BEHIND LUCK, THERE IS BAD LUCK

The sun was already dominating the sky when Rio managed to find a large hut made of mahogany. It was higher than the other huts, supported by strong pillars of forest tree trunks. Feeling time running out, Rio immediately climbed the long steps and stopped right behind the doorway. Not because he was reluctant to enter, but he vaguely heard Bayrak conferring with a goblin.

"If this continues, Erevna will no longer be possible. At least for the next ten years."

"Impossible! I've ordered the capture of an vrave for the next event. Otherwise, goblins would be extinct. There will be no Alpha. Nor is there any protection for us from that evil King!" Bayrak grumbled. He even stomped his feet until the floor of the hut shook.

"I-I'll try."

"I don't want try! I want certainty." Again Bayrak's feet stomped. "To this day I still wonder why that beast came to our forest. He wreaks havoc. Decreasing trees, polluting rivers, preying vraves! I can't hold it anymore."

"W-we can help if we're allowed," Rio snarled, daring to face Bayrak who was stricken with rage.

"You will never get permission! Troublesome!" Bayrak's eyes turned sharply.

"I heard you guys have a hard time dealing with an animal. Who knows we will come in handy. My two friends, they have great magic."

For a moment Bayrak snorted softly. His gaze stabbed downwards, thinking about Rio's offer that sounded both interesting and dubious. He knows that humans have various kinds of magic. Apart from that, Bayrak believed that Kron's reduction magic could be useful, as well as Revan's transfiguration magic. However, humans always have desires that exceed the limits of their logic. Like Tarnath, when they success to defeat the vrave-eater, they agreed to betray and attack the goblins.

"Bring your two friends here!" He demanded grudgingly.

"W-with pleasure!" Rio immediately leave.

Ten minutes later, Kron and Revan made their way to the tall hut, just as Bayrak was sitting leisurely in a boar-skin-wrapped chair.

"What do you want, Rio?" Revan asked before stepping on the doorway.

"Just ask him. I don't really understand," Rio hissed, glancing at the Alpha.

They stood side by side, while Bayrak rose from his chair, walking slowly toward him. Kron didn't really care. He was busy wiping his dripping green snot with a wet-proof handkerchief. His nose was completely purple like an onion.

"Your little friend offered me such a big favor that I hesitated to believe it." Bayrak glared at Revan. "He wants you two to help us slaughter Fenrir!"

Revan gasped until his head hit the support pole. Who wants to deal with Fenrir? The beasts were too difficult to slaughter.

"What do you mean, Rio?!" Revan hissed not agreeing.

"I-I think this is the only way to get Kholoros."

"Kholoros?!" boomed Bayrak. "How cunning! No wonder you carry a legendary map everywhere. It's obvious to overwhelm Nefertyland using The Eighth," He cursed uncontrollably.

"No, no! We are trying to dethrone Tarnath. Didn't I tell you?" Revan tried to defend himself.

"Nonsense! Why do humans want to beat other humans? You can work together to eliminate our power." Bayrak insisted that he was right.

"You're wrong, Bayrak! Not all humans are violent. We are good humans, and you know…" Revan said while holding Rio. "He's the King. The reincarnation of Lord Aaron."

Hearing this, Bayrak immediately choked. A pair of black eyes widened to see the revered King was standing in his humble hut. Even though it was only Revan's words—which wasn't certain whether it was true or not—but his heart was a little uncomfortable because screamed in anger.

"No," he said then. "You guys must be trying to trick me! Lord Aaron is dead. I heard the news being heralded in Nepheel, just as our army was facing a large number of orcs. A huge amount!" Bayrak tilted his head, as if condescending Revan who testified just now.

"Tell this stubborn goblin, please!" whispered Kron irritably.

"Lord Aaron didn't die completely. We, the royal aides, managed to send his soul to someone who would come in the future. That person is standing in front of you right now. His name is Rio, from the non-magic world," said Revan.

Bayrak then smirked. He thought he knew exactly what kind of game the man with the two mustaches was playing. In fact Bayrak could have kicked Revan and his two companions out of this hut right away. However, the Alpha wanted to embarrass them before the whole village saw the liars being kicked away.

"Then prove it to me," he said.

