Aspirations

On a road near Malt village, Ray is sitting in a carriage traveling to the capital city of the Camen Empire. Next to him are the members of his party, Alexandra the priest and Eleanor the mage. After he returned alive from the dragon's cave with all their equipment, they reported their failure to the emperor. A few days later they were summoned back to the capital, with no further information given. 'I've almost reached the pinnacle of human capabilities with a sword,' Ray thought to himself, 'Training will not improve my capabilities in the short term, I need another way to boost my strength. The only ways I can think of doing that is either getting better equipment or teammates. I don't know anyone better than Ellie and Lex, so that is not an option. The empire might not have any better equipment than what they already gave me, and even if they do, they probably won't give me any as I have lost a piece. I could get something forged, but there are no forgers that could produce something better than I already have, and I would have to gather materials. So all that's left is me finding a relic. Relics are items created by various famous figures throughout history that have been lost, or never even found in the first place. For example, it was said that the 'Miracle Smith' Hephaestus had a secret storeroom where he kept his greatest works. However, this storeroom was never found. These unknown items have been labeled relics. But, obviously, many people have searched for these relics and have not found them. Finding clues to a relic that actually exists and then finding that relic largely depending on luck. Ray wracked his brain trying to remember anything that could lead him to a relic as the carriage rode on into the night.

• • •

When the party arrived in the capital, they were escorted directly to the imperial palace to meet with the emperor. As a result of the constant wars, the palace was built to prioritise repelling enemy forces in exchange for it looking a more like a castle than a palace.

After walking through a thick pair of double doors and countless elegant corridors, Ray finally arrived at the throne room. He kneeled before the elevated throne where the imposing figure of Emperor Gustav sat. He was a stone faced, middle aged man with short black hair. He was not beautiful, but had led his army to victory many times. The next moment, his deep voice rang out through the hall, "You have failed yourself, the empire, and me for the last time. You should be thankful that I am not executing you right here and now but, as much as I hate to admit it, you are a strong fighter and we cannot afford to lose you. You shall return to the barracks and train with your fellow soldiers until further notice - you are not to go prancing around the empire without permission again. Am I clear?"

"y-Yes sir!" Ray responded, barely hiding his voice crack.

"Good. You are dismissed."

As swiftly as possible, Ray stood, bowed, and left the throne room, the only thing occupying his mind was how he could find a relic with this order. 'It seems I must wait until I next get an assignment to find a relic. The best I can do now is research while I have spare time' he concluded as he exited the imperial palace.