久久大陆

"Oh, you needn't be wary of me. Forgive my barbaric men for their rude welcoming," the grand chancellor said, "I am the grand chancellor of Yinlong; a humble position I uphold with the best interests of my kingdom in mind."

"Name's Ajax," the man returned the introduction.

It was just them as the chancellor, dressed in red-and-gold robes, standing by the surviving soldier, did that very soldier seem to notice what was imminent.

"Grand chancellor, forgive me, I—!"

The scarlet-eyed chancellor merely pointed his finger towards the pleading soldier, not breaking eye contact with Ajax, "Die and be silent."

In an instant, the dragonkin soldier's body withered as his skin lost its vigor and his flesh dried out like a dehydrated fruit.

Ajax watched in surprise, but not moved much by the display, "Interesting. Finally somebody is treating me like a human around here!"

"Why, yes! It's a great misfortune that your impression of Yinlong has been…that. However, I'd like to interest you in something to make up for this grave disrespect," the chancellor smiled.

"Oh?" Ajax said with a casual smirk, "I'm all ears."

Across the trail of the beautiful mountaintop, surrounded by blossoming trees of verdant and orange leaves, the grand chancellor approached him.

"If you come with me to the capital of Yinlong, you'll find your reason for being summoned to this land," the grand chancellor told him with a smile.

Ajax held a pleased expression, adjusting his goggles, "Well, I've got nothing better to do, anyway! Lead the way!"

"How blessed I am to have such an understanding prospect," the chancellor nodded.

It was through a crystal orb that the grand chancellor wielded that the two were transported by a mystical contraption, enveloping the both of them in a light.

"Oh? What's this?" Ajax looked at his hands as the light shrouded him.

The chancellor smiled, "Nothing to fear. It's a teleportation spell, is all. It's a long walk from here to the capital, you see."

"Got it," Ajax nodded with a smile of his own.

In an instant, the light vanished, leaving no trace of the two suspicious individuals as the mountain trail, which had been painted in bloody mist, was now silent.

–

VRAP.

With a flash, the goggle-wearing man now found himself in a new setting as he lifted the visors from his eyes, blinking a bit as he squinted around.

It was inside of a vast keep; a building of royal architecture by its marble floors, illustrious paintings and artifacts present on the walls, and a kingly chandelier that loomed above.

"Wow! Pretty snazzy place you've got here," Ajax looked around like a curious child.

The grand chancellor of Yinlong laughed lightly, covering his mouth with his lengthy sleeve, "I am happy to hear you appreciate the beauty of Great Yinlong's fantastic architecture. It's thanks to Mishua Yi, perhaps the greatest art–ah, I'm rambling on, aren't I? Forgive me."

"Nah, you're fine," Ajax said, glancing around as he fiddled with his goggles on his forehead.

Looking around the current room, the curious young man prodded at the large crystal that hovered in the center of the chamber, which was suspended by spiraling, metal bands that emitted a slight hum.

"Ah, I'd suggest you not poke that," Chancellor Li said.

"Afraid I'll break it?" Ajax glanced over at him.

The chancellor laughed, shrugging his shoulders, "If you damage it, the Supreme Crystal will release enough energy to vaporize everybody within earshot of the resulting explosion. There would be nothing left."

Ajax seemed amused, but convinced as he stopped poking at the object, placing his hands on his sides, "Alright, then! So, what's it you called me here for?"

Bringing a fan from his sleeve, the chancellor cooled himself gently as he looked at the foreigner with a small smile, "Since your people have been summoned into this world, the Yinlong Empire has been kindly letting in those who show…promise into our ranks. This is all to combat a great evil that is plaguing this world–the Scalyue Empire."

"Ehh…I don't really care about your political conflicts, ya know?" Ajax tilted his head.

"Oh, I understand that perfectly, however, you have a stake in this, too," the chancellor smiled.

"I do?" Ajax blinked.

"Oh, you do! You see–we are well aware of your position! Stuck in this world, set with such a grandiose trial ahead of you! However! The path to moving on to the next floor coincides directly with our own goal," the chancellor told him, "Would you like to know what that is, Sir Ajax?"

There was a clear, devious smile about the grand chancellor's lips as his jet-black hair danced down his shoulders; after witnessing the strength and anomalous power wielded by the eccentric human, it was clear what his motivation was.

