The city of Tillian was getting darker as night encroached on the city. People would soon pack up any wares or shops and prepare to head indoors for the night. This pre-industrial world did not allow for people to have a nightlife. And thus once the sun goes down, the people ultimately stop working as well. This is common everywhere in the empire, unless you are the fortunate which can afford the luxuries of affording Mana tools which allow for some lighting. But for those who own Mana tools, they often use it sparingly since they often use Mana crystals.

The streets during this time of day are much emptier than during the daylight hours. However, one group of people is traveling through the streets despite this time of day. This small running group of four was running away from pursuers. The pursuers were rapidly catching up when eventually, they ran into the US and Astra convoy of carriages late in the evening. The four ran past, however the large group of assailants became blocked by the convoy. The guards mistook the pursuers as assassins and a battle ensued. The four slaves ran away successfully and took rest in a small alley a good distance away.

The small group was exhausted from the pursuit. All of them were in rags and simple pieces of clothing to cover their bodies. One was a North Western Elf, one was a south western wolf girl. Then there is the older and younger sister. All of them just escaped the outskirts of the slave market and were now here. The four didn't know each other well. What they did know is that all of them were smart enough to escape when they had the chance to.

"Ria, I'm tired. How much longer do we have to run?"

"We are almost at the docks Amelia. Just keep it up okay? You're doing great." She patted her blonde head of hair and hugged her to reassure her.

"Geez, why did we have to drag her along? We could have attracted less attention and make a faster getaway." The wolf girl was also wearing tatters for apparel, however she was distinctly different with her canine like ears above her head and huge tail behind her. She had a distinct black hair for her tail, ears, and hair which went a little past her shoulders.

"Don't be so harsh alright? Making her sadder will only make the situation worse." The person who just spoke is an Elf. With a bright blue flowing hair, you can easily tell that she comes from the famous Elven people to the far west of the continent. "For now, let us just figure out where the damned docks are located."

"Fine, I'll put up with it until we find the nearest ship to get us out of here."

The four rested for a bit before they moved towards the docks again. At this point, it was quite dark and they would have had trouble if the wolf girl had not been able to see at night. They enter the dock area and look around for sea worthy vessels. The wolf girl saw a grey ship with no sails. "What da hell is that thing?"

"Do you see something?" Ria asked fearfully.

"Relax, I just spotted a weird ship docked here. In fact, you can see that it has expensive Mana tools on it." The other three could see what she meant immediately. It was the only ship with some signs of light and activity on it.

"Should we get on that one perhaps? The ship looks safe enough. We would have to bypass the guards somehow though." As Delna the Elf was speaking, they hid in a corner again as they heard men making a commotion. It seems even the dock guards were looking for them now.

The seemingly darkness of night was lit up my torches of the searching men. "Shit, we need to get on a ship now. Take your picks." The four contemplated, and they decided to take the weird ship. Although they didn't know who that ship belonged to. The rest already knew that any other ship would effectively lead them back here to the city. Every country around the Borthern sea dealt in the slave trade for over a millennia.

The wolf girl nodded and looked over to Delna. Delna understood her intent and concentrated before a slight reaction took hold on all four of them. They now could silently walk without making any noise.

They saw that there was a commotion on the ship. This was their chance. Instead of using the main stairway, they opted to climb over the railings of the ship. First the wolf girl jumped up and helped the other three aboard. So far, they were not spotted yet.

The four were on the back end of the destroyer where the helipad was located. The spotlights were not on. The wolf girl spotted what looks to be some warehouses to store something. One was open.

She looked inside and didn't see anyone, but did see a huge contraption in the back of the thing. She moved in closer and saw something. It was a shutter moving to close the small holding area. The wolf girl quickly motioned the other three to get in before it shut.

****

The US blockade was still blocking in the port of the major port of the city. This was ordered to hopefully lead to the release of their ship which not only had sailors, but also diplomats and Astra diplomats which included the king's only son Damion. The whole incident started with the port master demanding a search of the American destroyer currently docked at the port. Despite efforts to forcefully get on the ship; he was blocked by the efforts of the sailors on board. The envoys made the situation only more complicated.

