THE TEARS OF KUMARI KANDAM
THE CHAPTER 50

"How's it?"

Grandpa Haala simply shook her head in response. "Yes Gods. This is another trial," added Grandma Haala.

"Calm down. The search team's still trying."

"That's enough, Dad. Let's just give up and go home. Most importantly we're already convinced that he's gone from this world."

"Mother" said Haala, hugging her mother.

Hysterical cries slowly understated each other, beating the gurgling rush of the river. Today is the third day that the search for Haala's father's body was carried out, but nothing. No matter how many times they searched in the place Haala's father mentioned, there was only a pile of female cobra skin there.

Haala's family plans to perform the funeral as soon as Haala's father's body, Salmalin Josha, is found. But in the end, the search team sent by King Kumari Kandam only returned with the results of condolences that were increasingly confused.

Bheim, who again received unsatisfactory news from the search team he sent, ran out of sense until forced to send a message to King Chamakadaar*, Arshaq Zamir. Because Haala's father was last seen facing Braheim for permission to go there.

Chamakadaar*one of the eight lost continents including the Kumari Continent of Kandam.

"Your Majesty, King Arshaq has sent a reply."

"Random," Braheim replied to his advisor, Murat.

Murat began to read. "Salam, lord of the land of Kumari Kandam. I was sorry before. The man named Salmalin Josha you were referring to may have died. He took Gaana* out of Chamakadaar, but then took it southeast."

The Gaana* is a sacred soul-eating creature that lives in the Mook Forest.

"Southeast of Chamakadaar is like the throat of Kumari Kandam. There's a lake like Badaal*."

Baadal* is one of the sacred lakes in Kumari Kandam. It is said that Baadal was guarded by a giant fish named Ghinauna. Those who soak in Baadal will be purified from the rest of human filth, the rest of the food and drink, or the poison that settles in the body. But Ghinauna is known to be unfriendly, so very few people can soak there.

"Could he have tried to kill Gaana by making her Ghinauna's food? Like he said at the time?"

"It looks so."

"So he's really dead?"

Bheim. "Since the beginning he was dead."

"I'm sorry?"

"Write a reply to King Arshaq. Give my thanks to her."

"As per your orders, Your Majesty." Murat bowed, then walked out of Braheim's study.

"Wait."

Spontaneous Murat stopped his steps, turned around, and returned bowing. "Give me the command, Your Majesty."

"I sent my shadow bodyguards to look for the queen's whereabouts. But he hasn't come back to this day."

"Give me the command, Your Majesty."

"I hope we sail on the same ship, Murat Iskender."

...¤○●¤○●¤○●¤...

"The instruction isn't that sharp. He's just good at provoking."

"No. His instincts were even too sharp. It's like he already knows everything. I can feel it."

Jihan let out a rough breath. "Are you really this coward, Murat Iskender?"

"As far as you are. I've given you advice."

"You take that as advice? Telling me where the body is with my own mouth and then resignedly dragged to Rona*, is that it? Hush."

Rona* is the place where kings and queens will be tried if proven to commit sins related to the people. Rona is located in the middle of eight continents including Kumari Kandam. And the one who will be the judge in Rona is every leader of those eight continents.

"You're not gonna die like that"

"In a place where there's only one death sentence and you say I'm not going to die?" sidelines Jihan with a half-screaming voice.

"Because Braheim will save you."

Spontaneous Jihan laughs. "Braheim? Saving me? For what reason?"

"I can't tell you right now. I'm still making sure of that, too. But I dare to guarantee. Bheim will save you."

Jihan's fear of death made her hold only to suspicion. Jihan thinks Murat has betrayed her by telling Braheim all. That was why Murat suddenly came to him and asked him to turn himself in.

It is true that without Murat's help at that time, Jihan must have died at the hands of Gaana. But still, to Jihan Murat was a crafty person. It may even be that Jihan is the only one who knows the real purpose of Murat aiming for the position of king's adviser.

"It's not safe here."

"That's because you told Braheim," Jihan replied.

Murat. "Some followed me. I think it's Braheim's shadow bodyguard."

"Huh, that's so annoying."

"If you want to survive, follow my advice."

Jihan is angry. "Crazy basic! To the death I will not tell you where Salmalin Josha's body is and bow before Braheim Bhaavesh!"

"Unfortunately you have to tell him, and exchange him on the condition of your safety."

"What?"

"First admit your guilt over the incident of forest fires and southeastern palace*. Then ask Braheim to release you from the sentence concerning both incidents. If he agrees, just tell him where Haala's father's body is...."

The southeastern palace* is often called the queen's palace because the whole daily duties of the queen take place here. In addition, the southeastern palace is also the residence of people with high status such as the king's adviser, minister, war commander, chief investigator, as well as guests from outside Kumari Kandam.

Jihan was silent, her anger started to decay. " ... But remember, never confess that you hid Haala's father's body. Just tell me you saved his body from a beast. At least with that you will be spared from the chapter inhibiting the cremation process of the hero Kumari Kandam" Murat added.

Jihan nodded, thinking hard. "But what if he refuses?"

"Where is it possible? He even nearly went to war with Chamakadaar because he couldn't bear to see Haala's grieving face."

"It makes sense."

"The most important thing here is, you're not going to be sent to Rona."

"You're right."

Murat extended his hand. "So? Should Queen Kumari Kandam return to her place now?"

...¤○●¤○●¤○●¤...

Everyone in the meeting room seemed to be desperately holding back his anger. No exception, Braheim Bhaavesh. How not? Jihan suddenly returns to the Kumari Kingdom of Kandam, sits on the queen's throne in an indecent dress, and confesses all her sins with a face without remorse.

" ... So let's forget about the forest fire incident and the southeastern palace. Isn't that a long time ago?"

The social minister cleared his throat, "Please get permission to speak, Yang Mu-"

"Shut your mouth, Minister. Only me and His Majesty the King are negotiating here" Jihan said.

Braheim took a deep breath. "Continue."

"I'll tell you where the body is on one condition. Release me from all forms of punishment relating to the two incidents."

"Hamba objected, Yes-"

Bheim moved on, making what the law minister was about to say pause. "As the queen said, only me and the queen are negotiating here. Continue."

"That's it," Jihan replied.

Bheim approaches Jihan. "It's enough with that?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"alright. I accept your terms."

"It should have been so."

Bheim stopped his steps right in front of Jihan. "But what about your treason sentence to me?"

"What does pe-"

"Wouldn't that fire incident happen because you paid Mausam* with your body?" sela Braheim drew her face closer to Jihan.

Mausam* is a weather and season controller.

DEG! DEG! DEG!