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Volume 5

Chapter 11: Swords and Chairs

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In the Southern Continent of Heartilia, at the top of one of the towers of one of the small floating islands that’s connected via large black-iron chain bridges to the main castle island, is a platform much like the same platform that can be seen at the top of Hagrid’s Howling King’s Pagoda.

Surrounding the platform are metal railings as the platform itself is an asphalted flat roof design made especially for taking off by the many travelers who wants to go somewhere.

By this point, Hagrid’s party along with Olaf as their VIP guest successfully arrived in the headquarters of the Blue Card Legion: Apus Epirus.

The Crater Lake that this flying fortress is located at also goes by the local name of Ionia’s Sea.

Ionia is the given alias for the Bakunawa that made this Crater Lake its home.

Thousands of years ago, the local NPCs on the area around the Crater Lake once saw a speck of light of the Moon fall in the waters of the lake.

Many years later, a creature was born of that speck of moonlight and began living in the Crater Lake as if it was its home.

In the course of time, the creature began to defend the Crater Lake against anything that tried to get near it, whether it was the locals or monsters that only wanted to fly by above its surface, it attacked and ate them in surprise.

Years pass, this cycle continued until Ionia eventually matured into the full grown size it has today, and never missed any chance to defend its territory.

Seeing this scene of the floating islands, Olaf was amazed. “This sure is a nice view.” He looked down and saw the large shadow of the creature swimming on the blue waters that reflected the light of sol. “Is that a Bakunawa?”

“You know about it?” Hagrid asked with a smile.

Olaf nodded. “I’ve read about it. Apparently, it’s a very rare and very dangerous monster in Terroa. The people who developed this game gathered all kinds of legends in the real world and this one’s a local legend from Philippines. Its size and viciousness was also molded from that local legend.”

In the game, the Bakunawa is a species of Serpent Dragon that is one of its kind because it doesn’t have wings. Rather, it has a large pair of ears that had a shape that when agitated unfolds to a considerable size as wide as a real pair of dragon wings.

Many legends go why the Bakunawa is only the species of its kind and although it had many points that also classifies it as a Leviathan (a Sea Dragon), its main difference is that Leviathans are Elemental Dragons birthed with the gifts of the Element of Water, while the Bakunawa species does not have such ability and can only glide and swim in the water but not really live entirely in it.

Also, there was a legend that when a special kind of moon rises above Ionia’s Sea, the power of Luna, the Goddess of Moon, blesses Ionia the ability to take flight for a whole night.

In happiness, the Bakunawa is rumoured to always jump out of its sea and cry a long and strange howl that would always ring in all directions for a very far distance like the steady and constant waving howl.

According to legends, whenever the locals see it happening, the Bakunawa would always seem to be eating the moon with its large mouth.

But… all of it is still just rumors.

This Ionia’s Sea… the Bakunawa living in it named Ionia, the legends surrounding it… were all available for everyone to know once you’ve lived for a long time in the area around Apus Epirus.

“I see. So that’s how it is.”

Olaf was nodding when listening to Hagrid’s briefing of the legend of Ionia. Apparently, he also disclosed that Apus Epirus was actually a relic discovered from the wide frozen seas of South Pole. The Blue Card Legion brought it in the Crater Lake because they like the scenery and also because it could gain a natural protector by the form of the Bakunawa.

In fact, the Apus Epirus hasn’t been ten years in this area and had only been transferred eight months after the game was released.

Olaf recalled all the information the company had of the members of The Legion.

Sadly, he only had information about five of its rumoured twelve members. They were:

Hagrid, the Warrior.

Rhino, the Blader.

Mouse, the Super Star.

Genevieve, the Enchantress.

And lastly, Afro Samurai Hijack.

These five are the contacts that they have in the Blue Card Legion. In fact, many times they wanted to get in touch with the leader but just like how many strong players of Terroa chose to hide their strengths and only reveal it when it was a matter of fame and glory, the leader of The Legion is also of the same kind.

After following Hagrid’s lead, they went in the tower-castle and here, they were greeted by a few NPC female servants whose appearances could win them the crown of the pageants in the real world.

They quickly made their way towards the base of the tower where a wharf with a single flying arc was there waiting for them.

One thing that was noticeable from the moment they arrived is the female servants. Most of them are of the Apollo or the Maven Tribes… the two most gorgeous looking of the races.

What more, there was also the collar attached to their necks –signs of them being slaves.

Just the thought of having slaves these gorgeous was enough to make any man gulp down their envious thoughts. Even someone as devoted to his work as Olaf had to think twice before rejecting the thought.

