“I will join Aeera in defeating the Demons and Monsters!”

The remaining kings from all the kingdoms across the world looked at one another. For hundreds, or even thousands of years, humanity had lived under oppression, yet there had always been resistance in the quest for freedom. However, all such efforts had been crushed and wiped out. Nothing succeeded, not even when the strongest human heroes tried.

All hope was lost; humans seemed to accept reality and give up on fighting. They had all resigned themselves to becoming slaves to monsters and demons.

“This is a futile struggle; you will only become sacrifices,” said King Eros.

Several kings nodded in agreement; they did not want to take the risk. The Key of the Heavens is one of the artifacts that protects humanity with that power. They are capable of creating artifacts and casting powerful magic arrays with the added power of the Key of the Heavens. If this mission fails, the monsters and demons might obtain the Key of the Heavens, and humanity will suffer.

“We are ready to die in this struggle. Better to fight than to be slaves forever!” Princess Kalya’s voice snapped the kings back to reality. Kalya helped Aeera negotiate with the kings, “The Elves have already sacrificed the Golden Compass artifact. We have great faith in Aeera. So, there’s no harm in taking a chance this time.”

The ten kings nodded; they reconsidered.

King Haruga stood up, “Very well, I will allow you to take the Sky Key. I’ll take a chance on your courage. However, I have a condition. I will send one of my strongest troops. He will assist you on your journey, and if any chaos arises, he will be tasked with retrieving the Sky Key.”

The other kings were initially startled, but sending one of the strongest troops was the best course of action. The envoy’s mission was to secure the Golden Key should the team led by Aeera fail to complete their mission. The Golden Key was an artifact that must be safeguarded and returned to humanity if anything were to happen.

“Do the other kings agree?” asked Haruga, looking toward the nine remaining kings from all the kingdoms of the world.

All the kings agreed, and no one objected to Haruga’s decision. Haruga then summoned the strongest envoy—the strongest person King Haruga possessed in the entire Saranjana kingdom. The figure who emerged was a powerful warrior, Knight Regas.

Everyone was aware of Knight Regas’s extraordinary abilities.

He stepped forward into the center of the assembly; he had been personally appointed by Haruga to carry the Sky Key and fight alongside Aeera’s team. Regas’s build was incredibly muscular; as he walked, the energy within his body radiated outward. Everyone knew that Regas was a great warlord.

“Allow me to send my strongest warrior as well,” a voice suddenly rang out—it was King Alex. “She will join Commander Regas in guarding the Sky Key.”

One of King Hanmus’s strongest warriors, Sera. She was the most powerful female sorceress in the Kingdom of Hanmus. No one doubted Sera’s abilities; she was also the sorceress who served as an advisor to all the magic academies across the land. Sera walked toward Aeera’s team, following in Regas’s footsteps.

The team now consisted of seven people, including an Elf and the summoned creature, Lord Kalandra. Regas was entrusted with the Sky Key and would hand it over at the right moment in the Raktus Mountains. The Raktus Mountains are a range situated between the borders of two continents. It is there that the legend places the mythical Thunder Sword.

“Alright, the more the merrier! Ha… ha… ha…!” Kenan’s laughter boomed. And he was the only one seen laughing in front of all these famous figures. Kenan didn’t care; he was relaxed and indifferent to everything.

“So…,” Aeera’s voice startled everyone, “Thank you for the trust of all the kings. We don’t have much time; we’ll depart now to search for that legendary Thunder Sword. We must take our leave.”

“Wait, Aeera,” King Haruga said, “Don’t you want to be entertained first? Or, don’t you want to ask us for additional troops?” Haruga asked.

Aeera smiled, “No, O King. We don’t need any more troops. We will try to obtain that legendary sword.”

Haruga and the others couldn’t stop Team Aeera. They were a team willing to risk everything to obtain the legendary sword. They also refused hospitality and didn’t even ask for money as payment. They were the only team that needed nothing, unlike most of the other teams that had already fought against demons and monsters.

The seven set off, accompanied by the sound of gongs and battle drums. The music followed their footsteps. Seven people are trying to free humanity. However, Kenan was still lagging. Six people had already walked out of the large room.

Aeera sensed that Lord Kalandra hadn’t moved, so she turned around.

“What is it, Lord Kalandra?” Aeera asked, looking toward Kenan.

The Kings also began turning to return to their respective kingdoms.

“Wait, King Alex!”

Kenan’s voice made the Kings stop; they looked toward Kenan. Especially King Alex, who was now paying attention to Kenan.

“What is it, Lord Kalandra?” Alex knew the story of the creature called Aeera, who had fought many monsters and demons.

“Don’t you want to say goodbye to your daughter?” asked Kenan.

Alex was startled by Kenan’s words; the other kings also paused. The kings had heard about Aeera, who was Alex’s daughter and had been entrusted to the Crypton Magic Academy since childhood. Alex had never met her.

“As a father, your blood flows through your daughter. Whatever the status of Aeera’s mother, she is still your flesh and blood. This journey offers no guarantee that we’ll all survive the battle against the Demon King and the Monster King. If you still have a conscience, at least say a farewell to your daughter.”

“Lord Kalandra,” Aeera’s voice came from behind, “There’s no need to do that. I’m a wretched, lonely child. I just want to fight for everyone; that’s enough for me.”

“No, Aeera! A father who doesn’t care and lets his child fight to the death is the most despicable father in this world!

“It’s fine, Mr. Kalandra. I’m already happy to have you.”

Kenan fell silent. He couldn’t say anything else. Aeera turned out to be tougher than anything—even tougher than he was.

“Ah, forget it! There’s no point in trying to reason with that arrogant king. Let’s go, Aeera!” Kenan turned around. The seven of them began moving toward the exit. They were ready to fight, whatever the risk.

“Aeera!”

A hoarse voice rang out from behind them. The seven of them stopped again.

That voice belonged to Alex. He couldn’t hold himself back; he leaped down the steps and approached Aeera. Aeera remained silent, unsure of what to do. Until King Alex was right beside her and Kenan.

King Alex stood there, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Thud!

Both of Alex’s knees gave way.

“Forgive me, Aeera. I’m a useless father.”

Kenan was quite shocked to see this. Aeera smiled; tears trickled down her chin. Aeera placed both her hands on King Alex’s shoulders.

“Mom loves you so much, King Alex!”

“Forgive me, Aeera. Forgive your father...”

And the room was enveloped in a sense of melancholy. This meeting was between a father and daughter who had never met face-to-face. Aeera held no grudge against King Alex. Everything had already happened, and Aeera was happy.

“Damn it! Why am I crying? Who put onions in here!” Kenan rubbed his eyes and shook his head. He was embarrassed to be seen crying, so he pretended to be strong. He didn’t want a hero to look like a crybaby!

“Let’s go, Aeera! We don’t have much time left!”