A knight came out from inside the castle and entered the balcony. Surprised to see Elerona and Kratia there at night, he corrected his position gallantly, although his shocked expression could not be concealed.
"Princess Elerona? Kratia?" His voice sounded doubtful, reflecting his confusion. "Is everything okay?"
Elerona smiled broadly, trying to ease the tension felt in the air. "Yes, everything is fine, Ser Knight. We are only returning to the castle after touring the city."
The knight nodded, still watching them. "I hope so. Tonight, it is not appropriate for the princess to be outside."
Kratia, although a little restless, tried to remain calm. "Sorry, Ser Knight. We don't mean to worry you. We just want to spend time together in the fresh air."
The knight seemed to be silent for a moment, then finally nodded his understanding. "I understand, Princess Elerona. However, it is fine if so. Stay vigilant outside, especially at night like this."
Elerona gently pulled Kratia into the castle, passing through the wide-open balcony door. The two of them went inside, and the knight guarding the balcony door kept watching them until they disappeared inside the dark castle room.
Their steps resonated in the silent castle passage; the dark night sky enveloped the castle with a mysterious atmosphere. Elerona led the way while holding Kratia's hand tightly, feeling safe in the presence of her best friend beside her.
They reached the main living room, where the small light from the lanterns emitted a faint light. Elerona looked at Kratia with a kind smile. "We're inside the castle now, Kratia. Would you like to rest for a while in your room?"
Kratia nodded, turning her gaze away from Elerona to the vicinity of the shady room. "Yes, maybe it's a good idea. I feel a bit tired after tonight's adventure."
They walked through the passage of the castle with slow steps; a quiet atmosphere filled the air around them. The dim light from the lanterns hanging on the walls creates mysterious shadows along the hallway.
Elerona looked at Kratia intently as they walked. "Kratia, I want to know where King Gabriel went when he rose a while ago."
I was speechless. Ahh... That's right, I almost forgot about it, Where did it go? Will he really destroy the kingdom? I'd better ask Lancey and Marlin later.
"I don't know," I said later, "but for sure, I will protect you."
They continued their steps in the silent hallway of the castle, with their respective thoughts drifting to unanswered questions. Tension enveloped the air around them, as if something invisible lurked among the shadows of the dark passage.
After a while of walking, they came to a crossroads that offered several directional options. Elerona looked at Kratia with a look full of question marks in her eyes.
"Kratia, to the room or to the dining room?" asked Elerona in a low voice.
Kratia carefully considered their options. "Maybe go to the room first. We can save our minds full of questions for later."
Elerona nodded in agreement, and they turned in the direction of the room. The tense atmosphere that had previously surrounded them started to dissipate as they moved closer and closer to the room's door, giving them a more genuine sense of security within the sturdy castle walls.
The tense atmosphere that had previously surrounded them started to dissipate as their steps got closer and closer to the doors of their respective rooms, giving them a more genuine sense of security inside the sturdy castle walls.
"You'll be fine, right, Kratia?" asked Elerona in a worried tone.
Kratia smiled softly, trying to give her best friend reassurance. "Of course, Elerona. We will both be fine in our respective rooms. Until tomorrow."
With that, they parted ways at the door of each other's rooms, going into a room that provided peace and security after strolling through the dark and mysterious hallway.
***
The next day, the sun greeted with its warm rays entering the window of Kratia's room.
Sreak! Sreak!
Kratia opened her eyes, awakened by the sound that touched her ears gently. The moment he raised his head, his gaze immediately met the faces of Lancey and Marlin standing next to the window of his castle room.
"Lancey, Marlin? What's wrong?" asked Kratia, a little surprised by their presence in her room.
Lancey, seriously, looked at Kratia. "Sorry, Kratia, we need to discuss something important with you."
Kratia felt a tension in the air. "What happened?"
Marlin nodded, his expression serious. "It's about King Gabriel. We have an update on his whereabouts and his intentions."
Kratia swallowed, her heart pounding fiercely. "What happened to King Gabriel?"
"There has just been a massacre in a village quite far from here," Marlin said, his steps approaching Kratia's bed.
Kratia was shocked. "What?!" he murmured, his eyes watching his two best friends with the same intensity as his worries.
"You didn't check your screen?" asked Lancey, in a slightly blaming tone.
"Oh, the screen," Kratia responded, immediately reminding herself of the existence of the screen. Quickly, he took out his screen and opened the notification that had just come in. The number '1' adorns his inbox, indicating the presence of unread messages. When he opens it, he is treated to a notice about the massacre committed by a player named "Gabriel Maharaja".
Kratia felt her chest tight when she read the notice. Gabriel Maharaja, the player who had previously threatened the peace of the kingdom with his powers, was now embroiled in a heart-shaking massacre.
"This is impossible..." Kratia murmured, her eyes glued to the screen as she digested the news.
Lancey and Marlin exchanged glances, worried expressions radiating from their faces. They could feel the tension weighing on Kratia.
"We have to do something," Lancey said firmly, trying to calm Kratia. "We can't let Gabriel ruin any more, it destroys the storyline... That's what the gods say."
