"This time, I didn't push you to do it," Gala would have said if she was here, but she didn't live long enough to celebrate her win. "You are a helpless romantic even without my help," she would grin.

Arthur sighed as he hid his face with his hand, remembering what happened in the sea. There was something very shameful about giving in for his heart, as if something was constantly pointing at him and laughing, reminding him that that he screwed up.

"However," Arthur slept on the desk with his forehead resting on it, and his mind replayed the sensation. "It felt good."

He didn't say that sensually, but it was a foreign feeling for him. For the first time in his life, he kissed someone with whom he felt deeply bonded. If Arthur had to name that feeling, it would be...

"Point Zero," he muttered as he tried to relive the feeling of being infinitely close to someone. A  single event tore down the walls that separated them, and there was no more distance between them, both physically and emotionally.

There was no guilt in his heart nor regret. He was still living the high of her love and the taste of her lips. They were cold yet sweet. Then, as he was reliving the feeling, a knock came on his door. Arthur jumped in his chair as his heart raced.

"Come in," he allowed, but the person behind the door wasn't the princess. Instead, it was the Mad Prince. "Can I help you?" he said in a little unenthusiastic manner. 

"Were you expecting someone else, Seika?" the Mad Prince raised from her bowing salutation. "I'm sorry, but I need to ask you something."

"Yes?"

"What is our next plan of action?" the knight asked, standing straight and looking ahead. Arthur looked at her silently before shaking off the past events from his mind.

"I got a name from Randolph, and we need to investigate that matter. But, first, I'll need you, Veran, and Kaza to infiltrate the noble's estate and find out who is the corrupted one among them. Veran can help you with that."

The knight nodded, but Arthur noticed that she had something to say. As he waited for her to say what was on her mind, the knight worked to annoy him by constantly fidgeting.

"Is it about the names?" Arthur asked after thinking for a bit, and the knight nodded. "I never got to know your name, so how do you want me to address you, exactly?"

"Give me a name," the knight went on one knee with her arm in front of her. "Give me any name you desire, and so I can be your knight."

"I thought you abandoned your knighthood."

"Knights abandon their names out of loyalty, not pride," the Mad Prince explained. "We seek names to honor our lords in battle and for them to be our bond with you."

"I understand," Arthur sighed. "Prepare for our return to Hidden City. I'll grant you names in front of the Divine Tree."

"As you wish," the knight jumped with a big grin before she excused herself. Arthur looked at the departing knight hopping away.

After leaning back in his chair, Arthur relaxed somewhat. The first stage of preparations is approaching its end, and the next will be a safe but exciting one. But, first, it was creating artifacts for his city, as many as he could.

***

Solomon was creating the artifact to defy the world, and that should have something with his arrival at the trial. As long as he made Solomon trust him, then Arthur could find a way back home.

Hidden City's walls appeared in front of them as they rode on Mei's back, and the giant whale followed the girl's instructions to bring them home. The roots closed off the river's path, but the roots opened as soon as they felt Arthur's presence.

"Welcome home,"

Rega whispered in his mind as Arthur enjoyed the feeling of returning to his city. The princess stood next to Hana, and their eyes met briefly before she hurriedly looked away.

This was something unexpected. After their few kisses, the princess began to avoid him as if he was the plague. Arthur didn't want to be melodramatic and run to her, so he gave her the space she wanted. 

However, Diana Eister seemed surprised by what she demanded of him once he gave it to her. Now, Arthur wondered if she could handle something more than desiring him, not that he was sure he should.

Nothing changed from before, not even his feelings about the matter. All he knew now was that he wanted to experience Point Zero once again: no physical or emotional barriers.

However, it was an expensive dream, and he wanted neither of them to get hurt. As they followed the river toward the Divine Tree, the group again appreciated how convenient the ride was.

Arthur began planning to create Force artifacts to shield the riders and Hana from the wind. But, as they drew closer to the camp, they realized that the city had grown once again.

Tall buildings have been built, and they could be seen from the city. A wall was now separating the inner city from the greater expanse of land. There was smoke coming out of the chimneys, and it seemed that lunch was being prepared.

The whale gave a deep cry as if it was announcing its arrival toward the riverbank, which had yet to turn into a harbor. As they jumped off the giant creature, they found Gruen, Courage, Ruri, and Rosa waiting for them.

"Welcome back again, Seika," the Knight of Courage bowed deeply to him with a smile. Arthur nodded in greeting with a similar one. "I heard that you took matters into your own hands in Aquamia."

"If you want to see something done properly, then you should do it yourself."

"And are these young people..."

"Recruits I picked up along the way. There's a bunch more being picked up by Ma in Aquamia's orphanages."

When the knight heard his words, a relieved smile overtook her face. She looked at Arthur with a hint of pride, one that he didn't know of its causes.

"G-greetings, Knight of Courage," the Mad Prince stuttered as she said. She treated the knight with more respect than she gave to Arthur, which was as annoying as understandable.

The Knight of Courage turned toward the young female knights with furrowed brows before turning back to Arthur, looking at him inquisitively.

"She has other qualities than her close resemblance to you," Arthur coughed. "And!" he added. "Her hair is brown rather than blue."

The Knight of Courage looked at him with speechlessness before sighing and welcoming Big Bear and the rest of the knights. The rest of the servants also jumped off the carriage, and the citizens came out to meet their Lord.

"Welcome back, Seika,"

"Glad for your safety, My Lord,"

"May the divine protect you,"

His people greeted him as Arthur walked through the city. These people were ones he handpicked into living in his city, and each of them was either honest or useful.

There was something odd about his people because he didn't recognize them individually but seemed to have missed them nonetheless. It was a bond that stemmed from his lordship and its functions but heartwarming nonetheless.

After he returned to his mansion, Arthur found Rumi running toward him. The architect seems to have been working even more than he used to, as his smell spoke countless skipped baths.

"I finished it, Seika! I finished the city's outline! All we need to do now is to build it!" Rumi didn't seem to care that Arthur was gone, only caring about starting his plans to build the city.

Before, even though the general outline was completed, there was still a lot to be done about the specifics. Rumi made sure to separate industrial and hazardous departments from the citizens while also drawing a magnificent transportation network for guests and his people.

Arthur had to calm down the architect because his knights couldn't wait anymore. Even though they were still junior knights, their potential still weighed heavier than their current value.

"Knight of Courage," Arthur turned toward the knight after they all gathered. "I have yet to name my knights, even if they have yet to become true chosen ones."

"You'll be arrested for abusing your subordinates," the knight sighed.

"That counts as abuse?" Arthur was taken aback. "The knights truly rule this kingdom more than the king himself."

"I can't even keep count of how many felonies you committed," Courage shook her head. "Do you want me to oversee the ceremony?"

"Just guide me as to how it is done,"

"Other than the lord, two more witnesses need to be there in the naming ceremony. They need to be higher ranked knights, so Big Bear and I will do."

"Great," Arthur grinned at his six knights. "Let's give these hatchlings names!"

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