THE ELYSIAN REPUBLIC WAS DIVIDED like a pizza, except for a particular land at the center of the country which belonged to the capital region. And there were only five slices.
Beginning from the top, clockwise, there was the capital region called Parmia Reggia, Ricottos, Gorgonzonia, Mozzarea, and Mascarpeia.
The regions were also divided by the government-owned land called the Buffer Zone where the country’s army was free to move between the regions.
At the center of Elysia was the highly urbanized city of Saint Mimosa. It was where the Silent House was located where the president of the Elysian Republic, Veneto Armani, and his family reside.
Being at the center of the Elysian Republic and the place where the president and his family live, the city of Saint Mimosa was arguably the most militarized zone in the country.
Due to being at the center of the Elysian Republic, a considerable number of the military could be deployed to any of the five regions with relative ease; the reason being due to the frequent conflicts among the four most influential families in the country.
The Elysian Republic was a former monarchic country led by the Jovan family for centuries. The Jovans were the most prominent Karma users in the country, thus they were both feared and loved by the people of Elysia. The family, however, was overthrown during the Elysian Wars, also known as the Non-Karma Users' Uprising, and from then on, the once family-ruled kingdom turned into a republic country.
And even with the seeming disappearance of the royal family’s Karma, the Jovans’ legacy did not stop there.
Four out of five regions in the Elysian Republic were under the influence of four Karma-user families. Collectively, they were known as the Mafia Famiglia, the four families that branched from the Jovans. Although they do not have the Jovans’ original Karma, the Mafia Famiglia and their respective relatives all have formidable Karma.
There was the Giovannis of the Ricottos region, the Auroses of the Gorgonzonia region, the Lumbards of the Mozzarea region, and the Caponilis of the Mascarpeia region.
Parmia Reggia was the only region not under the influence of the Mafia Famiglia, and the government of the Elysian Republic wanted to keep it that way. But dealing with the Mafia Famiglia was not an easy task, not even for the government.
* * * * *
Daisuke and his friends finally managed to reach the Elysian Republic four and a half days after they left the Emergent Kingdom.
The group was in awe as they saw a vast field where dozens of farmers were busy harvesting wheat. From that point, the group decided to walk on foot to avoid alarming the locals because of the two huge wolves they were with until they reached the rural city of Saint Crudeo. The people of that city were mostly farmers and half of the total land surface of the city was reserved for crops, produce, and livestock.
“Finally, we’re here!” said Daisuke in relief.
“The Elysian Republic, Aria’s Food Basket,” announced Raijin. “With their vast farmlands, Elysia will never run out of food any time soon.”
“Why does this place look so…peaceful?” wondered Robin. “I thought there was an active war?”
Daisuke faced everyone. “Thank you all for coming along with me here. Whether the statue is here or not, it has been one heck of an adventure with you guys. Though I really, really hope that the statue’s here.”
“Whoa. Now don’t go all sentimental on us, Daisuke,” Siegfried responded.
“Yeah. Say your peace once we’re done with what we have come for,” added Mirana.
“Raijin, how close are we to the Lumbard family?” asked Riku.
Raijin asked for Daisuke’s book to show the map of the Elysian Republic. He then pointed somewhere in the Mozzarea region. “We’re currently here, the city of Saint Crudeo. We need to get all the way here,” Raijin slid his finger near the center of the country. “This is the city of Saint Margheritte, this region’s capital.”
“How sure are you that that is where we should go?” asked Robin.
“When the Jovans were still ruling Elysia, the branch families were tasked to ‘rule’ other regions. They were given properties in the capital cities. The Lumbards are one of those branch families. And even though the Jovans were already gone, the Lumbards got to keep some of their property, especially their mansion.”
“Alright then. Let’s not waste time and go to that city,” urged Daisuke.
* * * * *
The group tried to continue onward to Saint Margheritte without wasting any time, but they ended up going on detours as they participated in Mozzarea’s harvest festival.
