The carriage stopped right in front of the palace. As soon as they disembarked, Yusa led them towards the entrance. However, before they could reach the doors, the sound of an alarm echoed through the city. When they inquired about what had happened, one of the palace guards said:
Guard - This signal is given when the city is under threat. Anyone who can fight should head to the main gate, and everyone else should hide in their homes.
Uta - What kind of threat are we talking about? Since the fighters are heading to the gates...
Guard - Any kind. The fighters are called because we don't know exactly what's happening until it does.
Uta - Alright then. Diablo, we're heading there. Yusa, Josef, you go inside the palace.
Guard - Alright, I'll leave the palace defense to others and join you. Mr. Josef, I'm leaving you in charge of the guards. Protect them.
Josef - Of course.
They all headed towards the main gate. On the way, the guard introduced himself as Basara. When they arrived at the gate, they found all types of fighters gathered there. Everyone was listening to a young woman who was speaking to them through a loudspeaker:
Young Woman - Our scouts have found part of the Hero Eugene's army. They're camped nearby. They might be planning something, so stay alert and be ready to fight at any moment.
Hearing this, Uta remembered what Enryu had told him and became a little anxious. He turned to Diablo and said:
Uta - We need to defeat them before they can do anything.
Diablo understood what Uta was reacting to.
Basara - You both have mid-level platina ranks, but you couldn't even kill one of their soldiers (Uta and Diablo tried to suppress their laughter)
Diablo - A rank is just a rank. It takes time to advance it. Even Uta's strength alone is enough to wipe out an entire army of adamantium-ranked warriors in a second. So, the only thing you need to worry about is the enemy, not us.
Basara - I don't know how true that is, so wait here for five minutes. I'll go inform Lady Yusa that I'm joining you. In this kingdom, no one is tougher than me, so no enemy will get past me. You can attack them from a distance with your magic.
Uta - Good tactic, but we don't need it.
Basara - Just wait. (He runs off)
Uta - Dia, let's finish this before he comes back.
They climbed the wall and used Diablo's magical vision to scan the area. They quickly spotted Eugene's soldiers and began chanting spells. The people of the kingdom were astonished when they saw this. Uta and Diablo gathered an immense amount of magical energy, with colors of light and darkness swirling together (Like yin and yang), and finally unleashed it. None of the enemies present survived. The people were thrilled and swarmed Uta and Diablo, showering them with compliments. After everyone calmed down and started dispersing, Uta and Diablo seemed to hear a voice calling them, guiding them forward. They followed it to a secluded spot where the king of the kingdom suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Uta and Diablo were shocked beyond belief. They bowed to him and were about to ask what had happened, but the king started speaking:
King: (Grinning) This is my magic. Isn't it great? I can stay invisible for as long as I want, and it doesn't consume any mana at all. (He became serious.) I saw what you did. You combined your magics. That's supposed to be impossible. (Grinning again) Please, tell me how you did it.
Diablo - We...
Uta - He's my familiar, so we're connected to each other.
King - I see, but still... such synchronization and trust...
Diablo - I've been his familiar for five years now. Plus, we... we love each other and are engaged. (Uta blushed)
King - Oh, ho, ho! (He started laughing) You don't see that every day. (He became serious again) Come to the palace. I personally invite you.
Uta - Lady Yusa also invited us, and we were planning to come, but then this happened.
King - Very good. You come by carriage, and I'll turn invisible again and enter that way. Otherwise, my advisors will tear me apart, saying, 'A king shouldn't behave like this,' and whatnot.
Uta agreed, and they headed towards the carriage. When they reached it, they found Basara waiting for them.
Basara - Lady Yusa didn't let me go, so I couldn't come. You're okay, right? There was such terrifying magic in the sky, and then that impact sound... Thank goodness you weren't hit.
Uta - Yeah, that magic took half of my mana, but it was worth it. No one needed to fight.
Basara - Wait, you did that? What on earth are you?
Uta - Well, Diablo helped, and I'm a vampire hybrid with light magic. (she ignored Basara's reaction and ask the other guards to open the palace gates)
The guard didn't open the gate because he didn't have permission, meanwhile, Yusa came out of the palace and ordered the guard to open the gate, Uta and Diablo entered the courtyard and then stepped into the palace, there, they found the king already dressed in royal attire, Uta and Diablo greeted him respectfully.
King - No need to bow. My daughter already told me how you saved her from danger, and you also destroyed a group of Hero Eugene's soldiers in an instant, quelling the chaos in the city. Truly commendable. As a token of gratitude for all of this, I will reward you. This is for saving my daughter. (He opened a small box containing metal pillars with beautiful ornaments. He took one out and handed it to Uta) With this, you can travel between countries easily. It means you are now close to the royal family. This is for defeating our enemies and restoring peace to the kingdom. (He took out a badge from another box) Come closer. With this, I grant you the title of Baron. (He pinned the badge on Uta)
Uta: (Kneeling) I am honored to accept all these gifts.
King - Alright, the ceremony is over. Servants, prepare the royal feast. (He whispered to Uta to meet him in the back garden)
Uta and Diablo went to the back garden, where a small, modest white table and four matching chairs were set up.
King - Please, have a seat. (He also sat down) I want to tell you a few words about your new title, which you probably don't know. Everyone who holds the title of Baron owns a certain amount of land and has full rights to do whatever they want with it. The same will apply to you. The territory that will be transferred to your possession will be the gate zone. You can probably guess why. In that area, you have the right to do anything, demolish or build houses, turn the land into farmland, or set up battle towers, anything. Also, I hold a meeting of high-ranking officials once a month, and you must attend. Of course, if it's impossible for you to come, that will be taken into account. Do you have any questions?
Uta - No... I understand everything. Thank you. We were already planning to buy a large house, and now we'll do it even sooner.
King - The land is yours, do with it as you wish.
Josef: (Entering the garden) Your Majesty, the feast is ready. Please, come.