Parallel – A Virtual Reality. - Chapter 38

After finishing my fight against Zenith, a huge crowd had formed, well, we were pretty noisy. I even used 3 Elements and Zenith used Heaven Splitter along with his Death Force. it looks that marks are forming on Zenith’s body now with his power increasing, I might not be a match for him in a year from now. I smile bitterly while thinking that, knowing that I have to put a lot more efforts if I want to keep being his rival.

“Bahahaha! You two are something else! So, you even went easy on us” Exclaims Aren while laughing.

Well, I didn’t really use my Elemental Enhancing to its full strength against them, the only time I dared to activate one at full was when Kagito suddenly transported to my back. I had used my wind element at once and, while doing so, I used the Dark Coat.

After that, I enhanced my speed with lightning to attack him as fast as I could.

It is quite astonishing that he could keep up his pace against me. His instincts are no joke, probably on par with Arksen’s.

“You two went too far, it looked more of a battle to the death than sparring” Says Isa with a scorn.

Zenith and I look at each other, and shrug at the same time.

It was her who stopped us while Peko weakened us at a critical moment.

“Sorry” We apologize to her, after all, she received our head on last clash. Even if we got weakened, I think it was quite powerful, so her HP must have gone down quite a bit. Allen even had to heal her as she was on her knees for a few moments.

After she finishes with the scolding, we look at the people surrounding us, one of them is Loche who looks quite astonished. I feel that he is quite strong himself, but I am quite sure that our individual strength is superior to his.

We tell the people to go back, saying that nothing more would be done today. Everyone cheers at the fights and go back to work.

As we disassemble the crowd of players and tell them to go back to work, we start to make ‘preparations’ to go to the King’s Castle.

Well, I just put my armor on, and everyone does the same, when I take a look at each other, I realize that we look quite glamorous. It is a bit embarrassing…

“Is your skill ready, Kagito?” Eliana asks Kagito who has white armor that is shining quite a bit. I have an armor that is totally black, only the runes and lines engraved are white when I don’t use any Elements, but I feel totally comfortable in it for some reason.

“Surprisingly yes” Says Kagito in an amused tone, it seems that the skill shouldn’t be ready yet, but it actually is. A could feel he has gained enlightenment on his skills after these battles.

Eliana nods and says “Okay, everyone, lets come closer. Arthur, you manage things here while we are gone, I doubt that we will be back today”

“Roger that, good luck” He says as he waves his hand and Kagito activates his skill.

At the next moment, we are standing in front of a palace.

‘Really, that skill sure is convenient’ A whistle escapes my mouth as we start walking to the palace, leaving the King waiting wouldn’t be polite from us.

———————————————————

After arriving at the palace, we greeted the guards and they told us that someone would come to guide us.

After a few minutes of waiting, someone appears. It is a young man that seems to be in his early twenties with dark brown hair and light brown eyes. He is wearing lightweight armor on, but overall, he looks like a noble

He introduces himself as Juran Miles and lead us inside the Palace. He tells us that we have to wait for a bit, and that he would guide and explain to us different parts of this enormous place.

As we are in no hurry, we just accept and thank him for his consideration.

Like that we ended up sightseeing half of the Palace, which name is Paren. We have seen many maids and butlers along the way, and some nobles with guards that seems to live here too.

This place has exuberant gardens, training places, magic buildings and there is a tower that gives a strange sensation too, but Juran said that he couldn’t take us there with an apologetic look.

“How many people live here, Mr. Juran?” Asks Vladi with a curious look while gazing everywhere on this seemingly never-ending place

“Roughly 500 people, around 200 servants, the rest are nobles and royal guards who are especially selected to be here” Answers Juran with a smile that shows no qualms.

‘Ho-ho~ 500 people live here, no wonder this place is so big’ I think to myself while I gaze to Vladi who has an amused look

“That’s quite a lot!” Says Arksen with a shocked look

Juran just raises his ċhėst showing a proud look in his face. For a reason this man gives quite an aura, he might be one of those royal guards.

“Of course, the only palace that surpasses ours in terms of size and defense is the one of Krainall Kingdom’s”

“Well, I think it’s time already. Our King must have organized everything already. Let me guide you to the Royal Court” Says Juran with a friendly smile.

“We wouldn’t mind waiting more, Mr. Juran” Says Eliana with politeness in her tone.

