“So, that’s what’s been going on.”


    I had met with Prince Edward, and naturally, there was a lot to discuss. The last time I had spoken to him, I had left in a rush on the battlefield between the Ost Republic and Aberis to return to Chalm. They had been moments from starting a war that likely would have ended with one of the country’s destruction, but I had upended that ending, only to disappear without a word of explanation.


    Not only did Prince Edward not know where I had been the previous two months and how I had seemingly escaped death, but Chalm had also become a mystery spot. Quite a bit of time had passed since then. Chalm had reopened as if nothing had happened. The Osterians had seemingly managed to cross Aberis and ended up on the eastern side, abandoning the country of the Ost Republic that they had helped form.@@@@


    Then, there was the rumbling of some kind of major issue in Dioshin, which ultimately ended with them waging an attack on the west. Then, just as those rumors had reached the capital, I had over-ended the result, taken over the west finally bring Alerith under the heel, created an unprecedented trade agreement with Dioshin, and solidified my control. Even for the normally casual Prince Edward, each rumor sounded as unbelievable as the last, and when I finally was there to explain how everything had happened and the result, he still found it hard to believe.


    “Well, that’s about everything.” I had finished talking for what felt like an hour and took a drink of water.


    He nodded. “I wouldn’t be surprised if someone sent assassins after you, or tried to make things difficult for you in other means.”


    “You’re not the first to say that,” I responded bitterly.


    The lionkin who was standing nearby, I had eventually asked to her name was Chance, shifted slightly as if she was ready to take on such assassins on her own. Perhaps I was being a bit ridiculous running away from the lionkin who only wanted to protect me. This conversation was starting to make me feel a bit paranoid, like an assassin might be around every corner.


    “Well, if that makes you uncomfortable, then this next part will be even more difficult.”


    “What is it?”


    “Deek, I want you to be my opponent!”