Chapter 8

The heavy doors of the throne room swung open, and Sarah, Helen, and Gillen entered the grand hall. The room was vast, with towering pillars lining either side, leading up to a carved throne placed upon a raised dais. The throne itself was a symbol of authority and power, adorned with precious stones and with the royal color of the kingdom, red. Around it stood many officials, advisors, and knights, their gazes attentive as they saw the newcomers.

At the center of it all, at the throne, sat the king, a man who looked dignified and had a stern expression. He was dressed in royal attire, a crown resting upon his head. His presence seemed to command the respect of those present, but there was a warmth in his eyes as he saw Helen enter, a clear sign of relief washing over his face.

“Father!” Helen called, a bright smile on her face as she approached the throne. The king rose to his feet, stepped down from the dais and met his daughter halfway, pulling her into a gentle embrace.

“My dear Helen,” he said, his voice deep, though there was a trace of emotion in it. “I’m so glad you’re safe.”

After a moment, the king released Helen and turned his attention to Sarah, assessing her. “And you must be the one who saved my daughter,” he said with curiosity. “I am King Alistair Igsem. You have my gratitude.”

Sarah inclined her head slightly, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “It was my pleasure, Your Majesty. I’m just glad I was there to help when it was needed.”

Helen quickly recounted the events that had led to her rescue, explaining how she had been ambushed and how Sarah had come to her aid. As she spoke, the officials around them listened carefully, their expressions varying from curiosity to skepticism. The Minister of Magic, a tall man with old features and a calculating gaze, stepped forward once Helen finished her account.

“This is quite the tale,” he said, his voice filled with doubt. “To fend off an attack like that requires significant skill. You say you’re a magic caster, Miss, yet the princess mentioned you fighting physically as well. If that’s true, it would suggest a level of power beyond that of most ordinary adventurers.”

Sarah’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she maintained her composure, letting the faintest hint of a smirk tug at her lips. “You are correct, Minister,” she said, her voice steady and confident. “I am not an… ordinary person.”

The minister raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “To possess such skills... one would need to have surpassed the common limitations, even among those who are called heroes.” He tilted his head, studying her carefully. “From what I was told, not only are you a warrior but you can also cast magic up to the 3rd tier. It’s hard to believe.”

Sarah’s smile widened, but there was a cold edge to it now.

‘Well, 3rd tier is quite weak though…’ Sarah thought to herself.

She straightened her posture, letting her presence fill the room, projecting an aura of authority that seemed to make the air around her grow heavier. “Let’s just say that I have power enough to handle whatever threats may come my way,” she said, her tone leaving no room for doubt. “Perhaps the minister wishes to see it right now?”

The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of her words hanging in the air. The officials exchanged glances, clearly taken aback by her boldness. The Minister of Magic’s expression tightened, but he remained composed, his eyes narrowing slightly as he regarded her.

The king raised a hand, signaling for silence. “Enough,” he said, his voice firm. “Miss Sarah has proven herself by protecting my daughter, and that is all that matters to me. We will not question her motives or her strength any further.”

The minister stepped back, bowing his head slightly. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”

King Alistair turned his gaze back to Sarah, his expression thoughtful. “You have done a great service to the kingdom by ensuring my daughter’s safety. As such, it is only fitting that you be rewarded. Is there anything you desire, Miss?”

Sarah’s mind raced for a moment, but she quickly settled on what she needed most. “Thank you, Your Majesty. If it pleases you, I would ask for information,” she said, her voice clear. “I have been secluded in the study of magic for a long time, I am new to this part of the land, and there is much I do not know. I would like to learn more about this world, its countries, and its people. That would be the greatest reward you could offer me.”

The king looked surprised for a moment, but then he nodded. “A wise request,” he said. “Knowledge is indeed a valuable asset, and I see no reason to deny it. I shall have the royal archives provide you with what you seek.”

He gestured to one of the attendants. “See that our guest is given quarters in the castle and that she is provided with books and manuscripts. Ensure that she is made comfortable during her stay.”

The attendant bowed. “At once, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I am most grateful for your generosity.”

The king smiled. “You have earned it, Miss Sarah. Consider yourself a guest of honor during your time here.”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

With the audience concluded, Sarah was escorted through the castle’s labyrinthine halls to a lavish guest room. The room was spacious, with a large bed draped in silks, a fireplace in the corner, and a table full of fruits and refreshments. Within moments, several attendants arrived, bringing with them a stack of books and scrolls, placing them on a desk near the window.

As they left her to settle in, Sarah approached the desk, her fingers lightly tracing the spines of the books. There were texts on the history of Grand Valka, maps of the surrounding regions, and records of alliances, conflicts, and treaties with neighboring nations. It was exactly what she had hoped for—a great amount of information that would help her navigate this new world.

Sarah allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. She had managed to keep her true nature hidden, and now she had the means to learn more about the world she had been thrown into. She would study these texts, learn the intricacies of this land’s politics and culture, and then, perhaps, she would be able to find a way to make her mark on it.

For now, though, she allowed herself a moment to relax, settling into the plush chair by the desk and opening the first book. There was much to learn, and she was ready to dive into it, piece by piece, until she understood exactly where she stood in this fantastical realm.

