Alex's second body was traveling to the Azure Serpent Clan's citadel.
Situated at the edges of the Great Forest of Jura, bordering it directly.
It was carved inside a mountain. The mountain had been hollowed from the inside, forming tunnels. Many clearings were cut, to give place for the Great Citadel of Azure Serpent.
The citadel was a kingdom in itself. Hundreds of thousands, or more people resided within it.
Though it was supposed to come under the Eastern Empire, from a low, commoner's perspective. Anyone who had a certain amount of knowledge would be be able to tell that the Great Clans and the Eastern Empire were at odds.
Eastern Empire had tried many times to destroy the Great Clans, both from within and the outside. However, it was the presence of the Grand Saints that kept them at bay. Ofcourse, the empire was stronger than the Three Great Clans combined, if they really wanted to wage a war, that is. But they couldn't do whatever they wanted, due to several reasons.
If even one of the Grand Saints were to die, then, an entire Great Clan would fall apart. And no one would be able to prevent that from happening.
All three saints were needed to keep the Eastern Empire from destroying them.
This Alex, the one who had currently taken on the persona of a capable warrior, wore a mask with black carvings, a black hood with a bit of blue hue, tinged. He had yellow eyes gleaming with a strange ferocity. Also, he was taller!
He looked like a man in his twenties.
Soon, he entered the lower regional territory of the clan.
RRHHHHHRROOOAAGGHH!
A guttural roar echoed through the area.
Turning his sight in the voice's direction, Alex saw:
A magic beast looming like living fire. It's body clad in molten-orange scales, flames rising from tail to head. Piercing red eyes glowing with predatory intelligence, and each step shaking the ground, leaving a trail of heat and scorched earth in its wake. It was undoubtedly around the level of a Special-A Rank.
It's size was enough to stomp on a house, and leave it in ruins.
Several warriors who had been stationed near here, were gathered in a half circle, all of them had their weapons pointed at the magic beast.
But.... what was such a beast doing here. In the territory of a Great Clan. All Great Clans occasionally sent out batches of warriors to exterminate all types of threats near here. Then, how could a magic beast so big, have appeared here, without anyone noticing.
Alex had an idea, though. That Otherworldly Ogre. He could be the reason.
Well, anyway. This is a perfect opportunity for me. I can save them, earn recognition, and eventually make my way in the Great Clan. I should hurry, lest some powerful Saint or someone appeared and did my part.
....
"W-What is this?!" One of the warriors posted in the lower region exclaimed.
"It's definitely a Special-A Rank." Another said.
"When the hell are reinforcements arriving?!" The same one from before said.
All f the villagers had made their way towards the gateway of the Great Citadel. And reinforcements were to arrive, soon, or so was believed.
The magic beast took a single step forward, shaking the earth below in the process. It opened it's maw, probably unleashing some devastating breath attack!
A senior warrior, Aldrick, sprang up in the air, and launched himself towards it's head, aiming for the eye. But the flames swirling on top of it's body moved, rising from them, a burst of fire collided with Aldrick, sending him flying away, knocked out.
"Captain!"
The magic beast glared at the other warriors and moved towards them.
Before it could trample anyone though, something flew towards the magic beast at a tremendous speed, and with a bright flash of light, the magic beast's neck was severed, falling over to the ground, causing the earth to shake violently.
THUMMPPP!
'Huh?' Ray was a warrior who had seen several mighty warriors in battle. But taking down a Special A-Rank in one blow?!
A man with a striking appearance, white hair, yellow-golden eyes, with his black hood flowing from the gust of wind stood before Ray. It seemed like a scene from a heroic tale!
The supposed 'Hero' flew over to Captain Aldrick.
He put his hand on Aldrick's head, a green glow surrounded him, rising and falling like tides, like mini living serpents. In an instant, Aldrick was healed.
Captain Aldrick opened his eyes, looking at the man who had healed him, saved him, as well as many others.
"Who... are you?" Captain Aldrick asked, confused.
The 'Hero' looked at him with a bright, attractive smile, "me? I am just a warrior. One who seeks to become the strongest, the greatest. My name is Raymond.... Raymond Aurelith. Nice to meet you, Sir." He said and offered Captain Aldrick a hand.
Aldrick looked at him for a moment. Then took his hand, getting up. "...Thanks"
All of the warriors regathered under Aldrick's command.
Just a second later, a man riding a blue serpent landed beside them. Reinforcements had arrived. It was the strongest Adept Saint of the Azure Serpent Clan, Eren Edgar.
Eren Edgar had slightly shorter than torso-length white hair, a pair of silver eyes. He wore a black armor with tiny blue paintings and depictions of the Azure Serpent's humanoid and transformed forms, fighting glorious battles.
He looked at the warriors and Aldrick coldly, "who killed that magic beast?" He spoke in a cold and authoritative tone.
