Branch 1, Leaf 1: Kingdom of Maulaphete

Year 2901, Kingdom of Maulaphete, before the Arrival

"Hey, have you heard? Our kingdom found a Hero candidate within the slums. What was it called again? Mous? Mo- " the crowd murmur suddenly stop as the kings' royal knight, Nicholas Schwatt, passes through the center of the market district riding Maulaphete's mightiest steed. His golden armor was so polished that it reflected the rays of the scorching sun and blinding the citizens. The crowd didn't say anything even though it was irritating in the eye as a show of respect to the leader of the royal knights — the champion of Maulaphete.

Nicholas dismounted his horse and when he dropped down, everyone around 10 lengths could hear the weight of his armor; as it collides with the floor, nearly destroying the terrain.

The gossips continued as Nicholas stopped by the Book House. Everyone disregarded the noise Nicholas made and started talking about how extravagant royals are.

"Did you see that? Who would wear a heavy aurum armor in broad daylight? It's not like we will fight in a war. I would rather see him carrying liqueur in broad dayrays." tattled by some nobleman as they drink their morning booze.

"There they go again spouting garbage. I heard the Hero canditate is handsome and they announced that he'll arrive here at sunrise. I also heard his name, I think it was Arc Seb–" the gossips of the two famous madams were getting louder and louder that the merchant interrupted their conversation.

"Why do we need a hero? Maulaphete's gate guards' strength matches other kingdom's royal knights. That's how powerful and strict our king is when it comes to manpower." stated by a nosy merchant; fixing his tent and opening his antique and material stall.

"Maulaphete is the strongest kingdom *hiccup* as far as I know. No king is brave enough to *hiccup* start a war against our kingdom. Mhalau and Hadayoo don't *hiccup* stand a..." a drunkard added as he dozed off in bliss.

"Maybe his highness is planning to subjugate the demon valley at the outskirts of Maulaphete; or maybe our king is planning to invade other kingdoms as well. Should I start forging tens of thousands of metal plates and stabbers?" implied by the district blacksmith as he giggles and collects materials for forging equipment and weapons.

On another perspective; Inside the Book House, Nicholas walks towards the receptionist; rather Book Keeper.

"WHE- *ahem* Where is the Book of World Artifacts, Book of World Wonders, and Book of World Terrain?" Nicholas demanded,

"Le-let me get i-it for you, sir" the Book Keeper was gibbering as she exits her station to find the books. It took her at least 1000 ticks to realize that these books where nowhere to be found; inside the Book House.

"I - I sincerely apologize sir but the books are nowhere to be found in the meantime, thus we would like to send it to your chamber as soon as we find it." The Book Keeper stated as she bowed down — that her upper extremities were parallel to the ground.

"It's fine..." Nicholas proclaimed as he turned around to the exit, "Just do not forget to deliver it in my house as soon as you find it"

Nicholas walks out of the Book House carrying his heavy armor. As he approaches his horse, Nicholas instructed his steed to sit in order for him to mount it.

He notices loud conversations from the stalls but decided to disregard this chatter and continue to ride towards the castle.

Then a wanderer — wearing a robe covered with dust and specks of blood; while holding a piece of leather — unknowingly obstruct the route of Nicholas.

"Look behind you!" one of the commoners shouted,

The march of the noble steed was halted and the steed started to neigh. The horse was clearly startled — knocking its rider to the ground. Nicholas pats off the dust from his armor as he stood up; unsheathing his sword and pointing it at someone who has a world of his own looking at the castle.

"Look he-" Nicholas asserted with a faint yet manly voice, but he was suddenly interrupted by the young man in disoriented robe robe.

"I'm finally here. Is that where Molly is?" said the man as he pulls down his hood; looking at the castle.

The young man then removed his robe — showing his extremely toned body covered with very light leather armor without any damage nor bruise. Around his waist was the triad books of knowledge — the Book of World Artifacts, Book of World Wonders, and Book of World Terrain — and a dagger with a special shape.

He then starts to speak and the words that came out from his mouth was,

"This is the Kingdom of Maulaphete, the strongest and mightiest kingdom. Yet why do I see destruction?"

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