Capítulo 285: A Request From the King
Three days passed and the Forums held an unusual calm.
Everyone was waiting for the update, the backlash that was going to happen, and the changes that may flip the rankings.
As for how this affected the party? It didn't really, they were already accustomed to the new style. If anything they were more proficient fighting like this.
So as every player that logged in was shortly teleported to the tutorial area to begin learning, the party simply skipped it and chose to wander the streets of the Kingdom.
Currently they were searching for a way to transfer their house. Considering that it was still in the City.
There was very little information on the subject, those who knew refused to say anything. Thus they had no choice but to discover it by hand.
Whilst doing this they decided to explore together, chatting about various things.
It was during this time that they were approached by a set of guards. With shining armor of a higher quality than what most players would even see, they saluted respectfully in front of the party.
The head of the group spoke, "His Majesty requests your appearance!"
The party threw glances at each other. A mutual understanding was made and Akiol nodded, "We'll see him now."
"My greatest thanks!"
The guards led the way, the clanking of their armor formed a rhythm as they synced their steps. Drawing the attention of the passersby.
The power of a Kingdom guard was not to be underestimated. The average soldier held strength of a peak First Stage, and higher commanding officers had Second Stage or higher strength. Making enemies with a Kingdom would be a death wish. So when a group of guards respects someone, it would be of good advice to not anger the respected.
They arrived shortly at the Palace. They had been here before, already accustomed to the grand sight.
The Royal Guard also knew of this, and Wrock's closeness with the King. So they allowed them through without any fuss.
The King smiled upon the Party's arrival. He then spoke, "Before we begin on the subject of why I summoned you here. First my congratulations on your position in the Competition. Although you hold title of Second Place, I believe it is obvious to everyone that it should be First."
Akiol chuckled, "Thank you."
The Party nodded in agreement.
Kayne's smile faded as he turned serious, "Now for why I summoned you. I request your help."
Akiol searched the King's expression before responding, "I do believe it would not be wrong of me to say that it is odd?"
"Pardon?"
"You command an army with strength above ours, yet you request our help."
"Yes, but I have no choice in this matter."
"Intriguing, why so?"
"Before I explain further, I must ask if you are willing to help."
"We won't agree to anything without additional details."
"I'm not asking if you will help, just if you are willing."
"Ah, so that's the case. Very well, we can hear out your request then."
Kayne sighed in relief, "Then please follow me, this must be spoken about in private."
A guard stood, "Your Majesty! I cannot allow you to speak with them alone!"
Kayne's eyes flashed with anger, "Are you doubting my guests?"
"Never! I simply request that you bring someone trustworthy alongside you. It will set our hearts at ease!"
Yielya laughed faintly, "It makes sense, we don't mind."
Kayne nodded thankfully towards her and then snapped his fingers. A figure flashed and kneeled in front of him, "Your Majesty!"
Kayne looked down at them and nodded to himself, "Accompany me Hala."
"Of course."
Kayne beckoned at the Party and they followed him into a room through a luxurious door. Inside looked like a Royal form of a strategic room. Spotless, a table with unnecessary amounts of carving, chairs that looked like they were cushioned with clouds. A wooden throne stood at the head, gems inlaid at the top of it. Kayne sat in this chair and Hala stood behind and to the right of him.
Gesturing towards the seats Kayne asked, "Please sit, there is much to discuss."
They obliged and waited for the King to start.
Kayne took a breath and began, "About two months ago one of my ships discovered an island to the east. It was unmarked on the map, and completely foreign to us. I sent a small fleet to chart it out and search the place, but it was uninhabited. Almost scarily so. Not a drop of life on the place. My soldiers believed it to be cursed. However we shortly found that is not the case."
Kayne gestured towards Hala and she pulled out an Orb from a nearby chest. Placing it in the middle of the table she returned to her position.
The orb began to glow and a floating picture appeared above it. It showed ruins of a strange white stone, and unrecognizable markings embedded on some of the walls. Kayne continued, "The island is home to a fragment of the Ancient Era, and it took us the past month to decipher a part of the runes. What we found was horrifying, and possibly threatening."
The picture flashed to a strange artifact, it looked clearly inactive. Kayne explained, "This is an artifact that allows travel to another continent."
The Party was quite surprised, but remained silent.
