoy sent by the Shakan Empire. We wish to speak with the king!" one of them shouted.
"You're looking at them. I am Watanabe Michi, one of the kings of Dohala. This is Grand General Kurosawa Ayumu, the Great Inventor Matsuoka Isao, and Archmagos Sugawara Noboru. We are all the rulers of these lands." Michi stood up.
"As you say, Your Majesty. The Shakan Empire does not recognize you as the legitimate rulers of this land. The house Valcrest is officially recognized as traitors and terrorists both by the Shakan and Dodan Empires, thereby Dohala is not recognized as a kingdom, but as a terrorist organization. We strongly advise you to hand over the territory back to their proper owners and you might be spared."
"I appreciate the offer, but this is Dohala. Your laws have no power here. The only laws that our citizens, and we, recognize, are the laws the four of us dictate." Michi continued.
"We will not be intimidated by some mere terrorists. We are protected by-"
"By who?" Noboru asked.
"Not by who. By the law-"
"Oh? I don't recall us passing any laws guaranteeing the safety of elven envoys. You see, we make the laws here. And as far as I'm concerned, insulting the royal family could very well be considered a capital offense."
One of the elves put his hand on his sword.
"Easy, Kjor. They have the advantage here" the other elf turned to his friend.
"They will not spit on our names!" Kjor shouted and raised his sword. The moment he straightened his arm, a little wind could be felt in the room. He looked down and realized his arm had been severed.
"Raising your hand on His Majesty is a creative way to commit suicide, I'll give you that." a calm, emotioneless voice could be heard. The wind they felt was actually a gust of wind, caused by Frank's dash.
"As you can see, you hold no power here" Ayumu said, standing up. He leaned on his cane and approached the one-armed elf. Kjor looked behind at the rest of their envoy. Both of them were lying on the ground, pacified by Kaia and Mira. They took their pelts off and handcuffed them.
"Frank, gather some men from your company to escort the gentlemen to the border. I don't want this scum walking around my kingdom without a leash" the Grand General continued.
"Yes, sir. Should I go with them?" Frank asked.
"No. You will be needed here later today."
"As you wish, Grand General. Get up, lads, time for a walk home" he turned to the envoys.

"War it is, I suppose" Noboru got up from his throne, once the envoys were taken out.
"It was inevitable. It's better this way. They are waiting for their envoys to come back, while we prepare the army and march on the border." Ayumu leaned forward, back again on his throne.
"Frank!" he shouted after a few seconds of silence.
"You called?" Frank was already standing behind him.
"Jeez, don't sneak on me like that, I hate it when you do it" Grand General was visibly surprised and scared by Frank.
"As you wish."
"Anyway, are you ready to swear the oath and become one of the Special Forces?" To Frank it came as no surprise. Ayumu already invited him earlier after he tested his abilities. Frank guarding the door for the past twenty years learned how to read people with just one glance. His calm and cold personality made him a perfect tactician, sometimes even surprising Ayumu. Although it was logical that he would be better at planning medieval battles and sieges due to difference in experience, he sometimes turned out to surprise Ayumu even given the description of modern technology available for him as well as the enemy.
"If that's what you require of me, then yes."
"Let me put it this way, so your sociopathic mind finally understands and decides for itself. You have proven yourself through your skills and talents. You have been chosen to be trained by me and answer directly to me and nobody else unless I tell you to. Are you taking this chance?" Ayumu faced him, putting his hand on Frank's shoulder.
"There is nothing that can stop me from carrying out a given order." Frank answered with the same, emotioneless voice.
"My boy, you are hopeless." Ayumu dropped his head.
"You do realize I'm older than you?"
"Don't worry, we will also die lonely" Noboru looked Frank in the eyes, standing alongside Michi and Isao, all of them saluting.
"I'm also married."
"He's already succumbed to his dellusions." Noboru was utterly touched by the state of their new friend.
"Don't worry, we'll always be with you" Michi said through the tears coming to his eyes.
"The royal dynasties will definitely end with you four. I refuse to believe you're not blood related."