"What? This guy actually admitted it?!"

Alicia and Larry returned to Peter’s house after leaving the palace, only to find Peter waiting with a complex, gloomy expression. He immediately told them what had happened.

"Yeah," Peter said with a bitter smile. "King Garp truly lives up to his name—he answered the question head-on."

Alicia frowned. "What exactly did he say?"

Peter recounted the scene to Alicia and Larry.

...

"My loyal ministers," King Garp began, "I know my words shocked you. After all, the man you remember—always stubborn and domineering—would never willingly sign such a treaty."

"The old me, before I became King of Danka, would’ve refused too. I’d have chosen death on the battlefield over this humiliation of selling our land to survive."

"But I can’t indulge my pride anymore. My honor isn’t just mine—it’s Danka Kingdom’s fate. All of you here are its finest minds. You craft our policies; you keep this nation running. You know our situation all too well."

"Internal strife and external threats—that sums it up. Recent years brought endless disasters. Thanks to the late king and your efforts, we barely recovered. Yet now, Danka is destitute. Even basic military supplies are scarce. Meanwhile, Jeep is a militaristic, aggressive nation. Charging into battle with just passion and blood? We’d die gloriously—but our kingdom would fall."

"Personal life is small; national survival is great. You’ve seen my actions since taking the throne: rebuilding our army. But military strength isn’t built overnight. Right now, we can’t face Jeep. Fighting would only waste our last reserves. Preserve the people, lose the land—and both survive. Preserve the land, lose the people—and both perish."

"To defend our homeland, we must first gather strength. To gather strength, we need time. This treaty buys us that time!"

King Garp’s voice rang out, sharp and resolute. "Ten years. Let this land rest under Jeep for ten years. After that, I’ll lead our troops to reclaim it myself. I swear on my blood: if I break this vow, drag me to the execution grounds for a thousand cuts. Let every minister here bear witness."

He drew a dagger, sliced his palm, and let the blood drip into a wine cup. He drank it in one gulp and roared, "Long live Danka!"

The ministers, swept up by his fervor, raised their cups and echoed, "Long live Danka!"

...

Larry whistled in awe. "Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. That speech won over the entire elite. And if it was improvised? He’s a leader with real charisma."

Peter sighed. "Yeah."

"Their hero is our greatest enemy."

While Peter and Larry marveled, Alicia’s face grew grim.

"We spotted a Soulspirit Race member in the palace. Unless I’m mistaken, King Garp is colluding with them."

Peter looked confused. "Soulspirit Race? What’s that?"

"A dangerously invasive species. They should’ve been eradicated centuries ago by the Adventurers Guild. On Mazersley Continent, they vanished from sight—but clearly, they’re still breeding in the shadows."

Alicia explained the Soulspirit Race’s traits to Peter.

Peter turned pale. "So Daisy killed the late king under their control? And now they’re working with King Garp?"

"It seems that way."

"Could it be a misunderstanding? Is King Garp controlled too?"

"Unlikely," Larry shook his head. "Records say the possessed lose their minds. King Garp’s speech proves he’s fully aware."

"What could he want from allying with them?!"

Alicia shrugged. "Soulspirits only partner for two things: new habitats or breeding grounds. They won’t settle in Danka—it’s not suitable. So breeding is the only option."

"I must warn the other ministers immediately."

Peter stood up, but Alicia pressed him back down.

"Wait. Soulspirits aren’t your fight. King Garp isn’t the priority now. If they escape, they’ll infect masses in days, turning them into more Soulspirits."

Peter clenched his fists helplessly. "Then what do we do?"

Larry leaned in. "We find their leader. Soulspirits spawn countless parasites—but all come from one source: the chief. Kill the chief, and every parasite dies. He’s usually hidden, but King Garp might lead us to him."

Alicia took a deep breath. "We’ll pressure King Garp further. Force his hand to reveal their plan."

"I have spies in the palace. Should I—"

"No," Alicia cut him off. "Don’t send them after Garp. Soulspirits excel at hiding and mind control. Your spies would be detected—or worse, turned."

Peter pressed on. "So you two will go yourselves?"

Larry and Alicia exchanged glances, recalling their clumsy palace infiltration. They chuckled awkwardly. "Surveillance isn’t our strength. But we don’t need to tail him. Big-picture analysis works better. Garp’s uncontrolled—he’s in a mutual deal with the Soulspirits, aiming high. We’ll track his recent decisions. Meanwhile, we’ll push Daisy to escalate public outrage, even raise an army. They’ll have to act. Action leaves traces. Traces lead to the chief."

Alicia finished firmly. "Once the chief appears, we take him down together."

"Perfect!"

"Only my partner could pull this off!"

They high-fived, already picturing the chief’s head on a spike.

Peter asked again, hesitant. "Will it go smoothly?"

Alicia planted her hands on her hips, grinning. "Until it doesn’t, we assume it will! Otherwise, life’s just one scare after another—and who wants that?"