Chapter 324: The Final Destination
This was the first time Alex was seeing Prince Garen since their duel.
The Prince looked like he had fully recovered from that incident, and his gaze remained as sharp as ever.
Standing beside him was Lady Celestria, who was looking at the young man with a complicated expression.
"I’ve been waiting for you, Alex Stratos," Prince Garen said when Alex was only a few meters away from the gate of the dormitory.
"Your Highness." Alex gave Prince Garen a brief bow. "How may I help you today?"
"I heard from Caelum that you and Prince Kaelen made a bet," Prince Garen answered. "I want to join. Prince Kaelen has already given his approval."
For a brief moment, Alex felt the strong urge to smack Caelum for sharing this information with Prince Galen.
True to his word, Prince Garen no longer bothered Vaan. But it was clear that he was still holding a grudge against Alex for his defeat in their duel.
"If I win, you’ll do me a favor. If you win, I’ll do you a favor." Prince Garen smiled. "Isn’t this a good way to promote close bonds between the students of our two academies?"
"Well, if you put it that way, I can’t say anything else, Your Highness," Alex answered. "But theoretically speaking, what will you ask of me if you win?"
"If I win, you will come with me to the Death Valley. It is found in the South of the Solara Kingdom," Prince Galen replied.
Alex’s face turned solemn when he heard the Prince’s words.
The Tower of the Hermit—which Alex wished to go to with his club members—was located at the Death Valley, sometimes called Black Mist Valley.
But in order to gain access to it, they must first go to the Lunar Forest, where the Second Chain Quest would activate.
This was a Forest that only the Elves could enter, which was the reason why Alex needed to win his best against Prince Kaelen.
Getting his help would make things easier.
Of course, he could also ask Lapiz—maybe even Aeris—to help him enter the forest as part of their Club’s Expedition.
However, if the future King of Faelarun personally granted Alex permission, the chances of them being allowed to enter the Lunar Forest would be higher.
"The Death Valley is one of the most mysterious places in the world, Your Highness," Alex noted. "Are you planning to bury me there?"
"I wish," Prince Garen said honestly. Lady Celestria could only smile wryly at how the prince could not be bothered to hide his inner thoughts. "But that’s not why I want to invite you to that place. Since you seem resistant to flames, you might be able to help us pass through a ruin. Even Solar Knights like me cannot go through because it is located in a sea of black flames."
"And what is located within that sea of black flames, Your Highness?" Alex asked even though he already knew the answer.
The Tower of the Hermit.
The place that was said to contain all the grimoires in the world, allowing anyone to learn any skill they desired.
Even though only one skill could be chosen, it was a place that countless people—including many aspiring warriors and mages—wished to go.
Their goal?
To learn a Legendary or Divine Skill.
"I don’t know what lies beyond those flames. The records we have are limited, but according to them, only the chosen few can walk across that sea of flames without fearing for their life," Prince Garren added with a shrug.
"Of course, there were people who tried in the past, but only their ashes are left. Because of that, it has earned the nickname Death Valley. Those who dare to enter it usually don’t come back alive."
Alex did his best to keep his face calm and looked at the Prince as if this was a troublesome matter.
"That sounds like a dangerous place, Your Highness," Alex said.
"And yet, you will be going to that place whether I invited you or not, no?" Prince Garen asked with confidence.
"Hah?" Alex arched an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"I’m saying that unless you agree to take me with you, I will personally order the guards that are stationed outside Death Valley to prevent you from entering it," Prince Garen replied. "Also, don’t bother denying your intention to go there.
"I received this information from a credible source, so there’s no use in trying to worm your way out of this mess. Do not forget that the Death Valley is under the jurisdiction of my Kingdom. You won’t be getting inside without our permission."
Alex gave Celestria a side-long glance and wondered if this information came from the Saintess of Solara.
’If it’s her, then I guess her Deity must’ve told her about me,’ Alex thought. ’Hah... this is troublesome.’
Alex pondered for a bit before reluctantly nodding in agreement.
"Very well, we have a deal," Alex stated. "But if I win, you will not get in the way of our expedition in Death Valley, Your Highness."
"Of course, I won’t," Prince Garen replied. "In fact, I will personally give you permission to enter it whenever you wish. Of course, I’ll come along as well."
"Uhh... won’t that make the bet useless then?" Alex scratched his head. "Whether you win or lose, I still need to take you inside the Death Valley, right?"
"Exactly." Prince Garen grinned. "I call this a win-win situation."
Alex and Lavinia thought that perhaps the Prince had not been taught what win-win really meant, but they decided to let this teachable moment slip by.
"Understood," Alex replied. "Then, we will come to visit Death Valley during Winter Vacation."
"Very well." Prince Garen extended his hand for a handshake. "I look forward to cooperating with you."
Alex accepted the handshake and the two parted on good terms.
When the Prince was no longer in sight, Lavinia tugged on Alex’s clothes before asking him a question.
"Is this connected to what we experienced in the Heracle Mountain?" Lavinia wondered.
"Yes," Alex replied. "It is... the final destination of our journey."
"Alex... if the Tower of the Hermit truly exists, then won’t countless factions fight to claim it?" Lavinia inquired.
Alex nodded. "They will. And that’s what worries me. Places like that attract ambitious people, whether they be kings, nobles, sects, or guilds. Some will see it as a chance for power, others as a holy pilgrimage. But in the end, it will all come down to greed."
"Then... if the Kingdom of Solara already knows about your intentions, isn’t it dangerous to press forward?" Lavinia asked anxiously.
"It is," Alex admitted. "But the Tower isn’t just a treasure trove. It’s a trial... and trials choose their challengers. Even if a thousand soldiers march into Death Valley, only the chosen ones will pass. The rest will just... burn."
The irony of it all was that Death Valley was indeed their final destination.
Just as life started, the ending of it would be death, which was the perfect location for the Tower of the Hermit.
The tower which held all the skills in the world could only be accessed by those who had undergone its trials.
And even if they were able to miraculously survive the sea of black flames, they would never find the Tower for only those who were called could access its secrets.
The Heracle Mountain and the Lunar Forest weren’t the only places where such trials were held.
Rather, they were only the places that had been discovered in the game.
Of course, others might have found other similar locations. But they likely kept it to themselves, making it a tightly guarded secret.
So if someone was lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time, then there was a chance that they would also be given an opportunity to enter one of the most mythical places in the world—a tower that contained all the skills that were made ever since the creation of Arcana.