Chương 248: Sentinel of the Gates

"Those summoned enter the courtroom! Kite Flown in on Winds of Fortune, also known as the Pathbreaker, and Brave Walker of Paths, guild master of the Autumn Wanderer's guild!" As the huge doors slid open, decorated with beautiful painted landscapes of Hua-Xi where proud warriors were facing off both against foul monsters and against one another, Kite was glad that he had taken a moment to spiritually center himself.

Even from outside, he had been able to sense the presence of over a hundred auras of differing intensity. They were all controlled to some extent of course, most of the people being silver rank and - core-user or not - at least decent in their spiritual discipline. But the simple proximity of it led to the spiritual equivalent of how a room filled with enough people would never truly be silent as there was always someone shifting, breathing and other small signs of life. And when the doors slid open?

Then that background spiritual hum became a roar as the attention of every one of those people was instantly directed towards Kite and Uncle Walker. There were no attempts at suppression in the gazes ranging from curious to calculating to disinterested, but their sheer number and focus were enough nonetheless, particularly as Kite had never been in a room with so many gold-rankers before.

He bore the scrutiny as best he could, Uncle Walker showing a hint of strain in his movements as the pair entered after being announced.

"Heavens…" was all Kite could think as he took in all of the vast room at once. From the look of it, the throne room where the King held court took up most of the tall main building, reaching several stories high with balconies and walkways lining each floor. Everything breathed opulence, but in a dignified way with the theme of polished wood, elaborate paintings and quality materials continuing even in here, as opposed to the jewels and other similarly straightforward shows of wealth that Kite might have expected.

The huge floor was mostly taken up by people standing in groups based on family or other allegiances, with similar arrangements on the levels above. Kite could see the Tengu's clan seeming to have their own balcony to watch the proceedings, as did branch director Temren, where she sat straight-backed and alone.

But dominating the back of the room was the throne of the King and the structure upon which it rested; a curved edifice of stair-like plateaus which began in twin ends that came together at the throne at the top. Each platform was occupied by one or more people, all of them looking quite regal and important. Kite only recognized two of them, but given that they were at or near the top of the structure, they were at least the most relevant ones.

King of the Pure Firmament looked even more imposing up close than he had at the arena, even though he currently wore none of his armor, being instead garbed in regal robes of dark green, embroidered in gold with scenes of battle in which the depicted warriors slowly moved of their own volition. His dark hair was gathered into a traditional topknot kept in place by a hairpin like a small crown, and he was surrounded by stylized glass blades which hovered behind and above him like a halo.

Kite wasn't sure if they were part of the throne or his attire, but the similarities with the sword array that the King had demonstrated in his clash for the throne was clear as day. This was all further heightened by his imposing spirit that pressed upon Kite's as he made his way across the room to stand before the monarch; the sense that King of the Pure Firmament held a distinct superiority over you which he could unleash at any moment.

And next to him on a platform just to his left sat the woman named Ametrine Dreams Wreathed in Silk, as Obsidian Crow had pointed out to Kite back at the arena. The bismuth-haired celestine wore layers of fine silk where she sat looking down at them, her face impassive enough to make Kite suspect that she was merely bored by this whole affair.

But given her gold-rank and how Obsidian Crow had taken the time to point out the long-time favored courtesan of the King, Kite suspected that she was a person of power within this court. A nudge of aura from the herald walking behind them indicated for Kite and Walker to stop at a distance while remaining beneath the domineering gaze of the monarch of Hua-Xi and his court, both of them bowing deeply before looking up at the monarch while trying to keep steady but without a hint of challenge in their spirits.

A pulse of gold-ranked aura followed, the King silencing the whole court as he addressed the pair.

"So, the renowned champion of Soaring Soul's herald and the master of this so-called guild I have heard so much about finally stand before me," he began, voice deep and sonorous enough to effortlessly carry throughout the whole room.

"The events in Boundary, far-flung as it might be, have been on everyone's lips here in the capital for several weeks now. And given that you were not only praised by a diamond-ranked herald but invited to an audience with Soaring Soul herself, I found myself curious. Curious enough to want to see and measure you with my own eyes and spirit." Silence followed as the monarch looked down at them, Kite and Walker not speaking unless asked to do so.

Some might have found it meek, but in reality the moment of silence was another test in itself as the King's gaze was also accompanied by his gold-ranked spirit. This wasn't merely the pressure of attention either as it pushed against them, but neither was it an attempt at suppression. It was simply a test, one impossible to overcome. But as that wasn't the purpose either, what remained was to endure with as much composure and stability as possible.

