As we approached the grand palace doors a large lycanid man stopped our little procession. I recognised him instantly; it was the same man who had caught my eye earlier.

He was huge. Dressed in a red and gold military coat with odd ribbons and medals dangling from his chest, he held out a sturdy arm to halt us.

“Come with me, your party is to enter through a different door.” He growled in a low and menacing tone.

I knew already that lycanids had vocal cords that made them sound threatening, but despite being aware of that, I still thought the military garbed man’s entire visage oozed danger.

I swallowed hard as I strained my neck to look up at him, his shaggy main billowing in the breeze around us.

“Of course.” Lucas said, squeezing between myself and the lycanid and offering out his hand. “It’s been quite some time Raphiel.

“Indeed.” He growled, taking Lucas by the arm, and shaking it once with a powerful stroke. “I am to escort you to the side door where you’ll enter, bow and kneel before his majesty.”

“Lead on then, my good fellow.” Lucas said, smiling as he gestured away with his palm. If it wasn’t for the scratches and bruises all over his face you’d never have known he’d just gone toe to toe in single combat with a dragon.

“I know he looks like a big bad wolf.” Bell said, whispering in my ear. “But he’s really more like a puppy once you get to know him.”

I turned to her raising an eyebrow. Did she know this guy?

She didn’t offer me and answer, simply trotting after Lucas and Raphiel as he led us around the side of the palace.

“That guy is massive.” I said in low voice as Sally moved to walk beside me.

“He’s the head of the royal guard.” She grumbled. “We used to work together, a long time ago. Don’t let his appearance fool you, he’s only the third strongest in this little group of ours.”

I thought for a moment as we walked in silence. I had to assume that she meant both herself and Lucas were stronger. That was all well and good but it was me and Bell who were most likely to piss him off.

We marched along the outer path for a short while before stopping before another, much smaller door. I could hear chatter and horns playing inside the palace itself. The opening ceremony must have already started.

I felt my stomach do another summersault as I mentally prepared for an audience with the king. I needed to ask him for a favour and I honestly had no idea how that would go down.

If he refused then I wasn’t sure what I’d do. There would surely be another way but finding it might take time. I took in a deep breath as the cool night air filled my lungs.

“It’s time.” Raphiel said, opening the side door and gesturing for us to go through.

Lucas went first, followed by Bell, Sally, and me. Raphiel brought up the rear, closing the door behind him.

We walked through an understated corridor before rounding a corner which opened up into the palace hall. The nobles flooded the place in neat rows, leaving a gap in the middle to walk through. It reminded me of a wedding ceremony.

They stood at attention, beady eyes following us as we marched ceremoniously along the isle. The hall itself was gigantic and sparse. The ceilings were high and decorated with chandeliers and paintings of ships and the sea.

At the end of the hall was an oversized, golden throne with red cushioning on it. Behind that was a pair of expensive looking stained-glass windows depicting a man being crowned and city next to the ocean with light beaming down on it from the heavens.

I get the feeling I’m not going to like this guy. I thought as I took in the grandeur of the falsely proclaimed socialist palace.

The king sat formally on his oversized throne. He had golden hair which was braided and tied in a fancy bun at the top of his head. He wore no crown, but from the scarlet and golden robes covering his shoulders, he was obviously a monarch.

He had a beard which was perfectly trimmed into a thin line which cut along his jawline ending at his chin which had a thin, single braid.

We walked towards the throne and Lucas stopped us. He bowed deeply before moving to the side and kneeling. Bell then copied him with a curtsey, Sally bowed and then it was my turn.

Now, I’ve heard the saying when in Rome before and I knew I needed to ask for a favour. However, I simply wasn’t raised to bow to others. There was something in me that simply wouldn’t allow it.

So when I reached the line of my kneeling friends, I nodded politely at the king before taking a knee next to them.

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I was respectful, but I also wouldn’t bow to anyone. It just wasn’t in my nature. Maybe I had a chip on my shoulder from growing up poor, or maybe my Usurper skill compelled me to defiance. Either way though, I was sure it wouldn’t be that big of a deal.

But, of course it was.

The entire room erupted into a pompous cacophony of gasps and mutters, Nobles turned to each other with shocked expressions, looking at me with disgust. It was, quite frankly, hilariously over the top.

“My word, I can’t believe him.”

“I heard he’s a communist.”

“Why of course he is, look at that disgusting face of his. Everyone knows communists have awful faces.”

“The king should execute him for his impertinence.”

“He’s a communist spy.”

“I bet he barely even helped with the dragon problem.”

“What a horrible young man he is.”

The king didn’t allow their chatter to go on for long however and he raised his palm shutting them all up as they returned to their places in silence.

Why do they keep mentioning communism? I wondered, before remembering my Torch of Eternal Communist Supremacy. That damned system had made me a social pariah.

