Fairy Tale: With Sin Of Pride

The four gemstones lay in Rhodes' palm, each radiating an otherworldly brilliance—Death Gem, Life Gem, Light Gem, and Dark Gem. He studied them closely, his interest piqued.

"Four forbidden zones surrounding the Abyss of Extreme Cold, and all of them tied to the gods... What secrets are buried here?" he mused. A coincidence? Perhaps one, but four such occurrences in quick succession? Unlikely.

His thoughts lingered as he approached the grand palace at the epicenter of this mystery. Outside, hundreds of palace guards stood in disciplined formation, their armor gleaming under the pale sunlight.

Led by two guards, Rhodes entered the palace. Its opulence was undeniable, with gilded columns and sparkling chandeliers adorning the hall. Two figures descended from a raised dais—a frail man in a white gold robe and a graceful woman in an elegant black dress.

The man was Count Ettel, his pale face showing a sickly flush. Every step seemed laborious, and his weak frame trembled as he leaned on a servant for support. It was clear he was gravely ill.

Beside him stood the queen. Her beauty was stunning, her demeanor warm and approachable, a far cry from the "vicious and cunning" reputation that preceded her. Rhodes raised an eyebrow. Could the rumors be wrong?

But appearances can be deceiving. The noble elite were masterful actors, and the upper echelons of society thrived on facades.

"Adventurer, are you the one who completed my trial?" Count Ettel's voice was weak, yet his gaze scrutinized Rhodes intently.

Without a word, Rhodes pulled the Death Gem from his pocket. The moment the gemstone was revealed, a dense aura of death filled the palace, its chilling power suffocating.

"That's it! The Death Gem!" Count Ettel's dull eyes suddenly gleamed with life. His excitement, however, triggered a violent coughing fit that left him gasping for air.

Rhodes frowned. He looks like he's on death's door. For a noble of his stature, how is he this frail?

Nobles were meticulous about their health, and for someone like Count Ettel, even the gravest illnesses could be cured by the blessings of clergy. Yet here he was, barely holding on to life.

Catching his breath, Ettel addressed Rhodes again. "With the gem in hand, you have qualified for the second trial."

"Tell me about this second test," Rhodes replied, his voice steady.

The count hesitated. "You'll need the other three gemstones to proceed. They must be—"

Clatter.

Rhodes casually reached into his pocket, and three more gemstones tumbled to the ground. "Oh, my mistake," he said with a faint smile, picking them up. "You were saying?"

The room fell silent.

Ettel stared at the young man before him, his composure cracking slightly. After a long pause, he continued, "Since you've gathered all four gems... The second trial will be revealed tomorrow."

Rhodes cocked an eyebrow. Tomorrow? A bold thought crossed his mind. Is he stalling?

---

The Night Before the Trial

Later that night, as Rhodes rested in the palace, whispers echoed through its halls. Count Ettel stood alone in the throne room, his expression heavy with conflict.

"You don't have much time, Ettel," a cold voice hissed in his mind.

Ettel clenched his fists, his voice trembling with defiance. "I don't need your reminders! I'll save her in my way!"

---

The Second Test

Morning came, and Rhodes once again stood before the throne. Ettel looked even more haggard than before, while the queen's demeanor had shifted drastically. Gone was her warmth—her sharp gaze and biting words aimed directly at him.

"Your Majesty," the queen sneered, "I doubt this adventurer has the strength for such a trial."

Rhodes smirked inwardly. So the claws finally come out, huh?

Ignoring her, Ettel announced the next test. "Take the four gems to the Abyss of Extreme Cold. There, you must unlock the entrance and face the Golden Army. Only by claiming the Scepter of the Yellow Turban Army can you proceed."

Rhodes' interest piqued. "The Abyss of Extreme Cold, is it?" He glanced at Ettel. There's more to this man than he's letting on.

---

The Abyss of Extreme Cold

Snow and ice stretched as far as the eye could see, a barren, unforgiving landscape. Following the map provided by the count, Rhodes trekked through the glacial wasteland.

Transparent ice crunched underfoot, and beneath its crystalline surface, shadows of enormous figures flickered ominously.

Eventually, he arrived at a shattered bridge. Beyond it was an abyss so vast and dark that even his enhanced vision couldn't discern its depths. Near the bridge stood four intricately carved sockets—perfectly shaped to hold the gems.

One by one, Rhodes placed the gems into the sockets.

Rumble.

The ground trembled as a bridge of shimmering light materialized before him, stretching across the void.

Without hesitation, he stepped onto the ethereal path, which led him to an ancient, colossal gateway. Its surface was covered in thick frost, but with a surge of demonic power, Rhodes shattered the ice, forcing the doors open.

---

The Golden Army

The chamber beyond was vast, illuminated by dim, flickering flames. The walls sparkled with frozen crystals, and in the center of the room, an enormous platform loomed.

Atop the platform stood golden statues—each over ten meters tall and clad in armor adorned with intricate magical engravings. Their weapons ranged from massive swords to colossal bows, all stained with ancient, dried blood.

Rhodes stepped forward.

Clang!

The door behind him slammed shut, and the bridge of light vanished, leaving him no retreat.

Click. Click. Click.

The statues stirred, their mechanical gears grinding as they came to life. Scarlet light flared in their eyes as they turned toward the intruder.

One by one, the Golden Army rose to their feet, their heavy footfalls shaking the ground.

Rhodes smirked, demonic power surging around him.

"Well then," he said, his voice filled with anticipation. "Let's see how strong you really are."

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