Chapter 13

Atop the balcony on the highest part of a castle. King Brell Briskworn looks down upon his domain. The wrinkle in his eyes increasing as a smile formed on his face, seeing the number of additional houses being built.

Merchants flocked from different parts of the country, along with travelers and royals. There have also been more commoners walking on the streets, filling almost every corner of the city.

Their kingdom was progressing perfectly, and it was all thanks to having all twelve heroes there. It made the mass feel secured, knowing they had powerful and godlike individuals on their side.

All of this provided a beneficial effect on their land. As they were gaining more popularity, along with being respected and feared.

The sound of creaking double doors open broke through the peace and silence of the room. Before loud clacking foot steps continued in.

Yet the royal did not falter or bother to look. Confident with the number of guards stationed inside with him.

A young man, Altron Seemer dawning a light armor, face hiding in his hood, walks in, pulling out a scroll from the satchel on his side.

“Your majesty?”

He kneels, brushing aside his long robe to raise both hands, giving the piece of document sealed with wax and a ribbon. As if it was an offering to the lord.

This brought a chuckle to the royal, his golden crown almost sliding off his head. His red cape flapping as he shifts to face the visitor.

A hint of surprise showed on him, seeing the letter being delivered that early. The sun had only risen a few hours ago, and he was not bound to work on those duties until the afternoon.

With a raise brow, king Brell examined the mark on the seal, trying to remember which faction it belonged to.

It was one with just a circle and a blade in the middle. Which meant it was from someone from within their land. He was in a jolly mood right now, so his mind remained on the cheerful side of things.

“And what would this might be? An invitation or perhaps another recognition,”

He surrenders and picks it up, unable to recall whom owned the banner. With a frown, he examines the thing further, noticing the dust and roughness of the piece.

He thought it must be from an unknown aristocrat wishing to gain favor, sponsorship, or audience, as this was the case he’d been receiving for the last few weeks.

“It’s from the temple in Barsted, sire. The head priest sent it, and ask for your immediate attention.”

The robed fellow showed a medallion, all the while keeping his face hidden. The silver metal had the same markings as the one on the wax seal, proving he was a legitimate messenger of the clergy.

This caused the king to raise a brow. His gaze turned warily at the scroll on his hand, worried that his might be another plea.

“That rundown town at the end of the borders? What could they possibly need now? I bet it’s more funds for that sorry excuse of a settlement.”

He scoffs, since this was the usual concern and request that they receive from the place. Besides a call to arms for beast subjugation.

His sunny demeanor immediately shifting into cynical. Just the thought of needing to release fundings irks him.

Altron clears his throat before speaking once more. Aware of their king’s short temper and understanding.

“They are asking for your decision in regard to this.”

He points to the scroll he brought, throwing a meaningful glance at the royal. One that was saying this was something far more concerning than just the treasury.

This created a deeper wrinkle to the noble’s head. Confusion and annoyance appearing on his face when he couldn’t understand any other possible reason for it.

Out of curiosity and irritation, king Brell quickly breaks the cohesive, grumbling while stretching out the parchment. He then browsed it in one sweep, causing his eyes to grow wide upon understanding the contents of the letter.

There was an abrupt silence within the room, as even the others who were there had their gaze on their liege, observing his reaction.

The noble needed time to process all the information in it. The knowledge and discovery of these recent events cause a smile on his face, unable to hide his mix emotion of excitement and glee.

“Have you confirmed this?”

His cheer returned, eyes twinkling in delight as several ideas were already running through his head. All concerning, how he can use this to further increase their kingdom’s riches.

“Yes, sire. We have, in fact, verified the individual in question.”

The messenger bowed down, his voice becoming deeper. His lips pursed, gritting his teeth to hide the anger building up inside, seeing how the noble’s expression return to a grin of gladness.

It seems the man does not realize the gravity of the problem, having only one thing on his mind.

“I do hope you’ve informed the main temple about this? We can’t have anyone else taking credit for this.”

King Brell let out another haughty chuckle.

He was bent on making sure they were the first to own up to this development, as he knew this would further increase their nation’s power.

Also, this was bound to put their enemies in fear and their neighboring lands in awe.

“The archbishop had called on a meeting from their highest order, after receiving this. So they request you not announce it as of the moment.”

Altron’s voice became stoic, holding on to his rage as he can’t believe they were being ruled by such a person.

And the worst part was they couldn’t do anything about it, all because he was the legitimate heir to the throne.

“We’ll, I don’t see the problem here. An additional hero only adds to our ever-increasing popularity among the other lands, so I doubt this would pose any concern.”

King Brell gave out a pleased nod. Satisfied that their nation was finally going to recover and prosper.

The news of another special individual appearing within their land was bound to bring more fame and fortune. And together with this, their business would then increase tenfolds in a matter of months.

“That’s the problem, my liege. This person is no hero.”

The messenger was quick to point that out, wanting to break the notion and plans of the man. But it only put a bemused look upon the royal.

“Oh, but the letter says he came from the other world, same as of our heroes.”

King Brell flap the piece of paper in a mock manner, even so much as pointing to the exact sentence to show the youngster as proof.

“That is true, but he does not hold the title of one.”

The lad was keen to correct that, as the note clearly dictates that single information.

Again, the noble took a quick browse at the contents of the parchment, mumbling some of the words there to himself.

Once he became satisfied, having understood the full context of the message, he immediately returns his attention to the youngster.

