Chapter 3: A New Path, An Old Friend

Days later, the morning sun shone brightly upon the grand gate of the Capital of Belguts. The air was thick with the clamor of merchants and the rumble of passing carriages. Kiryu and Selena stood before the gate guard, who eyed them with suspicion.

"I'm sorry, but you cannot enter," the guard said, his gaze fixed on Kiryu. "Only licensed adventurers are allowed to bring weapons into the capital. We have no record of him."

Selena stepped forward. "Wait! This man… he's an adventurer from a distant land. A nobleman from... Avalon!" Selena lied smoothly. "He was in a hurry and didn't have time to register."

The guard's face changed. Avalon, the land of ancient mages. "Very well, I will let you pass. But make sure you register at the Adventurers' Guild immediately."

"Of course," Selena replied, relieved. She glanced at Kiryu, who simply nodded without expression.

Once inside, Kiryu activated his magic. "Sonar Detection." An invisible wave spread out from him, scanning the surrounding area. Suddenly, a response came—a small dot on his mental map glowed brightly. Its location was in the heart of the city, a large, bustling building.

"I've found them," Kiryu muttered.

They arrived at a large stone building, filled with adventurers who were busy eating, drinking, and discussing quests. The noise and laughter filled the room. A waitress kindly approached them.

Waitress: "Excuse me, Sir. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Kiryu: "Yes. I'm looking for someone. Their names are Caldio Benny and Emilia. Are they here?"

The uproar in the room suddenly quieted down. Adventurers and staff stared at Kiryu in shock, even fear. The names Caldio Benny and Emilia were deeply revered. They were the Guild Masters of all the guilds in the capital.

Soon after, a female messenger approached them. "Sir Kiryu, the Guild Master, Sir Caldio, wishes to see you." She turned to Selena. "Miss, you are not permitted to enter."

Selena was confused and worried, but she nodded. Kiryu followed the messenger to a magnificent private room.

When Kiryu entered, Caldio and Emilia were already waiting for him. Upon seeing him, they immediately knelt, bowing their heads.

Caldio & Emilia: "The Lord Arbiter, what brings you here?"

Kiryu was taken aback. They knew who he was.

Kiryu: "Please don't do that. It's improper."

Emilia: "First, I will activate the Void spell."

In an instant, the room turned white; everything vanished, leaving only Kiryu, Caldio, Emilia, and a round table. It was a spell to ensure no one could eavesdrop on their conversation.

Caldio: "Lord Arbiter, allow us to take our true forms."

With a flash of light, Caldio transformed into a majestic blue dragon. Emilia, meanwhile, became a wise-looking brown dragon. They were dragons, loyal guardians of the gods.

Kiryu: "I'd prefer if you remained in your human forms. I feel uncomfortable."

Emilia: "Oh, my apologies, Lord Arbiter."

The two dragons returned to their human forms, bowing respectfully.

Caldio: "So, what did you wish to discuss?"

Kiryu: "It's about the Traitor Gods and Goddess. Have you found them?" Kiryu's tone became serious, his golden eyes glowing faintly.

Emilia: "Our sincerest apologies, my Lord. We have not found them. It seems they are both hiding in another realm."

Caldio: "Not a single being—human or divine—can locate the whereabouts of the Traitor Gods and Goddess."

Kiryu: "My suspicions were correct. Erebhal and Nexandra are the masterminds behind all of this." Kiryu clenched his fist. "With the appearance of the Dark Shadows that devour human souls, even deliberately creating the rain known as the Dark Clouds."

Kiryu: "Have you tried to contact and warn the six heroes about this?"

Caldio: "My deepest apologies, Lord Arbiter," Caldio said with a tone of extreme frustration. "I have tried several times. The six of them remain silent, mostly ignoring this danger and prioritizing power and wealth."

Caldio: "I have warned them many times through letters and messengers, but they have not responded favorably."

Kiryu was infuriated that his past efforts to unite humanity and the other races had been in vain.

Emilia: "Lord Arbiter, I have a suggestion. Why don't you become an adventurer?"

Kiryu turned, confused. "An adventurer? What is that?"

Emilia smiled and explained. She told him about the guild system, the dangerous quests, and the freedom an adventurer possesses. It was a way to travel across the lands without attracting too much attention.

Kiryu thought for a moment. If he was to reunite the heroes, he had to travel the world. By becoming an adventurer, he would have a legitimate reason to travel and search for them.

Kiryu: "Very well. I agree." He looked at Caldio and Emilia with a determined gaze. "I will reunite those heroes. This is a task from my Father."

Caldio and Emilia smiled, feeling a sense of pride. "We will make an adventurer's plate for you, my Lord."

Soon after, Selena was called into the room. She entered, looking confused. Emilia whispered something to Caldio, and Caldio turned to Kiryu.

Caldio: "Lord Arbiter, do you not know who you brought with you?"

Kiryu: "No. Who is she?"

Caldio: "She is the adopted sister of one of the Heroes, Sonya Brightblade. You might be better off avoiding people like her."

Kiryu: "I tried to leave her, but she keeps sticking to me. As if fate dictates she must be by my side." Kiryu looked at Caldio seriously. "Besides, from now on, please don't call me The Lord Arbiter. My alias is Ozama Kiryu."

Caldio nodded in understanding. "Very well, Lord... Ozama."

With his new adventurer's plate in hand, Kiryu and Selena decided to take on their first quest to earn money for their journey. They looked at the quest board, but all the high-paying missions required a minimum of three to four people.

Selena sighed. "We can't take them."

Suddenly, a soft voice came from behind them.

Liliana: "Excuse me. If you need a teammate, I'm willing."

A woman with gray hair and captivating purple eyes smiled. It was Liliana Shadowveil. She introduced herself as a distant relative of the hero, Owen Shadowveil.

Their journey was now a party of three. It seemed fate had a bigger plan for them.