Overcome with awe and wonder, the onlookers in the Great Square fell on their knees.

The prophecy has come true!

The new Emperor of all the Trigans.

The object of their veneration smiled wryly.

Emperor of the Trigans! That would be quite something.

Trigo was at breakfast when the news was brought to him.

Imperial Majesty! Some fellow has smashed the stone of Vorg with his bare fist!

Rubbish!

It was some time before the officer could convince his Emperor that the impossible had, in fact, happened.

What is to be done, Sire?

Get hold of some members of the Imperial Council. Ask them to question this stranger, find out who he is and so forth.

So it was that Zacho and Serro, two members of the council, questioned the stranger.

Who are you, fellow, and from where do you hail?

What is your occupation?

Call me . . . Z!

The Captain of the Imperial Guard could tolerate the stranger’s insolence no longer.

You have used sorcery to smash the stone, but your sorcery will not take the crown from my Emperor’s head.

Look your last upon the sky, animal.























Ya-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-aaahhhh!!

The sword of he who called himself Z sped to its owner’s hand too swiftly for the eye to follow. Blade met blade—SHATTERINGLY.

And then . . .

E-e-e-e-e-a-a-aaaaggghh!

Zacho and Serro muttered together.

He is . . . impressive!

He is quick and strong, I grant you. But a stupid and illiterate fellow. I think we can handle him, my friend.

The prophecy will be fulfilled! We will offer this dolt the Imperial Crown and set him up as a puppet, while we rule the Trigan Empire for our own personal benefit!

What if Trigo refuses to abdicate in his favour?

Then Trigo will have to be quietly . . . eliminated!

This instalment was originally published in Look and Learn issue no. 669 on 9 November 1974.