Winner Takes All

In the recent three days, Jack had been recuperating in the palace with Cynthia. Cynthia had been helping him with his meals, changing his dressings, and serving him the medicine. Jack was very touched by her detailed care for him.

In these three days, his relationship with Cynthia had greatly improved ever since he lost his memories. Apart from Cynthia, Amanda had also been taking care of Jack to nurse him back to health. Amanda regarded Jack as her only remaining kin.

In comparison to the peace and tranquility inside the palace, there was increasing public uproar in the cities. There was a vast and magnificent city square not far from the palace. Within the square stood sever grand statues each with a stone carving on its feet. The Huns regarded this city square as important as the palace itself. Every Hun citizen of the thirteen cities knew that these seven historical figures had made enormous contributions and sacrifices for the Huns over their history.

It was either the King who founded the Huns Kingdom, or the King who expanded their Kingdom towards the snow plains, or the General who defeated the barbarians and saved the Huns from annihilation. These were actions that benefited the entire Kingdom!

But in recent days, there was construction at the city square. Everyone could see that there was to be another statue erected right next to the seven statues! This sparked a huge debate and speculation on who this was in honor of.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

This construction was like a huge nuclear bomb that exploded within the Kingdom. Every Hun citizen hotly debated this issue. The discussions were eager and intense.

Shortly after the construction work started, word had spread like wildfire across the remaining twelve cities. The reaction in the other twelve cities was no different than at the capital.

Why was the eighth statue erected and who was it erected for? These two questions were the most popular on everyone's mind. It was impossible that no one knew about the event that was significant enough for such an honor to be bestowed onto the hero. Each of the original seven heroes earned their honor due to some huge and earth-shaking event over the Hun's history. However, everything was peaceful and the news of the new hero was like a meteorite crashing into the thirteen cities out of nowhere.

News also spread via the traveling businessmen to the tribes around the Giant City. In the short span of three days, the entire Kingdom was talking about this issue. Some of the royal advisors began to feedback on some of these debates to King Hun.

But King Hun was determined and suppressed the royal advisors. This action further fueled debate among the citizens and those advisors who did not know what was going on.

Such an internal rife started to attract the attention of the infiltrating guards.

Joseph and some others gathered in the hotel.

"It feels as if this matter has become a big issue!" Charley Jones said as he rubbed his nose, "Could that person be our young master?" He went with Joseph to a restaurant and overheard some drunk talking about the hot topic.

Charley rubbed his face and then said, "This had made King Hun erect a monument in his honor and even sparked a country-wide debate. How could young master attain such honor in the time that he went missing?"

"Boss, I also overheard some of the Huns saying that anyone who was bestowed the honor of having his monument at the city square meant that he had given enormous contributions to the Huns. By erecting his statue at the city square meant that the Huns will honor and revere him for his great works!"

Another man added, "Even if our young master had managed to arrive at the palace of the thirteen cities, with his foreign looks, he would never be given any of such honor."

With the doubtful looks of his teammates, Joseph took a deep breath and sighed, "What if he was young master?"

Everyone was stunned.

Charley rubbed his nose and chuckled, "Then this would get interesting and we'd better quickly locate young master. If we don't, this will become even more complicated when he gets bestowed with the honor of being a national hero..."

On hearing this, the stress over these few days seemed to be lifted off their shoulders and everyone inclusive of Joseph started to laugh.

"Frankly speaking, I don't believe it

as well." Joseph shrugged and continued, "Even if young master is alive, he would not be able to attain such prestige among the Huns. Even if the young master is so much outstanding, how could he manage to attain such prestige unless he was married to the Princess and somehow managed to get King Hun to kneel before him? That's impossible."

Charley and the rest nodded in agreement.

Charley added, "Even being married to the Princess and having King Hun to kneel before him isn't enough. Young master would need to have saved the Huns from some huge calamity or some great event."

Joseph nodded, "That's why it's

impossible. Since we had decided to

enter the capital city and we are already here. Then we should have a look although all of us think that it's impossible. Just in case..." Joseph hesitated and paused before finishing his sentence because even he felt that it was ridiculous to even entertain the thought.

"Yes sir!" Charley and the rest nodded respectfully.

Then, Charley said, "Now the situation in the capital city is so rowdy and this is advantageous to us. I heard that security in the capital city tomorrow would be relaxed. That would allow us a better chance of mingling with the crowd to get in."

"Figure out a way to notify the other brothers of the eleven constellations. Instruct them to enter from the southern gate and we will meet inside."

Joseph ordered, "It is a coincidence

that our infiltration has coincided with the national upheaval. This will facilitate our movement and actions. After entering the city and verifying the other brother's identity, we will go on our separate ways to gather intelligence. Everyone is to be quick and do not loiter for too long at any one location. We are here to locate young master and not to enjoy the Hun festivities!"""""