Three Kings' World

Chapter 5

Gilgamesh stood, staring at the stars above. It seemed that the Royal Palace's garden had a nice view. It overlooked a part of the city, while providing a magnificent view of the sky.

It reminded him of Uruk. The times when he stood atop the ziggurat, watching his people. Almost everyday, he would see a feast in one or two parts of Uruk.

It was the same here. Even with only this limited view of Zestier, he would see feasts. It made him think twice about what he said to the Elven king. Was he really a fool? If his people are this happy, this lively, how could he be a fool?

"Well, I sure didn't expect to find you here,"

Gilgamesh turned around and saw Virion, who was walking towards him at a leisurely pace.

"Virion Eralith." Gilgamesh replied.

Virion shook his head, laughing, "Please, just Virion."

Gilgamesh doesn't reply this time, only staring at the stars for a few more seconds then asking, "So, why do you visit me?"

"Oh? I never even knew you were here." Virion raised his brow, walking to Gilgamesh and standing right beside him. They held not a single second of eye contact. Gilgamesh was more focused on the midnight stars, while Virion looked at his people.

"You lie."

"How so?"

"If that is so, then I really can call this 'Royal Family' weak." Gilgamesh replied.

Virion stayed silent. He already knew what Gilgamesh meant. There was no way Virion didn't know that Gilgamesh was here, unless he was such a weak mage that he wouldn't be able to sense him.

"Bah, you win." Virion replied. To which Gilgamesh smiled.

He turned to the old, former elven king and asked him, "Why do you not rule over this kingdom?"

Virion turned to him, with yet another raised brow, "What kind of question is that?"

"You seem like a more suitable king than your son. So, why are you not king?"

Virion grew silent upon Gilgamesh's words once again. Why are each of his questions so hard to answer? He thought. However, the answer was simple, so simple that Gilgamesh would likely have no reaction to it... Likely.

"I am tired." Virion simply replied.

"What foolishness..." Gilgamesh said. Not even bothering to look at Virion as he said so.

"What do you mean?" Virion asked. Slightly offended by the golden-haired man's words. To call him a fool so easily and so casually, just how disrespectful can this man get?

"No king's duty is finished until their last breath, Virion."

"I disagree. The king must step down if he cannot handle the burden of kingship. Else they won't be able to do a good job of leading the kingdom."

Gilgamesh turned back, and started slowly walking to the castle doors.

"It is a king's obligation to handle the burden of kingship. If he cannot handle it, then why bother being king? Such a person is only a disgrace to the title of King."

With that, Gilgamesh went back inside the palace. Leaving Virion on his own in the garden, pondering the words that he just said.

Virion stood there, baffled, though not because of Gilgamesh's words, nor the sheer amount of disrespect he had just shown to him, but by himself.

Why didn't he stop Gilgamesh from speaking? Why didn't he stop the disrespectful man from disrespecting him further? He definitely had the authority to do so, and he had more than enough reason.