Rose awakes in the same small cave entrance from the previous day, except it was covered in large extravagant flowers and blanketed in lush, green grass.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVw6lziDaU
“I guess he must've done this before he left. And it looks like he healed me too. I knew he was a nice guy.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYjJNifjbJ
I should probably report back to Faust. I hope he's not disappointed for not getting Lord Therius’s help.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpvHJ8ah96g
She focuses on Kennis and attempts to teleport back but only makes it to the castle gates, startling the guards at the gate.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBLmJzFvw7
About 20% left. I got pretty close despite being almost a whole country away.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnulqca1qD5
“Ah! You've returned, Madam Azor.” Two startled guards reach for their blades, but sheathed them upon recognizing her.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavUfLJoDF9
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn't mean to scare you guys.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW6abjMnAh
“No ma'am, you are absolutely fine. Would you like me to inform Lord Tyrol of your arrival?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStZzevFANA
“Yeah, you can let him know that I'm in town but I'm taking my time getting back to the palace. And skip the titles and stuff, just call me Rose.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNnjtDDS0S
“Yes ma- Rose.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkDjkXaoSZr
The guard runs off. Rose strolls through the streets of the capital, lost in thought.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBNmER07HV
I can't tell if Mr. Hiro rubbed off on me or if I just don't care about stuff like that to begin with.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh7CNMBatBk
…I wish I could see him again. Knowing him, he's been coming up with a plan for how we're gonna get through this even in the state he’s in…
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUtVuaE8Sz
Even if we put Zero aside, what do we do about Xander? How do we beat someone that was strong enough to beat Mr. Rex?
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KwQmI1rjz
All in all, this trip wasn't bad despite the worst case scenario happening.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIcNM8IbL8z
All of that future stuff was a little confusing though.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2euUetLbz
What I really want to know is how I'm supposed to make this legendary "Time Sword". And what happens if I don't?
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJLcFz3Ogs
I wonder what that Ritsu guy was like. He must've been pretty strong if he was friends with a god.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLs3iIWILp3
Man I'm beat. I fought a king and a god and lived. I even beat Mr. Oliver.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmdljbA3Mi
Maybe… just maybe… I can believe what they say about me.
.
.
.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTET7A9S03d
After walking around the Capital for what felt like an eternity, she eventually made her way to the Palace to speak to Faust. Once she finds him, she gives her report, omitting her encounter with Oliver, the Forest Deity.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNZfblrEZx
Faust lets out a sigh. “At this point, I’m just glad you made it back alive.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUVaeYqnrK
“Yeah, I’m alive… but what now? I screwed up with Lord Therius, so is there even a reason to keep going with Mr. Hiro’s plan?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuh20phEzY
“Excellent question. I read over Hiro’s notes and we both assumed this would happen. If you don’t believe me, you can read it yourself.” He says while handing her the stack of notes.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFxVEf99pD6
The page on top reads as such:
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrb7v4zWBU
If you’re reading this as intended, Rose should’ve just returned from Raske. If I had to guess, Lord Therius declined our request for aid. That’s fine for now. Based on today’s meeting with him, he seems quite stubborn and dislikes this new generation of royalty, especially us in Rahu. This can’t be helped, however the plan I laid out in earlier pages should still be usable. The other nations are more likely to provide some aid.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡztnomrT03n
“So just stick to the plan? Sounds easy enough.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiSwv0EKyI
“Good. That being said, how long are you going to be in town? While we are on a deadline, you still need to make sure you are well rested before each of your expeditions.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3cMZL4ofI
“I was going to head out tom- Actually… Could you teach me stronger magic?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9P22lJn9Wx
“Hmm… What brings this about?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ORBN9UDiL
“I don’t feel like there's anything wrong with what I know now, but I feel like there’s more that I could be doing.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiY37KYCqRl
“Interesting… However, Light and Dark magic are mostly unexplored due to their hostile behaviors, so there isn’t much to teach you. Despite having the affinity, I don't know very many light spells.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX7LF5PkL5A
“I thought they're only unstable when they're mixed?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqEKyinCEq
“Not quite. You don't know it because you only have Light and Dark affinities, but to everyone else who possesses multiple affinities, those two are the hardest ones to control.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUnTZqfW14
“So I just have to figure it out on my own?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuBs08k07iM
“Yes, but there is inspiration all around you. Perhaps there will be something on your travels that will be a spark for you. Remember, magic is limitless in nature, but bound by the human mind. It really is up to you to determine what you can and can’t do with it.”
