"Let me introduce myself. I am Rothar, Chief of Red Water Village," the village head said to Elysia and the others.
They were sitting on woven mats in the living room of the village head's wooden house.
"I'm Elysia Everwood," Elysia said, smiling politely at Mr. Rothar.
"I'm Lyra Brightwind," Lyra replied, mirroring Elysia's polite demeanor.
"I am Jax, Young Lady Everwood's loyal servant and personal bodyguard," Jax said with a slight bow.
"James, I am his subordinate, which means I am also Young Lady Everwood's loyal servant and bodyguard," James said, glancing at Jax with a slightly confused look at Jax's sudden change in attitude after meeting Elysia.
"Hm... Miss Everwood..." Rothar looked surprised for a moment when he heard Elysia's name.
"I apologize, especially to Miss Everwood. Could you please tell us your full name, or perhaps your parents' names?" Rothar asked, looking at Elysia.
Elysia looked a little uncomfortable and glanced at Jax and Lyra.
"It's okay, my lady. You can tell them your identity freely here," Jax reassured Elysia.
"That's right, Elys, just tell us. I'm curious too. Don't worry, I promise to keep your secret," Lyra added.
"Yes, my lady, after all, we're not on Earth anymore. I also want to know why Boss Jax suddenly acts like a lovesick puppy around you," James said, grinning at Jax, who glared back.
Elysia cleared her throat, looking a bit hesitant. "My father always calls me Princess Elysia Everwood..." She paused, her face turning sad.
"I don't know what my mother looks like. All I know is her name: Natalia Ember Vandermere."
Tears rolled down Elysia's cheeks. "She died giving birth to me. My father raised me alone."
Everyone was silent. Lyra looked down, trying to hold back tears.
James, who had been joking, now looked truly sad, tears streaming down his face.
Even Jax, who knew the story, lowered his head in silence.
"My father's name is Lucas Everwood, but people in our world know him as Elias Frostborn," Elysia said, wiping away her tears.
Rothar, the village chief, looked shocked and stunned. "You... are you related to the great emperor?" he asked.
Elysia was confused by Rothar's question.
"Are you the crown princess... but why would you be with immigrants from another world?" Rothar asked again.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Rothar. I'm confused too. I don't understand what you mean. Who are you calling the great emperor?" Elysia asked.
"This is impossible..." Rothar said.
"After hearing your name and your father's name, I thought you were the princess of the Faeloria Empire."
"Faeloria Empire?" Everyone was surprised to hear the village chief mention an empire.
"This village, Red Water Village, is part of the Faeloria Empire," Rothar explained.
"Faeloria is the only great empire in the central continent. It stretches across the continent and even parts of others." Rothar said proudly, making a wide gesture with his hands.
"All of this happened in just three years thanks to the kindness and greatness of our emperor, the great Lucas Everwood," Rothar said.
"Lucas Everwood?" Elysia muttered, shocked.
"Yes, that's the name of our great emperor. It's exactly the same as your father's name," Rothar replied.
"That's why I thought you were the princess, but it's impossible," Rothar said again.
"Why is it impossible, sir village chief?" Jax asked, breaking his silence.
"There are two reasons. First, Miss Elysia is from another world. Second, according to rumors, the great emperor lives alone in the palace with two ancient spirits," Rothar explained.
"No one who has visited the empire's center has seen the emperor with family. He doesn't have a wife, let alone a teenage daughter like Miss Elysia."
"I see... that makes sense, but I still think the Lucas you mentioned might be a same person," Jax said, nodding.
"It's possible, but unlikely. Rumors say he suddenly appeared in this world. But what's certain is that he's not human like us," Rothar said.
"Not human?" James asked.
"Before I answer that, I'll explain some things about this world. This might be related to why you can't leave the village," Rothar replied.
Everyone listened quietly as the village head spoke.
"The world of Arcadia isn't just home to humans like us. There are many other races, like Elves, Dwarves, Gnomes, Dragons, and more," he said.
Elysia and the others looked excited and amazed.
"He's one of them, from a different race. As far as I know, he's the only one of his kind," Rothar continued.
"He's a mythical, legendary figure from old stories. Some say he's older than the world itself." He watched everyone's faces.
"He told us about your arrival," Rothar said after a pause.
"He wants us to register everyone who comes to this world, including you." He explained.
Rothar waited for a response, but no one spoke.
"We don't understand everything he says, but he wants us to know your full identities. He told us to welcome you and teach you the world's rules before you leave the village," Rothar explained.
