"He's here..." Reported a hushed voice.

"Here? Nothing here beyond that tomb, though?" Came a reply.

The two voices lurched forward, peaking out through the bushes, their eyes focused on the town of Luna.

"E says he's there though... claimed that Kendirewen bastard stopped there before moving onto the mountains."

Pulling back, the first of the hood men replied with, "You mean where we lost contact with team two?"

Nodding, "Yeah... no way they could've been taken out by some untrained farmer or low-level adventurer..."

"Well, if it's E we're talking about here, you sure they gave us complete freedom to do what we need to?" He first asked.

"Complete." The Second growled back, a sick grin forming behind his mask.

Both men began to laugh as a dark idea began to form between them, prompting them to look back at the rest of their force of twenty, each wearing the same black hooded cloak as the two lead figures and each looking as hungry for blood as their commanders.

"Herd together an army of goblins, and send them charging towards Luna, and no one will know it was us." Grinned the First.

"Exactly! If that bastard did turn over the evidence of our presence, there's a solid chance we'll be able to destroy that along with this town. It'll send a clear message. After all... I did pull the Guard out of the region for a reason." The Second replied

Both men began to chuckle amongst themselves as they moved to carry out their dark deed...

--

"And here you'll find your chambers, Wolfram." The Eldar said, walking down a long hallway.

Vance walked closely behind the Eldar, trying to get used to the sudden attitude change the two-horned men had towards him since sitting on the throne. The Eldar, who had at one point talked and spoke as though Vance were a fool, was now treating him like he was some divine being or at least spoke with the authority of one. Meanwhile, the Redhead, who was hot-headed and quick to anger, was now all quiet and remorseful for his previous tone of voice, a little off-putting too. He didn't like how these two treated him, as he wasn't used to being treated like someone special and nor did Vance want to be.

"You know, you both don't don't have to talk like that," Vance said.

"Hmm?"

"Your tone." Vance noted, "It sounds like you're talking to a monarch."

The Eldar smiled while peering over his shoulder to Vance, "That's to be expected, as you are Julia's chosen champion and by right, the heir of the Tavarian throne." He noted, turning back to the front.

Vance was about to open his mouth to protest, but just as they did, they stopped at the only door present in the long hallway. With a slight push, the wooden door swung open, showing a romanesque room with a vaulted ceiling and a single large stain-glass window on the opposite end. The image shown was that of Julia looking down upon the world of Tavaria, seemingly watching over her children. Vance raised a brow before smiling as his eyes closed. How right they were.

"Please, come in, make yourself at home." The Eldar gestured towards the desk just in front of the stain-glass.

Vance opened his eyes and looked at him, then at the desk, "Wait, you mean this is supposed to be my room? All of this?

Nodding in the affirmative, "Yes. As the Champion of Julia, it's only fitting that the new ruler of Tavaria is given the largest room in the Palace."

Vance grimaced at the words, as he wasn't one for the feudal system, more so as a former History Professor. Still, if he were to live in this world and accomplish his objectives, he'd have to get used to them.

Stepping into the room, Vance came to look around, noting how well furnished the chamber was. Looking to the right, he spotted a separate hallway leading to several rooms, each one for his personal use. What each one contained was still a mystery, but for now, Vance made a mental note to check them out later. His primary focus was the desk at the far end. Coming up to the oak desk -which he was only able to tell was such upon a closer inspection- he found the work area was fully stocked and ready for anyone to begin working away. A quill pen rested nearby a stack of parchment paper, and a bundle of sticks of wax lay neatly tied beside a stamp that bore the seal of the First Emperor.

"You know that seal was never used by anyone other than the Emperor." The Redhead said, walking up, absently looking over the desk. "No one's seen it or even knows what it looks anymore. Since he had no kids to pass on his legacy, the ruling dynasties that took over kept changing the Imperial coat of arms, and so... you could use that for your seal."

Vance tilted his head over to him, "Oh? But, what makes you think I'll need it?" He asked.

"Well, if you're to unite the warring kingdoms on the continent, you'll need an official seal and title." He replied.

"You mean like a title I don't have?" Vance noted as he took a seat on a relatively comfortable chair.

The Redhead shrugged, "Yet. You just need to claim some land as your own, and you've got yourself a title."

Vance raised a brow, "I 'just' need to go claim some land? I'm afraid things aren't as they were when the First Emperor walked this earth, as most of the land is already claimed by one or more families making it virtually impossible to claim any land." Vance noted, leaning back against his new chair.

The Redhead smirked, "Not the mountains."

It suddenly dawned on him, "Oh! You're right; I don't think I've ever even thought of the Mountains as claimable land."

"Ahem!" Coughed the Eldar who stood between the two, "Technically, the land isn't. But as the sole owner of the Palace and its surrounding lands, you do have the right to claim the peaks as your domain."

Vance paused, turning in thought towards the notion of claiming ownership of the mountain range. To do so would likely upset many citizens across Tavaria, as many saw the spine as something akin to a sacred space given the tomb complex built into them. It was a risky move but a gamble he'd have to make if he wanted to get his plan underway.

"Let's do it." He sighed, leaning back once more.

