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~~~(POV: Cera Adamo)~~~
~~~(Location: The Jungles of Nae'mor, The City of Armezix, The Continent of Alforza)~~~
~~~(Time: 11:40 AM)~~~
Jaeemara has taken us somewhere I didn't expect. A park. It's not what I thought to find in the capital. The metropolis around us wouldn't indicate a park of this size, but the capital is larger than I gave it credit for. The path we're walking is empty.
Apparently, it's a historical park. One that holds monuments to many different historical figures in Dark Elf society. We've already passed a few of them, and Jaeemara has told me their stories.
None of them were interesting enough to make a note of. Several 10s of thousands of years before I was born. From what she did tell, they've been long forgotten to time as is since most people don't visit this historical park anymore.
"We're heading to the most important part of the park. A monument to one of the most important people to The Dark Elves is there."
I'm not doubting that. The size of one's monument certainly shows how important they are. Sarcasm. I've found that to be a simple lie. After all, the winners are the ones that write history. Who wins more than the one with the most power and money?
Sally has been very quiet since we left the library. Something is on her mind. I don't know what it is. It doesn't have anything to do with me. I know that much. She's distracted by something.
"Do you actually believe that any of these people deserve a monument?"
It's a legitimate question. I have a cynical streak in me. That much is obvious about the way I speak and talk.
Jaeemara, on the other hand, lets out a couple of chuckles. It's fun having an intelligent conversation with someone who knows about the topic you're discussing. I have them with Sally, but it's a fresh feeling having a talk with someone else.
"I wouldn't know, Cera. I wasn't alive during the time of their supposed achievements that earned them monuments in this place. All I know is history says they're great, but that doesn't mean I believe it."
That's a good answer. Never trust something or someone unless you can confirm it yourself. While it's not always possible, it's good practice to have when you're doing something important.
"There it is."
Jaeemara points to a statue ahead, and it's bigger than the others we've come across. It's the one at the end of the path. As we approach it, I make out the defining features of the Dark Elf. It's a man wearing powerful-looking armor.
As I approach to get a closer look, a familiar notification from the system pops up.
[This Monument is the location of a Trial anyone may partake in. If you pass the trial, you'll receive the rewards.]
[No Player or NPC has ever cleared The Trial of Feledormir.]
[Do you wish to take the trial? Y/N]
I read the simple notification, and I think of the memories of when I took on Monrells trials for The Legendary Sword, The Witness.
"As you can see from the notifications on your Player screens, this place is old, The Trial of Feledormir. The first King of Armezix. He ruled for 6,000 years, and a golden age followed. Many claims he was the one that freed the Dark Elves."
That's a lie. The Dark Elves were only freed once The Cezlite empire fell in The War of the Gods. When The Olds Gods fell, so did the Cezlites. Feledormir had nothing to do with it.
A perfect example of manipulation, lies, and cunning. An entire civilization and people have risen based on the falsehoods of a predecessor they never met. I wonder how many times that's happened in the history of Gaia.
I wonder how many times it's happened in the history of Earth.
"Other than being the first King of the Dark Elves, what did Feledormir actually do? Wars, accomplishments, victories, and losses. There has to be a record of something somewhere."
Jaeemara shrugs her shoulders as she touches the monument.
"I don't know. Many view Feledormir as a hero and savior. I'll admit that I do too. Being taught about him since a young age has left many people biased. But as I've grown older, I've come to realize not everything is as it seems."
'',
If anyone I've met could make a good ruler, it'd be Jaeemara. There is a lot of wisdom in her words. She's drawn a lot from her short life as an elf. Being over 300 in elf age doesn't equate to a long time.
"I heard monuments and trials like this existed in The Elven Kingdom. But we never got to visit them or see them when we were there. Any Kingdom or Empire has something like this."
Sally is correct in her statement. Kingdoms and Empires have trials like these in monuments dedicated to their greatest heroes and leaders. Leaving their items as a reward should someone clear them. Trials are still one of the most challenging things out there.
