In the world of Eldoria, entering the Royal Castle was not just a formality. It was an event.
As guests approached the gates, the streets surrounding the castle was full of tension.
The guards were in full silver armor. Every visitor was stopped, checked, questioned, and verified.
Protocol was strict. Identity papers, adventurer badge, weapons declared, magical signatures identified by royal mages in long robes holding crystal staves.
Horns occasionally sounded as ceremonial signals of each new arrival.
Some of the arrivals walked with pride, beastmen warriors, dwarves, and even elves. Others kept low profiles, cloaked in plain fabric, their eyes watching everything.
All were here. The famous and strongest people in the whole continent, at least on the paper.
Inside the castle, the air was cool and still. Rich carpets lined the floors. Paintings of past kings and queens watched from the walls.
Two men stood near a tall window, observing the main courtyard.
