Chapter 50: "So I have heard," Vladya stated, his voice clipped. "This must be stopped." "What is wrong with Zaiper? This is a matter for the court, not the public." Ottai's brow furrowed. "Why would he do such a thing?" "It is clear he is trying to gain more support." The two walked together toward the square. Lord Vladya shook his head. "Lately, he has grown desperate for the throne." When they reached the sixth square, a large crowd had already formed. Their heightened senses allowed them to hear Zaiper's voice as they approached. "We cannot keep living in fear. The beast will continue to break free, and more innocent people will be harmed," Zaiper's voice boomed, holding the crowd's attention. "We all loved the grand king. For thousands of years, he was our greatest ruler-the finest the Urekai have ever had." "Yes! Long live the grand king!" someone in the crowd shouted. A chorus of voices echoed, "Long live the grand king!" Zaiper's jaw tensed, his eyes darkening with anger, but he masked it well, flashing his practiced smile. "Indeed," he said smoothly. "We all cared for our grand king, without question. That is why this tragedy is so painful. None of us would wish the fate of going feral on…" "Anyone, even our enemies. The grand king's mind has been lost for five centuries, replaced by the instincts of a predator. One of the strongest." "And the rest of us rulers work tirelessly to protect you from the beast. But we cannot always succeed, for the beast is stronger than most of our defenses," Zaiper continued, his voice carrying through the square. "As you all know, lives are lost every time the beast escapes. Can we allow this to go on?" The crowd murmured softly, their fear clear, but their affection for the grand king even clearer. Stories live now on galnσ????????ℓ????․????o???? For centuries, the people had loved and revered their grand king, who had ruled with kindness and brought peace to their lands. The same Urekai who despised and hunted all ferals preferred their grand king remain alive despite his feral state rather than be completely killed. And for centuries, they had stood united in this belief. But one day, they would have to face the truth. The truth that their grand king was gone-and the beast that remained had to be destroyed. Zaiper wanted that day to come sooner. "We cannot force the people into such decisions, Grand Lord Zaiper," Lord Ottai interjected, drawing all eyes as he stepped onto the podium. "The people have the right to decide for themselves how they wish to handle the beast. The fact that it was once their grand king cannot be ignored." Many nodded in agreement, murmurs rippling through the crowd. Zaiper turned his pretentious, sorrowful eyes toward Ottai. "You are correct, Grand Lord Ottai. But how can they decide when they are kept in the dark? Most of them do not know that, just last night during the festival, the beast escaped again." Gasps spread through the crowd. Zaiper continued. "We managed to contain the beast, of course. But imagine what might have happened if we had been too late-or made a mistake-and the beast had escaped the fortress?" Eyes widened in horror, and the murmurs turned to frightened chatter. Amidst the clamor, a few words emerged. "May Ukrae protect us." Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!