Noble guests, very well elegantly dressed, mingled gracefully within the hall. Laughter and conversation filled the air, resonating with courtly importance. Each guest cradled a gss of wine, its aroma blending with the scents of the expensively looking rugs underfoot. Above, magnificent crystal chandeliers bathed the scene in a dazzling and luxurious light.
An unknown musical instrument was producing a harmonious melody that set the tone for the evening. The music seemed to resonate perfectly with the vishness of the hall, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
Guests glided gracefully across the smooth floor, their gowns and cloaks rustling softly. The grandeur of the occasion was mirrored in the intricate details of their attire, from jeweled neckces to finely embroidered robes.
I stood apart, by a gigantic pilr, with a drink in hand, Mustapha and Vojnka behind me. I was surveying everybody in silence with an occasional sip of my drink, a wine of strange taste as though mixed with various spices and sweeteners. I felt like a pauper in a billionaire's house party for his billionaires friends. The king of Mittelreich sure knows luxury. His castle is 5 times bigger than mine and mine is in no way small. Unlike my marble floor he has 'Persian carpets'. I didn't even know they existed and they look super expensive. To be honest, I'm impressed.
"I greet Your Majesty," a voice chimed from my left. Startled, I turned to face the speaker.
A shadow mage? That's new. The man before me, likely in his te 40s or early 50s, sported mutton chops that framed his face. His lips curled into a sly grin as he pced a hand over his chest and executed a deep, almost mocking bow in greeting. No one could look more vilinous than him.
I took a sip of my drink, my eyes on him.
"...Mhaduk," I decred, savoring the impact it had on him. From his skills, you know he is a spy, and an assassin. Someone who lives in the dark. Someone who shouldn't be identified.
Then, a hearty voice boomed from behind me, disrupting the moment. "There he is, 'The king that made the druid bend the knee.' "
I turned to face the source of the voice. A tall man, nearly matching my height, stood before me, a well-groomed ducktail beard framing his face. His noble attire bore a regal touch of blue, exuding an air of sophistication and power. It was evident that in his prime, he had been solidly built.
At his side stood a young woman, two or three inches shorter than me. She wore a form-fitting 'bodysuit' with a daring high slit that revealed a hint of her leg. Her raven-bck hair was elegantly braided into a single broad pit, and her attire was adorned with silver embellishments that gleamed in the chandelier's crystal light. Her face carried a scowl as her eyes bore into me, clearly unimpressed. She's beautiful, but nothing impressive.
[Name : Karim Al-Hashem]
[Css : Padin]
[Level : 83]
[Strength :501 ]
[Attack : 608]
[Defense : 490 ]
[Agility : 306]
[Stamina : 510]
[Skills: Weapon mastery; Heal; Regeneration ; Sense; Devotion Aura; Avenger's Oath; Beacon of Hope; Sanctuary; Holy Barrier; Divine Light; Blessing of Protection; Divine Strike; Indomitable Will; Presence]
[Name : Amara Al-Hashem]
[Css : Padin]
[Level : 53]
[Strength :251]
[Attack : 287]
[Defense : 290 ]
[Agility : 201]
[Stamina : 317]
[Skills: Swordmanship ; Shortbde mastery; Shield mastery; Heal; Regeneration ; Sense; Holy Barrier; Divine Light; Blessing of Protection; Divine Strike; Indomitable Will; Aura]
No wonder they took over the central pins. A css that combines the css of a priestess and that of a warrior is too much unleveling of the pying field. The girl should be in her te 20s or early 30s. She's no where near Vojnka but it is still impressive for someone her age.
"What's with the cold welcome? You don't recognize me?" he asked ughing, his tone showing he took it like a joke rather than insult. That's the confidence of someone who knows he is at the absolute top.
"Fine party you have here, King Karim," I responded, and his ughter filled the air.
"It is, it is," he continued to chuckle. "You haven't had the pleasure of meeting my daughter, Amara?"
I gave her a subtle nod of acknowledgment, then returned my gaze to her father. Not just because I don't know how to greet her since she's older, stronger but of lower status of me but because I felt like she's been measuring me and looking down on me, and I know why.
"Now, now, now, let's go introduce you to some friends," King Karim excimed, his hand resting reassuringly on my back as he guided me further into the lively gathering. With a wave, I signaled for Mustapha and Vojnka to go enjoy the party.
"This is Baron Cedric of Arcaeon" he introduced me to a red haired man with a van dyke beard and a handlebar mustache. He raised his gss to me with a subtle nod and went back to what he was doing.
And we continue to the next. For a guy so powerful he seems very jovial and warm as he introduced people to me. Almost like a grandfather with his beloved grandchild.
"...and that's my dear brother, Baron Lucius, with his wife Anastasia," King Karim introduced me to an elderly couple. Baron Lucius, with his distinguished silver hair, possessed an aristocratic air, his posture elegant and lean. By his side stood Anastasia, a graceful and refined woman, her beautiful attire adorned with an elbow-length glove.