All of the warriors bowed to Eren, then turned to look at Aldrick. Aldrick looked at Raymond.
Raymond raised his hand, "it was me, Sir."
Eren looked at Raymond, "and who are you?"
"I'm a warrior who aspires to join the clan."
Eren stared at him for a while, "come with me. You guys as well." He said, turning back and signaling all the warriors to follow him.
All of them sat on the blue serpent, then took off to fly.
Soon, they were high up in the air. The magnificient view of the Great Citadel and it's surroundings was in sight.
"Wow! What a sight it is!" Raymond exclaimed observing the view of the citadel and it's surroundings, earning a glare from Eren Edgar.
That guy's preety... cold.
Alex or Raymond planned to become a member of the Azure Serpent Clan, then defeat some powerful saint, earning a high ranking position.
Alex had wanted to remain in this world, while his other 'main body' would enter the trial. And what could be better than becoming a high ranking Saint within a Great Clan and keeping them in check.
What was the need of keeping them in check, though?
It was quite easy to tell. Alex's family was related to one of the Great Clans. Even if he didn't want to, he would eventually get caught up in the mess, since he had already disclosed quite a lot about his capabilities. He was a Junior Saint, he was going to enter the trial. And if he returned back alive, then things would change a lot.
No one had ever successfully conquered the trial, which was obvious. So, what would happen if after all those hundreds of years, someone managed to successfully do so?
They might really get branded as the reincarnation of the progenitors, they might be hailed as a hero, they might even become the target of many. There were quite a lot of things that could happen.
So, all in all, what Alex did was right. Raymond Aurelith had to be born!
After sometime, the blue serpent stopped gliding through the air, and hovered just above a stone platform situated on one of the many mountainous edges of the citadel.
"Follow me." Eren Edgar said, jumping down from the mount and walking towards the stone stairs.
All of the warriors and Raymond followed before the Saint.
Raymond looked here and there, fascinated by the massive citadel that resided within the mountains. This place is so heavenly! Imagine sitting here on a picnic, having lunch, fighting duels, and so on!
Raymond was taken by the beauty of this place. Even the view from here is so great.
This place has stood for so many years, yet there's not even a single crack or so.
Soon, the warriors and Raymond stopped infront of a tall, jet black wall of rocks. Then, they entered inside by a small gate.
Woah....!
Raymond and the others were currently on the highest level of the citadel.
From where Raymond and the warriors were, the sight of the inner areas of the citadel was clear. People were on and about engaged in various things. The place was extremely busy with activity. All of it seemed so peaceful, ordered. This truly was like a kingdom.
There are quite a lot of people.
Eren walked towards the stairs right to them, making his way towards the second-highest level. Raymond and the others followed.
Why is there no roof for this place? Well... whatever.
After sometime, Eren stopped, and opened the first door that came in his way. On top of the double-framed door, there was a wooden sign-board, and something was written there in white ink.
What?! Interrogation room? Seriously?
After they had entered, Eren told all of them to sit down. Asked what happened in detail. Then he asked Raymond about how he came to this place, why, and so on.
After a long time of interrogation, the Adept Saint seemed a little satisfied with the answers, though his face was still tinged with dissatisfaction and anger.
It did not end there, though.
After that, Eren let all the warriors off. But he ordered Raymond to come with him. And to do what? To meet the Saint in charge of the citadel!
Fortunately, it wasn't the Grand Saint: Madorca Gwenwil. It was a Senior Saint.
Eren explained all of that had happened to the Saint. The Saint seemed to be cautious with the idea that a mysterious warrior had suddenly appeared and saved the day, but he let it off after hearing the well made lies that Raymond had prepared in advance.
All thanks to you, Great Sage! Well... it was my idea, too.
<....>
Raymond told the Saint that he wished to join the Azure Serpent Clan. And he was accepted, at the end. But, the Saint ordered him to meet him in the training grounds, for he wanted to test Raymond's abilities himself. He said that if he liked Raymond, he would take him under his wing.
Phew...! What a tiresome day. All that explaining was getting to my head. Yet, those guys still seem doubtful of me. I guess my hypothesis was really true. Something is definitely going on between the Great Clans. Just why was no other Senior Saint or the Grand Saint, Mardoca Gwenwil present here?
Ofcourse it could be that they're doing something not known to Raymond. But still.
As far as he had heard, the Grand Saint rarely left the citadel. And when he left, he would not return for quite the time. Because, the reason for such a being to leave it's home was only one: to hunt down prey.
So corny!
Anyway. Raymond planned to defeat the Senior Saint, and there were also other things he planned to do.
Off to sleep!
.....
Ask in the comments if you have any questions.
Also, this body made from [Parallel Existence] needed to have a slightly different personality than the original Alex.