Walker was the first to receive such focused scrutiny, and Kite could feel his uncle gritting his teeth as he withstood the pressure. Then it was Kite's turn, the more directed attention feeling as if the world itself was bearing down on his shoulders. As he held on, Kite also found himself with an odd kind of realization.

While the aura of the King was definitely powerful, more powerful than Van Sztramm had ever been and much more directed than the mindless projection of the abomination of the gate, it also somehow felt lacking. But that contrast was not due to any failure on the monarch, but rather due to the comparison of the final forging of the Queen's gates which Kite had endured not once but three times. The King's aura was stronger than those pulses, true, but there was a certain quality that simply wasn't there.

So while Kite could not have resisted a true suppression attempt by the monarch, he could stand taller than expected beneath the scrutiny. Which the King also seemed to notice.

"Well, it would seem that the Queen's herald found a hidden gem in this younger generation," King of the Pure Firmament mused, clearly pleased.

"You both hold up better than I would have expected of outcasts from the far north, but you, Pathbreaker… I find myself curious as to how you earned that title, but your spirit does lend it credibility. But there is something else about which I would know first. I can sense your injury, Pathbreaker. Show it to me." While he was proud to have earned that amount of initial recognition from the gold-ranker, Kite was in turn surprised by King's question.

But he saw no harm in acquiescing, and thus he reached out with his right hand to let the guild's cloak fall away from where it had been concealing his crystallized left arm. The limb had slowly been recovering over the weeks gone by - flesh, bone and muscle gradually creeping down from Kite's shoulder to reclaim its original form - but most of it remained rigid and unresponsive.

As the injury was revealed, the King leaned forward on his throne in a clear show of interest as a murmur started up among the onlookers in the throne room.

"This…" King began, his face seeming more delighted than the concern one might show at the sight.

"This is it. The magic must have been weaker, but the result is unmistakable. Tell me, Pathbreaker, what inflicted such an injury upon you. I must know. Spare no detail." Kite took a moment to gather himself and his thoughts, as he once again found the King's reaction puzzling.

"Does he not know?" Kite thought to himself.

"He who has himself suffered the same?" The prospect that the King might be unaware of the origin of his own injuries during the clash did raise many questions, but the most pertinent one was how exactly to answer at this moment. As the King was a gold-ranker, Kite had no doubt that any lies would be seen through and half-truths noted. And perhaps it was time to make sure that certain things were brought into light.

"Honored King, I suffered this injury whilst inside the gate. It was dealt to me by a priestess of Discord using an odd artifact ring, and it was they who orchestrated the incident in Boundary along with an organization called the cult of the Builder. But this was simply a small operation, part of a greater whole, as we have reason to believe that Discord's clergy have nestled themselves into our kingdom. All of it."

His statement caused the murmur of the throne room to further intensify, and Kite's expanded vision revealed that director Temren had also leaned forward in her seat. Her expression was hard to read, giving no hints of what she thought of this development. But since the gates and the subsequent revelations during their interrogations, Kite had also come to terms with the truth that his pursuit of the church of Discord was just that; his.

It had begun as part of his work with the Adventure Society in the north, but by now it had gone beyond mere contracts and into the realm of the personal. So while he was no gold-ranker at the pinnacle of the kingdom yet, Kite still felt that this was something he had every right to claim a part of.

"This… continue," King replied, gesturing for Kite to go on.

"Tell me of the gate and what transpired within. And of your audience with Soaring Soul, at least what the venerable diamond-ranker has not forbidden you from sharing. I would know more of the church of Discord and their involvement."

"Of course, honored King. But I must warn you that this tale is a long one, as I would not want to overstep and take up too much of your valuable time."

"This is a story I would know," the King replied as he waved away Kite's concerns.

"Let it be known to my whole court what transpired in Boundary." So once again, Kite found himself retelling the adventure of his group inside the gate, although instead of doing so over a cup of tea with Uncle Walker and Spring, it was before the entire court of the capital and some of the most influential figures in the whole kingdom of Hua-Xi. He still managed to keep the focus more on the actual events inside the trial and thus avoided the topic of his companions and therefore River's presence.

Then followed the audience with the Queen of Jade and Sky as well as the subsequent revelations as they interrogated their prisoners, where Kite even managed to throw in some references to his other clashes with the agents of Discord. As he finished, the throne room was silent for but a moment before a plethora of voices started speaking at the same time. Some were comments to one another while others shouted questions to Kite, the King or someone else.

