NOVPUBChapter 205: The Previous Target of The Main Quest
Rael leisurely walked through the streets, people not even paying attention to him.
It seemed like a nice city. People were lively, and there was even some sort of event going on.
A weird festival where they praise the god of the Sun or something, Rael thought. I guess they feel blessed by how much electricity they have…? I wonder what’s going to happen once the barbarian axe is taken away.
Even so, he wouldn’t be the one to break the bad news to the people of Aztera. Instead, he made his way toward the floating castle.
There were two reasons why he knew it belonged to a Duke.
First reason: He wasn’t blind.
Second reason: He had been here before in Sketa Online as part of another main quest.
He was a pretty stern old man if I recall, but he was also one of the people easily swayed because of certain circumstances, Rael hummed in amusement.
After all…
The main quest was to find the Duke’s long-lost daughter.
If he went by Sketa Online standards, the quest would only become available six months later. But since he knew exactly where the Duke’s daughter was, he could get some real benefits from saving her.
After a few minutes’ walk, he finally appeared right below the floating castle.
There were a few ways to get inside, but the most common method was by obtaining the permission of the Duke.
But that was only done through summons or recommendation letters.
That’s why you couldn’t enter the area until the main quest was given, Rael mused, and went with option number two.
He looked around, making sure there weren’t any people watching. Then, with a simple jump, he leaped onto the roof of a nearby building.
Rael readjusted his facemask and glanced at the floating castle a few hundred meters away.
And of course, without wasting any time, he shot off from the rooftop. In less than a second, he arrived on the floating castle’s wall.
He could see some soldiers below, and none even suspected someone breaking in.
Barriers were in place to stop someone from doing so, but what if that certain someone’s stats were so overwhelmingly high that the barrier couldn’t even pick him up?
Anyways…
Rael dusted himself off and casually stepped onto the marble walkway, slowly walking along the wall toward the stairs.
In the meantime, he decided to admire the view of both the city and the luxurious floating castle he found himself in.
The outer courtyard was massive, lined with trimmed hedges and floating lanterns that softly glowed even in daylight.
And the inner courtyard? It was so minimalistic, he thought the Duke was crazy.
There was literally nothing there aside from a gazebo surrounded by a lake, a training platform for the knights, and, of course, a garden filled with violet roses.
But it was more of a symbolic gesture.
It was also the key hint that led people to complete the main quest.
His daughter loved watching the knights train, which, when taken into the right context, hinted that the first clue was a warzone. Also known as the neighboring country.
Then there were the violet flowers, which actually didn’t grow in Aurenveil. Instead, they originated in Solencia, which just so happened to be in Drivania.
As for the last hint? The gazebo in a lake symbolized being trapped and isolated.
And what’s the one thing Solencia is known for? Its reinforced cities. But it’s not that simple… Rael trailed off as he stepped down the stairs, avoiding all the guards.
People looked all over Solencia, especially by the ocean and riverside. Yet no one was able to find the Duke’s daughter.
But that was simply because she wasn’t directly in Solencia. Sure, she was once there when she was being kidnapped. But afterwards…
She was taken through a gateway and locked up underneath the ocean. And I know exactly where that gateway is, Rael thought with a smile as he finally arrived at the inner courtyard.
There weren’t any guards present. Instead, there was a single old man with dark violet hair slicing the air with his sword. Of course, that was none other than the Duke of Aurenveil.
It seemed like he was practicing his swordsmanship, and the closer Rael got, the faster his swings became.
That was only until Rael stood right behind the man, causing him to halt his sword training entirely and turn toward him.
“To what do I owe this visit, intruder?” the Duke asked, sheathing his blade. “Have you come to claim my life?”
“Hmm… not today,” Rael replied plainly. “But I am here for a request of sorts.”
With those words, Rael ripped off the facemask and tossed it to the ground. no𝚟𝚙u𝚋.c𝚘m
The Duke’s eyes momentarily widened, but he soon regained his composure.
“King Rael Sutekh. I can’t say it’s a pleasure to see you this fine evening,” the Duke said, furrowing his brows. “Why have you come here?”
“Wanna take a guess?” Rael asked teasingly.
“No.” The Duke shook his head and placed his palm over the hilt of the sword. “I don’t tolerate intruders, much less the people we are currently at war with.”
The Duke stepped closer, arriving by Rael’s side.
“As a courtesy, I will let you walk away with your life intact. But if you truly wish to remain here, then I can’t promise you your safety, Your Majesty,” the Duke added.
Rael chuckled. “You’re pretty confident. I respect that. But again, I’m not here to fight. Not yet anyway.”
“Then why are you here?” the Duke asked, a slight frown tugging at his face. “I am not going to join your little makeshift country. And there’s nothing you can offer that will change my mind.”
Rael slowly nodded with a faint smirk.
“Does the name Anath Valentine ring any bells? Dear Duke Valentine?”
The moment Rael’s words fell, a deathly silence hung in the air.
Yet the ominous pressure being emitted by the Duke was palpable.
“How…” the Duke muttered, fully unsheathing his sword and pointing it at Rael’s neck.
“How do you know the name of my daughter?”
