20 Kingdom of Ruins 1

Rey and my comrades start walking in the bustling marketplace.

But what's more noticeable, people around here had blurred faces.

"Scary." Louisa held on tight to Evelyn.

"Don't worry little child, they won't cause you harm. But stick close to us okay?"

Louisa nodded her head to Evelyn's words as she grabbed her hands much tighter. The poor little girl was really scared since she remembered a certain kind of scary movie when seeing the blurred faces of the people around.

"What are we supposed to do here?" Celene asked.

"We need to go to the castle premises first," Rey said.

"Is this supposed to be a ruined kingdom? It looks so vibrant and lively to me though a little creepy." Celene said.

"Yes, this is the place. It will be the ruined kingdom two days from now on." Evelyn said.

"Huh?"

"You will see. Ah, wait it will be tomorrow if the plan commences tonight." Evelyn added.

"But if that fails we need to wait for another two days? If we wait that long the quest will be over and we will be a trap here." Jess asked confused and worried.

"Don't worry. The time here is much slower than the time outside so we will be fine." Rey said. He then pulled Celene who was going to some stores that selling candies.

"Hey! I want to buy that!" Celene retorted.

"If you consume anything here. You will never be able to go back outside and become one of the NPC's here."

"Really?!" Celene immediately held Jess' arms. Fear plastered to her face.

"I thought this place is creepy to you? Why are you even want to buy something here."

"Well. Um...Hehehe" Celene scratched her head.

"All these people here. They are all real people that now become NPC here. Because most of them consume things here." Rey added.

'They're real people! That's scary!" Celene this time said in a much-shocked voice.

Compare to the other two events, the kingdom of ruins was the most dangerous one. Due to many restrictions, if you are not careful and someone ignorant entered here you will certainly get trap here.

That's why this was what Rey chose. Though it was very dangerous indeed there was a particular item that he wanted to get here no matter what.

'That item will certainly help me in future quests.'

'I wonder if that guy is okay? This is just his sixth transmigration. And his third time here on earth.'

'From what I remember he never tried to enter the white room until his third time on earth. So he should be entering it now.'

'But I do wonder who are those people with him. From Dead Fairytale it was said that he is with just some two hoodlum guys. But those two don't look like hoodlums at all! More like they are small prey who got caught by him only waiting to be slaughtered.'

'It's strange. Something had not been right here since the beginning. But I'm not sure what is it yet.'

"Ding!"

[You have stepped into the castle's bridge.]

[The role-playing will now begin.]

[The Narration for the event of <Kingdom of Ruins> will now begin!]

[Narration: The long-lost prince came back after a whole seven years. He comes back with the most beautiful woman and two adorable children anyone hasn't seen before.

Everyone accepts them joyfully!

And the whole kingdom has a great celebration.

Soon, after another more years, the prince was crowned as king along with his beautiful wife as the new queen.

Everyone was happy. Until a war from the neighboring kingdom broke out.]

Jess and Celene were focused on reading what is on the screen. Then suddenly space warped formed in front of them.

"What's this?!" Celene panicked.

[You will now be transported to your designated places to play your designated roles.]

"Rey! What's hap..." Before Jess could retort all of them got absorbed.

"See you again later, young man," Evelyn said before she completely disappeared too.

Rey stayed still in his place. He just let the warp absorbed him too.

------------------

When Rey blinked his eyes again, the next thing he knew, he was standing in front of a huge glass window, adored by a thick blue curtain tied at each side.

He could see the hills and lots of trees outside. But the most outstanding was the view of an enormous castle before the hills.

"Your excellence, her highness the princess is already waiting in the living room." Rey looked behind to see a man wearing a black butler uniform but his face was blurred too.

He was another NPC. But the person, he needed to be wary of the most.

"I'll go," Rey headed out of the room. As he glanced around, he finally knew his location. He was currently at the house of the retired king of Flores. And that retired king is currently me.

When he opened the door to the living room. A familiar but much younger face welcomed him.

"Grandpa-What Rey is that you?"

[The system detects an anomaly with the speech of <the princess> act.]

[Warning: 🔺]

"My granddaughter you must still be confused due to your long travel from the kingdom, please take your seat," Rey said.

"Please leave us two for a while." Rey motioned with his hands to the butler to leave which he complied.

"Is it really you R..."

"Don't call me unnecessary names princess. You must not forget that your a princess now or you'll get a warning again from your mother." I said.

Jess shut her mouth. Yes, Jess' role was the princess. Now she looked like a twelve-year-old girl. She was currently wearing a light blue dress with a blue ribbon on the waistline. A small golden crown adored her long dark braided hair.

"You look so much old now GRANDPA. But don't worry you still look great." Jess said with a smirk on her face.

'I've got no time for silly talks right now.' Rey just breathed deeply before speaking again.

"Tonight, you must sleep carefully, my granddaughter," I said.

"Yes. I know." Jess said as her face became serious again.

*knock!* *knock!*

"Sire it is me." They heard the familiar voice of the butler outside the room.

"Come in," .

The butler pulled a cart with a tray of delicious food and places it one by one on their table.

"I will be outside again sire. If you need anything please call me. Enjoy your meal"

"Yes," Rey answered. And as the butler went out. I immediately snapped Jess' hand who was already getting one of the sweets.

"Aw. I'm just taking a look." She said.

"Sigh. Just don't eat anything."

"Yeah. I know." She growled.

'I should focus more on important things. Tonight, everything we plan out from the cathedral will commence.' Rey thought.

----------------------------------------------

Several hours later...

*Cucow!*

Rey stared at the night full of stars from the window. The night cold breeze gently blew to my face.

Everything looks so serene, that it felt like you are not even in a mission right now.

*knock!* *knock!*

"Come in,"

The door opens and it revealed the faceless butler.

"Sire, her highness the princess has already been led to her room."

"That's great then, I would also retire to sleep now. You should rest too."

"Yes, sire." The faceless butler bowed and leave after that.

As the butler left, everything was quiet now. Only the sound of some owl outside can be heard.

Rey peered at his watch. He really was craving some food right now. Though he consumed some potion, eating some real food was still much better.

But right now they can't consume anything in this place. "Sigh." He hadn't eaten anything since yesterday.

Only an hour left before 12:00 am. The time for his plan will soon commence.

*bling*

"Rey! Rey! Everything is ready!"

From below the window, a small black panda with white wings and a golden bell in her neck flew over. She stopped in front of Rey.

"Good work! Luna." Rey cuddled the cute panda's head.

But then she suddenly felt drowsy and fall down.

Rey caught the panda with his two arms.

"You must have use lots of mana. Please rest for a while, Luna. Thank you for your work."

If you are wondering, Luna, was also one being that came from the golden ball.

Luna comfortably snuggled herself in Rey's hand until some light particles envelop her and she got absorbed in Rey's silver ring.

*tick tock*

More time passed and there was only a minute left, then seconds. And...

*ting!*

*slam!* The door of his room burst as the butler from before is panicking.

"Sire! There is a huge fire in the princess' room! The guards are now trying to subdue it."

"And the princess? Where is the princess?" Rey finally started his act.

"We are trying to find her."

"Trying?! Do everything to look for her. No! I'll go there myself! Lead the way!"

"Yes, sire!"

Rey immediately followed him from behind.

They were now in the middle of the hallway when Rey's Everlast Sword reappeared in his hands. He quietly raised the sword.

[The system has detected an anomaly in the role of the retired king.

Warning: 🔺]

He ignored the system and with a quick motion, He aimed it down to the butler who was facing him backward.

'Call it a coward act, but to me, all that matters is for the plan to succeed.'

*Clank* But his sword was stopped with hands that have iron knuckles.

"What are you doing sire?" The butler asked. Though Rey couldn't see his emotion since his face is blurred, his voice has a hint of coldness on it.

"Ending this place 'cause of misery, my dear butler or should I say this country's current monarch, King Albert," I answered with a smirk.

"How?!" He said surprised. Rey used this chance to aim at his stomach.

But the butler, or rather King Albert blocked it again and pushed Rey's sword. That push sent a distance between them.

"Hah! Interesting! Really Interesting!" Albert laughed crazily as his blurred face started to become clear. His deep brown eyes became visible.

But that's not what caught Rey's attention. It is the long scar that goes across his left eye down to his cheek.

[Warning! Warning! An anomaly has been detected! An ano...] Albert waved his hand and the system screen disappeared.

"I'm really intrigued as to why you know me. But sadly you can't save this place and all of you will become a new part of my kingdom. Hahaha." He laughed more hysterically.

"What kingdom are you talking about? This place is already ruined. And it is all because of a certain stupid king." Rey immediately answered with a smirk.

"Be careful with your words. Although the system restricts me not to kill measly participants like you I could still inflict harm for you enough to wish for your death." Albert said.

"Heh. Do you think I would be afraid of someone who was almost killed by some measly participant like me?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about the one who inflicted that scar on your face."

Albert's face darkened as Rey said those words.

"Hah. Restriction or not, I decided now to kill you." In an instant, he disappeared from his place. And lunged a powerful punch to my face.

Rey blocked it with his sword but still, that impact caused him to move a few steps behind.

*Boogsh!* It caused a huge gust of winds that shattered the window panes in the hallway.

A mixture of the red and black aura was now oozing out from Albert. Then he disappeared in front of Rey.

'Where did he go?' Rey activated his skill, Sage's eyes.

<<Die ant!>>

'He's behind me!' Rey immediately turned his back and blocked his attack. But he noticed that a black ball of energy was coming out from Albert's left hand.

It was too late and before he knew it, Rey was sent flying hitting a concrete wall.

'Arghhh.'

"Ahhh!" But then, Rey heard an earsplitting scream. And as he looked up.

A girl fell in front of him.

*thud*

"Ouch!" She hissed in pain.

"What?" Rey blurted out.

Perhaps hearing his voice, the girl looked at Rey. Surprised was pasted all over her face.

"This does not look like the white room." He heard her speak. But Rey's eyes darted to the incoming man behind her. He immediately shouted.

"Behind you!"

She turned around. And two blades appeared in her hand.

'That blade! Why did she have that?!'

"Ah come on! I just got a face-off with the wife and now the husband. Just give me a break!"

'Wife?' Does she mean Rapunzel. How did she know that?' Many questions were popping out of Rey's head but he got interrupted by her words.

"Hey! If you could still move! I could really use a little help right now." She said.

She continued blocking king Albert.

'That's right. I will just ask her later after this fight. I will focus now on the task at hand first. And that is to destroy this event.' Rey stood up as he prepared himself to attack once again.

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