It felt like I might know whose they were. I tightly held Idriche’s hand. He also seemed to sense the same thing.

Soon after, a necklace engraved with the emblem of Atigrado appeared from there.

The owner of the remains was Carolina Atigrado, who used to be the queen.

The knights paused for a moment in mourning for her. Then they tidied up the remaining debris, continued to dig around.

“There’s a box.”

Digging deeper, a surprisingly large box revealed itself. The knights went into the pit, exerted their strength, and pulled it out.
As I brushed away the dirt, it quickly gleamed in a golden hue. On top of it, intricate patterns were deeply engraved, and there was a somewhat familiar shape.

Where did I see that before?

I don’t know.

Anyway, it seemed like there were many precious things inside.

All we need is the royal decree, please!

“But it’s locked. It seems we need a key.”

Of course, even if we dug further into the ground, there was no key. No fool would keep a lock and key in the same place.

The knights did everything to break the box. However, even when thrown to the ground and struck with stones, the box didn’t budge.

“Why is this box so sturdy? Well, considering it’s storing the king’s valuables, it shouldn’t be poorly made.”

“So what do we do? We’ve found it with so much effort, and now we have to look for the key again?”

A sigh echoed here and there at someone’s suggestion. Everyone was exhausted and covered in mud.

“Or how about taking the box back to Skitas? If we leave it to a locksmith there…”

“But what if what’s inside isn’t the royal decree? We’ll have to come back here again.”

Hmm. There’s no answer. Unless we find the key.

Where on earth is the key?

At that moment, something flashed in my mind.

“Wait a moment. I think I have that key.”

“Miss Cecilia?”

I rummaged through my pocket. I had definitely kept it somewhere here.

“Here!”

In my hand was a golden key exactly like the box. It was intricately engraved, and anyone could tell it was the key to that box.

“Wait a minute, why is Miss Cecilia’s key coming out of her pocket for this box?”

“Oh, don’t be suspicious.”

I clapped my hands.

“I mean, last time when I was kidnapped by the Chingana, I stole it from their treasure before setting it on fire. I grabbed the most expensive-looking thing before it all burned. It would be a waste if it all went up in flames.”

“Oh, so it seems like the Chinganas took everything that seemed valuable in the royal palace.”

“Phew, that’s a relief. Miss Cecilia’s foresight is excellent.”

“Really. I didn’t know, but it seems I have foresight. I guess getting kidnapped was a good thing.”

“Cecilia.”

As I laughed slyly and bantered, Idriche solemnly called me and looked at me. I quickly straightened up and narrowed my shoulders.

“Yes, sorry. I won’t get kidnapped again. If possible.”

The key was inserted into the box. Covered in dirt, the key didn’t turn smoothly, but it turned. Soon, a satisfying click sound was heard. The faces of those who checked inside first brightened.

“Royal decree, found!”

The man handed a red document to Idriche. The royal decree, carefully stored inside the box, was clean, free of dust and dirt.

Everyone remained tense, but only Idriche looked. This time it’s real. The real truth is written there.

Not a single sound of swallowing saliva was heard.
Idriche began to read it slowly.

“Those who come to the palace are increasing day by day. Perkop Serbian will find out what they want and seek fundamental solutions to resolve the drought.”

“The movements of the bandits are intensifying. They will only refuse my proposal to provide food, so I cannot understand what they want. Do they just hope for something to come down from the throne? If so, will the dead come back to life, and will there be more food? Call the leader of the group. I will personally have a conversation with him.”

“The conversation was refused, and they resorted to attacking the palace. As a king, I can no longer tolerate bandits who threaten the country. Capture them. Remember one thing. There should be no shedding of blood in this process.”

“The bandits have already surrounded the palace. What they want is only the destruction of Artigrado. There is no other way. Overcome the palace’s guards, and those who can risk their lives should leave this place.”

As he continued reading, a burdensome silence pressed upon the surroundings. The situation at that time became vivid.

Everyone was in pain, and everyone fought to survive. However, the real enemy was not there.