[Arden]

I slowly regained consciousness as my eyes adjusted to the sudden light of the sun. My vision blurred and I blinked a few times before taking in my surroundings.

I had changed out of my clothes of nobility while being transported and had a thin cotton shirt and pants on, all in a dull grey color.

I had no belongings except for a leather satchel that looked as if it had been used for a few months.

All in all, I looked like the average peasant. I am a peasant now, I realized, the memories of my confrontation with Father resurfaced and I tried not to re-enter that pit of sadness and anger.

The satchel contained 9 copper coins and 2 silver coins- Father at least had the decency to give me some money, but why such a weird amount? 1 more copper coin could’ve made it 3 silvers, a nice, round number. I stopped that train of thought, it was amoral to be greedy.

I seemed to be situated in a dingy alleyway, the midday sun filtering in through the various windows of houses.

The alleyway had moss and vines snaking through the floor and it smelled something like a rat’s gut.

The end of the alleyway came in the form of an unlocked gate which led to an intersection.

I shakily stood up, my hand scraping across the wall. I hissed in pain and rubbed my hand on my shirt, luckily, my hand only slightly stung.

I walked towards the gate and opened it. A high pitched squeaking sound from the rusted door caused some passerby to glance at me before continuing on their way.

I surveyed the street; on one side there were a few stalls with merchants selling their wares and a bakery with eloquent golden writing that read ‘Ell’s Golden Bakery’. On the other side there was a large sign that read ‘Brisbane Village’ and a smaller sign pointing to the right that read ‘Brisbane Dungeon Office’.

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The gears of my mind shifted as I remembered the conversation that I overheard. There was a Transcendent Teacher in Brisbane dungeon, if I could get one of those, I could become one of the Peerless. I started to head towards the sign before my stomach started rumbling.

First, I’ll have lunch.

[Princess Andromeda Asclepius]

Cheers and shouts threatens to blow my ears up as the raucous crowd shouldered there way to look at the ornate horse-drawn carriage that me and Father were currently sitting in.

The only thing separating us from our audience was small thin sheet of what looked like glass. This theory was quickly disproven when an overeager individual elbowed their way through the crowd and collided with our carriage.

I tried not to wince as he met the Tier-5 steel (made transparent by Master Smiths) head-on. A resounding noise breached my ears. I still remembered the first time a keen fellow mimicked the same thing and the girlish shriek I screamed as the intruder hit the window. I hid my smile and maintained my indifferent expression, only briefly glancing at the trespasser.

The person in question was being detained by the royal guards before Father closed the royal blue colored gossamer curtains. He restored his askew crown to its former position before regarding me and saying,

“I still don’t understand why you decided to join me here.” His deep voice echoed through the confines of the carriage.

“I got tired of you telling my maids to constantly harass me to go,” I replied nonchalantly.

Father sighed before settling into a more comfortable position.

The driver had said that we would reach our residence after midday and it was only after that when Raphael would arrive.

It was going to be a long day.

[Arden]

I left the bakery content, with a full stomach of delicious honey-drizzled buns I was ready to go to the office and officially become an adventurer.

I leisurely strolled through the street and was met with a surprise. A gigantic crowd had formed on either side of the street. I could barely discern the office from behind them, apparently there was some sort of event happening.

I asked a sandy-haired man of what was occurring and he fixed me with an incredulous look,

“Boy, have you been living under a rock? The Royal Family is arriving here!”

“I heard the princess was coming as well, and I’ve also heard that she’s a pretty little thing as well if you catch me drift?” A passerby added.

His comment was met by laughing and jeers but then a sudden hush overtook them,

“The carriage is coming!” Someone exclaimed.

I elbowed my way closer to front, my thin and small frame allowing me to easily slip in between the gaps. I paid no heed to the hisses of dissatisfaction, my mind set on catching a glimpse of the carriage. Without warning, a voice from behind me shouted,

“Oi you little rascal! Ya think you can get away with that?”

I started to turn, but not before I felt hands on my back push me into the street. I glanced forward, my mouth agape as I collided with a window which had seemed to have the strength of a brick wall.

The last thing I remembered were the most breathtaking sapphire eyes I had ever seen.