Finally, Kaizoku and Sylphy reached the end of the dark corridor.
They emerged from the large passage to find an enormous castle before them, surrounded by an ancient circular wall covered in cobwebs.
They appeared to be at the rear of the castle, and they were certain this was the same castle they had seen earlier.
In front of them stood two skeleton guards protecting a massive, tall wooden gate.
Since Kaizoku was confident the ring was the key to entering through the gate, he and Sylphy approached the guards with certainty.
Kaizoku showed them the green ring.
"Billy McCarter, victor of the battle against Cerberus," Kaizoku declared confidently.
The two guards bowed their heads and stepped aside for Kaizoku and Sylphy.
"Please, insert the green stone into the small hole in the gate." said one of the skeleton guards.
Kaizoku placed the small green stone into the tiny opening.
The gate opened on its own, and although the sound was rather grating, Kaizoku ignored it, not wanting to create new problems.
Entering through the gate, Kaizoku looked up to see an immense and towering kingdom. The castle appeared ancient and neglected.
Kaizoku and Sylphy crossed a wooden bridge spanning over green water filled with restless souls.
Passing through another wooden gate, Kaizoku and Sylphy successfully entered the kingdom.
They were greeted by a dark-elf woman with light brown skin and beautiful long white hair, her bright blue eyes striking and lovely. She wore a maid's uniform, indicating her role serving the king and kingdom.
Kaizoku looked around, his face full of wonder and amazement.
"Wow... It looked so old from the outside, but the interior is magnificent and well-maintained... I didn't expect this at all, it's too beautiful for a kingdom."
The dark-elf woman approached Kaizoku and Sylphy gracefully.
"Welcome to the Kingdom of Gone. I will be your guide for the victor against Cerberus. My name is Arathorn Lilith, but please call me Lilith. I serve and work for Lord Gon, so I kindly ask for your respect toward everyone."
A dark-elf who worked as a maid for Lord Gon named Arathorn Lilith, though she preferred to be called Lilith.
"If you have any questions, please feel free to ask without hesitation. We are very happy to hear questions, and we will answer them as best and truthfully as we can. Please, ask away."
Kaizoku gathered his courage to ask. "We? So, you're not the only servant here?"
Lilith bowed her head politely, then answered the question in a gentle and soft tone.
"That's correct. I'm not the only servant working here; there are more than 50 servants. However, they all have their own duties in different places, and fortunately, I was assigned the task of guiding you to meet Lord Gon."
Sylphy felt something strange and uncomfortable, so she asked.
"Hmm, aren't dark-elves usually fighters rather than servants?"
In just seconds, Lilith shot Sylphy a sharp glance before returning to her gentle gaze. She answered with a small smile.
"Not all dark-elves work as fighters. Please respect our race..."