Chapter 74: The Hall of Guardians

The chamber was deathly still.

Torchlight stretched across hundreds of stone warriors kneeling in perfect formation.

Each statue wore different armor.

Different weapons.

Different crests.

Yet all faced the same direction.

Toward an enormous stone throne at the end of the chamber.

It stood empty.

Walter slowly exhaled.

"...Please tell me those aren't real."

Leon answered quietly.

"They're statues."

"I think."

Walter looked at him.

"'I think' isn't very reassuring."

A few Black Dragons chuckled nervously.

Even in danger...

Walter somehow managed to ease everyone's nerves.

Kael raised a hand.

"No one moves."

The laughter immediately stopped.

A Soldier's Eye

Darius slowly walked forward.

His years as a commander made him notice details others missed.

He crouched beside one of the kneeling figures.

The armor...

It was unlike anything used by the modern Empire.

Heavy.

Elegant.

Built for both cavalry and infantry.

Its craftsmanship exceeded anything found in today's Imperial armories.

He reached out carefully.

His fingers brushed against the breastplate.

Stone.

Cold.

Solid.

"It's carved."

Darius said.

"But..."

He frowned.

"The proportions are too perfect."

Aldric stepped beside him.

"I've seen statues all across the Empire."

"None look like this."

The Empty Throne

At the end of the hall stood a throne carved from a single block of black stone.

Behind it...

A massive dragon was carved into the wall.

Unlike the Imperial Dragon used today...

This dragon had no crown.

Instead...

Eleven stars surrounded its body.

Kael studied it silently.

The same symbol...

He had seen it at the ruined altar near Ashfall.

Grom noticed.

"It's the same dragon."

Kael nodded.

"And the same stars."

Walter scratched his chin.

"So whatever built that altar..."

"Built this place too."

The Imperial System

The familiar blue screen appeared.

Historical Discovery

Location Confirmed:

Hall of Guardians

Historical Significance:

Extremely High

Current Knowledge Recovery:

2%

New Historical Entry Unlocked

The Guardians

Information Fragmented...

Only a few words appeared.

"When kings were chosen by duty rather than birth..."

The screen vanished.

Kael's eyes narrowed.

"Duty..."

He whispered the word to himself.

A Question

One of the younger Black Dragons finally asked what everyone had been thinking.

"Your Highness..."

"If this place is older than the Empire..."

"Who built it?"

No one answered.

Because no one knew.

The First Test

As Kael stepped closer to the throne...

The floor suddenly trembled.

RUMBLE...

Everyone froze.

The blue flames inside ancient braziers ignited one after another.

One...

Two...

Ten...

Twenty...

Soon the entire chamber glowed with pale blue light.

Walter immediately raised his shield.

"I knew it."

"I absolutely knew it."

The statues remained motionless.

Then...

A voice echoed throughout the chamber.

Neither male nor female.

Ancient.

Calm.

"Imperial Blood confirmed."

The Black Dragons looked around.

No one could locate the source.

"Purpose of entry?"

Walter slowly whispered,

"...Does anyone else hear that?"

"I hear it."

Leon answered.

"So do I."

Darius added.

Kael took one step forward.

"We seek the truth."

Silence.

The voice answered.

"Truth carries a price."

"Do you accept?"

Kael did not answer immediately.

Instead...

He asked a question of his own.

"What is this place?"

The chamber became quiet.

As if considering him.

Finally...

The voice replied.

"This is where those who carried the Empire's greatest burdens were remembered."

Walter frowned.

"Then why doesn't anyone know about it?"

No answer came.

The Trial of Intent

A circular platform slowly rose from the floor.

Ancient runes glowed across its surface.

The voice spoke again.

"Only one may proceed."

Every Black Dragon instinctively stepped toward Kael.

"No."

Kael said firmly.

"If this is a trial..."

"It's mine."

Walter frowned.

"We're not leaving you."

"I know."

Kael smiled.

"But this isn't about strength."

He looked toward Darius.

"If I'm gone longer than one hour..."

"You return to the surface."

Darius immediately shook his head.

"No."

Kael met his eyes.

"That's an order."

The old commander hesitated.

Then slowly saluted.

"...Understood."

Dragonspire Palace

At that same moment...

The Emperor sat alone inside his private study.

A servant entered quietly.

"Your Majesty."

"A report from Ironridge."

The Emperor accepted the sealed letter.

He read it once.

Then folded it carefully.

Magnus entered moments later.

"You expected something?"

The emperor looked toward the eastern horizon.

"I expected..."

"...that Ironridge would finally open."

Magnus' eyes widened.

"You knew?"

The emperor remained silent.

After several moments...

He answered.

"I knew there were questions."

"I never knew whether anyone would survive long enough to ask them."

He looked out the window.

"The answers..."

"...belong to this generation now."

Back Underground

Kael stepped onto the circular platform.

The ancient runes beneath his feet began to glow brighter.

Gold.

Blue.

Silver.

The voice spoke one final time.

"Prince Kael Aurelius."

"Tenth Son of the Aurelius Dynasty."

"Bearer of Imperial Blood."

Walter blinked.

"It knows your name."

The light became blinding.

"The First Trial..."

A massive stone guardian standing nearest the throne slowly opened its eyes.

Golden light shone from within its helmet.

It did not draw a weapon.

It did not attack.

Instead...

It stepped down from its pedestal with a thunderous BOOM.

The entire hall shook.

The guardian planted its sword into the floor.

Then he knelt before Kael.

Its voice echoed through the chamber.

"Answer one question truthfully."

"What does it mean..."

"...to become emperor?"

No sword was raised.

No magic was cast.

The first trial...

Was not one of strength.

It was one of conviction.