『Good evening, Lady Yokalen. We’ve been expecting you.』 The man in front of me said with a tip of his hat.

Agnelov jumped in front of me, glaring them all down with her fists raised. She then blinked and turned to two of the men with a bow.

「You’re… the men that Lord Ramazayunov told me to look out for.」

『Ah, very good. Our message got to Lord Ramazayunov before he could depart.』 He said with a grin.

He was the tallest of the men, with dashing blonde hair and square glasses magnifying his blue-crystal eyes. I shook his hand, and though he smelt of cigars, a chypre, and woody cologne partly covered it.

『My name is Demi Igorich. My associates and I are a part of the Inascovian Foreign Intelligence division, Resagurev, and I will assist you while stationed in Vogran. We’ll be your primary source of contact and are to trust no one but us. Understood?』

『How do I know you aren’t counter-spies or something?』 I asked.

Two of the men glanced at Demi, they then all laughed.

『As skeptical as your mother, isn’t she? No need to worry, young one. You should be able to trust your two uncles after all.』

Demi cleaned his glasses and stepped to the side, lifting his hand toward the two men. 『Yakimen and Pertriov should be familiar faces, yes?』

Yakimen had slick-black hair and slanted green eyes and wore a gray suit under a puffy black trench-coat. Petriov had black short-spiky hair with white tips and gentle brown eyes with a scar on his left eyebrow. He also wore a gray suit with a puffy trench-coat, but he wore his directly on his shoulders.

I looked over to Agnelov, and she twiddled with her fingers while glancing to the side. 「Before we left, Lord Ramazayunov gave me a message to look out for some men when we first arrived in Phoenia. He said he didn’t want to trouble you with it so to just keep it to myself.」

What the hell? When did all of this occur? I guess now that I think back to it… she spent a bit of time on the floor when she was waking him up. Maybe then?

『Does your maid not know the Inascovian language? That will be troublesome for privacy’s sake while we’re in the ballroom. Please try to keep your voice down if the need arises to speak.』 Demi said.

『Right. Before I forget』 Petriov said and took a long black fabric from inside his jacket.

He stepped behind me and draped a black cloak over my backside. Its long puffy white collar warmed my neck, along with a gold chain that fastened itself around my neck. The insides of the cloak sparkled with black-snow falling on a white backdrop, while the outside was a full black sheen.

『It was a gift from your mother.』 Petriov said with a smile.

Demi then walked in front of me, looking back with a raised brow. 『Are you ready, Lady Yokalen?』

I nodded and walked past the arched doorway.

The beautiful wide chandelier brightened the room, making the expansive ceiling above resemble the luminous night sky. The glossy-sheen of the floor mirrored the regal fabrics of royal blue, burgundy, and gold that shielded the ornate mirrors carved into the walls. A melodic yet cheerful tune from an orchestra at the edge of the room made the space come to life. Although one could still lose themselves in the tranquility of the wafts of freshly picked flowers potent with dew stationed near the incredibly exquisite buffet.

As we passed the guests, all adorned in resplendent attire, I stopped every few steps to look at their unique clothing. While some women had gowns of satin and silk, with vibrant jewels that matched their eyes and complimented their complexion, and men in tuxedos exuding charm and refinement; I came to notice the different species that inhabited the room. Elves with long pointy ears, gnomes with pudgy torsos but refined arms, even fairies and near-human entities with skin ranging from pleasant pinks to ashy grays.

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While some races stuck to themselves in smaller groups, a few larger ones sprouted throughout the room with gleeful faces and cheers as they twirled and danced.

Yakimen stepped to my side and followed my eyes. 『The Wuulong Coalition to the west were once great friends with the Phoenian Empire. Because of disputes between the royal siblings, many nobles weren’t allowed to venture past the borders for quite some time. You could almost say this is a reunion of sorts between the two nations.』

It’s a lot livelier than what I pictured. Though, the most exquisite experience I’ve had was with my parents during their private parties and fund-raising galas.

An older man with tan skin wore a white-glistening robe, with his bare feet, neck, and arms wrapped in several gold chains. His golden hair wavered like a blazing flame, matching the dazzling sparks coming from his eyes. His appearance portrayed him as the perfect figure, with a handsome face, a well-proportioned body, and riveting muscles.

A convoy of three other people followed him, including a woman who I assumed to be his wife. She had a similar appearance to his, except her blonde flowing hair was longer. Two massive guardsmen accompanied them.

『Who’s that?』 I asked.

『That, is the prince of North Foripan, Price Naarduk. A world leader known for his great expositions in finding new metals and artifacts across Vogran and Expantiez.』 Demi said.

A female elf walked over and greeted Prince Narduuk with a bow, then pressed their foreheads together. Her skin was like a creamy vanilla, her complexion finding no fault in the long silken dress she wore, glittering with green and blue crystals on the hem. The circular gem pressed into her forehead matched her pearly-gradient eyes.

On her sides were a beastly Minotaur that wore furred-iron armor, and a humanoid-elephant with its trunk wrapped around its waist.

『Gwenyir-maasun, the Kingdom of Atlas’ Princess-Queen. She came to status most recently when her parents fell ill to a sickness, leaving them both in a deep slumber.』 Demi said.

『Keep walking. I want to know everyone of importance in this room. And name whoever’s at their side while you’re at it.』 I said.

We continued around the room as I pointed out priests, renowned knights, and tradesmen all laughing while eating their fill of food. A lot of them seemed cordial and to know one another, so I’m assuming this party was only a front to meet fresh faces and not where private matters were being discussed. As I got to know the different people in the room, I began asking for regions, diplomatic standings, and what they all had to gain from coming here.

『Well, it is a bit… complicated.』 Yakimen said.

『Well then, un-complicate it』 I replied.

He nodded and grazed his chin’s stubble.

『The Kingdom of Atlas wants to trade with the Phoenian Empire but cannot due to their poor relationship with Foripan. Some southern nations want to trade and visit the Wuulong by sea but are unable because of Phoenian’s strict sea route control.』

『Not to mention the growing tensions between Oforpetum to the west and Vytoria to the east. Vogran’s central plains have become inhabited by small militia and mobile rogues who cause havoc to local towns. Phoenia, being the greatest military power of all of Vogran’s nations, attempted to intervene, but only made matters worse.』 Demi added.

Okay… That does seem complicated. Trade on land can’t be conducted due to a subtle war, and the nations can’t be bothered because all they want to do is continue growing their economy. All the while, different nations have standards that prevent the world from continuing to grow, and I doubt I’ve even heard the biggest overlying issues.

I sighed and put a hand on my hip. 『Okay. And where does Inascovia lie in all of this?』

『Inascovia’s trade routes deal through Ingeshem and Minorian waters. We haven’t intervened in any of this land’s pivotal issues.』 Petriov said.

So we’re a new player in all of this. If that’s the case, why would we care now? I suppose Inascovia, having open trade routes, could act as a liaison between countries, or even recognize them as sovereign entities… but I feel that isn’t the case. I don’t have enough information to form a good enough opinion yet.

『Are there any new goods or services that we’re trying to uncover here in Vogran?』 I asked.

Petriov, Demi, and Yakimen exchanged glances.

『That information is better safe with us,』 Petriov said sternly.

Well, there’s my answer. We’re obviously here for something else, and they thought sending their daughter as an excuse to improve relations could be the perfect chance for some infiltration. That answers the question of what the King and Queen are doing while all this going on. But frankly, I don’t care.

I licked my lips with a smirk.

Because I’m getting interested in alternative affairs.

I felt a tingling sensation in my arm from where that tattoo was carved.

Wait… Doesn’t she look familiar?