Chapter 2: The Five Lords

Words : 1059 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

"Interesting... So, we're out of immediate danger, but it sounds like we've lost a lot." He pauses, narrowing his eyes. "What about the Five Lords? Are they in the Revival Stone?" Draya's ears droop slightly, and her tone turns solemn. "Yes, Your Majesty. Almost all the top officers perished in the war. The Lords' souls are currently in stasis within the Revival Stone, awaiting resurrection." Hearing this, Alix's excitement fades, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I see... So we're down to the bare bones. That's a lot to take in." He sighs, then straightens up, his voice steady. He sighs, then straightens up, his voice steady. "Alright, you may go, Draya. I'll summon you if I need anything." "As you wish, Your Majesty." She bows deeply and exits the room, leaving Alix alone in the dimly lit chamber. He rubs his temples, deep in thought. "Phantoms." In an instant, two shadowy figures materialize from the darkness, their forms twisting and flickering like living shadows. They kneel before him, their voices low and reverent. "Your Majesty, what are your orders?" "We await your command." Alix smirks, impressed by their eerie presence. "Good. You're my assassins, my intelligence gatherers. I'll need your skills soon enough." The shadows nod in unison, their forms rippling slightly. Alix thinks for a moment, then mutters to himself. "How do I check their status... and mine, for that matter?" As soon as the thought crosses his mind, a glowing, semi-transparent screen appears before him, displaying detailed information. He sees the names of the two Phantoms, their levels, and their roles as members of the Shadow unit. "Huh, so it's just like the game... even better." He swipes through the interface mentally, reviewing their stats. The Phantoms are both low-level, with skills specializing in stealth, assassination, and reconnaissance. "Damn, they're only level 300." He frowns, his excitement quickly dimming. "That's the lowest rank in the Shadow unit. This isn't good." He looks at the two Phantoms, their forms wavering like dark flames. "How many of you are left?" "There are only five of us remaining, Your Majesty." Alix's jaw tightens as he processes the news. 'Only five? There should be at least fifty members in the Shadows. We've lost almost everyone.' He exhales sharply and nods. "Alright, here's your task. You five will scout the surrounding territory. I need a full report by the end of the day—every detail you can find about this forest, any potential threats, or useful resources." "Understood, Your Majesty. We will not fail." The Phantoms bow before dissolving into the shadows, leaving Alix alone once more. The Phantoms bow before dissolving into the shadows, leaving Alix alone once more. "We're in worse shape than I thought. Let's see what's left of the treasury. I'll need every resource I can get to rebuild." He steps out of his chambers, the cold stone halls of the castle eerily silent. The once-bustling corridors are now lifeless, save for the flickering torchlight casting long shadows on the walls. As he walks, he spots a stationary royal guard standing at attention. The royal guards were formidable warriors, each at least level 500. Alix: "You there." The guard snaps to attention, his armor gleaming faintly under the torchlight. "Your Majesty!" "How many royal guards remain?" The guard's voice is steady but heavy. "Only two of us survived, Your Majesty." Alix's expression darkens as he clenches his fists. He thought, 'Two... out of a full battalion, that's about 500. This isn't just a setback—it's a disaster.' He waves the guard off. Alix: "Return to your post. We'll need every bit of strength we have left." Guard: "Yes, Your Majesty." He quickens his pace, determined to uncover whatever remnants of power his kingdom still holds. Shortly after, Alix arrives at the Treasury. The massive black doors, etched with glowing red runes, slide open automatically with a deep, resonant hum. The sight before him is as he remembers—a long hallway lined with towering statues of monstrous creatures, each one seemingly alive, their eyes as though following his every step. He walks forward, his footsteps echoing in the silent corridor. "This Treasury is exclusive to me. Not even the Five Lords can set foot in here without my permission." His gaze sweeps over the statues, lingering on the razor-sharp claws and the gleaming fangs. "If someone tries to break in... they're dead before they even reach the treasure." He smirks, feeling a sense of pride. He thought, 'The door alone is nearly indestructible—level 1000 strength required to destroy it. And if someone actually manages to get past, they'll face ten level 800 Guardians. No one's surviving that.' He stops in front of a particularly fearsome statue—a chimera with three heads, each snarling in a different direction. "These guardians... They're my insurance." He runs his fingers along the cold, smooth stone of the statue. "I got so lucky when that boss dropped the Treasury blueprint. Spent an entire year grinding for the materials. No shortcuts, no real money to buy them." He chuckles bitterly, his voice echoing off the high ceilings. "Everyone laughed at me back then. Said I'd never finish it. But look at this masterpiece now." As he reaches the end of the hallway, he places his hand on a glowing crystal embedded in the final door. The runes flare brightly, scanning his aura before the heavy door creaks open, revealing the vault inside. The door groans as it swings open, revealing the interior of the Treasury. Alix steps inside, his anticipation high, but the sight before him makes him freeze. His eyes widen, and his breath catches. "What... the hell?!" His hands tremble, and a wave of rage surges through him. "Empty?! Where's all the gold coins?!" He scans the room frantically. A few weapons and pieces of armor remain, their faint auras glowing on their pedestals, but the mounds of gold he painstakingly amassed over years of grinding are nowhere to be found. "Damn it!" He slams his fist against the wall, the sound echoing in the vast chamber. "Without the gold, I can't use the Revival Stone... I can't bring back my subordinates!"

Chapter 2: The Five Lords

Comments (0)