Chapter 380: Arrival in Alyras


    <strong>380. Arrival in Alyras</strong>


    Princess Rana Alyras wore white as the delegations from the Helbir ins rode into the city. Theyd arrived at daybreak, three days ahead of the scheduled meeting. This was for two reasons: firstly, the Helbir League was going to have their own conference to decide on their stance for the uing meeting between world powers; and secondly, it was for their standing after all, the Helbir League wanted to impress themselves and their might upon the other nations and alliances that would be arriving in Alyras.


    The pce was brimming with excitement. There was so much to do, and everyone had their own part to y. And Rana herself had one of the most important roles to y. As the princess and sole heiress to the king, her father, Artik Alyras, she had to maintain the appearance of nobility and dignity.


    And that only made her more nervous!


    Why was there so much pressure on her? The princess sighed as her shoulders sagged. She stood at the courtyard of the pce with arge gathering of the nobility of Alyras and the guests that had already arrived to greet the delegations from the Helbir League. Fortunately, there was arge crowd and no one paid attention to the princess at the very back. Their focus was fixed on the delegations all except for one.


    Sevika, Ranas personal maid, snorted.


    That is not the kind of sound a princess should make, princess Rana.


    The princess bit her lower lip as her maid continued.


    And please stand with a proper posture. Back straight, arms loose. We dont want our guests to think that our princess is uncouth.


    Who are you calling uncouth?


    Rana sputtered. Sevika just gave her a t stare. The princess hesitated, checking herself. She straightened and cleared her throat as her maid spoke simply.


    You need to behave at all times, princess Rana. Just look youre drawing attention to yourself.


    Sure enough, a few heads had turned at Ranas outburst. The princess flushed and pretended like nothing had happened. She looked past the staring and ignored the whispers.


    This is your fault, Sevika.


    Sure it is.


    I


    Rana was about to defend herself when she heard a susurration run through the crowd.


    Look


    She heard the beating of drums. A group of [War Elephants] parted the crowd as trumpets yed. Rows and rows of soldiers marched down the street as a war tune yed. Rana blinked, and a man emerged from atop a morous carriage.


    The crowd gasped, pointing at him.


    <em>Thats Peris Dolonia the Crown Prince of Dolonia!</em>


    <em>Seriously? I knew Dolonia was sending a representative, but to think theyd send him!</em>


    Peris Dolonia wore a charming smile as he faced the crowd. Waving a hand, he ostentatiously greeted the crowd as he threw pink flowers sce orchids in the air to mark his own arrival. Heughed cheerfully, spinning around.


    Yes, I am here! It has been a while since Ist paid this city a visit, has it not?


    Then he caught sight of Rana. The princess froze. His eyes narrowed, even from a distance. A wide smile spread across his face as he waved.


    <em>Princess Rana!</em>


    He stood atop the carriage, shouting as the crowd turned their attention to him them the princess. Rana flushed and buried her face in her hands. Sevika spoke with a still expression.


    Princess Rana, your posture is ckening again.


    I know, Sevika.


    Havent you been mentally preparing for this for a week now?


    I have. I just


    She looked up. Peris Dolonia was grinning, excitedly leaning over the edge of the carriage as he waited for her to return the gesture. She did not.


    Rana just turned around and left.


    There were only four individuals in all of the Helbir ins that were currently over Level 150. One was an [Architect] the highest-leveled in the Humannds who had no affiliation to any state. Two of them were adventurers who had left for the Beastmen ins a decade ago. And thest was calling out to Rana as she flushed furiously and rushed to escape the scene.


    <em>Princess Rana my beloved! Ill see you inside, alright?</em>


    Oh, he was also princess Ranas betrothed. <strong> </strong>


    Were here!


    I spread my arms wide as we reached the city of Alyras. It was just past daybreak the sun had already fully risen from the horizon, and from what I could see, the city was already bustling with life. So it took slightly longer than Faith estimated for us to arrive.


    But we were finally here. I beamed excitedly, turning to mypanions. Daniel just rolled his eyes.


    ...yes, were here. We can see that, Salvos.


    Whats got you so excited, anyway? We literally just came from Alyras.


    Edithe raised a brow at me. I smiled at her and turned to Faith.


    Thats because princess Faith and princess Rana are finally going to meet!


    The two just sighed in exasperation. Princess Faith made it a point to pretend she didnt hear that as she sat in her carriage. I looked back to mypanions and hesitated.


    I scratched my cheeks.


    Also, we took way too long to get here. Seriously! I couldve just teleported us back but no! We had to ride with the caravan for some reason.


    I harrumphed, turning to face the city. Edithe and Daniel exchanged a nce.


    It did take a while to get herepared to your usual fast travel, at least. But its good to sometimes rx and enjoy the scenery. Plus, we were escorting Faith. You dont want a <em>princess </em>toe into harm''s way, do you?


    No


    I trailed off as I averted my gaze. My lips twisted, and I scowled.


    I wouldnt have mind this long trip so much if I got to speak with princess Faith, though


    Well, princess Faith has other things to worry about.


    Daniel eyed the woman sitting in the carriage, sifting through sheets of documents and paper as she muttered to herself. I crossed my arms.


