The air in the room was thick with tension, almost suffocating, and it seemed to press down on the group like a physical force.
Every breath was heavy, each heartbeat loud in their ears. The group stood before the grand table, bracing themselves for whatever might come next.
They had faced the simulation together before, but this... this felt different. The power radiating from the figures seated around the table was immense, and the stakes felt higher than ever.
"Would you stop this foolishness!" Aris's voice cut through the silence, sharp and commanding.
Everyone in the room froze, confusion etched across their faces.
Who was he speaking to? The tension, already at its peak, seemed to stretch even further, threatening to snap at any moment. Yet, they all remained on guard, every muscle tensed, ready for the worst.
"Okay, okay, I'll stop. Jeez, it was just a prank." The Pope's voice, previously filled with authority, now sounded strangely petulant, like a sulking child. With those words, the menacing aura that had suffocated the room vanished as quickly as it had come, dissipating into nothingness.
The group remained confused, their instincts screaming at them not to let their guard down.
They exchanged wary glances, trying to make sense of the bizarre situation. The Pope, still standing flamboyantly on his chair, waved his hands in an exaggerated fashion. "You guys! It was a prank. I cast illusion magic—good one, right? Haha!"
Aris, now visibly weary of the childish antics, grabbed the Pope by the arm and pulled him back down into his chair with a heavy sigh.
Avaris, who had remained silent until now, finally rose. His towering figure, clad in gleaming armor, drew all eyes to him. With a simple gesture, he signaled for the group to approach the table.
Hesitant but obedient, the members of the Black Rose Knights slowly made their way forward.
Each step felt like a march toward uncertainty. As they took their seats, the confusion lingered, but they knew better than to question the invitation of such powerful figures.
Avaris removed his helmet, revealing his stern human like, battle-worn face adorned with dragon white scales. His voice, though low, carried the weight of authority. "Black Rose Knights, you have been gathered here for a ceremonial debrief. Typically, only those of high rank convene for such matters. However, we have taken a particular interest in your group and wish to discuss some matters with you."
Zaria, who had been holding her breath, let out a sigh of relief as she rested her head on the table.
The tension in the room had eased, but Felix, still simmering with anger, could not let go of the prank so easily. He slammed his hands on the table, the sound echoing through the hall. "What the hell was that for?! I, for one, don't appreciate such shit being pulled on me!"
The sudden outburst shocked his comrades, their eyes wide with disbelief. How could a mere training officer speak so brazenly in a room filled with nobles and the highest-ranking officers of the realm? But to Felix's surprise, the lords and barons burst into laughter, their stern faces cracking into grins. Even Avaris shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips.
Avaris leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I had no part in it. You can blame the transmigrator here for all these shenanigans." Suddenly pointing to the Pope.
The Pope, ever the flamboyant figure, quickly chimed in, "You know, back in Japan, I was the funniest guy around. Everyone loved me!"
"Will you shut up already!" Aris snapped, his patience finally wearing thin. He slammed his helmet onto the table, revealing his heavily scarred red dragon scalled face, the sound reverberating through the room.
The nobles immediately fell silent, their attention now solely on Aris.
His voice, though calm, carried a cold edge that sent shivers down the spines of everyone present. "Now, let's get back to business. As my brother said, the people here have a vested interest in your abilities. Even Avaris and I would like to offer you something for your cooperation. So it would be in your best interests to listen carefully."
Aris, more militant and severe than his older brother, unintentionally intimidated the group. His words, though not meant to threaten, carried a weight that made them sit up straighter, more alert than ever.
"First order of business," Aris continued, his gaze sweeping across the group. "You have been given special armor that amplifies your gifts. The silver lining on it will change color according to your awakened skills. It's time to evaluate those skills. Begin by activating your armor."
He pointed toward Valor, his eyes narrowing. "You, step forward into the appraisal magic circle and run your mana through your armor."
Valor, ever calm and collected, moved forward with measured steps. He stood in the circle, and with a sudden but powerful surge of mana, the silver lining on his armor turned a deep, ominous purple. The room erupted into applause, the nobles nodding in approval. Purple—the color of pure curse magic. A dangerous and often frowned-upon power in the kingdom, but here, as long as he served them, he was more valuable as an ally than an enemy.
Next was Keldorna. With unwavering confidence, she approached the circle, her presence commanding attention. As she stomped her foot within the circle, an electric charge shot upward from her boot, enveloping her body in a crackling pulse of energy. The silver lining of her armor turned a bright yellow. The nobles exchanged impressed glances, murmuring amongst themselves.
The Pope, slumped in his chair, yawned loudly. "When will this end? I'm getting hungry, you know," he muttered to Avaris, who ignored him completely.
Anna, shy and timid, slowly made her way to the circle. She fidgeted with her skirt, blushing as it rode up reveling her smooth thighs with each step. The nobles found this amusing, their soft chuckles echoing through the hall. As she stepped into the circle, clutching her staff tightly to her chest, a soft green glow emanated from her armor. The light was gentle and warm, casting a dreamy aura around her. Her petite but curvy figure was now bathed in the soft glow, and the nobles nodded in approval, captivated by the sight.
