As Melvin, Mira, and Lance stepped out of the church, the sight of a grand black limousine waiting for them stopped them in their tracks.
"Are we riding in that?" Mira asked as she squinted at the grand vehicle.
Lance shrugged, glancing around the churchyard.
"Maybe they're just having a guest inside the church, which is why it's here," he replied as he shoved his hands into his pockets and shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
"Hehehe… maybe," Mira said, her voice trailing off.
She hoped they wouldn't have to ride in it, feeling it was too fancy for them.
They watched as the driver, dressed in a fine uniform with brass buttons that gleamed in the sunlight, stepped down from his perch.
He walked over with a confident stride, opened the door with a flourish, and smiled warmly at them.
"This ride is for you," he said.
"It looks like we are really the ones who will be riding," Mira whispered.
Lance, standing tall and with a polite smile, gestured for Mira to enter.
"Ladies first," he said, showing his gentlemanly manners.
Mira appreciated the gesture. She carefully stepped into the car, followed by the two.
Then the driver closed the door behind them with a soft click.
Inside, the sight of plush, cushioned seats covered in rich, velvety fabric greeted them.
They looked into the window, which gave them an unobstructed view of the world outside.
"This is great; there's hardly any jostling when you're inside," Mira blurted out.
She leaned back and touched the softness of their seats.
Melvin looked thoughtful for a moment, then asked, "We're the same as other knights. Why do we seem so special?"
He furrowed his brow, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Lance, sitting across from him, leaned forward and explained, "It's because of the Escapers."
His tone was serious, and he met Melvin's eyes.
"In the past few years, some Rank 2 individuals chose to escape after they received Aptitude. They used their powers for greed and selfishness. Some even joined the rebels or went to other countries."
"All knights were treated well, except for the higher Rank 2 and Rank 1 individuals, who were treated more specially. They were like heroes since they were the ones who were going to protect this country."
Without even blinking, Melvin tried to process the information.
"So, they're treating us well to ensure we stay loyal," he said, more to himself than anyone else.
Meanwhile, Mira's smile faded as she heard Lance's explanation.
"It's so disheartening," she said softly. "Even after what happened to our kingdom, people still choose to be selfish instead of helping each other."
Noticing her distress, Melvin encourages her
"Greed is an inherent trait in people," he said. "But what's important is that there are those who remain honest and help save others, right?"
Mira looked up at him. She understood what Melvin meant. A small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Yes, there are people like us and other knights," she said.
"Oh, I didn't expect you to be able to speak like that," Lance said, teasing Melvin.
"We're not close enough. Stop talking to me," Melvin replied bluntly.
After a few minutes, the car slowly came to a stop.
One of the palace staff, dressed in a fine green military uniform, stepped forward and opened the door for them.
As Melvin, Mira, and Lance stepped out, three imposing figures greeted them. Two of them appeared to be the same as the one who opened their door.
Their faces are stern and watchful.
The third, standing in front, wore a white military uniform.
He appeared to be in his sixties, but with a muscular build and short white hair that was neatly brushed up.
He also had a beard extending from ear to ear.
His presence was commanding, and he exuded a powerful aura that spoke of his combat prowess.
Melvin, Mira, and Lance exchanged nervous glances.
They slowly stepped backward, feeling the intensity of his gaze. Their heads began to sweat, and a sense of nervousness settled over them.
"Hey, what is this feeling?" Melvin asked.
"Yeah, I felt a strong aura from him. It's like you can't move in the presence of his strength," Lance said.
"I'm Crixus, head commander of the captains," the man said, his brows furrowed as he turned to Mira.
"Are you Mira?"
"Y-Yes, sir," she replied with a nod.
Crixus's stern expression softened into a wide smile, clearly pleased that the three had arrived.
He stepped closer to Mira, his towering presence making her feel small but not intimidated.
"This is good; I have an apprentice again," he said warmly, patting Mira's head.
Mira was a Rank 1 Aptitude user, and Crixus was excited to train her. So, he was thrilled to have a new Rank 1, knowing he could eventually rest.
Crixus was the strongest of all the knights.
He was the one who had beaten the Yalnobb Commander, killing and destroying ten of the Yalnobb kingdom's strongest forces.
"Anyway, the king wants to see you since it's been ten years since a higher rank has appeared," Crixus said, his tone lightening a bit.
He turned and motioned for them to follow him.
Mira felt a mix of excitement and nervousness fluttering in her chest.
She exchanged a glance with Melvin and Lance, who both looked equally anxious.
They fell into step behind Crixus, the sound of their footsteps echoing through the grand halls of the palace.
The sleek towers and spires of the palace were crafted from glass and steel, with greenery and floral elements seamlessly woven throughout the structure.
As they approached the entrance, they encountered a grand archway featuring minimalist carvings of abstract forms and modern symbols.
Stepping through the archway, the trio entered a vast, open foyer. The floor was made of polished concrete, embedded with intricate patterns of brushed metal and glass.
Above, the ceiling was a stunning array of LED-lit panels, creating a dynamic mosaic of light and color.
When they approached the grand spiral staircases, courtiers and attendants, dressed in elegant robes, paused and bowed until they passed.
After a short walk through the palace's hallways, they arrived at the entrance to the Council Hall, the meeting area where audiences with the king were held.
Two tall doors stood before them, guarded by elite palace guards clad in armor.
The guards nodded and opened the doors, revealing the grand chamber inside.
The Council Hall was a spacious, square room with high ceilings supported by sleek steel columns.
At the far end of the grand hall, seated on a magnificent throne, was King Astar.
As they entered, he rose to greet them. His presence was commanding yet welcoming, a warm smile softening his regal features.
"Welcome," King Astar said, his voice strong but friendly. "I have been eager to meet you."
The three were momentarily taken aback. They had expected King Astar to be much older, having heard tales of his reign.
"How old is the king?" Mira whispered to Lance, her voice barely audible.
They had both assumed he was elderly.
Crixus, who had sharp ears, overheard them and leaned in.
"Sixty-five," he whispered back.
"What? Sixty-five?" they gasped in unison, their eyes wide with shock.
The king looked like he was in his thirties, with bright yellow hair, a prominent nose, and fair skin. His gentle eyes added to his youthful appearance.
"Hahaha," the king chuckled, his laugh echoing through the grand hall. "Are you surprised by my appearance? What did you expect?" he asked.
Lance, feeling a bit embarrassed, stepped forward and bowed slightly. "We apologize for our reaction, Your Majesty," he said.
The king waved a hand dismissively, a friendly smile on his face. "No worries, treat me as your friend when we talk in private. Right, Crixus?"
Crixus nodded. "Yes, exactly. Don't worry, just be yourself when you're in front of the king."
This had a mixed effect on the three.
Mira and Lance felt a rush of happiness because the king was so kind. However, Melvin remained skeptical.
It seemed impossible for a king to be this friendly, especially at their first meeting.
Rulers were typically authoritative and commanding with their subjects. Melvin kept his eyes on the king, studying every move and gesture, looking for any sign of insincerity.
"Please, join me for some snacks," the king said. "It's getting close to evening, and I'm sure you're all hungry."'