Chapter 160: Guests From Afar
"Ah, yes Sire, there are three including our own." The informant was confused at how his King wouldn't know something so trivial.
"Nobody told me this!"
That was entirely his fault. He ditched his own work, didn't bother to learn about the world he was part of. He figured he'd have all his life to do that, he didn't know that, the world he refused to be acquainted with would come knocking so soon.
He tried to look through his scattered memories but didn't find anything. He was probably too young for his father to tell him about the politics of their world, so he understood a little.
"Where is this leader, and what kingdom are they from, do we even have a name for our kingdom?" He was besides himself, he couldn't contain himself from asking many questions at once.
"The King of Ichor kingdom is just outside your castle, your highness. We can't let him enter without your permission. Our Kingdom is called Abaddon." The shadow said in one breath.
"Abaddon? That's kind of lame." Kiro commented, inserting himself in he conversation. "What does he want?" He was kind of mad his last days with Hubris were being robbed by one thing or another.
"That... Sire... I don't know, he couldn't say, he needed to speak with the King, he said."
"Let him in the meeting hall then, I'm sure a King has come here with his entourage. I don't want beings I don't know in my King's hall."
"As you command." He disappeared where he had been kneeling.
"Official business is starting, your highness." Kiro said teasingly.
"It's a shame, I didn't think this King business would be this much of a hassle." He sighed deeply. "Please be there master, I beg you."
"Sure, sure, no need to beg. I'll only be there to certify the power of Abaddon. A subtle threat for them to not try anything."
They left the courtyard for the meeting hall. Hubris instructed his shadows to tell Belial to ensure he was present during the talks. He needed someone who knew the world they lived in after all.
"Shouldn't we make them wait, just to test where their mental is at?" Kiro questioned.
"That's a dangerous game master."
"But we can take them, I can feel them through vibrations, they're nothing special." He shrugged.
So they took a detour and checked out the city. It was more brighter than when they first saw it. The city was lit, since it was no longer under its discrimination era. The young ran around the streets, playing all sorts of games.
It was a beautiful sight of peace. Businesses had skyrocketed in profits, as tourists kept pouring in, every single day. Whether to see how the city has changed, or the now popular tourist attraction that was Cerberus' statue.
In just a couple of weeks, there were already theories that if you come to the statue and pray, your luck will be greater than the heavens themselves. So it wasn't strange that people came especially for this one thing.
"Look at what you've created Hubris, don't for a second doubt whether or not you've made the right choice." Kiro told him proudly.
"We, master. The peace we created." Hubris corrected him once again.
"Ah right, I played my part but don't forget that I wouldn't have lifted a finger if you didn't want to fight for them."
"Thank you, master."
Like the first day they came here, they went from shop to shop, from stall to stall, trying all sorts of foods. Only this time, Kiro was also eating, he had gotten used to their delicacies and he thought they were absolutely delicious.
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Instead of hell whiskey they decided to go for something weaker. That was mead. Instead of the smoothness of the whiskey, it tasted rough and bitter. Clearly something that's made quickly without much care.
Originally when they entered the pub, the owner told them he would close down his establishment so they could eat and drink in peace, away from prying eyes. But they refused his kind gesture. They wouldn't feel good about robbing him off his profits.
At first, the people were scared to even drink at the same room as their King but as alcohol burned though their bodies the discomfort waned. But they still acted in a respectful way, nobody started fights for no reason, it was just a good time all round.
They drank away the day and completely forgot that this was just a detour. They were having too much fun at the market and pub, maybe it was because, deep down they knew they will go their separate ways, sooner rather than later.
So spending time together was every bit of a priority as any King's business in Hubris' eyes.
They both liked that mead didn't have a much stronger kick. So even though they drank for hours, they were just slightly drunk.
Hubris had instructed his shadows to not follow him, so nobody in the castle knew where they were.
Though that didn't last very long as Belial burst through the pub's door. He looked around and his eyes locked on the corner table, the didn't even notice, they were just chatting, laughing, having a good time.
Anybody could tell how angry Belial was, but he still kept his respectful demeanor. It was his King after all that was misbehaving, not a teenage son.
"Your highness, what are you doing? We have important guests at the palace!" He said with the most respectful tone he could muster in his very angry state.
They both looked up and simply smiled, then they went back to their conversation.
"Your highness! The King of Ichor is waiting come on, let's go." He gestured to the door.
"Ah yes, we have guests. Come Belial, sit down, for a little bit. I promise we will go right away."
Belial couldn't very well refuse his King, so he took the seat, besides Kiro. He wouldn't dare sit side by side with his King.
That's the last thing he remembers, when he woke up the next day, he had a splitting headache and was safe in his bed.