Beyond the Boundaries

My King Asterius, are you well? Hahaha, you look fine. I have some guests to entertain this afternoon. How about coming with me?

Asterius was the royal title held by the ruling family of the Kingdom of Asteria for hundreds of years. Located in a remote region of the vast continent of Bahamut, the kingdom is ruled by five empires and many vassal kingdoms. Although small and not wealthy, Asteria has maintained its independence due to its remote location and distance from the major centres of conflict. The kingdom consists of the capital, Asteria, which is the centre of power, as well as four major cities and a number of villages. The kingdom is under constant threat from the neighbouring kingdom of Aetheria, which has always coveted the lands of Asteria.

As Fai, the portly Prime Minister, stood before Ryan with a suspicious smile, a heavy silence fell over the room. Fai tried to appear in control of the situation, but it wasn't lost on Ryan.

"My King Astraeus, are you all right? Hahaha, you look like you're fine. I have some guests to entertain this afternoon, how about coming with me?" Fai said, looking at Ryan with a look that was not without sarcasm.

Ryan was still in pain from his battle injury and still hadn't realised how he had suddenly become king in this strange kingdom. Fai, a man who seems to control everything from behind the scenes, raises many questions in Ryan's mind.

Suddenly, without warning, Ryan slapped Fai across the face with all his might. The shock was intense, but it was quicker than anyone could have expected. Everyone in the room froze, eyes wide, somewhere between stunned and overjoyed.

"Did you slap him?" Lily said loudly, her face full of surprise. Dr Liu remained silent, not knowing how to react in the confusion.

Fai, who hadn't expected Ryan to react so quickly, was confused at first, but soon exploded in anger. "How dare you!" he shouted, looking at Ryan with malevolent eyes, as if the idea had never occurred to him in his dreams.

"If you don't touch me again, pig, I'll cut off your hand!" Ryan replied in a firm voice, as if to put an end to this nonsense. Ryan's words were full of power, like a sincere invitation to royal prestige.

Fai, not taking this insult lightly, lunged forward in anger. With every step he took towards Ryan, he screamed in suppressed rage. But Ryan was quicker and stronger. He grabbed his iron helmet and smashed it into his face, causing the metal to crack. Blood dripped from Fai's nose.

"How dare you be so arrogant in the presence of the King?" Ryan said in a harsh voice, steadying himself. He looked at Fai sternly, as if his majesty had become real in an instant, despite his earlier struggles.

As Fai lay on the ground, moaning in pain, his mind began to rearrange its thoughts. He was in complete shock and had no idea how to deal with the situation. After a few seconds, Fai slowly stood up and raised his hand to the sky. Suddenly, a fiery red flame burst from his hand, filling the room with searing light. The fire danced around him, as if to symbolise his growing anger.

"I will make you pay for what you have done!" Fai whispered angrily, his eyes burning with hate. The fire consumed the air as his hands controlled time and space, as if united with the fires of rage within him.

Ryan, who had felt a strange euphoria after hitting Fai, was not prepared for such a confrontation. Fai's fire devoured hope and put everyone in a state of anticipation. But Ryan, with eyes full of determination, didn't move. The moment was approaching a tipping point.