Chapter 9
Understood!!
...............................
8. Discussion
In the extravagantly luxurious Kingdom of Aurus, the Royal Castle of the Cormier Royal Family stood within the Royal Capital. Its construction was grand and imposing, with jade-inlaid balustrades and unparalleled nobility.
The banners bearing the emblem of the sword and shield, symbols of royal authority, were prominently hung before the massive front gate of the castle, separated by a winding moat.
On both sides of the gate and all around the moat, tightly packed soldiers stood guard. Each was clad in armor and held a spear, ready and vigilant.
Even though this was not the front lines of a battlefield, no one dared to slack off in the slightest.
If there was a reason for this, it was simply because this was Cormier—the Royal Capital.
The highest leaders of the kingdom resided in the castle behind them. The soldiers took pride in standing here to defend the future of humanity, and so they held themselves with grandeur and dignity.
Of course, that was all just empty talk.
——
The real reason was simply because the pay was good!
With enough money, risking one’s life became worth it. While war raged on the front lines, they could enjoy a day of relative peace guarding the royal castle here—what more could they complain about?
Suddenly, a noise sounded in the distance. The wheels of a carriage pressed swiftly through the wind, racing toward the edge of the city.
The soldiers all gripped their spears tightly, eyes wary as they looked toward the speeding carriage drawn by a fine steed.
But once they saw the specific markings on the exterior of the carriage, their entire demeanor changed.
They planted their spears into the ground, dropped to one knee, and lowered their heads slightly, avoiding direct eye contact with the crest on the carriage.
The closer the carriage approached the plank bridge before the moat, the lower the soldiers bowed their heads.
The carriage, bearing an emblem similar to the kingdom’s “sword and shield” motif—depicted instead as “two swords crossed”—represented the family of the Hero: the Wright Family.
It wasn’t that all members of the Wright Family were heroes. There was only one Hero.
But the chosen Hero was always born into the Wright Family.
That had been the case throughout the ages.
This was one of the reasons the Wright Family held such a prestigious position in the kingdom.
Apart from the Hero chosen by the heavens... the other members of the Wright Family were no ordinary individuals either. Almost all of them possessed strength comparable to a military force, praised by the world—the title “Sword of the Nation” was no exaggeration.
With a neigh, the steed reared up and carried the carriage across the dropped raft bridge over the moat without a pause, charging straight toward the outer gates of the castle.
The soldiers knew that stopping the Wright Family’s carriage for inspection was meaningless.
If even the Wright Family’s carriage could be intercepted by the enemy, it would mean the end of the nation.
Entering the Royal Capital without inspection and carrying weapons into the castle—these were privileges granted to the Wright Family by royal authority. It was a tacit agreement between the protectors and the protected, between royalty and nobility, and thus needed no further inquiry.
Inside the luxurious carriage...
Xiarette slightly lifted the curtain covering the window, observing the scenery of the Royal Capital as they passed through.
——She had just been checking whether any vendors in the Royal Capital were selling donuts.
And since they had now crossed the plank bridge and entered the very heart of the Royal Capital—Cormier Royal Castle...
If one were to describe the atmosphere outside the carriage along the way, only two words came to mind.
Lively!
Yes... it was only natural that things were lively.
From the public’s perspective, it was she, the Hero of the Wright Family, who had defeated the Demon Clan’s core forces and secured a temporary peace. Naturally, such a triumph called for celebration—to sweep away the shadows that war had cast over these years.
People couldn’t live in the dark forever. One needed to find opportunities, through various forms, to bring a little brightness into life.
Even if the people didn’t know how long this “victory” would bring peace to the world, it was still a boost to their morale.
But at that thought, Xiarette couldn’t help but let out a sigh.
“Ahh...”
The scars left by war had lasted far too long.
Whether it was the people who knew nothing of the falsehood behind this victory, or this country that had been devastated by war and was barely hanging on...
But more than anything else, what pained Xiarette the most...
Was still Sheffy, who must have been bearing unimaginable pressure.
Uu... Sheffy, big sister can’t do much for you right now, but she will—she will definitely bring back a strawberry-flavored donut for you!
There was no more time for further thought. Xiarette lowered the curtain and stopped looking outside.
Because they had already reached their destination.
The carriage headed straight for the main gate within the castle, stopping in the open square directly in front of the Grand Council Hall.
Waiting there was none other than the King of the Kingdom of Aurus—Aurus III, Celt Aurus.
This man, already over sixty years of age, stood at the front leading a group of high-ranking officials and nobles, all lined up on either side of the square to welcome the Hero’s return.
The carriage came to a steady stop.
Xiarette slowly opened her closed eyes.
A faint glimmer shone in them—a glimmer of resolve.
With a composed air, she took the crimson cloak and sword hanging inside the spacious carriage and fastened them over the light armor she wore.
The aura of a Hero—bold and unrestrained.
The carriage door opened from the inside.
And the moment Xiarette stepped down with a stern expression, thunderous cheers erupted across the square before the hall!
Nearly all of the prominent nobles from across the Kingdom of Aurus had gathered here.