"Would I? I'm all ears!" The goggle-wearing young man laughed.

The chancellor looked at him, "The empire of the Scalyue Empire…If he's slain, the gateway to the next floor will open to you."

"...Oh? Oh! That's your enemy, isn't it?" Ajax put it together, slapping his palms together.

"Indeed."

"That means we should work together, then!" Ajax laughed.

"Precisely. I'm glad we've come to an understanding," the grand chancellor smiled.

It was as easy as pie; the goggle-wearing adolescent was ensnared directly into the words of the devious chancellor.

"However, Sir Ajax…" the chancellor looked at him.

"Yeah?"

"Though we've recruited those from your world into our ranks already–you've shown great promise already," Chancellor Li told him.

"I have?"

"Indeed."

Nodding with reassurance, the crimson-robed chancellor moved over to one of the tables, crafted of rich wood, taking the fine bottle containing a deep-scarlet liquid and pouring it into two glasses.

"For you," the chancellor bowed his head with respect, handing one of the glasses to the man.

"Oh, thanks!" Ajax accepted it, sniffing the liquid.

It smelled of fermented grapes; rich and sweet, almost tart in its scent alone. A taste of it brought the sublime smoothness and delicacy of a divine ambrosia to his lips, instantly bringing joy throughout his body.

"Good, isn't it?" Chancellor Li smiled.

"It's amazing! Seriously!"

The chancellor chuckled, "As I was saying, Sir Ajax, you have quite the potential to be an invaluable ally to the Yinlong Empire in this endeavor. Such sublime power; it doesn't belong in the ranks of your kin."

"...Hmm," Ajax listened while looking at the sweet wine in the glass.

"You see, recently…we lost a great hero of our kingdom. A brave, honorable man–Yahui," the pale-skinned chancellor wore a frown as deep as a puddle, "He served the empire heroically and fought tooth-and-nail, but I'm afraid…the Scalyue Empire had already gotten its claws dug into some of your people."

"Huh? My people? Ah, man…they killed somebody great like that?" Ajax rubbed his own head as if embarrassed.

The adolescent had the maturity of somebody less than his own age, easily buying into the words that were served to him by the silver tongue of Li. In the exuberant room, kept illuminated by the azure crystal suspended in its center, the chancellor gulped down the rest of his glass before continuing.

"Yes, it's quite a misfortune–a tragedy to lose such a man. He was one of the 'Twelve Winged Generals'--the most renowned warriors in Yinlong, you see," the chancellor explained, "...His death has left a void in our ranks; I'm afraid the people have grown afraid with such a pillar being lost."

Ajax looked hesitant for a moment, but bursting with anticipation as he came out, "--Ya know, I could help out with that! I'm pretty strong myself…"

"Ah, I was getting around to that…" the chancellor smiled, "Sir Ajax, I would like to propose the position of one of the Twelve Winged Generals to you."

"You would…? Isn't it, like, totally awesome? A role for a hero and stuff…?" Ajax was in disbelief, overjoyed like a child presented with a toy.

"Indeed. It's a rank that commands the respect and reverence of all within the Yinlong borders. To the people, you would be a hero, a champion, a…god," the chancellor stepped closer, whispering the last word to the gullible adolescent.

Such words were as sweet as the ambrosia that the man held in the palm of his glove, sinking in through his ear hole and resonating through his mind like an illustrious promise to a future.

"Ah," Ajax smiled.

"It seems you like the sound of that, friend," the chancellor smiled slyly, "...However, such a position comes with certain…presentations."

"Presentations?" Ajax tilted his head, blinking with his silver, unique eyes.

The chancellor nodded, "Oh, it's something you needn't stress yourself over. I am certain with your unfathomable strength such a trial will be mundane for you, Sir Ajax," he continued, "For one to become one of the 'Twelve', you must prove yourself in battle under the gaze of the Great Emperor."

It was without question for the man, who'd been elated by such fine words as he had a giddy smile stretched across his lips, fiddling with his goggles.

"Battle? Point me in the right direction!"

"Hoh! I can see you're raring to go already–well, your opponent has already been decided," the chancellor said.

"They have?"

"Why, yes," the grand chancellor's scarlet eyes honed on him, "Another like you has been brought here–a powerful prospect from your world who has also been chosen as a candidate for the spot amongst the Twelve."