The sun ascended gracefully above the azure sky of the kingdom of Inizio, casting its morning tendrils of golden light through the ornate glass windows of the castle. Bathed in this ethereal radiance, Alfon Balloye stood in quiet contemplation. His eyes, sharp and unyielding, were fixed upon the ever-changing tableau that sprawled beneath the towering walls of the capital city.
Alfon occupied his austere office, a pristine chamber adorned with minimalist designs. Within its confines, a singular wooden table and three well-crafted sofas imparted an air of simplicity that belied his stature as one of the kingdom's preeminent figures. Yet, amidst this apparent austerity, the room held a trove of memories. A collection of picture frames graced the stark walls, chronicling Alfon's life through the ages. They traced the journey of a young girl with resplendent blonde hair, a girl who had once been the center of his universe.
The succession of frames narrated a poignant tale, each photograph a chapter unto itself. They began with the innocence of childhood, portraying the girl in her earliest years, blissfully unaware of the world's complexities. Then came the phase when she donned the austere uniform of the kingdom's academy, her ambition and intellect shining brightly. Next, she transitioned into the garb of a knight trainee, her resolve and dedication evident in every stride. Finally, the frames depicted her in full knightly regalia, a paragon of valor and chivalry. In each image, Alfon and the girl shared radiant smiles, echoes of a time when their happiness had known no bounds.
However, as the sun continued its inexorable ascent, those smiles had become but distant memories, overshadowed by the relentless march of time.
A soft and measured knock disrupted Alfon's reverie, drawing his attention away from the sepia-tinged past. "Enter," he called, his voice imbued with a quiet grace.
The door creaked open, revealing the imposing figure of Zen, Alfon's loyal and unflinching aide. Zen's visage, carved from granite and devoid of emotion, was the embodiment of steadfast dedication. Accompanying him was a mysterious guest, a presence cloaked in intrigue.
"The witness has arrived, Lord Alfon," Zen announced, bowing respectfully.
Alfon acknowledged the information with a nod and reached for his reading glasses, a signal that business was afoot. "Very well. Please, take a seat," he beckoned to the enigmatic individual standing beside Zen. "And Zen, I would appreciate it if you remained."
Zen executed another precise bow in response, his commitment to Alfon's wishes unwavering. Alfon's keen gaze, meanwhile, fixated upon the hooded figure that had entered with Zen. The visitor was clad in a dark green cloak, their identity concealed by a mask of gray metal. They wore attire reminiscent of the Rogue and Ranger classes, characteristic of the kingdom's adventurers.
"I am grateful that you have responded to my summons," Alfon began, his tone a blend of authority and courtesy. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Alfon Balloye, the esteemed advisor to King Redmur Inizio. And you, my mysterious guest, are..."
The figure Alfon addressed wasted no time in unveiling their identity. With deliberate grace, they removed the hood, revealing a cascade of long, wavy pink hair that tumbled down their back. The gray metal mask was then gently lifted, exposing a face that defied conventional notions of beauty. It was a face marked by porcelain-white skin and sculpted features that could rival the most exquisite of sculptures. Every contour, from the delicate curve of the lips to the regal arch of the nose and the resolute angle of the jaw, was a testament to the creator's artistry. The eyes, a striking shade of azure, held an enigmatic depth that belied their fragility.
Despite her seemingly delicate appearance, there was an undeniable aura of capability that surrounded her, an aura that emanated from every pore. She stood poised and composed, her very presence commanding respect.
The adventurer stood before Lord Alfon. Her posture was upright, and her voice carried a tone of utmost respect as she introduced herself, "My name is Elaine Casmarov, and I am a class C adventurer of the guild." She paused briefly, her gaze unwavering. "I am here to answer all of your questions, my lord." With a graceful bow, she conveyed her readiness to assist.
Alfon, a man of noble bearing with a countenance of intelligence and authority, regarded Elaine with a hint of curiosity. "Casmarov, huh?" He mused, his words measured and articulate. "As far as I know, your noble family has never been known for their inclination toward combat and violence. Instead, they have a penchant for staying within the confines of their laboratory, delving into experiments to advance our agriculture." Alfon's eyebrow arched as he continued, "The very idea of one from your lineage embarking on the path of an adventurer is quite astonishing."
Elaine's eyes briefly conveyed discomfort, though she maintained her composure. "My lord," she began cautiously, her voice carrying a subtle note of humility, "I must respectfully request that we do not delve into discussions regarding my family at this time."