“This does pose some complications, but it does not change things. He is still from that world, and I have heard people from that place often provide vast knowledge and power to the land they stay in.”

“He is also an old man, sire.”

It forced him to give that out, remembering the advice of his seniors if all goes awry.

This was the one thing that was not put there, as the elders of the temple were still unable to grasp the full extent of the problem. So they decided it was best to hide that part.

“Nevertheless, I’m certain he will be of use to the kingdom in someway. So you can tell your bishops to leave things to me.”

King Brell waves it off.

He did not wish to bother with formalities, and neither did he believe that such a meager detail shall cause an issue.

He’d thought it best to approach this in a civil and controlled manner, rather than react to some flawed tradition.

“But your majesty.”

Altron’s voice reverberated, unable to hold his temper, seeing how hardheaded and unreasonable the man was.

But he was quick to shut his mouth, realizing the mistake he’d done upon looking at the noble’s sharp gaze.

“Aren’t you a messenger boy?”

King Brell sneered, his face twisting in sheer annoyance, especially since he was being questioned by a commoner.

It seems the youth had forgotten his place, taking his kindness as some kind of weakness.

He made sure to send an obvious message to the faction the lad belonged to by resorting to showing his authority.

That got the messenger bowing his head in both shame and rage. Irritated at the fact he had to stoop low and bow down to this man.

He, a devout follower of the holy order of the goddess of light, had to obey orders from a non-believer.

Until then, he cannot understand why their sect had to bend their knee to such a mere mortal and his ruling.

“Yes, my liege.”

But yet it was all he could do, aware of the power and position the person holds.

He took in deep breaths to calm his nerves, not wishing to blow up.

“Then do as you're told. I’ll send an edict to the temple later.”

The king throws a dismissive wave, turning his back to the lad to return his sights at the booming life of his kingdom below.

“Of course, sire.”

Altron threw a deathly glare underneath his hood, grinding his teeth while staring at the silken red cape of the noble.

Fist clenched, he swiftly pivots to rush to leave the room, as his rage got the best of him.

His mind already imagined stabbing the old man from his back if he had the chance.

Of course, this was not the time for that, as they needed to focus on more pressing matters. As he steps out of there, he rushes to get out of that godforsaken castle.

Each step he took was heavy and fast, creating a loud echoing stomp, making people turn heads whenever he’d pass by.

All he could think of at that moment was to report to the elders, as they would know how to handle this much better. He was certain they’d find a way to deal with the detestable king.

His brooding continued until he reached the temple which was on the other side of the town, opposite of the castle.

Somehow, seeing the fully white walls, pillars, along with the enormous statues of their goddess put him at ease the minute he finally stepped inside their own holy house.

“Welcome back, sir Altron.”

A young devout greeted with a warm smile.

“Has the bishop finish with their gathering?”

He turns to the fellow, recognizing him to be a servant of a priest.

“Yes, they’ve been waiting for you at the divine hall.”

The lad was quick to bow his head, motioning a hand towards the large golden doors, which were now open.

With a nod, Altron rushes to the said room. Inside, he got greeted by all the leaders of the temples gathering on the corners of the place.

In front, seated in their marble chairs, were the five highest ministers, all wearing robes of white, each holding a staff.

The messenger was keen to kneel before them. As these were the people who were most venerable within their sect.

“And what did the king say?”

A deep, croaky voice sliced through the murmuring, putting everyone there into silence.

The person in the middle who spoke, the one known as the grand bishop of the order of the light.

“As expected, he wishes to celebrate and welcome that person with open arms.”

Altron pursed his lips in order to push back the vile words that wished to come out of his mouth.

He wanted to tell them how the king’s eyes twinkled with delight, unaware of the dangers this phenomenon might bring.

Yet seeing how calm and collected the elders were, he thought it best to remain quiet about it.

“Then we will have to take extreme caution.”

It was the bishop seated on the far left, grumbling as he brushed his long beard while contemplating on the matter.

“I feel this is a bad omen. Such an incident has never happened before. This can very well be the cause of the dark lord’s awakening.”

The one from the middle left nods, having that sense of foreboding towards the said being.

They all fear that this might have something to do with the rising power of their enemies.

“Aye, but we cannot disregard the fact that this person is also from another world. Who knows what knowledge and magic he possesses?”

It was the grand bishop again.

This time, the elder’s face had this shadow, heaving a deep breath at the idea that they were faced with the unknown.

“This can very well be the result of summoning the heroes too early. We could have dealt with the problem ourselves.”

It was the elder from the far right, letting out a sour expression. All the while throwing a disgruntled glare at his companions.

“Let us not look back on it. It was a necessary sacrifice to save this kingdom.”

The middle right sighed, waving a hand to dismiss his companion.

This cause a debate among them, as all the others began joining in to voice out their concerns and displeasure.

The noise filled the entire room, making it impossible to be understood.

A loud clanking sound of a staff hitting the floor ended all of this as everyone stared at the grand bishop, who now had a stoic expression.

“Then, until we find out where his allegiance lies, let us remain discreet in our observation. We will only act in accordance to what happens afterwards.”

Everybody turned to one another, as they began whispering their own thoughts and agreement on the topic.

This concluded their meeting, as all of them seemed to have agreed on the decision.

With this, Altron looked up at the grand bishop as the man gave him a nod and a meaningful stare, telling him he now had a new mission.