“Welcome home, Hero!”
“Glory to humanity!”
“Long live His Majesty the King!”
Xiarette walked her own path, not caring in the least what they were shouting.
She knew full well that those lines had certainly been prearranged by these nobles—just ceremonial words to show face for the king.
Besides the inherited privileges of the Wright Family, the Hero had one additional right.
That was—even when meeting the king, there was no need to kneel.
This applied to members of the Wright Family, let alone the Hero chosen by the Holy Sword Sylatrella.
So, Xiarette first walked to the very front of the square, a few meters from the king, and gave a slight nod of respect. Once the king responded with a wave, she naturally stepped into her rightful position.
That place—was, of course, among her family, the Wright Family’s formation.
The Wright Family formed their own line.
Uniform crimson cloaks and dazzling golden hair were the family’s signature.
They stood in the open space to the right of the king, especially conspicuous and exuding an extraordinary presence.
Even though Xiarette was the Hero, as a member of the family, she was expected to stand in formation with them—that was the rule.
However, as she walked toward the Wright Family’s formation...
The family members didn’t seem to show her the same enthusiastic welcome that others had displayed earlier.
Not until Xiarette stood before the head of the Wright Family—her father—did the rest of the family turn their heads, offering congratulatory smiles that lacked sincerity.
“Congratulations, dear Xiarette. This time’s outstanding battle achievement truly brings pride to our family.”
“Uncle flatters me. This campaign was indeed fraught with danger.”
They had exchanged barely a few words—
When voices quickly followed from the other side.
“Hey, Cousin Xiarette, there’s no need to be modest. We genuinely believe you’re a role model for our family!”
“Yes, if not for Sister Xiarette, our family’s name might have been tarnished in this era.”
“Diel, enough talk.”
“Click.”
Their words came one after another, while Xiarette simply frowned slightly and responded briefly.
“Thanks to all my elder brothers and sisters.”
After she gave her thanks, no one replied any further.
Xiarette didn’t dwell on it—she had long since grown used to this.
With steps marked by proper formality, she took her place beside the head of the Wright Family and the family matriarch—her parents.
The head of the Wright Family, Eclight, stood with hands crossed over a greatsword planted into the ground, radiating an overwhelming presence.
His brow was tightly furrowed, eyes sharp and piercing. His weathered yet resilient face, framed by a neatly trimmed beard, projected an aura of daunting pressure.
He stood there like a steadfast pine tree, immovable as thunder, exuding a composed and exceptional aura of strength.
The family matriarch, Roni Wright, though already over forty, still bore traces of the beauty that had once captivated the kingdom. Her elegant golden hair flowed gracefully.
Unlike her husband, she wasn’t so indifferent. Upon seeing Xiarette arrive, she quickly stepped forward with warmth, welcoming her daughter’s triumphant return.
The head of the family, Eclight, remained motionless, eyes fixed ahead.
Using only his peripheral vision, he glanced at the mother and daughter exchanging greetings. In a tone devoid of emotion yet intensely stern, he asked:
Based solely on the content of his words, there was an unmistakable undertone of reproach.
“Xiarette, why are you this late?”
“I apologize, Father. Something came up along the way that caused a slight delay.”
“Remember this: even if the Wright Family is favored by the kingdom, we must never grow complacent. Letting His Majesty the King wait here for your arrival—what kind of conduct is that? Do not let this happen again.”
“Understood.”
The matriarch lightly furrowed her brows—she clearly wanted to speak up on her daughter’s behalf.
But before she could say a word...
An official responsible for announcing the king’s decrees crushed a type of magical crystal that could amplify sound for a short time, allowing the king’s instructions to be heard throughout the square.
“All guests who have traveled from afar, thank you for your efforts. Now, please proceed into the castle’s council hall. Regarding this war, and what comes next—even the fate of all humankind—His Majesty has matters to discuss with you all.”
...................................
9. What to Do?
The central hall of the Royal Capital Castle’s Council Chamber.
A red carpet, engraved with the royal crest, stretched across the expansive corridors of the grand palace.
Supporting pillars made from crystal and gold, crafted with exquisite and intricate techniques, firmly upheld the four corners of the hall, magnificent in appearance—testament to the master craftsmanship of human artisans through the ages.
The hall was filled with nobles, clad in splendid ceremonial robes, arranged along both sides of the chamber according to their official roles. They surrounded and paid respect to King Aurus III, seated on the throne at the top of the grand staircase, and the queen seated beside him on the other royal chair.
Their positions were arranged strictly in accordance with traditional etiquette.
However, the members of the Wright Family, standing only a few meters from the right side of the throne, were perhaps an exception to such formalities.
As the family known as the Sword of the Nation, it was only fitting that they stood close to the royal seat.
Inside the palace, middle-aged women in black and white lace-trimmed maid uniforms were carefully and anxiously placing sound-amplifying magical crystals in every corner of the chamber.
Today, nearly every important figure in the Kingdom of Aurus was gathered here.
In such circumstances, their work could not afford even the slightest mistake.