章節 4: Welcome to Nelvora

With a furrowed brow, Ethan took a deep breath and tried to make sense of his surroundings.

The air was fresh and clean, and he could feel a gentle breeze blowing against his skin. The grass beneath his feet was soft and cool, and he could hear the faint sound of a nearby river.

"Something isn't right." Ethan muttered to himself, looking around him to see if he could make sense of anything.

"Okay hold on…. I remember running away from those guys, and then running on the roof before I tripped and fell… right… I fell".

Ethan looked at his hands, "Did I somehow die from the fall and now I'm in the after Life?" He questioned.

Suddenly, he heard a girl crying from afar, her voice filled with terror and desperation.

"What the hell is going on here?! Please God no, I don't want to die! Someone, anyone, help me!" The girl's screams echoed through the field, sending shivers down Ethan's spine.

'Was that… a girl?' Ethan muttered, his attention drawn to the source of the voice.

As he scanned the field, his eyes settled on a figure running towards him, stumbling and falling several times in the process. It was a girl, her face etched with fear and her eyes filled with tears.

But before Ethan could get a good look at her, his attention was diverted to a group of lizardmen chasing after her, each wielding a deadly weapon. They were gaining on her fast, and it was clear that the girl's life was in danger.

'Lizardmen…just like in the book, Diazaro." Ethan blurted out, unable to hide the little excitement he was feeling. His expression quickly died when the girl tripped and her face went flat on the ground.

She instantly tried to stand up, but her leg was broken from the fall, all she could do was watch in fear as the Lizardman charged towards her.

As the girl tried to move in fear, the Lizardmen closed in on the herl. Just as they were about to strike, a thunderous voice boomed from behind him, "Oh no, you're done! Execute... dark flames!"

Ethan turned to see a knight charging towards the group of Lizardmen on horseback, his hands stretched out in front of him. The knight wore a shining armor, with a flowing red cape and a helmet that covered his face.

A blast of dark flames erupted from the knight's hands, engulfing the Lizardmen in a blaze of fire. The creatures screamed and writhed in pain, but the knight was relentless, his flames consuming them one by one.

As the last of the Lizardmen fell to the ground, the knight rode up to the injured girl and helped her to her feet. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice softening as he removed his helmet to reveal a kind face.

The girl nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you," she sobbed. "Thank you so much".

'A Knight? And was that…magic?' Ethan spoke to him while still keeping a cool and calm expression.

The knight suddenly turned to Ethan and gave him a nod of recognition. "You're not from around here, are you?" He asked, his voice gruff and commanding.

Ethan studied the knight for a moment before answering, "No, I'm not from here".

The knight's expression turned thoughtful, and he furrowed his brow. "Interesting," he muttered before looking back at Ethan. "Ahh yes, here they come."

'They?'

Ethan followed the knight's gaze and saw a group of mounted knights rapidly approaching their position. The sound of their hooves on the ground was thunderous and filled the air.

The knight turned back to Ethan and said, "We must go. Follow me, I shall take you to the king".

Without hesitation, Ethan followed the knight on horseback as they galloped away from the oncoming group of knights.

…..

Ethan's eyes scanned the opulent throne room, taking in the grandeur and the sheer number of people present. The high ceiling was adorned with intricate carvings and ornate chandeliers hung from it. The walls were covered in paintings depicting battles and conquests of the past.

He shifted his gaze towards the king, who was dressed in royal robes, his crown gleaming in the light. The king's stern expression showed he meant business. Ethan couldn't help but feel a sense of unease in the presence of the powerful ruler.

A few of the other six people beside Ethan looked equally nervous, their faces tense and their bodies rigid.

Ethan whispered to himself, "How did it end up like this?".

As he glanced around the room once more, he noticed the various nobles and mercenaries seated around the throne room, observing the proceedings with keen interest. The knights standing at every corner were vigilant and on high alert, their weapons at the ready.

It was clear that something of great importance was about to take place.

The king cleared his throat, the sound echoing through the grand hall. He spoke with a regal air, his voice ringing out with authority.

"Welcome, great heroes, to my kingdom, Nelvora. I understand that you are likely confused and shaken about your arrival here, but I assure you that you need not fret. You are among friends."

Ethan's mind raced as he took in the grandeur of the throne room. His thoughts were interrupted by the king's mention of Nelvora.

"Nelvora? A kingdom?" He thought to himself. "It's just as I suspected. I am no longer in Kailand... I've somehow landed in another world... one where magic and kingdoms still exist... this can only mean one thing…"

Ethan lifted his head, a serious look on his face. "I've been transported to another world," He whispered to himself.

The atmosphere in the throne room was tense, and it was palpable in the air. All eyes were fixated on the six individuals standing before the king.

However, it wasn't just their presence that drew attention. It was the apprehension and wariness etched on their faces that caused a stir.

Even the knights, who stood guard at every corner of the room, had their hands resting on the hilt of their swords, ready to draw them at a moment's notice.

It was clear that they regarded Ethan and his companions as a potential threat, and their caution was evident in the way they monitored their every move.