1746 Trouble In Paradise

In a magnificent and uniquely built palace, several people hastily walked back and forth in a massive waiting hall.

Their expressions were grim, their faces pulled down and their sharp vampire-like teeth clenched revealed when they opened their mouths to roar in fury and helplessness.

Roaring seemed to take off some of their edge, as it was the only thing they knew well to do to calm themselves.

Their clothes were made of animal skin, and their weapons were spears made of bronze, though coated in gold and sometimes black paint made from crushed bone parts, dirt, and particular flowers.

Everyone listened to their current monarch yell loudly, expressing his grief.

Ruler Tacholla.

That was their current ruler's name.

He ruled the lands with great fairness, and everyone was more than pleased with him.

In fact, in the history of Mirvana, there have hardly been any bad rulers.

Their people were the sort that one couldn't surprises

So any ruler who dares to cross the line would find themselves thrown into the seas faster than they think.

Their people were a no-nonsense sort of folks who hated unfairness to the bone.

Of course, there were always squabbles here and there, but they all settled things the old-fashioned way.

As per tradition, if they don't squash their beef before a certain deadline, they have to fight each other until a victor emerges.

The fight wasn't to the death.

Only when one side gives up can it be over.

The winner of course takes whatever it is they were arguing about and the loser has no choice but to shut up and let it go.

For people like them, fighting was the best way to prove a point.

They were people who didn't know how to communicate properly, only resulting in their fists now and then.

Even the women were like this.

Do you want to argue about whose food is best? Well, their fists will tell you which one is the best.

For some reason, they don't think of letting everyone taste the food to decide the victor.

Nope.

They choose their fists to say it all.

And over time their minds will brainwash them to truly believe the winner's food is the best even if it's garbage.

What?! You've got something to say?

Do you dare say their good isn't amazing?

(*^*)

Well, the people resulted in their fists in everything.

Thus, they were always convinced of the results.

On the other side of the hall behind a grand bronze door, a few more people gathered around a small bathing pool, watching the healers treat the heir who was now immersed in a soup of medical potions.

Ruler Tacholla was roaring severally, as though being the voice for his son's pain.

From the incredible amount of veins in his forehead, it was obvious that the body was in so much pain.

Yet, he couldn't even utter a word from his lips, as his mouth was now too heavy for him to talk.

Day by day, they watched the boy's strength leave. And no matter how they tried, it was all for naught.

Step-siblings, concubines and everyone else gathered around the boy in worry.

It was amazing how united they were, with no happiness or jubilating laced in their eyes.

Are you kidding them, they have single-handedly fought their Elder brother and lost.

So they were more than convinced he should be the future heir.

That was that.

No more concerns over the throne.

That was how they solved their matters.

Once they were convinced, they worked hard alongside him and had their bond grow stronger too.

So of course they loved their elder brother.

He has also helped them in many ways, even when they were almost killed by beasts while out hunting.

Their elder brother was a true strong man, one who was blessed by the heavens and chosen to lead their empire by the Great Wind Gods, the ones they follow.

Yes.

Their elder brother had the power of their ancestors, the power to control the wind, sending sharp wind blades at any opponent who dared to test him.

They have all seen his powers in action like the time he slashed off all legs on the 6-legged wild board with ease.

With moistened eyes, everyone watched him faintly stare at them, as if he was trying to say his last words.

"Big brother Bilthozar... save your energy. We Mirvans don't like to talk."

"That's right. Have you forgotten how the sacred waterfall chose you to be the next ruler? Once you stepped in, the winds began growing thunderously around you at birth. You are the chosen heir that the heavens are pleased with. So how can you leave this world now?"

Although the situation did say he was dying, many firmly believed the heavens wouldn't choose him only to have him die before serving his purpose.

No!

The ancient winds he manifested when she was birthed underneath that waterfall, proved he was a person who would change Mirvana to something greater than they can see.

Yes.

It's said such winds mean change was coming. A good one.

But as for what change would blow their way, they had no inkling of it at all.

----

In the pool, Balthazar, who was ready to give up, soon felt a thundering urge to hold on and not let go of his life just yet.

It might seem odd, but those words indeed reminded him that his purpose and future still awaited him.

He opened his trembling lips, revealing his thick long canines, and released a loud roar for the first time in months.

"Grahhhhhhhhh!!"

Everyone was taken aback, tears spewing from their eyes uncontrollably.

"Hahahahahahahahaha~"

"That's my boy! A true Mirvan! Don't give up the good fight yet." Tacholla said, smiling proudly at his son.

Bilthozar's mother, Queen Abigail, slowly reached his head, caressing it softly.