The Die is Cast

Well, if it ain't General Claude.

A king. I am a king, not a general. Anyway, you had something you wished to talk about?

Whoa, sorry there, "Yer Highness." It's about the thing you brought in the other day.

The correct form of address is, Your Majesty. Anyway, did you find anything out about it?!

Easy there! How 'bout listenin' to what I have to say before you get all excited.

I got a friend in for the analysis and they've finally come back to me with the results.

What did they find out?

Turns out, not a whole lot I'm afraid.

I had feared as much.

I had a look at it myself, you see. But I couldn't make heads nor tails of it. I did get a specialist to take a look at the insides though. Seems like there's some kind of magic sealin' it shut. Thing is, they ain't got a clue how it all works.

And then she goes 'n' says it's some kinda ancient, lost magic, like we didn't have enough problems. In other words, we got nothing.

Sorry I couldn't be much help.

Do not concern yourself. And please accept my apologies for asking this of you. Just knowing that the usual methods of investigation won't bring anything to light is enough.

So, what was all that about?

I had a family heirloom looked into.

A dragon's soul? You know as well as I do.

The jewel used in the Trial!

There is a legend saying that this treasure is required to verify the rightful heir to the throne. However, with the passage of time, knowledge of its use has been lost.

So being accepted by a Kelkale in a different time layer doesn't work after all, I guess. But you WERE accepted over there. Isn't that fine, even if this one doesn't accept you?

...No! No, Aldo! My kingdom is this one, here, in this world. I must be accepted here, not anywhere else.

I didn't realize it was such a big deal for you.

There is a legend saying that this treasure is required to verify the rightful heir to the throne. However, with the passage of time, knowledge of its use has been lost.

I see. So if you don't find out how to use that thing, you can't officially become the king?

Correct. If I cannot become king, then my aspirations of rebuilding my kingdom would recede ever further into fantasy...

Which is why I have got people analyzing it for me, in the hope that they may find something.

But I'm guessing they didn't come up with anything, huh?

Back there, Za'ol said something about ancient magic, right?

Yes, legend speaks of a secret enchantment placed on it by the royal family in ages past.

I am skeptical that there is an ancient magic specialist, here in Elzion. Let alone one who is also knowledgeable on seals.

How about we go pay a visit to my time then?

If we head to Unigan, I'm sure there'll be a good mage around to have a look at it for you. And if we don't have any luck there, we can always go further into the past to Palsifal, where...

Of course! Why did I not think of that?

I just became too single minded to see the solution that was right in front of these royal eyes.

Aldo, would you take me into the past so that I may finally uncover this heirloom's secrets?

Yeah, of course. Let's try Unigan first. If we start asking around at the tavern, I'm sure we'll find somebody who can help.

A fine idea. We will no doubt find the information we need in a place as crowded as a tavern.

So this is the capital. The realm of the king.

Barkeep, tell me, are you aware of any mages in this town adept in magic seals?

You got work for one? I know a few mages who could look into that for you, sure. 'Fraid they're all out on other jobs at the moment though.

Oh, but I know one of them's at the castle now. He's really handy with seals too.

At the castle? Are they getting commissioned or something?

You remember the beast attack we had not so long ago, right? Seems like some of the castle's magic barriers and such got dispelled. They're up there now reenchanting them. I heard they're somewhat famous 'round these parts.

Just what I needed to hear.

Seems we lucked out this time. Even I didn't think that we'd get so much information so soon.

Let's just hope he's as good as the rumors make him out to be.

Indeed. Let us make haste to the castle then.

So this is the city that came under siege?

It's doing pretty well, huh? You wouldn't even know the beasts had been here, to look at it.

Everybody's faces, they are bright with the spark of hope. Even after times of such strife and turmoil. No doubt, this is in no small part thanks to the steady rule of King Miglance. Truly a magnificent king indeed.

You could make even a king blush with such admirable words.

But this revival was not my doing, it was the work of the people that brought back this town's vivacity.

King Miglance! What are you doing here?!

And a good day to you too, Aldo. Just making my presence felt around town. It is really all I am able to do for my people.

So you claim a kingdom's greatness is determined by the ability of its king?

Perhaps not everything. But it is certainly of great significance.

An interesting opinion. Yet might I suggest that such a kingdom is, in fact, not one that is great.

What do you mean by that?

If the bearing of a kingdom truly is determined by its king, then what would happen if it were to lose its king, I wonder?

But then...

An entire country relying on a single king's faculties is an inherently fragile one, and one that is doomed to fail.

The ideal country is one that can function without a king. Being able to gather trusting companions, reliable retainers, and tenacious subjects. That is what makes a truly good king. You would do well to bear that in mind.

So, that is a king...

Not a bad king, huh?

There are many things that I may learn from him. I knew it. There is an aura to a real king that is unmistakable. I could sense it merely by being in his presence.

"You would do well to bear that in mind."

Umm, what are you doing?

Witnessing a live king up close, I will not squander this opportunity to practice my own kingly presence. Thought I would use a few of his words as guidance.

All right. Whatever you say.

Well, of course, merely copying his speech will not help me achieve the same regal gravity. I will have to find my own voice as a ruler in order to gain the respect of the people.

Which, at the moment, seems to end up being kinda over the top. It's like I'm watching a play or something.

