Riding the mechanical carriage over the treacherous snowy mountains, Rian and Ria finally arrived in Altechna, the great power of the continent of Celesta. Altechna was surrounded by massive city walls and sophisticated architecture, with magnificent towers and guilds located throughout. The city was one of the largest and most powerful human kingdoms on Celesta; its people were tall and well-built, and the entire city exuded a weighty dignity.
At the heart of the city stood Altechna Castle, rising up like a symbol of the kingdom. King Alexander had been able to ascend to the throne with the help of Rian and Ria's father, and he had not forgotten this debt. He welcomed the twins and guided them to the center of the castle. The castle's interior was a complex structure connected by massive towers, and the ancient paintings and delicate sculptures on every wall held the kingdom's history.
As they looked around the castle, Rian and Ria discovered goods that had been traded from Elysium. Exquisite crafts, devices imbued with magical power, and even powerful weapons made by Dwarves were on display everywhere. Altechna and Elysium had maintained a long-standing trade relationship, and the exchange between the two nations was continually strengthening through commerce and cultural exchange.
King Alexander: "Welcome, Rian and Ria. Your father did a great deal for our Altechna. I sincerely welcome your arrival here."
King Alexander offered them a warm greeting and guided them to the royal council room. From the room's windows, one could see the entire cityscape of Altechna, with people, mages, and merchants bustling about below.
Ria: "We thank you for your hospitality, King Alexander. As the guardians of Elysium, we are in desperate need of your help and cooperation."
King Alexander nodded and smiled. His voice was filled with trust and expectation for Rian and Ria.
King Alexander: "I have not forgotten the trust and courage your father showed us. Our Altechna and your Elysium have understood and trusted each other through long years of trade. I will not spare any support you desire."
Rian looked at the goods from Elysium displayed in the council room and felt the reality of the close relationship between the two nations. However, as Rian and Ria prepared for their meeting with King Alexander in the court's council room, they overheard some of the Queen's family whispering. Their eyes were cold and filled with suspicion.
Member of the Queen's family: "If it weren't for those children... if their father hadn't helped him... the son of our family would be on the throne by now."
Another family member: "The power and influence we could have had would have been so much greater. Their father took our chance away by siding with the king. And those twins are nothing but a remnant of him."
Rian heard these whispers and felt the cold gazes directed at them. Ria, too, felt their stares and couldn't hide her discomfort. As a prince and princess of a kingdom, they were accustomed to the dark side of power and political intrigue, but a heavy sense of responsibility and complex emotions still settled in a corner of their hearts.
Ria: (whispering) "Rian, those people... they're looking at us with hostility. I don't think we're entirely welcome here."
Rian nodded silently, sensing the subtle tension flowing between them. King Alexander's welcome was genuine, but the power struggles and old grudges within the court were still present. This situation felt all the more complicated because he knew he and his sister had experienced similar conflicts in their own kingdom.
Rian: "We've been welcomed, but we don't have everyone's support. Father's choice is still affecting them. We've been through similar conflicts in our kingdom, haven't we?"
Just then, King Alexander's half-brother, Lucas, entered the council room. While Lucas respected his older brother Alexander, he harbored complex feelings about his own qualifications and abilities not being recognized. He approached Alexander, Rian, and Ria with an ambiguous smile.
Lucas: "Brother, I understand your sentiment in welcoming them. However, brother, not everyone thinks the same way. Do they truly know what the genuine desire of our Altechna is?"
King Alexander's expression turned subtle at Lucas's words. While he understood his brother's unease, he strongly wished for him to move forward and not be tied to the past.
King Alexander: "Lucas, I understand what you're saying. But we must not dwell in the past. Rian and Ria are our allies who will advance with us, and they are the guardians of Elysium."
Lucas was silent for a moment after hearing his brother's words. He respected his brother, but he couldn't shake the disappointment and resentment of having lost the opportunity for a greater position. His gaze was still complicated, and his feelings toward Rian and Ria were subtly entangled.
Lucas: "Of course, brother. I respect your decision. But perhaps it is time we thought carefully once more about what we must protect for the future of Altechna."
Lucas looked at Rian and Ria with a cold stare before stepping back. His presence heightened the political tension in Altechna, and Rian and Ria realized their mission here would be anything but easy.
Rian tried to understand Lucas's complex emotions. He, too, had experienced similar conflicts in his own kingdom, and the responsibilities and expectations of being a prince sometimes felt overwhelming. Ria also empathized with Lucas's situation and felt she could understand the discomfort he was feeling.
