Morning light pierced through the thin mist covering the marble floor of Ring 0 in the Dragon Kingdom. The air felt cold and damp. Along the main path, massive stone pillars with golden
dragon carvings spiraling to their peaks stood tall. White dragon statues on the left and right sides of the road seemed to watch every move of the arriving guests.
Zavlan walked at the very front. He wore a purple tunic with intricate gold thread embroidery on the chest. A long red cloak hung from his shoulders, sweeping across the clean marble surface.
"Whuaa... it has been a long time since I have been here.."
Zavlan stretched both arms wide while inhaling the morning air deeply. He turned toward his surroundings with a relaxed glint in his eyes.
"Well, as usual, this place is... quite beautiful, isn't it, Shufa?"
"You are far too relaxed.." Shufa replied as she walked beside him with graceful steps. Her bright light-blue hair flowed over a blue military uniform with gold buttons on the front. Her red cloak occasionally fluttered gently as she moved. Her eyes constantly scanned the surroundings with intense focus.
"What do you think? This is your first time here, right?" Zavlan asked the two guards walking behind him.
The female guard with long white hair stared coldly ahead. A vertical slash scar was clearly visible across her red left eye. She gripped her sword belt so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
"I am honored, Your Majesty," the woman answered in a stiff tone.
Beside her, the muscular man with high-tied green hair stepped soundlessly. His bangs covered part of his forehead as he took a small glance to monitor his prince's rear. His eyes moved quickly, combing every corner of the pillars.
"We are honored, Your Majesty."
"Thank you for bringing us on this mission," the man said.
Zavlan let out a long sigh as his shoulders dropped slowly. He turned his body slightly back while showing a weary expression.
"Good grief, you do not have to be so formal with me, I do not like it."
"Just be normal, act normal, that is an order."
The two guards were momentarily startled and confused. They glanced at each other briefly before finally nodding slowly.
"We will try our best."
Surrounding them, four Dragons guided the way in front. Their physiques resembled humans with natural skin tones, but sharp horns grew from their heads and scaly tails hung from beneath their clothes. They wore elegant white attire layered with wide black cloaks.
Zavlan tilted his head slightly toward one of the Dragons.
"Hey hey, have you ever tried coffee?"
"No, not that."
"How strong is your desire to kill us right now?"
The Dragons at the front did not change their line of sight at all. Their vertical pupils remained fixed on the road ahead.
"Pardon me, Your Majesty, we are not authorized to answer that question," one of the Dragons answered in a flat, emotionless voice.
Shufa was startled. Her shoulders tensed and she immediately approached Zavlan with a panicked face. She pulled Zavlan's sleeve to make the man lean in.
"Zavlan, what are you saying?!"
"Why?" Zavlan asked without looking at Shufa. He continued walking casually while raising his eyebrows high. "Just answer it, it is a small question."
The Dragons leading the way remained focused on the path before them.
"Beyond our orders."
Zavlan chuckled lowly. The sound of his laughter was dry amidst the silence of the area.
"I see."
"How pitiful."
They continued walking across a wide bridge flanked by giant white dragon carvings. Thick white mist covered the base of the bridge until their feet seemed to disappear into the artificial clouds. The sound of water trickling from beneath the bridge was faintly audible.
Finally, they arrived in front of a truly magnificent building. A massive gate made of white jade stood firmly as the main entrance. Behind that gate, a palace with high tiered roofs soared into the sky. Giant golden dragon carvings decorated the peak of the structure. Sunlight reflected off the clean palace walls, creating a blinding glare.
"This place..." Zavlan muttered.
They continued walking across a vast courtyard until they reached a set of large double doors made of black wood carved with silver dragons
There, a holy knight was already waiting for them. The man had slightly messy brown hair with a pair of white horns curving elegantly on his head. He wore white clothing with gold embroidery in the center and a long black cloak covering his back. A massive sword hung from his left waist.
Zavlan stood silently before the holy knight His red eyes did not shift even for a moment from the the man.
I have never seen him before. Is he new? A new holy knight? Hmm, seems so. His strength... maybe around level eighty or perhaps over a hundred? Can I kill him? Hah, of course I can. zavlan whispered in his heart. He continued to measure the presence of the man in front of him while maintaining his calm face.
The man bowed deeply. He placed his right palm exactly over his chest, in the center of the gold embroidery of his white tunic. His back bent at a degree showing formal respect.
"Welcome to the kingdom, Prince Zavlan."
The man straightened his body again. He had a tall stature with a pair of white horns curving elegantly from between his brown hair. The man moved his left palm toward the large black wooden doors behind him as a sign for the human party to enter.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Fa Ha Quenza. I have been sent by His Majesty to guide you."
Zavlan raised an eyebrow. He crossed both arms over his chest while observing the Dragon knight's details from head to toe.
"Are you new?"
Fa Ha nodded slowly. His slightly messy brown hair swayed following the movement of his head. His facial expression remained cold and flat.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I just became a holy knight three months ago."
Zavlan nodded several times. He tilted his head slightly. The red cloak on his shoulder shifted slightly with his body's movement.
"Hmm, I see."
Zavlan pulled the corners of his lips into a thin smile that was difficult to interpret. He took one step closer toward Fa Ha. The atmosphere in front of the large door suddenly turned colder.
"Do you hate humans?"