Chapter 8.1

T/N: Huge thanks to Tom Macak for becoming the first patron!

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Chapter 8: December (3)

Today, three days after the executives were elected through a class meeting, the noble third princess called us.

I, who had been given the position of deputy representative via a half-forced recommendation and by way of preventing any friction, had no choice but to join the party heading to the palace.

The four of us, Park Min-ho, Min Hye-rin, Choi Ji-hoon, and I are on our way to the 'Palace of the Star', guided by a maid and escorted by a knight.

They were, in essence, our guide and executioner respectively.

The moment we acted out, the knight's blade would slice through our throats.

My heart trembles with strange tension when I think of becoming a part of the spectacle that I have only ever seen through the window.

Why did the princess call us?

Wouldn't the princess, who had high expectations for the strangers she'd only ever heard of since her birth, be disappointed in us, who were ordinary and lacking in talent, and would as a result lower our treatment by a few notches?

Some may point out that my thoughts are too pessimistic.

In fact, it is very unlikely that we will be treated badly unless one of us makes a big mistake.

This year is an inflection point in history, and we are the core of that inflection point itself.

We do not know what role we will play in the Cataclysm, but it would not be an exaggeration to say that the survival of the continent and the empire is at stake based on our attitudes.

At least until the attribute inspection, we are safe.

We, who may prove our tremendous potential with our attributes, could stand on the side of the Empire to improve the continent's prosperity, or become enemies of the Empire, bringing the continent into a new period of decline.

The rise and fall of mankind is unfolding before everyone's eyes.

So, one might ask, why not just kill us all and treat this cataclysm as if it never happened?

But, the possibility exists that we are not the root cause of the cataclysm.

Like the Holy Demon War 300 years ago, the suddenly summoned hero turned out to be the Sword of God against the Demon King.

Because we, summoned out of nowhere, could be God's paving stones to thwart future enemies.

The imperial people can't just give up on us.

Nonetheless, I will not stop being pessimistic.

It is better to be prepared for all possible scenarios than to be struck in the back and fall to the abyss miserably while only thinking optimistically.

If one does not have enough time to prepare for a sudden event like the one I'm embarking on right now, you should focus your thoughts on the negative outcomes

Park Min-ho is ev hanging conversation with the maid who is leading the way.

Min Hye-rin walks with a placid expression on her face, looking only ahead of her, while Choi Ji-hoon turns his head to and fro at the majestic sight he encounters for the first time in his life.

And at the back of the group, I am crossing the drawbridge leading to the main gate of the golden palace, constantly running thoughts through my mind.

In front of me is a golden palace and a moat made up of clear water surrounding it.

It is truly a beautiful sight that seems straight out of a fantasy novel.

The front gate is as grand as befits a castle. Knights in heavy armor are stood in an iron-clad defense posture.

As soon as the long spear of the gatekeeper struck the ground, the door opened up either way.

If the exterior of the castle is splendid, its interior is noble.

Luxurious chandeliers on the ceiling of the hall brightly illuminate the hallway.

We climb the stairs through endless corridors, walking upon soft carpets.

Suddenly, the number of knights escorting us doubled.

Eventually, after walking for about 30 minutes, we arrived at a room.

The leading maid turned around and announced.

"The Summoned from Another World seeks an Audience with the 3rd Princess."

It was a place to meet the owner of this castle.

Having been briefly instructed on the etiquette required for an audience with the imperial family in advance, we knelt down on the red carpet and waited with our heads bowed.

A long waiting period followed.

Five minutes had not passed, and I could feel Choi Ji-hoon wriggling beside me.

Please just stay still...

I'm afraid he'll cause trouble over nothing.

The carpet was soft enough that my knees didn't hurt.

But having to stay in the same position for a long while will inevitably lead to poor blood flow in my bottom half.

By the time my legs start to go numb-

"The noble 3rd Princess, Amer di Kairos, is entering."

As the maid's voice announced the princess's entry from across the room, the elegant sound of high heels continued in front of the plush seat of the throne in the audience room.

We maintain an unmoving posture without raising our heads even by a hairs breadth.

Because she hasn't allowed it yet.

"Summoned representatives, please raise your head."

Reflecting on the soft beauty of her voice, I raised my stiff head.

The first thing that catches my eye is the shiny pink hair.

The look in her eyes is kind and her smile is warm, but you can feel a soft charisma in the atmosphere around her.

Her voluptuous breasts and narrow waist seem to prove that she was born from among the best bloodlines of this empire.

The third princess, the star of the Kairos Empire, was looking down at us.

***

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