As bountiful crops, produce, and livestock were already harvested a few days ago, the people started to make different kinds of foods and liquors.
The group walked around the city of Saint Crudeo and saw farmers competing for the longest, biggest, and heaviest crops and produce.
Siegfried and Brunnhilde decided to watch the cockfight derby where tons of people were watching and placing their bets. It reminded them of the raptor fights back in the Drasgard Kingdom.
Robin and Mirana witnessed the cattle auction. Some of the finest cattle were being sold because of the high-quality meat that they possess after years and years of selective breeding and quality feeds. They even got to try premium beef that was being sold—from smoky barbecues roasted overnight to medium rare steaks carefully cooked to perfection,
Daisuke, Riku, and Raijin went around to see vendors selling dairy products like fresh milk, different kinds of cheese, and butter and ghee.
“Oh my...you two are elves!” said an old lady in a small pop-up milk store. She was with a younger woman who was helping her manage the store.
The trio flinched. Daisuke in particular was glad that he was called an elf almost immediately, but it still made him wonder how the old lady discerned straightaway.
“W-We’re just here to look around,” Riku explained. “I hope you do not mind.”
“The milk looks fresh and smells uniquely fragrant,” commented Daisuke.
“Knowing Elysian Republic, those milk must be the best milk there is,” reckoned Raijin.
The old lady smiled and laughed. “I like to think that we indeed have the best milk there is.”
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“Please, have some,” the younger woman offered the trio of cups of milk.
The trio took a cup of milk each. Just as Raijin called it, it was the best milk they have ever tasted.
“This is amazing!” Daisuke exclaimed. “I wish we had these back at Yora!”
“Yeah. Even the soft, frozen milk we had back at Port Royale is nothing compared to these,” added Riku. “N-No offense, Raijin.”
“Are you kidding? This is way better! More so than those ice cream!” Raijin commented as he tried to lick the inside of the cup.
“Why aren't you three the sweetest? Here, have some more,” the old lady offered them more milk.
“Hi, everyone! Is my granny bothering you?” asked a tall, bald man who arrived at the stall carrying two containers of milk. A young-looking man arrived with him, also carrying containers of milk.
The younger-looking man seemed to be tired of carrying the containers when they arrived but quickly acted like it was nothing at the sight of the young woman at the store.
“Oh. No, not at all. She even offered us a couple of free tastes,” Raijin explained.
The bald man set down the containers. He then noticed Riku, who was holding a cup of milk. “Ah! I see! You’re elves! Well, in that case, would you like some more?”
Riku and Daisuke looked at each other, confused. Meanwhile, Raijin gladly accepted.
“Y-You didn’t have to,” said Riku.
“It’s the least that we can do. You see, we owe this entire harvest festival to the Yoran elves,” the man explained. “The name’s Graphael, by the way. This is Geode, our helper. That’s my lovely granny Mirael, and her…assistant, Clara.”
Geode greeted Daisuke and his friends. Granny Mirael and Clara did as well.
Graphael explained that Elysia once experienced the worst drought and pest infestation years ago. But when a group of elves arrived to help them, their country has become a food haven.
With the elves’ power, they produced plants that could survive in rough weather conditions and that could produce natural pesticides to protect themselves from pests. Soon, Elysia became the most bountiful country in Aria, next only to Yora Village on Maria Island.
“Even the food that we feed to the livestock had a huge effect! The poultry produced high-quality eggs. The hogs have cleaner meat. The goats produced more delicious milk, like these. And the cattle, their meat became out of this world!” Graphael excitingly added.
“Wow…to think that the elves had such an impact with just creating plants,” Raijin said in awe as he drank his seventh cup of milk.
“That’s why every time an elf visits here in Elysia, we make sure they receive some of our products, discounted or free. Try to go to other stalls. I’m pretty sure they’ll give you something as well,” Geode claimed.
Raijin’s smile was full of intentions, much to Daisuke and Riku’s embarrassment.
