Chapter 21: Sylvaris Kingdom and the Elven Race
In the afternoon, Kael was finally finished with the guide he wrote for Lawrence and Jayem. He calls the document the First Edition Avalon Guide for Beginners 101, or the Avalon Beginner Guide for short.
He immediately handed the Avalon Beginner Guide to Lawrence and Jayem and told the duo to focus on reading the guide on the part about the Sylvaris Kingdom and the Elves, so they wouldn't keep asking questions later tonight.
The duo happily complied because finally their questions would find their answers in the document that Kael had provided them.
Before evening could come, Kael went out to exchange a few cash for bottle caps as he needed them to secure a few more supplies from the local gangs for their expedition.
During his trip, he brought new bags that could carry more weight and two larger luggage bags for more space. In addition to that, he also exchanged a few of their knives along with some caps for three daggers. Knives were single-edged weapons, which are still effective, especially in daily tasks, but it does limit the types of attacks they can perform with them. On the other hand, daggers are double-edged, meaning they are primarily used for combat and could perform a multitude of techniques for attacking. Lastly, he brought a few more ropes, kerosene bottles, lighters, flashlights, sacks, and other supplies.
Nevertheless, these were all just temporary weapons and supplies.
Tonight, once they enter Avalon again, they'll be buying their main weapons and supplies from the shops and the myriad of different stores in the Sylvaris Kingdom.
Moreover, it is about time for him to start doing what he was famous for in Noverra and Avalon—being a merchant.
They're already done with securing their base of operation, have made their group official, and lastly, possess enough capital. Now, they need to proceed with the next step of their plan, which is to open their door for business. By doing so, they'll be able to establish a good foundation, create good cash flow, and earn enough popularity and merit once Avalon starts becoming popular in Noverra.
Based on the data he could still remember from his first life, as of this moment, only the strong, courageous, and desperate people dare to enter the world of Avalon. However, this would change next week as the pioneering players start showing off how much they earn in Avalon and the other benefits they could get by becoming a player just like them.
Those new players would obviously need a lot of things that could assist them in reaching their respective goals and make their lives in Avalo slightly better. And that's where the Cabal of Cards will enter the picture. A group of people who will provide the so-called assistance to the new players.
Lawrence and Jayem were already aware of this, and the duo readily agreed. Not because they want to help people, but because they see a vision of becoming popular, becoming feared, and most importantly, becoming rich.
With that being said, the Cabal of Cards has less than four days left to get ahead of the majority of players.
It was close to dusk when Kael finally returned to their apartment along with the new weapons and supplies.
The duo had already finished reading the necessary information they needed for today's adventure, so they quickly went ahead and ate their dinner before proceeding to their respective rooms to prepare to get inside Avalon.
When the clock hit exactly at six o'clock in the evening, the trio immediately jumped into the portal.
…..
As the bluish particles of light finished forming, Kael, Lawrence, and Jayem came out of the light.
"Since we are deep south right now, the Sylvaris Kingdom should be around the north." Lawrence took out a compass. This time, he was prepared. "Would you mind if I lead the way?"
Kael and Jayem didn't mind at all.
Following Lawrence's lead, the trio soon found themselves on a rough road.
"As long as we follow this road north, we should arrive at the Sylvaris Kingdom," Lawrence explained.
Since they were no longer traversing inside the forest, the trio decided to let down their guard and enjoy the new scenery.
As people who grew up in Rustfall for their entire lives, being around nature was always a new experience for them. It doesn't matter if every tree and grass looks almost similar, or if the sky is always blue and clouds are always white. Nature was just an unfamiliar feeling for them. Except for Kael, though.
Kael was just listening and would only occasionally add a few lines since he enjoyed the duo's conversation while at the same time reminiscing about his first life.