Bayrak took them to a room inside the hut. There were no torches there (even though it was getting late), so it looked dim. Revan can capture the silhouettes of various objects. Goblin armor—from animal bones—lined in front of the wall. Then, several bundles of spears lay nearby too, along with net traps and shelves full of daggers. To Kron, this was clearly an arsenal. What was not clear to him was why they were brought here?

Bayrak approached a large chest behind a partition of animal skins. The partition is quite wide, consisting of two wooden posts joined together with dry brown leather. Revan and the others followed. How shocked they were when Bayrak opened the box. Green sheen bursts out. What a glare! Even Kron stopped dealing with his stuffy nose, preferring to close his eyes instead.

"Here it is!" shout Bayrak. His hand was holding a smoky green cube (like nitrogen). "Touch it!" he said, looking at Rio.

"F-fine." Inevitably Rio had to touch him, because this might be the only way to convince Bayrak's heart.

When the flaming cube fell into Rio's grasp, a much brighter light shot out from it, forcing Bayrak to burst out in surprise. Revan also jumped in disbelief, making Kron wonder. Wasn't he the one who brought the boy here, he thought. The majestic light only lasted ten seconds, then vanished into a thin darkness.

Rio could clearly see the cube he was holding had changed drastically. The boy was holding the armor. It's a bright green, shimmering amazingly. It has taro leaf motifs and river threads sticking out of the iron. In that instant, they wholeheartedly concluded that Kholoros had been revealed.

"Only the touch of Lord can make the eight holy armor shine brightly. You're not lying. The King is really here!" said Bayrak enthusiastically.

His strong hands quickly hugged Rio. The boy's face turned red from holding his breath, so Bayrak immediately let him go. It was the strongest hug that Rio couldn't get from Kron—who until now was still busy wiping his nose. Bayrak's fierce face beamed. So happy he knew the King had returned to trace land of Neferty. He brought Rio to the kitchen—through two partitions—where delicious food was served.

"Go out! Go out!" Bayrak chased away all the goblins in his kitchen.

Two goblins were skinning chickens, two were busy stirring the brown gravy in the cauldron, while the last one was enjoying the food sitting on the wooden table. When all the goblins had fled, then he was handed Rio a plate full of round white fruit. Like dumplings, but the outer texture is tougher.

"It's a forest coconut, our proud food." Bayrak said while guiding Rio's hand to take a seed.

Rio carefully bit the flesh of the fruit. At first the boy was disgusted because the smell was not at all good. In fact, the next second he stopped chewing, as if to say that chewing food is not appropriate, let alone enjoyed.

"Hey, this is delicious!" Rio commented suddenly.

When stop chewing, the fruit is melted (like cotton with water), soft and tender. The taste is sweet, slightly watery. Not yet finished with the fruit in his right hand, Rio took another one and chewed on both of them greedily. His mouth bulged with food.

"It is an honor for our food to be praised by the King. I can get another plate if you want," Bayrak said happily.

"Yes. Uh! I want Revan and Kron to taste this delicious fruit too," Rio replied quickly, wanting to chew on the forest coconut again.

Without much question, Bayrak hurriedly handed two plates full of fruit to Revan and Kron who were frozen watching Rio eat that greedily. The three of them were greeted as warmly as possible. Fanged deer goulash, purple radish, green bubbly soup, all free to eat. Even better, Bayrak's attitude has completely changed. This is good news.

~~o0o~~

The clear sky fades to be replaced by the pale moon. All day spent eating various dishes in the kitchen—interspersed with many interesting conversations—made Rio and his two friends lazy to move. They sat leisurely in chairs with pot bellies, while Bayrak began to close the windows of his cottage, then lit a few torches.

There weren't many goblins that Bayrak had allowed into the hut. Only important goblins, such as Karla the wife, Leander the younger brother, and Grep (he is Bayrak's only child who has a long nose, but his skin is gray like a female). Grep's behavior is also considered childish, even though his height is almost the same as Leander, his uncle.

While Karla was busy taking care of her fussy child, Bayrak decided to return to the kitchen chair, face to face with the King and his companions. His black eyes widened as he watched Rio smile, thanking him for the food he had given him. The burly goblin hook's teeth clenched and his lips twitched as if he had something to say.

