The US and Astra envoy's were now heading to the main event of the Fall festival. The lunch ball at the imperial palace of the emperor and empress. This is where all the envoys from major kingdoms and duchies come together. Although it was a party, it was also a valuable time for many to arrange for marriages, information, or tout new goods or wares their provinces have produced.
For practical purposes, the envoys rode on carriages to the palace. Many horse drawn carriages could be seen rolled up to the palace entrance. The palace entrance sat behind a garden which also sat behind a fenced gate with guards. As the US diplomats and Astra diplomats stepped out, many guests watched them. Many recognized and were surprised to see an envoy from the Kingdom of Astra, especially the designated heir of the Kingdom Damion Ior Astra.
However, all of them did not recognize the diplomats that wore such plain and standard suits. Some even wore weird black glasses. Nonetheless, the two envoys entered the palace after the guard at the entrance verified their identities.
The US envoy had a particularly large group. Filled with guards and translators, they stood out like a sore thumb in the palace. However, the two envoys started chatting with each other as no one wanted to talk to them.
"Who are those people?" One group of envoys asked. "Never seen them before. Did they come from the northern or western kingdoms or duchies? Perhaps some new duchy formed."
While the men spoke amongst themselves, the lead ambassador observed them. He has seen the Astra envoys before on previous occasions, however he was equally stumped as to where those men and women in suits came from. "Well, here is a simple solution friends."
He simple walked up to the group. His friends were just flabbergasted at how fast he approached the unknown group.
"Hello there friends." He spoke in the language of his country. That being from the Alenari tribe. The US diplomats were at first caught off guard, but then the lead representative to the Tillerian Empire started speaking to the translator.
"Hello there, its an honor to meet you. Tell me, what nation do you come from?"
The Alenari ambassador was pleasantly surprised. The standard practice is to speak the language of the host country. In this case the Tillerian language that stemmed from older times. However, he didn't expect to see them have a translator for his nation specifically.
"Oh, so you anticipated meeting me perhaps? I am the main representative of the Alenari tribes. We are a bit east from here."
"Ah, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I am an ambassador from the United States of America."
"Sorry if I am ignorant, but I never heard of your nation before. Is it newly formed?"
"Yes and no."
"I see."
The Alenari tribe control most of the desert lands and oasis within them. Their tribe borders are what effectively connects the human realm of the east and the non-human realm to the west. For that, they connect many trade routes from west and east as its hard to attack trade caravans in such a vast wasteland.
The Alenari for their part collect fees and run caravans from various nations at their borders. For a relatively obscure tribe, they have quite a bit of influence as they control the only known land trade route on the continent.
Then another ambassador came over. "Its nice to see you here again."
"Ah, the ambassador from the kingdom of Fulowa, here, let me introduce you to the ambassador from the US."
The Fulowa kingdom sat between the Borthern sea, the Alenari tribe, and the Waloa Kingdom. They often trade with the Alenari tribe as they border the internal sea, and consequentially can import more goods from many countries surrounding the internal sea.
As the three were talking, one of the guards in the hall announced the arrival of the imperial family. All the attendants waited for them to enter the palace hall and saw them. The emperor, empress, and their children. Two young teenage boys and a younger girl. Probably not even past the age of 12.
"We may now present the gifts." The guard announced. The fall festival has historically been where countries have given gifts to the imperial family. The family is disputed to have more influence than any single ruler in the human realm. To be on good terms is essential in times like these. Although, direct marriages or marriages to build relationship is still the desired method.
One by one, envoys from different nations line up to present their gifts to the imperial family. Of course, the US is no exception. When it was finally the US's turn, they pulled out a wooden oak box. It was quite large with it at least being a person wide. Or at least a little bit smaller for the average American. Inside was what could be only described as the most valuable Mana Crystal most envoys have seen. The imperial family was also surprised by their gift. Such an immaculate Mana crystal could go for around a couple hundred gold coins. It could even be deemed priceless given its color and vigor.
