6-3-3/7 (9-11) Chapter 6: The Land of the Winds Episode 3: The Bonds of Royal Blood
Part 3/7: Restoration and Rediscovery
Scene 9-11
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Scene 9: The Great Breakfast Showdown
Morning arrived.
The group made their way to House Thunderwill's kitchen like contestants entering a prestigious cooking competition. Borrowing the kitchen for the morning, they followed their carefully laid plan. But things didn't go as smoothly as expected.
Small mishaps kept occurring, each one giving Head Chef Mirelle a growing headache. Akira sliced ingredients into the wrong sizes and shapes. Draco struggled to control the fire to Mirelle's exact specifications—too much heat, not enough, never just right. During bread-making, Draco's kneading turned into a sticky, chaotic mess.
Elina, while carrying a pot, bumped into someone, causing a chain reaction that ended with a container crashing to the floor. They had to stop and clean it all up. Meanwhile, Osiris washed vegetables and plated the dishes with such delicate care, it was as if she were afraid the vegetables would feel pain—befitting someone who wished to restore harmony with nature.
Despite all the chaos, they somehow managed to finish cooking.
And then, the three judges entered: Keela, Kalisa, and Grandpa Gryp.
Draco and Yue volunteered to present the meal.
Yue beamed as she raised her hand, "The name of the dish is: Rabbit Targets the Pheasant!"
Draco followed with dramatic flair, "Because the rabbit—named Envy—has already set its sights on the pheasant in this dish…"
Osiris raised a hand. "Is this a menu or a poem…?"
Keela burst out laughing. "Still, it's cute! I'll allow it. Go on, go on!"
The dish itself was simple yet elegant:
Mashed buttered potatoes drizzled with a light gravy and a dusting of herbs provided the carbs. The protein was grilled pheasant steak, seasoned with a spicy marinade and served alongside a white lemonate cream sauce.
Sides included a Caesar-dusted fresh salad and thinly sliced Sweet Envy apples carved into rabbit shapes. The soup was a sweet vegetable broth made from corn and seaweed, with a salty-sweet finish.
The judges sampled the dish… and made uncertain expressions. The group's confidence wavered.
Kalisa was the first to speak. "The pheasant skin's a bit burnt. It's crisp, sure—but it has a slight char, and when that happens, the sauce on the skin burns too, leaving a bitter aftertaste. That part needs improvement."
Draco nearly collapsed—it was his contribution.
Keela followed. "The bread is perfect. Fragrant, crisp on the outside, soft inside—not hard at all. The seasoning on everything else is excellent. I'm curious—who did the cooking?"
Mirelle raised her hand. "I did."
Keela smiled. "From now on, I officially appoint you as co-chef. Let's cook together from now on."
Mirelle gave a slightly awkward smile. "Heh… sure, I'd be glad to."
Granpa Gryp chimed in. "There were a few hiccups here and there, but overall, this was far better than expected. Not quite up to Thunderwill standards yet—but with some sharpening, this level of skill could open a restaurant."
His words lifted everyone's spirits.
Kalisa concluded, "Alright, you pass the breakfast trial. Here—your reward: a tray of sweets we prepared earlier."
Yue leapt with joy, forgetting she was still recovering from a fever. She turned to Kalisa and Akira, pleading, "Can I have a bite? Please? Pretty please?"
Her sparkling eyes shone brighter than her own light magic. The intensity of her puppy-eyed gaze was enough to purify anyone into submission.
They surrendered to her adorableness.
The moment Yue took a bite, her tail jolted upright. Everyone panicked—until she turned to them with teary eyes and a glowing smile.
"Big Brother… it's so good I feel like I just passed through the Gate of Celes into heaven…"
Everyone else stared, half-laughing, half-worried, and decided to try the sweets too. The moment they did, they understood why Yue reacted like that.
On the outside, they looked like simple cookies. But biting into them revealed a complex experience: crisp on the outside, soft and warm inside, with surprising textures—a bit of crumble here, a chewy raisin there, and bursts of tangy-sweet sauce.
