The Monster King's Legacy

"Just don't kill them in the name of training, not everyone is you, remember." Aelyndra said, posing a suggestion of caution.

"Of course. Well… maybe you should have said that earlier, it might be too late." Lance said with a grin on his face.

The following day, the early morning air was crisp and cool as Lance stood at the mountain summit with the remaining elite trainees. After running all the way there and having to return back to the city the previous day, Lance had them return again, placing a deadline for sunrise.

The group of 20 soldiers, all dragon-blessed, except for the few demons, gathered in a disciplined formation, their expressions a mix of deep exhaustion and determination from the consecutive and almost impossible challenge they had to overcome.

Among them was Rikka. Looking at her, Lance could see the exhaustion in her face and body, from her stance to her breathing, as it was in the rest. Seeing as she was part of those she was going to be training, he was happy, a little sense of nostalgia hitting him, as it felt like just a few days ago when she caused him to almost shit himself.

Now more mature, Rikka's eyes gleamed with pride and confidence as she stood among the chosen few. Not just her, but even Dran was amongst them, and with his presence, Lance could tell that there would be sufficient competition.

Lance took a slow step forward, his piercing golden eyes scanning the group. "Congratulations," he said, his voice steady and commanding. "You've earned the right to be here, but that doesn't mean the hard part is over. If anything, it's just beginning." He said with a faint grin.

The soldiers struggled to remain straightened under his gaze, their bodies shivering under the exhaustion.

Lance gestured toward a flat section of the rocky summit. "Today's training is about endurance. You'll hold the horse stance, deep and steady, for the entire day. Your strength will come not from your ability to move, but from your ability to remain still while enduring discomfort."

Murmurs rippled through the group, but no one dared to protest.

"While you hold this stance," Lance continued, "you'll punch against the mountain rock in front of you. Over and over again. No breaks. No hesitation. This is how we'll forge your bodies and your will."

'Of course they'll be three breaks, but no need to know that for now.' He thought to himself.

The trainees moved into position, their legs bent low in the grueling horse stance, legs trembling already. Their fists began pounding against the rough stone, the sound echoing through the mountains as more than a dozen pair of fists created the synchronized rhythmic sound.

As the hours passed, Lance walked among the trainees, correcting their form and offering brief words of encouragement. When he reached Rikka, he paused to watch her technique.

Her punches were precise, her stance unwavering despite the strain etched on her face. Sweat dripped from her brow, but her determination never faltered. Coincidentally, or perhaps not, Dran was right next to her.

"You've grown stronger," Lance remarked, his tone approving.

Rikka glanced up at him, her lips curling into a small smile. "Thanks to you, my king. I'll keep… pushing myself."

"Good," Lance said, looking at Dran who gritted his teeth just as much as Rikka and everyone else. "You too Dran."

"Your praise is wasted on me, my lord… I will do more, to live up, to your, expectations." He said.

"Good."

'Such a solid mentality…' Lance thought to himself.

"You all can take the first of three breaks now!" He said, watching as most fell backwards like statues, others wobbling to the floor. "Take some water and rest a little before you continue," he said.

…

As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, a scout approached the training ground, his face marked with urgency. He bowed low before Lance, his breath coming in quick gasps.

"My king," the scout said, "a mysterious envoy has arrived at the capital. They claim to come from a distant land and seek an audience with you directly."

Lance's brows furrowed. "A distant land?"

The scout nodded. "Yes, sire. Their appearance is...unfamiliar, and they bring a retinue of strange warriors. The council awaits your decision on how to proceed."

Immediately, seeing as it was something serious, Rynne and Aelyndra who were present approached to hear the details.

Lance turned to Aelyndra, who had been listening. "What do you make of this?"

Her expression was thoughtful. "It could be an opportunity, or a trap... Either way, it's worth investigating. We can't ignore them."

Lance turned back to the trainees. "Rynne, I'm leaving the training to you for now," Lance instructed. "Ensure they continue without faltering."

Rynne grinned, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Understood. I'll keep them on their toes."

Lance descended the mountain with Aelyndra, their individual speeds thwarting that of the scout who was meant to be leading them toward the capital. As they approached, Lance's mind raced with possibilities. Who could this envoy be, and what did they wanted?

To receive such a guest, Lance decided to make use of the room he seldom made use of. After arriving, Lance took his position as ruler of the monster kingdom on his throne, his council standing in opposing lines before him.

The throne room was shrouded in tense silence as the envoy stepped forward. Draped in flowing, foreign robes of deep crimson and gold, the envoy's appearance was striking. Their face was partially obscured by a hood, revealing only sharp, piercing eyes that seemed to hold countless untold stories. Behind them stood a retinue of warriors clad in ornate armor, bearing weapons unfamiliar to even the monster kingdom's people with well-traveled eyes.

Lance sat on his throne, Aelyndra by his side, as she was intrigued by this unfamiliar people, while the rest of his chiefs and council stood in attendance. His golden eyes scanned the envoy, his expression calm but probing.

"You've come a long way," Lance began, his tone measured. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

The envoy's voice was rich and steady, carrying the weight of authority and urgency. "King Lance, I come bearing a warning of grave importance, a threat that spans far beyond your borders, one that endangers not only your kingdom but the entire known world."