Olaf looked at Hagrid, “I see only women here. Is it a personal preference of your leader?”

Hearing this, Hagrid displayed his ‘don’t care’ reply in a form of an excuse answering him, “It’s not the leader’s preference. Rather, it’s the castle’s owner that wants it. He’s a player from the Apollo Race and has a very unique set of taste. From the moment that the Legion was formed, we already knew what he had wanted to do here in the first place. And when he did indeed have the chance, he filled the castle with the most beautiful women he could find.”

Olaf couldn’t help but sigh in this. True, this is one of the ugly sides of this game. Players are given too much freedom on almost anything that there are some who brought this freedom into another level by savoring the NPC women of this world who couldn’t even defend themselves.

He had seen it from complaints of concerned female players and even the media. In the real world, there are even advocates who promote protection for the NPC women.

RPG: Terroa was just so close to being real that it was scary at some point.

The pleasure of these women was also 90% real!

What criminals are unable to do in the real world, they are free to do, and even hailed as ‘powerful’ and ‘strong’ as they became so good at it in Terroa.

Rape, murder, arson; any crime you can think of…

In Terroa, people are free to do whatever they want to do and the best part of it all is that the rules and laws of the real world do not apply here. For the sake of pleasure, many people will forget their morality!

Especially men.

Many sympathetic extremists brought their ideals on a level that can even be said a crime and as far as Olaf –as far as Carl was concerned, the family who suffered the most from these extremist attacks is his family… the Kingsley Family.

Hearing Hagrid’s explanation, he couldn’t help but to utter a regretful sigh.

They boarded the Flying Arc as it floated peacefully towards the main castle where a bunch of winged angels –all blonde and stunningly beautiful but still wore the same collar on their necks– wearing white robes and had golden swords on their waists greeted Olaf’s company.

On their lead is an Apollo Race knight-armored man with long flowing blonde hair who carried himself in a very dignified and handsome manner.

An air of authority radiates from his graceful looks and his smile was just so enigmatic that some of the angels that went to greet Olaf’s party couldn’t help but blush and stare away from the arriving group.

Olaf didn’t mind it all and only glanced at Hagrid who had an apprehensive look as he glared at the blonde haired man.

But he wasn’t the only one greeting Olaf’s party.

There were also Prince Volga and Hubert, and a very alluring Maven Race player with long flowing blue hair with white forelocks.

Seeing this woman, Olaf waved at her, “Genevieve!”

The woman replied excitedly, “Olaf! Glad you could make it!” Not waiting for their arc to arrive, the blue haired sexy woman jumped in the air with a flash of light as beautiful rainbow colored wings spread out from the back of her shoulders.

Genevieve was one of the ‘payroll’ people that the Panorama Corporation can contact whenever it has something that needed to be done in the Southern Continent.

As soon as she was in the arc, she cancelled the wings and landed in front of Olaf. She latched her arm around his and immediately became intimate.

“Hmp.” Hagrid seemed to be angry. But Genevieve ignored and only stuck out her tongue, choking the arm between her plump chests.

“You should have told me you were coming sooner.”

“Sorry. I myself didn’t expect to even get here.”

“Hmp. Next time, I’m not going out with you.”

“Ah, don’t say that…”

Seeing this intimate atmosphere made Hagrid’s mood sink deeper. It was already enough that Kladis was the one greeting them, but seeing that Genevieve was surprisingly connected deeper to Olaf than him, he saw her as a competition to the vast sea of power-ups as Olaf.

Contrary to this, the rest of the surrounding people and the observing ones not too far could only sigh.

They all knew Genevieve.

She was an open book; what you see, what you get.

And yet her strength is undeniable. She earned her spot in the Legion and no one will say anything about her qualifications. Not even Kladis.

“Master Olaf.” Kladis greeted and displayed a warm smile that seems to captivate any woman. Two angels from the ranks even fell down from their positions.

“You must be the owner of the castle.” Olaf extended a hand to receive the offered one.

“My name is Kladis. I am indeed the owner of this castle and by the request of our leader, made this castle our headquarters as well.” As he spoke, he led the group inside but still managed to send an expressive look towards Hagrid’s way.

Hagrid greeted his teeth but only followed them.

Genevieve was still in his arms when Olaf asked the point of his visit, “I’ll get to the point. The reason for my visit…”

“–is because of our quest. Right. The Commander did say something about that and thus, with this short a notice, we invited you to come as soon as you can because our meeting is about to begin as well.”

Olaf nodded on Kladis’ explanation.

Following them for quite some time, they reached a large hall with a circular table filled with wooden chairs –all thirteen of them.

