The King opened the subterranean passage beneath his throne by removing a solitary foundation keystone left completely undisturbed throughout his reign.
He remained seated upon the royal throne while four senior palace engineers released six mechanical catches from the dais.
Golden ward channels extended through the monarch's spine and arms, tethering his physical form to the capital's damaged municipal circulation.
The final latch disengaged with a dull metallic click, sliding half the royal seat aside to expose a descending stair.
"My father called this passage the root network," the King stated, his regal voice hollow with exhaustion and heavy age.
"Every surviving historical document contradicts at least one other account regarding the chambers concealed far below our city."
Hajin examined the descending abyss with his Divine Eye before approaching the very first step of the staircase.
