Here I am now, in a completely different world from what I'm used to. Standing in front of the gates to a great empire right in front of me. I look over at the elf woman who is speaking to the guards stationed at the gate. 

       "I've brought back the otherworldly man, let us in", The elf woman said while reaching into her pouch she had strapped on her waist, "I just need to show you this and I get in right?" What this woman had just pulled out was a sun and crescent moon shaped Rosette; the award given to someone who had completed an amazing feat and with this rosette, her stature in nobility is of equals of the imperial princes and princesses.  

       "Yes, Ms. Victoria, please follow me", the guard on the right said while kneeling with his left leg, and his right hand placed over his heart; the sign a soldier does when meeting someone of high position or when one goes off to war to show that he will sacrifice his all for his country. 

       The elf woman looked back at me, "hey, you coming or what?" 

       "Oh! Right! I'm coming!", I said in response while almost tumbling. The gate began opening with a cranking sound and the view of a very lively town could be seen. A housewife shopping in the streets had just walked in front of us when the gates opened, turned to the elf woman and screamed, "Ms. Victoria is back! Look everyone! Our hero has returned!", everyone around that heard her immediately dropped everything they were doing and averted all attention over to our direction and like a wave of people, everyone started rushing over, shouting "yay! It's Ms. Victoria!" And some shopkeepers started to bring over their own produce and goods to give to 'Ms. Victoria.'  

       After all the commotion and the pushing and pulling to see Ms. Victoria, everyone went back to what they were doing. "Wow, you sure are famous around here." I said while looking around if there are anymore people coming. 

       "It's nothing much to really say. They're just showing their thanks." She says while piling up all the gifts she received and places them on a cart also given to her while smiling brightly. 

       "Like hell I'm gonna believe that, you look so happy with those!", I say as I look at her. 

Well, she is the "hero" according to the villagers, so I don't see why not. Now, with this odd elf woman and a cart full of gifts, we head towards the giant tower in the middle of the Higher circle. 

       Apparently, this gigantic empire is split into three groups, the Outer circle, Inner circle and Higher circle. Now now, it is not what you think! Strangely enough, there is no discrimination in any of the circles...rather, anyone could actually live in any of the circles so long as they have the qualifications, and don't worry, the qualifications barely mean anything. It's just to test if you have any illegal stuff or you're not trustworthy. 

       In the Outer circle, there are mainly people like merchants and those who want to sell goods. In the Inner circle, it is mainly just a residential area with less business-driven people. And, the higher circle... I did say that there aren't any discrimination but, it is true and a bit false, but in a good way! Within the Higher circles, anyone can live there, but, unlike the other circles, the Higher circle has a big requirement: they must be family relatives of an extremely important person such as the royal family, researchers, nobles, and last but certainly not least, the heroes. 

       'Hero' is the title given to those who have done themselves an unimaginable feat, and currently, there are only 5 heroes at the time: Victoria Ilrius the saviour, Mark Falmin the Prodigy, Rose Damie the Storm, Hayato Yanagi the Moon and Feng Shin the Sword. A rosette is presented to those who are granted the title of 'hero.' Each hero has their own customization on their rosette, however, each rosette is made using 'UltimaGold.' A metal so rare that even on the vast land of Arcadia, only two hundred pieces have ever been found from such a long history.  

        It is said, that if any of the heroes are ever in danger, whether fatal or not, the top priority is the destruction of their rosette. The rosette is a symbol peace, freedom and courage, and anyone with the rosette can be allowed to travel wherever they please, enter any kingdom with authority second only to the Kings and queens and do almost anything they please for the rest of their lives... So long as they still have the rosette. This is the very reason as to why many and almost everyone wants it and if placed in the wrong hands, calamity itself will reveal as those people would be able to do whatever they want; such as assassination of a world ruler. With the rosette, they can be granted an audience with the king or queen without second thought, giving the perfect time to kill. Of course, along with the authority given to anyone with a rosette, many would think of trying to destroy it. But, it is said that the rosette is infused with anti-magic substances and with the toughness of the UltimaGold, it is almost indestructible.  

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

       We continue walking for about another five minutes before stopping in front of a small hut in the Outer circle. "Do you mind if we make a stop first?", Victoria said while staring at the hut as if worried about something.  

      "No, it's alright. Just go take your time. Not like we're in a hurry anyway, right?", I responded cheerfully but curiously as to what that hut meant to her.  

      "Okay, just give me a minute. I'll go in and do something so you could just wait out here." She began to walk in the direction of the door to this wooden and straw-patched roof hut. 

       She opened the door and said something. "I'm-", I'm not sure what she said after that, as the door closed and no sound could be heard as her voice was soft and gentle. "Big sis! You're finally back!", a rather childish voice rang out from inside. After that sudden shout, everything became silent as if a serious discussion had begun and about twenty minutes had passed since she had gone inside the hut, so I began to be worried if something had happened and began to walk towards the door. 

       Suddenly, just before I could push the door opened, it opened in its own and I saw Victoria coming out. We had almost bumped into each other, but I had stopped right in time but she did not notice me, when suddenly, a rather middle-aged man spoke, "okay Victoria, I will let you know when you should come back for it! This excaliburia is your only memento from Luna so you should take more care of it."  

       "Yes father, I will.", Victoria had suddenly turned around and faced me and bumped into me, "ow!", she said while holding her forehead where she rammed into my chest that also was in pain. "I thought I told you to wait over there!" 

       "Y-yeah, but it took so long and I couldn't hear a thing, I got worried!" I replied quickly while gripping my chest where she hit me. 

       "Woooow, good going Victoria! I didn't expect there to ever be someone to actually like you!" The man said to Victoria when he immediately turned to me, "take good care of my daughter now!" 

       "O-oh! Uhm, yes sir!", I said without even thinking. 

       "Good! You seem like a good guy, I'll gladly hand her over to you then!", this man had said cheerfully while laughing. 

       "W-what?! And daughter!? What are you talking about!?", so many questions left unanswered. "Hold on, who are you? Are you Victoria's father?" 

       "You're damn right I am! Didn't expect to meet her father already right?", he asked jokingly while still laughing. I grabbed this man's hand, "will you really hand your daughter to me?!", I said very happily with eyes dazzling like stars. He then took out his other hand and formed a 'thumbs up' and winked at me with a large smile as if giving me the "ok." 

       "Dad, what do you think you're doing?", a voice that sounded really evil and angered resounded behind me. The both of us could immediately feel the coldness of the words and a very cold sweat ran down that made me shiver. "I don't think I have had a say in this yet, have I?", the owner of that very evil voice placed her hand on my shoulder and immediately, I felt the reality of me going to die with so many regrets in life....both of us were beaten to a pulp. 

        When I came to, I was on the ground. I got up and looked around to see the same man to my left in what I thought was a coma until he too woke up. "Ugh, what happened? I think I was talking to someone and everything else is a blur..", he said while drowsily look around until he saw me. "Uhhhh...." 

        "Uhm, are you okay mister?", I said as he was looking at me. 

        "No no, I'm fine, I just can't remember as to what just happened..."  

        "I'm not so sure either." I said until the door behind me opened and a voice spoke out, "oh, you're finally awake..."