The holy Knight's welcome

Chapter 15: The Holy Knight's Welcome

Nasuke stood in the long line outside the towering gates, his eyes wandering to the intricate carvings of mythical beasts etched into the stone walls. The line inched forward slowly, his patience wearing thin as his stomach growled louder with each passing moment. Finally, after what felt like hours, it was his turn to step forward.

Two knights in gleaming silver armor flanked the entrance, their expressions stern. They each held spears, the sharp tips glinting in the sunlight. One of them raised a gauntleted hand, stopping Nasuke in his tracks. His voice was deep and authoritative.

"Your gate pass," the knight commanded.

Nasuke fumbled in his pocket, pulling out the paper he had been given earlier. Handing it over, he watched as the knight examined it, holding it up to the light as if checking its authenticity. After a moment, the knight gave a curt nod.

"Follow me," he said, turning on his heel and walking toward a small stone building adjacent to the massive gate.

Nasuke hesitated for a moment before following, unsure of what was happening. His boots crunched against the gravel as he trailed behind the knight, his mind racing with questions.

"Am I in trouble? Did I break some kind of rule?" he wondered, clenching his fists nervously.

The knight opened the door to the small building and stepped aside, gesturing for Nasuke to enter.

"Get in," he ordered.

Inside, the room was simple but well-maintained. A wooden table and chairs occupied the center of the room, and shelves lined the walls, filled with books and strange artifacts. Sitting at the table was a woman, dressed in a blend of armor and casual attire. Her breastplate gleamed faintly, engraved with a golden crest of crossed swords. Her long, dark hair was tied neatly into a braid, and her piercing green eyes glanced up briefly before returning to the plate of food in front of her.

The knight handed the paper to the woman, who took it without a word. She scanned it quickly, then set it down on the table.

"Have a seat," she said, gesturing to the chair opposite her.

Nasuke complied, lowering himself into the chair cautiously. His stomach growled again, louder this time, as the aroma of the woman's meal wafted toward him.

"Am I in trouble?" he thought nervously, glancing around the room for any clues about what was happening.

The woman didn't seem to notice his unease, her focus still on her meal. Between bites, she asked, "What's your name?"

Nasuke hesitated. His hunger made it hard to concentrate, his thoughts drifting to the food on the table. "Should I just log out and eat?" he wondered. "But what if this hunger only exists in the game?"

When he didn't answer, the woman sighed and stood up. She walked over to one of the shelves and retrieved a small blue orb, placing it on the table before sitting back down.

"Place your hand on this orb," she instructed. "It will determine if you're a killer or clean."

Nasuke blinked in surprise. "A killer? What kind of place is this?" he thought, but he did as he was told, placing his hand on the orb.

The orb glowed faintly, its light shifting through various colors before settling into a calm blue hue.

"Clean," the woman announced, removing the orb from the table and setting it aside. She looked at Nasuke closely, her green eyes narrowing as she noticed his attention was fixed on her plate of food. Smirking, she leaned back in her chair.

"You're hungry, aren't you?" she asked, her tone amused.

Nasuke looked up at her briefly but didn't respond. His stomach, however, answered for him with another loud growl.

The woman chuckled and stood up again, walking over to the door. She spoke briefly to the knight stationed outside, then returned to her seat.

"My name is Lisa," she said, crossing her arms. "I'm the Head of the Holy Knights."

Nasuke raised an eyebrow, studying her. Despite her authoritative title, she didn't have the rigid demeanor he expected from someone in her position.

"She doesn't look like a leader of the Holy Knights," he thought, noting her relaxed posture and the faint smile on her lips.

A few moments later, the door opened again, and a different knight entered, carrying a tray piled high with food. He set it on the table and left without a word.

"Eat. It's yours," Lisa said, gesturing to the tray.

Nasuke hesitated briefly before diving in, his hunger overpowering any lingering doubts. The food was surprisingly good, and he devoured it quickly, savoring every bite.

"So, where are you from?" Lisa asked, watching him with mild curiosity.

"I have no land," Nasuke replied between bites.

Lisa frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I'm a lone traveler," he explained, still focused on the food. "I don't belong anywhere."

Lisa's expression grew more serious. "What's your name?"

"Nasuke… Nasuke Yamada," he replied.

At that, Lisa's eyes widened in shock. She stood up abruptly, her chair scraping loudly against the floor.

"Nasuke?! Arcanis?!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief.

Nasuke froze mid-bite, staring at her in confusion. "Whoa… you know Arcanis?"

Lisa slowly sat back down, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. "Yes… well, not exactly. But I know for a fact you do." She leaned closer, her sharp eyes locked on his. "You're Ryo's friend, aren't you?"

Nasuke narrowed his eyes. "I wouldn't exactly call him a friend," he said cautiously. "But wait—how do you know him?"

Lisa smirked, leaning back in her chair. "Let's just say he and I are the same."

"What do you mean by that?" Nasuke asked, setting his fork down.

Lisa's expression softened, a hint of pride flashing in her eyes. "Ryo and I are among the chosen," she said simply, standing up and motioning toward the door.

Nasuke's curiosity deepened as he followed her out of the room. The bright sunlight hit his eyes as they stepped outside, the bustling sounds of the city beyond the gate filling his ears. Lisa gestured toward the towering walls and the sprawling cityscape beyond.

"Welcome," she said with a smile. "To Invernia: The Great Land of Gods."

Nasuke's jaw dropped as he took in the sight before him. The city was massive, its streets filled with people of all races and classes. Tall spires pierced the sky, their golden tips reflecting the sunlight, while marketplaces buzzed with life.

"Wow…" Nasuke muttered, his awe overshadowing his lingering questions.

Lisa placed a hand on his shoulder, her grip firm but reassuring. "Stick with me, Nasuke. You've got a lot to learn, and this is just the beginning."

For the first time since entering the game, Nasuke felt a flicker of excitement. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it.

End of Chapter 15