I Received System to Become Dragonborn-Chapter 988: Meet The King

Eccar and Krono exchanged a brief glance of understanding that carried more weight in their mind than words.

Krono gave a single deliberate nod and Eccar understood that they have to keep the act no matter what happens. They have to appear weak, compliant, and harmless.

He remembered what Krono had told him before entering these woods that in this kingdom, strangers who were not Elves were watched with the suspicion of a hawk over prey. The slightest sign of rebellion could trigger an immediate attack, which would force them to defend themselves and probably kill. It was an outcome that would leave Elves dead and their own mission in failure before it even started. They were here to gather information, not bodies.

The three Elves who had captured them led the way up the wide, root-twined steps toward the castle.

The fierce-eyed woman at the front murmured something in a language that seemed to ripple through the air itself. In response, a faint shimmer appeared before them seemingly bending the light. A barrier that remained invisible until disturbed dissolved at her words, granting them entry.

The moment they passed through it closed again with a quiet hum, sealing them inside.

The great main doors of the castle loomed ahead, flanked by two armored Elves with sharp posture. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Their eyes narrowed at the sight of the two kinds that looked human. They frowned deep and measured, but they said nothing.

With a subtle push from their escorts, Eccar and Krono stepped forward.

The doors swung open, revealing a main corridor that stretched long and straight, lit by tall narrow windows carved directly into the living wood.

Golden light spilled in catching on carvings that wound along the walls. It was filled with stories of battles, rulers, and ancient writings etched into the grain.

The air inside was cool and heavy with the scent of polished timber and faint traces of resin. The floor beneath their boots was stone but it didn’t have any harsh edges, smoothed and inlaid with flowing patterns.

They moved deeper until the corridor widened into a grand chamber which they sure was the throne room. Here, the craftsmanship was unlike anything Eccar had seen.

The walls rose high, formed of wood so rich and flawless it could not be just ordinary woods.

The grain seemed to shift in the light and alive, the color was deep as honey and streaked with veins of silver.

There was almost no metal in sight. Hinges, fastenings, even lantern hooks were grown from shaped wood or carved stone, fused seamlessly into the architecture.

At the far end stood the throne, a towering high-backed chair grown from a single massive trunk was located. Its arms curling like branches, its back crowned with delicate leafwork that gleamed faintly.

Upon it sat an Elf whose presence filled the hall before he spoke a word. His hair fell in molten gold waves over his shoulders and his eyes were an arresting luminous blue. They seemed to pierce through the air and settle deep into those who met his gaze.

His bearing was straight and unyielding, but not cold. He was the very image of command wrapped in the stillness of the forest.

"Huh, this must be the king," Eccar thought, and he proceeded to study the figure on the throne.

He searched for more than appearance. He measures the man’s presence, the weight of his aura. It didn’t take long to realize this Elf was pretty strong, far stronger than most rulers who lived on ceremony alone.

That was when he noticed Krono already bowing his head.

Eccar realized that studying him wasn’t part of the plan.

Before he could decide whether to correct it a firm hand pressed down on the back of his head, forcing him into a bow.

Eccar winced inwardly. "Oops. Guess I made my first mistake."

Krono hadn’t mentioned this part.

"Where did you find them?" The king’s voice was deep, smooth, yet edged with authority.

The fierce-eyed woman stepped forward, bow still at her back. "In the northern forest, Your Majesty. Alone. Just the two of them."

"Hmm." The king gave a low grunt, neither approving nor dismissing, then sat in silence for five long seconds. His gaze never left Eccar and Krono. Finally, he turned his eyes to the three escorts. "Leave us."

The woman’s brows rose. "Your Majesty... are you certain? Should we not—"

"Yes," the king interrupted. "You may go. I will take care of the rest."

The three exchanged quick uneasy glances. The woman hesitated but gave a sharp nod.

As they began to leave, the two male Elves frowned in confusion, their boots soft against the wood.

Low whispers passed between them. If the king wanted them gone, it meant he intended to speak privately with the strangers. And that meant these two were far from ordinary. Strangers who entered without permission were normally imprisoned first, not granted audience.

When the last of them stepped through the door, it shut with a heavy resonant thud.

The king rose from his throne, every movement deliberate and measured. He turned slightly, gesturing toward a long table to the left side of the room. "Please sit."

Eccar and Krono complied without a word, moving to the table’s carved wooden chairs.

The king followed, each step a quiet assertion of power, until he took his seat opposite them.

Eccar kept his eyes on Krono, waiting for them to start. He knew if he opened his own mouth first the situation would spiral into a disaster before it even began.

Krono, calm as ever, met the king’s gaze without a hint of tension.

"I am Thalrion Vaelthir," the Elf said. "High King of Elindral. And you are?"

"My name is Krono," Krono replied simply, inclining his head.

"Eccar," Eccar added, his tone measured, careful not to sound challenging.

Thalrion’s luminous eyes lingered on each of them before he continued. "From where do you come, and for what purpose have you entered my realm? Forgive the conduct of my soldiers because strangers rarely walk these forests, and those who do are seldom... welcomed."

Krono leaned forward slightly, speaking with quiet clarity. "We are not of this land, Your Majesty. We came from another world."

For a heartbeat, silence ruled the chamber. The king’s composed face faltered and there was a faintest crack in his regal stillness. His brows drew together, and the lines at the corners of his eyes deepened.

"Another... world?" he echoed, his tone no longer merely formal, but tinged with disbelief.

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