Second World

Jack was ushered to the main hall. It was a large and beautiful hall that was more like a display gallery. Paintings, sculptures, and other works of art filled the hall. Jack could see that the one in charge of this place was quite a collector.

Jack looked at those works of art as he waited. While he took it casually, it was Peniel who was agitated.

"Who does she think she is? How dare she makes the king wait for her?" Peniel grumbled.

"No need to get so worked up. I have expected such a treatment," Jack said.

"You have?"

"I checked her info from the monarch system last night, remember? Although her social stats are good, her loyalty is very low."

"Oh, right. Her loyalty was only 61," Peniel said, remembering.

"That is also after I use the mass pay," Jack said. "Which meant before that, her loyalty must be below 60 points."

Jack remembered when he was reviewing the cities during the day he first studied the monarch system, he had noticed some governors with very low loyalty. Diana Malva was one of them. He had proposed to elect a different governor. One with a higher loyalty stat, but Thaergood advised against it.

Discharging Warren was okay because of his known history with the king, but Thaergood reasoned that immediately demoting other officers on the first day of ruling would cause anxiety to the rest of the officers. Since the average loyalty was already not good, this anxiety might cause the loyalty of other officers to decline. That would negate the small increase from the mass pay Jack did earlier that day.

Furthermore, regarding Diana Malva, Thaergood said that her family had been ruling Themonium since its first establishment. The people in that city looked up to that family. Removing her from the governor's seat would just cause the city's Happiness to plummet.

Jack didn't like the idea of a single family having so much power in a city, but he followed Thaergood's advice and left Diana Malva alone. Jack didn't understand then why the kingdom let the Malva house grow unchecked in Themonium city. Only after hearing Thebalder's story yesterday that he understood.

Thebalder must have issued a decree to give the Malva house full autonomy of the place so that they could protect the portal and keep it hidden from the public. Even after the place grew to a settlement, Thebalder's descendants honored his wish and continued to let the Malva house manage the place.

It was almost ten minutes before Jack heard the soldiers behind him utter a respectful welcome, "Governor Malva."

Jack didn't turn. He kept his eyes on the painting before him. He heard footsteps approaching. Those footsteps stopped behind him.

"Everyone else, please leave! I wish to speak to Governor Malva alone," Jack said loudly without turning back.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the soldiers responded. Jack then heard them shuffling out of the hall.

Jack still didn't turn back. Diana also didn't make any move or say anything behind him.

They stayed that way for quite a while. Jack just continued to look at the painting, as if he was enjoying it very much. Peniel, on the other hand, was sitting on Jack's shoulder looking back. She was giving the lady governor who stood behind Jack an unfriendly stare.

Diana probably couldn't stand this awkward situation any longer. She finally said, "Greetings, Your Majesty. I'm Diana Malva, the governor of this city. I'm sorry to have made you wait. There are just too many matters that need my attention."

Jack finally turned back. He gave Diana a warm smile. "The fault is mine, governor. I shouldn't have come without notice."

Diana made a short bow after Jack turned to face her. Peniel was unhappy with the gesture, she should have fully bowed before the king. Jack, however, didn't show any sign of displeasure.

"If I may be so bold. May I ask the reason for Your Majesty's visit?" Diana asked.

"Governor Malva, there are only the two of us here. Let us be candid," Jack said. "I know that you don't especially like me. I don't blame you. I am just a boy practically half your age. Not only that, I am an outworlder. Some of you may even think that I am an invader who had taken over your country."

Jack paused a bit before asking, "Do you think I'm an invader who has taken over your country?"

There was also a pause before Diana answered, "I don't dare, Your Majesty."

"Maybe you don't, or maybe what you mean is that you don't dare to offend me. But whatever your thoughts are, I want to assure you that we are on the same side. I won't let any natives be bullied by outworlders and no outworlders will get any privilege if they don't merit it. I will treat natives and outworlders fairly."

"I'm sure Your Majesty will," Diana responded.

Jack smiled. "I know it's all just talks. Until you see for yourself, there is no use for me to say anything. I only ask that you give me a chance. Or at the very least, trust in Goddess Serenity's judgment. Anyway, I ain't here to persuade you to recognize my legitimacy to the throne. I'm here to reaffirm your family's vow."

"What does Your Majesty mean?" Diana asked.

"Your vow to the fourth king. The task that was given to your ancestor by King Thebalder to safeguard the demonic portal beneath this city," Jack said.

Diana didn't say anything but her eyes were wide.

"Since you consider me an illegitimate king, you must not expect me to know about this," Jack said to her. "But know that I not only have the blessing of Goddess Serenity, I also have the blessing from past Themisphere kings."

Jack equipped the title of Rightful Themisphere King.

"That's...," Diana was seemingly taken aback by the title.

"From your reaction, I'm sure that you are aware that only someone recognized by the past Themisphere kings can have this title," Jack said.

Diana seemed to have conflicted emotions.

Jack took something out then. It was the Malva Crest bearing King Thebalder's name.

"This is the crest your ancestor, Robert Malva, had given to King Thebalder," Jack said while holding the crest. "The spirit of the fourth king bestowed me this crest so that I can carry on his duty. In his name, I demand the Malva house reaffirm their loyalty and report to me the ancient duty that has been given to your house!"