Chapter 53: CHP 53 A NEW BEGINNING AND A DEADLY MESSAGE

Chapter 53 — A NEW BEGINNING AND A DEADLY MESSAGE

BILHO KINGDOM — THE ROYAL MEDICAL ROOM

Kil Ful slowly opened his eyes.

The first thing he noticed was darkness.

He tried to look around, but he couldn’t see anything. A white strap had been wrapped around his head, completely covering his eyes. He immediately raised his hands and touched the cloth.

"What is this? Why can’t I see anything?"

He tried to remove the straps, but a doctor standing beside his bed quickly stopped him.

"Don’t remove them! Your eyes are still recovering."

Kil Ful frowned.

"Recovering from what? I can feel that my eyes are burning. Remove this thing. I can’t see anything!"

The doctor shook his head.

"Your Eye Sight ability was pushed beyond its limits during your battle in the Forest of Peace. The energy put tremendous strain on your eyes. Even though you’ve regained consciousness, they haven’t completely recovered."

Kil Ful turned his head toward the doctor’s voice.

"So how long do I have to wear this?"

"Two days. You must keep the straps on for at least two days, and you shouldn’t activate your Eye Sight during that period."

Kil Ful groaned.

"Two days? How am I supposed to do anything without seeing?"

A familiar voice came from the doorway.

"By listening to the doctor and keeping your mouth shut."

Gyro entered the room with his stick in one hand.

Kil Ful immediately recognized his voice.

"Sensei! Tell him to remove this!"

Gyro walked beside the bed.

"No."

Kil Ful sat up.

"What do you mean, no?"

"I mean exactly what I said. Wear the straps for two days. Don’t overreact just because you can’t see for a little while."

"But—"

"No buts."

Gyro tapped his stick lightly against the floor.

"You nearly destroyed your own body trying to stop that attack. You survived, and that’s what matters. If you damage your eyes further because you can’t control your impatience, don’t expect me to feel sorry for you."

Kil Ful fell silent.

After a few seconds, he sighed and lay back down.

"Fine. Two days. But I’m telling you, Sensei, this is going to be the most boring two days of my life."

Gyro smiled slightly.

"Good. Perhaps you’ll finally learn to be quiet."

"Sensei, that’s just cruel."

Gyro laughed and left the room.

Kil Ful remained in bed, listening to the sounds around him. For someone who relied heavily on his Eye Sight during battle, being unable to see was an unfamiliar experience. He could still sense the energy around him, but it wasn’t the same as seeing his surroundings.

For now, he had no choice but to rest.

---

THE JOURNEY HOME

After the truth about the Bilho Kingdom had been uncovered, the two groups finally prepared to return to their respective kingdoms.

Morry, Ravian, and Gyro accompanied Kil Ful’s group back toward Aurelia. Meanwhile, Maddy, Rony, and Brine returned toward Valtara after receiving assurances that the King of Bilho would cooperate with the investigation into the mysterious Boss.

The journey was quiet.

Everyone had plenty to think about. The Forest of Peace had been devastated, the Prince of Bilho had escaped, and an unknown enemy was secretly working to turn the kingdoms against one another.

Kil Ful spent most of the journey resting. His eyes remained covered, and Gyro made sure he didn’t try to activate his powers.

Eventually, the group reached Aurelia Kingdom.

The Valtara team continued toward their own home, while Kil Ful, Morry, Ravian, and Gyro entered Aurelia through the main gate.

The city looked peaceful, but Gyro knew that peace could disappear at any moment.

"Get some rest," he told Kil Ful. "We’ll discuss everything after you’re fully recovered."

Kil Ful nodded.

"Understood, Sensei."

For once, he didn’t argue.

---

TWO DAYS LATER — AURELIA KINGDOM

Morning sunlight entered Kil Ful’s room.

He sat on the edge of his bed, carefully touching the white straps around his eyes.

"Finally. It’s been two days."

He slowly untied the straps and removed them.

At first, the light seemed too bright. He blinked several times, allowing his eyes to adjust. Gradually, the room came into focus.

The bed.

The window.

The chair near the wall.

Everything was visible again.

Kil Ful smiled with relief.

"Thank goodness!"

He walked toward the mirror and examined his eyes.

They looked almost normal, but something was different. A faint sensation of energy remained behind them, as though his Eye Sight had changed in some way after the battle.

He tried to activate it for a brief moment.

A slight discomfort appeared, and he immediately stopped.

"Not completely recovered, huh?"