But the cacophony ended soon as the King projected his aura forcefully to restore order, and the intensity of it made Kite wonder if the throne had some kind of amplification enchantments to allow him to bring even other gold-rankers to heel.

"This is quite the tale, young Pathbreaker. But I need no priest of Truth to tell me that there is no falsehood in your words," the man mused, leaning back on his throne.

"The presence of the shunned gods always casts their dark influence on the world, and our kingdom has never been exempt. Your tale is a boon to us, as each of us present here are people of power. So I urge everyone present to beware and take appropriate measures such that you won't fall prey to similarly underhanded means as those to which this young warrior and I did. Neither of our paths broke before the insidious magics of Discord, but we can both attest to their potency."

It was at that time that another gold-ranked aura made itself known, and the King took a moment to consider before gesturing for another man to speak. It was a powerfully built human man who rose to his feet upon a balcony which prominently displayed the symbol of the Thunderous Soul sect, as did everyone present in the entourage gathered at his back.

"The King grants Sect Leader Might of Inner Calamity the right to speak!" the herald intoned, whereafter the sect leader took the metaphorical stage.

"Your Majesty. The honor of the Thunderous Soul sect demands that I point out that this outcast has just admitted to being complicit in the death of two of our inner disciples, people it should have been his duty to at least return to the sect and let us pass proper judgment upon as well as to verify the claims of this alleged allegiance to the church of Discord. It is not for the likes of him to pass judgment over his betters, students who have worked hard for years to contribute to our great kingdom and sect."

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. All of this was said while glaring down at Kite, but the man did at least not try to bring his aura into the mix.

"The words of the honored sect leader have been heard," King replied before nodding to Kite.

"What would be your reply, Pathbreaker?" Kite in turn was a bit surprised that he even got the opportunity to reply to the gold-ranker, having expected such discussions to have taken place between the mighty, but he thought that he saw a hint of challenge in the King's eyes. And as he had realized before, he had fully acknowledged that the matter of Discord was his fight. So while his better judgment might have told him to keep silent or at least deflect, Kite chose another option.

"The honored sect leader speaks of the lives of the two agents of Discord from his sect as if my companions and I actually had any kind of choice in the matter," he began, keeping his tone polite while still keeping his eyes on the man in question.

"The first fell in battle long before their identity and allegiance was known, while the fate of the other, named Eve of Clarity, was entirely decided by Soaring Soul, and I would not attempt to make any demands of a diamond-ranker." This seemed to be an expected response, the King almost seeming a bit disappointed until Kite continued.

"But let it be known that had they both survived and been released to our custody, the pair would have been delivered to a branch of the Adventure Society for further questioning and investigation."

Part of Kite wanted to add a remark about the alternative being a sect which had apparently missed such agents in their midst and might still be harboring more, but even after being given the freedom to speak by the King he still had enough care and survival instinct to not overly goad the gold-ranker through more directed barbs against his precious sect. And besides, his current statement had been enough to cause another wave of murmuring to ripple throughout the throne room.

"See? The sectless dog shows his true colors, betraying the kin of his kingdom to outsiders rather than adhering to tradition," Sect Leader Might of Inner Calamity replied, voice filled with scorn as Anasta Temren also rose, being given the leave to speak at a gesture from the King.

"Tradition which has apparently blinded you to the followers of the dark gods having made a nest in your midst, Sect Leader," she said, apparently sharing none of Kite's qualms about the target of her critique.

"And you have the temerity to try and deflect that point through feeble accusations of the Pathbreaker not… what? Stopping to check the allegiance of people who very much sought to end his life in obvious collusion with a corrupting force such as Discord?"

"Outsider?! You dare-" the sect leader began, aura surging in anger before it was shoved down once more as the King restored order.

"Sect Leader, I find that both of the Pathbreaker's arguments have merit," the monarch replied, seeming more pleased as he looked back at Kite after his straightforward response.

"First of all, none in this room - nay, this kingdom - would be able to dictate how one such as Soaring Soul should act. Such is her right, being one who has touched the heavens. She could descend from the skies to wipe out this whole city, and we would be powerless to stop her unless another diamond-ranker intervened. As for the matter of the disciples' fate, should he have been given any power over it, I would say that your claim is quite irrelevant.