They nodded to show they understood what Rothar had said.
Next, Rothar explained the rules the emperor had made for everyone in Arcadia who met people from other worlds.
Every newcomer, called a "Player," must follow the rules of their new place.
They can't fight, kill, or hurt each other in safe areas like villages or cities.
They also can't harm or kill the people who live in Arcadia, called "NPCs," unless they are criminals or in a war.
Rothar didn't understand this part, but he said the emperor wanted Players to treat everyone in Arcadia like they would treat other humans.
The emperor's last message was, "Have a good adventure."
"I don't know who this message is for," Rothar said, looking at Elysia and the others.
Then he said something strange, "I miss you. I was waiting for you at Shadowbloom Palace. There are lots of flowers to water here."
"He said only certain people would understand this message," Rothar added, smiling.
Everyone looked at each other. Elysia was quiet and seemed lost in thought.
"There's one more thing," Rothar said.
"There are just four of you visitors in the village." He continued, "As the village head, I need to ask for your help."
"Just tell us what to do, village chief. We'll help!" James said enthusiastically, interrupting Rothar.
Rothar just smiled. Jax felt embarrassed by James' behavior and apologized to Rothar.
"I'm sorry about my friend, village head. What do you need help with?" Jax asked.
"Many animals have disappeared from the grazing areas lately. Yesterday, all of Mr. Oswald's sheep and shepherds vanished," Rothar said sadly.
"I know this is a lot to ask of young people like you, but please help us find out what happened."
He added, "If you find anything, tell Mr. Gorg near the training ground."
__________
Quest Notification:
Investigate the Disappearance of Livestock
Quest Giver:
Rothar, Village Head of Red Water Village
Description:
Many animals have disappeared from the grazing areas. Yesterday, Mr. Oswald's sheep and shepherds vanished. Please help investigate.
Objectives:
Investigate the grazing areas.
Find clues about the disappearances.
Report to Mr. Gorg near the training ground. Rewards:
Reward:
Experience Points (XP)
Gold Coins
Village Reputation Increase
Quest Details:
Many animals have disappeared from grazing areas.
All of Mr. Oswald's sheep and shepherds vanished yesterday.
Investigate the cause of the disappearances.
Report findings to Mr. Gorg near the training ground.
Would you like to accept this quest?
[Accept] [Decline]
__________
"Okay, village chief, we're ready to help," Jax said.
After he spoke, a notification popped up confirming they'd accepted the quest.
"If you need anything else, just ask," Lyra added.
"Wait a moment," Rothar said, going into another room.
"Elys, why are you so quiet? You're usually not like this," Lyra asked, noticing Elysia's thoughtful expression.
"It's okay..." Elysia just shook her head. Jax and James looked at her worriedly.
Rothar returned with four sheets of paper.
"If you want to help, you can ask the villagers if they need anything," he said.
"Here's a recommendation letter for each of you." He handed out the papers, which had their names and his signature as village head.
They saved the letters and said goodbye to Rothar.
"My lady, is something bothering you?" Jax asked as they walked.
Elysia sighed. "The emperor the village chief mentioned is my father," she revealed.
Jax smiled, while Lyra and James exchanged surprised glances.
"Really, Elys? Didn't the village chief say the emperor wasn't human?" Lyra asked.
"Could you be...?" Before she could finish, Elysia pinched her side.
"Look at this!" Elysia showed them a new quest notification.
__________
Quest Notification:
Meet me at the imperial palace [exclusively for Princess Elysia Everwood]
Quest givers:
Lucas Everwood (Emperor of Faeloria)
Description:
Sorry I couldn't meet you in person. I miss you. Please come to the Imperial Palace. Wear the bracelet included in this message as proof you're the crown princess.
Objective:
Always wear the crown princess bracelet Go to the center of the imperial city of Faeloria Meet the emperor at Faeloria's imperial palace.
Completion Reward:
Experience Points (XP)
Gold Coins
Title
Quest accepted automatically.
__________
Lyra and James were shocked to see the quest window on Elysia's screen.
"Wait, Elys. How is your dad an emperor here? We're still in a game, right?" Lyra asked, confused.
"I don't know either, but it's good to know he's alive," Elysia said, smiling.
Jax and James looked at Elysia with puzzled expressions.
"What happened to your dad, my lady?" Jax asked.
"You were too busy with your gang," Elysia teased Jax.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't see you much after you started high school," Jax explained.
