"Good morning," Menah said to her son, who had just blinked his eyes open.

  His eyes were like blue pebbles, and if one stared into them for too long, they would find themselves in a deep blue realm where only peace resided. They sparkled in the light of the new sun.

  As she played with her son, Menah noticed the space beside her beloved was empty. She heard some rustling in the kitchen.

  Menah got up from the bed and peeked into the kitchen. She saw Sebastian boiling water to make tea.

  "Too cute," Menah said.

  She then went inside the kitchen and embraced Sebastian from behind.

  "You surprised me!" Sebastian said, looking genuinely startled.

  "Well, I did this because you get surprised by it," Menah replied playfully.

  "Then, my queen, if you are done, can you please leave me so that I can make the tea?" Sebastian said with a smile.

  After hearing this, Menah released him. "Yeah, making tea is important now," she said with a pout.

  Sebastian laughed quietly at her expression. He took Menah closer and was about to kiss her when Owen began to cry.

  "Coming," Menah said hurriedly, freeing herself from Sebastian and rushing to her son.

  "Now, look at her," Sebastian chuckled.

  After some time, they sat down to eat their breakfast.

  "I have heard of several places for sightseeing, but we need to carry our citizenship papers first," Sebastian said while eating.

  "So, we can't go today, right?" Menah said, her face falling.

  "I will go today to the office and check if our applications got approved," Sebastian said.

  After finishing breakfast, Sebastian left the inn and began walking to the square.

  "Attention to all people of the West!" An official stood before the crowd and called out.

  With just that sentence, he captured everyone's attention. People began to gather around him instantly.

  "Three days from now, there will be a collection contest in the kingdom. As usual, whoever presents the most beautiful and precious item will win and be awarded by the Lord of the West himself," the official announced.

  "It's here again," a man said.

  "This time, it's going to be me," another woman said.

  This announcement did not fail to reach Sebastian's ears. While everyone was excited about the contest, Sebastian was surprised and seemed to anticipate it.

  "How did the lady know about this contest beforehand?" Sebastian wondered.

  ***

  When the child was taken from Alicia and she asked the boy's name, they heard multiple footsteps and were forced to hide. As they were about to depart,

  "Wait, Sebastian," Alicia said.

  "Yes, ma'am?" Sebastian asked.

  "Isn't it Usher Festival in the East?" Alicia inquired.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "Yes, ma'am, it is," Sebastian said casually.

  Sebastian saw Alicia calculating something in her mind. Then, she took off her pendant and gave it to Sebastian.

  "Wha-" Sebastian was interrupted.

  "Listen to me carefully. In the West, there is going to be a contest of items soon. When it happens, register in it and present this pendant as your item," Alicia instructed.

  "How do yo-" Sebastian again couldn't complete his sentence.

  "We don't have time, go, go!" Alicia said hurriedly.

  Then, Sebastian set off, and Alicia started running towards the cliff.

  "Who was she? What is the true identity of this boy?" Sebastian wondered to himself.

  "Registration has been opened in the square office. Register now, people of the West. Showcase your items," the official shouted.

  Sebastian felt lucky and proceeded to the square office.

  "Hello, sir, how can I help you?" a lady official asked.

  "Ma'am, I wanted to know about my citizenship request," Sebastian said.

  The lady's expression turned slightly irritated.

  "Sir, please inquire about that tomorrow, as the related officer is busy today," she said.

  After hearing this, Sebastian was about to leave the office.

  "You! Wait here," a middle-aged lady called out to Sebastian.

  Sebastian quickly glanced at her. She had a rather ordinary appearance. She went inside the office and directly entered the administrator's room.

  After a while, the lady official was summoned. She entered with a happy face but came out looking darkened.

  Then, the middle-aged lady approached Sebastian.

  "Now, go again and inquire," she said and walked away.

  Sebastian re-entered and saw a man now sitting there, looking petrified.

  "Sir, are you alright?" Sebastian asked.

  "Yes, yes. Please tell me, how can I help you?" the officer replied hurriedly.

  "Did our applications for citizenship of the West get approved?" Sebastian asked.

  "Wait a minute, sir. Can you please give me the papers you submitted with your application?" the officer asked.

  "Here they are, sir," Sebastian said, handing over three papers.

  After taking the forms from Sebastian, the officer searched through the drawer. He eventually found three papers bearing the seal of the West Imperial Authority.

  "Here they are, sir. Now you are a proud citizen of the West. Best wishes to you and your family," the officer said, handing over the papers to Sebastian.

  "Thank you!" Sebastian said and left the office.

  As he was leaving, he saw the middle-aged lady standing outside.

  "Thank you, ma'am," Sebastian said to her and walked away.

