The Darius Family
To get into the higher class circle of the city, a more thorough search needed to take place for those entering. However, the moment the guards stationed at the gate Christopher and Titus' group was passing through saw the emblem on the carriage, they didn't even question them as they were immediately let into the higher class section of the capital.
By then, Christopher could see the both imposing and magnificent figure of the Emperor's palace in the distance. Looking like something straight out of a fantasy novel.
From where he was, he could see multiple floating structures and even what seemed like a shimmering barrier that surrounded the whole structure.
And the closer they got, the more details he was able to make out.
'Well, it's definitely massive enough to hold four of the most powerful families in the whole Empire.' He remarked.
Soon, the group reached the gate that was very heavily guarded and Christopher's eyes widened when he saw the guards.
'No, not guards. The Empyrial Soldiers.' He realized seeing the insignia of the Royal family on their chests. A golden sword going through the mouth of a golden lion.
Unlike the two groups of guards they passed by, these guys' backs were much straighter as all of them exuded a wave of confidence.
They wore the signature White and Gold armor of the Empyrial soldiers, hands always on the hilts of their sheathed swords.
"Halt." This time, even upon seeing the crest of the Darius family, they still stopped the carriage without an ounce of fear.
Christopher was about to get up when Titus stopped him.
"No need. I'll deal with it." He said as his entire demeanor changed.
From the chatty teenager, he immediately began to exude an air of elegance and dignity that practically said "I'm better!".
He got up and opened the door before stepping out to meet the soldier who was about to knock.
"Young Sir Titus." The soldier nodded slightly at Titus who nodded back.
"Sir Fredrick. It's good to see that you're doing well. Anyway I understand that you want to search my carriage. However, I cannot allow that as there is something very much sensitive on board. And only members of my family are aware of its existence." He said.
"Is that so? Then why do I sense the presence of another individual inside the carriage?" Fredrick said with a raised brow.
Titus however, wasn't flustered and simply nodded.
"He is someone I owe a lot to as he saved my life. He is aware that I'm transporting something, but he isn't aware what it is and has no interest in doing so." Frederick stared at Titus and saw that there were no sigbs of deceit in his eyes.
"Alright then. I will trust your judgment." He nodded and gestured to the other guards to open the gate.
The gate that was made of a material Christ had no idea was called was opened and the carriage was let through.
Christopher was a little surprised when he actually saw houses. He half expected a massive compound with the barracks for the soldiers in one corner.
'Guess they are treated better than I thought.' He remarked.
'But they don't slack off.' He noted inwardly as through his sixth sense, he could notice at least a dozen soldiers silently following the carriage in the darkness. And those were the ones in his perception range.
Christopher then turned his attention to the massive castle and couldn't help but feel awed.
Other than the beautiful paths and plants everywhere, the castle itself was just pleasing to look at.
The huge walls that were both aesthetically pleasing but also built to withstand heavy attacks from enemies. Large towers that apparently we're both used as magic towers were mages would defend the castle as well as train.
And the main building was very large with multiple floors from what Christopher could make out.
Very soon, the carriage reached the entrance of the castle that had more guards.
"A lot of people are going to look down on you due to your appearance and origin. It would be best if we could avoid my family, but that's very unlikely. So prepare your mind, sir." Titus warned as he got off the carriage.
Christopher didn't make a comment and followed after.
"Young master, you've returned." At the large door, a Butler who looked to be in his fifties said respectfully as he bowed.
"Hello Richard. Please lead us inside." Titus nodded towards the man. To Christopher's surprise, the man didn't even glance at him as he nodded and opened the doors without much effort.
Hughes and the other soldiers had already returned to the barracks and Christopher followed the man and boy inside.
'Expensive paintings, antiques, well made lights, nice floor, lots of hidden guards. Yup. About what I would expect from the Emperor's palace.' Christopher Noted inwardly.
