Chapter 165: The Lord Of MetusI spent a long while learning etiquette. Tutored by Ms. Wendle, the teacher with the most horrendous voice known to man, I would get smacked for every mistake I made.

    "Straighten your back!" [Wendle]

    "Ow!" [Solace]

    Ms. Wendle hit me with a stick, directly on my spine. Thanks to |Temperance| it didn''t hurt, until Master dropped by and gave her the equivalent of an electric baton. You know what he said to her?

    "Please use this. It is a must that he does not make any mistakes before the lord." [Vincent]

    Like, I understand. Even so... Why though?! Where did he even get that?!

    "Kneeling position, please." [Wendle]

    "Yes, ma''am..." [Solace]

    I knelt down on one knee and lowered my head.

    "Lower your head more." [Wendle]

    She then proceeded to smack the top of my head.

    "Ack!" [Solace]

    It was a series of commands given to me that must be executed perfectly. If not, I get the stick.

    ("I want this to end soon...") [Solace] Sёar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

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    After a few days of torturous training, I was able to perform walking and kneeling flawlessly. I know. It sounds stupid. Anyways, I was then called to meet the lord.

    "Are you nervous?" [Wilharrow]

    "A bit." [Solace]

    I sat in a carriage with Wilharrow. Since we lived in the capital of Metus, we only needed to go to the castle.

    "By the way... Why are there more than one carriage?" [Solace]

    Peeking out the window, I could see three more carriages.

    "Oh. You''ll see." [Wilharrow]

    I furrowed my brows.

    "You know I''m not a big fan of mysteries." [Solace]

    "And why''s that?" [Wilharrow]

    "My master has a habit of spouting some cryptic crap and letting me figure it out." [Solace]

    "That doesn''t sound too bad." [Wilharrow]

    I leaned forward a bit.

    "That''s the thing. I never figure it out until it hits me. Literally." [Solace]

    "Uh... Definitely speaking from experience aren''t you." [Wilharrow]

    "Yeah. So you wanna tell me what''s with those carriages or nah?" [Solace]

    "Nah." [Wilharrow]

    I really hate this guy sometimes.

    "Don''t make such a big deal out of it. We''re pretty much at the castle anyways." [Wilharrow]

    He pointed a thumb out the window to show us passing through a large metal gate. We then rode down a line of guards and circled around a fountain.

    "This is our stop." [Wilharrow]

    "Alright." [Solace]

    We stepped out of the carriage, with the coachman helping us out. It had pretty steep steps on this thing. I also found that this was a good opportunity to see who was in the other carriages when they stepped out.

    ("Huh?!") [Solace]

    Three familiar faces. Leon, Raon, and Fina.

    "What are they doing here?!" [Solace]

    "You''ll see." [Wilharrow]

    He then motioned for me to come along.

    "We have to go." [Wilharrow]

    I held back the questions I had and instead decided to appreciate the magnificent garden I was being led through. We were escorted by many guards. Each of which is equipped with a full set of armor and a purple cape with a golden insignia sewn into it.

    ("I wonder what level these guys are.") [Solace]

    I refrained from accessing their status since I was kind of scared that they''ll notice. Other than that, we finally made a stop at the castle doors.

    ("Oh. Wow.") [Solace]

    From a distance, I thought there were statues standing beside the massive double doors. Little did I realize they were literal giants. They were armored like the guards who escorted us; just supersized.

    "Identify yourself." [Left Door Giant]

    "Hero of Metus, Wilharrow." [Wilharrow]

    Hearing his name, the two giants opened the massive doors.

    "Welcome, hero." [Right Door Giant]

    As the doors rumbled its way open, the guards escorting us stopped here. Instead, Wilharrow and the rest of us had to enter ourselves.

    "Remember to mind your manners." [Wilharrow]

    "I know. I took those classes." [Solace]

    "I hope you learned well." [Wilharrow]

    I followed Wilharrow through a grand hall. It had a massive red carpet rolled out, and even more guards lining the sides. At the end of the hall were steps that led up to a large golden throne. Upon that lofty throne sat a middle aged man robed in purple. I met eyes with him only once, but I could feel great wisdom behind his age.

    ("That''s... the lord?") [Solace]

    He had a big bushy beard and curly hair. It was weird seeing someone that seemed to have an air about him have bright gold hair.

    ("Remember the etiquette, Solace.") [Solace]

    We walked until we were at the base of the stairs before kneeling.

    "The hero of Metus greets the lord." [Wilharrow]

    The man robed in purple raised a hand, allowing us to stand.

    "As the lord of Metus, I welcome you." [Metus Lord]

    He then passed a gaze over us.

    "Which among you is Alt Account?" [Metus Lord]

    I had to hold in a smile hearing that.

    "At your service." [Solace]

    I practiced that one line a thousand times, but I still felt nervous.

    "Hm. Quite young. I hear you''re a first year in imperial college?" [Metus Lord]

    I didn''t know that was what the school was called.

    "That would be correct." [Solace]

    The lord gave a silent nod towards one of the guards, who then returned with a red pillow holding the purple flower I sought.

    "Your reward." [Metus Lord]

    The guard offered it to me, which I took in hand.

    "I am grateful for such a gift." [Solace]

    "You needn''t be. You achieved victory yourself." [Metus Lord]

    I gave a bow of acknowledgement.

    "Now then, hero of Metus. I assume that you have chosen these people as your companions?" [Metus Lord]

    Things were beginning to click for me. The reason why the others were here was because they were also joining the heroes party.

    ("Slick bastard.") [Solace]

    I had to give it to Wilharrow. He also took Fina as insurance to keep me in the party.

    "I have." [Wilharrow]

    "Good." [Metus Lord]

    The lord then stood and stretched out his hand.

    "Let it be known! From henceforth, the hero''s party has now disembarked!" [Metus Lord]

    The guards in the room stomped twice, resonating within the hall. Wilharrow then turned and whispered to me as he passed by.

    "Let''s go. We have a demon lord to defeat." [Wilharrow]