Chapter 38 - Strange Monster (5)

Haaa. I let out a soft sigh as I walked, the sound escaping my lips with a gentle Whoosh.

It had been about two days since I talked with Thomas, and I had since been discharged from the medical bay.

Now, I was on my way to report to the branch head, my feet carrying me towards the Explorer's Association with a steady Thud-thud.

As I walked, I couldn't help but think about the unique position the Explorer's Association held.

So, how it worked was that they basically had their own region in both the empire and the island.

Yes, the island.

Because of the risks and rewards associated with portals, the explorers were the only ones allowed to travel between the empire, located on the southern continent, and the island nation of Jistav.

The sound of my footsteps echoed through the air as I turned a corner, the building of the Explorer's Association coming into view.

The association wasn't truly under the command of the empire, although they did have to follow imperial law.

This meant bowing to royals and obeying royal decrees, but they couldn't be brought into the royal military.

Basically, they couldn't be conscripted into the army, a fact that gave them a unique degree of autonomy.

Anyway back to this. After they discharged me two days ago, I had taken a tour round Marith first before going to meet the branch head.

As for why I brought up that long ass discussion, is because the association branch head for Marith City is from the Island.

Oh, also did I forget to add, Islanders had a profound dislike for imperial citizens, especially those from the central region of the empire.

And most of all they disliked the imperial family.

While the imperial family as well as most of the central region nobles look down on the islanders seeing them as inferior to themselves.

I pushed open the door of the association building, the sound echoing through the air.

As I stepped inside, I was immediately struck by the imposing figures of two huge, buff guys standing in suits.

It was Thomas and the other guy who had escorted me to the portal on my first day, their faces stern and unyielding.

Thomas's expression, in particular, was visibly annoyed, his eyebrows furrowed in a deep scowl.

As he approached me, his shoes clicked on the polished floor.

Click.

"The branch head has been waiting," he said curtly, his voice firm but controlled, as he bowed slightly.

Whoosh.

He then turned around and began walking, his long strides eating up the distance. The other guy followed closely behind him, their silence a palpable thing.

I trailed after them, my own footsteps echoing off the walls.

Tap-tap.

The silence was oppressive, weighing heavily on my shoulders. Yikes, this is awkward, I thought inwardly, my mind squirming with discomfort.

After pulling rank on Thomas, who already had a deep-seated dislike for the aristocracy, it was bound to be awkward.

I tried to reach out to El, my mental voice whispering through the void: 'Hey El'. But there was only silence, a deafening quiet that had persisted for the past two days. I hadn't been able to communicate with El, and it was driving me crazy.

Fuck, I thought, frustration boiling up inside me. In other words, I still didn't know what had happened the other day, and the not knowing was killing me.

"We're here," Thomas's firm voice snapped me out of my thoughts, the sound of his words cracking through the air like a whip.

I raised my head, my eyes focusing on the door in front of us. It looked like an average wooden door, but I knew better - this door was a fortress, a bulwark of solid wood and reinforced metal.

I bet even a Level 6 knight type system holder wouldn't be able to break down this door: Thud.

Thomas then knocked on the door lightly, the sound echoing through the air like a gentle tap: Tap-tap.

"Branch head, he's here," he announced, his voice firm and respectful.

A firm, imposing voice echoed from inside the room, the sound waves vibrating through the air. "Come in," the voice commanded.

Thomas twisted the door handle open, the mechanism clicking smoothly into place.

Click.

I stepped inside, my footsteps echoing off the walls. Thomas didn't follow me, instead closing the door behind me with a soft thud.

As I looked around the room, I couldn't help but be impressed.

The study was a masterful blend of medieval and modern, the walls lined with towering bookshelves that stretched all the way to the ceiling.

The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and leather. A large, ornate desk dominated the center of the room, two high-backed chairs positioned in front of it.

The chairs looked like they belonged in a medieval throne room, but the desk was sleek and modern, a gleaming expanse of polished wood.

I looked ahead, my eyes drawn to the figure standing in front of the window. A blonde-haired man stood with his back to me, his gaze fixed on some point outside: Hmmm.

The sunlight streaming through the window cast a golden glow over the room, illuminating the dust motes that danced in the air.

As I gazed around the room, I let out a low, appreciative whistle. Someone had certainly decorated to his taste, and that someone was clearly a man of refined sensibilities.

The room was a masterclass in understated elegance, every piece of furniture and every ornament carefully chosen to create an atmosphere of refined sophistication.

Then, the blonde-haired man turned around to face me, his eyes locking onto mine with a piercing intensity. "Your Highness," he said, his voice low and smooth, like honey dripping from a spoon.

I didn't react, didn't even bother to acknowledge the title. I knew he already knew who I was, courtesy of Thomas's earlier briefing.

After all, Thomas would have told him before meeting me to fill him in on the details of my encounter with the monster.

The man's expression didn't change, but his voice took on a slightly formal tone. "A pleasure to meet a prince of the empire for the first time," he continued, his words dripping with courtesy.

I raised an eyebrow, a wry smile twisting my lips: Hmph. "Heh, for someone so pleased, you're not paying proper respects," I said, my voice tinged with a hint of amusement.

The man's expression tightened for a moment, a flash of irritation crossing his face: Twitch.

But then, his features smoothed out, and he spoke again: "My apologies, Your Highness. I hadn't intended to disrespect you." His voice was sincere, his words accompanied by a slight bow.

As he straightened up, he gestured to the seat opposite him, his eyes inviting me to take a seat. "Please, take a seat. We have much to discuss," he said, his voice low and even.