The gates were as tall as the Elemental, maybe even taller. Ryuji could not understand how this was built by humans. The walls were thick and completely made out of stone. At the entrance, there were flags one different from the other.
(Ryuji) - What do the flags stand for?
(Olaf) - One of the flags represents the kingdom we belong to, and the other flag is the capital army flag.
(Ryuji) - I have never seen those flags.
(Sol) - In your village, the only flag you could see is the one assigned to traders.
*Step*
In front of the gates were two tall men, one holding a spear and the other one holding a big axe.
(Guard) - Stop right there!
(Olaf) - Greetings!
(Guard) - What is your business in the capital?
(Olaf) - We are here to see the king with the matter he sent us on.
(Guard) - No one is allowed to see the king.
(Olaf) - What do you mean?
(Guard) - Are you hard of hearing old man?
(Olaf) - I heard you loud and clear, but I think there is a misunderstanding.
While the guard was talking with Olaf, the other guard, one with the spear was analyzing them.
(Guard) - If for the king you came, you can return.
(Olaf) - Are we not allowed to enter the capital?
(Sol) - We spent a couple of days traveling, and we need to rest.
(Guard) - Without a reason, you are not allowed to enter.
Olaf noticed something is wrong, there were no such rules before. He kept asking himself what could have happened.
They insisted on going into the capital and the guards pointed their weapons at them.
(Guard) - If you insist. I will take you to the king.
(Olaf) - Finally some reasoning.
*Step*
*Step*
But what Olaf and the others did not know was that the guard taking them to the king was taking them to the prison. While the other guard went for the reinforcements in case they would retaliate.
(Olaf) - This is not the way to the king.
(Guard) - Keep walking.
*Stop*
(Olaf) - I have been to the king many times before, and this is not the way.
*Raised voice*
(Guard) - I said keep walking!
Olaf decided to follow the guard's instructions for the time being, even if he knew that it was not going toward the king's chambers. After two more turns, Olaf noticed that it was the way to the capital prison.
(Olaf) - You are taking us to prison?
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*Chuckles*
(Guard) - So you've been there before?
(Olaf) - Boy, I worked as a guard before you were born.
(Guard) - I heard that before and the one who said it is still rotting in prison.
(Olaf) - Care to explain why we can not see the king?
(Guard) - There is no need for an explication.
Olaf pulled his sword and grabbed the guard.
(Olaf) - Feeling like you want to talk yet?
*Grunt*
(Guard) - Appears that you showed your true colors at last.
By the time Olaf was threatening the guard, the reinforcements arrived and they were surrounded. The others pulled out their weapons, but Olaf advised them not to pick up a fight with the capital, even if he already made the first move.
(Guard) - Now keep moving.
*Step*
*Step*
Once they arrived at the prison, they were put in separate cells. As the guards were leaving Olaf yelled at them.
(Olaf) - Tell the king that Hitashi Olaf arrived, and demands to see him.
(Prisoner) - No king would come to the prison. We already tried it multiple times.
(Olaf) - It is different this time.
(Prisoner) - I hope you are right.
Then they waited and waited, and waited until a full day passed. All they received was some food and water. But no audition to the king. Olaf was growing impatient and told the guard that brought him food to deliver his message to the king. After a couple of hours, there were some noises outside.
*Step*
*Step*
(Guard) - Bow before your king!
When Olaf saw the face of the man proclaiming to be king, he started laughing.
(Olaf) - You are the king now? This suddenly makes a lot more sense.
(Advisor) - Silence!
(Olaf) - What happened to the king?
(Advisor) - There is no need to tell such things to a lowly prisoner.
*Sigh*
(Olaf) - I need to see him. It is an urgent matter.
(Advisor) - No one is allowed to see him but me.
(Olaf) - Then at least tell him that Hitashi Olaf came back.
*Humpf*
(Advisor) - The king would not care about such a name.
Olaf grabbed the cell bars.
(Olaf) - Tell him!
(Advisor) - Is this all I had to come for?
*Step*
*Step*
Out of all the people that could return, why it had to be him? This is not a good sign. The advisor told himself.
(Kenta) - Why would the king's advisor take his place?
(Olaf) - Something must have happened while I was gone.
(Ryuji) - How long were you gone?
(Olaf) - It must have been about 3 years since I saw the king.
(Ryuji) - Were you not in the capital after you left the village?
(Olaf) - I did not enter the capital, and I had no idea of such changes.
While they continued talking, the advisor went to the king's chamber.
*Cough*
(King) - What was all the commotion earlier with the guards? Did anything happen?
(Advisor) - It was nothing, my lord, just some people that demanded to see you.
*Cough*
*Cough*
(King) - What was their name?
(Advisor) - They were just some outsiders, 5 in number and armed.
*Stands*
*Cough*
*Raised voice*
(King) - I have asked you, what was their name!
*Drop*
*Thud*
The king was ill and weak, but for a moment there he got angry at his advisor for not answering and stood up, but not for long. The king fell and continued coughing.
(Advisor) - My lord!
*Push*
(King) - Leave!
(Advisor) - You must rest.
*Cough*
(King) - I said leave!
*Continues coughing*
(Advisor) - As you wish, my lord.
*Step*
*Step*
As the advisor was leaving, he told the servant to look after him. She went into the king's chamber and helped him get up. The servant's name was Eleanor, a former king's guard now assigned as a servant by the newly proclaimed king.
(King) - Thank you, Eleanor!
*Smile*
(King) - I am sorry you have to see me in such a poor state.
(Eleanor) - It was not your choice, master.
*Cough*
(King) - Would you mind finding out what was the commotion about?
(Eleanor) - If you will promise to rest and not be reckless again.
(King) - You know I have been reckless my whole life.
*Chuckles*
(Eleanor) - Better than anyone, master.
*Step*
And Eleanor left the king's chamber and went to the advisor. But the advisor refused to answer her questions. The advisor was greedy and cold-hearted, and ever since the king got ill and he took his place, he abused the new power. Not everyone agreed, but the advisor isolated the king and no one was able to address the issues. All the complaints were going through the advisor first, and since the complaints were about him, he ignored them or responded with punishments to those who made them.