Shocking Change
Inside a dimly lit, closed bar, a shadowed figure sat in the corner, his presence obscured by darkness. Around him stood a group of rugged pirates, each clad in different attire and gripping weapons. The air was tense, filled with the murmur of low whispers and the clinking of tankards.
The creaking door swung open abruptly, and a man strode in with urgency. He was the first mate of the Setwa Pirates—Aphebe. His expression was grim as he quickly approached the seated figure.
"Captain, how is it?" he asked in a hushed tone.
Aphebe straightened up, his voice steady but hurried. "Captain, the target has been eliminated. No information was leaked. Tomorrow, I will reposition the guards."
"Good," the man responded, his voice carrying an edge of excitement. He rose from his seat, stepping into the dim light. His regal presence was undeniable—atop his head sat a golden crown, and his shoulders were draped with a red noble cloak. His name was Jika Setwa, the captain of the Setwa Pirates.
His eyes burned with intensity as he issued a single command.
"Move out!"
Aphebe gave a silent nod before swiftly disappearing into the night.
As his subordinate departed, Setwa's gaze darkened. His fingers clenched the hilt of his sword, his heart pounding with anticipation. He was no mere pirate—he was the rightful king of this land.
Tomorrow, everything would change.
---
The Next Day – Laviesan Auditorium
The Laviesan Auditorium, a grand venue known for hosting prestigious events, was packed to capacity. Today marked the much-anticipated Medical Exchange Conference, an event that had drawn doctors, scholars, and curious onlookers from across the seas.
The towering stands surrounded the central podium in a circular formation, ensuring that every attendee had a clear view of the stage. The air buzzed with discussion, and excitement crackled like static in the atmosphere.
"Charlotte, this place is amazing!" Gillian exclaimed, eyes gleaming with excitement. "So many renowned doctors are gathered here!"
"That's Dr. Vidis!"
"And over there—Dr. Doria!"
Charlotte, standing beside his energetic companion, sighed. From his vantage point, all he could see were endless rows of heads. How was Gillian even recognizing these people from such a distance?
Still, he had to admit, the sheer scale of the gathering was impressive. Thousands had convened, including local physicians, foreign medical scholars, and even ordinary citizens hoping to witness history.
At the heart of this unprecedented gathering was Dr. Lyle, a man whose reputation alone had drawn in this massive crowd.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed. A hush fell over the auditorium as the host's voice rang out through the speakers.
"Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Medical Exchange Conference! And now, let us welcome the man of the hour—Dr. Lyle!"
The moment Lyle's name was announced, the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.
"Lyle!"
"Lyle!"
"Lyle!"
The entire hall trembled with deafening enthusiasm.
Charlotte's eyelid twitched. "This is excessive…"
Under the focused glow of the spotlight, a composed figure emerged. A middle-aged man with glasses, dressed in a fine coat, walked steadily onto the podium. His demeanor was calm, yet there was an undeniable aura of confidence around him.
Dr. Lyle had arrived.
As the crowd roared with admiration, Lyle raised his hand, and the auditorium gradually quieted. Then, with a magnetic voice, he spoke.
"Hello, everyone. I am Lyle."
The audience hung on his every word.
"It is an honor to stand before you today and share knowledge at this Medical Exchange Conference…" he began, his voice steady.
Then, his tone shifted.
"However, I did not come here today simply to discuss medicine. I have an important announcement to make."
The crowd leaned in, curiosity evident on their faces.
"I have decided to establish the Medical Guild—an institution that will unite doctors under one banner. And I shall serve as its leader."
Gasps rippled through the audience. Murmurs broke out as people exchanged bewildered glances.
A Medical Guild?
This was unprecedented.
But before the attendees could fully process Lyle's words, a sudden burst of laughter echoed through the auditorium.
"Hahahahaha!"
The unsettling laughter sent a chill through the room.
Then—chaos.
Armed pirates stormed into the venue, their weapons gleaming under the flickering lights.
Screams rang out.
"P-Pirates! Pirates!"
"How did they get in here?!"
On the podium, Lyle's face went pale. His eyes darted toward a familiar figure standing among the intruders.
"Captain Aphebe…?!"
His voice trembled with disbelief.
The first mate of the Setwa Pirates stood calmly beside the attackers. He did not resist. He did not flee.
The betrayal was clear.
The crowd, now gripped by fear, erupted into a panicked frenzy. People scrambled in every direction, but the pirates swiftly fired warning shots into the ceiling, halting the chaos.
Charlotte furrowed his brows. "Tch… Pirates showing up at an event like this? Just my luck."
"Charlotte..." Gillian clutched his sleeve anxiously.
"Relax," Charlotte muttered. "Let's wait and see."
The auditorium fell into a stunned silence as Jika Setwa strode forward, his red cloak billowing behind him.
Lyle's hands trembled as his gaze locked onto the approaching figure.
"Setwa…?!" Lyle's voice cracked. "How… how could it be you?"
Jika Setwa grinned. "Surprised, Lyle?"
Then, with a chilling finality, he declared:
"I, Jika Setwa, am the true king of this country—the rightful ruler!"
A wave of furious shouts erupted from the audience.
"Setwa, you bastard!"
"You have no right to be here!"
"You're a cold-blooded tyrant!"
Hatred burned in the eyes of the locals. Clearly, Setwa was not welcome here.
But he did not falter. His smirk widened as he addressed the enraged masses.
"You fools… You cheer for a man who has deceived you all!" he spat, his voice laced with contempt. "Lyle—the great doctor you revere—is nothing but a fraud!"
Shock rippled through the crowd.
Lyle clenched his fists. "You're spouting nonsense!"
Setwa sneered. "Am I? Then let's reveal the truth."
With a wave of his hand, his men scattered documents into the air. Papers fluttered down like cursed confetti, landing in the hands of bystanders.
As people began to read, their expressions shifted from confusion… to doubt… to horror.
Lyle staggered, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the podium for support.
Setwa's voice boomed across the auditorium.
"The terrible disease that once ravaged Xiangyang Island? It was all a LIE!"
"You think Lyle cured you? He created the disease! He spread it—for power!"
A collective gasp shook the hall.
"N-No… That's impossible!"
"Dr. Lyle saved my child!"
"He's lying! This is slander!"
But the evidence was in their hands. And slowly, disbelief turned to doubt.
Charlotte, standing in the midst of it all, watched with widened eyes.
"...Now this," he muttered, "is an unexpected turn."
Setwa's laughter rang through the stunned silence.
"A great doctor? No! Lyle is the greatest liar of them all!"
And with that, the legend of Dr. Lyle began to unravel.