.
.
.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4w2E1nfaEg
Rose rested for a day before heading to Rahvas.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSsqFQ2XUT
First thing's first, I have to teleport to Raske. That mountain passage should work as a starting point. I would go to the palace but I doubt Lord Therius wants to see me again.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxpL88p7E1A
She waves goodbye to everyone at Kennis's Palace, before teleporting away. Upon arrival, the passageway was just as she'd left it.. She goes inside the small cave area to rest and regain her ether before continuing her journey.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVgnUcwcCs
She sleeps for a few hours before dashing off towards Rahvas. Once arriving in Raske, she continues to run along the top of the wall surrounding the city.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUUJiVURQD
It seems like Therius didn't say anything about me to the rest of the nation about me fighting him. Glad he didn't, or else that might make this trip a lot harder.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrnmR62ZNs
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdApODjilX6
After about a day’s worth of travel, Rose arrives at the front gate with about 50% of her ether remaining.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KxRyygUvG
I don't think I need to rest now. As long as the same thing doesn't happen, I'll be fine.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbL7v7DVCIZ
“Hey Rose!”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpS9yUn3f4V
“Oh!” Rose stumbles. “I swear this mental link will never not surprise me.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8PZBly0SI
“Eh, you'll get used to it eventually.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcuX3DFlZjw
“I hope so.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhJYh9sRjU
“How are you holding up? Have you done anymore cool stuff yet?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkNz2c2gJC
“Nothing crazy, just sprinting across the continent as usual. I’m on my way to Rahvas to speak with Lord Cromwell.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbESbytpLJ0
“Do you think he’ll be more friendly than Lord Therius?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0A6bH2B00
“That’s what Lord Tyrol and Mr. Hiro’s notes said. I just hope it’s true.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDuusrlq9ZQ
“Well… on a normal day, that’d be true. He might be upset about you fighting his best friend though.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkOPxWl8NYA
“... Lord Therius and Lord Cromwell are friends?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjaHgYmeOR
“You might not know this, but the current Kings of Raske, Rahvas, and Sepp, became kings at the same time about 20 years ago, so they’re all pretty friendly towards one another, Lord Therius and Lord Cromwell especially.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJ8EVYo8kY
“That would’ve been nice to know before. I just hope he knows Lord Therius started it. Anyway, I just arrived at the gate. I’ll talk with you again once I leave Rahvas.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxAOhd4JOqr
“Okay, stay safe!”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXW0ZVxHXA4
Rose approaches the guards at the gate with a signed letter from Hiro.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwhFUSOex3f
“Ms. Azor? I can guide you to the Palace now if you’re ready” The guard says.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozTUBCBGX0
They were expecting me? This can't be good.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCilk4KcMb
They walk her up to the palace and she walks into the Throne Room. When the guards open the door, she sees a boy no older than herself on one knee in front of a visibly disgruntled Arthur.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBxFP0cA6n
“Oh, I'm so sorry m'lord, we didn't know you were still occupied.” The guard says while backing out of the open door.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpbhbeGv6In
“Halt! I was just finishing up here,” Arthur says forcefully. “I will let you leave for now. However, if I hear of you spreading these false claims again, you will be executed where you stand.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLR8GfBVYz
The boy’s face shows signs of disappointment, before making his way towards the door.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cN6Gjf7WW
“I know what you’ve come here for and the answer is no, I will not be providing aid to Rahu. Begone.” Arthur says with a hint of agitation in his voice.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TtVunEZlT
Rose is dumbstruck. “Um… Is there anything that I’ve done to warrant such a… harsh response?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX4MPy3i7A
“I said, Begone.” Arthur says as he stands to his feet and raises his hands above his head, as if in a stance.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgawJnXdco
Something’s weird here. What's he doing?