Written on the chairs were names; Geraint, Lancelot, Galahad, Lamorak, Gawain, Kay, Gareth, Bedivere, Percival, Gaheris, Tristan, Bors, and… the one in the middle, a missing name.

The wooden chairs themselves seem to be made from a different kind of wood as they all emit a dim glow in the low light of the hall. In front of the chairs lay gold-bladed swords, twelve of them, with the one in the very middle of the thirteen chairs missing the set.

“Is this…?!” Olaf held his breath as he could not believe what he was seeing. “I can’t believe it. This is the Round Table… from the legends of one of the greatest Kingdoms in Terran History! Accordingly, all information pertaining to the clues of even just one of the members of this circle are S-Class, and the quest and missions associated with it are all in the S-Ranking as well or even higher! For you guys to be able to get all swords means…”

“We’re down to the last one.” When Kladis spoke, the group had already been inside the hall and Olaf was never able to determine when but there are already twelve people here inside the room now.

Mouse let her healthy chests rest on the flat top side of the chair as she leaned forward and hugged it.

Prince Volga went on and lean beside his chair, glaring steadily at Kladis. And then there was also Hubert who neatly and carefully placed himself on his chair.

Aside from them, the rest were either leaning their backs against the wall or in a quiet corner swiping the air, optimizing their player panels.

Twelve swords, twelve people, and the only empty spot is the chair without a gold sword and the etched name in it.

Olaf’s eyes were dragged into that place and then he murmured in earnest, “The Legend of King Arthur.”

At this point, Kladis sat down on the seat with the name Lancelot. The rest of the twelve followed suit and soon, twelve seats were already occupied.

Hagrid was on the seat named [Galahad].

Mouse on [Kay].

Rhino on [Gareth].

Genevieve on [Bedivere].

Hijack on [Gaheris].

These five aside from Hubert, Kladis, and Volga that Olaf already met are from the ‘payroll’ list that he had previously contacted and knew prior to this day’s gathering.

With the silence filling the table, Olaf began to stay quiet as well. He even controlled his breathing.

Just then, Kladis on Lancelot’s seat, spoke, “Going down to business, our Leader had spoken… we are now all set to chase after our pending S-Class Quest.”

No words could be heard after his announcement.

They’ve all been briefed in whatever kind of form of summons they’ve received from their leader.

“The last time we went out was for the seat of Bors, the twelfth of the set. At that time, we knew that the challenge for the last seat is going to be the hardest and also the most challenging of all. As all of you might probably know, the challenges on getting the chairs increase every time. We’ve planned ahead for when the time we complete the set but completing it is still a different story.”

“You can say that again.” A voice came from the one seated at the [Bors] chair, “I thought I was going to die to that elemental dragon back there. Even though it’s just a fledgling, it still took us an entire week of battling it out little by little.”

“Yeah.” Genevieve on Bedivere’s seat said. “Using guerilla warfare on a fledgling… we were able to take turns for logging out and resting against that small creature but it still took us all we’ve got and a little bit of trickery to defeat it.”

Hearing this, Olaf on the side couldn’t help but to feel astonished. He knew how strong these guys are and if not for the fact that the Alcides Guild had the [Garuda] with them, then this Blue Card Legion can be said to have the right to be called ‘at the same level’ with the Alcides Guild’s strength.

Thus, hearing them recall fighting it out against an Elemental Dragon, even if it’s just a fledgling, to still take them a week of ‘guerilla’ warfare and a bit of ‘trickery’ by means of not letting the young dragon rest, was still able to explain how much this [Quest] was actually difficult to complete.

Dragons… they’re monsters that belongs to an entire league of their own.

Their species are divided to non-elemental and those supreme existences, Elemental Dragons. But even these levels are still on a lower plain than the biggest and strongest races recorded in the Book of Legends.

First is the Demon Race… the alien invaders.

Second was the most supreme of all existences, the Dragon Race, where even the Demons cower in the face of their might.

Non-elemental dragons included the Forest Dragons and the Serpent Dragons –which Bakunawas belong to as s sub-species.

But for any other players, Dragons are existences that are hundreds of times more terrible than the already scary S-Class monster, Lapis Lazuli. Because all Dragon Kinds have their frightening ability called the [Dragon Roar] that can decimate an entire city the size of which comparable to the City of Jeremiah.

Even fledglings of dragons contained the frightening strength and prowess of their bloodline.

In Terroa as of today, there have only been five known appearances of Dragons. The rest are just the rumors or that the discoverers of their territories were instantly wiped out before they even knew how they died.