In the first life, such a scene was common whenever his group went on an expedition. Only that time, there were more of them instead of only three people. And sometimes, old faces will be replaced by new faces because the former couldn't catch up with the progress of new members. Nonetheless, they were still all happy, and they enjoyed life in Avalon compared to their life in Noverra.
However, at one point in time, this all changed when Nexus started targeting the Cabal of Cards. Their numbers slowly dwindled down, and their expressions started being replaced by seriousness and coldness.
This time, he will be changing that fate!
"Look!" Lawrence exclaimed as he pointed his hand at a huge wall over the horizon. "That should be the Sylvaris Kingdom!"
"What's up with the giant tree?" Jayem couldn't help becoming curious about the giant tree inside the wall of the Sylvaris Kingdom.
"I believe that's what they called the Tree of Life," Lawrence marveled at the beauty of the tree.
It wasn't only a giant tree. There were also countless huge objects hanging on the tree's stem that seemed to be its fruit.
"That's the Fruit of Life. It's forbidden to harvest those fruits unless one belongs to the Royal Family." Kael explained that he forgot to add information about the fruits in the Tree of Life.
"So, the majority of the time it's only for display?"
"For display?" Kael shook his head. "Just like what its name implies, the Fruit of Life is one of the most important ingredients in the making of Health Potions."
"I believe that's the potion that can heal non-fatal wounds," Jayem muttered.
"But you just said only the Royal Family can harvest them." Lawrence felt confused.
"Exactly! And they're the only ones that can manufacture the Health Potions." At least for the meantime…
Lawrence and Jayem finally understood. It's still considered a commodity that ordinary people could sell and purchase, but only the members of the Royal Family can manufacture them.
Not long after, the trio finally reached the entrance gate of the Sylvaris Kingdom.
"It's huge!" Lawrence expressed his amazement as his eyes curiously hovered above his head, specifically on the gate made of some unknown metal.
There were two gates along the pathway to get inside the Sylvaris Kingdom. One of them is a huge wooden gate that splits in the center and needs to be slid to open. The other is a thick metal frame that goes in front of the wooden gate as extra protection with countless holes in between, and this frame is hanging above their heads right now.
"That's called a portcullis," Kael explained. This is evidently the duo's first time seeing such a type of gate.
A portcullis is a heavy, vertically closing, grated gate. It's an extra fortification popular in all the kingdoms of Avalon, especially in fortresses. Its main purpose is to add an extra layer of security and protection from breach, not from people, but from Magical Beasts. That's because wood isn't practical. It has far too many weaknesses, the biggest being its vulnerability to fire. But the reason why it's not replaced by metal or a stronger material with less weakness is that it's visually pleasing.
Moreover, regardless of how strong and invulnerable a gate is, its only function remains the same. It's a passageway. So, one way or the other, it would be breached by every means necessary, no matter what.
"Stop right there!"
Suddenly, the trio's path was blocked by a tall, slender figure.
Kael could already guess it was one of the guards at the gate.
On the other hand, Lawrence and Jayem felt a sudden urge of excitement as their eyes slowly looked up at the face of the figure.
"Beautiful…"
"Could a man's face truly become like this?"
The duo's expression was that of someone who got mystified by a beautiful picture.
This was a given, considering the male elf's face was indeed very beautiful. It's just like what Kael had mentioned before—the elf race is the epitome of beauty, which includes the male in their race. This was especially more evident in the female of their race. He is feeling fearful right now for what the duo would unexpectedly do once they spot a female elf.
"Don't worry about them," Kael quickly pulled the duo in embarrassment and in fear that they would make a scene, like touching the male elf's face.
The male elf was already used to receiving such praises from races other than his own, especially from the human race. But that still didn't distract him from his job, "Identification Card, please."
"We would like to register ourselves for the first time." Kael wasn't worried about the fact that they still don't have an Identification Card.
"Right that way to register," The male elf motioned his hand toward a small counter in front of the gate.
"Thank you!" Kael slightly bowed his head in appreciation before quickly pulling the two away.