Leaving behind the sullen Carmel, I went towards the more occupied part of the club, several different members coming into my sight as they gazed at me. Their respect for me was sky-high, especially after my amazing performance of leading the war and possibly saving their lives, although technically I didn’t.
Walking towards the various groups, I could feel the weight of their gazes on me, their eyes filled with awe and admiration. It was a humbling experience, knowing that I had earned their respect not only as a disciple of Empress Eleanor but also as a skilled archer in my own right. The Archery Club was a place where camaraderie and shared passion flourished, and I was determined to embrace that sense of community.
As I approached the first group, they greeted me with smiles and warm gestures. Their eagerness to connect and learn from me was palpable. We engaged in lively conversations about archery techniques, shared stories of our most memorable shots, and exchanged tips and tricks to improve our skills. It was a delightful exchange of knowledge and camaraderie.
Moving from one group to another, I encountered individuals of varying backgrounds and experiences. Some were seasoned archers, with decades of practice and expertise, while others were new to the sport, eager to learn and grow. I made sure to lend a patient ear, offering guidance and encouragement to those who sought it. We laughed, bonded, and fostered a sense of belonging within the Archery Club.
In between conversations and demonstrations, I engaged in friendly sparring matches. Each encounter was an opportunity to showcase my skills, but more importantly, it allowed me to gauge the potential and talent of my fellow archers. We engaged in intense battles of precision and finesse, arrows whizzing through the air, each shot a testament to our dedication to the craft.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement, the sound of arrows hitting targets filling the air. We reveled in the collective energy, the shared love for archery forging bonds that transcended mere acquaintance. Amidst the training sessions, I shared anecdotes from my journey, tales of mythical creatures and enchanted landscapes that enthralled my newfound friends.
One particular archer caught my attention — a young woman named Leona. Her passion for archery was undeniable, her determination shining through her every movement. I spent considerable time guiding her, helping her refine her technique and harness her innate talent. Together, we delved into the intricacies of archery, dissecting the art form and unveiling its secrets.
As the day wore on, the sun began its descent, casting a warm glow upon the Archery Club. We gathered in a circle, sharing a meal and basking in the camaraderie we had forged. There was laughter, storytelling, and a sense of unity that enveloped us. The Archery Club had become more than a place to practice — it was a sanctuary, a home where like-minded individuals found solace in the pursuit of their shared passion.
As the evening drew to a close, I took a moment to reflect on the connections I had made. The Archery Club was a vibrant tapestry of diverse individuals, each with their own stories and aspirations. Through archery, we had come together, bound by a common love and respect for the art.
I knew that my presence in the club had impacted their lives, just as their presence had impacted mine. I had not only shared my skills and knowledge but also absorbed the energy and passion they radiated. In that moment, I felt a profound gratitude for the Archery Club and the community it fostered.
“This is a bit relaxing…” I thought while maintaining the image that I should. Soon, I had some interactive fun with all of them before leaving. My gaze then set on the next princess for me to deal with. I had already made reservations and soon, once again, easily passing through the line in the teleportation area, I arrived at the sea faction area.
The same fishy smell invaded my nose as my gaze traveled through the different sea folks walking around. My appearance quickly caught all their attention, for a moment I was the complete focus of the area I stood.
“I wonder when this will not be annoying…” This was the main reason I preferred anonymity. I had this much attention with just what I am showing, but once everything else is laid bare, God knows if I will be able to walk out at all. Maintaining a calm smile, I left the teleportation area, walking by as every gaze landed on me at least once.
This time the majority wasn’t angrily focused on me. My actions and powers have already established my stance, and they would be fools to go against me as it bears no advantage at all. I even received some cat calls from the beautiful sea folk, once again proving that my charm was very effective. This time, just as I took some steps forward, a beautiful woman stood in front of me.
“Sir Holder, please follow after me,” she said, clearly being sent here by Marlene as she flashed me a certain badge. Seeing it, I nodded my head at her as I started to follow after her, and seeing so, the rest soon stopped, barring their eyes on me. Her status was high enough to keep everyone’s eyes away, as from the information I received, she is the new right-hand woman of Marlene, replacing Marlene’s brother, who by now has already been taken away by the required powers.
In fact, the main reason I didn’t meet her till now was because she had to deal with all the shit of her own brother trying to kill her. After all, she still had the ticking time bomb of the curse that her brother placed on her, one that strips her of her powers, the same one in which I made up the story of the dragon helping.
It’s easy for me to understand that Marlene probably wanted to extract information from her brother to know if there is any other way to remove that curse, but I know for sure she didn’t get anything out of her brother.
Why?
Because he is dead…
I didn’t give him the curse without placing my own ways to deal with him. The moment he entered the waters, he was killed. Of course, this news is still kept sealed.
‘I wonder how far I should take this?’ I pondered as my mind flashed with certain ideas that I was harboring, each one perfect to push my agenda forward. Soon, under my thoughts, we reached a huge palace-like area. I remember well from the first time I came here, the only difference being that Marlene right now considers me a very, very close friend of hers, which I soon plan to change for the better.
“Please, this way…” the girl in front of me spoke, expertly rippling through the crowd whose eyes once again were focused on me. A few minutes later, I was in front of a door which I quickly entered through, the woman staying behind. My eyes landed on Marlene, whose figure looked worse than before. Her eyes had dark circles around them, and she even looked a bit thin.
I could see that her hair was a bit messy, overall she didn’t look like she was at her best. The expression on her face showed confusion, enough to arouse sympathy from the worst.
“Perfect,” my expression turned serious and concerned as I saw Marlene.
“What happened to you?!” My worried voice brought a smile to her face as she waved her hand at me.
“Nothing, just dealing with the politicians as a ruler,” she replied, making me silent. I shook my head at her words as I sat beside her, keeping the perfect distance as my hands lightly caught her hand. No words were spoken between the two of us as we kept our contact. I was the one to break the silence as I spoke.
“Tell me everything.”
A moment of hesitation flashed through her eyes, the strength of the future ruler of the sea returning to her eyes as she responded.
“I am strong.”
“I know, but even the strongest needs rest at times, and I am a good listener, one who can’t affect the sea.” My deeply veiled answer made Marlene silent, the past experience we went through probably playing through her mind as she opened her mouth.
“I am tired…”
And from there, the story began.