Ria: "I get how Lucas feels. We've felt that way a lot in our kingdom, too. The weight of royalty is never light."
Rian: "Yeah, if we put ourselves in their shoes, this situation feels even more complicated. But we have to walk our own path. To protect our beliefs and not falter, no matter what. That's why we're here."
Their dwarven friend had been invited to the banquet and was sitting with the nobles of Altechna. Brunok was there making new connections, carrying out his mission in his own way.
Brunok: (To Rian and Ria) "Couldn't just pass up the food here. Even if we're in different places, our goal is the same, so we just have to do our parts."
Rian and Ria, with King Alexander's support, prepared for their mission in Altechna. Amidst the legacy of the past and complex political conflicts, they held each other's hands even tighter, determined not to lose their way.
Ria: "The reason we came here as guardians of Elysium is clear. But it's not going to be easy here, is it?"
Rian spoke with a resolute expression.
Rian: "What we have to do is the same. To protect our beliefs and not falter, no matter what. That's why we're here."
With King Alexander's support, Rian and Ria prepared for their mission in Altechna. Amidst the legacy of the past and complex political conflicts, they held each other's hands even tighter, determined not to lose their way.
***
Episode : Lucas Joins the Mission
After submitting their report to King Alexander, Rian and Ria waited for a moment in the court's council room. The contents of their investigation contained the shocking truth that the Noktus were operating secretly in Altechna. They had been expanding their influence by taking control of not only legitimate distribution channels but also the black market, and their reach extended deeper than anyone had thought.
King Alexander frowned as he read the report. The fact that the hand of the Noktus had reached inside his own kingdom was a great blow to his pride. He was incensed and immediately ordered his army to mobilize and find the trail of the Noktus.
King Alexander: "If this is true, then the very safety of our Altechna is under threat. How dare the Noktus defile our kingdom… We must thoroughly investigate not just the legitimate channels but the black market as well to find any trace of these people. I will have all available forces mobilized to find the necessary information."
As the king's order was given, the military commanders began to move quickly. Tension filled the court, and Rian and Ria paid their respects to King Alexander's decisiveness, reaffirming their own mission for the sake of the kingdom.
As the meeting was drawing to a close, the door opened and Lucas entered. His expression was firm and full of resolve. Lucas approached King Alexander, bowed respectfully, and spoke.
Lucas: "Brother, I wish to help Rian and Ria with their mission. I would also like to lend my strength to stopping the Noktus threat."
King Alexander looked at Lucas for a moment. He was surprised by his brother's decision, but he also wanted to respect his resolve. Alexander sensed that Lucas helping Rian and Ria was not a simple matter of duty, but an attempt to prove himself and rebuild their relationship as brothers.
King Alexander: "If you are to help them, you will be a great asset. You would be a fine reinforcement for Rian and Ria as well. But this mission will not be easy. The safety of Altechna is at stake, so you must act with caution."
Lucas bowed his head in response to Alexander's words.
Lucas: "I understand, brother. As a prince of Altechna, I will do my part. In this mission, I will show you clearly what it is we must truly protect."
Lucas's true intention was to watch Rian and Ria's activities up close. He was prepared to monitor them to ensure they did nothing to threaten Altechna's stability and to intervene when necessary. He did not want to miss this opportunity to strengthen his own position for the sake of King Alexander and the future of the kingdom.
Lucas approached Rian and Ria and greeted them politely.
Lucas: "Rian, Ria. I would like to join your mission as well. Since this is about protecting Altechna, I believe it is right that we do this together."
Ria hesitated for a moment at Lucas's offer, but seeing his earnest attitude, she nodded. Rian also agreed to accept Lucas. Although they didn't fully know his true intentions, their goals were aligned, and they needed Lucas's help.
Rian: "Lucas, your joining us will be a great help. We are all fighting for the same goal, so I hope we can cooperate and move forward together."
Lucas smiled and nodded. However, a flicker of suspicion and wariness toward Rian and Ria still lingered in his eyes. He thought to himself.
Lucas: (to himself)
"Rian and Ria, I will be watching closely to see what you intend to do on this mission. The safety of Altechna rests in my hands."
While Rian and Ria considered how Lucas's involvement might affect their mission, they prepared to cooperate to resolve the immediate threat. The three of them were now beginning a new journey together to eliminate the threat of the Noktus.
Joins the Mission