I Know The Secret To Surpass Level 100

As the skies got darker, the atmosphere got thicker. It was as if they could slash their swords and cut the air open.

Elliot did not expect that anyone in their group would ever think of disbanding. He let out a sigh of disappointment before he stood and chuckled, "This will be my last mission with you."

Lance followed him as he slowly got down the tower. "Elliot, don't be like this."

"You know what the funniest part is?" Elliot asked, pausing from his climb. "That I'm the only one without a place to go to after this. Ed has Etheoria, Hope has Dracon, Connor has Inferno, and you have Solaguer. I guess I'm really the only one who wanted us all to stay together."

"Elliot–"

"I hope you enjoy your throne, Lance." Elliot smiled at Lance before he jumped off and disappeared into the streets, leaving his friend dumbfounded up above the tower.

–

The trip to the Royal Palace was filled with a thick coat of uncomfortable silence. No one said a word and no one dared to break the fragile lack of communication.

After Elliot's talk with Lance, the latter told Connor and Hope about it. The two felt bad and guilty.

For them, Elliot was right. It would be a lie if they say that they never thought of going to their own realms. It was just a small speck of thought at first, but as they discovered each other's origins, the seed in their minds grew.

And now it has come into fruition.

"Halt!" a Guard outside the royal city yelled. Lance, who was controlling the carriage, stopped and nodded to the guard. The Guard's eyes widened. "P-Prince Lance… why are you here?"

"I have come to attend my trial," Lance said. "Is there anything wrong?"

"There he is!" another Guard yelled. It wasn't long before a line of the Officers came out and surrounded the carriage the group was on.

"Prince Lance of House Alorde, you have come a week late for your trial," Ryan Grinfacet said, walking from the gate and in front of the carriage.

"But the schedule for the trial will not happen until tomorrow," Lance said, hopping off the vehicle. "If there's a change in the dates, why was I uninformed?"

"But you were informed, Lance," Ryan said. "You were informed 10 days ago. You were at your guild and you signed the letter that you have received the notice."

"Impossible," Lance said. "I was in Colleau at that time."

"So, you were out of town?" Ryan quirked his brow, a mocking smirk appearing in his lips. "Didn't you know that when you are being called for a hearing that you are forbidden to leave your city except when you are going to the capital for the trial? Surely you know that."

"I do, but I had–"

"You confessed to your crimes, Prince Lance. That is enough evidence to convict you into the dungeons," Ryan said and raised his hands, signaling the guards. "Seize him!"

"Enough!" A dominant voice said from above the gate. Everyone looked up to gasp after they saw that it was the king himself. "I grant the prince a Royal Pardon against all charges accused against him."

"But your majesty, the prince has committed several crimes," Ryan said shaking his head slowly. "Don't tell me you're going to use your power to free him of all of those?"

"He has four minor charges, Policeman," the king said. "He did not commit murder or treason, therefore I can use my power to let him free."

"But your majesty–"

"Enough!" the king yelled. "I am king. You should listen to your king!"

Madam Hoot came to the group and hugged Lance, comforting him with a gentle stroking in his back.

"Shh, Lance, let's go inside," Madam Hoot said. She looked at his friends and nodded at them, "Let's get you all inside to eat. It's almost afternoon and I'm sure you're all starving."

"We are," Ed chukled. "Thank you, Madam Hoot."

The woman nodded slightly, turning to wave her hands and signal the guards to move out of the way.

"Get your carriage inside, a valet is waiting by the castle gate," Madam Hoot instructed and walked to the side, letting the group pass through the gates and the guards.

As they passed through the gate, there was an eerie feeling that was bugging Elliot. It was as though something was wrong.

"Hope," Ellot whispered. "I feel like I now get why you don't like Madam Hoot."

Hope looked around the carriage if anyone else heard. Luckily, they were still living in their own worlds, unable to comprehend anything that was going on.

"My dragon gut got even more suspicious of her," Hope said. "It seems like she's hiding something."

"Who's hiding what?" Connor asked.

The two jolted, surprised at the sudden interjection of Connor. Elliot waved his hand for Connor to get closer, whispering in his ear. "I think there's something wrong here."

"Yeah." It was Ed who interrupted this time. "There is definitely something wrong here. I could feel like the other families are really in it to throw Lance under the wagon for their own self interest."

"In this place, the biggest control over everything are the four major houses," Lance said, making everyone snap their heads to look at him.

"If we divide the votes, among 29 Lords and Ladies, 9 pledged their loyalty to House Alorde," Lance said. "The other 20 belongs to the other houses. If they find fault in us, all 23 houses will vote against us."

"Lance," Elliot called out. "You knew?"

"I have always known," Lance replied, turning and smiling. "It's something that I picked up from my years in this castle. And Ryan Grimfacet arresting me, or at least inviting me to the castle is another way of saying that my father needed help."

"You mean the king knew?" Ed gasped. "He looked like he's a clueless duck though."

Connor smacked his friend by the back of his head, "Do not insult someone's father like that."

"It's okay," Lance chuckled dryly. "But yeah. Ryan was sent by my father as a sign for help. He's being overwhelmed right now and he needs help from his only son."

They arrived at the castle and the valet bowed at their arrival. "Prince Lance, I was sent by Madam Hoot to take your carriage to its designated place."

"Thank you so much," Lance said. "Guys, let's go inside."

Elliot held Lance's wrist to make the taller boy look at him, "You knew about everything and you didn't say anything?"

"What for?" Lance smirked. "You said you're going to leave, right?"

"Lance…" Elliot trailed off, loosening his grip and fully letting go. "I'm–"

"You're finally here," Madam Hoot cut Elliot off, walking up to them and smiling widely. "Let's go to the banquet hall so you all can eat your lunch."

Madam Hoot held Lance's back and slowly led through the halls, "Come here, Lance. I think you missed the cook's food."

The others looked at the hand behind their friend's back and they felt something from the woman. Elliot in particular felt a very eerie feeling inside him. As if there's something that should be revealed.

'Sudden quest [ Reveal the Impostor ] available.'

[ Reveal the Impostor

Reward: Equipment Suppressing Gem

// The castle has a game of who is who. One of the allies is pretending to be good. Find that ally and reveal them. ]

It's Madam Hoot. Elliot thought and looked at the woman. She felt the presence and turned to Elliot, smirking and letting her eyes glow with a light green color.

'Non-human detected.'

<< Georgina Hoot >>

Race: Elf