The place could only be described as exquisite with all the decorations and gave whoever entered inside a cozy feeling despite the lavishness.
The Butler Richard ked the two of them through lots of winding halls before they both appeared at a large door.
"Your Father and Siblings are waiting for you inside." Richard said and bowed.
"Thanks Richard." Titus said and walked forward.
Christopher was about to follow when the Man suddenly stuck a hand out and blocked him.
"Only the young master will enter." He said, and Christopher could hear the disdain in his tone loud and clear.
'Showing your true colors now eh?' He thought amusedly.
"Richard, don't even start. He is my guest and he will be able to go anywhere unless I say otherwise. Is that understood?" Titus said with clear irritation.
The wrinkles on the man's face tightened slightly. Then he sighed and nodded.
"Understood." He dropped his hand and Christopher nodded at him, not taking what he did to heart.
"Ignore him. He doesn't like commoners." Titus said with a sigh.
"I got the impression that all nobles were like that. Either way, it doesn't matter. Let's meet your family. Shall we?" Christopher just shook his head and asked.
Titus smiled before pushing the doors open.
Christopher blinked when he saw the kind of normal sized, but still well decorated dining room.
Christopher couldn't dwell on the decorations however as he instantly felt four auras lock onto him.
"Father." Titus said respectfully and bowed.
Christopher followed suit as he was in someone else's home and showed the natural respect.
"Titus. I take it that you successfully retrieved the item?" At the head of the table, a very handsome middle aged man with black hair and the signature green eyes of a Darius asked.
"Yes." Titus nodded and walked towards the table. The ring on his finger flashed and then a small black box appeared in his hands.
He went to his father's side and gave it to him. The man smiled slightly and nodded before putting it on the table.
"Sit down. We'll discuss about this individual you've brought here." He said without any room for negotiation.
Titus merely nodded and sat next to who Christopher assumed to be his sister. A pale beauty who held a playful smile on her face with the same black hair as her father. Though surpassingly, she appeared to have heterochromia as one eye was the striking green and another was a soft pink.
"Would you introduce yourself?" The head of the Darius family, Paul Darius, asked Christopher calmly.
"My name is Christopher, your Excellence." Christopher said and bowed as he introduced himself.
"Hm. My son isn't dumb enough to welcome a commoner into this place without a reason." Paul said.
"He saved my life, father. I decided that it would be courteous if I invited him to stay for the night as he doesn't exactly have a place to stay." Hearing this, Paul didn't show an ounce of surprise and simply nodded.
"What were you doing Christopher? And how did you stumble on my son who's life happened to be in danger?" He asked and Christopher replied.
"I had been training in the forest. I was going to make my way back to the city and happened to pass by your son's carriage that was being attacked. Seeing this, I decided to help." Immediately he finished, there was a faint knock.
Everyone turned towards one of the other children, a large guy with the same blonde hair as Titus.
"So you're saying that you just happened to pass by the carriage of the Darius family that was being attacked, purely by coincidence?" He asked with unmasked skepticism. Christopher smiled.
"I understand your apprehension. And quite frankly, I have no way of debunking your doubts. All I can say is that no matter how much you question me or doubt me, it won't change the fact that that is what happened." Titus' brother frowned at his response but didn't say anything.
"Interesting." The last sibling, a lean man said as he sipped a drink from his cup.
"Well. Who are you affiliated with?" Paul asked.
"No one, sir." There was silence, and then Christopher felt everyone's gazes turn sharp.
"Oh? You're at the orange rank, and you expect me to believe that you reached such a level of power by yourself without any sort of backing?" Paul said in a dangerously calm tone.
"Yes." Without an ounce of fear, Christopher replied simply.
"How bold." Titus' sister said as she looked at Christopher.
Christopher only saw her pink eye glow slightly before she was right in front of his face, hands on his cheeks.
"Hmm." She gently turned his face from side to side. And with a trace of surprise, she said.
"Interesting. He's telling the truth."