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Nffi0Z64n
Arthur begins to swing his hands downwards. As they descend, a shining silver blade appears in his hands, sending a nigh-invisible blade of wind at her. It connects, but she teleports away before it fully cleaves through her.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRJWlAU03v
What… was that?
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6YF2Lgv3Kc
Looking at her own blood strewn across the palace floor, she instantly feels dizzy.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNfGIw00Yh3
“If you had left when I said, I might've let you live.” Arthur says.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCR995Rdz3W
“Hey, get back here!” Rose turns to see the boy from earlier snatch a sword from one of the guards and dash towards her. She backs away instinctively, but not before feeling a blade slash her across the chest. She teleports a few feet over just as ‘it’ pierces her skin.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2NXeLDoU9T
She looks up at Lord Cromwell, now holding a silver longsword. He glares at her before swinging his sword again, sending a shockwave at her again. This time, the boy dashes in front of her and parries the shockwave slash, effectively sliding it off of his stolen blade. The slash hits the wall next to them, kicking up dust and knocking them off of their feet.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡckuCwkKYpI
“Hey! Come with me!” The boy says while grabbing her and running out the door.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuguFXcScQ5
Still dazed from the previous strike, she runs off with him. She looks behind her to see the guards off in the distance and a blood trail. She looks down at herself to examine the gash across her body, still leaking blood. She begins to stumble over herself before falling over completely.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqG55fCHhXk
“Hey! Can you hear me?” The boy says to her before she closes her eyes.
.
.
.
Rose awakens to an unfamiliar room. She looks around the room until she locks eyes with the boy from earlier.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGmkFXqnUR0
“You’re awake already?” The young man says, sitting behind her reading a book..
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTDCDBbA141
She instinctively tenses up, but feels her entire upper body seize up in retaliation.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdkPHXEyQx
“You should try to rest for now. You took a pretty hard hit back there.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMSVVxWz0S
“Why did you save me?” She says.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyEtYrt0PR
“You seemed worth helping.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDhGBoEnPz
“Worth helping? What do you mean by that?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDuQmZrJPV
“Hey, I don't mean anything weird by it, just… you know…”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKFSI9vEsS
“I'm leaving.” She rolls her eyes as she struggles to get up.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrNrLJL0xM
“Wait, you're not in any shape to be moving around on your own yet!” He says, standing in front of her. “Just hear me out first and I promise, I'll make it worth your time.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs86gN2WabA
I guess I don't have much of a choice.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFoPREPemR
“Fine, I'll listen. First, my name is Rose Azor. Your turn.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkN4S82eSO
“Excellent. My name is Aamir Tosi, and I'm a soon-to-be member of nobility.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjWztVVsRQ
“Soon-to-be?” She asks.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirTvfkbfAN
“It's a long story, so I'll make some tea before we start.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWgEyd2nYU
Over the course of a few hours, Aamir explained that Rahvas's royalty was determined by whoever wields the ability, Rite of Royalty. The current wielder and king is Lord Arthur Cromwell. The ability chooses a Successor for itself, and only chooses those in the Cromwell family bloodline. While the ability itself doesn't do much on its own, it allows the wielder access to the Voti.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xqdbvsxDU
“And what exactly are the Voti?” Rose asked with visible exhaustion on her face.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKZKzLcUqY
“They're weapons that can only be used by the wielder of Rite of Royalty. Supposedly, there's three of them, but we've only seen one of them in the last few generations of kings. That being Lord Cromwell's sword, Excalibur.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmCtuAmtEJ
“Are the other two as strong as Excalibur? Do they also send slashes when the holder attacks?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuto1OqqfX6
“Who knows. I've been researching my whole life and I haven't found anything on them, aside from their existence.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIPH1kZvlQu
