Chapter 11 - Crido

“Argh, are we there yet” Eric moaned like a child. It had been one week since they left the town. Constant flying and being bullied by the dragon had put Eric in a sour mood.

“Soon. Now stop moaning,” Ardon said annoyed.

The suns slowly rose above the horizon, beginning a new day as Eric looked up to see a massive city made of stone in the distance beneath the mountain range, reminding him of an old Greek civilization. Ardon dismisses his mask and hood, displaying his long ashen hair that wafted in the wind. Damn, this guy looks cool. Still, I would rather walk than fly on this cursed beast again. As they got closer, Eric looked around in awe. Holy shit!!, this is some city. Eric could see a magnificent palace in the centre of the city, surrounded by various buildings made of stone. A river flowed through the city leading into an ocean that churned silently like a sleeping tiger, ready to pounce and devour anyone brave enough to get close.

“What's the name of this place? It's amazing, how did you build such large structures without power tools and machinery??”

“This is Crido, the capital of the kingdom Landton. Be silent now, you will learn soon,” Ardon said sternly, directing the dragon to land in front of the palace.

The dragon landed gracefully, careful not to destroy anything in the palace garden. Ardon jumped off to the awaiting guards that kneeled with their blades pointing to the ground in respect. A woman dressed in a dull grey dress stepped forward towards Ardon after bowing.

“Your majesty, the grand empress has asked for you,"

“Yes... Yes... dismissed” Ardon said waving her away with his hand.

The servant left the area after being dismissed, and Ardon called for Eric to jump down. The dragon moved its body ever so slightly, causing Eric to tumble off, landing face-first on the ground. Eric's face flushed red in anger and a moment of stillness encompassed him as mana drew towards him. He clenched his fist, feeling the mana surge strengthening his bones as he delivered a blow to the dragon's head. A loud shock wave and dust rippled out as his fist hit the dragon. Silence ensued as the dust settled. The guards still kneeling all stood up weapons at the ready, looking towards Eric as if he was the craziest person they had ever seen, while Ardon watched on calmly with a proud grin on his face. Amiy, analyse what I just did.

*On it, boss*

Eric stood gasping, staring at the dragon with a deadly gaze. His fist felt like he struck a steel beam. The dragon winked and revealed a toothy grin before a wave of mana forced Eric to the ground forcefully, breaking his nose.

“You stupid fucking dragon, ill kick your ass when I figure out this mana shit just you wait,” Eric said standing up brushing himself off, tears and blood streaming down his face.

“Enough Brinsoph, You,” Ardon said pointing at one guard still standing with a dumbfounded expression. “Take the young master here to the steward to get prepared for meeting the empress” The guard saluted with his hand on his heart before taking Eric inside the palace.

Eric followed the armed man absently while talking to Amiy in his head. “So what happened, how did I do it”

*hmm… Your emotions react to ambient mana somehow.*

Hmm, hopefully, we can figure it out soon, Ardon still might kill me after he realises I'm not this young master.

*Chill out man, I don't think that will happen*

You saw how he killed those people at the inn without remorse. The guy is a psycho and I don't think a few weeks of travelling together would sway his heart.

*I don't mean that… I think you are this young master, lord or whatever people keep calling you*

You can't be serious: It's impossible, I have never left earth, you know that.

*ya duh... I know I'm not stupid…. I looked back to when you first made me and with the current data I have now; I discovered that your body was already absorbing the mana before you made me, only it was really, really slow.*

Eric got lost in his thoughts as the guard led him towards a finely dressed man in gold and red. The guard explains his orders to the man before leaving him alone with Eric. A loud cough brought Eric out from his deep thought, he looked around to find himself in a large room with huge windows that looked out upon the garden where he had just landed. The man cleared his throat again bringing Eric to his attention.

“Greetings young master, I am imperial steward Augusto Larence, please sit so I can heal your wounds”

Eric nodded and sat in the luxury chair as Augusto directed mana towards his nose. A warm comfortable sensation passed through him forcing his eyes closed as he enjoyed the feeling. After a few moments, the pain Eric had felt was gone along with the warming sensation.

“Ok you're all done follow me to your chambers”

Eric followed the man out of the room and down a hallway that was lit from the light shining in through the windows. He looked around at the stone walls and could feel mana radiating from the smooth stone. Gather data on these walls.

*Right away young master!!* Amiy chimed gleefully.

