Descent of a God

New Journey

(A/N: This arc is going to be a crazy one, hope all of you guys like it!)

|Jude|

As we entered the relictomb with our false identities, a man dressed in a black suit and adorned with a silver chain appeared before us. He pointed his spear at me, demanding to know who we were.

From his appearance and the aura he exuded, I estimated his power to be at the level of Taci.

Undeterred, I looked the man in the eye, trying to remain calm. Behind him, several guards in silver-grey armor held their swords at the ready. They were as skilled as Lances, if not stronger.

Beyond the guards, a young girl with blonde hair and a regal bearing stood, dressed in sparkling clothes and wearing a tiara on her head. Despite the surprise of our sudden appearance, she maintained a dignified composure.

Her age appeared to be around mid-teens, and she was being accompanied by a powerful mage wearing black robes. His piercing blue eyes scrutinized my every move, searching for any hint of malice.

I took a deep breath, knowing that this encounter could turn violent at any moment.

As I stood there, trying to figure out the best way to handle the situation, I took note of my surroundings. The corridoor was spacious, with high ceilings and ornate walls adorned with intricate carvings. The guards were positioned strategically, with some standing near the entrance while others patrolled the area around the princess.

I took a deep breath and decided to speak again, this time with a more diplomatic approach. "Please forgive our ignorance, we are travellers who come from a distant land. We mean no harm and only wish to return to our home."

The guards seemed to relax slightly, but the black-robed magician remained wary. "Which country are you two from, for you to not recognise the jewel of the Hyperion Empire, Princess Angelina who is standing right in front of you?"  he asked with a cold tone.

As I stood there facing the hostile guards, I quickly realized that my words were having little effect on them. Their serious expressions made me wonder if there was a major event happening that had put them on high alert.

I considered using force to show them that I was not to be underestimated, but I knew that it could easily backfire and make things worse.

However, the thought of being underestimated and disrespected was starting to wear on me. I had relied on my wit and clever words in the past to get out of tight situations where my powers fell short. But now, with my abilities growing, I no longer had to rely solely on my tongue.

With a deep breath, I let the mana and aether that lay dormant within me pour forth in a wave of power. The guards' expressions quickly shifted from serious to shock and then to fear.

I could feel their fear radiating off of them as they realized just how outmatched they were. Even though I had only unleashed a fraction of my strength, it was enough to make it clear that I was far more powerful than any of them.

"Please, calm down, Jude," Cordelia said, her voice laced with concern as she placed a calming hand on my shoulder.

Her words penetrated my mind, and I felt my power recede as my tense muscles relaxed. Though I knew that using force was not the best approach, it was reassuring to know that I had the power to defend myself if needed.

I wondered whether this was the effect of Destruction but pushed that thought back for now.

"I apologize for not properly greeting you," Princess Angelina greeted us, giving a curtsy bow. "I am Princess Angelina of the great Hyperion Empire. What business do foreigners have with this empire?"

I couldn't help but be mesmerized by her grace and beauty, even with her dimmed green eyes. She was truly the jewel of the empire, with impeccable etiquette and an elegant presence.

As Cordelia and I greeted her back, I saw an opportunity to help her with her blindness.

"How long have you been blind, Your Highness?" I asked carefully, ignoring the shocked and alarmed expressions of the knights guarding her.

The Princess's shoulders twitched at my question, and both the knight and magician almost lunged at me before she raised her hands to stop them.

"How insolent! You dare ask such a question to Her Highness!?" The Knight bellowed, struggling to hold back his sword.

The Princess, with clenched fists, replied, "I have had this blindness since a year ago. This was caused by the curse of a god, so even if you wish to help, there is nothing you can do."

However, I knew she was wrong about that. Smiling, I held out my hand in front of her.

"Before I continue, would Your Highness allow me to rid her of this curse?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

She looked perplexed at the sudden turn of events, but I could see the desperation and hope behind her mask-like expression. After thinking for a moment, she finally replied, "Please go ahead."

Ignoring the protests of the knight and magician, I activated the Godrune of Aevum and cast my aether art.

[Aroa's Requirem: Rewind]

Focusing solely on the eyes and the nerves connected to them, I rewound time by a year on the Princess's eyeballs, ensuring that the curse would be lifted once I was finished.

As silver time dials appeared in the sky around her, the Princess slowly opened her eyes, revealing bright, emerald eyes without the dimness of blindness.

Tears began to fall from her eyes as she lost her composure. Before anyone could say anything, she broke out in sobs, whispering her thanks repeatedly.

As the Princess thanked me with a smile on her face, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. "Thank you for showing me what light is after a year of darkness! The Hyperion Empire will never forget this favor," she said, her voice filled with gratitude.

I was about to respond when suddenly, a blue game-like box materialized in front of me, accompanied by a green checkmark.

"Hidden Quest: COMPLETED!" the message declared.

It read, "Cure Princess Angelina of the curse of Ra that has haunted her since a year ago when the Empire was attacked by Ra's believers."

I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. This relictomb was truly different from any others I had come across before. It seemed like we were in for quite an adventure.

As I turned to my companions, Cordelia's eyes were shining with excitement, while the knight and magician looked at me with a newfound respect. It seemed that we had not only completed a hidden quest, but also progressed towards our main objective.

'Main Quest 1: Earn the trust of the Imperial Family of the Hyperion Empire as well as their subordinates,' I recalled, reminding myself of our mission.

As I looked back at the grateful Princess, I knew that we were one step closer to achieving our goal.(A/N: I have a very interesting direction that I would like to try for this arc. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter and see you guys next time!)