Chapter 43: The Royal Audience

While preparations were underway for a banquet, Vito stood at the top of the steps leading into the manor. Several carriages drove through the front gates and around the mesmerizing fountain to reach him.

Emeric Iohannes, the head of the Adventurers’ Association, was the first to greet him. “It’s a shame that Greye couldn’t be here for this. He would have been endlessly proud of his family.” He was a tall man donned in fine armor. Vito could easily see him tossing a modern tank as though it weighed nothing.

Vito shook his hand. “Thank you. We did this for him and everyone else in the Silver Oak Guild.”

Emeric smirked. “Yet it was this DeCapio Famiglia guild who succeeded,” he remarked. “I understand the scandal that dared to tarnish Greye’s name. You moved to defend his legacy with a new guild acting as a shield, didn’t you?”

Vito shrugged. “Who knows? Please check my license to verify our success.” He presented his license for examination.

Emeric produced an orb from his pocket and held Vito’s license to it. “It’s confirmed. I’ll update your license with the accompanying title.”

A new notice appeared to inform Vito. He was now the Lord of Springsgale Manor. All of his stats increased whenever he stood on his land.

“The king is the only one who can confer the title of Frontier Noble,” he explained. A smile played on his lips. “It’s a funny thing about the association’s orb, we can see every title you have ever earned,” Emeric casually mentioned.

Vito’s eyes widened in fear. He gained new titles for sparing Morgaine. “Duke Ashcroft is gone, and the danger has passed. I swear this on my honor.”

Emeric returned his license. “Greye always fought for justice, and I’m sure the same can be said for his son.”

The rest of his guild came running down the paved road to the entryway. “Damn! I can’t believe we missed it!” Delwyn complained.

“You didn’t miss anything. We’re getting to the inspection now,” Emeric assured her.

“Whew. I wouldn’t dare miss this,” Holly said.

Vito merely smiled, happy that his mother could be present.

Morgaine hid herself away in a secret room that didn’t appear on any plans while Emeric led the inspection. Even so, she could still hear and see everything thanks to her connection to the manor.

Marus was absent from the event, much to Vito’s amusement. Adventurers who got near the manor decades prior confirmed it was the same place, though they were both shocked and somewhat offended that outcasts were the ones who conquered the dungeon when they were forced to flee.

“It must have been some cheap trick! Maybe they even scammed an S-Rank guild to do the fighting for them!” an adventurer accused them.

Emeric stopped and turned to glare at them. “You dishonor yourself with such baseless accusations. The license records only the truth. It cannot be modified, nor can our instruments be tricked,” he angrily reminded the veteran adventurer. “To accuse them of treachery is to accuse us of duplicity, or incompetence.”

The adventurer quickly silenced his complaints and turned away in shame.

The inspection was completed within the hour. Emeric, his direct subordinates, and the adventurers all concluded that Springsgale Manor was indeed habitable and could be used as a guild’s base of operations.

“I’m pleased to elevate the DeCapio Famiglia guild and its members to S-Rank status,” Emeric announced. He used Vito’s license to make it official. “The first S-Rank outcast guild. I’m certain Greye is pleased.”

Tears welled in Holly’s eyes as she embraced her sons. “I’m sure he is.”

Emeric handed Vito an ornate envelope. “This letter will grant you an audience with His Highness King Silvanus Avreora. Make your words count, Vito.”

Vito accepted the envelope and studied Emeric’s face. It seemed as though he already knew everything and worked to clear the path for Vito.

A flying carriage bearing the DeCapio Famiglia’s crest landed by the front gates of Kyrenia and continued to the castle with Galien and Kaelyn proudly sitting in the driver’s seat. News about the outcast guild conquering the S-Rank dungeon traveled fast. Many refused to believe it, but they couldn’t argue against the Adventurers’ Association’s integrity.

Two royal guards stopped the carriage outside the front gates. Galien displayed the envelope, prompting them to open the gate and allow them passage.

Vito stepped out of the carriage and looked around. “About as grandiose as I expected.” Iris had obtained more mage’s thread to complete Vito’s attire with a fedora and trench coat in time for his meeting with the king. She even conspired with the artisans to create black dress shoes for him.

He offered his hand to Iris and helped her to the ground. “It’s the royal castle. Did you expect anything less?” An excited smile graced her lips. Father Mertis provided her with a sacred white robe and the staff of a Saintess for their meeting. She wasn’t sure why she had to present herself as a Saintess, and Father Mertis did not provide an explanation. Vito assumed that he was playing his own game.

Delwyn and Parsifal followed them out, followed by Amelsia, Elion, Gloribrean, Galien, Kaelyn, Amelsia, and Holly. Everyone dressed in their finest clothing to meet with the ruler of their kingdom.

One of the king’s servants greeted them in the entryway. “My name is Carlson. Please follow me. Try not to touch anything or deviate from my path. You are to speak only when spoken to, and bow upon entering and leaving His Highness’s presence.” His words were sharp, and he did not attempt to hide his disdain for them.

Vito smiled kindly and removed his hat. “Let’s just get this over with, shall we?” He didn’t try to hide his disdain either as he placed it in his trench coat pocket. Iris learned a spell to increase the inner space of a container, allowing him to transport certain important items in his pockets. What’s more, only he and those he permitted could access it.

“Hmm.” Carlson led them through the castle corridors and to the throne room. Amelsia and Elion were in awe of the castle. The numerous historical artifacts that stood on display fascinated them. The rest of their party was more focused on the mission at hand.

“Mind your manners,” Carlson warned them as large double doors swung open.