But most magical of all was a subtle spark of flavor—an aromatic note that relaxed the heart and left a cooling, uplifting sensation.
Everyone melted with delight.
Keela and Kalisa giggled together while Grandpa Gryp, his voice calm and knowing, said, "Now do you understand… why I'm terrified of being cut off from desserts?"
Everyone nodded so hard their heads nearly fell off.
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Scene 10: The Code Behind the Runes, and the Crown's Burden
Throughout the rest of the day, Grandpa Gryph and Kalisa showcased various runes to us. Each one held complex instructions in unfamiliar symbols. Osiris worked to decipher them, slowly converting the lines into a readable form. When Akira gave it a look, his eyes widened.
"This… It's written like computer code—but in its own language."
Mirelle blinked in surprise. "Are you saying… these runes operate like scientific programming? Technology written in a language of its own… that manifests as magic?"
Osiris's eyes sparkled. "Exactly! That's exactly what it looks like, Mirelle. Everything fits together. Grandpa, you said you found these runes in an ancient ruin, right? This is incredible!"
Our group grew so excited, we almost insisted on setting out that very moment to explore. But while Mirelle had recovered significantly, Yue still wasn't back to full health—despite her accelerated self-healing abilities. We ultimately agreed to postpone our expedition until the next morning.
The following day began with renewed energy, and another delicious breakfast from House Thunderwill. With everyone mostly recovered and ready, we set out together. But there was something strange about Akira's situation.
Yue clung to his arm tighter than usual, occasionally scanning for anomalies with her Star Gaze. Mirelle walked close beside him, ready to cast spells at a moment's notice. Keela led the way with practiced precision, scouting the path ahead. In front were Elina and Osiris—Osiris continuously scanning the surroundings—while Draco kept a watchful eye from the rear.
Grandpa Gryph chuckled at the sight. "Haha! Akira, you've turned into the team's treasured egg. It's like you're the king piece on a chessboard, surrounded by your army."
Akira sighed. "But the king can only move one square at a time, you know. I kind of envy the queen. She gets all the freedom."
Gryph smirked. "And look over there—your future queen is already exercising her freedom."
Keela turned sharply. "Grandpa, I don't want to fight with the others. We're all family."
Gryph let out a long breath. "Sigh… You can't avoid it, my dear. It's the burden of those born into royalty."
Keela frowned. "Then I'll change that fate myself."
Gryph narrowed his eyes. "Oh? And how will you do that?"
Keela glanced at the team… then at Akira. Her gaze dropped to the ground for a long, silent moment. Everyone fell quiet, giving her space to gather her thoughts. When she finally looked up, her eyes were filled with unwavering determination.
"If the people truly choose me… I'll accept the crown. But after that, I'll change everything about Skyperion. I'll transform it all—just watch."
Kalisa eyed her daughter mischievously. "But don't forget, Keela. If you become Queen, you'll have to appoint a King… and two additional consorts. That rule can't be changed. And you'd better start thinking early—he'll be your king, your husband, and the father of your children. The other two women? If they're not good people, your whole royal household will be a mess."
Keela scowled. "Just like now. Just like in the past. Always conflict and fighting for power when we should be helping each other. Let's just abolish that rule already. Isn't monogamy more peaceful?"
Gryph responded gently, "Keela, my dear… flawed as it may be, the Three Pillars of Stability have allowed our royal family to survive until now. Look at the other continents—people have lost faith in monarchies entirely."
Keela wasn't convinced. "But they still govern themselves, don't they?"
Kalisa offered another perspective. "Yes, but look closely. Other places are riddled with corruption among the rich and powerful. They hoard what they have and take even more—regardless of who suffers."
Keela whispered bitterly, "Skyperion has those people too."
The atmosphere grew heavy. No one spoke. Finally, Akira broke the silence.
"May I speak, Keela? Just from an outsider's perspective."