The Pope, now suddenly interested, leaned forward. "Kawaii! She's an idol!" he exclaimed, a small trickle of blood comically dripping from one of his nostrils as he smiled staring at Anna. The nobles, puzzled by his strange words, simply smiled at his antics, then returned their attention to Anna, nodding in approval.
Anna, now beet-red with embarrassment, quickly scampered back to her chair.
Next was Max. With every step he took toward the circle, the hall seemed to grow quieter, the weight of his presence undeniable.
His armor began to glow dark red even before he reached the circle, and as he stood at its center, the lining shifted into a mix of bright and dark red, pulsating like a heartbeat.
Aris paused, his gaze fixed on Max. "...and who might you be?"
Max knelt on one knee, slowly removing his helmet. His expression was calm, but his eyes burned with a dim red halo, cold and resolute.
Aris grinned, recognizing Max form the simulation fight. "As to be expected from the dragon race." He rose from the table and approached Max, who remained kneeling. With a signal to one of the golem sentinels, a gauntlet and long sword were brought forward.
"I, the captain of the Dragon's Fang Corps, acknowledge your strength. Being of the same blood, I bestow upon you the armaments of our forefathers—the gauntlet forged from the scales of the Earth King, and one of my twin swords, the Blade of Scorched Souls." Aris spoke with reverence as he handed the weapons to Max.
The room was stunned into silence. Even Avaris, surprised, rose slowly and began to clap. The nobles followed suit, rising to their feet and applauding in unison.
Aris extended his hand, pulling Max to his feet. He tapped him on the shoulder with a smile. "Serve us well, brave knight."
Max nodded respectfully and turned to return to his seat. As he walked away, his back to the nobles and the heads of the table, his comrades could see his face clearly. Tears streamed down his cheeks, but a smile tugged at his lips. He was overwhelmed with happiness, despite his efforts to hide it.
Keldorna noticed and sighed, facepalming as she tried to suppress her laughter.
Zaria, sensing the moment had passed, pushed her chair back to stand, but Avaris stopped her with a firm gesture. "Isn't that cursed armor?" he asked, his voice laced with suspicion.
Zaria froze in a half-standing, half-seated position, unsure of how to respond.
Avaris sighed deeply and gestured for her to sit back down. Zaria and her group exchanged puzzled looks, while the nobles and other leaders turned their gazes toward the Pope.
The Pope quickly went on the defensive, throwing his hands in the air.
"Hold up! There was no armor left in the armory, so I just grabbed some old, useless armor from the King's chambers. It belonged to some demon the King defeated long ago. It's not cursed—it's just a lie we tell the public to keep them from getting interested in demon armor. What was I supposed to do on such short notice?!"
Avaris sighed again, this time with a hint of exasperation. He shook his head in disapproval and spoke directly to Zaria. "After my last announcement, stay behind, will you?"
Avaris' words hung in the air, heavy and unyielding. Zaria, still caught in a half-standing position, felt her pulse quicken. Her muscles tensed, and she slowly lowered herself back into her seat, nodding obediently, though her mind was racing. What had she done to warrant being singled out like this?
Avaris, having let the tension settle, continued.
His eyes swept over the room, his voice carrying authority. "Black Rose Knights, today you are assigned a training officer. Felix, former Guildmaster of the Hunters Guild, will be your guide. He started as an F-rank with only one blessing, 'Fear Resistance,' and clawed his way up to a lower S-rank warrior. It's not just about raw power; it's about determination. He embodies that, and you would do well to follow his instructions if you wish to grow."
Felix, who had been sitting quietly at the edge of the table teetering his chair backwards with his arms crossed, gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.
The group exchanged glances, sizing up the man who was now their mentor. Despite his unassuming appearance, there was a certain weight to his presence—an aura that spoke of experience earned through hardship.
Avaris then shifted his gaze toward Lily, his expression unreadable. "In addition, the Pope has decided to gift your faction a homunculus. She will serve under your command, supporting your efforts. If anyone has objections, speak now."
Keldorna, the group's leader, raised her hand almost immediately. "I believe it's in our best interest to dispose of her," she stated, her voice calm but firm.
The suddenness of her declaration took everyone by surprise. The group turned to Keldorna in shock, their confusion palpable. This wasn't what they had discussed. Why was she making this decision on her own?
Avaris nodded slightly, as if her words had merit. "Then she will be dispo—"
But before he could finish, Zaria's fists slammed onto the table with a resounding bang, cutting him off. The sound echoed in the hall, drawing all eyes to her.
Her heart pounded, but she forced herself to stand, though her legs trembled slightly.
Avaris's gaze fixed on her, cold and piercing. "You dare interrupt me?"
Zaria swallowed hard, but she didn't back down. Her voice wavered at first, but she steadied herself, looking Avaris directly in the eyes. "For the sake of her life, I do!."
The room fell into a stunned silence. Even Aris seemed taken aback by Zaria's boldness.
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her sudden defiance. Meanwhile, the Pope, who had been lounging in his chair, sat up with exaggerated surprise. "Oh my, why do you always have to go and do something foolish?" he muttered under his breath, shaking his head theatrically as he watched the scene unfold.
Avaris's voice boomed through the hall, vibrating through the stone walls.
His power was undeniable, and it radiated through every word he spoke. "Everyone, get out! I would like to have a talk with Zaria and this homunculus… alone."