Rikaner Kingdom, New Royal Capital, Palace.
The young King woke on his royal bed, his face cold. Ignoring the servants who came to attend him, he walked barefoot onto the balcony.
He gazed down at the New Royal Capital in the darkness for a long time, until the Minister of the Interior entered the Bedroom.
"Am I doing such a terrible job?" Clo asked without turning around.
"Of course not. We've held firm against the Demons and Ratfolk. No other ruler could have done that!"
"Then why does some petty City Lord dare to jump around like a clown and hurl insults to my face?"
The Minister of the Interior knew whom the King meant...
Who else could keep the King awake at night, standing on the balcony in the wind?
"Because they don't understand your restraint or your grand plan..."
Standing to one side, the Minister of the Interior saw the corners of the young King's mouth lift slightly.
"Go on."
"There are no fools among the Nobles and the Legendary. And they're still on our side. That says enough about our future!"
"Our future..."
The young King turned. Annan's appearance had barely changed, but two years of constant travel had stripped Clo of the indolence he had shown when he first took the throne, leaving him mature and haggard.
"Do you know? With nothing but a small city, he earned a seat right behind me in the Holy Council!"
The Minister of the Interior quickly found an excuse. "That's prejudice... If the Holy Eye were really that useful, humanity would have wiped out the Ratfolk long ago."
"We can publish an issue of Rikaner Glory to reassure the people."
Clo waved a hand.
"See to it."
New Royal Capital, a seaside Restaurant.
It was midsummer, but with