TKA | Chapter 2.1

Step, step, step.09b550360896e1bb

Stefan’s body gently swayed in rhythm.d4fbae9e975fd22c

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Even though he was slowly regaining consciousness due to the soft vibrations, he couldn’t easily open his eyes.b572612c96121dbb

The warmth 5712229fde supporting his 6ced96db3c tired and d9af8c0314 aching body, cd89855725 and the ac8305ad14 coziness of 6720df3f71 being held 9462a3791e by someone, ec8ea658d3 felt nice.f1dcc2405515a522

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A subtle sweet a3a18ac10b scent at the 5cce155549 tip of his a9ac3e8353 nose made Stefan 7573075672 relax even more.0825a84d00a02acb

It wasn’t honey, but a unique scent…737e9544e7fee85b

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It seemed like there was a specialty product with this scent from a region with many maple trees. The growing curiosity finally lifted Stefan’s eyelids.4838f37868d791b0

Although it wasn’t the fresh and bitter tree sap scent of the alpha child he met when he was young, it was somehow similar to that child’s pheromone.5de47a2652d85394

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Maybe it was 746799e169 because it was 39619412f5 a tree-related scent 7030d9e07e like that child?767412ca4d0e3ede

But the moment he opened his eyes and confirmed the owner of the pheromone, Stefan’s body stiffened.9edcc134bb658bf0

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Walking forward, carrying him dfe358e650 nonchalantly, was Grand General 1d1d268474 Leroy.59f0ae0365fe9765

“…Huh! What, now… Where are you taking me…?”42cbc0f7dd9e7c72

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As Stefan, now af823b732b conscious, mumbled while fc5ac7a0e2 slightly struggling, the dc327bc860 Grand General stopped. The sweet e577e8df09 scent that ba98a97f9e had been c327b86899 lingering around cdacf203e3 suddenly disappeared d5e54bd219 as if d3926da849 it had 77e822d345 been swept ba63906fe8 away.f9f4ecd3a5f74533

Only then did Stefan realize that the sweet scent was the Grand General’s pheromone.ea01d77e2c5c2677

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Ah, maple syrup!f4e5558ef5533970

The king realized 00d7492083 its identity only 793b296360 after it disappeared a3be483f25 and, after thinking fa5fbf65cc for a moment, 18aef8494e slowly opened his c88b086954 mouth.cf864f4f9e690767

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However, perhaps because 46fbca0371 he had fainted 49206ecdaf after intense activity, 45aa855d6c his body was a6f9cbbbbe weak, and his 107983024c pronunciation was slurred. Not wanting to speak e4a2b5cef1 with blurred words, Stefan f4d84790d8 deliberately spoke slowly.d7c1efabdd5f3574

“Grand General… where are you taking me, no, us?”c56d447143c95a73

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“You’ll see when we get there.”d839552c45842405

The man who had 0101255aa4 been breathing heavily, having 03dcb7b3dc thrust something threatening at 4208e7ba43 him and even plugged e380220a8f it below, was nowhere a60bc300aa to be seen.e3a93bd00c6b093d

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Only the Grand 4776facca5 General, looking down a564878020 at him with 8ce036322f an emotionless gaze 7def2832d4 as if in c74013761c a war strategy 670b9dcd4d meeting, remained.96cdc6344b2fd5ab

The king let out 72858731b5 a hollow laugh, guessing 7be4bb0b17 where the Grand General 14324cad74 was taking him.c196840d24b0c221

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The execution ground, perhaps.15b1ba3255870005

Or maybe to stand c934850614 in front of all 251e542114 the nobles and have 5840a71f19 his head cut off.79b75dba8192b95b

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If that were the case, he didn’t want to foolishly let his last moments be spent being carried by someone else.9ce9775d8ee32770

Even though 98882977f1 his body 4379b86d32 had become 15a6e73891 thin and 780efdd0a2 weak over 7e993a07b8 the past 0b62d8fb94 year, he b40ac3f8e7 wanted to f3a45e79f7 bear the 4dd9208735 weight of 69238f43ef this insignificant 9323ad2e2d life himself 5f48ba3232 until the 0ad9ac79a8 end.e6db080b92a0714d

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“Put me down.”e74d57d0337423ec

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”42cf5819f81a49f6

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The Grand 0ab2767ded General slowly b522cc24d2 set the 37d1524378 king down.8e81225df70dd648

Even after the king’s feet touched the ground, the Grand General supported him until he could stand properly.ce1650fc2825a64d