The paths of this young outcast and his companions proved superior, Sect Leader. While we may have sects, courts and other traditional foundations of power to lean on, such things are but dust when outside of their sphere of influence. If you have lost, you have lost, and no matter your heritage or allegiance, you are powerless in that moment. So while the Adventure Society would not have been my personal choice, I can't fault the Pathbreaker for doing as he pleased.

He and his companions were the victors, after all." Kite was once again surprised at the King's words, and they soon had the murmurs rise around the room once more. The sect leader of the Thunderous Soul sect sat back down, but not without staring daggers at Kite and a few other people around the room who seemed openly amused by the exchange.

"I am painfully unaware of the layers of politics at play here…" Kite thought to himself.

"The King did seem pleased though, so perhaps I was playing into his hands somehow?" The King in question did seem content with letting the whispered and half-spoken conversations go on for a while longer before he once again silenced the room, this time looking to Walker who had remained mostly a silent observer to the proceedings.

"While the matter of the gate is on everyone's lips these days, I also have questions for you, Brave Walker of Paths."

"Of course, honored King," Walker replied, bowing again as he didn't seem to know how to otherwise react while scrutinized by all this power.

"While I have been informed that the Pathbreaker has been a major player in its establishment, it has in the end been you who have taken up leadership of this guild of yours. I have heard of how you even managed to stake a claim in the territory of not one but three sects up in the north too, although I will admit that I do not know if it speaks highly of the skills of your members or if I had too high expectations of the local sects.

But tell me, why did you choose this path of bringing in outside concepts and breaking tradition? Why not found your own sect instead?" While his words could have been interpreted as reproachful, the King's tone made it clear that he was genuinely curious. In response, Walker took a moment to collect himself, briefly glancing around the room before replying.

"Honored King, you are correct in that Kite here was instrumental in forming this guild, being our main sponsor in the early days after its founding. I myself have spent most of my career as a messenger and courier in the Autumn Lands, the most sparsely populated of the kingdom's regions even though the rest of the north is only marginally better in that regard.

As His Majesty no doubt already knows, the villages up there are scattered and isolated, leaving them vulnerable while trying their best to gain a foothold and contribute to the kingdom as a whole. Seeing the plight of the people as well as the scattered outcasts taking contracts to connect these settlements with the major city, we founded the guild to be a gathering place for those willing to walk the paths often untread.

While our members are now more diverse, the guild still retains that focus; to take the contracts which our fellow warriors of the sects do not, and make sure that the whole of the rural north can stay connected and thriving." Kite noticed how Walker made a much greater show of keeping his tone overly respectful, especially when mentioning many of the sect warriors' tendency to avoid the more far-flung and low-profile contracts.

Still, his words did cause glares from more than one person around the room who still seemed to find him overstepping. If he noticed though, Walker did a good job in not letting it show as he finished.

"As such, honored King, the concept of a guild - of which Kite here spoke of - was a much better fit, as our aim was never to hold territory, but be a network and connecting force, recruiting more from those who have close ties to the land rather than a striving for personal power."

"And yet you seem to have ended up with quite a few powerful combatants too," King replied, amused as he glanced at Kite.

"My sources have told me of the Blessed of Warrior, as well as the others who participated in clashing with the sects. Hopefully that was worthwhile tempering for all of you."

"Both Warrior and Fortune have been most kind, Your Majesty."

"Indeed they have," the King agreed, taking a moment to think before nodding to himself.

"I was a bit skeptical of the whole concept when the rumors first reached me a few years ago, but I find myself repeating the same sentiment from before; your paths seem to have proven themselves, as has your guild or it would not remain. And while it is secondary to the strengthening of the path, as a monarch I must also applaud the sentiment of stabilizing the less settled regions of our kingdom."

"Thank you, honored King," Walker replied, bowing deeply.

"I am a man of action, master Walker, and I can respect the place you have carved for yourselves, both the Pathbreaker as a champion acknowledged by the Queen of Jade and Sky and the guild which you lead. The reactions to your presence have been manifold, and I will share that I have had more than one voice calling for me to sanction or rebuke you for such a flagrant break from tradition."

Even though his tone indicated that this wasn't his intention, Kite and Walker still couldn't help but tense slightly at the implications. While the King himself so far seemed disinclined, that didn't mean that there wouldn't be others taking matters into their own hands in the future.

"But after seeing the both of you, feeling your spirits and weighing the paths of both you and your guild… I would rather admit that I see something of myself in you," King of the Pure Firmament said as he openly smiled down at the pair, though it was the grim smile of a warrior rather than the pleasant mirth of a friend.

"You have ambition, and you have both fought to realize it. Especially you, Pathbreaker. You speak humbly yet will not hesitate to take up the mantle of champion and warrior, even going so far as to come before me bearing the same mark of tribulation that I too suffered through." Sitting up straighter in his throne, the King then let his aura leak out into the room. This wasn't a forceful suppression, but it made quite sure that every ounce of attention would be drawn towards him and what he said next.

"As such, I have come to a decision and will make the following decree; the warrior named Kite Flown in on Winds of Fortune, called Pathbreaker and recognized by the Queen of Jade and Sky, shall henceforth also be known as Sentinel of the Gates for his role in leading champions of the kingdom against agents of the shunned gods while protecting the heritage of tempering gifted us so long ago. And as for the guild…" King said, pausing for a moment to let the suspense build.

"The Autumn Wanderer's guild has proven its right to exist in Hua-Xi, the paths of its members strong enough to stake their claim. Given this, I hereby decree that - until deemed unfit - the Autumn Wanderer's guild shall be granted the right to nominate a single challenger to compete in the Grand Proving and thus be given a chance to show the strength of their paths to the whole kingdom. Let them compete and further heighten the glorious tempering of all."

While naming Kite Sentinel of the Gates had gotten a clear response from the crowd, this final proclamation took it to a whole new level. Surprised gasps warred with angry shouts and excited conversation as this kind of acknowledgment seemed to stir up feelings in everyone present. The King sat unbothered through it all though, mostly seeming pleased with having made such a bold declaration while Kite and Uncle Walker could only look at each other as the reality of the decree set in.

"Well, Uncle…" Kite eventually murmured, barely audible above the din of the throne room.

"It seems like the guild has some choices to make, and soon."

"That we do, little Kite. That we do," Walker replied, expression warring between excitement and trepidation. After a while, the clamor died down enough for the King to once again seize everyone's attention.

"This should surely give an extra splash of excitement to the upcoming proving, as new blood tends to bring new perspective," the monarch said.

"And to those of you who disagree with my decree, I can only urge you to work hard so as to not to be humbled, as their deeds indicate that the outcasts of the north have some more bite than one would expect." This last statement seemed directed towards many of the dissidents in the room, with an additional meaningful glare towards the leader of the Thunderous Soul sect.

"And should anyone disagree, I welcome you to challenge me on the matter. Power speaks the loudest after all," King of the Pure Firmament finished with a grin. Feeling that the questioning was about to come to an end, Kite decided that a bit of boldness was needed as there was another question that had yet to be properly addressed, at least in his opinion. And having done the same with Soaring Soul, standing before the gold-rankers felt at least a little easier.

So he let his aura touch upon the King's, indicating that he wished to speak. This got a raised eyebrow in response, but also a gesture for the herald to let Kite have the floor.

"Honored King," he began, steadying himself.

"There is also the matter of the church of Discord's plans for the proving as well as their presence amongst us. Is there anything you would have of us - your kingdom - do on this matter?" At this, the monarch nodded as to himself, and unfortunately the slight shrug that followed gave a hint as to what his answer would be.

"I believe I said it before, Sentinel of the Gates; we are forewarned, and it will be up to each and every one here to make something worthwhile of this information. Strength and power will scatter such intrigue like cobwebs before the hurricane, and Hua-Xi remains a kingdom of the strong. Be wary, my fellow seekers of heaven. Trust in yourselves and your paths, and weigh the words of the unknown with care."

His words caused more murmuring in the throne room, and Kite got the distinct feeling of finality in them as the herald gestured for them to leave. Both he and Uncle Walker said their thanks, bowing deeply before exiting the throne room and the palace as a whole, making their own way back towards the Tengu clan's compound as the court continued.

"That, little Kite…" Uncle Walker said as they exited the palace grounds and returned to the streets of the next step down the Heavenly Stairway.

"I am not sure what I expected, but that wasn't it."

"No, uncle… In that we are in agreement," Kite replied, concerned.

"This… We have some decisions to make. Important ones. But as for my warnings of Discord, this whole thing has left me unsettled. Because I have the distinct feeling that my warnings may just have made things worse."

"And in that, adventurer, you and I are in agreement," came the voice of Anasta Temren as she suddenly walked between the pair, a privacy screen appearing around them to shield any further conversation from prying eyes and ears.

"Come with me, you two. It is indeed time for some planning."