Mav's question was quickly answered by the deep groan of heavy metal gates creaking open. He peered outside and saw two knights straining to pull the large iron gates apart. Beyond them loomed tall concrete walls, though not as grand as the walls of the capital, they were just as formidable and imposing.

  As the gates creaked open, a jolt of nerves shot through him, the sound amplifying the weight of what lay ahead. "Here we go," he braced himself, the looming presence of the castle drawing nearer with each passing second.

  As the carriage rolled forward, Mav looked out at the training yard, where armored soldiers clashed swords in a chaotic dance. The loud, metallic sounds filled the air, making his heart race with excitement. Others donned martial arts uniforms reminiscent of karate gi, complete with colored belts. This attire reminded Mav of the martial artists from his old world, who trained in hand-to-hand combat. Lia was also gazing outside now, nodding repeatedly, seemingly judging their technique. But what truly captivated Mav were the figures draped in capes of various colors, resembling members of the different Flame Guilds.

  "Are they part of the knights too?" he asked, turning to Lia, who snapped out of her trance.

  "Yes," she replied, glancing at the direction Mav pointed to. "They’re special knights who belong to the guilds, which means they are well-trained in harnessing the power of flames. They also have a special contract with the royal family. They’re carefully chosen, so they’re definitely strong."

  "They must be paid more than regular guild members, right?" Mav pressed.

  "Absolutely. I was invited to join them, but I declined. They rarely leave the capital, just train here and wander around, which seems boring to me. Plus, with our ongoing efforts to push back the Daimoniki and gaining the upper hand, I think staying here is pointless. Fighting on the frontlines is much more appealing," she said, her fists clenched in determination.

  "I’m not so sure about that," Mav thought, remembering Maimou and Kastanos' strange demeanor. They seemed oddly laid-back, even as their numbers dwindled.

  His mind lingered on the special knights, particularly Lia's comments about their instructions to remain in the capital rather than fight on the frontlines. If they were as strong as she claimed, wouldn’t it be more effective for them to be deployed against the Daimoniki? He wondered about the king’s role in this. If they were contracted with the royal family, did he know something about the Daimoniki that others did not?

  "Is the king the one giving them orders?" Mav asked, turning to Voithos.

  Voithos remained silent for a moment, but Mav's unwavering gaze finally prompted him to speak. "I'm sorry. I'm not authorized to disclose those details."

  "Mama is in charge of them!" Adelfi interrupted, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

  "Princess!" Voithos exclaimed, shooting her a warning glance.

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  "Sorry..." Adelfi said with a cheeky smile.

  "The queen?" Mav pondered. "Why is the queen the one in charge of the knights?"

  Just then, the carriage door swung open, interrupting Mav's thoughts. Warm rays of sunlight flooded in, quickly contrasted by a cool breeze that brushed against his skin.

  Adelfi sprang up, racing toward the door.

  "Careful, princess!" Voithos called.

  "I've got her," Lia said, reaching out to touch Adelfi's arm, stopping her from dashing out. "Let me go first."

  Lia climbed down, turning back to the carriage and stretching out her arms. Princess Adelfi approached her as if it were instinctual, allowing Lia to lift her effortlessly by her underarms and carry her outside the carriage. Mav followed closely behind, with Voithos trailing them.

  "Follow me," Voithos instructed, leading the way.

  Before them stood a massive red door, towering above as they navigated a spacious walkway flanked by thick, towering pillars. As Mav drew closer, he noticed the guards subtly shift in unison, their relaxed postures snapping into rigid attention as Voithos approached. The two guards opened the door with a heavy thud, and Voithos stepped forward, entering the grand hall. Lia followed, holding Adelfi's hand, while Mav finally stepped inside, eyes darting left and right. He marveled at the ceiling, which soared high above them, as if giants had crafted the hall. Intricate carvings adorned the ceiling, illuminated by massive chandeliers that hung like stars. The floors felt soft beneath his feet, covered in a luxurious blue carpet that contrasted with the gilded walls, painted in rich tones of gold. A unique aroma filled the air, distinctly different from the familiar scents of home—this smelled like wealth and royalty.

  He glanced at Lia, surprised to see her casually chatting with Adelfi, seemingly unbothered by the architectural splendor surrounding them.

  "You've been here before?" he whispered.

  "Yeah. Amazed?" she replied, noticing Mav's wide-eyed wonder.

  "Even if this isn’t your first time, doesn’t all of this still amaze you?" Mav countered.

  "Only a bit. The food they serve here is even more interesting!" her eyes sparkled, her smile widening as she spoke.

  "Shouldn't have expected anything different from her," Mav thought, shaking his head slightly.

  After a while of walking, Voithos halted before another large red door.

  "Just how many of these enormous doors do we have to pass through?" Mav wondered.

  This time, Voithos opened the door himself, and Mav noticed yellow flames flickering around him as he pushed against the heavy barrier. The door emitted a loud, dragging sound as it opened.

  "Is that door really that heavy?"

  "Everyone come inside," Voithos commanded, still holding the right side of the door.

  Once they all entered, Voithos let go of the door, which slowly swung shut behind them.

  Suddenly, a gasp drew Mav's attention. He turned to Lia, whose mouth was agape and eyes sparkling with delight. Following her gaze, he immediately understood her reaction. In front of them was a long table adorned with a dazzling array of food—various meats, vibrant vegetables, ripe fruits, fresh bread, and glimmering wine. Despite having eaten just before arriving at Ana's shop, the sight still made his stomach growl.

  He realized Adelfi had vanished, and as he looked around, he spotted her sitting on someone’s lap beside the table.

  "What? I didn’t even notice her running off."

  The lap she occupied belonged to a woman with flowing green hair that curled at the tips, a perfect replica of Princess Chloe’s hair, crowned with a delicate tiara adorned with shimmering jewels. Her striking golden eyes sparkled with warmth, and her elegant gown, crafted from soft, flowing fabric in shades of green and gold, complemented her regal presence. Beside her sat the king, his stern expression softened as he observed Mav with a gentle smile.

  Mav instinctively bent his knee in respect, but the king raised a hand to stop him.

  "Mav Rose. Welcome," the king greeted warmly, before glancing at the girl beside him, his eyebrows lifting in surprise. "Lia! Good to see you as well."

  Mav squinted, alternating his gaze between the King and Lia, astonished by the King's sudden shift in tone.