Early Morning…
Kent is being escorted through the royal palace by a group of solemn-faced Royal wizards.
The dew on the palace gardens shimmering like diamonds as Kent moved in formal procession behind the wizards.
The towering marble walls and elaborate statues passed him by, but his mind was focused on the reason he was here — the royal treasury.
At every checkpoint along the way, Kent was stopped, scrutinized by stern-faced guards before being allowed to proceed.
After crossing the lush greenery, they reached the training grounds where the Palace Wizards were gathered. It was a sight to behold — young men and women practicing complex spells under the strict supervision of older mages.
“Report to the master,” one of the guards reported.
The soldiers stopped before an old man, overseeing the wizards’ training. His white beard flowed down to his chest, and his piercing eyes missed nothing. He wore the formal robes of the royal guard, but his demeanor radiated authority.
The old man gave a long, slow look at Kent before taking the royal seal letter from the soldier’s hand. He unfolded the letter, read it carefully, then without a word, folded it back and tucked it away in his robes. He didn’t speak, but his silence conveyed both acknowledgment and authority. He merely gestured for Kent to follow.
Kent nodded and fell in step behind him.
The old man led Kent beyond the training grounds, through a narrow passageway that twisted and turned like a labyrinth. At the end of the passage stood a pair of massive metal doors, sealed with intricate yantras that glowed with pulsing magical energy.
The old man stepped forward, pulling out a Lionhead emblem from within his robes. The symbol pulsed with a golden light as he pressed it against the door, and the heavy metal doors creaked open, revealing a staircase that spiraled down into the darkness.
Kent’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. Underground?
“Follow me,” the old man said, his voice casual, yet laced with authority.
They descended into the underground, the air growing cooler and denser with each step. The stairs twisted and turned as if trying to confuse those who dared to enter. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they reached the bottom, where another hallway awaited them, lit by flickering torches.
At the end of the hallway, Queen Soya stood waiting.
“Master,” she greeted the old man with a slight nod. She was dressed in elegant, yet alluring attire that clung to her figure. Her long dark hair was adorned with golden pins, and her lips curved into a smile when she saw Kent.
“Old master, I will lead the guest to the treasury. Please carry on with your duties.” Her voice was smooth, almost too smooth.
The old man nodded and passed the Lionhead emblem to the queen. After a respectful bow, he went away, leaving Kent alone with the queen.
“Come with me,” Queen Soya said, her voice taking on a more personal tone. “I will show you the royal treasures. I trust you will find them… interesting.”
Kent followed her silently, observing every inch of the underground as they walked. Soon they stood before a series of grand doors.
“The royal treasury is divided into seven rooms, with the key I possess, we can open six of them. But to access the seventh room… well, only the Emperor himself can open it.” Queen Soya explained, her fingers brushing against the intricate locks on the first door.
She pushed the door open with a soft creak. “This is the first room.”
Kent stepped inside and took in the sight. It was filled with gold, gemstones, and other wealth meant for the daily function of the palace. Stacks of coins and chests of jewels lined the walls. It was grand, yes, but not nearly as impressive as he had imagined. His eyes swept the room carefully, taking mental notes of the placement of every item.
As Queen Soya moved to explain the purpose of the room, Kent discreetly began taking snapshots and clippings of the room without her knowing. Even though it is not a problem to do it directly, he wants to keep some things to himself.
They moved on to the second room, which was slightly more impressive, with rare artifacts and treasures that only a few families could afford. But it wasn’t until the third room that Kent’s interest truly piqued.
“This holds treasures of a different kind. Weapons, minerals, and liquid currency used throughout the realms.” Queen Soya said, leading him into the third room.
Kent’s eyes scanned the room, lingering on several crates that were sealed with powerful yantras. His heart raced slightly when he realized what lay inside.
“Why are those crates sealed?” he asked, feigning curiosity.
“Those?” Queen Soya smiled, “Only the Emperor can open them. They hold some of the rarest and precious treasures — things that even I have never laid eyes on. They are locked with the Emperor’s master key, a golden lionhead key.”
Kent’s excitement grew, though he kept his expression neutral. He had that key in his possession already, hidden safely. But he played along, pretending to be unaware.
They continued their tour through the fourth, fifth, and sixth rooms. Each room was filled with more rare items than the last — weapons, herbs, minerals, crystals, and alchemical tools that could shake the very foundation of the world if used properly.
Kent’s mind buzzed with possibilities. His fingers itched to take everything. But he maintained his composure, his plans slowly forming.
When they reached the seventh room, he stopped short. Unlike the other rooms, the door to this one was entirely made of gold. Complex seals adorned the frame, and two emblems of a lion and a dragon faced each other menacingly on either side of the doors.
“What’s behind this door?” Kent asked, his voice steady but filled with curiosity.
Queen Soya’s smile faltered slightly. “I’ve never been allowed inside. Only the Emperor, the current patriarch of the royal family, can enter. Legend says that it holds mythical spells, ancient books, and treasures gathered from wars across the entire Seventh Realmwhen Quinn family took entire control.”
She sighed softly, her eyes trailing over the door. “It is said to be larger than the royal palace itself, filled with wealth and weapons that could conquer nations.”
Kent stared at the door, feeling the weight of it in his chest. Behind that door lay the key to unimaginable power. And he had the one thing that could unlock it — the Emperor’s master-key.
But for now, he kept silent, allowing Queen Soya to believe he was nothing more than a curious guest. Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire