Upon reaching the imposing gates of Regalia, Alex bid farewell to Tomas and thanked him for his valuable assistance on the journey. With determined steps, he made his way towards the majestic castle that loomed in the heart of the city. Upon entering the King's Hall, he was greeted with reverence by those present due to the tales heard by the elves and how he helped their kingdom, including a group of royal guards led by a man of imposing presence.
"I present myself as the hero summoned to protect this world," announced Alex, with determination in his voice.
The king, named Leon, a wise man with a penetrating gaze, raised an eyebrow skeptically. "The hero, you say? But the hero had arrived days ago," he questioned, with a hint of doubt in his eyes.
Alex noticed a figure of imposing aura next to the king and thought he was referring to him as the hero. "Is he the one who came proclaiming to be the hero? Since he can understand as he is extremely strong," he asked, impressed by the man's presence.
King Leon chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, young man. Aldrich is our most loyal and courageous royal guard, the hero of a bygone era, not of the present," responded the king solemnly. "That is Aldrich, the ancient hero who defeated the previous demon king."
Alex was momentarily stunned, a glimmer of recognition crossing his eyes. Aldrich, the legendary hero he had heard so much about from the stories of his mentor Eldor. Admiration for the man reflected on his face as he remembered Eldor's tales of the hero's exploits and his comrades. Additionally, he noticed the scars covering Aldrich's face and the blind eye, visible signs of the tough battles he had faced in the past.
At that moment, the grand doors of the hall swung open wide, and a figure covered in blood burst into the room. It was a young woman with fiery red hair, wielding a bloodied sword with grace and determination. Though weary from battle, her fiery gaze showed unwavering determination.
At that moment, Alex was surprised by the woman's appearance. "Who is she?" he asked, watching with curiosity.
King Leon nodded solemnly, acknowledging Alex's question. "She is Aria, the Fiery Sword. A brave and skilled warrior, the current heroine and hope of our people in these dark times to face the demon king."
A question raced through Alex's mind, leaving him puzzled and intrigued. As he bid farewell to Aldrich with a gesture of respect, he wondered if he had truly been the only hero summoned to this world, or if there were indeed multiple protagonists in this fight against the shadows. The mystery of his own existence and the presence of other heroes enveloped him in a fog of uncertainty.
With that doubt lingering in his mind, Alex prepared for the challenges that were still to come, knowing that the path to victory was marked by more questions than answers.