Chapter 13 - The Royal Guardian

[Reuben Andovine]

"Please prepare a carriage. I'll be visiting the royal palace now." I instructed my staff to prepare one. I am also contacting Alfhere to discuss something before heading to the palace.

"Reuben why did you contact me?" A voice coming from the artifact, Alfhere answered my call.

"Ahh, please prepare to go to the Royal Palace now, we need to visit Sebastian and Timothy. I have a great news. HAHAHA!" I said while laughing. I can't contain this excitement.

"Okay, let's meet there, I'll be heading to the palace now." Alfhere said and we ended the conversation.

"Sir the carriage is ready." He informed me that it is ready to go. I immediately stand and head my way to the carriage that parked in front of the guild.

When I reached to the carriage, I immediately ride and signaled the coachman to drive.

Ha! I'm excited to see how they will subjugate the monsters. This brings back memories. We kill monster as well before, but since being an adventurer is a common job here in the Kingdom, we decided to manage a guild that will help other people. Our party is a group of noble man who excels in magic and strength. The Royal Guardian, that's what they call us before.

A respected noble man who defeats thousands of monsters to protect the kingdom.

My mind was occupied with lots of thoughts that I did not notice that we have arrived at the palace. "Sir, we have arrived at the Royal Palace." The coachman announces. I walk directly to the Palace where the person I was about to meet stay.

"Good afternoon, Sir Andovine." the people greet and bow their heads upon seeing me.

"Reuben!" A familiar voice echoed on the hallway. I look back to see who called out my name shamelessly.

"Ha! I was taken aback by your ugly voice my friend." I teasingly blurted out. "Looks like I arrived a minute earlier than you." I told him.

"Yeah, I just hand over some work to my secretary before heading here." He answered. "Let's go. Does this meet really necessary?" He asks me.

"Yes, this is a good idea to show up here all of a sudden HAHA!" I laugh out.

We are now here in front of Sebastian's office. We announce our presence.

"Your highness the Crown Prince, I Reuben Andovine and Alfhere Tarravia are here requesting for your audience." I mention. This is for formality.

"Come in." his voice heard, approving our sudden request of audience. "What brought you two here?" He said while still scribbling some documents.

"I called out Alfhere to come here since I have something to discuss. This will be very interesting." I started. "Remember the group of new adventurers who applied on my guild recently?" I ask them.

"Ahhh, the one we had a dinner before? Where's Timothy by the way?" Alfhere ask Sebastian.

"He will be back in a few minutes." He said and stopped what he was doing. "So, you came all the way here just to talk about them. What's the main reason?" Seems like he's interested.

"Earlier this morning, they went to the guild to get the commission from the quest. They also requested for approval of new quest that is higher than their Rank. All the quest was C to A-Rank Quest, one of the quests than picked my interest was the A-Rank Quest Chaos Gorgons. They have new people added to their group, 2 girls the other one looks younger than the rest of them. I went to talk to the girl what wears the mask, named Calypso, I offer that I can add another quest for them but in return, we will accompany them. This is our chance to check their abilities." I mentioned what happened this morning and they are listening to what I am saying...

"Hey! What is this meeting without me?" A male voice was heard. It was Timothy who just entered the room and slumped his body to the couch.

"Tim, did you finish the work I asked you to do?" Suddenly Sebastian asks him.

"Yes, affirmative. Are you here to discuss about the Subjugation quest? The name was Agents?" He asks me. I nod and answered. "Yes, I explained what happened earlier on the guild. I know you have information now." Tim nods his head.

"So, are we coming tomorrow to meet them? Hmmm I wonder how she looks like?" Sebastian spoke. "Did you saw their faces?" He asks us.

"Half of the face yes. She always wears mask even when she eats." I answered him. "The only people who know her bare face was the people who was with her all the time." I added.

"Tim, what information did you gather?" Sebastian asks Timothy.

"As I have been investigating, the woman named Calypso live in the forest before she went here in the capital. I also check the place and it has a magic casted on it. The was small and there is a lake nearby. When they travelling to go to the Capital, they met the old man who has a son named Rogziel Douma. That's the time that I first saw them. The one that we have dinner. The three people, Fria Neisi and Kezef Saniel and Calypso met in the forest when Fria Neisi and Kezef was in danger, the guy was injured so Calypso help them to eliminate the goblins and she also let them stay in her house. Not only that she teaches them as well some technique that is not known in the kingdom." Timothy shared the information.

"It is suspicious that she knows a lot but hides her skills. I agree with Reuben that we should check with our own eyes how they dealt monster and if they will be a great ally in the future." Timothy agreed to the proposal I have mention.

"It's been a long time that we went out to subjugate monster. Alright, I'll go with you guys. When will it be and what time?" Alfhere said.

"The plan was to meet at the Royal Capital Entrance Gate around five in the morning." Reuben answered my question.

"How can I decline my friends? I don't want to missed out the fun. Then let's meet tomorrow. Ah right! They don't know who I don't tell what's my position." Sebastian agreed as well and told us not to mention his identity.

"Then it's settled. Let's have fun tomorrow my friend. I'll be heading out now." I told them and was about to go when they ask another question.

"Should we bring some potion in case?" Alfhere asks then Timothy said "I think it is much better to bring some potions just in case. Although we can kill those monsters unscathed." Wow looks at that smug attitude. "Yeah, let's prepare potions and bring your weapon just in case there's some circumstances that may occur tomorrow." Sebastian added.

