Long Time Ago

turned to the voice, the voice came from her little sister Elerona, she was a member of the Eleron family.

"Ah... are you Elerona's little sister?" I asked

"Yes," she nodded, "I'm Luna. I saw you in the library and heard you were looking for answers."

I responded kindly, "Yeah, right. I'm trying to remember most of my life and how I got here."

Luna looked at me attentively. "Sister Elerona also often tries to help people with their problems. Maybe you can tell her."

I nodded in understanding. "Thank you, Luna. I will definitely try to talk to Elerona."

Luna smiled again before leaving me alone among the bookshelves full of mysteries.

I continued to read back the history of this thick book, I was very lucky to be one of the people in this castle and could read this history.

Not long after, while I was continuing reading, I heard Luna's voice again, which seemed to be bringing Elerona here.

"Sister! here! Here!" she shouted as she grabbed Elerona's hand.

I closed the book with feelings of curiosity still clouding my mind. Luna brought Elerona closer, and when Elerona saw me, she gave a warm smile.

"Kratia? Why are you here? I thought you were resting in your room…" asked Elerona.

"Ah, Elerona... I'm just looking for information here," I said, standing up.

Elerona nodded as she spoke, "It's good for someone with memory loss like you to search for answers… but isn't it rude to read books from someone else's library?" she asked.

"Ah..." I looked down thinking about those words, it's true that I shouldn't be careless, "Sorry."

But Elerona wasn't angry, instead she smiled at me. I raised my head and looked at her face.

"Because it's you… that's fine," she said.

"Huh…?"

"Since you are now my Butler, I will give you all access in this castle."

I was surprised to hear Elerona's words. All access in this castle? It felt so sudden and unexpected. However, along with the surprise, there was also a feeling of gratitude that I was not punished for accessing the library carelessly.

"Is it true?" I said, trying to make sure I didn't hear wrong.

Elerona just nodded with a friendly smile. "Yes, Kratia. Feel free to explore and look for the answers you are looking for. As my butler, you have the right to access all the facilities in this castle."

I was relieved to hear that and honored by the trust placed in me. "Thank you, Elerona. "I will do my best as your butler," I said with determination.

Elerona smiled with satisfaction. "Very well, Kratia. Don't hesitate to ask if there's anything you need to know."

"Ah... I want to ask something," I said.

"What's that?" Elerona asked.

I walked over to the book I had previously read, "History of Research," and turned to the page about cadaver tubes. Elerona looked at the page and looked at me, "What's wrong with this?"

"Do you know anyone who has been in this?" I asked.

Elerona was silent for a moment before replying, "No… but maybe Professor Barlon."

"Professor Barlon…?" I asked.

Instantly, Luna jumped up and down happily, "We're going to meet uncle!?"

But Elerona calmed her sister, "No, Luna. You will stay in the castle; this is important business."

"Aww…." Luna looked disappointed but still obeyed her sister's words.

Elerona turned to me seriously. "Professor Barlon is the leading magician and scientist in this castle. He has extensive knowledge of various research, including those related to cadaver tubes."

I nodded, digesting the information. "Can I meet him?"

Elerona thought for a moment before answering, "Sure, but remember, this will probably be a complex conversation. Professor Barlon has a deep understanding of the experiments and research ongoing in this castle."

Luna looked at me excitedly. "Uncle Barlon definitely knows the answer, Kratia! I like Uncle Barlon!"

Elerona chuckled. "He is indeed an interesting person. Alright, we will go to his room. Follow me."

We moved towards Professor Barlon's study, and in my heart, the curiosity and hope to find answers burned even more. What will Professor Barlon reveal about the cadaver tube and how it relates to me losing my memory? Only time will provide the answer.

Elerona stopped walking and looked at Luna who was following us, "Luna, are you going back to your room?"

"Uuu, is not fair, I also want to meet Uncle Barlon."

"Now!" Elerona shouted.

Luna was silent and nodded and left.

We continued walking through the castle's majestic halls, the walls decorated with ancient paintings and sparkling chandeliers. The atmosphere of this castle exudes elegance and long history. Even though my heart was filled with questions, I couldn't deny that the beauty and majesty of this castle made my feelings engrossed for a moment.

Elerona led the way with steady steps, and I followed behind her, feeling tense and curious at the same time.

There is a door in one of the hallways, Elerona knocks on the door.

Knock! Knock!

"Come in!" shouted the voice of the old man behind the door.

Elerona opened the door, I also came in carrying the book I brought from the library

The room was full of books and scientific instruments hanging on the walls. The distinctive smell of paper and chemicals wafts through the air. At his desk, an old man with long white hair was focused on observing a complex diagram on a piece of paper.

"Uncle Barlon, I brought someone who might be able to provide insight into cadaver tubes," Elerona said respectfully.

Professor Barlon raised his head, and his sharp eyes shot straight at me, "Ah, he… yes I have heard many things from Orteg about you, Kratia."

I nodded.