He remembered the doctor’s warning and decided not to push himself.

"Fine. I’ll give it more time."

After changing his clothes, Kil Ful left the house and walked through the streets of Aurelia. He hadn’t spent much time outside since returning, and he wanted to enjoy a peaceful day without training or fighting.

As he approached a small public garden, he heard a girl’s voice.

"Hey, boy! What’s your name?"

Kil Ful turned around.

A girl was standing a short distance away, looking directly at him.

He pointed at himself.

"Are you talking to me?"

The girl laughed.

"Yes, you! Who else would I be talking to?"

Kil Ful smiled.

"My name is Kil Ful. What’s yours?"

"Aaru."

Kil Ful’s expression brightened.

"That’s a pretty name."

Aaru smiled back.

"Your name is pretty too."

Kil Ful suddenly became embarrassed.

"Really? Uh... thanks."

Aaru tilted her head.

"Why are you blushing?"

"I’m not blushing!"

"You definitely are."

Kil Ful looked away.

"Anyway, where do you live?"

Aaru pointed toward the other side of the garden.

"I live near the Royal Park. My father recently became a Sovereign."

Kil Ful looked surprised.

"Oh, really? Then are you new to the kingdom?"

Aaru nodded.

"Yeah. Before this, I lived in a forest near Aurelia. My father recently received his new position, so we moved here."

Kil Ful smiled.

"Then welcome to Aurelia!"

Aaru laughed.

"Thank you, Kil Ful."

They began walking through the garden together, talking about the kingdom, its markets, the Royal Park, and the different places Aaru had yet to visit.

Kil Ful told her a few funny stories about life in Aurelia, although he carefully avoided discussing the most dangerous battles he had fought. Aaru listened with interest and occasionally teased him whenever he tried to make himself sound more impressive.

Hours passed without either of them noticing.

For the first time in a long while, Kil Ful had spent an entire day without worrying about revenge, powerful enemies, or his next training session.

As the sun began to set, Aaru stopped near the road leading toward the Royal Park.

"You know, Kil Ful," she said, smiling, "you’re actually a really nice person."

Kil Ful scratched the back of his head.

"Thanks. You’re pretty cute yourself."

The moment the words left his mouth, he realized what he had said.

His face turned red.

Aaru laughed softly.

"See you again, Kil Ful."

"Y-yeah. See you!"

They went their separate ways, each leaving with a smile.

Kil Ful walked home, still embarrassed by their conversation.

What was that? Why did I say it like that?

He shook his head and laughed at himself.

For one evening, the future seemed peaceful.

But that peace wouldn’t last forever.

---

NIGHT — THE CLOCK TOWER OF AURELIA

Far from the peaceful garden, a dark figure approached the outskirts of Aurelia Kingdom.

Juyew.

He stood beneath the shadows of the trees, holding the lifeless body of a man. His expression was calm, as though carrying the body of a dead Sovereign was nothing more than an ordinary task.

Beside him stood Veyron, dressed in black.

Another mysterious man waited nearby. He was known as Juyew’s second assistant, and his face remained hidden beneath a dark hood.

Juyew looked toward the centre of Aurelia, where the enormous clock tower rose above the surrounding buildings.

"Veyron," he said, "you will hang this body on the clock tower."

Veyron looked at the dead man.

"Understood. Who is he?"

"A Sovereign of Aurelia."

The second assistant glanced toward the city.

"So the entire kingdom will find out that one of its Sovereigns has been killed."

Juyew smiled faintly.

"Exactly."

He turned toward his second assistant.

"You will help Veyron. If anyone approaches while you’re carrying out the task, eliminate them. I don’t want anyone interfering."

The assistant nodded.

"What time should we do it?"

"Midnight. Not a minute earlier."

Juyew handed the body over to Veyron.

"Make sure everyone sees it when morning comes. I want the entire kingdom to understand the message."

Veyron accepted the body without another word.

Juyew turned away.

"My work here is finished for now. Once you complete the task, return to our hideout."

He looked over his shoulder at the two men.

"And remember—don’t make unnecessary mistakes."

Both assistants bowed slightly.

"We understand."

Juyew disappeared into the darkness.

Veyron and the second assistant remained beneath the trees, waiting for the right moment to enter the kingdom.

Above them, the clock tower stood silently against the night sky.

By morning, Aurelia would discover that one of its own Sovereigns had been murdered.

And the message left behind would be impossible to ignore.

TO BE CONTINUED...