The day of rest I was gifted before I would visit the Royal Castle did little to ease my mind. The right Hand, the leader of Holdanis as a region, invited ME? I know I became a Sword Saint not too long ago, but this sent my head into overdrive. Had I become suspicious to Anul? Has he managed to sniff out that I have an unnatural ability that mingles with time?

Since time magic is forbidden and heavily restricted, will I be punished? No, what am I thinking! If Gabriel himself didn't know what the mark represents, how could Anul figure it out? I'm overthinking it.

Still...

As Amon and I garbed ourselves in the finest clothes that were provided by a famous tailor for nobles, we embarked on the short walk to the Royal Castle.

Amon fiddled with the golden buttons on his dragonic red shirt that fitted him precisely as it should've. Thin black lines ran down the almost crimson shirt in jarring patterns, the fine material spread downwards like a laminar waterfall. Amon had room in the shirt, as it didn't fit him too tightly, owing to the nature of our clothes. These weren't made for battle, but for a fine dine with a king, or a meeting with someone like Anul. The dragonic shirt melted over his dark pants which were held by a belt which wasn't visible under the shirt.

I was dressed in gray, as a Sword Saint should when attending such a grand meeting like this. I bought a coat which suited my still child-like physique. Under the gray coat was a plain white shirt, because the coat was the main clothing piece. On the gray coat were dark lines that were symmetrical, unlike the ones on Amon's shirt. The coat went over my same-shade gray pants, but still made them visible from the front.

Amon constantly nagged about the clothes, saying how ridiculed he looks.

"—and the way it hangs backwards! What is this!?"

I chuckle at his fuming head. "Sometimes I wonder if you truly are royalty by the way you hold yourself."

Amon cocks his head towards me, raising his right index finger. "Don't look down upon me, human!"

I could feel his aura manifesting itself as magic began trickling down his finger. His aura was shaky, indicative of a slight nervousness. I could not categorize myself in the same boat, as my hands shook with anxiety.

We were close, too close for comfort. I knew how to behave in front of these people, but that didn't ease my thoughts.

The sheer number of royal guards that were enlightened and had a stronger aura than I did in my previous life told of the weight this meeting will carry.

A beautiful silver fence surrounded the Royal Castle, having a magic suppression effect. As we were let inside the front gates, the outside world muffled into an incoherent hum, then turned to silence as the gates closed. No sound and no aura could be sensed from the outside. No wind blew in bound of the encircling gates.

Total isolation from the outside.

The Royal Castle was just like my own in Eclipsia, with many floors and a complex structure. As we stood below it, the towering behemoth presented itself in its full display, showing us the sheer size and precise architecture used to make it.

What stood in front of us were 10 foot tall gates made of silver and black finish, which opened without a creek. The cold air of the inside rushed outwards, causing me to shiver. Now, I could withstand temperatures that would freeze an entire sea, but this was something else.

Waiting for us at the doors was no other than Cidion himself, dressed in white robes as usual. He positioned himself perpendicular to us, offering both of us to step inside.

As the gates of the castle shut behind us, Amon's scarlet eyes widened. "Another magic barrier?? Is that necessary?" his voice cracked, but only slightly.

I've become used to Amon's usual demeanor, so I could sense any deviation from the ordinary. Cidion might’ve also noticed, since he was an insightful man.

This would not only shock Amon, but myself as well. The demon child that had the best sense out of everyone I've met in this life, unable to sense past the confines of this enforced castle.

Cidion smiled softly as he does, not turning towards us as he led the way.

"Are you ready? To meet the Greatness himself, I mean."

That's right, his Greatness. If either Amon or I addressed Anul as 'his Majesty', it would result in immediate execution. Only the Rulers are to be addressed as 'their Majesties'. Such a strict rule, one that is written in every law book.

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I tense up. "I don't think I'll ever be."

Amon doesn't stifle his snickering laugh. "You're afraid of a Hand?? Weak resolve. He doesn't compare to the likes of my grandpa."

I don't know if this is true though, as I have no knowledge of how powerful the King of Hell is.

We stopped.

There was a third gate which we were led to, through countless dark hallways. I knew what awaited me beyond this. The black gates and glowing emerald details on it could only showcase one thing.

Cidion knocked. It was a methodical set of three knocks, each one possessing the same rhythm and power. The gates opened...

We stepped into the confines of the most treasured room in the entire castle, the throne room. Where King Grey once had sat, his right and left Hands positioned to each side of him.

The room itself was giant, with a set of towering columns leading up to the throne. The room itself was isolated from the rest of the castle by a third magic barrier, this one presumably stronger than the rest. Even Cidion was visibly sweating, now fallen into deep silence as he stood to the side, presenting Amon and I to...

To him.

