Vol.0 Ch.160 Meeting the Keeper

Vol.0 Ch.160 Meeting the Keeper

Once Quinus and his escorts arrived, they went to the Mayor's home. The mayor's name was Marlon.

"Welcome, Prince Quinus. We are honored to have you in our village. How was your trip?" Marlon asked.

"Long, but not unpleasant," Quinus replied.

"Well, that's good to hear. I believe the others are waiting by the entrance of the Labyrinth," the Mayor said as he led Quinus, and his escorts through the village. It was a little more crowded than usual, thanks to the King requesting the Adventures Guild to clean out the Labyrinth before the trials. The village was small, with a population of only 200 people.

The Labyrinth was the biggest reason the village was even there in the first place. Luckily, the village was able to start growing crops in the rugged terrain thanks to a fertilizer called "Purple Slag" from the City of Ironside. It was a byproduct from smelting violet ore, also known as purple iron by the dwarves. It was mixed with the dirt and planted into the ground, and the crops would grow much faster. It also allows crops to survive in harsher conditions. It was a new method of farming that the farmers in the northern and eastern domains were experimenting with, thanks to the late King Burell Meredydd.

As Quinus and his escort got closer to the entrance of the Labyrinth, they could see the crowd of people gathered around.

Quinus looked around the village as they walked through the main street. He saw kids running around. A few shops sold food and weapons. As well as a tavern on the edge of the village, where people were having lunch. Most of them seemed like adventurers who were from out of town.

A few guards were standing outside of the Mayor's home and at the entrance to the Labyrinth, which was on the outskirts of the village.

Marlon and Quinus made their way towards the entrance of the labyrinth.

"Welcome! Welcome, Prince Quinus," an elderly man said.

Quinus stopped and looked at the old man, "I'm sorry, but I don't recognize you, sir."

"Of course, you wouldn't. I'm not a noble, nor am I an official from the court," the old man smiled.

"Who are you then?" Quinus asked.

"He's the Keeper of the Trials. He makes sure that those who go in are ready for the trial, and he collects the crystal," Marlon whispered.

"I see," Quinus nodded.

The old man walked up and looked Quinus up and down, "You're taller than I thought. Hmmm... and leaner too. Are you sure you're the son of Cyndre?"

"Uh... Yes, sir," Quinus replied. This old man was the only person that called his father by his first name.

"Haha! Good! Good! You're much more polite than your older cousin. He was a real ass. Always yelling at people," the old man laughed.

"So, you were the keeper during my cousin's trial?" Quinus asked.

"Oh no no... I've been the keeper of the trials since the Kingdom of Fiafyr was founded," the old man said.

It all of a sudden clicked for Quinus. This guy was the Eternal who judged the trials. He mainly confirms if the ether crystal you take from the labyrinth is your own. This man also doesn't know his origin. No one knows if he was created by the goddess or if he even ages. But he always seems to come around once a month to judge the trials for all the ten-year-olds who have mana veins.

"So, you are the Keeper of the Trials? You seem so-"Yôur favorite stories on n/o/(v)e/lbin(.)com

"Normal? Ha ha! I don't know about that. When you've been around as long as I have, you tend to lose touch with reality and I sometimes forget some things... It happens... But the trials are my job, and I take pride in my work. I just make sure you grab the ether crystal from the fifth floor," the old man interrupted.

"Is that all you do, Mister?..."

"Oh? Right! Well, I wasn't given a name when I was created... Or maybe I forgot. Anyway... One of the earlier Kings gave me the name Rolf, so I go by that." Rolf replied.

"How long ago was that, sir?"

"Hmm... About a thousand years or so. I don't pay attention to the passage of time like you humans do."

This was only the third species Quinus had ever made contact with. The first was the dwarves from Ironside. The second was a beastkin who was freed from an illegal slaver when he was being transported in the southern part of the kingdom, where Quinus and Percy were hunting monsters to grow their mana vein. Dwarves didn't seem like anything foreign to Qunius, as they seemed like shorter and stockier humans. But seeing the beastkin was surreal for him. It started to hammer home that he wasn't on Earth anymore. This Eternal looked normal at first glance, but his white eyes. They had a little glow coming from them that made him look inhuman.

"Oh? You seem unsettled by me. Is it because I'm an Eternal?" Rolf asked.

"No... No. I just haven't been around other species before. I'll get used to it sooner or later."

Rolf smiled and nodded his head at the prince.

"You're more accepting than most people. It's a rare thing to find these days," Rolf said.

"Acceptance is the basis of peace. Without it, we can't move forward," Quinus replied.

'Well, this kid must be in league with my cousin. Don't they know this makes it easier for me to identify them as my enemy? I guess I should be thankful for them being stupid,' Quinus thought.

"I'm Thomas Reed," the first kid said.

Rolf stared at the young boy, "May you find your path. Next!"

Quinus was cut off again.

"I'm Geralt Sturgeon."

"May you find your path," Rolf said.

Quinus didn't try to step forward this time as the last boy walked up to Rolf. The prince was warned about this guy back at his party by Johan.

"Johnathan Bluewood."

Rolf gave him a stern look before he responded.

"May you find your path and remember that not all paths are set in stone."

Johnathan's face became red and it looked like he wanted to say something, but he stayed silent.

'Was that a warning? Rolf must be able to see something in us mortals... I wonder what it is?' Quinus thought.

Quinus studied John as he started to walk away. He found out that John was a water mage just like his father before him. This will be troubling if he tries to attack him in the labyrinth. Due to not being able to bring weapons into the trial.

Johnathan caught up to the other two and made their way into the labyrinth.

"Are you alright, your Highness?" Wina asked.

"Well, at least I know who not to trust," Quinus replied sarcastically.

Sir Mathew, Sir George, and the other knights all chuckled at the comment.

"Just remember, my Prince. You're not trapped in there with them. But they are trapped in there with you," Wina replied with a soft smirk.

Quinus smiled at Wina, "Thanks Lady Wina. Do you have any other advice, Sir Mathew? I'm not very experienced with mages."

Mathew cut in, "If they use magic, then get close. Most mages stop learning how to fight in close encounters. Just watch your stamina."

"Plus a mage can't cast magic as easily if they can't use their tongue," Wina added.

'Wow! That was dark... I bet Lady Wina could be a badass assassin if she wanted. But that would put her in danger and that would suck.' Quinus thought while nodding his head. 'I hope I don't have to use violence against them. I really am not up for this crap.'

Quinus walked up to Rolf, and the Eternal looked him in the eyes.

"Your name please."

Quinus took a big breath, "I'm Quinus Meredydd, the crown prince of Fiafyr and the son of Cyndre."

"I will tell you this Quinus Meredydd, your ally is in the shadows. May you find your path," Rolf replied.

'My ally is in the shadows?... Does he mean I need to hide in the shadows? Or do I have an ally in the shadows?... No... That's not right. It's only the four of us and none of them are my allies... I guess I'll figure it out once I'm in there,' Quinus thought.

Quinus looked at the knights behind him.

"Everyone... Take care of yourselves."

The knights and his maid all nodded.

"I wish you the best of luck, my Lord," Sir George said.

"Thank you, George," Quinus replied.

The prince was the last one to enter the Labyrinth, and he took a deep breath before he walked in.