“Young adventurer.” He began in a loud and commanding voice. “Perhaps you are unaware, but in our culture it is respectful to bow before a monarch.”

As he spoke I felt something niggling at the back of my mind. It compelled me to bow, to be compliant and docile. I waved it away with barely a thought.

“I meant no offence, but where I am from we don’t bow.” I said, putting on my poshest voice and hoping to sound respectful. “Expecting a bow because of one’s station is subservience, not respect. At least that’s how it is thought of modernly in my country.”

The king looked at me and furrowed his brow. Perhaps I had gone too far, bowing would have been the easier solution, but as I mentioned before, something inside of me just wouldn’t allow me to. The entire act of bowing to someone means you place them as higher than you and no matter who this guy was, no one was higher than anyone else in my opinion.

At least I hoped it was my opinion. For all I knew it could have been a side effect of my Usurper skill. Could skills alter a person’s personality?

A man has to live by a code. It doesn’t have to be the same as the law, it doesn’t even have to make sense. But everyone should have things that they believe in and will fight for no matter the consequence. Without that, we’re nothing more robots or animals.

The king’s eyed squinted slightly as he looked at me, they seemed to pierce right through me and I felt the niggling feeling in the back of my mind once more. Once again, I brushed it away.

He leaned forwards slightly, a twitch on his lips revealing some kind of emotional reaction. Meanwhile, the nobles watched us in stunned silence.

Then he chuckled.

It was a light, Santa-like laugh and a few beats later the entire hall erupted into forced, awkward laughter until the king held his hand up again.

“Very well.” He said loudly. “As you have done Havar such a great service I will permit your humorous impudence as a difference in culture.”

I let out a sigh of relief and nodded courteously to the man before glancing to my side. Bell had her head bowed but I could tell she was doing all that she could to hide her giggles.

“These brave adventures knelt here before you.” The king began, standing from his throne and looking out over his many nobles. “Have been summoned here today to receive my favour and thanks. Were it not for these brave souls our fair nation would be in tatters at the hand of an evil, benign dragon.

“This kingdom owes these honoured warriors a debt of gratitude and I would not be worthy of ruling such a fine nation as this if I did not reward our most prestigious allies and protectors.

“Please arise adventures and look upon my face as equals.”

Some of the audience members gasped at this as my party and I rose from the floor as one. The king stepped forward, standing barely and arm’s length from us, then he continued.

“Lucas Regina.” He began, moving towards the Director with his hands clasped behind his back. “As recognition for your achievements in slaying the dragon which pillaged our lands, I award you the title of Baron.

“You will be gifted the land around the mountain lair and a suitable staff to run it for you whilst you continue your duties as Director of Adventure Society. Do you accept?”

“Yes, your majesty.” Lucas said with a wide grin. “Thank you.”

The king nodded and moved down the line to stand in front of Sally.

“Silver Ranked Adventurer Sally, for your bravery in leading a team of adventurers against such a vicious and overwhelmingly powerful monster, I award you 1,000,000 gold pieces and reinstate your seal of royal favour. Do you accept?” He said, offering out a small silver token.

“I do.” She replied, taking the token, and placing it in her inventory. “It is good to be back in your good graces.”

The king nodded cordially.

I wonder what all that is about? I thought inquisitively as the king moved down the line to stand in front of me.

“Adventurer Kaleb Akabane.” He began, looking me dead in the eyes. “For your bravery in fighting the dragon, a foe which vastly outstripped you in power, I award you a seal of royal favour. Do you accept.”

“Yes, thank you.” I said, awkwardly taking the small silver token.

The king leaned in close and whispered to me.

“After this is done you should join me for a drink. I’d quite like to chat with you.”

I gulped as he moved on to Bell.

I glanced down at the silver token; it was round and looked like a coin. Of course, the only currency in Havar was gold, so I knew it wasn’t one.

I focused on it and a notification popped up in my HUD.

You have received a royal seal:

Royal Seal of Havar

This is a seal awarded to those who have gained favour with the royal house that rules Havar. It doesn’t actually do anything, but it can open a lot of doors.

*Holding the Royal Seal of Havar will negate the negative effects of The Eternal Torch of Communist Supremacy whilst interacting with Havarian officials*

You are now considered friendly with the socialist states in Havar.

That was interesting. I’d almost forgotten about the torch and its weird effects which supposedly made me an enemy of any non-communist faction in Celestia.

The explanation seemed kind of cryptic but I figured that if it was important it would become clear eventually. I put the seal into my inventory and zoned back into the room as the king stood in front of Bell.

“Adventurer Bell of no last name.” He began. “For your bravery in fighting the dragon in the defence of Havar I award you a seal of royal favour. Do you accept?”

“Yup, thank you, your kingliness.” She said, smiling sweetly and curtseying.

The king rolled his eyes, seemingly ignoring her reply, and handed her the seal. Much to the horror of every noble in the room.