“...Sure. So, I understand that this is important for Lord Cromwell, but why does this matter to me or you?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YPKk7HwYN
“According to my father, our bloodline is an offshoot of the Cromwell bloodline due to an affair that happened a few generations ago. And since Lord Cromwell doesn't have a child, it's likely that the Rite of Royalty will manifest itself within me.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡurQMWlsXbg
“Okay, I'm following so far.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzX0lZExTRH
“Another thing to note is that the transfer of Rite of Royalty doesn't happen instantly. It takes 24 hours to fully transfer between the two users.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJtDmqZ7TRE
“And I'm assuming you want me to protect you while that's happening.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o5mrTJHSy
“Exactly. I'm not part of the main family, so once people find out, they won't be too happy for it. Is that reasonable enough of a request?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbhwLlaMzl
Rose ponders for a moment. While he did save her life, this is a hefty request to ask of a girl he just met.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhcXFzuhl3
“I'll do it on one condition. Once you're king, you'll provide aid to Rahu. I can't tell you for what yet, but I know we'll need it and we'll need it soon. Will you accept?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl4N1Fq940Q
He extends his hand with a smile on his face.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6fikUcpq4
Agreed. On my pride as the future king of Rahvas, I swear to assist Rahu in anyway I can when the time arises.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLX3J951hD
Rose shakes his hand, and lays back down in bed.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi44VHToGNS
“If I have to protect you, I guess I need to regain my strength.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaePnhNuGV
“You should. You only have a few more hours before it happens.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT32CL6wVm
“A few hours!?”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyLKjQmPt0
“Yeah, my 16th birthday is tomorrow and it's already 8:00 at night. Don't worry, I'll wake you when it starts.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhfsHRaPmvo
“Fine then. ‘Night.” She says as enters Hyperspeed and rolls over to face the wall.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGfkMq4Nij
The best way to get good sleep in 4 hours is to stretch it to 8.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ71Dww9rtvV
“Goodnight Rose.”
.
.
.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD6gAScdG18
A few hours pass and Rose hears movement behind her. She whirls around to see Aamir walking back into the room.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQil9skZ0I
“Oh! I didn't mean to wake you.” He says while turning away from her.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1tVizAWUB
“Are you alright?” She says, having caught a glimpse of his face. It was tear stained.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQSivhgVeH
“Yeah, I'm just a bit nervous is all.” He says, sniffling.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXxnjhKErC
“I don't know about you, but most people don't cry when they're nervous. If there's something on your mind, you can tell me.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvDoBiWETq
He sighs. “When I awake tomorrow, I’ll finally be royalty. Will I feel any differently? What’ll Excalibur feel like once it’s in my hand? What’s it really like to be King? Aside from the questions… Part of me is scared. Part of me feels like I’ll wake up just as regular as I am today. I could’ve forgone the excess training and acted like the normal person I was all along. The thought that my entire life might have been wasted on this idea that I’m meant to be King of Rahvas and wield legendary power… is truly frightening to me.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFklsB8qnw
As Rose searches for the words to say, she is stopped by a bright light and the sound of trumpets. Both of them instinctively cover their eyes for a moment. Once the light settles, She looks around the room to see an astounding sight. The walls from the room had become translucent. The pair could see people all across the city waking up to the noise and looking in their direction.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqy07GBu0q
“Are those… Wings?” She says, staring at Aamir. Ethereal wings unfurl behind him as he now stands at an altar.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUZXjUKmTf
“Father… You were right. My training was worth it. I really am next in line.” Aamir whispers to himself, wiping his eyes as he speaks.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCqkw7xPAG
“Rose, this is the awakening ceremony for Rite of Royalty. For the next 24 hours, I’ll need your help to make it through alive.” He says to her.
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzJmN7Gq27
“Gotcha, let’s get moving then.”
150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnjtmA4pTmg
然後按「加至主畫面」