How I Became the Strongest King

Chapter 3:Gary

The next day, as the sun began to rise over the horizon, I couldn't shake the questions gnawing at my mind. Gary had always been a mystery, but after yesterday's encounter with the King's knights, that mystery felt darker and more urgent. I decided to ask him again about his life as the King's security chief. Maybe he would open up this time.

"Gary," I ventured cautiously while we worked in the field, "about your past... when you were the chief of security for the King, what was that like?"

Gary's hands stilled on the plow. His eyes darkened as they fixed on a distant point beyond the farm. "It's best you don't know, Mike," he said quietly. "The past is a heavy burden, and not all truths are meant to be shared."

I pressed my lips together, sensing the finality in his tone. He never got angry when I asked about his past, but a deep sadness would cloud his features, shutting down any further conversation. Today was no different.

Days passed, and life returned to its usual rhythm. Yet, the memory of the knights haunted me. Their arrogance, their cruelty—it was everything Gary had never been, and yet they served the same King he once spoke so highly of. The thought troubled me.

One afternoon, while I was working the fields, the thunder of hooves once again disrupted the quiet. A group of knights galloped through, their armor gleaming under the sun. My heart pounded. This time, I wasn't going to let them pass without answers. I dropped my tools and sprinted towards them.

"Hey!" I called out, waving my arms.

The knights pulled their horses to a stop, eyeing me with a mix of amusement and disdain. One of them, a tall man with a cruel smile, leaned forward in his saddle. "What do you want, boy?"I hesitated, but then straightened my back. "I just wanted to shake hands with you guys. You serve the King, right? That must be an honor."

The man snorted, and the others joined in laughter. "Shake hands with a lowly brat like you? A dirt-covered farmer?" He leaned down, his eyes narrowing. "We have standards, boy. We're knights of the King, not friends to common scum."

His words stung, a sharp jab to my pride. I clenched my fists at my sides. "I might be a farmer now," I said, voice trembling with anger, "but one day, I'll be King of this nation. Then you'll have to obey me."

Their laughter rang out even louder this time, echoing across the fields. "A weak child like you, become King?" The tall knight dismounted, walking toward me with a sneer. "You want to show us your power, huh? Let's see what you've got, boy."

Anger surged through me. I stepped forward, ready to swing my fist at his smug face, but he was faster. His boot connected with my face before I even saw him move, sending me sprawling in the dirt.

"How dare you try to strike a knight?" he snarled, drawing his sword. "You're going to die today, boy."

I scrambled to my feet, blood trickling from my lip. I was scared, terrified even. But I knew running away wasn't an option. If I ran now, I'd never be anything more than the "lowly brat" they called me.

"Come on then," I challenged, though my voice wavered.

The knight charged, his sword raised. I closed my eyes, bracing for the blow. But it never came.

A powerful hand gripped the knight's arm mid-swing, stopping the blade inches from my face. I opened my eyes to see Gary standing there, his eyes blazing with an intensity I'd never seen before.

"This boy is under my protection," Gary said, his voice low and deadly calm. "If you lay another hand on him, you won't live to regret it."

The knight tried to pull free, but Gary's grip was like iron. For the first time, I saw fear in the knight's eyes. He looked back at his companions, who had gone pale as they stared at Gary.

"Y-You..." the knight stammered, "you're the traitor. We've heard stories... they said you were dead."

Gary's expression didn't change. "Call me whatever you like, but if you value your life, you'll leave this place now."

The other knights, who had been laughing moments before, now exchanged nervous glances. "We should go," one of them whispered urgently. "If the King finds out he's here..."

The knight in Gary's grasp finally wrenched free, stumbling back. "You'll pay for this, traitor," he spat. "The King has been searching for you for years. We'll tell him where you are. He'll see you hanged for your crimes."

Gary's eyes narrowed, but he didn't release his hold on the knight's arm. "Go tell your King," he said coldly. "And when the truth is revealed, we'll see who the real traitor is."

The knights backed away, their bravado shattered. They mounted their horses quickly, casting fearful glances over their shoulders as they rode away.

I watched them go, my mind reeling. What had just happened? Gary... a traitor? How could that be? He had always been so kind, so just. And yet, the knights had spoken with such conviction."Gary," I whispered, looking up at him. "Is it true? Are you... a traitor?"

He turned to me, and the anger in his eyes softened. He reached out and placed a gentle hand on my bruised cheek. "Does it hurt, boy?" he asked, his voice warm with concern.

I shook my head, trying to understand. "I'm okay. But... what they said..."

"Go home and wash your face," Gary interrupted quietly. "There are things I need to tell you, but not here. Not now. We don't have much time."

I frowned, confused and more than a little scared. "What do you mean by that?"

He smiled faintly, ruffling my hair. "You're a brave child, Mike. Braver than you know. But there's a lot you don't understand yet." His smile faded, replaced by a grim determination. "I'll explain everything tonight. You deserve to know the truth."As he walked away, I felt a chill run down my spine. Something was coming, something dark and dangerous. But whatever it was, I knew one thing: Gary was a good man. He had to be. And tonight, I would learn the truth about his past, about the King, and about why they called him a traitor.