"Guards, tell Gwenor to send a letter to the Dreamithrio, and tell them I need to speak with them personally," Chroffer commanded. This was his decision. He felt that the nations of Moonatoria and Dreamithrio were in danger, and if he didn't help, it would only get worse. But he still had to follow the policy set for all...

"Yes, Your Majesty," the guard replied.

Chroffer then searched for old books about the legends of his land. He knew there were only a few left in the palace. Perhaps the former leaders had lost hope that a magical being would ever appear and choose the nation of Englondraz. He immediately ordered his servants to find the books, which turned the palace library into a mess. Books were practically exploding from the shelves because of Chroffer's haste.

They found nothing, likely because the books were burned, dismissed as mere fantasy. But someone had told him that a person still possessed an inscription about the prophecy for Englondraz, though it might have been burned as well. However, according to the stories he'd heard, the book of legends was just a way to make the prophecy seem real, even if it hadn't come true yet. The inscription, on the other hand, might contain important secrets about the entity in his dream.

"Find out if any of you know who holds the inscription... and report to me immediately if you do," he told the guards he had gathered. He had a strong feeling that the entity he spoke to in his dream was not a figment of his imagination, but the Time Entity itself. He was happy at that moment, but he wasn't sure.

"But, Your Majesty, I heard that the inscription's contents were always a secret. I regret to say that they might not give it to us, even if we find the owner, as it was bought by a wealthy person."

"Price is not a problem. If it can be bought, buy it," Chroffer said, ready to wager any amount. He was determined to read it for himself and not just rely on what he had heard.

"I have a friend, Your Majesty, who knows the location of the man who bought the inscription," a guard offered.

"Hurry and bring your friend to me. I'll grant him a favor."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The guard left immediately.

"What are you so busy with, grandson?" said an old man who approached him. "I overheard you talking about the inscription. What got into your head to look into such a thing?"

"Grandpa, you won't believe me. You told me about the legend before, didn't you? I know you remember it."

"Of course, I haven't forgotten, but I think you're not telling me something," the old man said. "I raised you, so I know you."

"I'm just excited to know the truth behind that inscription. If so... I want you, Grandpa, to explain everything to me."

"This is the first time I've seen you take an interest in this kind of topic... Is there something else you want to tell me?" The old man said as he took a small scroll from his long sleeve. "Since you're interested, why don't we also talk about something I've long wanted to tell you about."

"That looks new... so it must be a very sensitive matter since you're only telling me now," Chroffer said.

"I think now is the right time to tell you this."

They sat in a quiet place where only the two of them were present. "When I was a young man, I dreamed of a being who told me, 'one day, the tree will bear a fruit, but its tree will die. And the fruit will ripen and grow.'"

"Your father was the one in that dream..." But before your father died, the dream came again with an added part: 'the seed that will grow will have two branches, and the most important branch will break.'"

"Grandpa, am I the seed in that dream?"

"Remember this well, grandson, when you make decisions in your life, always remember to protect what you think is important."

"Decisions in life?" Chroffer said. "I don't think I've ever regretted a decision. From childhood, I've carried the responsibilities of my father. But despite that, everything has been calm because of your guidance, Grandpa."

"You're a good grandson, you didn't inherit your father's arrogance... Even when I used to lecture him, he wouldn't listen," the old man said. "The truth is, I thought I had made a huge mistake in my life because I didn't study that dream and didn't warn your father... but in spite of that, you came... a blessing to the nation of Englondraz," his grandfather recounted. "So whatever is bothering your mind... let time be the judge and change it."

"Grandpa, you know I'm trying to change how people see me," he said seriously. "I don't want them to say my father didn't produce anything good. Here I am! I am the son of the former king."

"What's your plan now? I heard the nations of Moonatoria and Dreamithrio are asking for help."

"That's what I'm thinking, too. Helping them would be a great benefit to our nation to strengthen our alliance, but just because they ask for help doesn't mean they'll benefit for free."

"I think you shouldn't worry about having a decent alliance... Before, when your father was ruling, they were like leeches, clinging to him and sucking us dry... but when your father died, they left Englondraz as if they had never benefited from it."

"The nation was gradually falling, and there was no one to help us then. It was like a slap of reality... So your mother was forced to rush your coronation to the position your father left. You know how difficult it was to run the palace then... we failed several times. But you proved to me what a good leader you are."

"Grandpa, can I ask you a question?" Chroffer said.

"What is it?"

"If you were to choose?" Chroffer began. "What weighs more for you: choosing the suffering kings or a child who is happy and safe?"

