**Sunlight streamed through the window.**

  The hospital room was silent, except for the steady sound of the machines.

  A pale, fragile woman lay in bed.

  She gently held the head of a seven-year-old boy.

  Souta.

  He had been beaten — again — at school.

  — “Hurt again?”

  — “Yes, mother… I’m too weak. And too kind. That’s why I always get beaten…” he answered shyly, eyes downcast.

  The woman smiled, even through her pain.

  — “You are kind, my Souta. Never change that.

  — It’s no shame to be weak and kind. Those are the traits that make you a good human being.

  — After all… no matter how strong you are…”

  She looked at the ceiling, as if speaking to the world.

  — “…you can’t tame everyone.”

  ---

  **Kingdom of Beeatrix.**

  **Dungeon. Pods of horror.**

  The corridor was lined with capsules of crystallized honey.

  Inside them, high-security prisoners — sealed like living relics.

  Two patrolwomen approached a cell.

  One struck her spear.

  The door opened.

  **Darkness.**

  — “Kihara Souta. Come with us. Now.”

  Inside the cell, Souta was doing push-ups.

  Shirtless.

  Sweating.

  Focused.

  — “And… nine hundred thousand… huff… huff…”

  Guard two averted her gaze, blushing.

  Guard one was unsettled.

  Souta stood up calmly.

  — “Patrolwomen? Women with mana?

  — Where are the common hive guards?

  — So scared they sent you instead? Is it because of the magic power?”

  Guard one glanced at his sweaty body.

  Blushed for a second.

  And then realized: Souta had no chains.

  — “How did you get free?!” she exclaimed.

  — “Give me a break. The chains were uncomfortable… so I took them off.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Guard two thought silently:

  *“He broke steel shackles… a man?!”*

  — “Move. The queen wants to see you. Don’t try anything.”

  ---

  **Path to the royal hall.**

  Souta walked between the patrolwomen.

  *Mulheris* — magical warrior women who fought on the front lines.

  In Magnapis, *mulheris* were power.

  Men, on the other hand, were civil guards.

  They protected the hive. The queen. But they did not go to war.

  Souta drew stares.

  Contempt.

  Fascination.

  Fear.

  Desire.

  **Royal Hall.**

  Ministers. Advisors. Duchesses.

  The king and queen of Beeatrix were present.

  The princesses stood beside the throne.

  Meliora, the second princess, restless.

  Worried about Souta. But silent.

  Sixteen Court Drones watched.

  The heroes Amulet, Axe, and Rattles were still recovering.

  The patrolwoman struck her spear on the floor.

  **THUMP.**

  — “My queen. Here is Kihara Souta.”

  Souta stopped at the center.

  Smiling.

  Eyes half-closed.

  The queen, cold and authoritative:

  — “The Court Drones are complete.

  — Let us begin.”

  Without ceremony.

  — “Kingdom of Termia. One of the four great nations of Magnapis.

  — Declared enemy of Beeatrix.

  — There are rumors they will attack today.

  — Border rivalries have always existed. But this… is open war.”

  Murmurs. Exclamations.

  — “A war between kingdoms?”

  — “What do you mean?”

  — “We cannot allow this!”

  The queen cast a glance.

  The hall fell silent.

  — “Continuing.

  — You, Court Drones, will fight on the front lines alongside the patrolwomen.”

  **Aaaaaaaaaaaahhh…**

  The yawn echoed through the hall.

  Everyone turned, stunned.

  Souta, rubbing his cheeks:

  — “How boring. You called me for this? Can I leave?”

  A minister shouted:

  — “Wretch! How dare you?!”

  Souta scratched his hair.

  — “How convenient, huh?

  — Our mission is to save Magnapis by defeating the Demon King and his generals.

  — Why are we meddling in political squabbles between nations?

  — And this Termia… it’s also part of Magnapis, isn’t it?

  — We’re not obliged to obey this order.”

  Tension in the hall.

  Court Drones agape.

  Princesses in shock.

  Advisors outraged.

  — “You are a Court Drone! You must obey the queen!”

  Souta smiled.

  — “Court Drone? Now I’m a Drone?

  — Days ago you didn’t even remember what that name meant.

  — The Court Drones are warriors summoned and blessed by the gods to save all the realms of Magnapis from a global threat.

  — It doesn’t say we owe exclusivity to the Kingdom of Beeatrix.

  — Or are you going to tell me you’re the good guys of this story?”

  The queen replied, with sarcasm:

  — “Seems you used your free time to study the ancient scriptures.

  — You’ve grown more insolent. And that smile of yours… irritates me.”

  Souta, ever the provocateur:

  — “What’s gotten into you? Complimenting me out of nowhere?

  — You’ll make me blush…”

  — “Silence, worm!” shouted a guard, pointing her spear.

  The queen explained:

  — “The Kingdom of Termia has long sought to seize the powers of the Drones and their relics.

  — For them, it is taboo to rely on men in war.

  — The Drones are mostly men. They despise that.

  — That is why we clashed. That is why we excluded them from the Union of Matriarchs.

  — There are rumors they are cooperating with the Demon King.

  — Two generals were seen near Termia.

  — That is why they are confident. They want to crush us.”

  Tension. Discussions. Exclamations.

  — “Silence.” ordered the queen.

  — “All Drones will join the battle.

  — To avoid unnecessary losses.”

  Souta interrupted:

  — “And those who refuse?”

  The queen stared firmly:

  — “Will be considered a threat to the kingdom.”

  **CLANK.**

  Chains shattered.

  In an instant, Souta was face-to-face with the throne.

  He stepped onto the armrest of the queen’s seat.

  Looked into her eyes.

  Provoked:

  — “And if I say I *am* a threat to the kingdom… huh?”