CHAPTER 115: THE NEW KING

Those big black eyes sparkled and locked onto Jircniv’s.

"Looks like you’ve made up your mind," Shiao Yi said. "Then let’s go. You’re not coming back here, so make sure you don’t forget anything."

"I’m fine. There’s nothing I need to bring," Jircniv replied.

Shiao Yi extended his right hand. Jircniv reached out and took it. It was a small, soft, delicate hand—surprisingly warm.

"Let’s go," Shiao Yi said. "It might feel strange for a moment, but don’t worry. You’ll be fine."

Jircniv looked back at the room one last time. It was the place he had lived from the age of five for the past fifteen years. But before he could feel anything sentimental, the room vanished.

He knew instantly that he was somewhere else. It had taken less than a second—there hadn’t even been time to blink.

Yet for Jircniv, it felt like a long time had passed. He couldn’t move. His body felt disconnected, like it wasn’t under his control. It was like floating—an unsettling, queasy sensation.

Then, slowly, his senses returned. He could breathe normally again and begin to take in his surroundings. That’s when he noticed—Shiao Yi was still holding his hand, gently, as if to comfort him.

"You’re okay now," Shiao Yi said. "It’s always confusing the first time. But after this, it’ll be easy."

"Thank you," Jircniv said softly.

"Okay, that’s enough hand-holding!" a sharp voice barked.

A tall man suddenly yanked Shiao Yi away from Jircniv with rough force.

He was a blond handsome man with piercing blue eyes that glared at Jircniv like cold steel.

Jircniv froze in fear.

Had he done something to offend this man?

It was then that Jircniv realized something—this place felt calm and strangely familiar. Could it be... his uncle’s guest room?

"Jircniv!"

He turned at the sound of the voice and saw his uncle and his teacher running toward him.

"I need to change. Dominic, let go."

Shiao Yi slapped away the arm that had wrapped protectively around his shoulders and stepped out of the room.

As he left through the door, a group of men came in, bursting in with joyful voices.

"Lord Jircniv!"

"We’re so glad you’re safe!"

The men dropped to their knees around him, each one speaking with deep relief and joy. Some of them even had tears in their eyes. These must have been the people Shiao Yi had spoken of—the ones who had worked behind the scenes to rescue and support him.

For fifteen years—no, even longer, since the beginning of the rebellion nearly twenty years ago—these people had hidden underground, waiting for the right moment. They had risked everything, not for who he was as a person, but for the hope in his royal bloodline.

Jircniv’s heart trembled with fear. Could he really meet their expectations? Could he live up to this role?

He lifted his eyes, and his teacher smiled at him.

—You’ve learned what you needed to. And you can continue learning from now on.

Then his uncle placed a firm hand on his shoulder. That touch carried warmth and quiet strength.

—You don’t have to carry everything alone. We’re all here with you. You can rely on us.

Jircniv nodded and then faced the room, his voice steady.

"I will become king. For the sake of the people of Dalmasca. To make this country a better place. Please, everyone—help me."

"Lord Jircniv! We will give our lives to support you!"

"We swear our loyalty to you, Lord Jircniv!"

One by one, every man dropped to one knee and gave him the highest gesture of loyalty—even his teacher and his uncle.

"Let me formally greet the new King of Dalmasca."

The tall man with blond hair and piercing blue eyes placed a hand over his heart and gave a proper diplomatic bow.

"My name is Dominic de Beaumont, Captain of the Second Knight Corps of the Kingdom of Rosaria. Through special circumstances, I’ve been cooperating with the Royal Restoration Faction here."

"Rosaria?" Jircniv echoed in surprise.

That was unexpected. The Kingdom of Rosaria had been a rival nation for generations. How had they come to cooperate in this?

Just then, the door opened, and Shiao Yi reappeared.

He had changed out of the maid uniform and now wore simple, easy-to-move-in clothes. His black hair was short—Jircniv realized now that the long brown hair from before had been a wig, part of his disguise.

The change in appearance was striking, but Jircniv still knew it was him—his angel, Shiao Yi. This was his true form. Dressed in male clothing, Shiao Yi no longer looked like a girl. And yet... he was still very beautiful.

Without hesitation, Dominic walked up and put his arm casually around Shiao Yi’s shoulder. The icy, hard look in his eyes from earlier softened completely as he looked at Shiao Yi—his expression turning gentle, even affectionate.

The contrast made Jircniv feel dizzy.

Who was this man to his angel?

Something sharp and hot flared in Jircniv’s chest. It burned.

...

Louis was busy again today. Just like yesterday, and the day before that. But today was even worse, he was so busy that he didn’t even have time to sit down and eat.

He was running all over the place, taking care of the final preparations for tomorrow.

First, he had secretly brought Rex and Amal, who had arrived late last night in the city of Dalmasca, to Lord Chelmsford’s estate.

Amal was the only living witness of what happened with the ancient magic circle.

If the government found out about him, they might try to silence him. However, Rex was guarding him closely, so Louis wasn’t too worried.

He had also met several times with Stuart, the spy that the supreme commander had placed within the capital.

Stuart had been asked to gather the other agents from Rosaria who had infiltrated the city.

They would need to move with Louis and acting as a team.

Stuart had been given a personal letter from Lord Chelmsford and was sent beyond the city gates of Rabanastre.