Arga nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on the map that was gradually filling with marks and annotations. The room fell silent once more, the only sounds being the scratching of pens on paper and the crackling of the fireplace. Yet behind the silence, the wheels of a grand plan had already begun turning in Arga's mind.
Moments later, Arga stood tall in front of the large table in the throne room. His eyes were sharp, exuding an undeniable authority. "Ningning, tomorrow, gather all imperial troops in front of the palace," he commanded firmly. "Bring the district leaders who have previously led forces as well. I want to address them directly."
Ningning nodded obediently. But before she turned to leave, Arga added, "And one more thing, I want you to bring Sana and Nico to the palace. I need to meet with them."
"Understood, Your Majesty," Ningning replied succinctly, carefully committing his instructions to memory.
Arga stepped closer to her, as if to convey something more personal. His gaze softened momentarily, a stark contrast to his earlier firm tone. "I've decided to appoint Patimura as my aide. As for you… you should be the prime minister. But your status as one of the district heads complicates the decision. I need to consider how to explain this to the other district leaders."
Arga paused, looking at Ningning with a rare, faint smile—a smile that brought her back to their days in a small village nestled in the mountains of Kashgar, long before any of this happened. Her heart fluttered briefly, but she maintained her respectful composure.
After bowing politely, Ningning left the room with determined steps, carrying the weight of the new responsibilities entrusted to her.
As she walked through the long, grand corridors of the palace, Ningning couldn't suppress a smile. Her heart felt light, even though Arga hadn't directly expressed his feelings. At least, she thought, there was a hint of attention from him. The corridor was filled with the flickering shadows of candles, creating a warm yet quiet atmosphere.
In the throne room, Arga sat in deep thought on his grand chair. His mind wandered far, beyond the palace walls to the corners of his memories. "With Ningning's position, she will have more freedom to gather information about this world," he murmured softly, his voice nearly drowned by the room's silence. "At the very least, it will help her save people and perhaps, one day, bring us back to our original world. Many people are still waiting for us… friends, family, even lovers."
Arga took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "But for now," he continued, his tone shifting to one of resolve, "my duty is to be the emperor who protects Kashgar from the threat of Siferia. I am responsible for those who have placed their trust in me."
The night grew late, and silence enveloped the palace. Outside, a gentle rain began to fall, softly drenching the rooftops and courtyards. Ningning was on her way to the district to fetch Sana and Nico, as per Arga's orders. Her footsteps were barely audible amidst the patter of rain when suddenly, a loud knock echoed through the throne room door.
An interim aide, placed by Patimura, hurried in. His face was tense, his eyes filled with urgency. "Your Majesty, an important report," he said quickly.
Arga lifted his gaze, motioning for the aide to approach. "What has happened?" he asked with a tone of genuine concern.
"A village in the Kashgar mountain valley is under attack by a group of bandits from Soltera. They've looted many of our crops. Some of our soldiers are still there, trying to help the villagers hold out."
Arga nodded slowly, his mind working swiftly to process the information. "When did this happen?"
"This afternoon, Your Majesty."
Arga's eyes narrowed, a sign he was piecing together a complex puzzle. "How did they find the Kashgar farms? It won't be long before they discover this city as well." He spoke more to himself, repeating his words with a troubled tone. "How did they know… how did they know?" Then, suddenly, it dawned on him. "Ah, they must have followed me when I escaped from Soltera. That's the only explanation that makes sense."
His expression grew serious. "Clara, Dery, and… my favorite singer. Are they safe? If I wait until tomorrow, it will be too late."
He turned to the aide. "How many soldiers remain at the palace?"
"Only five, including myself, Your Majesty. The rest are still stationed at the border, following your patrol orders."
Arga quickly grabbed a sheet of paper and pen, writing a letter to Ningning. "Two people will stay behind to guard the palace. Deliver this letter to Ningning. You and the other two will accompany me. We leave tonight."
"Understood, Your Majesty," the aide responded promptly.
Arga stood, sheathing his gleaming sword, and stepped forward with blazing determination. "Kashgar has entrusted me with its protection. I will not let them down."
That night, under a dark sky veiled by rain, Arga rode his horse with unyielding resolve. The cold wind from the Kashgar mountain valley chilled them to the bone, yet not one of them showed signs of surrender. Accompanied by his three loyal soldiers, they pressed on toward the remote farm that had become their last hope.
Arga's swiftest horse led the charge, and he pressed forward without hesitation. The looming silhouette of the mountains stood as silent witnesses to their journey, a trek filled with unspoken hopes and heavy responsibilities. The sound of hooves pounding against the rain-soaked ground became the only music of the night, guiding them toward the inevitable battle ahead.
The journey was far from easy. Three hours of riding through slippery, rocky paths turned every step into a gamble. The drizzle gradually turned into a downpour, wrapping the night in the symphony of raindrops mingling with the clatter of hooves. Amid the seemingly endless trek, the faint outline of Kashgar village became a beacon of hope in their minds.
"Your Majesty," Patimura's voice broke the silence amidst the rain. His horse drew closer to Arga's, its steps slowing to match pace. "Should we rest? This rain could weaken us. If we arrive in this condition, we'll have little strength left to fight."