The diplomats made efforts to try and make the port master realize what he is essentially doing. "Port master, do you intend to declare war on the United States?" The translator and diplomat carefully said his words. "This will not end without bloodshed. You could prevent that bloodshed if you simply just let the ship go." The diplomat and lead ambassador kept talking, because he could tell the port master has having second thoughts.

For all the power he has, he certainly does not want to start a war by himself. However, he started reasoning that maybe the US has a weak military. After seeing the ship only has one cannon, he decided that at least this ship was not a military ship. If it wasn't armed well, maybe he could leverage the situation.

He ordered his men to storm the ship. This broke down the negotiations and men armed with assault rifles started shouting. The members of the diplomatic delegation were brought back and US sailors started shouting to back off. Tillerian swordsmen started to go up the ramp. The US sailors then pointed their rifles towards the oncoming Tillerian swordsmen. Some recognized the rifles as matchlocks which has been increasingly used in combat. However, the front knew there was no turning back. They steeled themselves. What they did not expect was the rapid firing of the rifles. After the first, the men behind and further were gunned down systematically.

However, men continued to move towards the ramp leading onto the ship. It wasn't until the 20th person died that all soldiers were running away. So was the port master.

"Get us underway now!" Keep watch on the port while we do so."

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The destroyer was underway while the main US carrier strike group was still blockading the harbor. The admiral heard the destroyer's situation and steeled himself for the upcoming naval battle. Although in his head, it was more akin to a massacre. There was no way the ships coming towards them were capable of even hitting us. They would have to be up close to even hit the strike group. This by then would be far past the blockade perimeter.

However, that is not what the oncoming Tillerian ships thought. For decades, the Tillerian fleet has only been bested by the Kingdom of Astra fleet. And since their decline, the Tillerian fleet has been controlling most areas of the Borthern sea at this point. It would be strange to think for men like them that there was suddenly an overwhelming power unlike anything they have seen. For them, the Tillerian galleons were the best of the best ships made with the most advanced cannon work and design in their times. It was simply unthinkable that something could overcome their strength.

However, they were soon met with a terrible reality as one of the ships passed the blockade perimeter. As one of the ships passed the invisible line, the US escorts started firing off their Mark 45 gun. With an effective firing range of around 13 nautical miles, it is vastly superior to the conventional cannons that 16th century Europe would use back in their day.

The escort ships made quick work of the oncoming Tillerian galleon ships as they were blown to pieces by the Mark 45. Firing around 16 to 20 rounds per minute, they had a much higher firing rate of any manual loading cannon. The some ten galleons which were sent out to meet the US blockade, all were sunk or effectively out of combat.

Soon, the destroyer with all diplomats safely left the harbor and the strike group charted a path back towards the kingdom of Astra.

***

The emperor in the Tillerian empire was furious. Ten galleons were effectively destroyed, and some of city's men were killed at the harbor area when they attempted to board the US ship by force. He never thought it would have escalated to this level. He called the port master Gavin in for questioning.

"Your majesty, I was just carrying out normal inspections, and yet the US had the audacity to refuse my request your majesty. It is unbelievable. No nation I have dealt with was so fierce."

"Yes, and it got your men killed. Now, what I want to know is how so many of your men were killed without much of a fight. Did they perhaps have matchlocks as well? Hmm, but even so..."

"Those were no mere matchlocks you majesty. They were similar, but they fired at such a rate, they beget any known matchlock in existence. It was truly terrifying."

"Hmm, indeed. Now then, I ought to send you off now. Go along."

Gavin left gracefully, and yet rushed at the same time. The emperor called over some of his men. "Arrange for Gavin to be dead within the next week. Make it discreet." "Yes your majesty".

However, that would not stop the looming civil war to come.

***

As the US Carrier strike group continued their way towards the kingdom of Astra, a commotion was made on one of its destroyers. The one in question was the one which was docked in the Tillerian harbor not too long ago.