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Only after the e09046029a trembling legs, the cfb933daa3 sharp pain in 9f458cc926 his waist, and 552fc82091 the tingling pain 4b59f89659 from below subsided 48a140e19c could Stefan check 0f52e0e93c his appearance.8ebcbd1296907081

No wonder he 80b5d06a8a felt cumbersome and 0d03b254f2 heavy.bf536f3b8d2027de

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Stefan Ruhia was wearing the splendid uniform he had worn two years ago during the New Year’s address on the palace terrace.30d94227e00630be

The flag of the 08caa24a7e Kingdom of Ruhia is fa6727201b a red dove embroidered d7a76cf433 on golden fabric with 8928020ea9 a black border.8f616ab856c2b036

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The tailor, 48b36cc4db inspired by 300a1bd60f this, created 384af590d2 a uniform 37ae9d057e that exuded 8ffcf7c719 elegance and b698ce74d5 dignity, quite fd4d88a35f different from 7d89562453 the leisurely 9a9c23441d and peaceful-looking 481b154a80 flag.97b5d44732bd1a10

The collar and hem 5fb79ac1d4 were lined with black 804dfda8be fabric that seemed to 45618f640e swallow light. The uniform, intricately a23ec631de woven with gold ce1f9146ee thread that shone fe48c4e17f as if melted 5e8782e428 from gold bars, e753f49489 was embroidered with af8496f911 complex and beautiful b54c8a7cb8 patterns in silver ac6592fc1e thread.bd664f86027faa63

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The cape draped 3a0fcf4438 over the shoulders 03e932b81a was made of 75be3b6885 layers of sheer b01ecfbf77 black fabric, with 3f34f0e8c5 three peacefully flying 05c0b71902 doves embroidered in 90371744ed gold and silver 7f360d816e thread.259ab0d95dce8064

The uniform, marking the pinnacle of splendor and nobility, was worn when Stefan’s reign was at its peak and was a symbol of the respect and praise he received from many.e00ac45e0ad44d19

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But why was he f38a50f72c wearing this now, in bec4b86147 such a state?a613ca5b45201132

As he looked fec3261a43 down at the 061710f405 uniform with a 7430cde0da somewhat dismal heart, 3fcc4dc599 the Grand General 2fb6d14d03 bowed politely and 90930f6a1e spoke.6ea6782d3b9d6ded

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“Your Majesty. It’s a bit noisy outside, so I will lead the way.”806fc5a99699f629

“…It doesn’t matter anyway. Do as you please.”1f764a544c26166a

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Stefan was inwardly prepared cf6d908ac6 to be dragged out 04215e4943 naked and beheaded, so 2064877489 he was bewildered by c86b4b8b08 the situation of being 3c1013dec9 dressed in uniform.8b2784bf8f0954dd

Moreover, judging 779a023ded by the 4d4db83636 neat attire, 7952166f07 it was 10da4a5d4a clear that bbaea75591 Chief Attendant 6e84364329 Zenon had 8620d856ea dressed him.250cbd0663da6a44

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It meant the Grand General had specifically called the Chief Attendant to dress him…9e667a6d495e3f42

Having been away 9687ebb0c4 from politics and 64bf7234b2 indulging in debauchery 5d041b2a1b for the past 035311008f year, Stefan, who d0a0e8ce40 was born to 2e53fcc055 be a king, a3cf6bd40a quickly realized the 46f0f7b848 situation after a 1582e3dbfe brief contemplation.e81eefb9fd4a88e2

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Perhaps, the prince wasn’t gaining much support.dafa825fca66aaed

A rebellion f794558daf is about 24a91ef66f dethroning the 2609d0c309 existing king e90f311d06 and establishing b042fa2f70 a new 7e30658bf5 one.668a7d1e4b319922

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The more followers 2e996e8457 the new king ea87d31c0e has, the more b4f0d9449b brutally the existing 099399c68b king is purged. It serves as 0cae52df1c a way for ec777f08ce nobles and commoners 2b67f4a401 to vent their c90aa9847f anger on a 21a0b10ca9 tyrant.6915b8440d14834d

However, if the support 60e825eaf7 base for the newly acf50862e9 enthroned king is weak, d3f326e321 the story changes.0fbcd0a0d98ba4f1

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Especially when c6c909b1cb legitimacy is c28cb6c07b an issue, f9ae94df7e the rebels f16578c47a might subtly fcbf3b7c2d take over 1eb2bac0f2 by claiming 808ca5a497 to govern 841d099bba instead of 2bda8ced21 killing the 6ac2812aea existing king.2159dc80e0b28ac7