The Trial of Monrell has given me something that I'm still using to this day. The Witness will never lose its worth in my eyes. It grows along with me.
"I hear that when Queen Romana Zil Lukaerd Elen Roa will have a monument even greater than Feledormir when her time to pass comes. She's led our people longest out of any ruler."
'
That's one way of looking at a reason to put up a monument. But what do I know? I'm just a time traveler with dozens of lifetimes' worth of knowledge.
~~~(POV: Prince Feldern Ail Lukeaerd Zae Teziel)~~~
~~~(Location: The Jungles of Nae'mor, The City of Armezix, The Continent of Alforza)~~~
~~~(Time: 12:19 PM)~~~
Wezarik stands next to me on the balcony as I process the information he's given me about Angel Zern. Angel Zern will only speak about why he's here with someone in the royal family. He's been slighted. That's why he's doing this.
He sees sending a servant to speak with him instead of someone with importance as an insult. I anticipated a situation like this. I wanted to see how Angel Zern would react.
But from the way Wezarik explained it, it's more than just a play to show dominance and respect. He wishes to be in a position to strike a powerful figure in case something goes wrong in whatever talks we're to have.
It's quite the ploy.
"Where is he now, Wezarik?"
We need to keep our eyes on him at all times. It's the only way to protect Mom. Before he can answer, the door to my personal balcony swings open, and Aelora storms toward me. A look of seriousness on her face.
"I'm sick of being out of the loop. Wezarik, where is Angel Zern. I'll go to him myself and figure out why he's here."
All that leaves my lips is a sigh. She's letting her emotions get the best of her.
~~~(POV: Queen Romana Zil Lukaerd Elen Roa)~~~
~~~(Location: The Jungles of Nae'mor, The City of Armezix, The Continent of Alforza)~~~
~~~(Time: 12:38 PM)~~~
Rhael sits next to me as we look out toward the city from the window. My youngest Son is who I spend the most time with. He's also the one who tells me what his siblings are up to.
"Mom, do you really think it's a good idea to let him handle this? He's going about it wrong."
My youngest Son is right about his brother. I'd never admit this to anyone else. But I believe Rhael to be the one to lead Armezix after I pass. He'd be a better ruler than my oldest Son.
'The latest_epi_sodes are on_the Nov elB i n website.',
But I haven't come to a final decision about that. I know it could spark a war between the two, and that's the last thing I want for my family or the Kingdom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Below this line, I'll be keeping Cera's player information. That way, I won't have to place it into the story above anymore. It takes about 180 words up.
[Slayer (Zern) Lvl.236][Tier-4]
[Exp: 72/100%]
[Title: The Son of Arch-Angel Michael (Hidden)]
[Stats] [Strength - 7095][Endurance - 7045][Dexterity - 7215][Speed - 8240][Focus - 19,660]
[Mana aura control: 6/100%]
[Health: 76,560,000,000/76,560,000,000] [Mana: 216,600,000,000/216,600,000,000]
[Stat Points: 440] [Armor rating: 500]
[Inventory] [Dice of Wayland (Divine)] [The Witness (Legendary Sword)] [Fenrir's Whistle (Divine)] [Camping gear] [Fishing poles 2x] [Festival Garbs 2x] [4x EXP Boosts] [Princess Saliandra's Panties (Black Lace)] [Desert Warrior Nomad Set (Rare)]
[Passive Perks]
[Inheritor of the Sword] [Son of Heaven] [Slayer of Evil] [Holy Willow Trees Savior] [Finder of Legends] [The Divine who has Legend] [Destined for Greatness] [Dungeon Diver] [An Overachiever]
[Active Skills]
[Heavens light Lvl.74 325/7400] [Protected by Heaven Lvl.74 225/7400] [Slash Lvl.92 4600/21000] [Parry Lvl.68 85/6800] [Double Strike N/A] [Kingslayer N/A] [Raging Machine N/A] [Winged Glory] [Angelic Flight] [Divine Pressure Exertion] [Divinity Pulse] [Controlled Fun] [Aspect of Transportation (Legendary)]