Chapter 57: Noctaris City

Words : 1049 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

Alix chuckles, shaking his head. "Not a new master." His golden eyes glimmer with something unreadable. "Starting today, you're no longer slaves. You're already citizens of my kingdom." Liss gasps, her small hands clutching at her chest. "S-Sir, are you really a king?" she asks, her voice hushed with shock. She hesitates before adding in a quieter voice, "I thought you just liked being called Your Majesty..." Varkas lets out a deep laugh, while Alix merely smirks. "I don't need to pretend," he says smoothly. "You'll understand soon enough." Nikon hesitates before nodding slowly. "Your Majesty, thank you for not seeing us as slaves," he says, his voice steady but laced with uncertainty. "But... as long as we have the slave mark, we will always be servants." Alix's gaze sharpens. "Come here. Let me take a look." Nikon glances at Liss, who gives him an encouraging nod. Taking a deep breath, he steps forward and tilts his head slightly, exposing the slave mark on his neck. The intricate black seal pulses faintly, a constant reminder of his status. Alix examines it closely, his eyes narrowing. Without hesitation, he raises a hand and channels a Tier 4 dispelling spell. A faint golden light envelops the mark—but the moment the spell touches it, the light flickers and shatters like fragile glass. Nothing changes. Alix exhales through his nose, his expression unreadable. "That's interesting." Nikon stiffens. "Your Majesty?" Alix pulls back, tapping a finger against his arm in thought. As a player, he isn't restricted by class limitations—he can use any skill or spell as long as he meets the stat requirements. And his jack-of-all-trades build gives him access to a vast range of abilities. But this... This means the slave mark isn't something a standard dispel can remove. He meets Nikon's wary gaze and offers a calm smile. "I'll dispel it once we reach my home." Liss visibly brightens, hope flickering in her eyes. Nikon, however, remains skeptical. He doesn't doubt Alix's power—the man radiates an overwhelming presence—but he knows how strong the slave mark's binding magic is. Still, he doesn't argue. Nikon looks skeptical but doesn't voice his doubt. Instead, he nods. "Understood." Liss, however, clings to his sleeve. "Really?" she whispers, almost afraid to hope. Alix just smirks. "I don't make empty promises." After a brief pause, he glances at Varkas. "Change of plans. We're leaving now. I've already done what I came here for." Varkas nods without question. "I'll prepare the carriage." Alix glances around the dimly lit inn. "I came here for the auction. Now that it's done, there's no reason to stay." Nikon exchanges a glance with Liss before straightening his back. "Then... we'll follow you." Alix's smirk deepens. "Of course you will." Once they are far enough from the city, Alix steps out of the carriage and places a hand on its side. A faint pulse of magic ripples outward, and in an instant, the entire carriage begins to shift. The sturdy wooden wheels retract, the frame expands slightly, and shimmering golden runes light up along its edges. Then— With a soft hum, the carriage lifts off the ground. Liss gasps, clutching Nikon's arm as the entire vehicle rises smoothly into the air. Nikon's eyes widen, his grip tightening on the seat. He has seen many things in his life, but a flying carriage? This is beyond anything he ever imagined. As the carriage gains altitude, the transformation completes. The interior expands far beyond what should be possible, turning into a spacious, luxurious chamber. Plush seats, polished wooden panels, and a massive crystal-clear window stretching across one side offer an unobstructed view of the sky. Liss practically presses her face against the window, her tail flicking excitedly. "Wow! Your Majesty, are you some kind of god?" she blurts out, eyes gleaming with awe. Alix laughs, shaking his head. "I'm not a god. I'm just like you..." Nikon stares at him, deadpan. A normal monster? He silently glances around the lavish flying carriage before looking back at Alix. Normal monster, my ass. He doesn't voice his thoughts, but deep down, he knows this is no ordinary being. Even the most powerful nobles of the Raltheon Kingdom couldn't compare. If they were kings in their own right, then in front of Alix, they were nothing more than commoners. The carriage soars through the sky, crossing vast landscapes in mere hours. Forests, rivers, and mountains blur beneath them, and the air itself feels different—purer, more alive. Then, just as the sun begins to dip below the horizon, they see it. A city unlike any other. Towering black walls stretch endlessly, adorned with massive golden banners that shimmer in the fading sunlight. A vast network of bridges and spires rises above the grand cityscape, seamlessly blending ancient architecture with modern advancements. Floating platforms drift lazily in the air, powered by unseen forces. At the heart of it all stands an enormous palace, its dark obsidian-like structure crowned with glowing runes that pulse with power. Alix leans forward slightly, his golden eyes reflecting the breathtaking sight. "Welcome," he says, his voice carrying a quiet pride. "This is Noctaris—the capital of my kingdom." Liss grips Nikon's arm even tighter. "It's beautiful..." she breathes, unable to tear her eyes away. Nikon swallows, still trying to process everything. "Your majesty, may I know the name of your kingdom...?" he asks hesitantly. Alix smirks. "Erevaris. The Eternal Sovereignty." Silence fills the carriage as they take in the name. It carries weight, power, and an undeniable sense of grandeur. Nikon exhales slowly. "So this... this is the power of a true king." ---- Inside a dimly lit chamber deep within the palace, an eerie atmosphere lingers in the air. Strange contraptions line the walls—some glowing with unknown energy, others pulsing with dark magic. The room hums faintly, as if alive. Liss clings to Nikon's sleeve, her tail bristling. "I don't like this place," she whispers, eyes darting around. Varkas grimaces, folding his arms. "Your Majesty... is this Lord Magnius' domain?" Alix leans casually against a nearby table, unfazed. "It is."

Chapter 57: Noctaris City

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