“No, it would be rude of us to make you wait more, you are the ones that completed such a harsh request of ours without much of our ȧssistance, and please, just call me Juran, without honorifics” Says Juran with a solemn look along with a casual smile.

“Okay, please lead us, Juran” I ask to him, this person is really friendly but even with his seemingly aloof personality he has some kind of majestic air on him

“Right away, please follow me” He says while hitting his ċhėst and start leading us to the Royal Court

After walking a bit, we see hall and at the other side of it, there are many people in order and three people sitting in thrones with guards alongside them

The one in the center seems to be the King, at his left is the Queen and maybe the man at his right side is the prince, he somewhat looks like Juran

When we were at the center of the Court, Juran steps forward and takes a kneeling on one leg pose, then he says

“My King, I have brought Kaiser’s representative members”

For a reason the King seems to give a small sight while watching Juran, and nods.

Kagito steps forward immediately and says “Greetings, King of Putre Kingdom. I am Kagito, the Guild Leader of Kaiser, and these people alongside me are the Co-Founders of the Guild, sadly two of them couldn’t come” while bowing, and then starts introducing us. When he got to me, The King’s eyes glitter for a moment as well when he gets to Eliana.

Kagito’s air around him has totally changed, he looks more dignified and bigger. The look in his eyes doesn’t seem to contain nervousness at all.

When he finished with the introduction, the King starts speaking

“Juran, you may stand up”

“Yes, my King” Juran nods and stands up, falling back respectfully.

The King seems to do another small sigh again, while the queen has a troubled expression. The Crown Prince has a warm smile on his face.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Girvan Miles, the King of Putre Kingdom, and I wish to congratulate you on your victory while also offering our apologies for not being able to help much with your situation” Girvan nods at us with a warm smile, like an elder looking out for his juniors.

At that, everyone got startled a bit, excepting Eliana.

‘So that’s why they had that look when seeing Juran kneel before them, he is one of the Princes’

Without interruption, Girvan continues.

“I have heard many great things about your deeds. The ones who are called the strongest between foreigners; it is reassuring on having you on our Kingdom’s side. Today I summoned you to give a reward fitting for your achieved accomplishment”

“I bestow to your guild the title of Gate’s Protectors” With that, a new title is added to the Guild, having some benefits to the guild members and some related to the overall economy.

The King, without stopping at that, continues “The Kingdom will also owe you a favor. We will try to comply as much as we can, and also, I would like to give you these rewards” When he finishes saying that, 8 Royal Guards come forward, each of them having a ring.

Royal Ring

This ring is bestowed to a person that has achieved great things for the Kingdom. It was made from Royal Crafter and is imbued with magical properties

Restriction

-Level 200

Bonus

+1000 Mana

+10 Charisma and Leadership

You can use the Royal Blessing twice a day

Royal Blessing

Your base stats are increased by 10%

The effects will last for 30 minutes

The item is an extremely good one, before I say anything because of my shocked state, Girvan speaks again.

“The other two rings are for the other two Co-founders of your guild. Now, if you have thought something for the favor, please ask” He finishes with a smile fitting of a royal member. Juran is also looking at our way. When the King said that we are the strongest of the foreigners, his eyes started shining with anticipation.

Eliana is the one to speak up at that “We already have thought about that, Royal highness. We wish to ask ȧssistance in the rebuilding of Hellish Village as one of our members has become its Lord, we wish to make it grow to be one of the Headquarters of the Guild, but for that we will need supplies and money”

The King is startled for a bit when he heard the part that someone has become the Lord of Hellish Village, but he soon regains his composure and asks in a serious manner “We accept your request, but I shall ask, who the new Lord is?”

At this, Eliana gazed at me and I step up saying “It’s me, I have a close relationship with the villagers and Eroda, the current chief, asked me to become its Lord”

Girvan looks at me resolutely and says “I don’t know what have happened, but I can tell your resolution at simple sight, I think you already know about the Village’s secrets too, so I will leave them at your hands… give my greetings to sir Eroda, I hope he has been doing well”

“I will. Thank you for helping us” I bow politely at him. I was a bit startled by the obvious respect of the King to Eroda. Who knew that our Warlock was so famous?

You have completed the quest!

