"What kind of trial is this? Find a princess? Where?" Finn asked, his voice filled with confusion.
The others were equally baffled, exchanging puzzled glances. This trial was unlike anything they had encountered before.
"The objective isn't complete," Jett muttered, yawning deeply as he tried to shake off the exhaustion that clung to him.
Despite Clarence's promise to look after Ella, the reality was that Jett and Freya were the ones who spent most of their time with her. Taking care of Ella had been far more hectic than either of them had anticipated. The constant demands of watching over a child, especially one as energetic as Ella, had taken a toll on both of them, but Jett had been hit the hardest.
Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and the weariness in his posture was unmistakable. He looked utterly drained, like someone who hadn't had a proper night's sleep in far too long. In contrast, Freya seemed relatively unscathed, handling the situation with surprising ease.
"Damn..." Rey said, a bit shocked at Jett's appearance. "When was the last time you slept?"
"Sleep? I can't even remember," Jett groaned as he stretched, his muscles aching from the lack of rest. 'Oh God, please make me immune to sleep,' he thought, desperately wishing for some relief.
"So where is Ella, anyway?" Rosa asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
Over the days, they had all grown fond of Ella. The little girl had somehow wormed her way into their hearts, and even though taking care of her was exhausting, they couldn't help but care for her.
"She's finally asleep," Jett sighed, a mix of relief and exhaustion in his tone. "Took me all night, but I finally did it. Taking care of a child is no joke. I know how many points I've spent just for her."
"You really are hopeless," Freya giggled, shaking her head. "She doesn't cause me much trouble when she's with me. I do wonder what you guys do when I'm not around."
"Oh, he's been..." Cedric began, but before he could reveal anything, Jett swiftly covered his mouth, muffling Cedric's words. Cedric struggled slightly, his voice reduced to unintelligible mumbles.
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"What was that?" Freya asked, narrowing her eyes as she suspected something was amiss.
"Oh, nothing... Right, Cedric?" Jett quickly interjected, turning to Cedric with a desperate, pleading look in his eyes.
"It's nothing, really," Cedric retracted his statement, catching the desperate look on Jett's face and deciding to play along.
"I know you're hiding something, so spill it," Freya demanded, her tone firm as she crossed her arms.
Before anyone could respond, they suddenly noticed a glowing magic circle beneath them. In an instant, the circle activated, and they were teleported away in a flash of light.
*****
The group reappeared at the main doors of a massive castle, one that dwarfed even the royal castle of Verena.
The structure was awe-inspiring, towering over them with an air of majesty and grandeur. The castle was built in a ring formation, with a beautifully maintained garden at its center, filled with vibrant flowers, flowing fountains, and intricate stone pathways.
"This place is magnificent," Finn said, his voice filled with genuine surprise and admiration as he took in the sight. "I wonder how rich someone has to be to own a castle this big."
"With a castle this size, finding someone won't be easy," Aiden remarked, and the others nodded in agreement, recognizing the challenge ahead.
"Forget that. Where are our uniforms? And what the hell are we wearing?" Marcella suddenly pointed out, drawing their attention to their attire.
Instead of their usual academy uniforms, they were dressed as high-ranking adventurers. Their outfits were practical yet ornate, consisting of finely crafted armor, cloaks, and accessories that seemed designed for a seasoned adventurer rather than students.
As they continued down the corridor, they noticed the guards stationed every ten steps, heavily armed and alert, their eyes trained on the group as they passed. The tension in the air was palpable, yet the guards' disciplined demeanor conveyed a sense of unyielding vigilance.
"Fine observations," the first guard acknowledged with a nod. "I'd expect nothing less from one of the most successful adventuring parties in the land."
"Seems like you have tight enough security, guards on every ten steps," Asher remarked, impressed by the level of detail in their defenses.
"This is a nice place," Jett chimed in, glancing around at the opulent surroundings. "But can you brief us on why we're here?" he asked, his tone casual yet firm as they continued walking.
The guards exchanged a glance before the first one responded, "All will be explained by the king himself once we reach the throne room. It's a matter of great importance, one that requires your particular set of skills. But rest assured, the safety of the princess is our top priority."
They stepped onto the first teleportation platform, a shimmering circle of runes etched into the marble floor. The air around them vibrated as the magic activated, pulling them from one section of the castle to another in an instant. The sensation was disorienting but brief, and they found themselves in the middle section of the castle, surrounded by more grand corridors and opulent decor.
From there, they proceeded to a second platform. This one transported them to the inner sanctum of the castle, a place where the architecture became even more intricate, with every inch of the walls adorned with elaborate carvings and precious gemstones. The air was thicker here, almost as if the castle itself was aware of the importance of this area.
They walked for a short while, passing more guards and regal tapestries, until they finally reached the massive doors leading to the throne room.
"Your majesty, the prestigious Raven Cross party requests an audience with you!" the loud voice announced from within the throne room. Even from behind the heavy doors, the words rang clearly, filled with formality and respect.
"Let them in," the king's voice responded, deep and commanding, yet with a hint of weariness. The doors swung open slowly, revealing the throne room in all its glory.
The room was nothing short of magnificent. It was a vast hall, the ceiling so high it seemed to touch the sky. Intricate chandeliers hung from above, casting a golden light that reflected off the polished marble floors. The walls were lined with towering columns, each adorned with banners of the kingdom's crest.
At the far end of the room sat the king on a grand throne, carved from the finest gem and inlaid with gold. Flanking him were his guards, armored in the finest plate, standing at attention with unwavering focus. Surrounding the throne were members of the council, seated in a semicircle, their expressions grave and attentive.
Rey and Rosa walked forward, their steps confident and measured. They gestured for the others to follow, and they did so in unison, their presence commanding the room.
"We, Raven Cross, pay our respects to the great king of Laxen," Rey declared, his voice strong and filled with the authority of someone well-versed in royal protocol. He bowed deeply, and the others followed suit, their movements synchronized and respectful.
Evelina, however, was taken aback by the sudden formality. "What the hell are—" she began, but before she could finish, Asher pressed her head down, forcing her to bow.
"Just roll with it," Elora whispered softly to Evelina, who reluctantly complied, calming herself down.
After a brief, tense silence, the king spoke, his voice filling the room. "You may rise, brave warriors."
The party straightened, facing the king as he continued. "I apologize for calling you here without warning, but your assistance is needed."
"Please, my Lord, it's already an honor for you to seek our services," Rey replied, his tone polished and refined. At that moment, they were all reminded that Rey was still royalty, his demeanor and speech reflecting the upbringing he sometimes tried to distance himself from.
"Wonderful," the king said, though his expression remained solemn. "Although this is a request below your line of work, I do hope you can help find the princess of Laxen."
Jett, standing slightly behind the others, couldn't help but analyze the situation. 'For our sakes, I hope so too,' he thought, his mind already racing through the potential complications of this mission.
*
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Wonder why he keeps asking about the room?