"Hah, how should I believe that this man is actually the true legendary Eisen? That whole deal about their experience being stolen is impossible. It must be an impostor." A certain man exclaimed as he sat in the courtyard of the castle, "Sure, he might be a King now, but he has nothing on my Lord, the Emperor."
It was one of the envoys that came to visit prototype for different reasons. Of course, the main, and official, reason was just to greet this new powerhouse that has established itself in a matter of weeks outside the view of these powerful countries. They wanted to establish friendly relations.
But there was another reason why most of these envoys came here. It was to verify whether or not the people leading this country really were the five that peaked, the most powerful people in this world. Sure, there were rumors of such a thing going around, but every capable ruler knew how to manipulate public opinion and create rumors, no matter how ridiculous they may be.
Using a few jesters with high charisma to walk around a town and spread such things, it was easy to turn a beggar into a hero. Of course, nearly none of the people here, with the exception of a certain young man, thought that Eisen was truly the first man that peaked in this world.
They all held the opinion of the envoy from the Holy Empire, Archpriest Gaja van Horgh. Even though the envoys were nearly all of different races, whether it be elves, dwarves, demons, beastpeople... There were at least two envoys for each major race here, and one envoy for the minor races like goliaths, changelings, and such.
Of course, this was just coincidence due to the way that the countries in this central continent were set up, but this was how it turned out.
They all brought knights with them as guards as well, so that was probably why it took Komer a while to organize a s.h.i.+p to bring them here all at once.
"But nonetheless... The fact that they were able to take control of this holy land... Is rather preposterous, is it not?" Van Horgh pointed out, "You remember that idea I proposed on the s.h.i.+p, do you not? Have you thought about it already?"
The different envoys looked around the table that has been set up here for a moment, trying to see what the others were going to choose. Until a woman from the Demon country shrugged, "Sounds fun to me. Let's teach those brats what it's like to enter this realm of rulers.h.i.+p."
The moment that she said these words, most of the other envoys quickly agreed as well. Although there were still some that disagreed, obviously, either because they were nervous or because they thought this idea to be unnecessary and reckless. It was rather clear that it might cause a war, after all.
However, none of them thought about speaking up about this fact. They were not directly involved after all. But there was one of them, that single human man, that voiced his opposing opinion.
"What fools you all are." The man laughed as he shook his head, "You truly know nothing, but think you can rule the world. If anything is 'preposterous' here, then it is the fact that you think you can sit at the same table as the adults."
The other envoys turned their heads toward him with glaring expressions. This young man had been rather rude to the others for the whole duration of the trip, never trying to exchange words for good relations and acting like he was above the other envoys.
"You little... What does a brat like you know? Be careful with your words, I have a direct connection to the Holy Archpope, so don't you dare-"
"Excuse me for interrupting your conversation." Serio appeared behind Van Horgh and interrupted him, "His Majesty is ready for your audience now."
Van Horgh quickly turned around and looked at the butler that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, before slowly straightening his collar, "I see... Well, at least he knows who to prioritize for the audience well enough. I will be back soon, so have fun while I'm gone." The Archpriest said, but Serio slowly held his hand in front of his own mouth.
"Oh, I apologize, but there seems to be a misunderstanding... You will all receive an audience together, not separate ones." Serio explained quickly, before Van Horgh's eyes opened wide, "How ridiculous! Who does that man think he is?!"
"He's the King of this country you are in, you fool. You are the one that should be careful with his words. This country is young, but it holds more power than your self-proclaimed 'Empire' could ever wish to." The young human man from before said, the one that spoke out his opposing opinion directly to Van Horgh.
And just as the Archpriest was about to complain once more, Serio slightly bowed forward, "It seems like we have not had a chance to speak properly. I have been told by his Majesty to treat you especially well, your Highness. After all, you are already an important business partner to us, Crown Prince of Litgern, Aaron James Lightheart."
In response to Serio's words, the envoys stared at this young man, that had a clearly much higher social position than they had all expected. Especially the fact that he had already established contact with the King of this country was a shock to them.
