With a loud blare, a cloud of black, dense smoke erupted from the chimneys of the train's engine, steam blowing out from its bottom. Sparks flew out as the steel wheels scratched against the rails, bringing the train to a gradual stop.

Donning full armors with swords hanging from their waists, the knights of the seventeenth platoon stepped out of the train. At the forefront was the elf knight Raeran. Following him was the young brunette knight, and behind them was the rest of the platoon.

Standing in the middle of the group was a tall man with long wheat hair tied in a ponytail. His slim physique was not hidden well enough under the long mahogany overcoat he wore. If not for the cheapness evident in his clothing, any passerby would have thought him an aristocrat.

The busy train station continued its hollering as the sounds of the knights faded into the din of the crowd. Beautifully carved benches, well-paved platforms, and strong security around the station. The scenery was starkly different from their source station, which the Otherworlder wasn't aware of the existence of.

The train stations truly seemed to have been made for the higher class, which were surely not lacking in the kingdom's capital.

Leading the knights and the Otherworlder through the station doors, Raeran showed the way to a bustling city center.

Structures of stones and marbles stood gloriously as far as the eye could see. Canals of water passed through the streets with beautiful plants on their sides. Fountains and Geysers connected to the canals, creating beautiful spectacles of art as people all over the city came around to their vicinity.

Painters sat on a stool with their berets almost falling off while bards and singers sang together under the soft sun, accompanied by the chirps and cries of birds. A common scene that one could see anywhere in the kingdom was amplified in the capital as an air of peace and calm clouded over the town.

The knights led the Otherworlder through the wider and wider streets, each more beautiful than the last until they reached the walls of an enormous palace. With a height of about ten floors, the palace wasn't as tall as it was giant. The structure of stone and marbles glimmered radiantly under the sunlight as the group passed by the gigantic walls and entered the courtyard of the palace.

Fields of flowers stretched in all directions. Artificial ponds and lakes spread over the courtyard with finely tended bushes and plants around them.

The knights led the Otherworlder through the courtyard and into the palace. The vast hallways, devoid of the smallest specks of dust, welcomed the platoon with open arms.

Soon, the knights of the platoon broke off from them as only Raeran and the Otherworlder continued ahead till they reached a giant courtroom at the end of the floor. The majestic metal doors opened up with a loud creak, revealing the sight of a room made of splendor and grace.

A beautiful red carpet covered the floor, ending at the foot of a magnificent throne in the corner of the room. A palace's courtroom, one not big enough for the king, but surely one fitting of royalty.

Robed ministers sat on the sides of the carpet in front of the throne, their eyes fixated on the person occupying it.

Slender legs crossed over each other as the indigo robes draped down from the throne and touched the floor. Thin arms rested on the sides of the throne with beauty and grace in their slightest movements. With sparkling blue hair and glimmering blonde eyes, the princess atop the throne turned towards the door.

The statuesque beauty with skin as clear as lakes smiled lightly as she acknowledged Raeran with a slight nod.

"You are here, Sir Raeran."

Immediately, Raeran fell to his knees.

"This humble knight has returned to your grace. Your majesty, the second princess of Angnarmarak. Lady Amelia Fitzimons vi Angnarmarak."

Seeing the knight suddenly fall to his knees gave the Otherworlder a quick startle. Then, he noticed the knight had already started greeting the princess in front of him.

'Should I go to my knees too? Won't it be awkward so late?'

The Otherworlder was confused. In the end, he decided to stay standing.

As soon as Raeran finished his greetings, one minister stood up and pointed at the Otherworlder. "Hey, you. It is good manners to bow in front of royalty. You may not know the etiquette, but you should be aware of your surroundings."

A nobleman's casual jab that could never be direct.

The Otherworlder simply nodded at the man. "I'll keep it in mind. Thanks," he said.

Raeran gulped internally at the Otherworlder's words. He had to say, this was something he expected from the Otherworlder, but there was a limit to marching to one's own beat.

"What did you just say? I know not which place you come from, but your manners will land you in trouble!" The minister said. "Get down on your knees, this instant!"

"Fufu, it is fine."

The heated room calmed down in an instant as the princess' chime-like voice spread through the air.

"Sir Raeran, you may raise your head."

With a simple smile, the princess dismissed the atmosphere in the room. Her words were enough to make the ministers drop the matter and bow. This time, not missing the chance, the Otherworlder lowered his head towards the princess as the elf knight stood up.

The Otherworlder only raised his head after the other ministers had done the same.

'Truly, this man…' Raeran thought to himself. 'He asserted his position of not being subservient but still respectful within moments. Sir Iatra is smart… but unfortunately, he has met his match…'

"Your majesty," Raeran spoke up. "This gentleman is Sir Iatra Fors. He is the person who put a stop to the evil undead hero."

Undead hero.

A whole new narrative had come up here.

"I see. So you are that person. The kingdom of Angnarmarak owes you for your valor, Sir Iatra Fors."

The Otherworlder nodded at the princess without a word. His actions seemed to have made the same bearded minister from before angry again, but before the minister could raise a ruckus, the princess gracefully smiled and turned to them.

"It seems we will have to end today's session here."

The princess' lyre-like voice and painting-like smile seemed to have lodged her words deep into the hearts of all listening as the ministers performed a deep bow and said some words of praises before leaving.

The one bearded minister got on his knees and grabbed the princess' hands.

"Your majesty, I apologize for any of my rudeness—"

"It is fine," The Princess put her other hand on top of the minister's and smiled again. "Do not worry about it. I am well aware of your loyalty."

"Your majesty! I am unworthy of such trust…" The minister grabbed his chest and sang praises of the princess. It was only after she reminded him once again did the minister stand up and leave.

Following the ministers, the guards at the door also stepped out of the courtroom and closed the giant metal doors behind them.

The Otherworlder was still looking at the closed door when a loud and obnoxious sigh came from behind him.

"Finally, those stinky fucks are gone. You came at just the right time, elf."

The Otherworlder slowly turned his head back to see the same angel-like princess now sprawled over the throne with a nasty scowl on her face.

"Hey, you coated fuck," she said, her scowl turning into a wide smirk. "Answer some of my questions, will you?"

The Otherworlder was in trouble.