Your contribution in battle has transformed in contribution to the Kingdom in a ratio 1:4

You have acquired 2808 Royal Contribution to Putre Kingdom

+2808 Fame

Your Guild is now recognized by the whole Kingdom as the one who repelled the force of Arapi

You have received 1404 Gold

We smile to ourselves because of the reward.

As the King is about to dismiss us, Juran speaks up.

“Father”

At the sudden word, many people in the court is startled, even more the King and his family, who, for some reason, looks overjoyed.

“I know this is selfish of me, but I want to go with them” At those words, even we are startled.

Girvan is stunned for a moment, but he recovers soon. His expression changing a bit as he watches as, and says.

“I am sorry for asking this now, but my son, Juran, wishes to go with you. When he asks like this, even I can’t stop him, so for his safety, would you take him with you? He can act as a symbol from the Kingdom to your Guild too” For a reason he shows some anxiety on his face, really well hidden, but it is there.

We look at ourselves, then to Juran, finally looking at the King with a silent agreement. Eliana answers saying “We accept, Prince Juran can help us along the way too”

With that answer, Juran’s eyes brighten up and he says “Thanks!”

The King with a slightly troubled look, just says thanks. The Queen seems to sigh, and the Crown Prince tells his little brother to take care of himself.

Just like that, we gained another person to the group, a prince… well, we have a Death Lord already.

When we take our leave and get the royal emblem along with a scroll, Juran follow us

As we are now out of the Palace and we say our goodbyes to the guards, Kagito asks curiously

“Why do you want to come with us?”

“Because I like adventuring. Given my status I wouldn’t be able to go alone, so when I heard of your reputation, I took the chance to ask” Answers Juran calmly, showing his joy in his eyes as he gives a big smile.

“Ohhh, then, are you a knight?” Asks Vladi.

“No, my 1st brother is, I was born with talent in divine magic, so I became a Cleric, but I always trained hard, so I ended up as some kind of a vanguard cleric” Says Juran straightforwardly.

We get surprised at this, he doesn’t give an aura of a cleric at all, Isa being the least surprised because she can feel the fluctuation of divine and demonic, but even so, she thought he might be a paladin like her.

At our reaction, he chuckles and says “Like I said, I trained really hard and acted as one of the royal guards for many years. My armor only covers vital parts, so it can be considered a ‘leather’ armor. I am quite confident in my strength and resilience”

“You are full of surprises” I remark and then Eliana speaks up again.

“Juran, we will ask for your ȧssistance from now on”

“Don’t worry, just ask” He answers nonchalantly.

At that answer, Kagito seems to look away and when I see Eliana, I realize.

‘The man will be exploited… thanks god I rejected the leader’s seat’

She has a smile on her face, at simple sight it might look warm, but I only feel pity for the guy. That’s because her smile resembles Isa when planning something troublesome… for us

“Thank you, now let’s do some business here as I think Kagito’s teleportation skill is not ready yet, right?”

“It won’t for a long time” Kagito says frankly, now. Isa with a doubtful gaze ask

“But it has happened some time since you used it to teleport us here

“Ah, that’s it because the Skill has a range, when I go over the range the delay is longer, so, because of the trip to here I won’t be able to use it in another 20 hours”

“So that’s it” Says Arksen while nodding, such a convenient skill should have something like this after all, at least until he masters it.

“Wait, teleportation?” Asks Juran with wide eyes.

“Hm? Yes”, Says Kagito while tilting his head because of not understanding Juran’s reaction.

“Hooo, that’s the leader of the most influential Guild of the Kingdom, to know such a skill…” Says Juran really amused with hidden praise in his words

This time is Arksen to ask, “Is it so rare?”

“It is, I doubt many people in the entire continent know such a skill, I think I can even count them with one hand if I knew all of them” Answers the young prince truthfully.

Then we all look at Kagito, even Eliana is amazed.

He just shrugs and says “Well, my ‘master’ passed it down to me forcefully while giving me my current class, and then he disappeared into thin air before I could even question him”

‘What a mysterious person…’

It seems the figure of Kagito is even bigger than we thought.

Then we start doing some propaganda for the Guild in the capital city.

Many players and NPCs alike flooded to us like rapids, it’s really harsh but we could stand our ground and make them form rows.

With this we are having an easier time. Soon night approached, and we tell Juran to wait for us in the central plaza the next day.

We log out tiredly, as we have to get used to our new lives.