Especially Van Horgh felt himself nearly choking as he heard that name and t.i.tle. Prince Aaron laughed quietly and looked back at Serio, "Oho, you are quite well informed, aren't you? I thought I did a rather good job at hiding myself... I even gave my personal Guards new armor."
"Of course, but there is one detail you may not be aware of." Serio explained, before slowly unb.u.t.toning his jacket and the s.h.i.+rt underneath, revealing the one part on his body that wasn't covered in parts that made him look like he was a person. It was something of a 'viewing window' where the outer plates have been made translucent, according to Serio's own wish. It was an aesthetic choice. And through that viewing window, they could see Serio's crystal heart pumping magical liquids through the gla.s.s pipes within him.
"You may have thought I was a simple man, but I am a personal creation of his Majesty, Eisen de Grandour. I am the Guardian of this Town. n.o.body can even crush a bug underneath their feet without my knowledge of this action."
The envoys jumped from their seats and looked at Serio in confusion and shock. Was this man truly such a legendary creation, the 'Core Guardian'?
"H-How did that man get his hands on a Core Guardian...?"
"How, you ask, sir Van Horgh? It is simple... His Majesty was the one that originally created us of course. And he is the only one that currently knows how to do so anymore. Don't believe that I am the only Guardian in this town. If you are surprised by a single one... Then I'm afraid we will need to call a doctor when you find the true numbers out." The Town Core Guardian explained with a smile, before he b.u.t.toned his s.h.i.+rt and jacket back up.
"Now, let us not delay this any longer. Let us meet his Majesty." Serio suggested quickly, and then turned around and stepped forward toward the Courtyard's exit immediately.
Nervous through these unexpected revelations of just the past minute, the envoys made their way through the castle. It didn't take them long until they reached the large door leading to the Throne Room.
"His Majesty is in here." Serio explained, before disappearing in a blue mist. A moment later, the large double-door opened up and Serio stood on the other side of it, slowly pulling it open.
Silently, Serio waited for the envoys to step into the hall together with their closest guards. For a while, they were unable to focus on what was in front of them, even though they clearly wanted to. As if their eyes were instinctively avoiding that which was on the other side of the room.
And the moment that the door closed shut, they only felt one thing. One primal emotion that even their regressed instincts could not deny.
Fear.
In that instant, the eyes of everyone in the room were focused on the being they saw on the other side of the room. That giant figure, a couple dozen meters tall, in a black suit with golden embroidered parts. Horns sticking out from underneath the hat on its head, and golden lines flowing up to its eyes that seemed to be able to pierce the very soul of each and every single person here.
Of course, there was a reason for this. Eisen now had many ways to influence people in such manners. Of course, he had his royal authority as a King, a pa.s.sive ability that allowed others to feel Eisen's dignity.
Then, there were his abilities as a True Demon that allowed him to both inspire and frighten others. Combined, it could basically short-circuit the mind of the other person, and if combined with another mental ability, would be able to strengthen it considerably.
And at last, there was of course Evalia's influence. The paintings in this room were all created by her, and the music that was faintly being played in the background as well. All specifically to make it so that the pressure that Eisen was giving off was pushed to levels that normal people would be unable to handle properly.
But at the same time, since their goal wasn't to frighten them, but only to make them understand the clear difference in their power, Eisen tried to loosen the atmosphere up a bit again, "No need to be scared, my friends. I don't bite. At least not if I'm not asked to." The old man laughed quietly, trying to joke a bit.
And in a single instant, the air around Eisen changed. Away from the shocking image that he had before, to one that was nearly radiating. The music seemed more chipper, and the paintings more bright, while Eisen stretched his arms out wide to the side in an inviting manner.
Immediately, the nervosity within the envoys' bodies was lifted and they started to approach Eisen more willfully. Of course, they still made sure to keep a respectful distance, as would be expected during an audience with a King.
It seemed like whatever plan these people had was no longer a possibility in their minds. But of course, there is always an exception to that rule. Especially people with priest-type occupations had high mental resistance, so that they were able to resist any sort of control from opposing forces that did not align with the deity they believed in.
So while he certainly was not completely unaffected, Van Horgh looked up at Eisen with a bright smile and a scheme about to enter from behind his s.h.i.+ning white teeth.