At the imperial palace, His Majesty Batang V celebrated the first victory of his newly appointed Commander of the imperial forces Babida, and was pleased with his choice.

"I knew I was making the right decision." He enthusiastically told Empress Serena as they lay on the lunar bed.

The latter liked the woodsman but just for the war-time hero, he was. However, she despised the fact that her husband had chosen someone outside the imperial family to occupy a position she believed was vital to the survival of their throne.

She wondered how come His Majesty Batang V had broken a non-written rule that had been in place for five...