The journey back to their kingdom was short. Relatively short.
The wind did its usual habit of rustling, and it was a really unlively trip.
"You ought to have slain the dragon, m'lord," said Ash to Rhett when they had reached the gate that led to the kingdom.
"I had a reason. Quit talking about it. I've got nothing new to talk about again. I killed it because I saw something, something you won't understand," Rhett said, looking at the gate.
The gatekeeper, a tall hefty man, opened the gate, and they entered the kingdom.
"Didn't know there is a gate," said Rhett.
"It's your first day, my king. You have more to learn," said Ash. "We actually followed the back on our way coming. That doesn't have a gate."
"I guess I'll have to put one," Rhett blurted. "Just to be secure."
The villagers were all outside, their hands up in the air, hailing the king. Rhett waved back at them, a thin smile on his face. The horse rode forward at the gate of the palace at a slow pace, and that made the greeting process from the villagers more longer.
Rhett dismounted from his horse, and Ash and the other dragon slayers followed suit, filling his sides as they escorted him into the palace. He sat on his throne, and his Kingsguards and Ash sat by his side. Two guards stood at the back of the throne, and they slightly bowed in greeting.
Rhett stretched his hands and faced his Kingsguards and Ash.
"I'm not from this world," Rhett began. "I'm from Earth. I don't know anything about it either, and as my 'advice' committee, it's your duty to let me know."
The people he was addressing all exchanged looks and returned it to him.
"This is a complex world," Ash began. "With complex things. As I had told you before, it is controlled by Slayerious. To many, it's a god, while to others, it's a force. Well, all we know is that it's an entity. We don't know whether it's male or female, and it's the real 'KING.' It doesn't go by the title KING but instead LORD! It's the lord of the slayers' domain."
Rhett nodded, his hands crossed together under his chin, a brooding expression on his face.
"Any secret the kingdom has?" Rhett asked.
Ash shook his head sideways repeatedly, not saying no but instead trying to think.
"I don't think," Ash said. "We had one though. Name's Trahger. A really bad villain. He's a dragon slayer and also from here, tried to be king by force, but we got him handled in time and sent him to a prison on an island. Of course, with the help of the gargoyle slayers, back then when we were still in good terms."
Rhett nodded again and brooded. "Well, I guess we're okay for now. No really dark past?"
"Yeah," affirmed Ash.
Rhett stood up and walked around the place, thinking. On his face was a stern expression which he kept cool. Leading won't be easy, as he would be facing many things, and the dragon slayers were, well, the weakest slayers, so it was harder.
"M'lord," called Ash. "Would you like a brief tour of the kingdom? I'd love to show you my favorite restaurant."
Rhett spun around almost quickly.
"I guess it'll be good to pass time," Rhett said.
They went out of the palace, the two guards following them out. The village was lively, activity was plenty, and Rhett could only stare at it as he passed with his horse, Ash and the guards at his back.
They took to a narrow cemented road, only houses made of bricks at the sides. The sky maintained its darkness, and the wind seemed tepid—not too hard, not too cold. Villagers passed them, and when they stared at Rhett, they bowed in appreciation.
Turning left, they were now riding on a quite wide road. Up ahead, Rhett could see a restaurant. It was simple in design, looking like a normal building, the only sign of its being a restaurant being because of the shabby-looking sign outside.
Reaching the restaurant, Rhett, Ash, and the guards dismounted from their horses and packed them by a pole, then they sauntered into the restaurant. The smell of mouthwatering food filled the air, wetting Rhett's taste buds and making him feel hungry.
Rhett sat by a chair facing a window, and Ash followed, sitting opposite him while the guards stood up. All eyes suddenly swerved in their direction.
"Oh my!" said a man standing up and prostrating on the floor.
"It's the king!" said another, following suit.
Everyone in the place stood up, fat, chubby, slender, lean… all! All stood up.
"ALL HAIL THE KING!" they exclaimed in unison.
Rhett felt embarrassed. He wasn't used to this hailing. He faced them and urged the prostrating men to stand up. A fat burly man soon came running towards their direction from the counter, a pen and paper in his hands. The man bowed to the king and turned to Ash.
"It was really nice of you to bring the king along," he said. "I'm very honored! The king of the dragon slayers at my shop. I'm delighted!"
Ash smiled. "No need to thank me, pal. Besides, you have the best-cooked food in the whole village. You deserve to have the king here."
The man smiled. "Honestly, I'm really honored." He turned to Rhett, holding the pen and making to write on the small notepad in his hands.
"What'll be your order, sir?" he asked.
Rhett was about to speak when he saw, from the corner of his eye, a large stone aiming for his head. He quickly ducked and fell on the floor. The stone, simultaneously with his movement, jolted through the wood window and crashed on the table in front of them.
The guards changed to battle-ready stances, their swords in hand, ready to fight. Ash used his hand to cover his head, and the waiter ran inside.
The place exploded into noise as everyone ran helter-skelter. Rhett raised his head up a bit, and peering from where he lay, he saw some men on flying ghostly creatures that looked like pigs with wings.
Ash bent down to help Rhett.
"You okay?" he asked.
Rhett affirmed with a nod.
The men on the flying pigs had started to fire arrows at the restaurant now. The guards pulled Rhett up and covered him, making themselves his shield.
"We have to get out of here!" screamed Ash. "It's the GHOST SLAYERS!"