Princess' Castle

The rest of the journey to the castle was eerily awkward. Derek remained composed and cheery, while Kiren was still a little bit red from their incident before. Both remained silent and kept their space until the carriage halted to a stop. Bright green and white light entered the carriage as the door slowly opened. Two royal guards stood by the side of the carriage bowed across from each other with their hands stretched out. What stood between them was a red carpet that stretched towards--

Derek almost vomited. What laid in front of them wasn't a castle. It was metropolitan. Imagine refurnished elven ruins the size of four football fields. Even that was an understatement. The "castle" looked to stretch across the whole kingdom. The most amazing part was that it didn't seem like the castle at all.

Hints of multiple racial influences scattered all throughout the architecture and design. The dwarf race's stout and blunt design could be seen hammered onto multiple pillars and foundations while the orcs' fierce striking banner designs and intimidating sculptures of elves laid across multiple edges of the castle. The human influence's design and detailed workings were seen chiseled in multiple stones and surfaces in an organized fashion, wrapped symmetrically across the kingdom as if the castle was a mirror image. Finally, the elven's flourishing colors of light green and white marked sharp mirages and glass mosaics stretched vertically towards the sky. Despite the amalgamation of all the race's influence, it all conjoined together to form an unbelievable masterpiece.

"This is the culmination of our unification. The greatest achievement this world has ever seen. Diversity, all combined into one historical megalith." Kiren's once red face was replaced with a look of pride. The tears were gone from her face. This was the princess of the kingdom of Geros, and this was her kingdom's castle.

"Vars, this is what I meant by duty. I see the astonishing look in your eyes. This unity of races holds a certain sparkle to everyone's eyes. It's my job to continue the legacy my kingdom has brought to me, and uphold the great ideologies Geros has."

Derek initially didn't know why Kiren was so apt on protecting her kingdom and striving to become an ideal image for her people. But paired with the incident three days ago and learning that Kiren is the princess of the castle, he pieced it all together.

Prince Germain Reikas, the rightful heir to the throne of Geros, died three days ago.

Princess Kiren Reikas, the secondborn of King Reikan the III of Geros, was now the rightful heir to the throne.

As the two stepped out of the carriage, guards from each side kneeled down with respect. A large gate in front of them slowly began to open to reveal a tall shadow standing in the middle. "Ahhhh. My lovely daughter has finally arrived home." The gates creaked to a halt and the blazing sun rays of light showered the entrance of the castle, revealing a tall and bald dark elf with a little chub. He had a long black beard and wore glasses hanging low on his long nose. A long dark purple robe glistening with gold and silver wrapped his body, tied with a dark maroon ribbon. As he strode down the steps of the red carpet, he seemingly floated down, as though gravity had no effect on him. His posture held a sense of confidence and security, portraying an impression of safety and protection. At first glance, this man was fit to be king and certainly somebody you could rely on.

The chubby elf let out a cheer of joy as he ran the final steps of the descents to jump and hug his daughter. "Kiren, you're back! How was your hunt? You were gone for so long! Did you miss me? Did you make any friends? On Aeras, I'm eager to learn about your journey!"

As the King continued to embrace Kiren, Derek's impression of the high and royal king slowly faded away. Turns out he was just like any parents when their son or daughter comes back from after being long gone.

* Analyzing... *

* Name: King Strigan Reikas the III of the Kingdom of Geros, Class Rank: Tier 5 Paragon Templar *

* King Reikas the III has been added to your Archive. *

[Sire, you are doing well to discover the land you are now in.]

Derek was extremely content. In two days, he's managed to become friends with a princess and reach the highest order of a kingdom: to be in presence of the king. More so, on good terms!

"Father, I'd like you to meet my friend. This is Vars." Kiren managed to pry out of her father's loving grasp and waved towards Derek. "I found him injured during my hunt."

The king turned towards Derek. "Why, hello there young man." He then flashed a cheeky wink at Kiren and gave her a thumbs up and walked over to Derek. "You don't seem like you're from around here." The king stood over Derek, and suddenly, Derek felt scared, like an ant about to be stepped on.

* Threat Level: High *

Derek's legs felt like lead. It seemed as if a massive hammer was nailing his shoulders to the ground every time his heart was beating. So this was the king's power. Simply being next to him would cause you to falter in fear.

[Sire, it would seem the King is invoking a passive Herald Paragon ability: Threatening Gaze. Please take caution. It is known to psychologically and mentally damage the brain after extended periods of time.]

*Ability Preview*

[Threatening Gaze: Passively taunts and intimidates entities in a vicinity.]

Derek wanted to rise up, but he couldn't. All he could do was cower there in fear. Derek wanted to die inside. He didn't want to be here anymore. Yet, Derek did not make a face of fear and simply stood there, baring it all. He kept his resolution straight and true, but he was going to break any second now. Just as he was about to give up and break down, the King released the ability and gave Derek a smile.

"You are a special kid, young man. There have only been two others who have tried to woo my daughter and survive my wrath. I like you." The King gave another wink.

"Kiren! Kiren! Who is this young man? It seems as though your taste in men is growing as well!" It didn't seem like the King was shameless or embarrassed at all. Actually, he seemingly revels in amusement as Derek blushes and Kiren rolls her eyes in annoyance.

The King seemed joyous, but deep inside he was contemplating. Almost everyone had given up from his Threatening Gaze, and the two people who didn't kneel were notable princes or warriors who were at least a rank of Bishop. But this man didn't seem intimidating at all nor a strong warrior.

"Young man, what rank are you?"

"I'm still an Tier 2 Ensign, sir." Derek wouldn't lie about that. Anybody could find out your rank eventually. He figured that there were items and class abilities that revealed strength and power.

"Did you say Tier 2 Ensign? As in, the second tier after the first beginner rank?"

"Yes sir."

There was silence. 'Have my powers weakened that much?' The King pondered to himself. Indeed, it has been nearly thirty years since I've fought in a war. He looked at the castle. Have my position as the King softened my heart and strength for the people?

He turned towards his daughter Kiren with a sad look. Perhaps my daughter has left me so many times that my heart has gone weak. That could be the only way. His Threatening Gaze only had no effect on people with a rank of Bishop and above. Even the two previous men had a hard time. They were practically vomiting blood.

As the King continued to ponder to himself, a cry could be heard inside the castle.

"Your Highness! Something has broken through the magical barrier!"

The king blinked his eyes as if he came back from a dream and turned towards the two.

"We will exchange formalities later. It seems like we have other problems to attend to."

Just as the chubby bald elf turned towards the gate, two guards quickly rushed out with pale faces.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle.

A tall silhouette emerges from the ground in a dark alleyway holding a scythe. Next to him was a short grotesque creature grasping a tattered bloody cloth that shimmered in dark and white light. It was the monster that find the cloth in the forest. It shoves the bloody cloth in front of it and a thin green barrier becomes visible. The creature begins to cackle in glee as the barrier begins to spark and crackle at the first of impact. The blood on the cloth oozes onto the barrier, burning in dark and white fire while slowly melting the barricade.

The tall silhouette unhoods his their cape, revealing themselves to be none other than Zaen. He lets out a smile. "Indeed. The prophecy is real. I have the [True King's Blood]. I will let Master know at once. But first..."

Zaen looked down at his pet. "My darling Ifryt, go have some fun, will you?"

With that, the tall shadow slowly warps underground as the Ifryt jumps into the melted hole they made. The second phase of the mission was afoot.