Rise of the Lustful Evil Monarch (Re)

Third Person's POV

She smirked knowingly.

"Indeed. Your Master Nyx is a prominent member representing the Dark Dragon race with one other member.

Similarly, my Master, Lady Altheria Sangrial, along with the two other Vampire Dukes, holds a seat at that very table.

Their influence ensures that our race is never marginalized, no matter how turbulent the political landscape becomes."

Ethan leaned back into the velvet-lined chair of the carriage and stared at the darkened ceiling with an absentminded gaze.

A thoughtful silence settled between them as the wheels creaked rhythmically beneath them.

Virelle, noticing his mood, softly broke the quiet,

"I don't remember the details of the ranks but the structure of the ranks is quite simple.

The lowest is Scrap, then Bronze, Iron, Steel, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Mithril, and finally Adamantium, and then," she paused as her tone lowered to a whisper,

"there are whispered legends of a rank beyond even Adamantium. They call it Orichalcum but it is shrouded in mystery.

No common adventurer has ever laid eyes on one and the information about it is scarce in the public domain."

Ethan's brows raised in curiosity as he processed the information.

"So each rank correlates to one's ascension stage?" he asked.

"Correct," she nodded.

"According to my observations, each ascension stage comprises two ranks.

For example, an Acolyte warrior or mage will find themselves limited to Scrap or Bronze unless they advance further.

A being who is at the peak of the grade one stage can take the test and upgrade one's rank to the Bronze rank.

Similarly, we at our current power, can get the Iron rank by default but to upgrade it to Steel rank, we both will need to pass the guild's rigorous test."

Ethan silently nodded as he took in all the information and a thought raced in his mind.

The Blood Veil Continent is proving to be even more fascinating than I had anticipated.

Ethan's mind whirred with possibilities. The very concept and existence of the Adventurer Guild fascinated him deeply.

There was a nostalgic gleam in his crimson eyes as childhood dreams from his past life surged to the surface.

He recalled those late nights he had spent in the orphanage reading fantastical comics and novels.

The orphanage was not rich and financed enough to afford television so the comics and novels became the beacon of hope in their dull lives.

He still remembered reading about those stories filled with heroic warriors, daring adventurers, and epic battles against dragons and dark sorcerers.

Back then, he had fantasized about wielding a blade against mythical beasts, becoming friends with a beautiful elf girl, donning enchanted armor, and forging unbreakable bonds with companions under starlit skies.

Now, fate had handed him that very opportunity.

Yes, I am going to become an adventurer. It's decided. He resolved it internally.

"Virelle, note this in your mind. The first demon city we encounter, we will register us three as an adventurer team in the Adventurer guild. As for the name—"

"We both will decide that. No need for you to bother about this."

Virelle cut him off midway while Velcy gave an enthusiastic nod from the side. Ethan simply sighed and didn't react in any way.

Tired of last night's activities and the huge influx of various events, he dropped on the bed and dozed off.

Moments later, Velcy leaped onto the bed beside him with her characteristic feline grace and was followed by Virelle who settled at his side.

A quiet, content warmth filled the air as the trio drifted off.

---

Two days later, their carriage raced along a wide dusty road as it cut through the open plains.

The carriage's black exterior was now caked with dirt from the relentless dusty winds of the savannah-like grasslands.

Yet inside, the cushions were still plush, and the air scented faintly of perfume.

But the passengers were at the moment looking at the huge circular city walls of an enormous city rising on the horizon.

It was colossal.

Two days had passed since they had entered the demon lands and this was the first big city that they had encountered.

Even from kilometers away, the gargantuan circular walls loomed over the land like a fortress from his old world and were shrouded slightly by a faint mist clinging to the earth.

The thick stone walls were dark gray with streaks of red veins that indicated volcanic minerals and stood at least seventy meters tall as it dwarfed the surrounding landscape.

Watchtowers jutted up at regular intervals with their sharp black spires scraping the overcast sky like daggers.

Banners fluttered on the ramparts with each one of them emblazoned with the snarling face of a horned demon crowned with infernal flames.

Seeing that Ethan knew that it was the official flag of the Empire of Infernal Sovereignty.

Ethan's sharp eyes scanned the caravan trail.

Dozens of other carriages and massive Elder Tusk Mammoths made their way towards the gates.

Some of them were gray and rock-like, and others bore orange, sandy hues or deep brown mud tones as they blended seamlessly with the prairie's color palette.

Among them strode demon adventurers clad in well-worn armor and bearing tags of silver and gold, and merchants guarded by slaves and mercenaries alike.

The grandeur of it all stirred something deep within Ethan. He could sense the raw energy that pulsed from this city.

"This is no ordinary city," Ethan mused aloud and his tone was filled with wonder.

They were headed to this city partly to restock their dwindling supplies though Ethan also felt a pull to witness one of the famed demon cities, especially one this large and prosperous.

After nearly eighteen days wandering the wilderness from the Dark Forest to the demon lands, the girls especially were eager for a change of pace.

A bit of comfort and a fresh backdrop would be a welcome relief from the untamed wilds.

Yet, their main objective was to formally register their team and acquire rank tags at the Adventurer Guild.