128. Meeting the King

The carriage is filled with chatter throughout the journey to the capital. There were instances on there being attacks but Kael and the others dealt with it easily. They reach the capital and enter its gates, the drive towards the castle.

Nytri looks outside notices they're before the castle, she gets up. "Looks like this is my stop."

Princess Aliney stops her, "Wait! You should join us in the castle." The butler nods speaking, "We have to pay you after all."

"Right," Nytri speaks, "I forgot about that. But it's not necessa-" Princess Aliney gives her baby to the butler and push Nytri down to her seat, she sits beside her and holds her arm.

"You're not leaving till you meet everyone!" Princess Aliney pouts.

Nytri smiles wryly, she looks outside the carriage in thought. "Meeting the king, huh. I never thought I'd get the chance to meet a king….." She recalls her time in the Realm of Monsters, "Alright, human king."

The carriage arrives before the castle and they get down from it. They see soldiers guarding the entrance with stairs leading up to the gates of the castle, a big carpet is laid on the ground. Above the staircase is a young man looking at them with smiles, he walks quickly down the stairs and hugs princess Aliney. He kisses her forehead and they exchange words and he holds his baby.

Nytri is looking down at the stairs almost through it, "A needlessly complicated escape." Nytri thought. She looks up at the castle easily noticing all the hidden rooms and secrets.

"Princess Nytri," A low voice speaks in Nytri's ear, "Thank you for keeping my treasure safe." He notices Nytri isn't paying attention and princess Aliney blushes. "Princess Nytri? Pardon me."

Kael clears his throat and Nytri's attention is brough back. She looks at the prince, "I apologize, your home looks wonderful." Nytri gives a warm smile.

The prince smiles back, "Do not worry about that, please do come in. Father is busy at the moment so I'll take you to a guest room." The prince starts walking to the castle holding his baby, princess Aliney follows and the butler dismisses the guards.

Kael walks beside Nytri speaking telepathically, "You alright? What got you so distracted?"

Nytri's eyes light up speaking telepathically, "The bastard father of mine is here." She follows the prince leaving her people surprised. Nytri stops looking at Eryndor, "Don't kill him."

Eryndor had his palm behind him with a small arrow in it, he stops it and sighs. They all go into the castle to the guest room. The prince and princess leave them alone and they go and catch up since they've been apart for a long time.

Nytri sits on a couch and Kael stands on her right, Eryndor observes the room and Lilia sits by the window looking outside. Because of her height though she sits down she can see the city.

Kaida is resting her back on the door and she opens a barrier that blocks all sound, she looks at Nytri with cold eyes. "Are you going to do nothing?!"

Nytri shrugs, "What's there to do?" she takes snacks for the guests.

Kaida is enraged but restrained, "He's the one who sent you to the dungeon to die, you shou-"

"Yes, he did send me there to die," Nytri speaks, "But it's because of that, we're here now. You could say, if not for him, I'd be engaged living a pathetic life. But now," Nytri smiles, a smile capable of inciting fear, "I'm more than capable of subduing all nations. Even the gods aware of my presence dare not show their face before me. Compared to what could be, I'd say I've gained."

Eryndor's eyes open wide, "You're right. Besides, you said 'What better revenge is there than letting your enemy see you reach heights they could never reach'"

"Exactly." Nytri grins, she looks at the roof resting her head on the couch. "In my eyes, even the bugs (gods) are more visible than him."

Lilia looks sad mumbling, "Awww, and I was about to curse for eternity."

Kael is sitting on a chair adjacent to Nytri, "Well, just in case, I'd like to ruin him when the time comes." Kael chuckles maniacally.

Nytri glances at Kael in thought, "I often forget he has a sadistic side to him. No matter, he knows when and where to do that." Her vison moves towards Azuria, she observes Paxius working. He has already established the districts and they're all working just as planned, "Paxius' administration skill is impressive and Lyra assistance is in sync with him…that's good"

A few moments later, a group enters the room consisting of princess Aliney, the prince, a younger prince and a man and woman with a crown. The king and queen sits before Nytri and the queen places a box before them.

"I understand you saved my daughter," The queen smiles, "We're truly grateful and would like to give you this as a reward." She opens the box revealing 3 huge gold coins, Nytri and her group look at the coins with a blank look.

The queen chuckles, "This is the highest currency, it's worth more than 700,000 gold coins depending on the economy. You can sustain an entire city with one of this for a year and more."

Nytri's eyes open wide, "And you're just giving it to us?"

"Indeed," The king speaks, "This reward is nearly not enough to thank you for the life of my daughter and grandson. Thank you." He bows his head and the queen follows, soon everyone bows to them.

Kaida walks over and takes the box, she puts it in a storage space and stands behind Nytri. The king smiles, "I have heard from my daughter that you're a princess of Azuria and you're here with a party to be adventurers. I have never heard of your kingdom before, could you tell me more about it?"

