"There might be a lot of people who may be better than you. But you made a feat not everyone would be capable of doing. Don't forget that and keep on moving forward. I'm sure a lot of people will follow your step."
"You sure know how to talk with people. You really aren't some stubborn adventurer that makes things complicated anymore. So this is what aging does, huh?"
"What? You say that as if you're way younger than me. Don't forget we're the same age."
The knight commander, Tedric, may have jokingly replied at Sieghart. And began to banter at each other. But deep inside, he was thankful of Sieghart.
He wants to share his gratitude to Sieghart. But when he thinks about it, he can't help but remember the memories in the past. Before the events 15 years ago. He already knew Sieghart and had a fair share of memories with him. That is why he knows how to respond to him. And that is also why he was able to stand up to him.
"You jerk. I can't believe that even you would pick on me about my a-age...!"
"Of course, everyone knows you're conscious about your adulthood. You're still so easy to read."
"You little...!"
They keep exchanging words at each other, teasing Sieghart about his consciousness over his adulthood like the others. But later Tedric remembered to ask what happened to Sieghart after going to the royal castle.
"Ah, I forgot. What happened to the royal castle? Is the Queen okay? Did you manage to capture Castile and Celestine? Or did you just run away? If so, where is Queen Elena?"
Tedric's question strucked Sieghart like thunder. Even Jinrah was shocked by it. He knows he's with Sieghart the whole time during the appearance of the 9 dragons.
"Shit! I completely forgot about it!" Said, Sieghart with a hysterical voice.
"You... I knew I shouldn't have entrusted something important to you!" Knight commander Tedric scolded Sieghart. "Come to think about it. There's still no presence of the Queen anywhere. Let's forget about our failure and go to the royal castle."
"There's no need. The Queen isn't in the royal castle."
"Prince Edle...!"
"What do you mean the Queen isn't in the royal castle?"
Everyone's eyes were into the prince of Reilaea who appeared before them in the town square.
"Just like I said, Mother isn't in the royal castle. So is the other rulers of Meleia and Loisiln. They were all taken by Castile to Kruule." Edle responds to Sieghart about what happened not long ago in the royal castle.
"He brought everyone to Kruule... But it's too far from here. And we didn't even see them go outside the city."
"That's because they don't need to."
"...?"
Edle further explains to everyone that Castile and Celestine got a handful of the scrolls called "Gate" in their possession.
""Gate", you mean the thing that opens up a portal from a place to another?"
"Aren't those scrolls taboo?! Since the very first rulers' conference."
"That's what we thought."
Edle tells everyone what Castile and Celestine told him and the others who are together with him in the royal castle.
"Are you serious? Only the Queen of Kruule attended that first conference?"
Christa who was talking to Ronan, Selene and the other four turns to Sieghart as she caught her ears on the adventurer's comment.
"Well, if he really attended the conference, he wouldn't be able to take command in making those forbidden scrolls. As forbidding the Gates were made as a divine rule that cannot be broken by any King or Queen." Commander Tedric followed Sieghart's words.
"So that's why some knights of Kruule were able to go deeper inside the capital."
"Yes. I'm glad that we were able to make them turn away. If the attack goes on and they decided to attack us from all directions..."
"No. I doubt that they all turned away because they realized they can't push us any further."
Christa's answer to Jinrah draws everyone's eyes into her.
"Christa... what do you mean?" Edle asked.
"Commander Tedric, was it?" Christa looks at the commander in front of her. Tedric answered with a resounding yes.
"From what I heard earlier, you guys managed to capture some of them alive, right?"
"Indeed."
"Then, have you noticed something strange into their behavior?"
"Their behavior...?"
Christa invites Tedric, Sieghart, Edle and the others to have a talk with the captive knights of Kruule. With what the girl told them that boggles their minds, they all agree to see the captured knights.
Somewhere not really far from the town square, a small house, in the underground room is where the knights are being held captive. Guarded by the guards that Tedric assigned.
"Here they are."
Christa and Edle. As well as Sieghart's group and Ronan's were introduced to the knights. One Ronan's group noticed how every single one of the captured knights of Kruule were all chained up all over their body. As they keep shouting the words "Fight us!"
"What is this? They're all shackled up all over their body! Are they insane or something."
All the shackled fellows were glaring angrily at the girl who spoke. Not only them, Edle stares with confused eyes on the girl, especially Ronan who is standing beside Christa.
"Who are you five? No, who told you to come with us?" He asked.
"They're with me." Christa stood between Edle and the five. "Apparently, they are the five that saved me from the last dragon."
"Saved you?"
Ronan, as well as the other four bows down to the Prince.
"I apologize for the late introduction, Prince of Reilaea. I'm the leader of our party, Ronan Iveagh. I'm an Adventurer."