Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player



The glow of the moon shone down on the Royal Palace in the north of the Tretidan Capital, making the quartz statues and monuments seem almost magical. What's more, the newly carved details on the palace walls seemed to come to life under the soft light, while the gardens exuded enveloping fragrances.

Xisrith felt a mixture of fascination and nervousness, but Kaizen's presence at her side was encouraging.

Climbing the stone stairs that led to the palace's main gate, they saw the imposing royal guards posted at the thick, imposing gates. Their white armor shone like ancient relics, and their spears seemed to touch the stars above. Xisrith inhaled deeply, mentally preparing himself for what was to come.

As they approached the limit allowed for tourists, one of the guards approached, raising his hand in greeting. "Identify yourselves and state your intention."

Kaizen stepped forward and said loudly:

"Oops, speak up David!" Kaizen greeted the guard with family members as if they were friends.

The guard, whose initial expression was stern, turned into a warm smile. "Klaus! It's good to see you again, buddy! It's okay, guys, it's Klaus!"

"Ah, so it's Klaus, what a relief."

"Hello, Klaus!"

"Too bad, I wanted to try out my new spear. By the way, Klaus, this new spear is very sharp!"

The other guards commented, relaxing their posture. Xisrith arched an eyebrow, a mixture of surprise and confusion crossing her face. She looked from Kaizen to the guards, trying to understand the dynamic that was unfolding before her.

"Isn't it?" asked Klaus, smiling with his mouth closed as he approached. "And you, David? How are you?"

"I'm fine, thanks for asking. And that's the friend you mentioned?"

Xisrith felt slightly out of place, but a gentle smile from the guard reassured her.

"David, this is Xisrith. A descragon knight." Kaizen replied, slipping his arm around her shoulder casually. "Xisrith, this is David. He's one of the chief guards on the wall. And look, that sword hanging from his belt, a real masterpiece, right? I made it."

Xisrith struggled to contain her laughter at the unusual conversation. She couldn't believe how Kaizen had managed to connect in such a way with these NPCs.

Suddenly, a voice echoed from the top of the wall. "Oh! It's Klaus, everyone!"

"Oops!" Klaus said hello and, recognizing the guard, asked: "And the wife? How is she?"

"She had the baby two days ago. She's recovering!"

"You just can't get excited and do the other one, otherwise you'll get too much of a headache!" Another guard joked.

The sound of the guards' casual conversations mingled with the night wind, spreading a friendly atmosphere at the entrance to the Royal Palace.

Xisrith looked at Kaizen's smiling face, still a little incredulous at his ability to get along so naturally with the guards. For the first time in a long time while in the presence of NPCs, her hand wasn't firmly holding the hilt of her sword, which was a gesture of comfort.

"Klaus, I'll go in and tell the king about your visit. Wait just a second, please," said David, turning away.

"All right, I'll be waiting."

However, just as David was about to inform his superiors about Kaizen and Xisrith's visit, a voice at the top of the wall caught everyone's attention. An elegant figure, dressed in finely crafted clothes, who carried an air of undisputed authority, peered down. It was Petril Wyvernjack, the royal butler, recognizable not only by his impeccable dress, but also by his upright posture and ever-attentive gaze.

"Ah, Klaus, that explains the commotion up here." Petril's voice was soft, but laden with gentle irony. He looked at the guards and waved his hand. "There's no need to inform the higher-ups, David. Allow our visitor and his company to enter."

The guards promptly obeyed, stepping aside to open the gates with a respectful bow. Kaizen cast a triumphant glance at Xisrith before moving on, gesturing for her to accompany him. Xisrith hesitated for a moment, feeling the pressure of the guards' curious eyes on her, but Petril's reassuring expression urged her forward.

When the gates finally closed, David remembered that Kaizen had commented on Xisrith being a descendragon and his eyebrows finally rose. "So, they exist...?"

On the inside of the wall, as they walked along the long inner corridor, Xisrith was fascinated by the thick columns that supported the walls and each step echoed on the thick marble floor, creating a soothing soundtrack to their journey.

"You did very well back there." Xisrith murmured to Kaizen. "How did you meet them?"

The dim light from the torches hanging on the walls illuminated the inner corridor, and Kaizen stopped to wait for Petril, who was probably going to greet them.

"I've been making weapons and armor for them since they needed it badly after the first attack by the Eye of Hermodr. From then on, I started working with them and visiting here sometimes, mainly to talk about business matters. So I gradually got to know them more and more, until I reached the princess and, consequently, the king." Kaizen said, lying a little.

Petril Wyvernjack, the royal butler, finally appeared, coming down the stairs. His impeccable figure and elegant posture evoked an air of respect. He extended a gloved hand in greeting, and Kaizen shook it with a sincere smile.

"Klaus, it's always a pleasure to see you. And this is...?" Petril gave Xisrith a shrewd look, and she straightened up and looked him in the eye, conveying confidence.

"This is Xisrith, a descragon knight. Xisrith, this is the illustrious Petril Wyvernjack, royal steward and one of the King's most respected advisors."

Xisrith inclined his head in respectful greeting. "It's an honor to meet you, Butler Wyvernjack."

Petril smiled, and although his expression was soft, his eyes seemed to read far beyond words. "The honor is mine, Lady Xisrith. If Kaizen has brought you here, it is because he trusts you. And trust is something we take very seriously here at the Royal Palace."