A Dance with the Royal Court

"Sire! The Voyager who completed the Ascendant ranked quest is here!" He called out, cupping his hands from his lips. We were only at the entrance, and I even I would say it's quite large. A mansion, actually.

Two polished wood staircases on each side that curled into the middle. Ahead, was just a long hall filled with statues made out of quartz and marble. Carpets galore for the floor, and even the walls were with paintings.

A few figures I could not make out…but I assumed they had a part to play in Aurea's history in the past thousand years or so. It only made sense.

The guard and I stood at the entrance. My cloak slowly fluttered against any breeze, the chains were still attached to me as far as I knew. 

We waited for some time before he came out. From one of the hallways under the staircase to the left. Grey hair, a crown, and a royal robe. He was tall, well-defined, and seemed—no, was, someone important.

His golden eyes locked onto mine, I didn't feel any intimidation coming from him, or maybe I was just resistant to it at all. He looked at me, pleased. He carried a golden staff around as well, which he treated as a walker. Age was definitely showing.

"Alas, it has been done!" He began, then, stuck out his hand.

I returned it. His grip was damn near iron. Could've squeezed and ripped off my hand if he wanted to.

"It's my pleasure."

He gave a hearty laugh, "We've been struggling with an influx of quests down by Bortabella, I'm glad we had a warrior strong…strong enough to complete it!"

Ah, Bortabella. That's the towns name. He says struggling as if it would've ever reached Royalia in time.

Maybe it would've…? No, it was just a mob infestment Vaniti cleared out. As far as I flew, it would've never reached Royalia. Does…does this figure even know the direct danger of what it was?

Or maybe I'm the one downplaying it…

Maybe the danger wasn't the mobs.

Maybe…it was the attention it brought me.

"I-I'm sorry…but, who are you?" I asked, half confidence and half genuine. The guard beside me looked shocked, his eyes widened back and forth between the political oldhead and I.

"Y-you…?! You don't know who the current State of Senate is…?!" He says this like I've been here for all of my life. I've lived in a place that's…relevant to this, but not like it in some ways.

I've only been here in Aurea Island for, like, 5 days man. I'm not counting the 4 days I should've been there, though.

He laughed, didn't look offended. He only tapped his staff, and the guard fixed his entire demanor and posture. No magic behind that, just sheer authority and respect.

"What a local!" He begins.

I nod.

Huh? Local—?

"I am Chancellor Sultan! The lead mind, heart, and soul of everything here in Aurea Islands." He exclaims. His voice broke through my thoughts faster than I would like to admit.

Okay…Sultan. Chancellor, at that. It seems like he plays a role in politics as the Senate…but is called the Chancellor, or, his title at least.

Interesting.

I nod, and bow. I admire those who go into politics and come out unscathed. Not shaping their morals or views at all. Sultan…looks like that person. He's what every Senate should look for. He's the perfect image.

…but I would be a fool, and even greater dumbass to believe the image at first glance. Because…then again, that's how it always goes…right?

Right?

He comes beside and forcefully pulls me into a hug I didn't expect, he laughs more as I only chuckle. Then, after it's broken apart, he moves forward, and motions for me to come along.

"Come, I've waited for this day!" He says. He turns around, and I hesitantly look at the guard before following him.

We traverse down the long hallway in the middle. The walls changed colors, and we went past every statue. All of which, I didn't recognize, couldn't have.

"Tell me, what is your name?" He asks, making small-talk I think. I contemplated lying. Would make no sense with such a figure like Sultan, however. 

Last thing I need to do is get on his bad side.

"Ryuuzen Valeflame," I answered. He chuckled slightly, but I could see it. He slightly lost grip on his staff. Couldn't have been a coincidence.

He scanned me, analyzed me one more time.

"You know what I love best of the islands?" I only shook my head in return. He looked towards the statues.

"It's the soul, and culture of it. That none other than one of our own has completed the quest," He says. 

"This was one thing we've struggled with for the passing months. You must be a native here, aren't you?"

I look at myself. Light brown skin, stone silver hair, silver eyes. Black horns. Sharp teeth, Senator Sultan, do I look like a native to you?

Wait, actually, how does that work?

The guard called him Senator, and then he calls himself Chancellor.

Senator? Chancellor? Pick a title, man.

But I guess…when you've lived long enough like this guy, you get to wear both. 

"Uh…something like that. It's a long story," I answered instead. He nodded. Thank Dev he didn't want to get into the long history of that. Don't wanna tell him that I'm secretly a Dragon God or something.

By the time we made it to golden double doors…they magically opened again. There, a long table could be seen. 

Plates, tablecloth, and many, many maids. Ranging from humans, to elves, and even beasthuman. And would you guess it?

They all happened to be female. 

So, this was the reward, huh?

A dinner with Chancellor Sultan? Vaniti would've probably loved this. But now she's behind eating who knows what.

He turned to me, "Let us feast, in your victory!"

I could only nod, and my tail did as well. Who would I be to turn down a dinner from a political figure?

Surely nothing ever goes bad there, right?