A couple of men enter the hanger area of the ship and discovered the four runaway slave girls. It was all so sudden that the men were bewildered. However one ran to call up command. The other two kept watch. Two were still asleep while Delna and the wolf girl Melami was awake and alert, carefully observing the two men watching them. Since the four spoke did not speak English, they couldn't understand what the two men were trying to say.

"Should we try to escape? There are only two of them, and they don't appear to have any weapons on them. Furthermore, they don't possess the ability to wield Mana." The Elf girl was carefully deciding on what to do.

"If we kill them, no doubt we have a chance, but I heard someone running. Probably one of their buddy's calling up more people here. We can kill the two, but I ain't confident in killing all of them. Furthermore, the interior of their ship is so odd, we will probably get lost if we try and escape through the ship. But, if they try anything." Her nails shined with a tint of blue.

Soon, multiple people were brought into the hanger area. Many armed with rifles. All of them were surprised to see the four in such a condition. Furthermore, it is the first time they have seen an entirely different race apart from Humans. Soon, one of the hanger doors started to open, however what greeted them was a huge helicopter on the landing pad and more people standing in front of it.

A man started walking up to the four, speaking in Tillerian tongue. "Are you four okay?"

The man was an Astra translator which was brought along for negotiations; however they found him quite useful in many circumstances. The two sisters finally woke up with all the commotion and saw all of the people surrounding them. Both of them too scared to do anything.

The American ambassador was standing near the translator. He beckoned some people to hand them food and water. The four were suspicious of their intentions, but they knew what food and water looked like. Not having eaten anything for hours, they started digging into the food and water. Meanwhile, the US ambassador could hear the Prime minister and Damion talking.

"Those are some high quality slaves. I wonder how they got on ship."

"Slaves? You mean these are runaways?" The US ambassador was baffled. He tried to disregard "high quality".

"Yes, the two demi-humans are not found in the human realm. They are only found to the western regions or southern regions. The wars and conflict only made them more readily available for slave hunters."

"Why do people fight wars in this world?"

"Anything really. Religion, race, resources, honor, family, and some just like it."

The ambassador paused. "Do you know where the two girls are from?"

"Who knows? War encompasses the lives of everyone. It isn't too uncommon to hear entire villages or towns getting ransacked of all their goods. The phrase "Nothing is surer than death" is not tossed around for no reason. I would say the four here are rather fortunate that they even made it to the slave market."

"How is that fortunate? Tell me. Enlighten me."

"Mr. Ambassador, I have read up on the US and standard of living. I am just shocked by how healthy and well off your citizens are. You must understand Mr. Ambassador, most people in this world die due to disease, war, and famine. Being a slave is actually quite safe for those who do become one."

"Do they have any family?"

"Their family is most likely dead. In fact, most women who enter the slave market are considered lucky. There are many stories of entire villages killed off. Fathers tortured and mothers raped, brothers enlisted while sisters are taken as wives, these four are quite fortunate in my opinion."

The USambassador looked at the four with glistening eyes. "One of the girls looks tobe younger than 13. Just what have they seen up till this point? Just what kindof cruel world did the US enter for them to cry over packed rations and bottledwater?" He thought to himself.

"I don't even know if they will find solitude in the Kingdom of Astra."

"What do you mean?"

"I myself don't find them particularly bad, it's just that they will find hardship everywhere they go in the kingdom. Not so much for the two girls, but mostly for the two demi-humans."

"Could we perhaps send them back to their original countries?"

"Do you really want to though? Their original countries are probably not in any better shape than the human realm. The low amount of demi-human slaves can attest to that."

"You mean..."

"Its not that there are less wars. Its just that there are less survivors than wars in the human realm. Heck, if you thought wars in the human realm were bad, just wait until you hears some of the stories of the wars between kingdoms of different races."

The US ambassador looked at the four former slaves. Although in his eyes, all he sees are girls who should be enjoying high school or college. His daughter is the same age as the younger sister. He walked up slowly to the four and kneeled down to get to eye level as they were still sitting. He knew they didn't understand English, but he wanted to say it to them face to face.

"Do you want to come to America?"

The words that many wanted to hear was spoken for the first time in this New world.