"Finally, a prai–" Before I could finish, he cut me off.
"But still, you are unable to cast any magic. Just like when you first fought Nochtrael on your own."
Of course. There was always another side to the coin.
After a few more hours of nonstop running, we were finally nearing the entrance of Orynthia Kingdom. This one was unlike the others. There were no walls, no giant gates, no towers.
The entrance rested beneath the roots of a colossal ancient tree, its trunk so massive it looked like it had been standing since the world began. Thick roots twisted into arches and tunnels, glowing faintly with natural mana.
Ahead of us, I saw several silhouettes waiting near the entrance. Before we could get any closer, Caeleth stopped walking.
"We're here..." he said. Then he glanced at me. "...and they are not happy to see you."
That was never a sentence anyone wanted to hear.
As we approached, I could finally see them out clearly. They were elves, but dressed far differently from ordinary civilians. Five of them wore long white and gold robes, carrying themselves with the kind of pride only scholars or nobles could pull off.
Behind them stood eight knights in black-and-silver armor, just like Caeleth's. Ravenshard, one of them wore a red cape. Well... that was obviously the important one.
The red caped knight with twin daggers stepped forward and pointed at Caeleth. "You failed your task. You are a disgrace to Ravenshard."
Caeleth said nothing. He only lowered his eyes. Elandor stepped in front of us with the calm confidence as if he knows they will let us in.
"Greetings, scholars of Orynthia... and to you, Ravenshard. I have come by the order of our king to let this child learn of your ways."
One of the scholars scoffed.
"Do you think we will let you pass? That child carries dragon's malice within him."
Another immediately added, louder than the first. "He brought Nochtrael, guardian of the pass to Orynthia! And Byakuren, sovereign of souls, who guards the outer lands! And that lizard with him! That child is disrupting the order!"
Why was I always one sentence away from being blamed for everything? Before I could even react, one of the Ravenshard knights leapt forward and drew his sword.
He looked around my age. "I am Elandris Aethelos, son of King Caelenor," he declared proudly. "By my hands, you shall fall!"
...Of course he was royalty. Trying not to look intimidated, I drew my steel practice sword. "Come at me."
The moment I said it, I knew it was a terrible idea. Actually, this might've been my second dumbest idea after challenging Caeleth. But I couldn't back down now. Not after everything I'd gone through. Not after all the training, pain, and hardships. My resolve to protect what I cherished most couldn't end with me trembling at a gate.
The air around us tightened. Ravenshard spread out in silence. The scholars stepped back as mana gathered in their hands..Wonderful. I had somehow angered scholars, elite knights, and a prince in under five minutes.
Then the pressure changed.
A violent gust crashed down from above. Leaves and dust exploded into the air. The ground trembled beneath our feet.
*BOOM*
A figure landed between me and Elandris so hard the stone path cracked outward in a circle. My arms shook from the impact alone.
When the dust cleared, a tall elf stood there in heavy golden armor. No jewels. No unnecessary design. No grand display.
Just presence. He slowly straightened.
No one had sensed him coming. Well... almost no one. I glanced at Elandor. He looked mildly annoyed. So naturally, he already knew this would happen.
What's this? Another Elandor? The newcomer swept his gaze over everyone present. Scholars. Ravenshard. The prince. Me. Then he spoke. "Why is the entrance of Orynthia louder than a battlefield?"
Nobody answered. Even Elandris lowered his sword a little. One scholar stepped forward nervously. "High General Thalonn...? Why are you here?"
I stared between them. "Great, they have another one." I muttered while looking at Elandor. So this was Thalonn. Same position as Elandor huh?
Thalonn looked at the scholars. "The King is watching."
Silence.
Their faces changed instantly. Shock. Realization. Panic. One of their own was already inside the palace, reporting everything.
"His Majesty has ordered me to bring them at once," Thalonn continued.
One scholar tried anyway. "B-But this child carries dragon's malice–"
Thalonn looked at him once. The scholar shut up immediately.
Another tried his luck. "He disrupted the guardians of the outer lands–"
"Did I ask for your report?"
