As the sun rises upon the city, the three awake, greet one another and sit down while drinking a cup of coffee whilst talking. As they speak a constant bustling and noise is heard outside, "The people are loud today aren't they?" Morgan comments. "Indeed, it is strange, they're never this loud." Livian replies. "Really? They always seem this loud to me." Eric replies with a rather dull expression. Silence falls between them. The three then dress themselves in their usual attire, shortly after, Livian peers overs the balcony to see what all the noise is about. "A parade?" she says. "I didn't hear anything about this being planned." "Are they common?" Morgan asks. "Somewhat, but whenever there is one there's typically posters placed across taverns and public spaces to notify everyone." "I see." The three get ready to leave the house, however, as Morgan's hand touches the door knob, a sense of unease comes over him. "Everything ok Morgan?" Eric asks with concern. "Huh? Oh yeah, sorry." He brushes off the sense, turns the door knob and opens the door, only to be greeted with city folk throwing flowers above the three.
"What the." The three say unison out of confusion. "Congratulations!" the city folk exclaim at them. "Congratulations?" The three look beyond confused. "Your victory over the Gargoyle was announced by Ruler Allengard, he requested a parade be held for you three." one civilian explains. "I think you mean between these two, I wasn't there for it." Livian comments feeling guilty about being associated with their victory. "Isn't this a nice surprise." Eric says humbly. As the three walk through the town to go to the central garden, the civilians dance all around the city, throwing flowers and enjoying events. However, not too far off, an even bigger commotion is heard, civilians gushing in awe, screaming with pure excitement. "It's him! It's really him!" A common phrase being said amongst many. The three look in the direction of the noise, wandering what it's about. "I wonder why it's loud that side." Livian states. "Yeah." Morgan's senses become tense, he thinks to himself. "What is this feeling?" "The people seem to really be enjoying this parade." Eric comments peacefully. As the three continue to sit on a bench within the central garden, the gushing of the civilians grows closer and closer. "Ah here you are." A man comments behind them. The three turn their heads to see who stand behind them. Their eyes widen. Livian's eyes filled with a quiet rage, Eric in shock and Morgan overcome with a sense of unease. "Sven... Allengard." Eric states. "Indeed, the one and only." He replies. "W-why are you here?" Livian asks trying to quell her rage. "Well, I arranged this parade to celebrate your victory, Eric and..?" He looks at Morgan. "Morgan, I'm a hunter." "Ah a pleasure to meet you Morgan. Apologies for not knowing your name, I don't believe I've seen you here before." "I arrived in the city only a few days ago." "I see. I'm glad to see you've made some acquaintances." "Livian provided me with a place to stay, Eric is a companion who aided me in hunting." "I see, I see. Well then, off to the main reason I'm here." The three look at Sven with intrigue but distrust. "How would you like to come to the palace tonight for dinner, Eric, Morgan? You can join too Livian. " The three sit there, their eyes widening once more. Their thoughts somewhat similar. "Dinner with the man I hate..." "Being in the presence of a man of pure greed and selfishness." "Dinner with the man who took away my comrades." "We'd love to." Morgan replies. The other 2 stare at him in confusion and worry. "Great! I'll see you in a few hours then." Sven walks away content with himself. The three continue to sit down until Livian and Eric begin questioning Morgan. "W-what are you thinking?!" "Morgan, don't tell me you've lost sight of your goal already." "I haven't. This is apart of it, albeit unplanned, it'll assist us." "What do you mean?" Eric asks. "We can use this as an opportunity to gather information on him and the palace, after tonight, we then decide what to do further." "I see... You saw this as an opportunity to look for weaknesses." Livian replies. "Smart move." Eric commends Morgan.
The three then proceed to walk around the city, enjoying the festivities and overpriced treats. Eventually sundown comes. They make their way to the palace gate, still wearing their equipment, not entirely dressed for an evening with so called royalty. The upper knights open the door for them, escorting them to the dining hall. As they walk through the palace, Morgan feels the presence of something watching them, an eerie and sinful presence, he ignores it for now, but keeps his defenses ready. As they enter the dining room, they are met with Sven Allengard sitting on an overly-decorated gold and ebony dining chair. "Welcome my guests." The three sit down at the table, across from Sven. "So why is it that you invited us here tonight?" Morgan asks. "Well, isn't nice celebrating your victory with royalty?" "Well yes, and we are grateful." (He lies) "But it was only a monstrosity ranked at fifth step." "Sill, an accomplishment, and for that you should be rewarded." "I suppose." "But surely there's another part to this?" Eric asks. "Well, there is. You two, or three, possess immense strength, Eric the last paladin, Livian the mage knight and Morgan, despite I don't know much about you, just telling from your ability to hunt, you're quite strong. So what if you three were to join the upper knights and fight off the enemies of the City of Sadoma. You would be heroes." The ruler tries to convince them using words that would stray them off their path. The food arrives, their conversation stops as the four enjoy their meals, as much as what Eric, Livian and Morgan despise the man that sits across them, they can't help but enjoy the taste of the food before them. Two hours pass, the food and desserts all devoured, they return to the previous conversation. "So then, what is your decision?" Sven asks with a smirk. The three look at each other, Morgan responds, "Could we request for a day to think about it, considering the weight of this decision, we'd prefer if we could first look over it and come to you tomorrow." Sven thinks about it, his smirk turns to a smile. "Well of course. Then please, enjoy your night further, I look forward to your response. The knights will escort you out."
As the three leave the palace and return home, they light a fire and sit beside it. "What is the response then?" Eric asks. "Well obviously no." Livian replies. "Of course, but if we decline what then?" Eric responds. "Simple. He said to meet him at the palace tomorrow once we're ready, then we can use that to our advantage." Morgan states. "How so?" Livian asks. "Well, we'd be right in the house of the enemy, giving us a prime chance to strike, the only problem would be that he could order his knights to attack the rest of the city and accuse us for treason or blame it on opposing military force." "Don't worry, I can relay whatever plan we have to the captain of ground knights." "Perfect." "By the way, Livian, you're the strongest of the ground knights right?" Morgan asks. "Yep." She responds simply. "Then why aren't you the captain?" "You see, the current captain was a friend of Livian's father, his wisdom and strategic mind is what makes him stronger than Livian, she has the strength, he has strategy." "Makes sense." "So then what's the final plan?" Livian asks. "A coup d'etat. Eric and I will head to the palace, you and the ground knights will station yourselves in the center of the city, while you do that Eric and I will declare a coup d'etat against the city and from there we'll attack." "Seems effective." Eric agrees. "Tomorrow morning once we're ready, I'll prepare on my end." Livian states. "Perfect. We're all ready then?" Morgan asks." "Yep!" Eric responds enthusiastically. "One hundred percent." Livian states." "Great. Then let's get some rest, we have big plans tomorrow."
The three head off to go sleep, restoring their energy for what's to come. A rebellion against the ruler who manipulated and deceived the people, the man who's very being is made of sin.