Alfon inclined his head in understanding. "Of course, it was merely a matter of casual conversation," he replied, his tone gentler now. "You are here for a more pressing matter, correct, Class C adventurer Elaine?" Alfon's piercing gaze fixed on her as he waited for her response.
Elaine nodded affirmatively, her gaze unwavering. "Indeed," she confirmed. "I have been tasked with sharing my firsthand account of the recent catastrophe that befell the forest."
Alfon leaned back in his ornate chair, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. "I've heard whispers of your presence in the forest during that fateful event," he said, his tone now tinged with a sense of urgency. "You were said to have witnessed the very source of the destruction."
Elaine took a moment to compose herself, her thoughts returning to the harrowing night in the forest. "Yes," she began, her voice carrying a weight of undeniable truth. "I was in the midst of collecting Unicorn Wolf's horns when I first heard it—an unrelenting barrage of explosions, each one more powerful than the last. The scale of destruction was unlike anything I had ever seen, and the source of it..." She paused, her gaze locked onto Alfon's, "It was a creature of such monstrous proportions that our entire army would struggle to contend with."
Alfon leaned forward, his eyes focused intently on Elaine as if trying to glean every detail from her words. "Tell me," he urged, his voice hushed, "what did you see?"
Elaine's breath caught in her throat for a moment, her eyes betraying a hint of trepidation. "A black dragon," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
As her revelation hung in the air, an eerie silence descended upon the room, a stillness so profound that even the faintest rustling of fabric seemed deafening. Both Alfon and Zen, who had been silently observing the exchange, had their jaws slowly drop. The enormity of Elaine's words seemed to weigh heavily upon them, their eyes betraying a mixture of disbelief and fear.
Alfon was the first to regain his composure, shaking his head incredulously. "I expected a formidable threat," he admitted, his voice carrying a sense of resignation, "but not of this magnitude."
Zen, who had been a silent observer until now, finally spoke up, his voice quivering with a mixture of dread and curiosity. "Did you manage to use an appraisal stone on the creature?" he asked, stepping closer to Elaine.
Elaine shook her head slowly, her expression filled with regret. "I had intended to do so," she confessed, "but the relentless barrage of explosions prevented me from getting any closer. I could do nothing but watch from a safe distance."
"The black dragon," Alfon murmured, his gaze distant as he contemplated the implications. "The most malevolent of all creatures. If this is true, we must prepare our forces," Alfon declared resolutely, yet his countenance betrayed profound concern. "This is dire news. We stand perilously on the precipice of an impending conflict with the formidable kingdom of Katagalogan. The retrieval of our forces from the battlefield shall prove to be a formidable and time-consuming endeavor."
Elaine offered a glimmer of hope amidst the grim situation. "My lord," she began, "I believe it will be some time before the black dragon reaches our lands. I have faith that the beastkin tribes will rally against this common threat. They have a history of uniting in times of crisis."
Zen interjected, his voice carrying a hint of skepticism. "Their power is undeniable, but the extinction of the Gold Mane tribe, one of the pillar tribes of Fiora, fifteen years ago has undoubtedly weakened their collective strength."
Alfon's expression darkened, his voice resonating with a sense of begrudging respect. "Do not underestimate them," he cautioned, clenching his fists. "The Gold Mane tribe's demise was a testament to who truly rules the great forest of Fiora. By eliminating them, she has asserted her dominance. As much as I detest acknowledging it, the old hag—the Shadow Fox—possesses the strength to confront a black dragon." He turned away from his audience, gazing out of the window at the capital of the kingdom, his concern palpable.
"Nevertheless, we must cling to the hope that she and the resilient beastkins possess the strength and tenacity to staunch the dragon's advance unaided, until humanity awakens to the necessity of uniting in the face of this looming, far graver menace," Alfon concluded with conviction.
Zen and Elaine exchanged curious glances, uncertainty etched into their expressions. Alfon's final words lingered in the air, carrying the weight of a future teetering on the brink of peril.
"The five human kingdoms and the beastkin tribes, banding together against a common adversary," Alfon murmured to himself. "It seems improbable, but we can only hope it is not too much to ask."
As the gravity of their situation settled upon them, the room remained steeped in a heavy silence, a silence pregnant with the uncertainty of what lay ahead.