Both horned men smiled, "Good! It's settled then; we'll forge the documents and have the paperwork ready to show the Kendirewen monarch if you so wish to keep loyal to them for the foreseeable future?"

Shaking his head, "Thanks, but I think for now we should see about buying up the town of Luna."

"Why that backwater?" Chimed in the Redhead with the look of puzzlement.

Vance shot him a pointed glare before relenting with a sigh, "Because it's the most realistic means to claim ownership of the mountains." He started, pulling out one of his maps from his vest pocket, laying it out for both to see. "If I control the town, the one and only place for anyone to find a room and safe place to say, then I effectively control the mountains without having to say I do."

It was then the Redhead looked somewhat amazed. "Smart."

"Mhm, so it seems Julia has chosen another smart individual to unit the people." The Eldar muttered to himself.

Despite hearing the statement, Vance chose to ignore the old man's words, turning his attention instead to folding the map back up. "So, with that in mind, I say we head to Luna and see what we can do to learn about the local lord or lady. If possible, I'm hoping the seat's been vacant, so I can earn the right to call myself the lord." Vance said as he stowed the map away.

"And how do you propose we do that? I thought you said we could just buy the land?" The Redhead said.

Vance shook his head, "While we could do that, there's a chance it'll take longer as we need to get the right to do so via the monarch of Kendirewen... which can take months if not years given the current conflict with Lespa." He replied.

Pushing himself up and away from his new desk, Vance made a hasty move for the exit, a plan already beginning to form in his head, "If we can use the Adventurer's Guild, there's a high probability I'll be able to have the people select me as the new lord, more so given the rising number of beasts in the woods." Vance said as he paused just outside the room, closely followed by the Redhead.

Looking back towards the Eldar, Vance wondered why he wasn't following, "Eldar?"

"Vilkmar." He answered back with a smile. "My name is Vilkmar, or so the First had named me," Vilkmar stated.

Vance froze, "T-the First Emperor?" Vance repeated.

"Yes, he had named me... as you will name my grandchild. As is your right and duty to Julia and Tavaria." He stated proudly.

Both men looked at him, then at each other.

"Wait, you don't have a name?" Vance asked.

Shaking his head, "Never needed one."

"Hah~ shit." He cursed.

Another trope had manifested itself, prompting Vance to roll his eyes and facepalm with some annoyance at the situation he now found himself in. "Really? Do I really need to do that? Can't he pick his name?"

"No, only Julia's Champion may name a True Dragon," Vilkmar replied.

Vance sighed as he leaned against the door frame. "So... you're both Dragons? True Dragons?"

"Oh? Have you heard of us before? I had thought such knowledge of our species had faded much like this place."

Scratching the back of his head, Vance quickly formed an excuse, realising he couldn't just say he knew what or who they were based on a series from his original world, "Julia imparted the knowledge to me." He said thankful his High Human iron nerve helped cement his reply as fact to the two men he now knew to be Dragon's.

Turning now to look to Vance, the Redhead shrugged, "Up to you, I don't think I need one."

"No, no... I'll come up with something." Looking at the younger Dragon, Vance recalled their first meeting and his attitude, prompting him to smile, "I got it." He said.

"If it's a joke name, Julia or not, I will rebel!"

"It's not, relax." Vance reassured the youth, "I hereby name you Richard! Richard of Lionheart!" He announced.

Suddenly a light began to engulf Richard until the whole room went white, prompting Vance to shield his eyes until it dissipated. Bringing his hand down, he noted Richard was standing and looking as surprised as he. It then hit Vance what had happened, as Richard's horns, which had previously been swept back into his hair, were now protruding upward with a slight curl to them, with his eyes now appearing more dragonic in style and appearance with their golden hue.

"Heh... you've finally surpassed me..." Both men heard Vilkmar say.

Snapping their heads over, Vilkmar let out a peaceful sigh, only to turn and look out the stain-glass window. "I'll stay here and prepare things for you both." He said.

Richard looked down and marched away, but then Vance, for some reason, began to feel his eyes sting, burning as hot tears trailed down his face.

"What? Why? Why am I crying?" Vance asked, bringing his hands up to wipe the tears away.

Peaking over at Vance, Vilkmar smiled, closing his eyes before returning to view the scenery once more. "Must be the dust."

"Hah... yeah..." Vance replied as he suddenly felt a pain in his chest.

Looking up at the old man once more, Vance bowed his head, "Thanks for the help... Vilkmar. I'll look after Richard."

"..." Looking down, "That's the first time I've ever heard a Human, even a High Human, say they were going to look after a True Dragon."

Smiling, "There'll be a lot of firsts when it comes to me."

"I'm sure there will be."

Twisting around, Vance grabbed the handle on the door, glancing over one final time before closing it shut behind him. Vilkmar's time had come, it seemed, his last duty complete in this life; he was going to take his final eternal rest... Vance had barely known him a few hours, but yet in those final moments, it felt like he was saying goodbye to a close friend. In truth, Vance likely shed those tears on the fact that one of the oldest living beings on the planet had just passed away, and he had been one of the last to see the great being before his end.

"Take care of him... Julia."