165 The Lord Of Metus
I spent a long while learning etiquette. Tutored by Ms. Wendle, the teacher with the most horrendous voice known to man, I would get smacked for every mistake I made.
"Straighten your back!" [Wendle]
"Ow!" [Solace]
Ms. Wendle hit me with a stick, directly on my spine. Thanks to |Temperance| it didn't hurt, until Master dropped by and gave her the equivalent of an electric baton. You know what he said to her?
"Please use this. It is a must that he does not make any mistakes before the lord." [Vincent]
Like, I understand. Even so… Why though?! Where did he even get that?!
"Kneeling position, please." [Wendle]
"Yes, ma'am…" [Solace]
I knelt down on one knee and lowered my head.
"Lower your head more." [Wendle]
She then proceeded to smack the top of my head.
"Ack!" [Solace]
It was a series of commands given to me that must be executed perfectly. If not, I get the stick.
("I want this to end soon…") [Solace]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
After a few days of torturous training, I was able to perform walking and kneeling flawlessly. I know. It sounds stupid. Anyways, I was then called to meet the lord.
"Are you nervous?" [Wilharrow]
"A bit." [Solace]
I sat in a carriage with Wilharrow. Since we lived in the capital of Metus, we only needed to go to the castle.
"By the way… Why are there more than one carriage?" [Solace]
Peeking out the window, I could see three more carriages.
"Oh. You'll see." [Wilharrow]
I furrowed my brows.
"You know I'm not a big fan of mysteries." [Solace]
"And why's that?" [Wilharrow]
"My master has a habit of spouting some cryptic crap and letting me figure it out." [Solace]
"That doesn't sound too bad." [Wilharrow]
I leaned forward a bit.
"That's the thing. I never figure it out until it hits me. Literally." [Solace]
"Uh… Definitely speaking from experience aren't you." [Wilharrow]
"Yeah. So you wanna tell me what's with those carriages or nah?" [Solace]
"Nah." [Wilharrow]
I really hate this guy sometimes.
"Don't make such a big deal out of it. We're pretty much at the castle anyways." [Wilharrow]
He pointed a thumb out the window to show us passing through a large metal gate. We then rode down a line of guards and circled around a fountain.
"This is our stop." [Wilharrow]
"Alright." [Solace]
We stepped out of the carriage, with the coachman helping us out. It had pretty steep steps on this thing. I also found that this was a good opportunity to see who was in the other carriages when they stepped out.
("Huh?!") [Solace]
Three familiar faces. Leon, Raon, and Fina.
"What are they doing here?!" [Solace]
"You'll see." [Wilharrow]
He then motioned for me to come along.
"We have to go." [Wilharrow]
I held back the questions I had and instead decided to appreciate the magnificent garden I was being led through. We were escorted by many guards. Each of which is equipped with a full set of armor and a purple cape with a golden insignia sewn into it.
("I wonder what level these guys are.") [Solace]
I refrained from accessing their status since I was kind of scared that they'll notice. Other than that, we finally made a stop at the castle doors.
("Oh. Wow.") [Solace]
From a distance, I thought there were statues standing beside the massive double doors. Little did I realize they were literal giants. They were armored like the guards who escorted us; just supersized.
"Identify yourself." [Left Door Giant]
"Hero of Metus, Wilharrow." [Wilharrow]
Hearing his name, the two giants opened the massive doors.
"Welcome, hero." [Right Door Giant]
As the doors rumbled its way open, the guards escorting us stopped here. Instead, Wilharrow and the rest of us had to enter ourselves.
"Remember to mind your manners." [Wilharrow]
"I know. I took those classes." [Solace]
"I hope you learned well." [Wilharrow]
I followed Wilharrow through a grand hall. It had a massive red carpet rolled out, and even more guards lining the sides. At the end of the hall were steps that led up to a large golden throne. Upon that lofty throne sat a middle aged man robed in purple. I met eyes with him only once, but I could feel great wisdom behind his age.
("That's… the lord?") [Solace]
He had a big bushy beard and curly hair. It was weird seeing someone that seemed to have an air about him have bright gold hair.
("Remember the etiquette, Solace.") [Solace]
We walked until we were at the base of the stairs before kneeling.
"The hero of Metus greets the lord." [Wilharrow]
The man robed in purple raised a hand, allowing us to stand.
"As the lord of Metus, I welcome you." [Metus Lord]
He then passed a gaze over us.
"Which among you is Alt Account?" [Metus Lord]
I had to hold in a smile hearing that.
"At your service." [Solace]
I practiced that one line a thousand times, but I still felt nervous.
"Hm. Quite young. I hear you're a first year in imperial college?" [Metus Lord]
I didn't know that was what the school was called.
"That would be correct." [Solace]
The lord gave a silent nod towards one of the guards, who then returned with a red pillow holding the purple flower I sought.
"Your reward." [Metus Lord]
The guard offered it to me, which I took in hand.
"I am grateful for such a gift." [Solace]
"You needn't be. You achieved victory yourself." [Metus Lord]
I gave a bow of acknowledgement.
"Now then, hero of Metus. I assume that you have chosen these people as your companions?" [Metus Lord]
Things were beginning to click for me. The reason why the others were here was because they were also joining the heroes party.
("Slick bastard.") [Solace]
I had to give it to Wilharrow. He also took Fina as insurance to keep me in the party.
"I have." [Wilharrow]
"Good." [Metus Lord]
The lord then stood and stretched out his hand.
"Let it be known! From henceforth, the hero's party has now disembarked!" [Metus Lord]
The guards in the room stomped twice, resonating within the hall. Wilharrow then turned and whispered to me as he passed by.
"Let's go. We have a demon lord to defeat." [Wilharrow]