"Lord Aaron used to visit here often. He always said he wanted to talk about wisdom, but! Just so you know, even though the purpose of coming is only to taste forest coconuts." Bayrak said, attracting the attention of Rio, Kron, even more so Revan.

"Yes, I once accompanied him here, even if only briefly," said Revan, leaning his back.

"Dianom, isn't it?" Bayrak looked back into Revan's gaze. "The magic ritual you guys use to send the King's soul to someone else." He smirked as if proud to know everything.

"Lord Aaron himself requested it when Neferty's great war drew to a close. He said so that his lineage was not cut off when he lost. Besides, too much blood has already been spilled." Revan clenched his fists tightly, his neat teeth gritted. "You know, right? Tarnath made things worse. He has always been trusted as a royal adviser and has been sworn in to be loyal. However, because of his black magic, that person pitted us all against each other to take over the throne. He won by a landslide after stealing the key to the Gorgon's cage."

Kron who was engrossed in chewing venison suddenly choked. His face looked furious, as if there was thick smoke billowing from both ears. However, a moment later the giant was again preoccupied with his snot.

"The conflict in this country is nothing more than the seizure of the Gorgon. You get Gorgon, then you can become a King, no matter if the sacred scale that is the symbol of Neferty's kingdom becomes one-sided." He pinched the venison. "But! The Gorgon cannot match the brilliance of the eight holy armor when united. That is our true purpose, to cripple Tarnath's main protector with the power of holy armor, and then slay the cunning King." Kron started chewing again.

"I don't understand," Rio interrupted, his forehead twitching. "About the Gorgon and the sacred scale. Actually, I'am still confused how can be elected as king, even though Revan said because I have the heart of the King." This time his head was lowered, deciding to hear the opinion of those sitting around the dining table.

"Heart, huh?" said Bayrak doubtfully. "How can you choose a king's reincarnation based on his heart? Is there such magic?"

"That's right. I just found out that you can choose from someone's heart, Julius. And, wait! Since when did your name become Revan?" Kron added.

Revan chuckled, showing an irritated look at the two people who asked just now. After that, the man took a deep breath. His fingers seemed to be intertwined, representing his head that was dizzy with thousands of thoughts, and green veins sticking out from the side of his forehead confirmed the conjecture.

"I was with the other aides who carried out Dianom, in a great hurry. You already know, right? The ritual was exhausting, and the four of us clearly weren't able to do it perfectly." Revan cleared his throat, while Kron glanced at him sharply. "Th-this might be quite surprising. So… s-so… so actually, I don't really know where exactly Lord Aaron's soul went."

"WHAT!?" Kron and Bayrak, both of them gasped with shock.

"T-that's how it is." Revan snorted. "The day after Nepheel was taken over, all the Anti-Tarnath wizards fled into the forest to devise a new plan. I, as the sole performer of the ritual still alive, must find a way so that we don't run out of hope." His face was covered with grief.

"Let me guess! You're trying to cover up that recklessness by saying Lord Aaron's reincarnation is in a non-magical world. Dammit! From the start I suspected why you would send a great soul there." Kron stood up furious, his purple nose turning red instantly. "Many years we heard your story in the non-magical world, telling how great Rio was at defeating criminals, fighting to protect his friends, and you! You even said that he used Berserk, the very rare spell. This is too much, Julius!" he said firely.

"W-wait! T-that's wrong. I don't beat criminals. I'm… just kid in an orphanage. Revan…." Rio glanced disappointedly at the man beside him. "I didn't expect you tell so many lies about me."

"Okay, I'm really bad," said Revan resignedly. However, a moment later his eyes widened. "What about Kholoros that shines when held by Rio? It proves that my return was not in vain." His sad expression faded a bit.

"Of course, I should have come to my senses when I saw you jump in surprise. You didn't expect Rio to be able to make his armor shine either, did you?" Kron's guess made Revan step dead.

Now the situation is more complicated. Revan was stared at by many eyes. Kron who is angry because he feels cheated, Rio who is disappointed because his life story was manipulated, and Bayrak who is confused whether the armor shines because it is touched by the king, or all of that is just an eye illusion. Nobody knows what the fate of their journey will be. Though Kholoros has been found, and there are seven more armor left to collect. However, if the trust is lost, what will happen?

(To Be Continued)