"Hm... that seems like a riddle. Grandson, this is not an ordinary situation where you just choose according to what you prefer or what weighs more for you... Think carefully, you might think a wavy sea is dangerous, but calm water is more dangerous because you cannot measure its depth."

"It's sad to think that I don't quite understand this riddle because I don't have enough basis to do what is more appropriate," Chroffer replied.

"Then your decision earlier was right, was it not... You need the inscription to understand this."

"Grandpa, you know I rely on you because with your help, I was able to rebuild the nation of Englondraz, but something is bothering me, and it gave me this riddle."

"What is it, grandson?" said the old man, Ozerio.

"I know this is not the right thing to say, but I think the Time Entity spoke to me."

"The Time Entity!" the old man Ozerio exclaimed in shock. "There's a story about that, yes... according to the legend based on the prophecy... there is a being whose power controls the flow of time. It can manipulate all events in people's lives, looping them endlessly. But the legend also says that the being once chose a person to serve as a mender of history and the future of the people in the world, but the weakness of man weakens the force of time. Grandson, that is not a challenge to measure your intelligence, but a prophecy that has been revealed to you," he explained further. "If you are sure about that being, you must find out what it wants to convey, especially since you are the one chosen for that challenge."

"Let me speak with a person who lives in the nation of Dreamithrio; it so happens that he is visiting now, and he will introduce his new player."

"Are you referring to Mister Genmonth, Grandpa?"

"The very one— we've been friends for a long time, and I heard he knows something about the inscriptions. He can help."

"Player?" Chroffer thought to himself. "His son has been dead for a long time. Does that mean he has found a new player as skilled as his son?"

"I don't know, grandson... But I know Genmonth's taste; he doesn't just choose someone who doesn't meet his standards."

"It's better to have him fetched now."

A guard arrived, and as Chroffer expected, he was with someone. "Your Majesty, the friend I was telling you about is here."

"Honorable leaders, a respectful greeting to you." Chroffer saw that this was not a rich or influential man, but a normal person whose livelihood was business. "I am the friend of your guard, Khanid. I am just a merchant from the northern town of Englondraz. I am Derfu."

"You come from an honorable profession, what is your connection to the inscriptions?" Chroffer asked.

"He knows something about the inscriptions?" Chroffer's grandfather was astonished.

"Yes, that is correct," he replied firmly. "I know the person who bought the antique inscription, and I think my friend brought me here for additional information."

"Tell me, if that old inscription is really still alive... I can't believe it... Is it possible that the contents of the inscription were secretly copied to be sold as a business?" the old man said, looking like he had a secret about the inscription. "After collecting all the inscriptions about prophecies, legends, and visions— the former king immediately burned them before your father's rule." The old man remembered the whole event, which is why he was surprised that an inscription was still appearing in the present time, as he was a witness to the burning of the inscriptions.

"But, Your Majesty, I was there when the inscription was opened, but I couldn't understand its every line. Only the wise can understand or give an interpretation."

"Let's assume there is one... but it's not the original," the old man replied. "I'm too old to be mistaken in my suspicions. So I know what I'm talking about."

"In that case, tell me now where the inscription is, and I will buy it," Chroffer said.

"I know that man is in the nation of Rhinoccarus. I was with him when the inscription was delivered to his home. He is a rich and influential person; I don't know what drove him to buy that antique."

"A rich and influential person?" the old man said.

"Do you know him, Grandpa?" Chroffer said with a sigh. Chroffer avoided people like his father who used their power and wealth for influence.

"No," Ozerio said, his gaze wandering with old age. "Just forget about it. I'm not sure, either." His silence deepened as if he was remembering a nightmare.

Derfu's eyes, like an arrow, pierced through the vague thoughts. "What is the true value of that inscription, Your Majesty?"

The king leaned back in his soft chair and comfortably took a deep breath. "There is something I want to know, and I think that's the only way to resolve the thing that's bothering my mind."

Derfu's face, looking up at the seated king, seemed enlightened by a ray of light from the king's response. "Is that so... I can help you talk to the owner of the inscription." The lines of his smile grew, and he awaited a good answer from the king.

The king felt relieved from the tightness in his chest due to the many worries and responsibilities he had to prioritize. What Derfu said made the king happy, so he showed Derfu how generous he was. "Well, if you win over the owner, I will give you a reward, let's just say a boost for your business."

"Oh, Your Majesty, your kindness is too much." Derfu said as if the heavens had thundered a golden blessing upon him.

"I am serious about my words. Very well, I will send men to accompany you, and when you successfully bring the inscription, I will add more to your payment," Chroffer added.