It was true. Starfield High School was an elite school with limited access. Someone like Jax couldn't even get close to it.
"It's okay, Jax," Elysia said.
"A few months ago, my dad went on a dangerous mission with the army. They said he died, but they couldn't find his body." Elysia looked sad, but then smiled bitterly.
"Maybe when we see him, he can explain why he became an emperor here."
"No wonder you were so sad," Lyra said.
"You went quiet for a whole month!"
"Yeah, I was really down. But then Professor Tanaka told me my dad was alive, but he didn't want anyone to know," Elysia explained.
"I had to pretend everything was normal."
"Let's focus on the village quest now," Elysia said.
They nodded and smiled.
"Oh, yes," Elysia said, "the village chief mentioned that Mr. Oswald's herd and shepherd disappeared. Where exactly did that happen?"
Jax, James, and Lyra stopped in their tracks, surprised by Elysia's question.
"Why did you stop?" Elysia asked, confused.
"We forgot to ask," James said, patting his head.
Jax thought for a moment, then smiled. "Let's ask Mr. Oswald directly," he said, patting James's shoulder a little too hard.
James stumbled.
Elysia and Lyra laughed.
"What do you mean? We don't know where Mr. Oswald lives," Lyra said.
"It's easy. We look for a house with a farm," Jax replied.
"We should also ask other villagers for information about the quest," Elysia added.
"Miss Elys is right. Maybe we can get another quest!" James said excitedly.
Jax hit him on the head.
"Ouch! Why, boss Jax?" James whined.
"Since when were you so close to my lady?" Jax asked, glaring at James.
"Sorry, my lady, I slipped up," James said, bowing to Elysia.
"It's okay, James," Elysia said.
"Jax, don't be rude to your friends," she added.
"Yes, my lady," Jax replied.
"Please don't call me 'my lady'. Just call me what Lyra calls you," Elysia requested.
"I can't do that, my lady. You're the crown princess," Jax started to say, but Elysia interrupted him.
"Please don't tell anyone. Let's keep my identity a secret," Elysia said.
"Why? It would be easier if everyone knew," Lyra argued.
"No, it would be dangerous. We wouldn't be able to do anything freely," Elysia explained.
Lyra nodded, understanding. "You're right. It would be a lot of trouble," she said, imagining the life of a famous person.
"I order you both to call me by my first name!" Elysia said sternly.
"Okay, my lady," James replied. Jax hesitated but agreed. "Yes, my lady, but can we call you 'Miss Elysia'?"
"Okay, that's better than 'my lady'," Elysia said.
"Let's split up for now and meet back at the village square at noon," Lyra suggested.
"Okay," Elysia said and walked towards a nearby shop.
"Hey, Elys!" Lyra called out, seeing Elysia head into the shop across the street.
"Jax, let's go together," she said to Jax. But there was no answer. Looking around, Lyra couldn't find Jax or James.
Lyra ran to the shop Elysia had entered.
"Good morning, young lady. Can I help you?" the shop owner asked Elysia.
"Can I look around first?" Elysia asked with a smile.
"Of course, miss. Take your time," the shop owner replied.
Elysia explored the shop, which seemed to sell only food and small bottles of liquid potions.
"What's this bottle, sir?" Elysia asked, holding up a small bottle with red liquid.
"Oh, that's a minor health potion," the shop owner explained.
"You must be new to the village."
"Yes, I just arrived this morning. I'm Elysia," she said, bowing politely.
"No need to be so formal, miss. I'm Bart, the shop owner," Bart replied, smiling.
The shop door opened, and Lyra rushed in.
"Hey, what's wrong, Lyra?" Elysia asked, surprised.
"Nothing," Lyra said, looking around the shop.
"This is my friend, Lyra," Elysia said, introducing them.
"Lyra, this is Mr. Bart, the shop owner."
"Nice to meet you, Lyra, Elysia's friend," Lyra introduced herself.
"Likewise," Bart replied.
"How much is this potion, sir?" Elysia asked, still holding the health potion.
"Minor health potions are 25 copper each," Bart said.
Elysia checked her inventory. As a new player, she had ten silver coins and some basic weapons. "I'll buy two bottles," she said, placing them on the counter.
"That's 50 copper," Bart said. Elysia gave him five copper coins.
"And you, miss?" Bart asked Lyra.
"I'll buy two bottles too," Lyra said, not knowing what Elysia had bought but assuming it was useful.