Chapter 239 - Meeting the Queen
Before heading out to meet up with the Queen, Lenny decided to take Ray and Jack to the local clothes shop. Ray usual wore simple plain clothing that was in tatters by now, he didn't really care unless his beast armour was okay and Jack mainly just wore a sleeveless shirt.
The two of them didn't have a clue how to dress up for a formal event, so Lenny ended up picking out their clothes. After a few hours of shopping and heading to the hairdressers the three of them looked like new people.
Lenny who had worn a cloak and had an unshaven beard for most of the journey now had a single white shirt and a long blue overcoat. His beard and hair were no longer untidy and kept clean.
Jack had gone for white colours with his design. There weren't many clothes that would fit Jack's muscular shoulders, so in the end, he had to settle with a plain white shirt but it was still a big improvement to before.
And lastly Ray, as soon as Ray had entered the shop just like so far in this city, he had received extra care and treatment. His once spikey red hair was now swept back. The shirt given to him was black in colour with a golden trim. He looked like someone of royalty.
"Perfect, I think you two are ready now." Lenny said, "Oh and it's best to keep your weapons away, for now, we need to keep up the appearances that your mages."
All the armour that Ray wore and Jack and Ray's weapons were put into his endless void. Now that the three of them carried no weapons they just looked like high-class citizens.
While Lenny led to two to their destination, they noticed that they were walking up to the grand palace. Unlike the castle at Kelberg which was made of stone and looked very old. The palace had a unique feeling to it. It was modern in design and smooth on the outside. It looked like it had only been made last year but as Ray started to look around, he noticed all the building looked like that.
"That's what happens when you live in a magic city." Lenny said, "No need for poor construction, cracks in the foundations can be fixed in an instant, it's impressive isn't it."
"Yeah, it is," Jack said, "I'm wondering why you ever left this place?"
"Of course, like every place it has its fair share of serious problems and Ray being at the academy will quickly find out."
Suddenly though Lenny stopped walking towards the palace and took a turn in another direction.
"Are we not heading for the palace?" Jack asked
"Do you really think we are able to just walk up to the palace and meet the queen." Lenny replied, "We are to meet in another location."
Finally, after walking for a little while longer they reached a familiar-looking building. It was a public Guildhall. One that was not owned by any of the guilds in the city. Once the group entered the building Lenny talked to one of the workers behind the counter and they were quickly escorted up the stairs.
Waiting for them sitting on the sofa was a woman in a black cloak and a blonde-haired man wearing white robes standing by her side. She was patiently drinking coffee as she waited for the others.
"Your highness, your guests have arrived." The guard said.
Just then Lenny and the others had reached the top of the stairs and were brought over to sit on the opposite side of the table from the queen.
The queen then took off her hood to reveal her face. To Jack and Ray's surprise, they were expecting a frail old woman. But here was a beautiful silver-haired woman with long shining hair who looked like she was in her late thirties.
"My old friend here tells me that you wish to enter Roland academy, may I ask which one?" The Queen said.
"It's this young boy over here Liz." Lenny casually said.
"How dare you call her highness so casually!" The guard complained but he was quickly stopped when queen Liz raised her hand.
"Me and Lenny go back a long way, he has permission to call me whatever I like," Liz said with a smile.
Ray couldn't help but think about who Lenny was. He clearly had a friendly relationship with this person and she was the Queen. The Queen of Alure kingdom.
Liz then looked Ray up and down and gave a soft gentle smile.
"Have you enjoyed your treatment while in this city." Said Liz, "I guess it might have come as quite a shock to you. Although I would like to take credit for such a thing, the hard work goes to the academy. When the prophecy was spread through the land, they worked hard to promote the red-haired magicians. Several reports of their good deeds were spread to the people and they would often make public appearances to help out the city. The people here believe that one day the saviour told in the prophecy will be one of the red-haired children from the academy."
Ray had a hunch it had something to do with his red hair and it seemed to be true. Here in this city, the academy managed to change the negative stigma with Red hair into a positive one. In a way, Ray had done the same at Avrion but instead of good deeds, he had done it through brute force and showing them he was a capable fighter.
"I suppose we should get to business then." Liz said, "Although I am not directly in charge of the academy, I do play a big part in sponsoring it with my funds. If you receive a recommendation from me and Lenny there will be no problem getting you into the academy."
"That's great." Said Lenny. "I knew I could count on you Liz."
"However, you must first agree to accept a task for me while at Roland academy."