The man before Adam gave off strange vibes. He was definitely taller than Adam, maybe a little taller than six feet. His hair was jet black and combed back meticulously. Though his clothing was already unfamiliar since Adam had not seen a formal butler uniform in person prior, that wasn't what stood out most. It was the unnaturally white pupils the butler had.
"...He's blind?" [Felix]
The butler nodded.
"That is correct, your eminence." [Butler]
Felix looked stunned at the butler's reply.
"You speak Stradorian?!" [Felix]
"Why yes, I do. This was all to interact with you." [Butler]
"...Are you mistaking me for someone else?" [Felix]
The butler smiled.
"Certainly not. Come. Let us speak inside." [Butler]
He turned and began to lead them.
"Ah, and Fortis? Be sure to put the chariot back to where it belongs. Master is already aware of you taking it without permission." [Butler]
Fortis flinched.
"...You told him?" [Fortis]
"Are you implying I should have lied to the one I serve?" [Butler]
"Uh… No, but couldn't you have just not mentioned me?" [Fortis]
The butler only gave him an annoyed look.
"...Right. I'll be on my way." [Fortis]
("What just happened?") [Adam]
It was odd to see someone as large as Fortis shrink back against someone much smaller. As Fortis left, the butler motioned for Adam and Felix to follow.
"I apologize for showing you two something so unsightly." [Butler]
"It's fine." [Felix]
"Is that so?" [Butler]
As the butler led them through the castle, Adam found himself marveling at the people within.
("Strong. I can feel it. They're strong!") [Adam]
The inner design of the castle had fancy rugs, decorative carpets, banners that hang off the walls, lamps that burned blue, imposing statues of mythical creatures, carvings of strange depictions, and much more. However, it was the maids and servants that Adam was wary of.
"Hah! To think you pale in comparison to a mere servant!" [Astos]
"You pale in comparison to a single mortal. Don't forget the reason why you can't possess Adam's body." [Krino]
As the two bickered, Adam found himself curious about one thing.
("Where are the guards?") [Adam]
The only guards he had seen were knights out on patrol in the yard, and those within the city. He pondered while following the butler, leading him to find knights of blackened armor passing him by.
("...There must only be a few of them.") [Adam]
It was strange. He could feel strength from the servants and maids, but couldn't sense a thing off the knights. Since Adam couldn't wrap his head around it, he settled with leaving it a mystery for now.
"Here we are." [Butler]
Within a small corridor, the butler opened a door for them.
"Please enter." [Butler]
Heeding his request, Adam and Felix walked in.
"This is…?" [Felix]
It was a very ordinary room. There was a singular round table and four chairs in the middle. Other than that, it was empty.
"Have a seat." [Butler]
Exchanging nervous glances, Adam and Felix complied.
"Very good." [Butler]
Satisfied with how things were going, the butler closed the door behind him. He then proceeded to kneel.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am an Arcana of the Sovereign of Ruin, beholder of the Authority of Finality. My full name is Vanice De La Trischt Gedhram, but you may call me Va'al. I greet your eminence, Duke Felix." [Va'al]
("...That's a long ass name.") [Adam]
Felix was perplexed to hear this.
"I really think you've got the wrong person. How am I a duke?" [Felix]
Va'al stood.
"That is because your brother announced your position upon the founding of this empire." [Va'al]
Gears churned in Felix's head.
"...I feel like I'm missing a bit of information. My brother? What do you mean by this?" [Felix]
"Your brother, "Sebastian" as you refer to, reigns as emperor over this land. He founded the empire several millennia ago. You, who is his flesh and blood, is given the title of Duke." [Va'al]
"Several millennia? Sebastian is only twenty eight!" [Felix]
("Millennia? What's that?") [Adam]
"It means thousands of years." [Krino]
("Oh.") [Adam]
Va'al nodded.
"From your perspective, that may be. In any case, this does not matter. For now, we should work on getting you back home." [Va'al]
He then reached out into the empty air, tearing apart space with his fingers. It created a dark rift in space itself, allowing Va'al to stick his hand in and take out several books.
"Is what I'd like to say, but now isn't the best time to return to Earth." [Va'al]
"What? What do you mean by that?" [Felix]
"Just you two coming to these lands is a miracle in and of itself. Normally the passage of space and time would rip you apart. However, you two still made it." [Va'al]
"And that means?" [Felix]
"I will be training you two to withstand returning. Or until the space inbetween stabilizes enough for momentary passage." [Va'al]
Felix placed a hand on his chin.
("So we either get stronger or wait. Passage of space and time… Are we in another galaxy or something?") [Felix]
"How long do we have to wait if we don't train?" [Felix]
"From my estimates… perhaps two years at the earliest." [Va'al]
"Yeah, we don't have time for that." [Felix]
He worried about leaving his squad behind. Who knows what will happen after two years?
"No need to worry. Time and space are always changing. Upon returning to Earth, perhaps only seconds have passed." [Va'al]
"That also means the opposite could be true couldn't it?" [Felix]
"You have great insight, your eminence." [Va'al]
Felix leaned back and let out a long sigh.
"Why is it I always get into shitty situations with Adam…" [Felix]
"Hey, you're making it sound like my fault." [Adam]
"It usually is." [Felix]
"But this time it wasn't." [Adam]
"Who can say?" [Felix]