Alora steadied herself before responding slowly, “Uncle Demian,” she began, her voice calm and measured. “May I inquire about the reason for your visit to my palace? This is quite sudden, and I was not prepared to offer you the hospitality you deserve.”
She awaited his response with anticipation, her Knights standing firmly behind her, their expressions resolute and ready should any tension arise.
Demian stood tall at 1.85 meters (6.07 feet), towering over Alora’s 1.69 meters (5.55 feet). Alora, being a Half-Human, Half-Elf, exhibited distinctive traits different from both ordinary Elves and High-Elves. While High-Elves stood at an average height of 2.2 meters (7.22 feet) with exceptional magical potential, normal Elves, or Forest Elves as they were commonly known for their woodland lifestyle, shared a similar stature to Humans.
The Forest Elves in Yunatea were an exiled race, their values maligned by other races due to the disdain from High-Elves, who never acknowledged them as kin. The fact that the crown princess of Dissidia Kingdom was a Half-Human and Half-Elf sparked considerable debate and resistance among the people.
Demian’s voice carried a low drawl. “You have grown into a beautiful woman, Alora. I still remember you as a child-you were so fragile. Now, your strength is well-admired. For a ruler of the kingdom must possess exceptional prowess,” he said softly. “At the very least, someone as formidable as your father, the current king.”
“Thank you for the compliment, Uncle Demian,” Alora replied. “I may not compare to my father, but I assure you, when challenges arise, I will be the first to spill my blood to defend the kingdom’s sovereignty,” she declared with steadfast resolve.
Demian responded with a thin smile. “I expected no less a reply from a Crowned Princess,” he said, drawing out the last words deliberately.
According to what Elincia had informed her, Demian was potentially involved in numerous irregularities and violations within the kingdom, especially given his rumored opposition to her ascension to the throne. There were even whispers that he might attempt to seize the throne by force.
However, the extent of Demian’s support was a mystery, and in these uncertain times, Alora found it hard to trust anyone within the kingdom except for her loyal Knights.
Alora then met Demian’s gaze. “Is there an urgent matter that necessitates your visit, Uncle Demian?” she asked. “I have yet to hear an answer to that question.”
Demian smiled faintly, a hint of amusement playing on his lips. “Yes, of course,” he replied. “I wanted to congratulate you on becoming a worthy Crowned Princess. It is something I take great pride in. You have garnered significant support from the nobles and the common folk alike, a feat indeed worthy of commendation. You have certainly worked hard to achieve this.”
He continued. “I am aware that your ascension to the throne of Dissidia Kingdom will be a grand celebration, one that will be remembered for thousands of years.”
With a lingering gaze, Demian paused, then turned on his heel and walked away, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
Lionell, the knight standing attentively to the right of Princess Alora, lowered his head slightly and spoke in a voice meant only for her ears. “Your Highness.”
Kneeling beside her, his tone was filled with conviction. “I apologize, Your Highness,” he said quietly. “But I feel like this entire situation has become a form of humiliation for you. I cannot remain silent.”
“He acts with impunity, merely because he is the king’s brother,” she replied softly. “And he has been gathering forces, though no one knows the full extent of his actions. But there will come a time for reckoning. Resolving this issue with violence and direct confrontation is not the best solution.”
With a graceful movement, Alora stepped forward, her two loyal bodyguards following closely behind. Her people awaited their princess; it was time for her to address them.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she took another step forward. The roar of the crowd grew louder as they caught sight of the young princess making her way toward them.
****
Early morning, at the inn where Broken and his companions were staying, a gathering took place. Joining him were Freya, Ivana, Booba, and several other members of The Ass Guild. They were preparing for their walk to the royal castle of the Dissidia Kingdom. On this day, they would witness the grand opening ceremony of the kingdom’s triennial competition, which would be inaugurated by Princess Alora herself.
This event was traditionally held to discover new and talented individuals, both from the local residents, as well as players. Those who demonstrated their skills would be granted special privileges by the kingdom, along with access to exclusive orders and commissions. The event primarily focused on the Production Classes, including Blacksmiths, Alchemists, Tailors, Jewelers, and more. As for the Combat Classes, the kingdom had its own specific methods for recruiting players, as they already had well-trained knights and royal troops. Due to their low levels of trust in players, they kept their recruitment process relatively private, perceiving players as lacking the commitment and loyalty required by the kingdom. Broken and the others stepped into the vast colosseum-like arena. Thousands of onlookers filled the grandiose seats that ringed the area, all facing a broad stage at the front. There, the royal knights stood in formation alongside an army of kingdom troops, all awaiting the appearance of Princess Alora.
Broken and his companions found their spots in the front row, sitting side-by-side in three rows. Ivana, Freya, Broken, Goldrich, and Elincia occupied the front seats, with the others positioned behind them. The excitement was palpable as they joined the crowd in eager anticipation of the ceremony that was about to commence.
The crowds around them murmured in admiration, awestruck by the sheer magnitude of this momentous event. Well-known faces, which they had previously only seen on television or the internet, appeared in person, adding to the bustling and crowded atmosphere.
As the members of The Ass Guild entered the area and took their seats, several onlookers took notice of their presence.
“Hey, look… that’s the player named Broken who participated in that raid battle with The Ass Guild,” one person pointed out.
“So, he does have a connection with The Ass Guild?”
“Damn, this makes me jealous. Does anyone know more about his profile?”
“Some rumors say he is a blacksmith.”
“A blacksmith? Not a swordsman?”
“I heard he can wield a bow too.”
The crowd quickly delved into discussions, intrigued and eager to learn more about Broken’s
background.
Goldrich, who was seated next to Broken, leaned in and whispered, “Do you miss her?”
Broken turned his head, his face puzzled. “Miss her?”
“Her Highness, Princess Alora… Khi khi khi,” Goldrich chuckled.
Broken smiled faintly. “Yeah, I really miss her,” he replied in jest. “My last meeting with her was cut short because of Elincia.”
Hearing her name, Elincia tuned into their conversation.
Goldrich chuckled again at Broken’s playful response. “If it wasn’t for Elincia, who told me, I might not have believed it. I’ve never met her in person. I only knew her from pictures shared by players worldwide or seen her from afar. And you… You’ve managed to surpass 99.999% of Immortal Legacy players with your unique experiences,” he said without specifying the exact
topic.
“You’re sure you can only imagine the experiences I’ve had, right, Goldrich?”
“Were they good?”
“Well, if you’re curious, you could always ask Elincia to cast her Ultimate Spell on you. You
might get a taste of it yourself.”
“Khi khi khi… That sounds intriguing. But I was actually asking about your experience with Princess Alora…” Goldrich continued, still grinning.
Ivana, sitting nearby, turned her head, drawn in by their conversation.
Freya leaned over to whisper to her, “If you heard the story about Broken being caught naked
in front of Princess Alora when she was about to take a bath, don’t take it too seriously. It was probably just a coincidence.”
Ivana was taken aback for a moment, then let out a chuckle. “It seems like there’s a lot I don’t know about this world,” she remarked.
Freya smiled knowingly and added, “But if Broken ever asks you to do something similar, let
me know. I’ll make sure he’s held responsible for his actions-at the very least, I’ll force him
to marry you first.”
Ivana couldn’t help but laugh again at Freya’s playful remark.