Chapter 58: Ch 58: Becoming A Sage and A Honorary Knight of an Ancient Kingdom

From the army camp, Aegis was escorted at great speed toward a hidden passage beneath the earth.

What awaited him was not a simple shelter.

It was a secret underground city.

As they descended through massive stone corridors, Commander Goran walked beside him.

“This army you encountered is not an independent force, Sage,” Goran explained. “We serve an ancient kingdom that has survived by hiding beneath the surface.”

The path opened into a colossal underground City.

“This city was built for one purpose: To survive.”

Aegis slowed his steps unconsciously.

Above them spanned an artificial sky. A radiant sun and a pale moon coexisted, moving along fixed paths, bathing the city in alternating light.

It looked no different from a real world City.

Aegis was quietly amazed by the engineering.

“It is beautiful,” he admitted.

“It had to be. If we lived only in darkness, our people would have gone mad long ago,” Goran replied.

They passed through wide streets filled with orderly movement. Blacksmiths worked with glowing ores. Children trained with wooden weapons.

Knights and Mages maintained the law and order in disciplined formations..

“This kingdom was once above ground. But the Earth Titans changed everything.”

Goran emitted an aura of cold rage.

“They can sense surface vibrations. Entire cities were erased overnight. Walls, towers, lives. Nothing survived.”

“So you hid?” Aegis asked.

“No, we adapted Sage,” Goran corrected respectfully. “These pillars channel runic magic to suppress seismic waves. They also mask our presence. As long as we remain underground, the Earth Titans cannot find us.”

He paused, then added quietly, “That is why we rarely open the Gates.”

As they approached a grand inner district, banners bearing an ancient symbols fluttered in artificial wind.

“Who’s your King?” Aegis asked curiously, while Pyro hummed in its own rhythm.

At the mention of King, Goran sounded at a loss.

“Our king fell recently. He died in glorious battle while buying time for our evacuation.”

Aegis still said nothing.

“In his place now the princess Gloriana rules Gravenia,” Goran continued. “She is young, but resolute. She governs the kingdom by holding together nobles, soldiers, and civilians alike.”

There was clear pride in his words.

“She is beautiful, wise, and far stronger than she appears. Without her, this kingdom would have already fallen.”

Goran stopped and looked at Aegis.

“Sage, this city is our last sanctuary.”

He bowed his head deeply.

“And you are the first sign that salvation may truly exist.”

Goran led Aegis through a final set of towering gates carved with ancient runes.

Beyond them lay the heart of the underground kingdom.

The air felt different here. To be specific, it was cleaner, calmer. Yet beneath that calm was tension, like a bowstring drawn too tight.

“This is the Inner Citadel,” Goran said in his deep voice, making the maids jump in fright.

“Only the royal family and high command may enter freely.”

They stepped into a vast hall supported by black stone columns.

As if responding to Aegis’ presence, the floor beneath glowed with faint violet lighy.

At the far end stood a elevated platform.

And upon it sat the one ruling this hidden kingdom.

She stood up the moment they approached.

The princess was clad in elegant battle attire rather than ceremonial robes.

Red hairs, Red irises.

On her slender frame, she wore a lightweight armour. It qas forged with toughest leather existed and reinforced with magical runes.

The short cloak falling from her shoulder bore the Symbol of the ancient kingdom: A Eagle Like Bird, signifying Gravenia’s yearning for freedom.

She was beautiful there’s no doubt. But more than that, she was composed.

This was not the gaze of someone sheltered behind walls.This was the gaze of someone who had buried the dead, made impossible decisions, and carried the pressure of a collapsing Kingdom.

Clang!

Commander Goran quickly dropped to one knee instantly.

“Your Highness, we have brought him.”

The princess’s eyes turned to Aegis.

For a brief moment, her composure cracked.

Her eyelids trembled as the faint purple glow from Aegis’s hand resonated with the runes embedded throughout the citadel.

The trident mark stirred again, responding to something ancient within the hall.

“So… the prophecy was not a lie after all,” she said softly.

Her voice was calm, but Aegis could hear the disbelief beneath it.

She descended the steps slowly, stopping only a few inches away from him.

“I am Princess Gloriana,” she said. “Daughter of the fallen king, and the current ruler of Gravenia kingdom.”

Her gaze briefly went Pyro, who waved a tiny flame in greeting.

Aegis just greeted with curt nod.

Gloriana continued,

“You are called a Sage by my people. A savior from beyond the stars. But I will ask you plainly.”

Her eyes narrowed, no longer those of a princess, but of a ruler.

“Are you truly here to save us? Or are you another calamity wearing hope as a disguise?”

The hall went silent with her question.

But Aegis met her gaze with calm as he said honestly:

“I didn’t come here to play a hero. I came to survive. To grow stronger. And to understand this battlefield.”

As soon as he said this, murmurs rippled through the nobles watching from afar.

But Gloriana did not look displeased.

On the contrary, a small smile appeared on her lips.

“Good. Heroes die quickly. Survivors change history.”

She turned to Goran.

“Prepare the Magic Ritual. And notify the Witches.”

“If the Earth Titans are moving again, then fate has thrown us together for a reason. And I intend to make full use of that reason.”

After all the ritual related to Sage bond in completed, Aegis received overwhelming boost in power.

[ Power Rank: Duke (temporary) ]

But this power Isn’t permanent. It was Kingdom’s faith force that was running through him.

Once he leaves the Battlefield this power would disappear.

But he couldn’t complain. Because this was already a great blessing to start exploring this dangerous battlefield.

He was also granted the rank of Honorary Knight, along with complete freedom to choose his companions for the journey to slay the Earth Titans.

The kingdom was willing to pay any price to assist the Sage, for their survival depended on him.

Meanwhile, news of the Sage’s arrival spread to every corner of the Royal Capital.

Almost every citizen was talking about it.

“What’s the name of this Sage?” a runesmith asked from inside his workshop.

“I heard he’s called Aegis. A young man with black hair. And his Sage power is related to water,” replied a customer dressed like a warrior.

“Is he a mage? And isn’t water the weakest element? How can he hope to defeat a Titan with water magic?” a curious young man asked.

The older runesmith shook his head, as if reprimanding the younger generation.

“You know nothing, boy. A Sage has special authority to wield a kingdom’s power. Besides, who said water is weak? Water is the source of all life. Every one of the eight elements can be traced back to it, directly or indirectly.”

“Huh, really? Why didn’t I know this before?” the young man muttered, embarrassed.

“Maybe you’re ignorant, that’s why. Now get lost!”

The city buzzed with activity. Hopes rekindled among the ordinary citizens.

However, somewhere in the city, conspiracy bloomed to life.

And it was related to the chosen candidates as the Sage’s companions.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep