Aqaire

The sun was setting over the capital of Nefaria, its orange and red hues casting a long shadow over the city of Aqaire. The city was alive with the sounds of people finishing their day, merchants closing their stalls, and guards patrolling the streets. In the distance, the four turrets of the royal castle stood tall, their flags rippling in the wind, unmistakable even from afar.

Mazuka, Mayra, and Aya walked through the city gates, taking in the sight of the bustling capital. The journey from Flowspur had been long, and their arrival in Aqaire felt like a significant step forward. But the weight of their mission settled heavily on Mazuka's shoulders. They had been invited to stay in Nefaria until the demon king was defeated, a task that loomed over them like the towering castle ahead.

Mazuka's system chimed softly in his head, a familiar notification that appeared at the edge of his vision.

『Quest: Arrive at Aqaire's Castle.』

The system had been a constant presence since the beginning of his journey, guiding him, warning him of threats, and sometimes even granting him abilities he hadn't earned yet. But now, as they approached the heart of Nefaria, there were no immediate warnings, no hostile indicators. Just the quest, urging him forward.

"Well, what now?" Mayra asked, her hands resting on the hilts of her twin blades. She scanned the streets with the practiced eye of someone used to danger, her movements fluid and precise.

Mazuka looked ahead to the towering castle, the four turrets standing out against the darkening sky. "We could head straight for the castle, or find an inn first."

"Castle's close," Aya murmured, her quiet voice barely audible over the hum of the city. She hugged her staff to her chest, her gaze shifting from the street to the imposing structure in the distance. "We were invited to stay there until the demon king is defeated. It'd be rude not to go straight to them."

Mayra huffed, clearly not as concerned about etiquette. "Right, because we always get royal treatment, don't we? But fine. Let's just get it over with."

Mazuka nodded. "It makes more sense to go now. It's not like we'll need to rent a room when they've invited us."

With the decision made, they continued toward the castle, weaving through the cobbled streets. The castle's towering silhouette loomed ever larger with every step, casting a deepening shadow as the sun disappeared beneath the horizon.

The guards around the city moved with a kind of robotic precision that put Mazuka on edge. Something about the way they carried themselves didn't feel right. His system wasn't showing any threats, but Mazuka knew better than to trust that completely. It could detect obvious danger, but subtle, hidden traps? That was something he had to rely on his instincts for.

Aya seemed to notice it too. She gripped her staff a little tighter, her eyes darting between the guards, and Mayra's usual relaxed confidence had been replaced by a more alert posture.

"Something feels off," Mazuka muttered under his breath as they passed by another pair of patrolling guards. "Be ready."

They were halfway to the castle when the ground beneath them shifted, almost imperceptibly at first. Mazuka felt it in the soles of his boots—a soft tremor that quickly grew into a more violent rumble. Before he could react, the cobblestones beneath them began to sink, transforming into a slithering, shifting mess of mud and stone.

"Get back!" he shouted, but it was too late.

Mayra, ever quick on her feet, leapt into action, trying to push herself out of the sinking ground. Her movements were fast, almost a blur, but her speed worked against her here. The faster she tried to move, the deeper the earth pulled her down.

"Goddammit!" she cursed, struggling against the ground as it swallowed her up to her knees.

Aya was caught, sinking just as fast as Mayra, her wide eyes filled with fear as the mud reached her waist.

The ground was alive, pulling them under with a relentless force. Mazuka's mind raced, his system chiming again in his head.

『Warning: Earth magic trap. 』

His system wasn't giving any clear way out, but Mazuka knew what he had to do. His hand twitched, activating his translocation spell. In an instant, his body shimmered, and they disappeared from the sinking ground, reappearing a few feet ahead.

But the moment their boots hit the cobblestones, the ground rippled again, shifting beneath them like water, turning once more into quicksand.

"Again?" Mayra growled, trying once more to leap forward, only for the ground to grab her faster than before.

Aya looked to Mazuka, panic flashing in her eyes. "It's not normal earth magic!"

Mazuka clenched his jaw, heart pounding. "Then we're not playing by the normal rules."

He activated his translocation again, this time moving them further back, farther than before. They landed on solid ground, away from the area where the earth had turned hostile. But Mazuka knew they couldn't keep running. Whoever was behind this knew exactly what they were doing.

Mazuka looked back toward the castle. The trap was no coincidence. Someone powerful was trying to prevent them from reaching their destination—or testing them.

Mazuka stood still for a moment, eyes fixed on the distant gates of Aqaire Castle. The sinking ground behind them was a clear sign: they were being tested. This wasn't just an invitation to stay until the demon king was defeated. It was a challenge, a way to gauge their strength before letting them anywhere near the castle's doors.

Without wasting any more time, Mazuka raised his hand, gathering a gust of wind beneath his feet. The magic responded to his call effortlessly, as if the air itself was waiting for his command. His system remained silent, offering no advice this time, but he knew what he had to do.

"Hold on," he called out to Mayra and Aya, his voice calm despite the tension. They had been through enough by now to trust his instincts.

The wind whipped around them, lifting them off the cobblestone streets. Aya's grip on her staff tightened, and Mayra instinctively crouched, her balance perfect even in mid-air. The three of them soared upward, cutting through the dusk-filled sky, bypassing the treacherous ground below.

They landed gracefully in front of the castle's massive gates, the wind dissipating around them as their feet touched solid stone. Standing before them were two armored guards, their bodies encased in dark steel from head to toe. Their faces were completely hidden beneath polished helms, leaving nothing but an aura of silent authority.

The two guards stepped forward as one, blocking their path. Their armor clanked as they moved, and one of them spoke in a deep, commanding voice.

"State your business."

Mazuka stepped forward, his gaze steady. "We were invited by the kingdom. We're here to stay until the demon king is defeated."

The second guard, clearly more confrontational, leaned in slightly, the edge of his spear glinting in the fading light. "Invited? Absurd why would you be invited? You look like travelers."

Mayra bristled at the guard's tone, her fingers twitching near the hilt of her blades. But Mazuka raised a hand, stopping her before she could say anything.

"I am the hero, Mazuka Inoue." His voice carried a firm authority, and for a moment, even the wind seemed to still around them.

The first guard straightened at the mention of his name. "The hero...?"

The second guard, realizing his mistake, quickly took a step back, lowering his spear. "I… I apologize, Hero Mazuka. We didn't recognize you."

"Just let us through," Mazuka said, his tone sharp but not unkind.

Both guards stood aside, bowing their heads in respect. "Of course. The castle awaits you."

Without another word, Mazuka led Mayra and Aya past the gates. The courtyard beyond was grand, lined with carefully manicured hedges and stone pathways that led toward the entrance of the towering castle. Despite its beauty, an air of unease still lingered. The earlier trap had left them all on edge.

As they approached the castle doors, a figure emerged from the shadows—a man dressed in a finely tailored black suit, his posture straight and refined. His hair was neatly combed back, and his eyes gleamed with the confidence of someone used to command.

"Welcome," the man said, his voice smooth and polished. "I am Jack, head butler of Aqaire Castle. The king has been expecting you. Please, follow me."

Mazuka glanced at Mayra and Aya, who both seemed wary, but they nodded in agreement. Jack turned on his heel and began leading them inside the castle.

The interior was just as grand as the exterior. High ceilings stretched above them, adorned with intricate carvings and chandeliers that cast a warm glow over the marble floors. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the halls as they followed Jack deeper into the heart of the castle.

After several minutes of walking, they reached a set of double doors that stood taller than any of them. Jack stopped, his hand resting on the polished wood.

"The king awaits you in the throne hall," Jack said, turning to face them. "I trust you've had no trouble reaching us?"

Mazuka's eyes narrowed slightly, remembering the trap that had nearly swallowed them whole. "No trouble that couldn't be handled."

Jack's smile didn't waver, but there was a flicker of understanding in his eyes.

With that, he pushed open the doors, revealing the vast throne hall beyond. At the far end of the room sat the throne itself, a grand structure made of black stone, with the flag- a red background with three blue water waves cutting across, of Nefaria etched into its surface. The king sat upon it, his figure cloaked in shadow, watching them as they entered.