Huang Shi City, royal palace,
This was the palace's central hall. Everywhere the eye fell gleamed with gold; even the stone walls were covered with a thin layer of it, engraved with lavish patterns by skilled craftsmen. Together with the enormous crystal chandeliers, they cast a unique splendor upon the spotless black marble floor.
At the center of the hall stood the throne atop three steps. The pure gold throne was adorned with gemstones, pearls, and crystals, yet the man seated upon it was cursing furiously.
"Damn those bastards!"
"You damned pigs, didn't you promise us those Fies people would retreat soon?"
"How long has it been? How long?!"
"They're outside the city now! Outside the city!"
"I can't sleep properly every day now! Whatever you wanted, I gave it to you, and this is the result you show me?!"
"You bunch of XXXXX, I want to chop you all to death!"
John Bertich's face was dark, but the luxurious clothes on his bloated body and the enormous crown atop his head gave him none of a king's majesty. Instead, his furious, squirming figure on the throne made him look like a crazed fat pig that had gone hungry for far too long. Within the magnificent palace, he possessed no intimidation whatsoever.
The ministers below looked utterly disheveled. One of them wiped nonexistent spittle from his face and said with a fawning smile,
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. The Fies Kingdom's army has already been firmly blocked ten kilometers outside Huang Shi City by our great forces. They simply cannot break through our defenses."
"Furthermore, the elite forces we have summoned from across the kingdom are gradually arriving. Once the time is right, we can drive those hateful Fies people back and even reclaim the western territories!"
Seeing his subordinate