Foreboding Tragedy

It was a massacre— a fitting description of the battlefield laid waste by an innumerable amount of beasts. However, only two figures stood at the top, directing their entire army with a wave of their hand. No humans could withstand their might, and they've guarded the Second Outerlayer of Ground Zero for a time.

"Are the preparations ready?"

"Yes, your highness, we've gathered enough 'materials' to perform the ritual."

"Then what are we waiting for?"

A sinister smile could be seen on the face of the entity. With a light swig of red wine, he snickered. At last, his army could finally break free from their bondage, and he would lead them to a free world.

— — — — —

"What's wrong? Don't tell me you're still hungry. We just ate." Albrecht said with a condescending expression on his face. The white ivory ring he wore with engravings were shaking, and it could only mean one thing— Yukine or her snake partner needed something from him.

Despite Yukina's small stature, she could eat like a lion who hasn't eaten for days. Even Albrecht felt a bit embarrassed when Yukina asked for more meat back there, considering that she'd already eaten enough food for three people.

"No, no... it wasn't because of that." Yukina defended herself as she got out of the ring.

It was way past midnight, and the skies turned into a myriad of stars as the cloudless atmosphere displayed the ethereal beauty of the universe.

There was little to no pollution in the villages, that's why one could clearly see the starry skies and the bright moon that seemed to be unusually nearer to the Earth. Its yellow glow shone brightly against the trees that lined up by the edges of the path that led to the Kingdom of Lomenschwaal.

"Then what is it? Do you need anything else? Also... I just noticed but your hair is actually snakes, huh." Albrecht commented, rubbing his chin as he peered closer at Yukina.

"It's a common feature of those who belong in the Medusa Tribe. I have a rare genetic feature that turned my hair into albino snakes. This feature is not accepted amongst the tribe since my snake hair only wakes up at night." Yukina explained.

"In any case, I think something terrible is going to happen soon. I feel an ominous aura coming from Ground Zero."

"What do you mean? Is it some sort of premonition? Or are you quite sure that something bad is bound to happen?" Albrecht confirmed. One thing he knew about the beasts and other entities in Ground Zero is that they were in tune with the Zecian Aura. Most of the time, their premonitions are accurate.

"I'm sure. Something bad is going to happen. You're going there three days from now, right? To try and conquer the Second Outerlayer?"

"Yes,"

Turning away, Yukina didn't speak another word. She wanted to tell Albrecht something, but he knew that nothing will happen whether she told him about it or not. That's why she opted to not speak another word. It would just give Albrecht unnecessary worry anyway.

— — —

"Tag please," One of the entrance guards reached out his hand.

At first, Albrecht thought that he was reaching for a handshake. But when he asked for his tag, Albrecht immediately tapped on the Bronze Tag which was fastened around his neck. A window then came up in front of him, and the entrance guards saw his basic information such as name, birth date, role, and guild registration.

Currently, Albrecht was registered in the Rilegarthe Guild, but he planned to change his guild registration and move to Caharsa Guild so he won't have to do anything with the Rilegarthe Kingdom. This was also the reason why he didn't wave his Platinum Tag around. He wanted nothing to do with the Heroes of Relics anymore.

The entrance guard took one long look at the Bronze Tag, and then he keenly stared at Albrecht.

"Is there something wrong, sir?" Albrecht asked with a modicum of snappiness in his voice. He was rather exhausted, and he wanted to get to the guild and register as soon as possible before clocking out for the night.

"N-no, sir... are you really a Bronze Rank Adventurer?" The entrance guard suspiciously asked. After all, Cainsz specifically requested that Albrecht be given a special favor upon his entrance to the kingdom. How could they treat him well when his rank was lower than theirs?

"Um... yes," Albrecht pondered whether to tell the entrance guard about his affiliation with the Heroes of Relics but after a second, he decided not to. He didn't want anything to do with them, there was no way he'd throw the name around when he was backed into a corner.

"Then... right this way, sir." The entrance guard said, bowing down towards Albrecht. Whatever it is, he could tell that Albrecht's identity was not so simple.

That's why he chose to heed Cainsz's words and treat him properly. This way, he won't get unnecessary hate, especially from someone like Cainsz who's the party leader of the Heroes of Lomenschwaal.

After the bow, he gestured for Albrecht to go in. He didn't hear anything about Albrecht bringing a companion with him but he didn't bother asking any questions. And usually, there was an entrance fee whenever someone enters the kingdom. The entrance guard didn't ask Albrecht for it. After all, he was an esteemed guest of Cainsz.

"Where are we going?" Yukina asked, admiring the night view of the kingdom as they entered.

From a distance, they could see a town square surrounded by night lights. It had a different atmosphere compared to the Kingdom of Rilegarthe. Despite the emptiness of the square, Albrecht could imagine the morning hustle and bustle in it just from the view alone.

"We're going to the Lomenschwaal Guild. We have to inform them that we've arrived, and I also need to write a letter to Yulie back in the city of Caharsa." Albrecht explained. those two things could only be accomplished in the guild so they'd be killing two birds with one stone by going there.

"Right this way, sir." The entrance guard pointed.

"Ah- it's Albrecht. Over here! I didn't think you'd make it here tonight. I'm glad I waited for you." Cainsz called out from afar.

"Who's the girl?"