Finally, their time in the Maze was over, and their journey across land took three whole days till they reached the gates of the City of Diadem. Alan also finished his Quest by gathering necessary items on the way back. Zero noticed that their travel was much swifter, tracking through the forest with barely any effort and eventually passing through the entire forest without much trouble. The lower-level monsters stay away from Zero's group. Even his level had grown to great heights.
Name: Zero
Title: Beacon of Hope, Neighborhood Child Finder
Race: Drezo Regalia
(human form)
Level: 175
Main Job: Record Keeper of Historia
Secondary Job: Scribe
Health points: 9,501
Mana Points: 11,761
Attack: 768 (+85)
Defense: 546 (+38)
Agility: 650 (+25)
Endurance: 530 (+25)
Luck: 90 (+105)
Leadership: 350 (+15)
Magical Attack: 1050 (+25)
Magical Defense: 850 (+25)
Wisdom: 702 (+25)
Intelligence: 450 (+25)
Dexterity: 656 (+25)
Fame: 2150 (+30)
Under a Friendship Contract with Agnis.
For All:
+ Transform beginner level 9 (75%)
+Third Eye beginner level 4
+Telepathy
+ Intimidation
+ Camouflage beginner level 9 (60%)
+ Skilled hand mastery intermediate level 1 (20%)
+ Kicking Mastery intermediate level 1 (1%)
+ Keen Hearing intermediate level 1 (8%)
+ Communication with the dead (Active)
+ Sensing the dead (Active)
+ The last stand (Auto)
+ Creation of Medicine
+Creation of Oculus-Morpheus beginner level 4 (20%)
+ Recording of O.M
+ Destruction of O.M
+ Restoration of O.M
Human Form Specialties:
+ Trinity Falls
+ Ninjutsu Training for Mastery
+ Five Elements of Hiding: Fire, Water, Earth, Wood, and Void (Auto)
+ Weapon Mastery beginner level 7 (77%)
+ Pressure points beginner level 8 (35%)
+ Herbology
+ Creation of Medicine
Hybrid form Specialties:
+ All the abilities of the Human and Origin Form can be used.
Origin Form Specialties:
+ Stink Bomb intermediate level 1 (50%)
+ Exploding Breath beginner level 9 (20%)
+ Fire Breath beginner level 9 (55%)
+ Keen Nose beginner level 9 (70%)
+ Crush beginner level 8 (20%)
+ Dark Fire beginner level 3 (5%)
+ Holy Fire beginner level 5 (55%)
Elements: 15% increase in defense against dark elements, 7% increase in defense against light elements
Info: A hybrid human that is born from an Egg. The title Beacon of hope draws in lost souls that will appear before you to ask for help. Your aura will stand out to the dead. Shadowy dark apparitions are wary around you. There is no more bounty set on your head. In Origin form, the status is doubled from the human form.
Now he had less than twenty-five levels till he reached two hundred. He could not wait until he reached the requirement to be able to grow his first pair of wings and even possibly on his hybrid form. Staying small and young had its own benefit, but he missed his older size.
#####
Zero and his group finally arrived at the palace and were brought into the throne room. The King and the Queen sat cautiously in their chairs, watching Zero's group. The people's gaze was fully upon them as they watched Zero's group walk in. Even Zero could tell their presence was not deeply happy with their return.
Zero had shapeshifted into his dragon form when he was halfway to the palace. He even told the soldiers he was with to keep his human form low-key, especially because he looked like a kid. They all agreed for the time being, but Zero did not know when they would change their mind and tell everyone what his human form looked like.
Zero and Agnis went first, while Jack, Alan, and Zeraph followed behind. The rest of the soldiers also followed. Finally, zero heard the voice of the aristocrat. They gawked and gossiped at one another as Zero's group entered.
"Is that the fabled lizard?"
"It's so ugly. How can the King allow such a monster to set foot into the throne room?"
"Look at its claws and jaw. I'm worried that the monster would use it on us."
"I heard the King had personally given him and his partner the elf a quest to get the Golden Eye."
