Infinite System Inheritor Return From The Abyss

Inside the grand walls of the palace, away from the shining throne room and the noble halls where silk robes and golden cups were common, there was a large open stone building used as barracks by the imperial soldiers.

The building was strong and plain, with stone columns and wooden beams, and though it had no luxury, it had space and order.

For now, that very place had been emptied of soldiers and quickly prepared to become a temporary resting area for the strangers who had fallen from the sky.

Thin mattresses were rolled out on the floors, clean water barrels were placed in the corners, and some crates were turned into makeshift chairs and tables.

A group of knights, dressed in blue and silver armor with the emblem of the Solarian flame on their cloaks, stood guard at each corner of the yard, keeping a watchful eye on every movement. Though they looked calm, their hands never strayed far from their swords.

The members of the various guilds sat or rested around, some checking their wounds, some discussing quietly in small groups, while others leaned against the wall, looking around curiously.

One young man in a brown cloak whispered as he looked at the layout of the courtyard. "Isn't this... kinda familiar?" he said, squinting at the stone walls and the torchlights.

A girl sitting near him raised her head and nodded, her face thoughtful. "Yeah. This is so similar to the barracks from Ethereal VRMMORPG, the starting camp when you enter the Empire zone..."

Another man passing by overheard them and laughed a little. He adjusted the hood of his robe and joined in their small conversation.

"No, no. You're getting it wrong," he said, sitting down on an overturned crate."In Ethereal, the empire's name was Solj, not Solaria, and the emperor there was a warlord with a beard like a lion. This one..." he nodded toward the palace, "he's different. Besides, their culture feels more... ancient."

They all looked around again, taking in the guards, the flags, and the architecture, then the girl slowly said, "Still… it feels close. Like we've seen it before, just… not exactly."

Meanwhile, inside the palace halls, a few chosen representatives were already walking through the polished corridors. These were the guildmasters and key figures selected to speak on behalf of their people.

Prince Callan, now wearing a simpler dark tunic with only his royal crest visible, led the way without a word. The emperor had instructed him to listen first and decide later. Though many were suspicious of the strangers, Callan had seen them fight. He knew they were not simple barbarians.

One knight opened a tall wooden door, and the prince gestured for the guests to enter first. A long table with food and wine had been prepared—an offer of peace, but not yet of trust.

Inside the royal palace, the Emperor sat tall on his throne, his golden eyes locked on each of the chosen guildmasters standing before him.

Suddenly, before the next question could be asked, the ground beneath them gave a low, deep rumble. The long chandeliers above swung ever so slightly, and the wine in the nobles' goblets began to ripple.

The Emperor stopped speaking and stood, his robes moving as the tremor passed through the stone floor.

Outside, in the barracks yard where many of the other guild members were still resting, the tremor was felt more clearly. A few barrels tipped over, and several guild members stood quickly, looking around with alarm.

The sky that had only just turned orange was now darkening unnaturally fast, as if something heavy was pressing down from above.

From one corner of the barracks, a loud voice echoed as a man shot up into the sky, floating higher to get a clearer view. "Something's approaching!" he shouted with panic in his voice.

"What is it, bro?!" another man yelled, already preparing his weapon as others began to float upward to see it for themselves.

Some knights on the walls immediately shouted, their voices commanding and sharp, "Get down from there! This is the royal yard! You are not permitted to leave the ground!"

But the guild members ignored them for now—whatever was coming had stolen all attention.

Among the rising figures, Lauren—known to this kingdom as Han Seoyang—rose into the air, her long hair flowing behind her as the wind circled around her. She narrowed her eyes at the distant black shapes moving quickly across the clouds. Then she turned to the knights and pointed upward.

"You better call the Emperor—The real invaders are coming!" she said with force in her voice.

One of the knights below clenched his jaw and gave a sharp gesture to a messenger behind him.

"Go confirm her claim—check the sky at sector north!" he shouted.

The younger knight ran up the watchtower steps, took the spyglass from a guard's hand, and looked out into the distance. His hands trembled slightly as he adjusted the lens. And then his voice rang out, cracking in fear.

"DRAGONS!" he screamed.

"MULTIPLE FLIGHT PATTERNS—THREE, NO, FOUR LARGE WINGS, THEY'RE DRAGONS! DRAGONS HAVE RETURNED!"He lowered the spyglass, sweat forming on his forehead.

"IT'S A WAVE! IT'S ANOTHER MONSTER WAVE!"

Soldiers began moving in formations, the entire barracks yard exploding into organized chaos. Horns blew from the castle walls, warning bells echoed in the distance, and soldiers shouted for everyone to brace for attack.

Inside the grand hall, tension filled the air as the chosen guildmasters stood before the Emperor, still trying to explain their situation. Alexa, standing among them with her swords still strapped to her back, took a careful step forward and bowed slightly.

"Your Majesty, we mean no harm," she said calmly.

Another guildmaster, Tanaka Hiroshi from Japan, nodded and added,"We did not come to invade your lands. If anything, we were attacked the moment we arrived. All we want is peace… and answers."

The Emperor watched them closely, arms crossed and eyes sharp, but before he could speak, the great doors of the throne room slammed open with a loud boom. A high-ranking knight rushed in, armor clanking, breath heavy with urgency.

"Your Majesty!" the knight shouted. "The sky—dragons are approaching from the east!"