"Traveller, come here," a raspy voice called out from a dimly lit corner of the bustling marketplace. Velian's senses sharpened, his fingers tingling with magical energy as he turned towards the source. His eyes met the gaze of an elderly merchant, who beckoned him with a gnarled hand.
Curiosity mingled with caution as Velian approached the shop, his mind brimming with defensive spells should the need arise. The merchant's intense grip pulled him inside, away from the chaotic thoroughfare, into a haven of mysterious wares and whispered secrets.
"Tsk, old man, you can't force your customers to enter your shop," He muttered to which the old merchants just gave a light-hearted laugh.
Velian surveyed the room with a wary eye, his gaze darting from one peculiar artifact to another. The air felt heavy, as if burdened by the weight of forgotten stories. But it was the people in this kingdom, to which the merchant belonged, who intrigued Velian the most. Their eyes, like windows to the darkness, held an unsettling glimmer—an otherworldly gleam that sent shivers down his spine, not because he was scared , but because it was still disgusting and creepy for him.
Kyla and Daphnia, his trusted companions, joined him in the shop, their expressions mirroring his unease. They had felt it too, that disconcerting sensation of being studied by the inhabitants of this realm. As if by some strange enchantment, their gazes seemed to pierce through the layers of one's being, unravelling secrets that lay hidden beneath the surface.
Kyla, her hand instinctively hovering over the hilt of her sword, whispered,
"Velian, have you noticed? These people, they all have that same unnerving gaze in their eyes. It's as if they can see straight into your soul."
Daphnia, her elven eyes sharp and observant, nodded in agreement.
"Indeed. It's unsettling, Velian. We must remain vigilant, for there is more to this kingdom than meets the eye. I fear we tread on treacherous ground."
Velian, his magical aura pulsing with caution, responded in a hushed tone,
"I sense it too, girls. There's a hidden darkness here, one that we must uncover. But for now, let us play their game. We shall keep our defences up, our spells at the ready, and unveil the truth that lurks within these strange, piercing gazes.".
Saying those words, Velian decided to look at the artefacts and historical items in the shop, since he wanted to see how their history is different from what Empire and other kingdoms had.
In the empire and most of the other kingdoms, the history of the demon and human battle was there, but there wasn't any mention of a hero. According to their information, the reason humans managed to push back demons into the demon continent is because the forest prevented them from entering through the land, so all the forces were able to put their full attention on the sea, which was rather easy to defend compared to the forest.
But what Velian heard in this city was completely different, and they believed in a hero that came from their kingdom and led humanity to victory.
It was rather confusing but interesting, as Velian knew this might be his lead to capture that unknown woman.
After walking around the shop for a few minutes, Velian's eyes were drawn to a majestic painting hanging on the wall—a depiction of the kingdom's royal family. The regal figures exuded power and grace, their visages frozen in time, their presence commanding respect. Curiosity burned within Velian's chest as he turned to the old merchant, his voice tinged with intrigue.
"Pardon me, old man, but I can't help but wonder about this painting. Who are these individuals? They seem to hold a significant place in the history of this kingdom."
The old merchant's eyes widened, his features contorting into a manic grin. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a feverish whisper,
"Ah, the royal family, my dear traveller! They are everything, the very essence of our existence. Our revered ancestors, their blood flowing through our veins. We live and breathe for them!"
Velian's brows furrowed, a mixture of curiosity and unease now coursing through his veins. The merchant's sudden fervour for the royal family bordered on obsession, his words carrying a sense of delusion.
"You speak of them with such fervour. Are you implying that the current royal family is directly descended from these individuals?" Velian pressed, trying to make sense of the merchant's erratic behaviour.
The old merchant nodded, his eyes gleaming with a zealous fire.
"Yes, yes! Can't you see? They bear the same resemblance, the same noble bloodline! We are blessed to serve them, and to be a part of their legacy. The ties that bind us to the royal family are unbreakable!"
Velian exchanged a quick glance with Kyla and Daphnia, their eyes mirroring his concern. This revelation only deepened the mystery of this kingdom, veiling its history in layers of intrigue and eccentricity.
eαglesnovel`c,om "And who were these revered ancestors?" Velian probed cautiously, fearing the merchant's response.
A wild grin spread across the merchant's face as he leaned in even closer, his voice descending into madness.
"Oh, my dear travellers, listen closely, for I shall reveal a truth long forgotten by most. The founder of this royal family, our great ancestor, was none other than the hero who led humanity to victory in the era of the Demon Lord!"
Velian's eyes widened, his mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of the merchant's words. The hero of legends, the one who defied darkness and guided humanity towards triumph—now claimed as an ancestor by this fervent merchant.
At least according to their history and what he heard until now, he had to assume the possibility of this hero being a real person.
"The hero? The one who defied the Demon Lord and brought peace to these lands?" Velian questioned, his voice trembling with awe.
The old merchant nodded vigorously, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity. "Yes, yes! The hero whose blood courses through our veins. We are blessed, my dear travellers, to walk in the footsteps of greatness!"
Velian exchanged a knowing glance with Kyla and Daphnia, their minds grappling with the implications of this revelation. The pieces of the puzzle were slowly falling into place, revealing a tapestry of madness and legacy. They now understood that the kingdom's history held more than just peculiar gazes—it bore the weight of a fantastical ancestry, entwined with the hero who had shaped the very destiny of their world.
