After my resounding victory in the tournament, King Gaspar himself approached me, his expression a mixture of surprise and intrigue.

“Young man, I am impressed by your performance,” he said in a grave tone. “Your talent and strategy are worthy of the finest warriors in my kingdom.”

I bowed respectfully, fully aware of the honor being bestowed upon me.

“Your Majesty, I am deeply flattered by your kind words,” I replied humbly. “It was a privilege to participate in this tournament and to now join your ranks.”

The king nodded slowly, his piercing eyes scrutinizing me intently.

“Indeed, young Griffith. For this reason, I would like to invite you to dine with me at the royal palace.”

I had to stifle my surprise at this unexpected offer. Dining at the palace with the king himself? It was an honor few could claim.

“I would be delighted, Your Majesty,” I said with a polite smile. “It is an invitation I could not possibly refuse.”

King Gaspar gave a brief, satisfied smile.

“Excellent. Come with me, Griffith.”

He turned and began walking with a confident stride, gesturing for me to follow. Tightening my grip on the hilt of my sword, I hurried after him, doing my best to hide the excitement bubbling within me.

As we made our way through the palace corridors, I couldn’t help but be awestruck by the grandeur and magnificence of the place. The walls were adorned with intricately detailed tapestries, and crystal chandeliers cast a radiant glow over every room we passed.

After a few minutes of walking, we arrived at an imposing wooden door, carved with intricate patterns. Two armored guards stepped aside respectfully as we approached, allowing us to enter what appeared to be a grand hall.

Portraits of monarchs lined the walls, their solemn poses frozen in time. I couldn’t help but pause briefly to study them, captivated by the fine craftsmanship.

“These are the portraits of my ancestors, the kings and queens of Valoria,” Gaspar explained in a solemn voice. “Each one of them played a role in shaping the history of our kingdom.”

I nodded, absorbing his words carefully. One portrait, in particular, caught my eye: a man with a kind expression, his crown and royal regalia clearly marking him as a ruler.

“This is Theodore, the very first king of Valoria,” Gaspar continued. “He built this palace and unified the various regions of the kingdom under one banner.”

I listened in silence, fascinated by the history of this realm. It was true that Valoria seemed to be a prosperous and powerful nation, forged through centuries of tradition and sacrifice.

Once Gaspar finished his explanation, he led me to the royal dining hall. My eyes widened slightly at the sight of the lavish feast laid out before me.

A long table draped in a pristine white cloth was laden with a dazzling array of dishes: exquisite delicacies and fine wines from renowned vineyards. Seated around the table were knights and dignitaries, all dressed in their finest attire.

“My friends, allow me to introduce Griffith,” Gaspar announced loudly. “The winner of our tournament and the newest member of our royal army.”

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All eyes turned toward me, and I worked hard to maintain a dignified and confident demeanor. After all, I was the guest of honor at this banquet.

“Come, Griffith, take a seat beside me,” the king said, gesturing to a chair on his right.

I obeyed with deference, fully aware of the privilege I had been granted. Once seated, the lively conversations resumed around the table as everyone indulged in the sumptuous meal before them.

Gaspar turned to me, his gaze warm and curious.

“So, young Griffith, where do you come from? Tell us a bit about your story.”

I took a deep breath, striving to sound natural despite the tension hanging in the air.

“Well, Your Majesty, I was born in the small village of Golden River, in the western part of your kingdom,” I began in a calm voice. “My parents, Kiran and Eliana, were simple farmers, but they always encouraged me to pursue my dreams and develop my skills.”

I paused, carefully gauging the king’s reaction. He listened intently, clearly intrigued by my story.

“Recently, I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the academy in Golden River,” I continued. “There, I honed my combat skills and discovered my true calling.”

“I see,” Gaspar murmured, a faint smile playing on his lips. “And what brought you to the capital? Did your academy assign you a particular mission?”

I suppressed a shiver, knowing I needed to tread carefully. I couldn’t reveal the true reason for my presence in Valoria.

“Well, Your Majesty, my academy did indeed send me on a mission to the eastern part of your kingdom,” I answered cautiously. “But it was merely to retrieve a valuable artifact for the institution.”

Gaspar nodded slowly, as though pondering my words.

“I see... And this artifact, what exactly is it?”

I discreetly swallowed, feeling the tension rise.

“It’s an ancient relic, Your Majesty,” I replied as nonchalantly as I could. “Unfortunately, I’m not at liberty to disclose further details about it.”

The king stared at me for a moment, his piercing gaze searching for any sign of deceit. Then, after a few seconds, an amused smile spread across his face.

“Very well, Griffith. I won’t press you further,” he said indulgently. “After all, some secrets are meant to remain buried.”

I relaxed slightly, relieved that he didn’t pursue the matter further. Gaspar was clearly an intelligent man, one who understood the value of discretion.

“However,” he added suddenly, “I hope you won’t hesitate to share your future exploits with me. Your performance in the tournament has piqued my curiosity, and I would be delighted to learn more about you.”

I nodded respectfully, grateful for his words.

“I will gladly do so, Your Majesty,” I said sincerely. “And I thank you once again for this invitation. It is a privilege I will not forget.”

Gaspar smiled once more, seemingly satisfied with my response. He then turned his attention back to his guests, rejoining the animated discussions around the table.

As for me, I focused on staying alert, careful not to let my true intentions slip. After all, I was here as the king’s guest, and I needed to prove myself worthy of the trust he had extended to me.

Discreetly, I glanced around the table, studying the knights and dignitaries surrounding me. Some cast curious glances in my direction, while others seemed entirely indifferent to my presence.

I shifted my attention to the extravagant feast before me, marveling at the opulence of the dining hall. Despite my modest background, I was unaccustomed to such luxury.

As I savored the delicious dishes, my thoughts turned to the future.

But above all, I had to keep my true objective in mind: finding the Demon’s Vein and using it to fulfill my mission. To achieve this, I needed to remain cautious and discreet, avoiding unnecessary attention.

Taking another bite, I glanced up at King Gaspar, who was engaged in a lively conversation with one of his generals.

Yes, I would do whatever it took to achieve my goals, no matter the cost. Even if it meant eventually striking down King Gaspar himself.