    She should be more worried about meeting princess Rana! She needs to leave a good impression! Ranas very shy, you see?


    I exined Ranas reticent attitude to mypanions as we headed for the city up ahead. We rode past the various encampments set outside of Alyras. There had been two before I left yesterday morning one for the adventurers and one for the Vampire families. But now there were <em>three </em>encampments.


    I didnt recognize the third one. It had a myriad of gs hanging from the tents and there was a parade of people entering the citys streets. They were shy and gaudy and people cheered. I blinked.


    Who are those people


    I started, only to be interrupted by a bright sh of light. An angry ball of me whizzed over me. I barely ducked in time, but it came back around and stopped right before my head. I had thought it was an attack for a moment. Mypanions reached for their weapons as Faiths bodyguards shouted in rm.


    But I blinked as I stared at a [Will O Wisp].


    ...Willy?


    Willy floated right before my head, his mes burning a bright crimson. He flitted back and forth as fiery embers burned off him like teardrops falling to the ground. He spoke angrily.


    <em>Left!</em>


    Left?


    I looked to my left and just saw a puzzled Daniel. I cocked my head, but Willy just yelled again.


    <em>No! You!</em>


    Me?


    <em>Left!</em>


    Right. I see. Well, Im sorry about that, alright?


    I nodded sagely. Edithe and Daniel stared at me. The redhead turned to the Human man.


    The fuck did I just witness?


    I have no idea, Edithe. Absolutely no idea.


    I scoffed and exined the situation to them.


    Willys upset cause I left him but I didnt know he wanted toe with us!


    <em>What?</em>


    Willy sputtered. He flew between me and the two Humans before they could even parse what was happening.


    <em>Why wouldnt I?</em>


    You didnt ask!


    <em>No you</em>


    I argued with Willy as a cloaked figure appeared before Daniel. The Human man jerked back, but a womans voice just snorted.


    Did that seriously scare you, oh great [Hero]?


    Amanda. What do you want?


    He red at her. She folded her arms at him, then nced over at the princess.


    Did you seriously leave Alyras quietly in the morning to go save a princess? How typical.


    Ugh, I cant deal with you right now. Im tired and I havent gotten any sleep.


    Too fucking bad.


    Amanda grinned at him, and he just scowled. But she wasnt thest of the guests whode out of the city just to greet us. As I triumphantly defeated Willy in a battle of wits and Amanda continued to pester Daniel while we walked into the city, a man emerged from the gates.


    I caught a sh of the blond hair the charming smile. Hadrian, the leader of the Valiant Dreamers Company, waited there. He looked d to see us, but there was also a hint of a soft and worried expression on his face.


    Edithe. Salvos. Daniel.


    He actually greeted each of us, even though I didnt know him that well. He turned back to Edithe and she frowned at him.


    Hadrian. What are you doing here? Shouldnt you be with thepany


    And she paused. He hugged her before she could continue. The redhead blinked a few times.


    ...Hadrian?


    I was so worried.


    He drew back and smiled. Edithe eyed him, perplexed. But he exined.


    I heard about what happened. You fought not just one Primeval Demon, but <em>two </em>of them in the Motharis Mountain Range. Helena Warshade told me everything.


    Oh that.


    She shifted ufortably.


    Im sorry I didnt tell you about it earlier. But I didnt know what Salvos was going to do, and I didnt think wed fight a [Hebomination]


    Its fine.


    He spoke over her, looking the redhead up and down in relief.


    Im just d youre safe.


    I stared at the two of them just looking each other over for a good minute. Neither one said a word. Willy giggled at the scene, and I faced the [Will O Wisp].


    Whats so funny?


    <em>You wouldnt understand.</em>


    Why not? Why are they acting so weird!


    Hadrian finally balled a hand into a fist..


    If anything, I wish I couldve been there to help you. To think that you were there fighting against a Primeval Demon and I didnt even know


    He trailed off as Edithe reached out, hugging him back. She smiled kindly at him as he stiffened.


    Thank you for worrying, Hadrian. Honestly, I should make it up to you.


    Hadrian quickly tried to protest.


    No, I


    How about some lunch tomorrow? My treat.


    She suggested casually. He stared at her for a moment. Then heughed.


    Sure. But only because you went ahead and surpassed my level behind my back


    They chatted casually, holding hands as we continued walking, staying far away from the rambunctious procession entering the city. We made a quieter entrance, returning to the pce.


    It was not just Edithe, Daniel, and I. But Willy was there. And so was Hadrian and amanda. Princess Faith and all her bodyguards followed behind too. Waiting for us at the pce was princess Rana, Orgaf, and Saffron. Helena Warshade was there too, as well as all the Vampires and some other adventurers. And somewhere a hundred or so miles away was Jaakko, Zack, and Helen and a small army of adventurers made their way here.


    So many people I knew were gathering here in Alyras. And that only made sense after all, a super important meeting was going to happen one that was supposed to decide the fate of the Humannds or whatever and we were arriving just in time for it!


    Honestly, Id probably just skip it. Because it wasnt like anything interesting was going to happen in it, right? It was just going to be another boring discussion right?