Kayne turned off the Orb as he continued, "If you are unaware, the further we head out to sea the more dangerous it becomes. Not due to the chaotic waters, but the powerful beings that attack whatever trespasses their territory."
Kayne's expression turned grave, "We lost five Fourth Stage combatants on our attempt to pass that territory. It was a terrible sacrifice that we struggle to recover from."
Wrock spoke his thoughts, "So an object that allows transportation to another continent guarantees someone in passing that territory. So why is that horrifying."
"We have no idea what the other continent holds. If it is home to people far more advanced than us, and have their own way of reaching here. . ."
Akiol finished the sentence, "Then it could lead to an invasion."
Kayne nodded, "So that's where my request comes in. I wish to send you six to the other continent and gather information."
Kan'na interrupted, "You want us to be spies."
"Precisely."
Akiol rose a hand, "That still leaves my previous concern. You command people with greater strength than us. So again, why us?"
"The artifact only allows travel for those that are under Second Stage. We believe you six to be the strongest First Stage fighters, and our best option."
"It's almost suicide."
"I am aware, that is why I shall be completely transparent and answer your questions."
Kan'na spoke first, "Can you guarantee our return?"
"In short, no. The ancient language states that it should allow transfer back to its original location. However it hasn't been touched in years."
Tilia tilted her head slightly, "In that case can you guarantee it will even work?"
"I cannot do that either."
Wrock drummed his fingers on the table, "So we aren't guaranteed a safe travel to and from. We have no clue what lays on the other side. It's no longer almost suicide, it is suicide."
Kayne nodded solemnly, "Which is why you are still our greatest choice."
Jarvis spoke the Party's realization, "Because of our semi-immortality."
"Precisely."
Yielya scrutinized the King, "So, on the chance we agree to this. I wouldn't believe you'd want us to this for free."
"Certainly not. Upon the moment of your return you will be granted a status below only my own. I will grant you one item from our treasury each. Along with a total of sixty million gold."
"Upon the moment we return?"
"I am aware of what this means, the reward is negotiable."
Kan'na leaned back and sighed, "The choice is up to you Akiol."
Yielya nodded in agreement.
Tilia also added, "I'll follow your decision."
Wrock grinned, "Likewise."
Jarvis shrugged, "I don't mind either way, so I'll side with your choice."
'Let us go!!' -Stars
'To another continent!!' -Givale
Akiol had a mild staring contest with the King. Despite Kayne's incredible status, he felt nervous under Akiol's stare.
Akiol laughed, "Alright, I agree but I want some changes to the rewards."
"Please go on."
"Change the gold to ten million, we don't need that much money. We don't care about the status, so scrap that. An additional thing, change the reward from one item each from the treasury, to six items from the treasury."
Kayne frowned in confusion, but nodded.
Akiol held up a finger, "The most important of all. Do you have a way to transfer properties?"
"I see, that is possible."
"I get that you understand my intentions?"
"I can understand the changes to the treasury reward. Additionally the transfer of property. But not the change of gold and the removal of status."
"Are you aware of why Yielya asked that question?"
"I firmly believe there is no such thing as a one-way exchange. I believed that Adventurers were of a similar mindset."
"While that is true to an extent, that isn't why she asked. It was to test your sincerity. With a sure suicidal mission we wanted to test how much you were willing to give. And you surprised me to say the least."
"Then why reduce it?"
"Because we have a chance of exploring something no one on this content has before. That in itself is a great reward."
"It is an area of unknown dangers."
"All part of the journey."
"I. . . see?"
Akiol then asked, "Are you certain there is no info on what could be on the other side?"
Kayne hesitated for a moment, "We might have something. It was trouble to translate, but it was something about the Calamity of Goju."
"What do you know?"
"That's all, our information is incredibly lacking as of now."
"I see, then when do we set off?"
"You accept my request?"
"Yep! Our task is to collect information about the continent's ability and if they have anything that threatens this continent. Am I missing anything?"
"This is completely optional, but if you could find anything about the Calamity of Goju, that would be great."
"We agree on the reward?"
"Yes, I can do that."
"Then we have a deal!"
Kayne shook Akiol's hand, he was astonished that people with such strength and skill would be so carefree and kind. While they were only First Stage, the level of power they held was something no First Stage could compare to.
Usually someone would grow arrogant with that kind of strength. Yet it was the opposite for this group.
It warmed him to think that such people still existed.
Status de energia semanal
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