Nytri smiles, "Yes, of course. Azuria normally remains isolated from outsiders, rarely do its people leave. It has a long history including the first king, who first arrived there and took control of the land from the monsters. He later ascended to become a god, he's the Abyssal god Agreth. Since then he's watched over us for centuries."

"That is fascinating," The king says with genuine sincerity, "Mirthendom also had a god watching over us, but sadly we haven't been able to communicate with her." Nytri flinches in thought, "I might have killed her by accident." The king smiles, "What made Azuria want to get involved with the world now?"

Nytri takes a sip of tea, she puts the cup down looking at the remaining tea. "My father, king Paxius has been curious of the outside world for a long time. Once his coronation as king was completed, he started making plans to interact with outsiders. It took along time to convince the council to consent with his plans."

"Oh," The queen speaks, "Is that why you decided to be an adventurer?" she smiles being entangled by Nytri's story.

"Yes," Nytri responds, "The council also asked me to observe and report to them how life is outside."

The king looks at Nytri's guards, "But is alright though, your guards seem strong I'm a little worried."

"Don't be," Nytri smiles, she turns her hand to Kael. "This is Kael, the Grand Marshal of Azuria. He's the highest military ranked officer." She turns her hand to Eryndor, "Eryndor, Commander Sky Marshal. He has the second rank among 3 other Marshals" this surprises the royals greatly. Nytri turns her hand to Kaida, "Kaida, Lieutenant General. She's ranked 5th and the best healer in Azuria." Nytri looks at Lilia who's huddling herself by the window, "She's a historian, she also sends reports to the council."

The royals are even more surprised, Nytri's guards are all high ranking and very strong too. The King is ecstatic, "Hahaha, I do believe you to be truly strong. You almost match the dungeon dwellers we've heard of recently."

Lilia looks over at the king, "Actually, we're the so-called dungeon dwellers." This surprises the royals and Lilia keeps speaking, "Though we didn't directly interfere with the affairs of nations, we'd often observe their interactions with dungeons. Though our scope is narrow, we were able to learn a lot about nation including their military strength and culture."

The married prince rubs his chin, "There is a lot to gain from observing adventurers, in instances when the army is sent to deal with dungeons. You also learn of our strengths. Azuria is truly fascinating."

The king smiles, "Princess Nytri, how about we form an alliance?"

Nytri smiles, "Unfortunately no, my father the king, is the one to make alliances. I haven't been given the authority to form them. Doing so would undermine the authority of the council and my father."

"It's a direct sign of disrespect towards the king." Kael speaks stopping this topic from moving further.

"I understand," The king smiles, he gets an idea. He waves his son for the younger prince to come forward, "I would like to introduce my son to you, he's Benjamin my second son."

Benjamin bows with a warm smile, "A pleasure." Nytri smiles back speaking, "Likewise."

The king nods with a smile, "I hope you can get along well." He looks content, then it dawns on him. "May I know where you stay? I would like to provide you a place in my castle."

"I appreciate your hospitality," Nytri speaks, "But I'll have to report to my father and the council. Whether I stay or leave will depend on them and I wouldn't want you bother you."

The king gets the general idea, "In that case, I wish you luck. I would appreciate it if I could meet your father at an opportune time." He smiles.

"I'll be sure to tell him about you." Nytri smiles warmly and she leaves with her guards.

[AU:INFO

MILITARY RANKS OF AZURIA

- Grand Marshal

Head of military, highest rank.

- Commander Marshal

Divided into 3, Field, Naval, Sky. Next in rank to Grand Marshal.

- Field or Barrier General

Field General goes to the frontlines also known as attack General. Barrier General also known as defense General stays back.

- General

Leads armies depending on the department serving under. Field or Barrier. Leader of 300,000 depending on assigned duty.

- Lieutenant General

Supports General. Leader of 100,000 to 200,000 depending on assigned duty.

- Major

Highest rank of special unit soldiers. Majors often lead small units filled with the best soldiers. Special Majors receive orders directly from Commander Marshals. Leader of 100,000 depending on assigned duty.

- Brigadier

Supports Lieutenant General and sometimes Majors. They often lead groups of armies on the battlefield. Leader of 50,000 depending on assigned duty.

- Colonel

Leads smaller troops than Brigadier often single group in an army. Singel group being from 10,000 to 20,000

- Knight

Special troop of soldiers serving under colonels. Leader of 3,000 to 5,000 depending on assigned duty.

- Field commissar

Position similar to Knight but often focused on commanding instead of battle. This position is for mainly strategists. Leader of 1,000 to 3,000 depending on assigned duty.

- Captain

Leader of 500 depending on assigned duty.

- Lieutenants (1st to 8th)

Supports captain with lowest rank being 8th to first then promoted to Captain. Leader of a 100 or to 500 depending on assigned duty.

- Chief soldier

Leader of 50 to hundred.

- Sergeant

Leader of 10 man units

- Soldier

- Enlistee

AU – In case you're wondering where Azuria has such vast armies, they can make constructs and even mass produce them.

END]