You do not think theatricalities have a part to play in being a king?

I knew it! I knew you were doing it on purpose. You know, you'd seem a lot more kingly if you just acted normally.

That is where you are wrong. In a time that has no royalty, I must act so that everybody can easily see that I am a king.

In many ways I am an actor. My part is that of the king. If it means the revival of my lost kingdom, I would willingly become a prop to make the scene complete.

I think you would stand out too much to be a prop...

Do not tell anyone else about this, but I actually rather enjoy putting on the king act.

I had a feeling you did.

Hmm... Well this barrier's all but useless now as well. I'm actually kind of impressed they broke one this sturdy.

Welp, that should do. On to the next one.

Excuse me. May I have a moment of your time?

Hm? Do you need something? As you can see, I'm kinda busy right now.

Then I apologize for my hindrance of your work in advance. I have a job which, if the rumors of you are true, is one that only you may be able to help me with.

I see. In that case, let's hear what you need that requires such a specialized touch as mine.

My thanks. I have something that I want you to analyze for me.

Y'know, there's plenty of people who bring me junk to "analyze."

This is no junk, I promise you that. This heirloom has been in my family for millennia. I have asked many before you to look at this for me, but not one of them succeeded in uncovering its secrets.

Not one? And so now you bring it to me?

I thought perhaps you may be able, no, I believe that if you cannot do it, then I will have no choice but to abandon my search.

Well, if you put it like that. I don't see how I can say no.

I knew I could rely on you.

Wow, Claude's really got a way with people sometimes.

Then allow me to begin my analysis.

Hmm... This is indeed an enchantment of particular complexity.

It's a concealment enchantment within another concealment. But this kind of protection's only ever used for royal...

So, have you discovered anything?

You made the right decision bringing this to me. And I can see exactly why no one could figure it out before.

There's an incredibly powerful barrier protecting what's inside this thing. And if the conditions for dispelling the barrier aren't met, there's no way you're getting this open.

I thought as much. Did you happen to discover what those conditions may be?

From what I could gather, it looks like it's going to need a certain incantation, and the blood from a chosen lineage.

'Offer thy blood...' I see. It must have some form of biological scanner system built in. As for the incantation, worry not. Every syllable is burned cleanly into my mind, without fail.

I dare say the blood required would be that of my own bloodline. As for the incantation, there is something of a family maxim that has been passed down to me. Perhaps it is that.

But I'd be extra careful about trying to get this barrier dispelled.

And why, pray tell, would that be?

I can't give you anything exact, see. But I sensed something else here. Some other magic alongside the barrier. Who knows what'll happen when you finally get this thing open. I could investigate this more if you gave me the time.

That will not be necessary! You have my eternal gratitude! I will name you as a great benefactor of my country. Just as soon as it exists again!

Wait. His country?

I cannot wait idly any longer! Aldo, we must return to my time at once and activate the heirloom! The school's terrace should be a quiet enough place to perform the rite!

Whoa, wait a second! Just calm down before you go running off anywhere!

Okay. Let us get started.

What? You're just going to break the barrier here? Now? You don't think there's a better place and time for this? And what about your friend? He'll want to be here too.

The best time and place for this is when I desire it! And that is here and now!

Moreover, my friend is not conditioned in the ways of battle. I cannot let him come to harm.

I guess you're right, the mage did say they weren't sure what would happen when you break the barrier.

Then let us begin. We will just have to find out what is inside ourselves.

On the cracked bones of Kelkale. Insignia of our misdeeds. That which is spirit of our state; the blood of thy lineage, the blood of thyself. Bestow unto us, the long forgotten, drenched in the miasma of our sin, the fortuity of atonement.

Oh...

That's Kelkale!

Disturber of Kelkale's Fount. Prove now that you are the rightful king...

So this was the other source of magical power that the mage sensed. And it seems merely being of Kelkale lineage will not suffice.

Very well! I will prove my right as you so wish!

Whoa! Hang on, wait for me!

Huff, huff... These trials are no joke.

Phew! You don't think that's a little extreme for a test?!

Your right to reign unquestioned has now been proven.

Now this world's dragon also accepts me as the true king.

Now, finally...at long last... My kingdom may be reborn.

The knowledge of my forefathers!

This is exactly what was in the legend. This heirloom held our most precious treasure. The knowledge to rebuild our once great kingdom! I can see it all so clearly now!

Ahhhhhh! Wh-What is that thing?! Monster! There's a monster! Oh... It disappeared!

Whoa! Where'd that thing go?!

I didn't realize people were watching, this is bad!

I hoped to bask in the glory of my newfound revelations a while longer, but I guess even a king cannot have it all.

Apologies for the disturbance! I was merely rehearsing with one of the stage props that will feature in the play I intend to stage.

Oh man, you mean that was a hologram? It looked so real.

So, you're staging a play, are you? Will His Majesty be performing, too?

Of course! I have the modest role of director, scriptwriter, supporting role, and protagonist! It is a play by me, for me. A tale of a king without a kingdom.

Wait, so it's just you?!

That was a perfect performance.

And yet there was not a single lie in my act. My tale has already begun, Aldo.

Let "The Restoration Of Kelkale" be the most magnificent chapter of this tale yet!

This looks like it's going to get kinda over the top again...