To give perspective and context, most people on average get possibly one to ten gold coins in their lifetime. Wealth inequality is normal in many aspects. Thousands of gold lies in the realm of entire budgets or wealth of influential families or kingdoms. Mana crystals or other catalysts are usually obtained through a myriad of institutions or support from certain guilds, such as the church of cultivation in the kingdom of Astra.
As soon as the crystal came out, everyone did a double take on what was in the box. They thought they must have seen wrong, but they did not. With that size and color, its possible to supply enough mana for a single lifetime if used properly. Nonetheless, the imperial family still held their amazement back and thanked the US ambassador for the generous gift. The emperor however had to ask him something.
"Sorry, but I don't believe I heard of your country before. Is it a newly formed country perhaps?"
"Our country does not currently exist on any of your maps, so you could say we are a new country."
"I see. I hope we could continue our dialogue another time perhaps?"
"I would be honored."
After the US ambassador left, the kingdom of Astra envoy, mainly Damion brought their gift. It was a piece of Macana wood. Compared to the Mana crystal, Macana wood is always better in all ways. The imperial family was also surprised.
"Your majesty, I wanted to inquire about the tribute agreement."
"Consider it done and finished Sir Damion. It was quite unfortunate pirates got in the way of things, but I will not hold it against you."
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"I thank you from my heart your majesty."
Damion walks away. The emperor thought back to his observations of the Astra and US envoys walking in together. "Its best I don't antagonize the kingdom of Astra." He looks back at the purple Mana crystal that sits in the wooden case.
The event continued uneventful. The US diplomats did receive much more attention than before though. The Astra envoys also received attention from where they obtained that Macana wood. The envoys simply said it was the fruits of a civil war.
However, the ball ended as the sun started falling. The US envoys were able to establish many connections and relationships with other envoys. They soon expect further talks with their home countries.
As the envoys prepared to head back towards where they were staying in the city, they noticed just how dark it can get. Without modern lighting, the city became eerily quiet. As both envoys noticed this, they also saw that there was no one around really. The security detail with the US envoy looked calm, but silently alarmed. The Astra security detail were visibly on guard.
The carriage continued through the streets which were laid with brick. The lit lanterns on the carriages provided what limited light candles can provide.
Soon, the sounds of chatter arose from one of the security detail. "Assault!"
The horses up front stopped abruptly and the six carriages came to a stop. Up front where the Astra envoys carriages were, commotion could be heard. The security detail for the US envoy immediately started to mobilize.
"You three, on me. The rest stay."
The three moved up towards the front where they saw over twenty assailants in combat with the Astra security detail. The Astra guards didn't have guns, so they were using swords.
Soon, the streets of the city were filled with gunfire as the security detail began firing. "We got over 20 assailants here." The three continued their gunfire.
The sounds were so loud and sudden, the assailants were thrown off guard. Some ran, while some tried to advance quickly. The sound of gunfire bounced around the brick laid streets and the brick build buildings around.
Soon, the gunfire stopped, only with a bunch of dead bodies on the street. One of the Astra guards came running up. "Thank the lord we have you guys here. Lets move quickly. Its not safe."
"We don't need to inform anyone."
"Someone usually cleans it up."
"Understood."
The US security knew just how unsafe it was if they didn't need to inform anyone that they just shot around 15 people dead on the street.
The carriages began moving again. This time with a quicker pace. They soon arrived at their hotel and set up a perimeter around it. Security was set up around the envoys rooms. Luckily, nothing happened until the next morning.
The two envoys were heading back to the ship after receiving the all clear, however they were told trouble was coming.
They arrive at the ship and see many Tillerian soldiers a the port. All of them being led by port authorities. As the envoy approached, the port authority could be heard arguing with the captain of the ship.
"Under the Jurisdiction of the Tillerian Port Authority, you must let us on your ship!"
"I am sorry, but we cannot let you on board without a specific reason!"
"I don't have to tell a mere captain why, just let us search your ship!"