***

Sarah sat at the desk, her eyes moving rapidly across the pages of the last manuscript she had been reading. It was remarkable how quickly she could absorb information—an ability she retained from her character’s prowess. In just a few hours, she had devoured every book, scroll, and map, committing every detail to memory. The history, politics, and culture of this world were now carved clearly in her mind, giving her a broader understanding of this world.

Satisfied, she closed the final book and leaned back, her fingers tapping lightly on the desk. It was time to make sense of what she had learned, and there was one particular entity she trusted to help her do so.

With a flick of her wrist, a dark, swirling portal materialized beside her, and out stepped Arya, the Evil Lady of Lust. The air around Arya was thick with her alluring presence, her eyes glinting mischievously as she appeared, her lips curling into a sultry smile.

"Well, well, summoning me twice in such a short time, darling?" Arya said, her voice smooth. "I’d almost think you missed me."

Sarah rolled her eyes, though a faint blush appeared on her cheeks. "Don’t flatter yourself, Arya," she said, trying to keep her tone composed. "I need your insight."

Arya’s smile only widened as she came closer, leaning against the desk beside Sarah, her eyes shining with curiosity. "Oh? And what could be so important that you’d seek my counsel again so soon?"

Sarah glanced at the pile of books, then back at Arya. "I’ve been learning about this world. The Grand Valka Kingdom is where we are now, but there’s more to the picture. To the west lies the Elizia Empire, which appears to be a rival of this kingdom, and to the south… the Aphemis Theocracy." She paused, her brow furrowing slightly. "There’s something strange about the Theocracy’s emblem. It bears a resemblance to the insignia worn by those who attacked Princess Helen."

Arya’s expression turned more serious, her playful demeanor fading as she considered Sarah’s words. "You think they might be behind the attack?"

"It’s a possibility," Sarah said, nodding. "But there are a lot of possibilities. Maybe they were trying to eliminate the princess for some political gain, or maybe they wanted to target her knight, Gillen. Or…" she hesitated, her mind drifting to darker possibilities, "they could have been trying to extract information from either of them."

Arya tilted her head, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "From what I see in this manuscript, the Aphemis Theocracy is known for its… devotion," she said, the last word dripping with a hint of disdain. "But they’re also very secretive, even more so than most religious states. If they were behind the attack, there must be something they want—something they think they can gain by interfering with the royal family of Grand Valka."

Sarah nodded, her mind racing as she tried to connect the dots. "If they’re trying to destabilize this kingdom, it could be a prelude to something bigger. Maybe they’re planning to make a move against Grand Valka, and weakening it would be beneficial."

"Or," Arya added, her tone light. "they could be trying to incite conflict between Grand Valka and Elizia, using the chaos to their advantage."

Sarah’s eyes met Arya’s, realization passing between them. "They could be trying to play both sides… cause enough trouble to keep both countries distracted, while they move their pieces behind the scenes."

Arya’s lips curled into a smile. "Now you’re thinking like a true ruler, darling," she said, reaching out to gently run a finger along Sarah’s cheek, making the other woman’s blush deepen. "But even if you’re right, what’s your next move? Are you planning to expose their schemes, or do you have a different idea in mind?"

Sarah brushed Arya’s hand away, though she didn’t pull back completely. "I need more information before I make any moves. But if the Theocracy is behind this, I’ll have to be careful. They might already have spies within the kingdom, and I don’t want to tip them off before I know exactly what they’re planning."

"And what of the princess and her father?" Arya asked, her voice teasing. "Do you plan to keep playing the role of the noble savior, or will you reveal a bit more of your true self?"

Sarah’s eyes narrowed, her expression hardening. "I’ll play whatever role I need to," she said, her voice cold and resolute. "If I need to act the part of a savior, I will. If I need to be something else entirely, so be it. But I won’t reveal more than I have to, not until I understand what’s going on here."

Arya’s smile widened, a glint of pride in her eyes. "Now that’s the demoness I know," she said softly, leaning closer so that her lips were just inches from Sarah’s ear. "You’re going to conquer this world, aren’t you? One step at a time…"

Sarah didn’t flinch, though her heart quickened slightly at the proximity. "I’ll do whatever it takes to survive," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "And if that means taking control of this world… then so be it."

‘Well, taking the world is actually a really cool and tentative idea…’ Sarah contemplated in her mind.

Arya’s laughter was soft and seductive, like a whisper in the dark. "I look forward to seeing how you handle it, my dear," she purred. "But be careful. This world may be full of opportunities, but it’s likely also full of dangers. And not everyone is as easily charmed as I am."

Sarah finally pulled away, her expression firm. "I can handle it," she said. "I’ve dealt with worse. But thank you for the warning… and for the company."

Arya smirked, giving a mock bow. "Always a pleasure, darling. Call for me whenever you need… or even if you just want some company." With a final, lingering smile, she dissolved into mist, leaving Sarah alone once more.

Sarah took a deep breath. She had a lot to think about, but she felt more prepared than before. Whatever the Aphemis Theocracy or anyone else was planning, and whatever the future held, she would face it head-on. She glanced at the stack of books once more. If there were forces trying to manipulate the fate of this world and ended up in her way, they would soon find that Sarah was not someone to mess with.