Infernal Apocalypse [ LitRPG , Non-Human Lead, Lots and lots of Fire ]

After making our way down the elevator, I and the rest of my guards were all given bangles to wear on our wrists. They will apparently allow us to move and breathe in the water as if we were on land. Again, more signs of advanced technology, but colored with a sense of mild medieval living.

Interesting.

Anyway, once the bangles were in place, we were then led through a truly beautiful city. People swam about as they went on with their lives, and even small and peaceful marine life could be seen swimming among them.

And contrary to what one would expect from something so far below the ocean, it was quite bright down here, and it seemed that instead of a light post or something that was made by a person, the things giving off light were far more organic in nature.

It looked it was a combination of weird looking trees that had something akin to light bulbs on them, and some fish-like creature that glowed as it floated around in a close loop of a certain area.

Even more interesting than that is the fact that the number of different races that are in view was drastically reduced here when compared to the city above. Instead of different races, it was more like a variety of different colors among the mermaid people. Though…there are far more yellow scaled mermaid people than the other colors.

But like the journey in the city above, this one soon came to an end as I was led to a massive palace in the middle of the city that looked like something out of an anime about a mermaid pri…well I suppose that's not far off.

Anyway, I was expecting to be led to some sort of throne room, but after a series of turns and various hallways, stairways, and many different servants and guards walking all over the place, we finally arrived at an office, I think.

There were no problems on the way there and seeing all the things like portraits, expensive looking treasures and a few other things on display made it interesting in a way. Especially since the biggest portrait I saw wasn't one of the Princess, but instead an image of a black scaled man sitting upon a throne.

I could almost feel the regality and pressure he gave off from the painting alone. I've seen a few different colors of scales since I've been down here, but not a single one that was black. Hm…perhaps they are special? Interesting.

Moving on I was now seated before the Princess. Her office was guarded by two very serious looking guards who initially moved to stop my own guards from entering but before Crauz I believe his name was, could levy his spear in their direction, they stepped aside as if a new order was given.

That was the second time one of the Princess's people had acted as if they didn't know who I was.

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One time is enough to turn a blind eye. Twice? Not so much. I owe the Princess a few favors and I will see them repaid, but although I will do my best not to bring harm to my people, disrespect is not something I will tolerate. A clear line needs to be drawn.

So upon sitting down before her, I spoke up before she took control of the meeting.

"Before we can continue, I would like to make a few things clear. Princess Laviesa, I am here to repay a favor, not to be belittled by your people. Get them in order. Secondly, you are right to assume that my clan is the only 'backing' I have readily available to me, but things are not always as they appear."

Regarding that backing thing, I thought about it, and well she's right…but thrice now I have received help from my 'siblings' without ever uttering a word of request towards them. The Matriarch, and two fellow Patriarchs that I don't know the name of.

One that helped when that dwarven lady did her vow and I was almost forced to my knees before that Patriarch intervened, and then obviously my most recent escapade with whatever I did and got some help for that too for another one.

All of which was without input on my part.

Sure, there was the chance that it was Elder Zal asking on my behalf, but I had a feeling that wasn't the case. I believe it was the Eternal Flame itself that was looking out for me and requesting help from my 'siblings'. Now doesn't that mean I could ask for that same help myself?

I believe so.

I won't rush to do that, and I don't plan on treating it like a crutch, but I refuse to let pride and arrogance cause the deaths of so many of my people when it can be avoided. If the playing field is level, then I will handle my own problems, even if things are just out of my reach, I will do my best to handle them.

But the second that confidence reaches a point of becoming foolish bravado, I will have no shame in asking for help. Especially when the lives of my people are at risk. I won't explain any of that to the Princess though, but she needed to know she did not hold all the cards in this situation.

Of course, if she felt anyway about my words, she did not let it show on her face. Nor in the words that flowed out of her mouth afterwards.

"I apologize for any slights to your person. As long as you are within my lands, you have my word that you will face no more problems."

Hm…so there is a chance I'll have to deal with more of these 'problems' outside of her lands huh? Fine then. They will be dealt with.

I nodded to her to show my understanding, and she returned it with another one of her breath taking smiles before continuing.

"Good, then let us begin moving towards more productive talks. You know that you will be fighting, but who and how many have been finalized now. I have planned 7 of these battles for you, all of which will be against other Core Formation Cultivators below the age of 50.

"Is this agreeable for you?"

I nodded once more.

"Good! Then as long you are in agreeance the first battle will be in a week, and someone will be sent to the Emerald Estates to provide you with a dossier on what to expect and a bit more of a backstory."

Not too much longer after that, I was back at my temporary home while an individual was standing outside awaiting me. It was a woman, and she gave a slight bow in my direction once I approached.

"Greetings Lord Razien. I am here on behalf of the Princess to explain a bit more about your upcoming Challenge Rite."

Oh, so it has an official name then? Challenge Rite.

I didn't really have a designated office in this massive mansion, so we kind of just found the nearest room to sit and have a discussion, and then she began going over everything.

"Firstly, some more information on our Great Empire to provide you with more context on what is to come…."