"Is there something wrong?"
The US ambassador and prince Damion were behind them. "Sir, these men want to board our ship, but they are not telling us why."
"I don't need permission from a lowly captain such as you! As the sole port authority in this country, I have the power to search any ship that I deem suspicious!"
"Well, we want to get underway immediately. We are not letting you on if you won't provide a reason."
"I don't think so! I have ships at the ready to prevent escape."
The situation was problematic. This needs to go to the president.
The White House was busy as usual, however it was even more chaotic when the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff informed him that there was a situation where a US vessel was effectively being detained in a Tillerian port.
"Are there no contacts we can use yet?"
"The nature of their government makes it difficult. To begin with, the power is divided by families, and the port in question is run by a different family. Even if we contacted the necessary people, the situation is likely to be unresolved. Furthermore, our current diplomatic mission is trying to leave on that very ship. There are no current diplomatic channels."
"And they are leaving because there was an attempt at their lives correct?"
"Yes, precisely as they were returning from the Fall festival ball, nearly 20 assailants attacked their carriages while the ship was attacked by over 50. The situation is very uncertain right now."
"We don't know who attacked?"
"We currently don't know. And we don't know if that will be the last attack."
"And on top of that, the heir to the Astra kingdom is on that ship. If anything were to happen, we are screwed. What are our possible responses?"
"We could pull up the carrier strike group up to the port and pressure them to release the ship. It could induce a hot conflict, but if we want the ship to be released, this could be our only option."
"Or we let them stay in the port for who know how many days. Or we let them on our destroyer. Tell me, what is the risk of letting those men on board?"
"Significant risk. Considering they are technologically behind in military technology, letting a potentially hostile nation scout around it could cause problems in the future. Furthermore, we do not know their intentions. With magic as an extra unknown to consider, we do not know if they are doing something with ill intent. I strongly suggest we do not allow them on board. "
"So we either blockade their port, or let them just sit in port while we still don't know who attacked our envoys correct?"
"Correct Mr. President."
"He contemplated for a bit."
"Blockade the port. Let it be known that one must have a good reason to detain any US naval vessel. Get our team back home to safe territory."
"Understood Mr. President."
Later that day, a huge fleet pulled up towards the Tillerian dock of the main capital. The fleet was a full US Carrier strike group with at least 7 escorting ships, a submarine, and a logistics and supply ship. The usually clear port was effectively blockaded.
The port authority leader was shocked. He didn't anticipate such a strange fleet coming out of nowhere. He got desperate.
"Mobilize the fleet!"
"But sir, we would be attacking a guest nations fleet."
"It doesn't matter! That fleet is blockading the largest port in the empire! I cannot let this go. Now mobilize them! Now!"
Port authority leader looked out to see the carrier strike group again. "I am going to send you all down to the bottom of the sea!"
The situation escalated quickly. However the event was so significant, information eventually made its way towards the imperial family.
"Your saying Gavin is trying to attack a fleet blockading our port?"
"Yes, after trying to board a suspicious vessel, their fleet blockaded the port. Trying to pressure us to release their ship."
"Who are we dealing with here?"
"We currently do not know for sure, but their flag is unrecognizable. However, Astra diplomats and their princes was on the ship, trying to return."
"Hmm, so it's a US ship then."
"You know your majesty?"
"I know that the two are close. It wouldn't be a surprise considering the US themselves said that they are not on any known map. But...."
The emperor was cautious, but he did not want to back down as it would signal weakness. All he knows is that the US is wealthy, but that is it. Although its possible they have many Mana users given their ability to obtain Mana crystals. He ultimately decided to not do anything. He would expect, like many wealthy nations, to back down. As they do not want to anger the largest economy in the continent, they will not do any real damage. At least, that is what he thought.
The Galleon sized ships slowly left the harbor and mirrored the blockading fleet. Soon they would hear in English to not continue or risk being sunk. Although the problem was that they did not understand English. And thus, the ships continued towards the invisible line of death.