The young figure who appeared to be the First Prince raised a hand to accept the praise. Annan watched him. New Origin One was still in the waters off the Far North, and the vanguard of the Rat Tide was advancing north. Where had the Ratfolk come from who had supposedly reached the Royal Capital, only to be stopped there?
"Annan... Annan... Annan?"
The faint call made Annan turn. Hamis VI was sitting a row behind him, off to one side.
"You've moved up quickly..." he said.
"You mean from the second-to-last row to the third-to-last?"
The High King spoke in the center of the hall while Annan and Hamis VI whispered to each other.
"Did you hear? The Ratfolk were stopped. You're safe..."
"I don't believe it."
"Why not?"
"I was in the Royal Capital just a few days ago. The Ratfolk had invaded the Kingdom and were only three counties away, but nobody in the Royal Capital knew. How am I supposed to believe that, just days later, they suddenly announced the Ratfolk had reached the capital and been stopped?"
"I don't believe them!"
"—Who said that?"
A booming voice suddenly rang out. Every gaze in the hall swung toward Annan—
"Shh, they've noticed you. Don't say any more..." Annan raised a finger to Hamis VI.
The gazes shifted to a bewildered Hamis VI, then turned away as the High King continued speaking.
"First Prince, you have done well..."
Annan shut his mouth. Like the other lords, he stared at the figure wreathed in lies and deceit...
"Why do you say that?"
A rough male voice suddenly sounded in Annan's ear.
"Who are you?" Annan asked warily.
"The Golden King," the rough voice replied. Annan looked toward the Golden Throne at the center. The broad figure seated there