"Very well then I'll be heading out now." I bid my goodbye first then I heard Alfhere went out as well.

"Reuben, how did you manage to persuade her?" Alfhere asks me.

"Ah we agreed that the additional quest commission will be given to them. Talking about money, eh." Then I left out a laugh.

"Haha, Indeed, they will approve if money Is involved. Who does not want money right? Even I will agree as well." He said while laughing. "I am looking forward on how their skills works and if they are powerful." He added.

"Same goes for me as well. I am really ecstatic about this." The feeling of watching someone fight, it feels so nostalgic.

[Sebastian Nolburg]

When Alfhere and Reuben left, I talk to Timothy about the matters we have discussed a while ago.

"What do you think will happen tomorrow? It's been a long time since the last time we went to subjugate a monster." I suddenly remember the times when we went to hunt monsters.

"Yeah, it's really been a long time, doesn't it?" Timothy agreed.

"Thinking about the quest Reuben will add on that group of adventurers, I bet he will do something crazy again." I suddenly remember Reuben's personality.

"No doubt, knowing his personality, something crazy will definitely happen tomorrow." Tim said with a frown face.

"We better prepare or we will be a laughing stock by those new adventurers. We must not let our guard down tomorrow." I told Tim; it is better to be cautious than regret later.

[Royal Capital Entrance Gate]

The meeting place is at the Royal Capital entrance. I wake up early to double check everything. I will be in disguise as a knight wearing casual clothes.

I heard a knock on the door.

"Your Highness, are you ready? May I come in?" I heard Tim's voice coming from the outside.

"Yes, come in." I granted permission.

"Are you ready? We should leave now. I bet they are waiting for us." He said, as he's in a hurry.

"Yes, I am ready. Let's go now. Are we riding a carriage or a horse?" I ask him.

"Let's ride a horse, your carriage will stand out." He said, in a monotone.

"You sure are excited your highness. Look at what you are wearing now." He teasing said to me.

"HA! Coming from someone who brings so much potion on your bag." I retorted back.

"It's better to bring potion for them. Who know if this will be used or not?" The usual Tim who's cautious.

We arrive at the cabin, and wore our cloaks. As per usual, I ride my horse and headed to the meeting place. It is still early so it is safe to ride a horse here in the capital.

We are riding our horse when I heard a voice shouting at my back. I also heard the sound of a running horse.

"Wait for us Sis Calypso! It's still early we don't need to hurry." A man's voice shouted. "Jingo, Gunther, Scythe, Prish, Karyan. Everyone, hurry up." A female voice. "Sis, I want to eat on the deco pub after this." A voice of another female heard.

"That's why you're getting thick and fat. You eat a lot." A voice of a man. "Ha! I am not fat Jingo. Cant's you see this sexy body of mine?" the female said.

"Sis, Wait for us. I can't keep up with you, my little sister is---" The female was cut off with a little girls voice. "Yahhh. It's so much fun, run faster sister! Let's catch up with Sis Calypso." The little voice of a girl sound like she's enjoying.

"Scythe, slow down you might get hurt!" A concern tone was hint on his voice. "Awww, don't worry about me honey, I can handle this." The lady said.

I was in the middle of the way and the footsteps of the horse are coming near me. I was in total shock when they shouted.

"Sis! There's a person in front of you!" a unified voices shouting. Even I heard Tim's voice. "Sebastian!!" calling out my name.

That is when I realize that the horse was past through on top of me.

"Woah! Woah!" A voice of a lady that was riding the horse who jump on top of me. "Neeiiiigggghhhhh" Stopping and calming the horse she's riding.

I was still in shock on what just happen.

"Hey! Are you alright? Can you hear me?" The lady riding the horse, went down and walk towards me. Asking if I am alright. "Hey! Sir, are you alright?" Waving her hands in front of me, then she grabs my shoulder that made me realize that I was oozing for a moment.

"A-Ahh, Sorry I am alright. No need to worry." I told them. I look at the person in front of me. She's wearing a mask and a cloak. This style looks familiar, where did I heard or seen this?

"Oh, is that guy the one who was with Viscount Andovine and Viscount Tarravia." She said then it was like something popped up on her mind. "Are you two going to the Royal Capital Entrance as well? So, you're the people who Viscount Andovine mentioned." She extends her hand in front of me. "It was nice meeting you, although in such a bad timing, I hope you don't bear grudge about me." She formally said.

"Sis! Sir, are you okay? Did Sis hurt you? Are you in...- ouch!" The moan in pain as she was scratching her head were the lady in front of me hit.

"Let's get going, so we can go back early later." She, whose name was Calypso command and the others follow her.

"Giddy-yup! See you at the entrance!" She rides her horse and went to the place where we should meet.

"We apologize on behalf of our sister; I mean our Boss. Scythe, Ganther, Karyan and Prish, we better hurry up. Who knows what punishment we will be getting once we came late?" The guy whose name was Jingo told them that they will receive punishment and upon hearing the word, the other two went pale.

"Karyan, you better hurry, and Prish, hold on tight to your sister alright? Let's hurry, how many minutes since she left? Shit!" They make their way to the entrance in a hurry.

"What the hell happen?" Tim and I, we both exclaimed.

"Let's get going and observe." I told Tim and we went to the Royal Capital Entrance Gate.