"Ah, she absolutely adores those little creations of yours," King Karim mentioned, obviously referring to the soap.
"Oh," the woman excimed, her eyes lighting up with recognition. "You are Daran of Drakoria?"
With genuine enthusiasm, she enveloped me in a motherly hug, expressing her gratitude. "Thank you, dear, thank you! Nothing in the history of the continent comes close to such wonderful recreation."
The two men scoffed pleasantly.
"I'm gd you like it," I replied, attempting not to appear too uncomfortable with the physical contact.
"You've truly made taking baths more worthwhile," another aristocratic woman chimed in, joining the conversation with a light hug of her own. "I find myself bathing twice as often now."
"Four times for me," yet another woman added, and they all shared a hearty ugh.
The group had grown rger, and they chatted like old friends and family. While it wasn't awkward, I couldn't help but feel like I was out of pce.
"But you do smell different though," one dy observed, her curiosity piqued. "Is it a new soap?"
"I thought it was because of his natural scent, given how good he looks," Anastasia chimed in, and their ughter resonated elegantly through the conversation.
"It's not necessarily new," I said, gd I finally found the perfect chance. "Just not something many could afford."
Laughter rippled through the group, their response making it seem as if I had cracked a clever joke. Their eyes remained fixed on me as I reached into the inner pocket of my royal jacket. Carefully, I extracted the soap, its pristine wrapping inviting curiosity. As I unraveled it, our immediate surroundings was instantly enveloped in the opulent fragrance, earning a collective look of impressed delight. I had preserved it with a hint of moisture since my st use, precisely for this purpose. The soap's golden hue lent it an additional air of luxury, but it was nothing compared to the intoxicating scent.
A man came and whispered something to King Karim's ears and he had to excuse himself as the soap was going from one dy's hand to another. Whispers of delight and admiration filled the air, their expressions painting a picture of sheer pleasure. Far better reactions than I anticipated.
"Can we give this a try?" Anastasia inquired, the soap now resting in her grasp.
"Now?" I replied, genuinely surprised by the suggestion.
"I don't see why not," she replied with an air of excitement.
I regarded them with a moment's contemption, then finally gave a nod of approval. With enthusiasm, they all started moving, almost racing toward what I assumed were private quarters.
With them gone I was alone again. Mustapha was not far away but Vojnka, as big as she is, was not within sights.
Though I heard approaching footsteps, I paid them little mind since Mustapha didn't seem bothered. That was until a young voice spoke up, saying,
"Father was right, you have changed, pretty boy"
I turned to face him. He appeared to be around my age, perhaps a bit older, given the faint signs of a beard forming on his face. He was dressed in a young nobleman's formal party attire, exuding an air of sophistication. A smug expression pyed across his features, and his attitude carried a cheeky undertone.
"How long do you think you can keep pying king for?" he taunted, the words dripping with sarcasm and challenge.
[Name : Aleksander Von Hohenberg]
[Css : Lightning mage]
[Strength : 149]
[Level : 31]
[Attack : 139 (+50)]
[Defense : 59(+50)]
[Agility : 260]
[Stamina : 89]
[Skills: Lightning Manipution; Lightning Infusion; Lightning absorption; Lightning shockwave; Rage]
Ha. Son of the grand mage. Of course. I gave a condescending look from head to toe before trying to walk away. However, he swiftly grabbed my right shoulder.
"Running away already, dear king?" he taunted with a smirk, his tone filled with provocation.
Thank you.
[Blood arts activated]
I turned to him. Blood was already running down his left nostril. His eyes widened in shock and confusion as he wiped out the blood and another was rolling out. Pain etched across his contorted face as blood slowly trickled from both nostrils and his eyes.
His bloodied eyes met mine with fear, as though realizing the source of his misfortune.
"You wouldn't dare," he said, his voice low and in fear.
A smile crept across my lips. "Yeah?"
His body contorted in response to my hand's movements, writhing in agony, teeth clenched as I lifted him from the ground. A small crowd had begun to gather, drawn by our unfolding spectacle.
"Try not to bite your tongue" I cautioned, my fingers curling slowly as if I held his very heart in my grasp.
The torment became unbearable, and he let out a piercing, agonized cry , blood trickling from every orifice. All eyes were now fixed on our confrontation, particurly those of Ulric Von Hohenberg.
[Name : Daran Dragonhart]
[Css : King]
[Level : 1]
[Strength : 48 ? 30 ]
[Attack : 43 ? 30]
[Defense : 68 ? 30 ]
[Agility : 42 ? 30]
[Stamina : 51 ? 30 ]
[Skills: Appraisal; Copy; Water arts(New) ; Grimoire(New); Blood arts(New)]