Shaking his head Eric continued through the hallway, admiring the various art that hung from the walls. After passing several doors Augusto opened one that led into a decent sized room, filled with a large bed and wardrobe. To the side was another room, a little smaller than the first. Inside was a generously sized bath made from metal and a few potted plants also placed throughout the room, giving a fresh spring smell.

"Please wait here, and I'll send some servants to help prepare yourself for the empress," said Augusto, bowing before leaving Eric alone.

Eric went to the bed and fell back lost in the comfort the freshly made bed brought him. He closed his eyes and drifted off into dreams of castles and princesses. A knock on the door woke Eric from his dreams, he looked up to see three maids around his age dressed in the same dull grey dresses enter carrying clothes and buckets of water.

"Young master, we are here to help you get ready," One said nervously.

"Call me Eric and just prepare the bath and leave. I can do the rest" Eric said, not comfortable with getting his little friend out in front of three good looking women.

She dropped to her knees with fear on her face. "Please, I dare not young master, I plead for you to accept our help"

*They will probably get in trouble if you don't let them, Eric….*

"Fine… just.. just get up you're making me feel bad" Eric sighed.

One maid helped undress Eric, causing his face to flush red with humiliation. While the other two filled his bath with hot water and prepared soaps. He walked past the two maids naked and entered his bath, his expression turning to one of anger after noticing the girls didn't even glance his way. I know I'm not beautiful but they are straight-up ignoring me.

*I think your beautiful especially your little friend* giggled Amiy

Hey, I'm average and It's cold in here alright!!!

Eric sat in the bath as the maids washed the grime from his chest and back. This isn't that bad actually. Eric thought happily.

"Please lean back so we can wash your legs young master"

Without thought Eric leaned back with his eyes closed and lifted his legs resting them on the side, soft soapy hands gently massaged his legs starting from his feet. Eric was lost in bliss as the hands gently caressed his legs. Eric felt his blood boil and his little friend grow as he enjoyed himself. Her eyes shot open in shock, realising that there were three young women in the room with him. He stared at a maid who was looking down at his not so little friend, her face red with shyness.

"Shall I help the young master with this?" she said timidly not looking at Eric.

"No you're not trained I’ll do it, go prepare the young masters clothes," said one of the other maids.

The others left the room leaving Eric in shock at the normality of it all. He snapped himself out of his daze, as the woman reached her hand down. "NO!!" He shouted, startling the woman.

"You don't want help with this," she said in confusion while pointing at his member.

"Of course not, I don't even know your name"

"What would knowing my name change??"

"ahh nothing just go, I’ll be out in a moment," Eric sighed.

She gave him one last look of confusion before leaving the room, Eric lay back in the bath and let out a sigh. Fuck.. I should have just let it happen, I mean I need to enjoy myself sometimes right?? This isn't earth anymore I should try and fit in with the customs here, or I will become an outcast, also it was probably rude or weird to deny something like that.

*Perv!!!*

After a few moments of reflection, Eric left to get dressed. He walked out of the room still red-faced and flustered, the maids quickly attacked him with clothing and perfume. When the maids finally left, Eric walked over to the large mirror beside his bed. A strange man with neat ashen hair and piercing azure eyes, dressed in a regal red and gold robe that ran his full height stared back at him. Damn, I look good.

After waiting for a while in silence the steward came to lead Eric to the empress. An uncontrollable nervousness crept up on Eric while walking, the thought of meeting an Empress made him shudder slightly. Augusto continued to lead Eric down stairwells and through long corridors until coming to a set of large double doors made from wood and iron with various symbols etched into the wood.

“Just through there, young master” Augusto said moving to the side with a bow, pointing towards the doors.

“You’re not coming??” Eric asked.

“I don’t belong. Quick, hurry now!!”

Eric sighed and walked towards the doors. Ok, you can do this, head up and eyes forward. He reached forward with his hand, the etchings lit up illuminating the surroundings in blue light. Eric turned around to see Augusto still standing there, urging him forward. With little effort, the doors opened and Eric stepped through. The doors clicked shut behind him and the sound of a locking mechanism echoed through the room. Inside the room was an elegant woman in a plain white dress who sat around a small table containing a teapot and cups.

“Come sit,” she ordered while sipping on her tea.

Eric took a seat opposite the woman while she inspected his face intensely.

“Now young master, would you like to hear a story,” she said with a sad smile.

“Erm… sure.”