THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

FRANKHER KOERSOMBRE POV:

"Sigh…"

How many days have I not been able to sleep? I am so tired. I shouldn't be staying up for so long at my age.

"Sir, the king has arrived."

"Good, I am coming."

If anybody told me that we would be in such a mess, I would have never believed it. Two days prior, the team I sent came back, well, the rest of it. And the result they brought was so disastrous I still can't believe it now.

Not only did all the knights Djibril himself provided for this operation all died, but even the genius Cordel also died. The school council has already called for my trial after hearing that.. They are always prompt in acting for things like that. Always ready to open their mouths once everything is done but you won't ever see any one of them when there is the need to take actions or propose an idea.

Not only did Cordel died, but even Kevin is also on the verge of death. I only saw him when he came back but judging by his wounds, he will die. I don't think even the Saintess can do something for him. The worst part is what just happened in Titanium...

When I reach the palace's hall, there are other nobles aligned as well.

"My king."

I bow until my knee touches the ground then wait for his signal to stand back up. Since this is an official meeting, I cannot act like normal.

"Stand up, Frankher, please."

"Thank you, my king."

Djibril is sitting on his throne without his wife next to him. Laeticia has never been the type to handle such things after all. She would prefer conversations about jewelry and everything which is beautiful.

"I believe all of you know why I called you here today."

I walk to the left side and stand near the stairs leading to the king's throne.

"Sir. It is certainly about Titanium's declaration of war."

Yes, that's right. Just yesterday, Titanium declared war to us. And they did it in a really peculiar way. Sending Longinus against the heroes right inside Mohana. I never thought people other than Veronica would be insane enough to cooperate with the Longinus, but it seems I was wrong all along. After all, the world is too vast, there are a lot of people as crazy as her, it seems.

"Not only. There is another news that I haven't-"

"Your highness!! Your highness!!"

Suddenly, a messenger enters the hall, sweating bullets. The guards stop him but the king signaled them to let him come with his hand.

"What is it?"

"Your…Huff…Your highness…"

"Catch your breath, first."

This is one of the things that made you king, your ability to stay calm in every situation and treat people fairly.

"Huff…Huff…Your highness, I come with a report from our troops located near the border with the kingdom of Floras."

"And what does it say?"

"There has been an attack on a village near the border. All the inhabitants were massacred and Floras's troops were spotted as well as Longinus."

"Sigh…So it has arrived already."

"Your highness?"

"Thank you for your report, you can leave."

"Yes, your highness."

The man turns around and starts walking but then, I notice something weird. There are traces of blood where he stood and even while he is walking, some droplets of blood are falling. He is wounded? No, there is something more. This blood has a dark red color to it. Like an old coagulated one.

"So, as you can see. We are also at war with Floras now, which makes it-"

"War?" The messenger stops after a few meters. Just now, his voice changed. This is bad.

"Guards!" I call for the guards but as they run to the messenger, the guy releases an enormous and ominous aura, pushing them back.

"Do you, puny insects, think you can wage war against me?" This voice…

"Demether Floras." It seems the king recognized that voice as well.

"You look older than I remember, Von Fallen."

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Oh, come on. You really want me to spell it out for you. It's war. The poor guys of Titanium couldn't take it anymore from your bullying so I, as the one who should rightfully govern over all of Schamerin, decides to help the child who has been bullied for far too long."

"Govern all of Schamerin…You have turned crazy, it seems."

How can this guy release such a powerful aura? None of the guards have been able to approach him and even I have trouble breathing because of it. It is true that it is an aura filled with Regas but still. Also, this guy's body has been turning darker and darker, starting from the tips of his hands.

"Hmph! An insect wouldn't understand nor foresee that. I can only feel pity for you. But this is my last warning to you as well as all the other kingdoms: SURRENDER…"

The body of the completely turns black and at the same time, three knights finally arrive and immediately jumps on him.

"…OR DIE."

"Your highness!!" I run to Djibril and activates my emergency teleportation orb I have with me.

We find ourselves outside the castle, in the garden. And in front of us, the castle is on fire. A third of the castle is in flames.

"Thank you, brother."

"It's nothing. But…" Looking around me, I see that only six other nobles made it outside using their orbs as well. There were eleven people inside the hall. And I am not even counting the guards and knights who came just now.

"The situation is dire."

"Indeed, it is, my king." I really shouldn't do things like this at my age.

***

After confirming the king and his wife's safety, we decided to all head to Mercuria and discuss the situation with the high commander of the eternal army and the pope.

"Should we head to the academy first, your highness?"

"No, let's go directly to the church. We will hold our war council directly there since Longinus are involved. We cannot delay."

"I see."

When we arrive at the church, we find the heroes' carriage at the entrance. They went to a nearby village yesterday with the Saintess from what I know. Maybe they were still shocked by what happened in Titanium.

"Your highness, is there a problem? We weren't informed of your arrival."

A high priest immediately arrives and greets the king.

"Yes, there is a problem. A huge one."

"I see. Please, follow me then. The high commander is currently a meeting with the Saintess and the heroes."

"Good."

We are all brought to a waiting room. Then the high priest goes and returns a minute later.

"Please, this way."

We go and enter the room where high-ranking officers of the eternal army hold their meeting.

Inside, there are enough seats for all of us. Even though there are already other people sitting. The high commander is here, the pope and the Saintess as well. William is also here, standing behind the Saintess. The four commanders of the eternal army are here as well. Respectfully, they all stand up when Djibril enters.

"Your highness."

"Greetings to all of you."

"I am surprised to see you here." Dilt immediately engages in the conversation.

"I am as well. Sadly, my castle has just been attacked."

"What?!!!"

All of them scream, even the heroes. It is indeed difficult to remain calm in this kind of situation.

"Demether Floras…The kingdom of Floras has sent us an official declaration of war. Not only that, they have confirmed their affiliation with the kingdom of Titanium."

"I see. This is becoming more and more complicated. Please, seat down first."

***

"You are saying they sent a human bomb to your castle?"

Dilt and the king are discussing the details of the attack on the castle. It seems they have had a similar case, judging by their faces.

"Actually, I wonder myself if it was a human. What do you think, Frankher."

"It certainly felt like a human at the beginning, your highness."

"Headmaster Frankher. I have heard that there was a secret operation you have conducted in the capital of the Floras kingdom." How did you learn that, Dilt? I haven't divulged about it yet.

"Yes, high commander. I have, under the order of the king."

"Isn't that the reason for all this?" One of the commanders speaks with a harsh tone while looking angrily at me. The heroes, Miss Farner especially, are looking at me with anxiety.

"I do not think so, Commander."

"That's what you are saying but from what I see and the way the events are building up until now. It seems to me that your secret operation is the cause of all this."

"What are you implying?"

"Exactly what you are understanding. You are the cause of this war as far as I am conce-"

"Commander." Dilt's voice resounds together with his aura that fills the room, closing the mouth of his commander. "Such accusations won't be tolerated. For one reason, because it cannot be true; and, for the other because it would be too convenient to think that way. Besides, we were suspecting the kingdom of Floras and monitoring them for a while as well. I know it is your place of birth but you will have to face the reality."

"…I am sorry, sir."

"Good."