"You don't mean the Golden eye from the Maze of Greum?"
"Yes. That Maze."
"Why is he back here? Did he succeed?"
"He better or else his head will go flying."
"Bah. A lizard completing the sacred task. Highly doubtful."
"I don't know. I heard some great things about him. He was the one that gave the last blow that killed the creature that invaded this city."
"Is he really that strong? What if he turned into a monster and raided our city?"
"That would be horrible. We can't have such a creature alive."
"This is a dark tiding. Didn't he take the Royal Library?"
"The King supposedly gave him the Royal Library. It was supposedly some kind of contract between the Drezo Regalia and our ancestor."
"How could he? Our sacred library."
"Tch. This is getting worse than I thought. They are even bringing in the criminals sent into the Labyrinth of Greum. This is outrageous."
Zeraph glared at the aristocrats, who continued to chatter with discontent. "If you don't mind, I think I'll go seal some mouths."
"Right behind you," Jack replied with a growl. "These ungrateful ingrates."
Zero shook his head. He didn't care much about their gossip about himself, but to look down on the soldiers who had sacrificed their time and lives to retrieve back, the Golden Eye infuriated him. He knew he could not cause a scene at this moment even if he wanted to. "Don't we have better things to do?" What did catch Zero off guard was Zeraph taking the first initiative to do or say anything about the aristocrats' words. He did not expect him to say anything, but he noticed that throughout the Quest, Zeraph had been very close with the soldiers.
"Well, our young Adventurer has returned from their journey. I am pleased with your return. Have you brought back what I have asked of you?"
"Yes, your majesty." Zero pulls out the Golden Eye with his claw and places it down in front of him as gently as possible. A soldier walks up and reaches down to pick up the Golden Eye. He brings it toward the King and gently places it in his hands.
"I see. This is the fabled Golden Eye that my grandfather has been talking about. To see it in my hand is truly a momentous occasion. I had hoped that this eye would have come five years earlier when I needed its power the most, but still, I should be thankful that it has arrived here; it truly is a miracle in itself." The King takes off his crown and places it on his lap.
Zero notices an empty socket in the middle of the King's crown. He had always wondered what kind of jewel was supposed to be embedded in the crown, and he never expected it to be the Golden Eye itself. Then, with a clink, the Golden Eye entered the socket, and bright golden light erupted around the King.
Everyone covered their face to damper the bright light; even Zero had to look away for a split second till the light disappeared. Then, a message appeared before Zero's group issuing different things.
Ding!
The Quest to retrieve the Golden Eye has been completed.
Side Quest: Free the Leprechauns from the evil clutches of the Magician Mano has been completed.
You have leveled up!
You have received +1,000 fame points, + 200 leadership points, and the intimacy with the soldiers of the City of Diadem has increased dramatically. All the Kingdom of Terra soldiers now know your name and have a good impression of you. Intimacy with the current King has risen in favor.
"I am truly grateful to you. You have brought back the sacred treasure that was lost for generations." The King was truly pleased with the outcome. Zero could feel a mysterious power coming from the King. "For your efforts and the people that had helped with the completion of the Quest. I will reward them as well. Terran, bring me the 2nd half of the Certificate."
A scholar bows and pulls out the Certificate that the King had promised Zero. He brings it up to Zero and hands it over.
You have received the 2nd Half of the Certificate of Draconis Library, authenticating you as the sole heir of the Drezo Regalia.
Zero gladly accepted and read through the paper.
Zero has completed the task given by the King of Diadem. The Kingdom of Terra had officially recognized Zero as the guardian and the sole heir to the Draconis Library. The old contract between the King and the Drezo Regalia had been fulfilled under the light of the Infinity. All relations between the Drezo Regalia and the Kingdom of Terra would again be allies.
Signed,
King of Diadem
A royal sigil was signed and stamped onto the paper authenticating the paper. Zero was delighted that he had finally received the paper allowing him full ownership of the Draconis Library. In addition, he could bring his own flying home with him anywhere without going back and forth from city to city.