After a moment of pondering the deteriorating situation, Kratia nodded, showing his willingness to act. He feels a call to protect the kingdom and stop Gabriel from more destruction.
"We have to figure out where Gabriel is and how to stop him," Kratia said, his voice full of determination.
Lancey and Marlin agreed, they both looked at Kratia with confidence. "We'll help you," Marlin said, while Lancey added, "We have to act fast before it's too late."
Knock! Knock! The sound of knocking on the door broke the silence inside Kratia's room, awakening them from serious talk.
"Kratia?" shouted Elerona in a worried tone from behind the door.
Kratia looked at Lancey and Marlin, who then moved towards the wide-open window. They exchanged glances for a while before Lancey spoke, "We'll leave first, Kratia. Meet us at the headquarters in the afternoon."
After saying those parting words, the two stepped towards the window and agilely jumped out. Kratia nodded, understanding that they had to investigate more about Gabriel the Emperor and what plan to do next.
With Lancey and Marlin gone, Kratia rushed towards the door and opened it to greet Elerona.
Elerona walked into the room with an expression that reflected concern. His eyes traced Kratia's face closely, looking for signs of anxiety or tension.
"Good morning, Kratia," Elerona said as she stood in front of Kratia with a big smile, although she still looked worried.
Kratia responded with a faint smile, although in his heart he still imagined the worry of the situation with Gabriel the Emperor.
"Good morning, Elerona," Kratia said in a soft voice, trying to hold back the tension that haunted her mind. "Have something you want to talk about?"
Elerona nodded slowly. "We have something to talk about, Kratia. I heard news about Gabriel the Maharaja. We must act quickly before more damage is done."
Kratia realized this coincidence. "I see, huh? What happened, and what should we do?" he asked, trying to cover up his knowledge.
"My father wants you and Arshley to go find that king and do the seal," Elerona explained.
Kratia took a deep breath, realizing that they had no time to hesitate. It is time to act. "Well, take me to your dad."
Elerona snubbed.
Kratia and Elerona walked towards King Arion's private office with steady steps. When they arrived, the door of the office was already open, inviting them to enter.
King Arion sat at his desk; his face solemn as he noticed a piece of document scattered in front of him. However, when Kratia and Elerona walked in, he raised his head with a look of enthusiasm.
"Good morning, my daughter, Kratia," greeted King Arion kindly. "You guys came on time."
Kratia and Elerona greeted King Arion with respect. They stood before the king's desk, waiting attentively to hear what was to be delivered.
King Arion looked at them in turn, his eyes full of deep worry. "I'm sure you've heard about Gabriel the Maharaja," he said in a serious voice.
Kratia and Elerona nodded, stating that they were aware of the situation.
"We have to act fast," King Arion continued. "Gabriel has carried out massacres in several villages, and his presence further threatens the security of our kingdom."
Kratia felt her chest tight when she heard these words. He felt the call to action getting stronger and stronger inside him. "What should we do?" he asked, his voice filled with determination to fight the threat.
"I, King Arion, order you to go with Arshley, a leader of soldiers, who will go find King Gabriel," King Arion said firmly.
Kratia looked at King Arion seriously. "But... what about Elerona? I'm the butler," he asked, worry flashing from his eyes.
King Arion maintained his solemn expression. "You just need to come back safely, don't you? You alone, during yesterday's massacre, can still live, even though you are dead."
King Arion's choice shocked Kratia, who swallowed. His gaze fell on Elerona, who was quietly watching this exchange with a mixed expression of worry and confusion.
"I understand," Kratia said cautiously, trying to contain her anxiety. "I will carry out your orders to the best of my ability."
Elerona nodded, showing her silent support for Kratia. Although he knew how difficult the task given to his best friend was, he believed that Kratia would face it with the courage and intelligence he possessed.
King Arion nodded, giving his blessing to Kratia. "Well, you go and perform your duties. I believe you will do your best."
With heavy hearts, Kratia and Elerona walked out of the room, ready to face the challenges that awaited them out there.
The moment they walked out of the room, a quiet passage greeted them. Kratia and Elerona stared at each other, the silent atmosphere giving weight to the words about to be said.
"It seems that I have to leave for a while," Kratia said in a low voice, her expression reflecting fears for an uncertain future.
Elerona responded with a smile, but her eyes showed uncertainty. "I see," he replied, trying to contain any anxiety Kratia might be feeling.
After a moment of silence in the silent hallway, Elerona walked up to Kratia with a look of concern.
"Are you sure you'll be okay to go alone?" she asked, her voice attentive.
Kratia smiled weakly, trying to appease Elerona. "I'll be fine. I must do this for the good of the kingdom."
Elerona nodded, although she still looked worried. "But still, be careful out there. And don't hesitate to call for help if you need it."
Kratia nodded, appreciating the care and support from her friend. "Thank you, Elerona. I will take good care of myself."
With an excited smile, Kratia turned and strode away, leaving the silent passage with steady steps towards the adventure that awaits outside the castle. Elerona, though still full of worries, stood in place in the hope that Kratia would return safely.
< Chapter 27 > To Be Continued.