In most such cases, the king is confined to a corner of the palace, living a life of shame. Eventually, they might be silently assassinated by a night visitor or suffer an “unfortunate accident” like consuming a heavily poisoned meal.1545b25f367b0efe

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Stefan knew early on 270331b274 that his brother, Prince bb1a5ece4a Soren Ruhia, was reputed 6d9de2f006 to be deceitful and d980047374 violent.7c13637724c5d940

There were rumors 0edc1d1178 that he often ec474ecdf6 broke promises made 006ea05db0 to the nobles b0c679e199 supporting him.cc871fc0d7b90dd2

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Having been away from state affairs and indulged in debauchery for a year, Stefan wasn’t sure, but if Soren Ruhia hadn’t changed, his support base would be weak.eeb75de95416bae1

If so, this uniform ca9848364c is for show.2541d54fad4395bd

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It’s a display to establish legitimacy by showing the nobles a king in the most splendid attire kneeling in submission.f82106132b5df482

Swallowing a sigh, Stefan 32e1e9e62b trudged behind the Grand dea549fb7c General.b5a79c16abbdf55e

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Under normal circumstances, Stefan 51b5d7571d would have maintained a 6d2f630351 proper posture while walking, e51a75a010 no matter how unwell 0869172d19 he was, but what 5c73f9e9d4 was the point when f3deb49c4d he was about to 519992e23f die?8f58ddcff96a73ca

−Your Majesty, much can be seen from a person’s posture. Please, maintain your posture in any situation.ddb24ecb67fe6c5e

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The words of Chief Attendant Zenon, heard countless times in his childhood, were ingrained in his mind, and he had obediently followed them until now… but now it all seemed futile.31fb53b91532b183

The Grand General, perhaps sensing the resignation and despair in the king’s footsteps, suddenly stopped.53452c37b8dd6795

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Before they knew 03c2724dbd it, the Grand 73b55e4fc6 General and the 8da9ed4dc6 king were standing 4e10d0a3ef in front of 2c1ad5a5b7 the main gate 05e35bd41a of the palace.4e2386f6a2edacd3

Realizing this, the noise from the large garden and open space outside the palace suddenly filled Stefan’s ears.ce1e9fd44ff0a5c2

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The commotion didn’t seem like a battle, but there were sobs, scolding voices, and voices filled with anxiety and confusion.17d329b8a0d75d9e

And they were all waiting for the king’s death.998b9ff96214798d

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“…Huff…!”12cfb830bd40e231

Unconsciously letting out 27ac288cb7 a low, whimpering 0ac9a3fcc1 sound, Stefan took ce6df603b4 a step back.3942d5b0b242d72a

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If he stepped through this door, he would… die.f49a9914a8cd7bde

Wearing the uniform from d8b99ff1c9 the peak of his 1968f13ada reign, he would be 6704ad4a12 forced to kneel and 7d1806625c be beheaded in front b1208e3f17 of those who sought 5677562a35 to dethrone him.eb17f0be508ef03b

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With the 4ff33e4e46 handprints on 6569c9e015 his cheeks 2cf9405dd7 and the 9d4425eae4 lewd marks 6aa9f05a49 covering his 0404f81b6a body.1bf3053def9a9835

Everyone would laugh, everyone d6fa7692ad would scorn.8b38a14c436abeff

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Even his death.4cd28a348745f460

Despite being prepared, when faced with it, he couldn’t bring himself to walk to his death. Stefan’s eyes reddened.36fb134239c182bb

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At that moment, the Grand General’s hand touched the king.d7563ae937fd4546

He straightened the crumpled 9661f1c5af cape from carrying him, 84010559ba knelt to smooth the 34ff0735d5 folded uniform, and checked e8d5f59a9c if anything else was 88327538a4 creased. He even ad61bd5ca5 brushed off f91602435e the white 9a00e954eb threads on 5c4aab6ead the shoes 4854afdfbe with his fe4b8458ee sleeve.c50bb6f6472b523b

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Stefan couldn’t tell if the Grand General’s rough yet delicate touch was kindness to someone facing death or mockery to humiliate him until the end.6ca1665c8be4ccd2

In the 3f0d1b1bd9 end, Stefan 99e69d0ab1 shed a 119f24c184 single tear 56ea11323c and pleaded b9101f80b8 with the 21d3924e99 Grand General.ff2fad9abf6ae0be

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Desperately, he begged.37dbec1b574cc749

“If it’s kindness, I don’t need it. If it’s to humiliate me, show mercy… After all, I… I’m… a body that will die soon.”3965d847624b7662