That one shut up too. I was starting to like this guy. Elandris frowned and sheathed his sword. "But General, he challenged me."
"You challenged him," Thalonn corrected.
The prince clicked his tongue and stepped aside.
Behind him, Ravenshard stood straighter at once. Even the red-caped knight lowered his head. Caeleth finally looked up. For the first time since we arrived, he almost looked relieved.
Thalonn then turned to Elandor. "General Elandor, Prince of Valerión. It has been a long time."
Elandor shrugged lazily. "You still know how to make an entrance."
"And you still know how to cause trouble."
Then Thalonn looked at me. I swear the air got heavier again. "So... this is the human child who made half the kingdom lose its mind."
I pointed at myself. "To be fair, I didn't do all of that on purpose."
No one laughed, tough crowd. Thalonn turned toward the giant roots. "Move. His Majesty will see you now."
The roots slowly shifted apart, revealing a glowing path descending deep beneath the ancient tree.
I expected some dark underground tunnel.
Instead, it looked like the earth had opened into something sacred.
The passage was formed from massive roots woven into arches and walls, glowing faintly with streams of natural mana. Soft blue light flowed through the wood like veins. Flowers grew from the bark, and narrow channels of water ran beside the path, reflecting light across the ceiling.
General Thalonn walked at the front, each step heavy and steady. Behind him, Ravenshard followed in perfect formation, silent as shadows. Then came our group–Elandor, me, Blaze on my shoulder, Byakuren beside us, and Nochtrael moving with enough presence to make the
As we descended, the tunnel opened into the capital of Orynthia.
And I stopped thinking entirely.
The kingdom spread wide beneath the canopy of the colossal tree. Stone roads curved through open plazas and elegant districts surrounded by white walls carved with flowing tree patterns and ancient runes. Crystal lamps hung from branches above, lighting the city in soft gold. Bridges crossed over streams of clear water, and gardens were built into nearly every corner.
At the center of it all stood the palace. Unlike the rest of the city, the palace had been built directly inside the giant ancient tree itself.
Its entrance was carved into the enormous trunk, framed by silver pillars and living roots twisted into graceful patterns. Balconies and chambers had been shaped within the wood itself, glowing softly with embedded mana crystals.
And everywhere we passed, guards lined the roads. Rows of armored warriors stood at attention, spears grounded, heads lowered in respect.
At first I thought it was for Thalonn. Then I noticed many of them also saluted Elandor. Right. He wasn't just my emotionally unavailable trainer. He was a prince. And a general. Must be nice...I kept forgetting my teacher was apparently important.
We continued toward the palace gates. The entrance doors were massive and carved with branching trees, the same style I had seen in the royal audience hall of Valerión.
The doors opened slowly.
Inside, the throne room was wide and silent. Pillars rose like carved trunks supporting a ceiling painted with stars. White walls curved naturally with the shape of the tree, etched with glowing roots and gold-lined patterns. At the far end stood a throne formed from polished roots and silver branches.
And seated upon it–
King Caelenor. He looked stern enough to judge my entire bloodline with one glance. Everyone dropped to one knee.
I copied them immediately this time. Elandor lowered his head. "Your Majesty, King Caelenor of Orynthia–"
The king lifted a hand like king Baldwin did in the movie!. "Elandor, my friend, enough of the formalities." His serious face broke into a relaxed smile. "It's been a long time. How are you? What brought you here today?"
I blinked. That was not the terrifying ruler voice I expected. Elandor answered as calmly as ever. "By the order of my brother, King Aelthirion, to bring this boy here and let him learn of your ways, Your Majesty."
"Oh, come on, I just said enough with the formalities." Caelenor leaned back. "How's your idiot brother? He didn't even come here–" His eyes shifted to my waist. To Valaerion. The room instantly changed. His smile faded. "...But instead he sent you and a boy carrying Valaerion?"
Even the air felt heavier. Elandor nodded once. "Yes. As you see, the boy has been chosen by Valaerion. And our king believes... if that is what destiny wanted for him, then he must have it."
The king stared at me for several long seconds. Then suddenly–
End of chapter.