Chapter 1: The Triumphant Return.

"Five years have passed since Arthur left, do you think he's alive?" was the rumor going around the Manor.

"Young Master please be safe..." murmured the loyal butler as he jogged through the halls to the entrance.

A maid met the butler halfway up the large lobby stairs. "Sir! Sir! Sir Reuben! A man in a black attire was outside the Manor!"

"Where is he now?"

"He is in the guest room drinking tea. He is heavily armed. An adventurer, I'm guessing."

The butler dashed to the guest room. Opening the doors gently, the butler recognized the man.

"Reuben, why are you so thin?" the man asked getting up with growing concern.

He was tall, strong build and firm muscles hidden beneath his black shirt and leggings.

He may have changed and matured but was still–

"Young Master, you've returned!" Reuben cried with tears. "Yes Grandpa Reuben, I have. I also came carrying a message."

Arthur flashed a gold envelope. Reuben paled significantly.

He stared at the seal.

It was a crown.

Only one person in the entire Empire had that seal.

"By the Gods... Is that the King's decree?!" Reuben gasped.

Arthur smiled slyly. "May I see mother and father?"

Ruben's face beamed with life. "R-Right away! This way, Young Master!"

"Thank you Reuben."

.

.

.

Father read the letter outloud with a shaking voice. Mother too was crying.

"Is this real?" She murmured trying to hold in her tears.

The letter sent by her Majesty annulled the marriage and reparations would be provided after the Ashley's crimes have been announced.

August trapped his son in a large, rib-crushing bear hug. "You've returned! With such good news too!" Mother joined in on the hug too. "Don't leave mummy out of the fun too"

Father turned to Reuben. "Reuben! We're throwing a feast tonight!"

Reuben smiled. "I was already a step ahead of you sir!" he then turned around and left for the kitchen.

.

.

.

"You're very strong~ tell me about your adventures– hick!" Dad hiccuped. "Okay, you had too much to drink." Arthur scoffed.

"It's okay~ Artie~ He's always been like this! Hiccup!" Mom intejects. "You as well mom."

If Arthur is carrying August with his right arm, he's supporting his mother with his left.

"This is the~ guest room, nothings changed." Arthur huffed. Gently lowering his parents on the couch.

"The same rough ceiling, walls and flooring. At least there's carpet now." Arthur reminisced.

"How are you so~ strong against~ alcohol?" August slurred. Arthur laughed half-heartedly as he turned away.

In my past life, I drank Alot to cope with the shit I uncovered. Naturally, I built tolerance– I can't say that.

"Oho~ that good. That's good..." August nodded along.

"Artie give mummy a hug~ mummy missed you so much~"

Considering my age of both lives, my mental maturity is at about forty-five, my parent being cutesy drunk look adorable to me. They're only thirty five after all.

"Yes mom, I'm here." Arthur allowed his mom to hug him. He stayed there content with the smoothing hums of mother.

"Yeheay! Artie~ mummy misses you so much!" mother littered Arthur's face with small kisses.

"Yes mom, I miss you too. You smell like alcohol."

"Although you– hic! –just got back, mummy will miss you much more when you go to school~"

"Say what now?"

.

.

.

"We shouldn't drink alcohol again." Mother and Father complained in unison. Their heads were resting on the breakfast table.

Arthur shrugged content. Reuben served lemon tea. "For the headaches."

"Thank you– Reuben! I almost forgot! The m-mail!"

Reuben gave a small chuckle. "Yes sir."

Reuben reached into his coat and took out a golden letter. This one had a feather on its wax seal.

Never seen that symbol before.

August opened the was seal and took out a perfumed letter.

"Greetings, Baron August.

You have been called to the imperial Castle for the upcoming promotion ball in five days time. Be sure to wear your best attire and to bring your son Arthur" he read out.

Promotion Ball. The ball held every sixty years or once per generation. As the name suggests, it's a ball held by her majesty to promote– or demote– nobles and hand out titles to individuals that have gained achievements.

Mom raised an eyebrow, "Of course we would bring Arthur, why would her highness specify that?"

Arthur had a faint idea of what was going to transpire. "I guess, I won't skip out on this ball."

Mom nodded reluctantly. Her mother sense were tingling yet she ignored them. "Alright~"

Arthur excused himself after he finished his food. "I will explore the town! I want to see how much or how little, everything has changed."

"Be safe!" Father Called out to Arthur as he was sprinting out the dinning room.

"Yes Father!" was the faint echoing reply.

.

.

.

August was dressed in a cloak as he left the small wooden estate. Entering the market place, he frowned slightly.

He left five years ago only to return and seeing nothing has changed. Even worse, it looks like the situation grew worse.

"Young Master Athur! Have you been well?"

This is granny Chio, the local fruit vendor.

