On the morning of Marriage of the Firstborn Virgin day, Basil and Hamza headed to Novich's room, responding to his earlier request to meet them. As soon as they arrived, he welcomed them with a smile and invited them inside.
The moment they entered, they paused in astonishment at what surrounded them. The room was filled with strange devices and tools, some equipped with buttons and knobs, while others resembled complex optical instruments.
On one of the shelves, a small bird moved, flapping its wings before landing on a nearby table.
Upon closer inspection, Basil and Hamza realized that the bird was a finely crafted mechanical one, producing sounds similar to the chirping of birds.
As they continued examining the room in fascination, their attention was drawn to a strange-looking pair of glasses placed on the table, distinguished by intricate details and an unusual design.
Novich picked them up with a smile and said, "These glasses are not ordinary. They are an inheritance from my uncle Nikola, and they carry the number 357. Each number has a special ability."
Number 3: "Allows you to see anything you imagine as a three-dimensional image in front of you."
Number 5: "Can solve any equation or complex puzzle automatically."
Number 7: "Can read and understand ancient symbols and texts that date back thousands of years."
Basil and Hamza looked at each other in amazement, realizing that these glasses were a tool with a mysterious secret, hiding far more than their strange appearance suggested.
After some time had passed in Novich's room, Hamza spoke, saying, "Novich, we want to know more about these mysterious creatures threatening the kingdom. What are they? And why are they moving now?"
As Novich was about to answer, Basil noticed a wooden box near the wall. He approached it cautiously, and before he could touch it, Novich warned him seriously, saying, "Don't touch it!"
Basil was surprised by Novich's reaction and asked, "Why?"
Novich stepped toward the box and opened it carefully, revealing a large oval sphere with a metallic shine. He looked at it and said, "This is one of the bombs my uncle Nikola made during the war against those creatures. It is a bomb with destructive power capable of wiping out any threat, and we used it in critical moments to protect the kingdom."
Before Novich could continue, a voice interrupted them from behind the door. They turned to see one of the female guards standing at the entrance, saying in a formal tone, "Princess Ateen summons you to the meeting room."
Basil and Hamza exchanged quick glances, then turned to Novich, realizing that the conversation was not over, but that they now had to find out why they were being summoned.
Meanwhile, Scarface was standing at the palace gate, waiting for permission to enter. When the gate opened, one of the female guards stepped forward and said, "Everyone is waiting for you in the meeting room."
Scarface cast a mocking glance at the palace, a cunning smile on his lips, then entered, heading toward the meeting room.
He arrived at the room and pushed the door slowly, seeing the meeting table where Ateen sat beside Novich, while Basil and Hamza sat on the other side.
Ateen raised her head and said in a steady tone, "Please, sit."
Scarface sat down slowly, then said sharply while looking at Basil and Hamza with irritation, "Why was I called to this meeting? And why are these two strangers here? I don't want to see them."
Ateen replied in a formal tone, ignoring his objection: "I called you here to discuss the matter of the king's murder and the advisor's disappearance. As for Basil and Hamza, they are here to help solve this complicated problem."
Then she took a deep breath, her eyes burning with anger, and said:
"These creatures, known as the 'Sirion,' are the ones who killed the king… and took an organ from his body to restore their king, who has been absent for twenty years."
Scarface's eyes widened in shock, and glances were exchanged among those present. Then he said mockingly, "But how could that even be possible?"
Novich answered clearly, "They took his liver… the organ that contains large amounts of blood."
Then he continued after a moment of silence, looking at everyone seriously: "The blood of the Niponaki lineage possesses extraordinary healing abilities, allowing wounds and burns to regenerate at an astonishing rate. That is why they needed it to restore their king."
Scarface spoke coldly, "This does not concern me, and as for the king, he got what he deserved for his actions toward their kingdom."
Ateen looked at him sharply, her eyes reflecting suppressed anger, then said, "He was trying to protect the kingdom."
She continued in a firm tone: "And don't forget that he was kind and merciful… even toward you, the sons of the Mazi tribe! Have you forgotten when your father tried to assassinate him? He could have executed you all, but he chose to pardon you… and gave you a chance to live."
Scarface's anger rose, and he stood up, striking the table with his fist forcefully, increasing the tension in the room.
Hamza intervened in a calm tone, trying to ease the tension, saying, "This is not the time for disputes. We must put our differences aside and work together to protect the kingdom. What we are facing is greater than all of us, and we cannot succeed if we are divided."
Scarface moved toward the door, and before leaving, he turned and looked at them with a mocking gaze, then said in a dry voice, "After the mourning period ends, we will discuss who will take the throne."
Then he left the room, leaving behind a heavy atmosphere of silence and tension.