Kael walked alongside the convoy, the afternoon sun casting its golden light over the horizon. His body was exhausted, but the anticipation burned like an unquenchable fla within him. The path up the hill seed endless, but finally, as they reached the top, he saw sothing that made his breath catch for a mont.
"So this is it..." Kael murmured, unable to look away.
Azalith stretched out before him, grand and imposing. The city seed to extend as far as the eye could see, with enormous walls gleaming in the sunlight, as if made of steel and silver. Watchtowers adorned the walls, and flags fluttered in the wind, bearing the symbol of Azalith: a sword crossed with a book, symbolizing strength and knowledge.
But it wasn't just the walls that impressed Kael. In the distance, at the heart of the city, stood the most majestic building he had ever seen: the Academy of Azalith.
The structure seed to touch the heavens. Tall, delicate towers pierced the clouds, adorned with colorful stained glass that sparkled even from that distance. Every detail appeared designed to showcase power and elegance. The golden dos reflected the light like beacons, and a visible magical energy field surrounded the place, glowing in shades of blue and silver. It was as if the Academy itself served to remind everyone that Azalith was ho to the strongest.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Adalric comnted, stopping beside Kael. He seed accustod to the sight, but there was still a hint of pride in his voice. "This is Azalith. The heart of knowledge, strength, and... politics," he added with a chuckle.
Kael still couldn't speak. He felt a slight tug at his sleeve and turned to find Irelia beside him, her eyes sparkling with excitent.
"It's amazing, isn't it?" she asked, smiling. "This city... it's like it's from another world."
Kael simply nodded, finally finding his voice. "It's more than amazing. It's... colossal. I never imagined anything like this."
Umbra, floating beside him in her spiritual form, let out a soft laugh. "You should see the city at night, young master. The light from the academy illuminates everything. It's like a beacon in the dark, calling those who seek power."
Kael looked at her, curious. "Have you been here before? I thought you were trapped in that forest... or did you..."
"Ah, let's just say my existence allows to know things," Umbra replied vaguely. "But now that we're here, your journey is just beginning."
Adalric slapped Kael on the shoulder, pulling him from his thoughts. "Co on, kid. We don't have all day to admire the view. We still need to get into the city, pass through the gates, and find a place to rest before nightfall."
As the group approached the walls, Kael noticed the intense activity. rchants, soldiers, adventurers, and common citizens ford an organized line at the main gates. Wagons loaded with goods passed under the watchful eyes of guards, who were ard to the teeth. The steel gates, as tall as a two-story house, were open but protected by magical runes that glowed at regular intervals.
As the convoy moved toward Azalith's main gates, the guards watched the group closely. One of them, a robust man in gleaming armor, raised his hand, signaling for them to stop.
"Docunts," he said in a serious tone, addressing Adalric, who was at the front.
Adalric handed over a small rolled-up parchnt, and the guard took it with so arrogance. However, as soon as his eyes landed on the na written on the docunt, his face drained of color. He swallowed hard, his hands visibly trembling as he held the parchnt. He looked at Adalric, then at the other guards, who were now watching him in confusion.
"Y-you are... Adalric Ainsworth... the Fourth Sword King..." His voice was almost a whisper, and imdiately, he bowed deeply, sweat dripping down his forehead.
Adalric raised an eyebrow, clearly accustod to the reaction, but maintained his imposing deanor. "Is this a problem?" he asked casually.
"N-no, sir! Please, proceed! It's an honor... a great honor!" The guard stamred, handing the parchnt back almost as if he were returning sothing sacred.
Adalric shrugged and moved forward with the convoy. When it was Kael's turn, the guard still seed shaken, but tried to regain his composure. He furrowed his brow, examining the young man with curiosity.
"And you? New to the city?" he asked, his tone still slightly suspicious.
Kael hesitated for a mont, noticing that Adalric didn't intervene this ti. The swordsman seed curious to see how Kael would handle the situation. The young man took a deep breath and decided to respond.
"Kael Scarlet," he said, his voice firm.
The na resonated in the air like a silent thunderclap. The other mbers of the convoy, who had been distracted until then, imdiately turned their gazes toward Kael, surprise written on their faces. Even Adalric, though trying to hide it, let out a small, satisfied smile.
The guard, on the other hand, froze completely, his eyes widening as if he had just heard the impossible. "S-Scarlet?" he stamred, disbelief evident in his voice.
Kael, unshaken, opened his worn-out backpack and took out a small parchnt sealed with wax. He handed the docunt to the guard, who took it with hands trembling so much that he nearly dropped it. As soon as he broke the seal and read the contents, his legs gave way.
"The only heir... of the Witch Queen..." the guard whispered, as though speaking a forbidden truth. He dropped to his knees instantly, bowing low to the ground. "F-forgive for not recognizing your greatness, Lord Scarlet!"
The silence was broken by a growing murmur among the mbers of the convoy. So whispered to each other, while others stared at Kael as if they were in the presence of a living legend. A woman carrying goods dropped a basket, spilling fruit across the road, but she didn't even notice, so hypnotized was she by the revelation.
Another guard, who had also heard, hurried to his colleague's side. Upon seeing the docunt and hearing the na, he imdiately repeated the gesture, kneeling in reverence. Within seconds, the remaining guards followed suit, bowing deeply in unison.
Kael looked at the scene, clearly uncomfortable with all the attention. He scratched the back of his neck, glancing at Adalric as if asking for help. The knight, however, seed more interested in watching the situation with a mischievous smile.
"Is this really necessary?" Kael asked, frowning, while the guards remained bowed.
"Lord Scarlet," the first guard began, still with his head lowered. "We didn't know that... such a grand figure was among us. The daughter of the Witch Queen is a legend... and you... you are the heir of the Witch of Chaos..."
"Yes, and so?" Kael blinked, confused, while the murmurs around him grew louder. He heard words like "prodigy," "magical royalty," and even "demon." He narrowed his eyes at Adalric, who seed on the verge of laughing.
Adalric finally stepped forward, placing his hand on Kael's shoulder. "You heard the young man. Let's end this and continue on our way. We still have a long journey ahead to the heart of Azalith."
The guards hurried to rise, but kept their heads tilted in respect as they gave way to the group. As the convoy began to move again, Kael couldn't help but sigh.
"That was weird," he murmured to Adalric, who walked beside him.
"Welco to the world of important people," Adalric replied with a laugh. "But honestly, kid, I thought your reaction was great. For soone who carries such a heavy na, you handled yourself well."
"I don't know if I can get used to it..." Kael muttered.
"Well, everyone copes as best they can. Being blessed with a good lineage is worthy of joy, and I'm sure you're proud of your family, so hold your head high. Status is good for a young man like you." He advised with a smile.
User Comments
0 comments from readers