  The lady didn't respond. Instead, she seemed surprised that someone in the West didn't recognize her.

  "Interesting. Why was he here?" the lady inquired.

  "He and his family got citizenship of the West. He was here to collect the papers," the officer replied.

  "Do you have the applications?" the lady asked.

  "Sorry, ma'am," the officer apologized.

  "Hmm, do your work with more responsibility. Don't be like her, or your fate won't be much different. Do your work well, and the people will be happy. When the people are happy, the king is happy. And when the king is happy, you are happy. So do your work well to make yourselves happy and comfortable," the lady advised.

  "I-I-I understand, ma'am," the officer said with fear.

  The lady then left the office.

  "Inquire who they are and their motives. I want their reasoning for coming to the West," the lady ordered.

  "Yes, Your Majesty," the men around her said.

  After receiving the papers, Sebastian went to the registration booth to register for the contest.

  "I want to participate in the contest," Sebastian said.

  "Can I see your citizenship papers, sir?" the man asked.

  Sebastian showed the citizenship papers. The man took them and wrote their names in the registration book.

  "Please keep these cards with you, sir. Tomorrow you need to submit your item, and the day after that, the results will be announced. Please bring these cards to enter the ceremony; otherwise, you won't be allowed," the man said.

  "Thank you!" Sebastian replied and left.

  ***

  It was dark in the night. While every animal slept peacefully, a man's breathing could be heard from miles away.

  He stood before a large stone and intoned, "We are knights of him, and our lives are only for the lion who rules the world with the might of the sword."

  The stone opened like a treasury gate. He entered the cave, and the stone returned to its original position.

  "You're here, Sir Redsworth," a man standing at a round table said.

  "Yes, Sir Owl," Redsworth responded.

  "Did you find him?" Owl inquired.

  More than ten men in the cave eagerly awaited his answer.

  "It was Ashworld, Sir Owl," Redsworth answered.

  "I KNEW IT. Ever since I took the oath as his knight, I didn't have much respect for him. I even saw bloodlust for our lord too. But it was only our master who didn't feel it," another man standing beside Owl said.

  "Calm down, Sir Jin," Owl said.

  "How could I? That man killed our lord and our whole faction," Jin retorted.

  "No, I think he was manipulated. His greed for power is too eye-catching. Maybe there is someone who took advantage of it," Owl suggested.

  "Wise words, as expected from our captain," Jin said.

  "But, what is our next assignment?" Redsworth asked.

  "I said these words now, but I deployed someone earlier. She is keeping an eye on Ashworld," Owl said.

  "Florence, the fanatic sword?" Redsworth asked.

  "She was alive? Why didn't you tell us? Now I feel a bit more confident," Jin said.

  "She has the most difficult task. Even she took it upon herself. She was the most hurt when our lord died," Owl explained.

  The expression of the others darkened.

  "Well, she thinks it was her fault that the lord died. In fact, he last talked to her when he died," Jin said.

  "Well, Redsworth, go to the West," Owl ordered.

  "But?" Jin began.

  "Go by the road of Freedom City as a merchant," Owl instructed.

  "Don't take it as disrespect, sir, but may I ask the reason?" Redsworth inquired.

  "Before Florence went on her mission, she shared an interesting fact. Our Young Lord is in the West," Owl revealed.

  This statement shocked everyone.

  "My God! Young Lord Owen is alive?" Jin exclaimed.

  "Yes, he went to the West with a couple. Lady Alicia gave him to them and sacrificed herself to buy time for his escape," Owl said.

  "So do I need to keep an eye on him?" Redsworth asked.

  "Not only keep an eye, but also train him like his father's sword. Don't forget he is the future lord of our faction. If we live through this mess and he conquers his father's seat, we will serve him," Owl said.

  "Understood, sir," Redsworth replied.

  "I hereby declare, The Third Sword of the LionHeart, Sir Redsworth, will immediately leave for the West. His task will be leading his young lordship in the right direction and awakening him into a true Lionheart," Owl announced.

  This was a ritual of the faction. Whenever a black knight received a personal mission, it was also announced to all the black knights.

  "As I said, Sir Redsworth, please leave immediately. Also, beware of the Imperials. You should know well that Lady Alicia was the daughter of the current king of the West, which makes our young lord an heir of the West," Owl said.

  "Yes, sir, I will remember it," Redsworth said.

  By that time, Jin had brought a merchant disguise.

  "Thank you, Sir Jin," Redsworth said.

  "Complete your task. Remember, it will decide our faction's fate," Jin said.

  "Understood, sir," Redsworth replied.

  After a while, Redsworth, now in disguise, set off on the path to the West Kingdom to train the child into a mighty sword.

  ~~