Keela gave a faint smile, though she still looked troubled. "Of course. I'm always willing to listen to you."
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Scene 11: The Voices of the Future
Akira smiled gently. "Thanks, Keela. I remember I once said that the place I came from looked ideal… but it had its fair share of corruption too. A kind-hearted king once taught me this: what truly matters is letting the right people—good people—lead the nation. Keela, just imagine how things would turn out if that were true… and what would happen if it weren't."
Keela went quiet, lost in thought. Elina gave a soft smile and spoke up, "Then… why don't we hear from everyone? I mean, Osiris and I probably don't need to say much. We've been through everything together already. But—haha—I do want to start with you, Draco."
Draco blinked. "Huh? Why? Are you planning to mess with me again?"
Elina laughed. "No pranks, I promise. I just think your views are always the most straightforward and honest."
Draco rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright… In my view, I used to be taught as a kid that strength makes a worthy leader. But my master taught me the opposite. He said physical strength matters, sure, but what truly makes a great leader is strength of heart. A strong heart can carry people through any challenge. It stands tall to protect those under its care. In the end, muscles are just tools… for the will inside."
Yue, still sounding a little hoarse from her recent illness, piped up sweetly, "Your master must've been an amazing person."
Draco puffed out his chest, pride swelling. "Of course he was."
Yue shared her thoughts next. "Mama always told me to look into people's hearts. A pure heart can shine a light even for those lost in darkness. Even just a glimmer might help someone change their path and live a better life. I think… a good leader should be someone kind."
Everyone smiled at Yue's pure-hearted answer.
Mirelle offered her perspective. "But I think wisdom's important too. Even if someone's strong or kind or brave… if they don't know how to govern, manage resources, or handle diplomacy, the country could fall apart. The economy would collapse."
Akira nodded in agreement. "I think Mirelle's right. But… who's perfect? No one is. Everyone's got strengths and weaknesses. People have done good and bad—gray areas everywhere. Except maybe Yue. I'll give her a pass."
Yue beamed. "Was that a compliment, big bro?"
Akira ruffled her hair. "That's right. You're a ray of pure light." Yue's tail swished happily.
Then Akira turned to Keela. "I think I understand the reasoning behind the 'Three Pillars of Stability.' It's like appointing capable people to oversee different aspects of the nation—with one leader to make the final call when needed. Governing isn't a one-person job—it's a group effort. And if that group is made up of a family… maybe that makes things easier. That's how I see it."
Grandpa Gryph burst out laughing. "Hahaha! It's been a long time since I've heard someone speak with that kind of mindset. You'd make a fine king, Akira. What do you say? Interested in ruling Skyperion?"
Akira froze. "G-Grandpa, come on… I'm just a regular guy from another world. There's no way I could be a king here."
Kalisa grinned. "But you'd get to marry Keela and two other lovely ladies. Think about it—delicious food every day for the rest of your life."
Keela's face turned crimson. "M-Mom! Grandpa! What are you even saying?! Stop! We're supposed to be exploring runes, not… talking about this stuff! Let's go, now!"
Keela quickly turned and marched ahead to avoid the subject. Gryph muttered, "What's the rush? We've already surveyed this area. It's not like the runes are going anywhere."
Kalisa elbowed him gently. "Some things are better left unsaid, you know. Can't you tell she's just flustered?"
Gryph scratched his head. The rest of the group looked at one another—uncertain whether to laugh, panic, follow, or tease. In the end, they chose to follow Keela's lead.
Except Mirelle.
She lingered for a moment, lost in thought. Then she smiled, her eyes gleaming. With a sudden burst of cheer, she ran ahead. "Come on, everyone! You never know—maybe these runes will run away if we don't catch them! Heehee!"
Akira saw that radiant aurora-like smile return to Mirelle's face, and his heart lightened. He followed along with the others, masking the concern that only he felt deep within. He didn't let it show, but the truth echoed in his mind like a haunting whisper:
We're inside the ruins of a spaceship…