"Yes Granny, I have been well. How about you?"

"Nonsense! You look so thin! A growing boy needs to eat! Here have an apple."

She's always like this. I'll accept it anyway.

"Of course, Granny."

Taking the apple Arthur continued to stroll.

"Come to think of it, Since the mine and all of its resources is now ours, blacksmithing would be a profitable profession as the large cavern could provide the Empire with metal, ores, gems, and Magic crystals."

Perhaps I should start sharing some of my otherworldly knowledge. Steel would be nice, my pig iron swords kept breaking. Speaking of breaking swords, I should probably–

After Stopping for a second, Arthur continued walking.

I have a tail. Let's greet them shall we?

In an alleyway filled with three mutilated corpses and scattered body parts.

"Wait! Please spare me!"

Empirical? That's not the language used here in the sticks.

"I'll consider it. Choose, Spill information or I'll spill your guts right now. "

The masked man nodded profusely. Slowly he explained.

Arthur nodded. "Thank you for your cooperation."

"Then you'll spa–

Slash!

"I promised to not kill you right away. I never promised to spare you."

The body collapsed, leaving astrek of blood on the wall. Arthur looked at his sword.

"Damn, my sword broke again." he cursed as he noticed the chipping of the sword's edge.

"There's no smithies around since the Ashley's took over. ****." Arthur stomped away.

The had not sun peered through the simply-made, wooden mansion yet when Reuben entered Arthur's room. Arthur was on his bed, completely all of the place and drooling.

"Good Morning, Young Master." Afamiliar voice awoke Arthur from his hardbed.

"Mmghh... Five more minutes..." Arthur groaned into his pillow.

"Unfortunately, we don't have five minutes waste. Today is the day we depart for the Empire's capital, St. Helena."

Arthur groaned before getting up. "I'm up."

"If we leave before the sun rises, we will arrive a day before the Promotion Ball. Now off you go! The well has been drawn for you. Make it quick!"

Arthur rubbed his eyes. "Sure Reuben. I'll be done in a few. What's for breakfast?"

"Flank steak in sweet and sour sauce." Reuben replied. "Sounds yum, Reuben." Arthur smiled as he patted his shoulder.

"Good morning~" Cathy waved, August smiled, Reuben chuckled and Arther groaned. They were in front of the estate waiting in front of a carriage with the Baron insignia.

I know it's a special ball, but why the **** do I have to wear this shit? If I jump once, I'm going to tear the sleeves.

Reuben was dressed in his best butler suit, Mother was in her backless sky blue dress and father in his special robes. Father had the special medal issued by her majesty pinned on his shoulder.

I know this world has its own particular fashion, but holy shit he looks like King Louis the XIII– the only difference is father is handsome, probably because being in peak physical form.

That is the body of a man who has toiled under the sun for his people. Mom would definitely agree considering her eyes have been travelling up and down his physique.

Ah~ young love.

Cathy looked at her son. "He's thinking wierd things again." she thought.

The rear-aching journey spanning five days ended quickly for Arthur and Cathy as thry snoozed the whole time while Reuben and Father took shifts. Breaks for the restroom were not frequent and the packed lunches lasted the trip.

"May I see your invitation?"

Reuben complied dutifully. "Here you go young man."

The guard nodded after being In shock.

"Welcome to the Capital of The Helena Empire, St. Helena!"

The carriage then it passed by the large archway.

I'll admit. For a world far behind in technology, Magic sure has made things easy. That wall we passed by, would not have been completed without proper equipment and mathematics. Magic sure is nice.

Arthur got out of the carriage and stretched his arms and back. "Holy Shit– This the capital."

August followed after him. "Watch your language, but I too will admit. It does not get old.

The capital city of St. Helena is built on the flat land on a plateau that had a mountain in the centre of it. The Empire's caste is built on the peak of said mountain and the city built around it, making it safe to say that Her Majesty is overlooking the empire. The carved tunnel took an hour to cross.

*If you think about it strategically, this is the perfect fortress Capital. The edge of the pleateau is a kilometer above ground level. The only entrance was the carved pathway from one side. Easily defendablde

It also is self-sustaining so seiges were pointless. Air raid-type attacks were rare, as wyvern mounts were financially a strain to any kingdom. Another thing about the capital is the land surrounding it is the Beast Planes.

Any army, that would come to attack the capital, would have to fight through hordes of monsters and beasts. Before they could ever reach the gate, they would be continously attacked by raining arrows and harrased by beasts.

The reason why the Helena Empire has not fallen for nearly three centuries is this capital*.

Arthur stared at the large castle towering over the distance. The tallest Tower was touching the clouds.

"That is a sight to behold." Cathy laughed. "My two babies are wide-eyed."

"It truly is madam." Reuben pitched in.

To be continued

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***