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I spent two days recovering. Mom was scared that I was hurt so badly I needed to be taken to the hospital. I told her all the details of the injuries and the fight. I assured her I would be fine because the doctors said I would be fine. At the same time, I liked to rely on Mom because I needed someone after everything I’d gone through. The horrible battle with the ghoul leader was worse than the other fights with the ghouls because he was stronger. Mom told me she was proud of me for being able to handle the strongest ghoul. Everyone was relieved that he wouldn’t be attacking us or anyone else again.

    Dad came to visit all the time to make sure I was okay, especially since he hasn’t seen me in a long time and I got attacked many times. He even asked how Mom was doing.

    Christian came to see me and we had a blast playing board games.

    On the third day, I was still injured but I was doing better. I had to talk to the royal family quickly. I talked to them about how knowledge was not intelligence. I made all of the arguments I had figured out. The royal family said they would think about it.

    Most people didn’t dare to challenge the ghouls because they didn’t know that knowledge wasn’t intelligence. Or because they didn’t know how to fight. But I still asked myself why no one was able to figure it out before.

    “Other people must have figured it out,” Dad said. “Maybe they were too scared to tell anyone or they didn’t care enough about their kingdom to stop the war.”

    I realized if the royal family didn’t believe me, the war would continue.