Battling a fledgling Forest Dragon alone is a legend in Terroa and only one person had ever done it… not to mention winning against it, of all the players, he alone is the sole person who probably has the capability of succeeding on such a feat.

After all, he had that sinister ability…

The Killing Zone.

Siva… who liked to call himself The Destroyer.

“Is this true?” Olaf, although he knew it was true, still asked it of Hagrid who was closest to him.

Hagrid obliged an answer, “It is. After we defeated it, I looted the Howling Tiger Armor from the stock of treasures it was guarding. We were lucky that its mother was not there at the time or we would have been completely wiped out.”

Olaf swallowed before speaking again, “By the way, I’ve been wondering but, who was your leader? How come he never let anyone know of his identity?”

“Well, he’s always been an enigmatic fellow. Of all of us, it’s probably only Kladis who knew who he really was.” Just as he finished speaking, the door of the conference room opened and a person entered wearing a confident lofty grin.

Seeing him, Hagrid’s as well as everyone else’s eyes widened except for Kladis who remained calm.

Olaf had a look of surprise, “Could he be…”

The person took the silent opportunity to sit at the chair without a name and even though the chair was only a decoration and does not exude the same glow of power coming from the others, when he sat down there, he made everyone else’s overbearing presences dim in comparison.

It’s because even Kladis, the one they all recognized as the strongest of them all, once he saw this intruder enter the conference room, instead of aggressively trying to kick him out, actually stood there in silence and even lightly made a bow to acknowledge his status that’s higher than his.

The reason why Hagrid was shocked is now because the person he considered as Rival is actually bowing to a man but because he himself did not expect that the [Commander] of the Legion they all recognized as the strongest of them all was actually a renowned person in and out of Terroa.

“Am I late?” The man spoke, still wearing that grin.

Sitting at the thirteenth chair, the newly arrived man lifted his feet up and put it on the table. He took out an apple from his inventory and began to eat and also gestured a hand for Kladis to continue.

Kladis, on the other hand, sighed and spoke to the Legion as if it was just natural, “Everyone. Let me officially introduce to you the Commander of the Blue Card Legion and the undisputed strongest player of RPG: Terroa: Gats.”

Gats, loftily eating the apple, waved a hand.

“Hello.” He said and then grinned at Olaf. “And hello there as well, Carl!”

Carl frowned and almost threw him the untouched mug of hot chocolate served in front of him.

“I can’t believe it.” Olaf sighed helplessly, “Of all the people I imagined to be the leader of this group, you are actually that one.”

“Hehe… I’m not always the celebrity, you know.”

“You’re right. You’re just a troublemaker.”

“Hah. Enough of that. We’re all here for our Grand Quest so might as well get to the point.” As he spoke, he looked at Volga. “You. Escort our guest here.”

Volga frowned but he didn’t say anything. As a Prince inside and outside Terroa, he had a dignity to uphold for himself. But… it was true that to earn the necessary respect in the Blue Card Legion made of the most outstanding players in the game, one must have the strength to be able to hold their own ground and carry their balls.

He went out the room only to come back a few minutes later towing behind a fearful-looking Scion whose beauty and grace sparkled as she walked.

“Everyone,” Gats spoke nonchalantly. “This… is our esteemed guest who will lead us to the Grand Quest with the man named Siva. Esteemed guest, meet the members of the Blue Card Legion.”

“What?!”

“Siva?!”

“But I thought we’re here for The Providence?”

The commotion rang in the conference room and the noise of the members of the table all spoke of their own respective objections.

Even Olaf was confused. But before the noise even escalated further, Kladis raised a hand and everyone, including Hagrid who also voiced his concerns, held their tongues.

“I know all of you are not aware of it, but let me explain first. Her name is Scion, hailed as an Archmage of the esteemed Circle of Magi, holder of the Eye of Origins and…” at this point, Kladis displayed a very charming smile at Scion that made the latter blush and Volga grit his teeth. “…is also the one who had been chosen as the vessel of the soul of the one and only Goddess of Time.”

When the last words were spoken, the silence was replaced with a gasps of awe and shock. Even Volga who just a moment ago gritting his teeth in anger was looking like he just saw a large meteor hit his home.

Olaf, who was the chief of the Tech Department in Panorama Corporation, frowned at this.

He asked Hagrid, “Who is the Goddess of Time?”

Although he already had a clue, he was still skeptic.

The large man faced him, “Oh, right. You are from the Panorama… hmmm… I think you might know her by another name. She is the one called Terra.”

Olaf gasped. “The Primordial Goddess, mother of all creations, the Preserver of Worlds!”

Hagrid nodded. “Yep. The one that died.”