"You have completed two grand tasks. The first to defeat the monster is called Lilith and now to bring the treasured heirloom back to its rightful owner. I can not thank you enough. You and your Adventurer friends are considered a sacred friendship that has gone through harsh ups and downs together to bring a favorable outcome."
A new title has been given to Zero. Sacred Friendship.
Intimacy has risen with the residents of the Kingdom of Terra. Finally, people will have an easier time confiding their secrets to you. When two or more Adventurers with the title Sacred Friendship work together on a quest, a temporary +5 status bonus is added to all your status till the completion of your Quest. The bonds between Sacred Friendship bring together a sacred connection between two or more people, strengthening their bonds to a higher light.
"You're overpraising us, your highness." Zero lowered his head with a humble expression. He could see that even his friends that joined him on this Quest had received the same title. Agnis, Alan, and even Jack were ecstatic with their title. Zeraph, on the other hand didn't seem to care much about the title.
"If you don't mind. I was wondering what would happen to the soldiers that had helped us in the mission?"
"Ah yes. They will be accommodated with a reward and be once again integrated into the Kingdom's army. They have grown considerably since the last time I have seen them. An appropriate rank will also be given to them. I see that you have lived up to your title when it comes to the soldiers you have fought with."
"They are considered my brother-in-arms. Without them, it would have been even more difficult to defeat the monsters inhabiting the Labyrinth and complete the Quest. They have saved our lives continuously throughout the ordeal."
"Your friendship with the soldiers knows no bounds. I will give each of them a reward and a decent place to live for the rest of their lives. Your group has truly given this Kingdom honor that knows no bounds."
"Thank you, your highness." Zero did not realize it, but at that moment, the intimacy with the soldiers he had personally worked with had considerably risen to new heights. Even though their loyalty was to the King, their second loyalty was now personally to Zero.
"You should see all rest. Your journey has been long and treacherous. But, once again, I must thank you for your journey to bring back the sacred treasure."
Zero bows and turns. The rest followed right next to and behind Zero.
"I can't believe it. Finally, I got some crazy experience, title, and gold. I was hoping for some weapons, but this should do fine." Jack replied in a happy mood. "Who would've thought such a title would bring such crazy benefits."
"This will definitely help me in trading with people," Alan rubbed his hands and smirked. Zero could tell that Alan had a mischievous air around him. Truly the merchant profession applied to him the best.
"What are we going to do now?" Agnis asked. "I want to go to the Draconis Library."
"I think I will, too," said Zeraph. "I have a couple of unfinished business to attend to."
"I think trading there will be a great idea."
"Then let's go."
The giant door opened, allowing them to go through. Tom, Eron, and Evan rushed toward Zero's group congratulating him for completing the Quest. The other soldiers in Zero's group also surrounded them like a swarm of bees.
"Leader. I heard you have acquired quite a title."
"Not only that, you have personally stuck up for us. We can't thank you enough."
"I'm glad I have followed your lead."
"He's a true friend."
"We would gladly help you out whenever you need help."
"Please do not forget us and call upon our help."
"Yes. Yes. Don't forget."
"We would gladly go with you to another adventure."
"Let's go for a grand adventure equivalent to or even greater than before this time."
"I will gladly ask for your help." Zero replied with a smile. However, in his dragon form, his smile gave off an intimidating aura. The bystanders that watched the whole ordeal thought that Zero had malicious intent, but the soldiers instead talked with him like it was nothing.
"I hope you guys do well till the next time we meet."
"Yes. Goodbye, leader." They waved their farewells and went through the gates to have an audience with the King.
"That went unexpectedly well," said Agnis. She waved her goodbyes and caught up to Zero." I wasn't expecting such a swarm of greetings. For a moment there, I thought we would get run over."
"That wasn't such a bad experience," Alan replied gleefully. "I think I will get used to this."
"Don't be too full of yourself, or it will bring you trouble." Agnis chastised Alan.
"I know. I'm just saying."
"Better to experience it now than never. So we know what to expect in the future." Jack replied.
"Yea."
Zero and his group headed towards the floating Draconis Library at the outer walls.