"That's right, Professor. I'm looking for information about cadaver tubes and maybe you can help me."

Barlon looked at the book I was carrying. "Ah, Research History. It is a rare and valuable book. What you want to know?"

I explained about my efforts to recall lost memories and how the cadaver tube could be related to me. Barlon listened seriously, and after I finished, he leaned back in his chair.

"You are looking for a complex answer, Kratia. Cadaver tubes were part of experiments carried out at this castle, but information is very limited. Even I myself do not have enough knowledge to give a definite answer."

I felt disappointed, but Barlon continued, "However..." he put his glasses on the table, "At that time this castle made it to freeze the first king, because he was the most important person in this kingdom, and also no one could replace him."

Barlon looked at the painting above the entrance, a picture of a king sitting on a luxurious throne chair with a strong authority that could even be felt in the picture. Then Barlon looked again at me, he looked confused, then looked again at the painting.

"You… look like him," he said suddenly.

"Hah? Who do you look like?" I asked.

"The first king, Gabriel Maharaja!"

I was surprised to hear that name. First king? Am I really related to a king? I pondered, trying to connect the pieces of information I had just gotten. Does the answer to my true identity lie in the ancient history of this kingdom?

Elerona looked closely at my face then she looked at the painting and was also surprised, "Yes... uncle is right, Kratia looks like him."

Even so, I didn't believe it because the floating screen told me that I was a vampire, and a vampire couldn't possibly be the king of humans, right?

But it made me wonder, "If I may ask... what is the story of that king?"

Elerona nodded wanting to hear, "Yeah... I've never heard the real story either, just how cool he is."

"You sit down first," said Barlon

We both found chairs and sat opposite him.

Barlon took a deep breath for a moment before starting to tell the story, "King Gabriel Maharaja was the first ruler of this kingdom. He had extraordinary wisdom, justice and strength. His story was famous throughout this kingdom."

"King Gabriel ruled during an era of peace and prosperity. He built a strong foundation for this kingdom, uniting previously divided nations. Under his rule, the kingdom flourished in all aspects, including science, art and culture," he continued

Elerona and I listened attentively, fascinated by the developing story.

"However, at one point, the king suddenly disappeared without a trace. No one knew where he went or what happened to him. The kingdom was deeply shaken by his disappearance. After that event, the subsequent rulers tried to maintain stability, but no one has ever been able to match the leadership and calmness of King Gabriel."

Barlon looked up at the painting of King Gabriel above the door and then looked at me.

"I know uncle, tell me a story about King Gabriel's childhood or something or his powers."

"Ah, you mean his life story?"

Elerona and I nodded.

Barlon smiled and began his story, "This is a story you may have never heard... in 2024 before the era of magic appeared..."

***

In 2024, all of that happened briefly out of nowhere, magic power emerged not just from one person, but directly from thousands of people, many of whom took advantage of it by using it to become villains or heroes.

In a remote area, a teenager named Gabriel Maharaja appears. Gabriel grows up in a world filled with magic and chaos. He felt a calling to use his powers for good and bring peace to a kingdom filled with conflict.

Over time, Gabriel strengthened his abilities and formed a group of heroes known as "Heroes among heroes." They fight together to protect the people and eradicate the evil that arises due to the widespread power of magic.

The story of Gabriel's heroism spread widely, and he became hope for many people. However, his calm did not last long.

An evil sorceress known as Morgar the Malevolent appears, exploiting the chaos to seek greater power. Morgar wants to rule the entire kingdom with his dark magic powers.

Morgar, with her dark and cruel magic powers, began to cause destruction around the kingdom. He gathered his dark army and spread chaos in every corner of the land.

Gabriel and his group of heroes hear about Morgar's threat and immediately prepare to face it. They knew that this fight not only involved physical strength, but also moral strength and wisdom.

A fierce battle ensued between Morgar and the Hero among Heroes. Their adventures take them to remote places, dark dungeons, and battlefields full of magical intrigue.

Gabriel, with his enchanting wisdom, became an inspiration to the heroes and people of the kingdom. However, Morgar was not easily defeated. His dark powers make the battle increasingly difficult, and the fight between good and evil reaches its peak.

In the middle of the fight, a big surprise appeared. A familiar face emerged from the shadows: King Gabriel Maharaja who disappeared decades ago. It is revealed that Morgar has the power to manipulate time and bring the king back to this era of chaos.

Gabriel and King Maharaja unite to face Morgar. The ultimate battle puts the fate of the entire kingdom at stake.

After overthrowing his enemy, King Gabriel Maharaja became King of this palace with an honorable name and made the King the strongest among kings. However, one day he summoned his personal servant whom he really trusted.

"Replace me as king," he said to his loyal servant.

Of course, the servant was surprised, because he knew the task of being a king was very difficult. The servant had refused 5 times but was always denied by King Gabriel Maharaja himself. After that, the king disappeared without a trace, and that servant was the ancestor of me and Elerona.

< Chapter 16 > To Be Continued.