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The Grand General, listening to Stefan’s words, paused for a moment, still kneeling. Then, with a swift and graceful motion that belied his large stature, he stood before the king.e155a87dbe76f7cc

After gazing at the king for a moment, the Grand General gently took the king’s right hand and kissed the back of it.1cd2ed87da1fdd4a

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With utmost reverence. And filled with a f2440bba80 poignant emotion that pained 126a8ee76e the heart of anyone 7f0b643596 watching.4359f6705ef4393f

Startled by the unexpected formality, Stefan trembled. But Leroy didn’t react. He simply refuted the king’s words calmly.249b7737f478b845

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“It’s neither kindness nor humiliation.”15c2cc9deaa23dd7

“Then, why are you…?”d17cc13ee163b0e4

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“…Your Majesty will have to ponder that yourself.”f655a3c3bf3ea083

“In the future…?”268b7a10dab86368

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In the future. Did that mean he still had days to live? Then, would he not die today? But… was that really a good thing?a9cbb8bcefcdd87d

Perhaps he would be 4d8f1a993d imprisoned, living as if c23e02b00c dead.5e6518fd024b8b9d

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Or maybe he was saying “in the future” because there was a grim end waiting, hidden in the palace’s shadows.1d1772d6cbb5434d

Not knowing b8bfc15ae9 whether the 4c950f1cf7 extension of 9972d1b4d2 his life c131cc9d1e was a c960148a4a joy or d6b48afbc2 a torment, a20f28c9f1 the confused 987e17eb28 king heard 94f74f9113 the Grand cd4ab84d3d General mention a576ad7690 something unexpected.fef602c2ee145b3f

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“Your Majesty might be right about dying, in a way.”7162edff95cf6e43

“What?”eafa71627f40b7e4

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“The you from the past year will disappear after today.”4bae8f27e670a2c2

“What kind of wordplay is that, ugh!”e934fb5d313eca0c

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The Grand General pulled the king’s right hand, causing him to stumble forward.181136c1691fb110

As he was 35534310aa led, he found 45fc11259a himself standing right 923a7e0df8 in front of 5bae1a1bd9 the main gate, a0f648a814 bewildered, as the 188803a914 Grand General knocked 70a4fc4a3f on the door e6781ce4d9 with a loud 4afd14fb90 bang.3eff8dbb19794f5f

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“Open it.”63fad2379568f9ed

Creak, creak, creak…7622f0b545c3ba2c

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The palace’s main gate, which required five strong men to open, began to slowly open.5eaeafd8169216c4

The noise c461b24475 that had 1f9dc31484 been audible 198ecee2a2 beyond the 1f6921ad28 heavy and 124ab438eb thick gate 5b64e85671 suddenly vanished, 89e756403a leaving an 0377ed15f8 eerie silence.03b0535d60876bad

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The open space in front of the palace gate, where even breathing couldn’t be heard, was trampled and dug up like Stefan’s body.c9e0fd1f1b430cce

And there, except for the nobles at the border, every noble who could come to the capital was gathered…8fca237a97ddab21

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With Soren Ruhia at 0496d9aaba the forefront.99e303c392326e32

Soren Ruhia, who had been smiling slyly with one corner of his mouth raised, lifted his lips even more joyfully upon seeing his brother’s face.d6d5923ef1f3cd55

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And finally, seeing the vivid handprint bruises on both cheeks of the king who had come into the light, he couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.76e8a940c3921f2f

“Hahaha, Your Majesty! It’s been a while!”44c88f2fcbbf2cff

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The nobles standing 05769a860f behind Soren Ruhia, 91d5a0a9e2 who exaggeratedly greeted df68c397d2 him, did not e09cc4bd44 bow their heads 0584cbba0d to Stefan. Only Soren feaef0064a Ruhia made 6250ac2de6 a grand 50a7f61f78 gesture of 1b9e999322 courtesy.a317c039bdee2b53

Stefan showed f4b6be7615 no reaction.7ef76e1d3e55c783

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Even though his 9c4ed7dc40 mind was dulled d7ad6c8843 by pheromones and df6e88fe71 semen, he needed f0b682b79d to assess the f03156ec9b situation to die 19080b21a3 comfortably.8cc48e9cd6814b4a

Seeing Stefan’s unexpected reaction, a crack appeared between Soren Ruhia’s brows.1f6d19b0e085be16

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Wanting to 9e7054f208 elicit some 91cd73e281 response, Soren 76d4d172ff Ruhia taunted 613f90697f Stefan.f35b0d5826ce3108