The Tournament is official

As they left the castle, the tension from their encounter with Ingra lingered in the air. Ignus, still fuming, marched ahead, his thoughts consumed by anger and frustration. Gallagher, trailing behind, looked at his brother with concern, unsure of what to say.

"I've never seen you this angry, brother. What's going on?" Gallagher finally asked, matching his pace with Ignus's.

"It's Ingra," Ignus replied curtly, his voice tight with frustration. "His racism... it's unacceptable."

Roxy, walking beside Ignus, placed a comforting hand on his arm. "We'll find a way to deal with Ingra," she reassured him.

A'Moi, usually light-hearted, couldn't hide his agitation. "Why didn't you just punch him in his beaky face, Ignus?" he blurted out.

Ignus shot A'Moi a warning glance. "Because that would've gotten us all in trouble, A'Moi," he replied.

Gallagher, trying to lighten the mood, interjected, "I would've loved to see Ingra getting knocked out."

Ignus stopped in his tracks, surprised by his brother's comment. "You don't like him either?"

Gallagher shook his head. "No. Even though I believe in showing respect to our subjects, I still would've enjoyed seeing Ingra taken down a notch."

With a nod from Ignus, Gallagher bid them farewell and headed off on his own.

As they approached the inn, the innkeeper, a friend of the queen, handed Ignus a letter. Ignus opened it and read aloud, "The tournament is officially scheduled in two days."

Roxy looked at Ignus. "Two days? We need to start preparing."

The reality of the upcoming tournament set in, but Ignus knew it was not just about winning; it was about standing up against injustice and protecting those who couldn't protect themselves.

They entered the inn, the atmosphere heavy with anticipation. Ignus was about to greet the innkeeper when he noticed a figure sitting in the corner, watching them intently. It was the queen's informant, a shrewd and observant woman known for her discreet nature.

Approaching their table, the innkeeper spoke softly, "This is our informant. She has valuable information about the kingdom."

The informant, a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes, handed Ignus a sealed envelope. "This is for you," she said cryptically before excusing herself.

Ignus opened the envelope and read its contents thinking to himself how fast it had gotten delivered, his expression turning serious. "The tournament is not just a test of strength," he announced to his companions. "It's a chance to uncover the truth behind Ingra's motives and secure justice for Roxy's village."

Determined to make the most of this opportunity, Ignus and his friends sat down to strategize, their minds already racing with plans for the upcoming tournament.