Rise of The Holy-Realm Rebel

Only after getting to the hill's top did I realize how significantly larger the stone castle was than the structures at the hill's foot. It stood three stories in height and looked as solid as any structure could look.

Despite sitting on a hill, the castle's surroundings looked to have been managed efficiently. Two stone statues stood at the castle's entrance, they looked eerie though. Thankfully, nice-looking bushes stood around its perimeter and looked to have been trimmed rather recently.

'Maybe to commemorate the new findings,' I thought, even if I heaved a sigh right after, as my gaze slowly drifted from the castle to my body.

Thanks to the appointment, I had been adorned with a nice-looking outfit. On the inside was a simple black long-sleeved shirt, it looked different from anything I knew from my era thanks to its style.

My shirt had been tucked into a pair of equally black trousers that seemed to have been sewn just for me. I liked them too. Unfortunately, I had been given a red coat of sorts inscribed with gold patterns. It was heavy and severely uncomfortable.

In my time robes and long garments were what reigned.

It was nighttime, the moon stood high above us as multicolored rings surrounded its silver mass. Pretty. The normally subtle howling of the wind felt more defined here—thanks to the added height of course. Even if Its coolness could only affect my face, It felt rather relaxing. It was a nice night, and my thoughts trailed off for a bit.

A tap arrived on my left shoulder, however, pulling me out of my daze. "Move," the man commanded, and I obeyed.

Of course, I had not come alone, two stern-looking men had been sent to escort me up, and now that we had arrived I realized that I barely remembered how we got here. I'll try to note down our path later. For now, I had official matters at hand.

Two men I had never seen before ushered us into the castle upon crossing its entrance. I suspected they had been assigned solely to that castle—Though I wondered why, as there was hardly anything capable of threatening the Sub-general.

Uncomfortable silence painted the mural ceiling above us as I was led down a wide, well-lit hallway, painted blue and featuring an orange rug. Fancy. It took a couple of minutes before we arrived at the said location of the dinner.

I stood before a large wooden door—the two men behind me, I could feel their heavy breathing crashing into my neck probably out of envy. A muscle nearly bulged on my forehead, though. Their breathing felt no less than that of a wild hog. Tch.

One of them stepped forward to knock, and a voice answered from inside. A few moments later the brown door creaked open. It was at least twice as tall as I was.

The aroma of finely made dishes slammed into my face instantly, and I swallowed hard, peeping into the room before it was fully open.

A tall guard appeared from behind the door and his hard gaze crashed into my figure, trying to weigh me down. I ignored his intimidation, however, looking forward.

Stepping in without any further command, I heard the door shut behind me even if my eyes were fully on the world before me.

I'd recognize that royal layout any day.

Set before me was a level of preparation akin to a banquet, except that only two seats were made available before the 8ft long table adorned with several plates displaying dishes I didn't even know were available in our camp.

'Is this how he eats every day?' A bit of envy rose in my heart even if it quickly died down, and I took my seat. That sight indeed was beautiful, and directly opposite me was the familiar face of Sub-General Ivon.

I had seen him a few more times during the past month. He had set out of the camp for who knew where. War was still ongoing, so probably something related to that.

His eyes keenly inspected me, but I felt no shred of hostility, allowing me to feel the bare minimum level of comfort. At least the cushioned chair felt nice and the table smelled even nicer. In honestly; I couldn't wait to eat.

'If those men saw this, they'd die of envy,' I giggled inwardly, momentarily recalling my partner. Suddenly I felt he deserved to be here. At least for keeping my secret, he did. Then again, he had shown no interest.

A strange fellow indeed.

"How do you like what you see?" General Ivon broke the silence. His figure sat laid back on his chair as a soft smile stretched across his aging features.

I pondered for a bit even if my response came nearly instantly. "A whole lot," I stated, and his smile widened.

"I heard they serve some strange soup now and then. It was for your sakes that I requested that our camp be provided with females," he explained in friendly honesty.

Uncertain about how to respond, I merely decided to comment on his topic.

"Their cooking skills have single-handedly increased the morale of the others," I admitted. Those ladies put together some tasty meals.

"Is that so…" The sub-general murmured. "I'm glad they are serving you all according to expectations." He nodded, sitting up.

"That's enough talking, why don't we eat?"

"They were the ones to prepare these too," his eyes drifted along the table. "And if not for the special occasion I'd never allow this much to be prepared."

"You have brought a great deal of joy to my heart. As such, there's nothing on this table you cannot touch." He explained having hinted at the main topic of our meeting.

"Thank you for your benevolence," I responded, trying not to sound as disinterested as I really was. Yes, there was something else taking my attention in that place. An aura.

Sub-general Ivon caught the hint and surprisingly respected my disposition. We began at that point.

About an hour of solid silence passed—The only sounds ringing out were the ones our mouths made. I stood to pick several dishes across the table and in all honesty I realized how much I had missed the days I had this type of abundance.

Then as a Sky-realm expert, I barely needed to eat and could go on for months without even water. Now a day couldn't pass before I felt my vitality begin to plunge. How the mighty has fallen.

Most of that hour saw me in deep thoughts. On other occasions, I had to deal with the guard's gaze digging into my skin. Yes, even though had had two layers of clothing!

The poor guy had barely moved all this time, and who wouldn't love to sit before such an exquisitely adorned table?

My short glance had warded him off though, allowing me mental space.

'I have to meet whoever had the idea of all this,' I admitted inwardly, already having my fill. The drinks available for consumption were more than water.

Wine, milk, fruit drinks, and a few others I didn't exactly know how to explain.

How they had come to gather the materials needed for those did not elude me, though. It was a common thing to see groups of soldiers exiting the camp to go hunting. I had even been part of those hunting groups once.

It was a good change from the same mining every day.

It wasn't until Sub-general Ivon had his fill too; did the silence finally shatter.

"You don't look anything like those other soldiers," he spoke, addressing a detail everyone on the camp had noticed but never questioned.

"Your hair color is…. Unique," he added, touching his hair.

"Yes, sir," I stated blankly.

"You might not know…" He continued. "But there are rumors among the other generals in charge of camps like this, that skilled men of Yukov have snuck into camps as... spies."

An eyebrow threatened to rise on my face, but I figured it would be too suspicious. I frowned in faked confusion and surprise. The latter was real, however.

"Sir?" I spoke in an obviously questioning tone. A polite one of course.

Sub-general Ivon burst into a bit of laughter at that point.

"It's no big matter," he waved dismissively, even if a cold grin appeared on his features immediately after. "A majority of those spies were killed off… brutally"

'So that's what he intends to do,' I sighed inwardly, getting the message loud and clear.

"Alright, sir…" I responded, unsure.

Sub-general Ivon quickly cleared the dark air his topic generated and proceeded to explain how my achievements had put him on the map of recognition, and I'd get special treatment from then on.

Apparently, the mass of Solarite I had discovered was as large as two horses combined, except it was buried underground.

He believed there'd be no other discoveries due to its size. That one find was more than enough.

The night eventually came to an end. We had barely eaten anything compared to what was left. I wondered if I could take any with me. I dared not ask though. The soldier behind me would practically slit my throat if I did. He seemed hungry.

"Thank you, sir, for your generosity," I bowed, recalling the various formalities from my time. Not much of it had changed.

"Your hard work has only been rewarded," he responded with a rather warm smile. Strangely, I found him a nice man.

I bowed again and turned to leave—The guard had already opened the door.

"Oh, I nearly forgot," Ivon's words caught my attention as he sat down again. His tone was back to being calculative.

"Young man, what is your name?"