Sitting comfortably in his seat, watching us from an elevated position was a man that looked young, but carried an unimaginable number behind that youthful face. Long silvery hair, tied into a ponytail that ran down his back by a crystalline emerald circle. His summer sea turquoise eyes were peering at us behind slightly lowered eyelids, the incarnation of an indifferent calmness.

His black attire ran down the throne, as we could see his thin physique through. His aura was... unreadable. Of course, not even a smidgen of aura would go through, as this man, this being didn't allow us to even look at his presence properly.

As Amon and I made eye contact, our knees gave weight and we succumbed to a pressure that didn't even exist. He forced his aura on us, I was sure of it, but I just couldn't sense it.

[How can I not sense something that is influencing me!?] I complained with an internal cry.

I looked over at Amon, both of us rested on one knee and facing the ground.

His face, I had never seen it like this. He was experiencing fear. It was fear of overwhelming power. I don't think Amon feared death, as he was an unnaturally brave, and perhaps slightly mad child.

This was something else. Anul, a presence that we couldn't sense. An abyss, sitting comfortably in his throne and looking into our very souls.

"Welcome."

His voice rang out through the room, as everything stilled. There were a few individuals that I could guess were guards and advisors of some sort, both male and female (all enlightened). Everyone faced Anul when he was talking, even looking at him which was a bit odd.

[How can they muster the courage?] I asked myself.

"You can stand up," Anul says placidly.

Our bodies moved on their own, as we were almost forced to look back into those cleaving turquoise eyes.

"Sword Saint Adam Agnes, I commend you for your success. Defeating one of the best swordsmen in the entire kingdom is a great victory, especially for someone your age."

I could not for the life of me discern if this was heartfelt honesty, or a thick facade. This praise didn't go to my head even the slightest bit, even if it comes from Holdanis' mightiest being. His words shook every fiber of my being as I was forced to experience both fear and awe at the same time.

Anul did not move, his body sitting idly, relaxed as if his consciousness was detached from his physical being.

His eyes darted to Amon, then back at me.

"Tell me Adam, who is it that you bring with yourself?"

I looked at the trembling demon child, but he had more courage than me it seems.

His hands clasped his body as his lips opened. "I am Amon, grandson of the King of Hell, Azazel."

After he introduced himself, the people inside the room went into a chattering uproar.

"—can't be. Azazel's grandkid?"

"—must be lying, in front of his Greatness..."

One of them addressed Amon directly.

"His Greatness addressed the Sword Saint, not you!"

Anul slowly lifted his right hand, after which a deafening silence befell the room.

As soon as he moved, everything went still as fear and loyalty struck the entire space like an engulfing explosion.

"Grandson of Azazel? I can assume your mother is Lilith then?"

Amon just nodded his head.

"Interesting. Both of my guests are royalty, descendants of powerful families. Kleopatra, Azazel... Well then, I have a question for you, Adam."

My blood froze, as I felt myself sinking into the ground. I took a deep inhale, calming myself to the best of my abilities.

"Yes, your Greatness?"

I couldn't see if Anul smiled, as it looked like his lips made a motion, but it could've been my mind playing tricks on me.

He tilted his head to the side ever-so-slightly. "Who are you?"

"E-excuse me??" my words left my mouth.

I felt a presence penetrate my consciousness as an overwhelming force of unimaginable degree passed by my mind.

I couldn't sense it, but could feel its effect. It is Anul's aura, his magic or whatever he possesses. He could squash me like a bug in a mere instant if he wanted to, I knew that.

The presence vanished as soon as it appeared, and Anul raised one of his dark thin eyebrows. It was the first time his face showed anything except indifference.

"It really seems you are unaware of it... Well, I'll leave fate to sort it out," he says cryptically.

I didn't know what he meant, but I was glad things didn't go south. I decided to try my luck, as this was the only chance I'll have. "I... I have a request."

One of the guys standing near a column started approaching me aggressively.

"Preposterous! How can you even think—"

Anul lifted his right hand once again, silencing the outraged man.

His Greatness never took his eyes off of me. "And what might that be?"

I mustered the courage. I must ask him for permission, as this is the only way I can gain information that'll lead me to the Dreamer, and the only way to stop my arch nemesis. "May I gain access to your library?"

Waiting for the response almost sent me back to my mother's treasury as my heart decided to skip a beat. Is he going to ask for my intentions? What do I tell him?

[Think Adam, THINK!!]

"You may. My librarian will lead you to it. You're dismissed, I got everything I needed."

He got everything he needed? Did he consider me a threat? No, I don't think Anul can consider anyone a threat. There isn't a being in this world that can top his presence. It was like standing in front of absolute judgment.

I best not think about it. What I got from this was the best possible outcome.

To the library we go.