Seeing my depressed state she tried to reassure me of everything will be ok. However, she couldn’t find any words to help, so she just snuggled up to me while we walked. To not let her get depressed from not succeeding, I sucked it up. In no time, we made it to the exit of this forest; I guess time flies with company. I sneak a look at Aria and see that she is relieved we left the forest where she almost got raped in.
The guards stopped us at the gate for identification. I hold up my Adventure’s Guild card. Looking at the card and looking at the slave collar around Aria’s neck, they were satisfied. Before opening the gate, they said, “We know who you are, but regulation is regulation.” Ah it appears my purple skin precedes me. I crack a smile at the funny thought of the twisted phrase. With a ‘thanks’ they let us in the town of Reslem.
We make our way through the abnormally bustling town and into the Adventure’s Guild. Seriously what happened in this town? Did the Demon King make an announcement or something? Since there was hardly any news in the Demon Realm, even someone ranking up with the Adventure’s Guild caused gossip. But this was over doing it.
Making my way to the desk lady I hand over my ID card to her, “Here you go; I want to complete the quest I signed up for a few days ago. The collection quest for F rank.”
The pixie takes it from my hand and starts reading it for any creatures that I defeated during the quest. “Alrighty, you collected 7.59 pounds of the requested 5 pounds of water crystal,” she touched a small area of the metal plate for more information. “It looks like you slayed some monsters while on a collection quest. Hmm, let’s see here. Ah, you slayed one slime, four Silver-fangs and a C-C-Cave Pool D-Dragon?!” she couldn’t contain her surprise. She kept reading, “And two Baron Ranked Fire Demons!” She went very pale and broke out in a sweat.
“Ah no need to worry, it says here it was a righteous execution of those Baron ranked Fire Demons. They were trying to rape this poor girl here.” I pat Aria on the shoulder, making her presence known.
*PING*
Title Gain
You have gained the title: ‘Protector of the Innocent.’
Various good deeds will upgrade this title, misdeeds will lower it.
*PING*
Rank Up
You’ve reached Rank B
Seemingly drenched in sweat, she looked at me like she was looking at a monster. Then it was like a realization struck her, “I guess it makes since you are about to be the Crown Prince of the future Astral Kingdom.”
“What did you say?” clearly I heard wrong.
“Your parents are going through the processing for their Kingdom. They are naming it the Astral Kingdom. Is something wrong?”
My mouth had dried. I have no idea if that is good news or not. I wanted to be a traveler not some arrogant prince. “No, no. nothing is wrong, I’m just shocked that my parents went with my Uncle’s wishes to form a kingdom. How close are they to being done?”
The pixie seemed to think over this, “I heard the coronation is all that is left. They need you to be there to hold the ceremony.”
I guess it’s going to be a few months, no need to return right away. I mean they didn’t send a messenger after all. I collect my reward for the job plus a bonus for Ranking up. It turned out to be three Gold, two Silver, and five Copper coins. Turning around I see someone fling open the double doors.
Oh, she seems familiar. The silver skin, the green eyes, those sharp ears, and that maid outfit. Why if it isn’t Melinda the head maid of our castle in the Great Dukedom of Drayasil. She happens to be a Mountain Elf by the Way. She had a flustered look on her face as she looked over the crowd frantically. I have a bad feeling about this. Our eyes meet and she marches over to my location. Drat.
“Young Master Alexander. You are requested to return to Drayasil. The Mistress has fallen ill.” She immediately bows and continues, “It is requested by Master Alastair, the Grand Duke.” She then grabs my wrist and half drags me to the awaiting carriage outside. We are, of course, followed by Aria. When Melinda sees this she stares daggers at her, making Aria flinch.
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“It is fine, I happened to save this girl in the forest.” Hearing my explanation, her attitude did not improve, but she did allow Aria to board the carriage. The carriage is about to take off when we are halted by a new person. The person at front of our carriage comes around to open the door. She seemed a little taller than Aria, had Blood Red skin, and a pair of small leathery wings on her back. She was dressed in a black dress with ruffle patterns. Her hair was curly and black that hung near her shoulders.
She puffed out her chest and was about to speak but before she could, Melinda grabbed her by her clothes and pulled her in the carriage. She seemed to be pressed for time. At once, our team of six Skeletal Horses took off. The carriage lurched forward. The Fire Demon seemed to quickly get seated. She was about to begin before she was interrupted again.
“Who are you and what do you want?” Melinda had all but lost her cool. I think things might be a little worse than ok at the castle.
The Fire Demon seemed to lose her haughty nature that she had a moment ago. She spoke out in a timid voice, “My name is Louise Burnheart. I’m the successor of the Burnheart Barony.”
Remembering her purpose she seemed to get energetic again, “I came here because I noticed that this scoundrel had stolen my slave! I was using my clairvoyance to keep track of my slave for the last few days. And this Barbarian kills my brothers and takes my slave! Not having the decency to return it.” Her solid yellow eyes almost caught fire from her rage.
I could almost hear a snapping noise in Melinda as she looked at Louise. She released a pressure that seemed to smother Louise, “How dare you talk to your superiors like that! How Dare You! Future Baroness? Ha! This young man in front of you of you is the successor the Grand Dukedom Drayasil! In a few short days he will become the Crown Prince of a new kingdom! Your Baroness title won’t even hold a candle’s flame under water compared to him. What do you say to keep your pitiful life?” Melinda’s eyes were holding rage and extreme killing intent.
Her eyes widen as she realized who I was. She was shaking in her boots from sheer fright; she opened her mouth multiple times, but no words came out. She reminds me of a fish gaping at the air. It was with good reason too. It was considered treason to belittle nobles that out rank you, especially by more than one rank. A Grand Duke means the Duke holds more than two dukedoms. So it means he was half a rank higher than the average duke. That means a Baron is two and half ranks lower than me. It was a crime punishable by death to insult a Duke if your rank was lower than Duke.
Of course neither of us were nobles yet so it didn’t matter. But she didn’t register that yet.
“Her.” I mumble in the tense atmosphere. Both were a little confused so I elaborated, “The slave is a ‘her’ not an ‘it’. Also she has a name.” I touch Melinda’s shoulder to ease her off of Louise’s case, which she calms down a bit. I was afraid she was going to wet herself from the intense fear. I then nudge Aria, “go on tell her your name.”
Aria, shaking a little, built enough courage to talk, “M-my name is-is Aria, Young Mistress Louise.” She then bowed her head.
Louise seemed conflicted with someone else naming her slave, but didn’t voice it. Taking quick glances at Melinda, she spoke to me saying, “That is my slave, even though you are part of Dukedom’s family, Reslem is not part of the territory that the Grand Dukedom of Drayasil rules over. So you can’t forcibly take my slave.”
Hmm, that is true but with this in mind I can’t free Aria. Maybe if I strike a deal with her… I think I’ll make her owe me using my decent charisma stat to help me. “Hmm, I think you owe me for you rash behavior from earlier, I’m not interested in your life, however I will let you the hook if you join me in my travels. Besides, we are entering the Great City of Starwind, the capital of the Grand Dukedom of Drayasil!” Looking out we can see the newly built palace. New kingdom, new palace. All I can say is, those Earth Demons are fast builders.
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No idea if you guys like reading these. However, I do find it amusing to write my thoughts down while I post the chapters.
I'd like to thank the imaginary hobo for inspiring me to write about his friends life and deeds in his life. Oh wait that's about talking bananas, nevermind.