“T-Thanks, but that won’t be necessary,” Riku respectfully declined. “We do not want to take advantage of the peoples’ gratitude.”
Graphael laughed. “I thought you would say that. That’s what most elves say when we offer our products. But seriously. If you need anything, just ask.”
Daisuke squinted his eyes as he looked at Graphael. “Hmmm. You know what, there is one thing that we would like to know about.”
* * * * *
Daisuke and his friends, Graphael, Geode, and Clara went to a small diner to eat and have a conversation. Because of the two elves, the diner gave them a 30% discount as they ordered pasta, pizza, chicken wings, garlic bread, and fizzy drinks.
“So you are here to meet Don Luca. I don’t think that would be easy though,” Graphael disclosed.”
“Why not? Does he not accept visitors?” asked Daisuke.
“Not that he does not entertain guests. He would love to meet elves again. It's just that we—I mean ‘we’ as in us people of Mozzarea in general—are in a middle of a crisis, which includes them.”
“Smooth,” Geode whispered, monotonically.
“Does it have to do anything with the war?” asked Siegfried as he munched on his slice of pizza.
Graphael nodded. “You see, the southeastern region of Elysian Republic is controlled by the Auros Famiglia. There were words that they conduct a slave trade inside their territory, but the corrupt officials from Parmia Reggia wouldn’t do anything about it. And Don Luca of the Lumbard Famiglia has…beef with the Auroses.”
Geode looked at Graphael with an annoying smile and mouthed, “You didn’t”. Graphael immediately elbowed him. Even Clara managed a smile a little.
Graphael cleared his throat and then continued to tell the group about how the conflict between the Lumbard family and the Auros family escalated.
When one escaping slave managed to cross the buffer zone—a strip of land that serves as the border between each region—between Gorgonzonia and Mozzarea, the members of the Auros Famiglia crossed the buffer zone as well and eventually reached the Lumbard Famiglia's territory.
The slave bumped into a member of the Lumbard Famiglia and was attacked by the members of Auros Famiglia. The Lumbard Famiglia retaliated and the slave was allowed to live in the Lumbard Famiglia’s mansion in exchange for information.
Frequent skirmishes occurred between the two families as members of the Auros Famiglia kept on entering Mozzarea and attacking the members of Lumbard Famiglia.
“Conflict between the two families would escalate even more when one of the Lumbard Famiglia’s executives, Lars, was caught during a failed recon mission.“
“That damn Volg!” Geode struck the table with his fist. “If not for him, Lars wouldn't get caught! He should be the one taken, not Lars!”
Graphael laughed nervously. “Forgive my assistant. Being Mozzarean and all, of course, we are biased, favoring the Lumbards over the Auroses.”
Daisuke and his friends confusedly looked at Geode. Clara, with a concerned look on her face, held his hand as if to calm him down.
Graphael cleared his throat. “Anyway, to date, the government is still not doing anything to stop the exchange between the two families. They just don’t care at all and would rather see the Mafia Famiglia destroy each other.”
“Then why does it looks so peaceful here? You guys are even celebrating a festival?” asked Raijin.
“That’s because most of the conflicts are happening near the city of Saint Margheritte. Many Lumbard Famiglia members are also protecting this area, but most of them are still at the capital since it is the nearest in the city of Saint Fontana, the capital of Gorgonzia region where the Auros family resides.”
“And this guy who was caught, Lars, aren’t there any efforts to rescue him?” asked Robin.
Graphael and Geode exchanged looks.
“W-We are not entirely sure. All we know is that the Lumbard Famiglia has been patrolling their territory to ensure that no one from the Auros Famiglia could enter the region.”
“Still, I would like to try and see Don Luca. We’ve gone through a lot just to get here. I’ll get to see our wooden statue, one way or another.”
* * * * *
In the city of Saint Fontana in the region of Gorgonzonia, just east of Mozzarea, a wide ranch owned by the Auros family was located.
The ranch looked ordinary at first glance—different cattle, sheep, goats, and horses were frolicking and grazing everywhere. But below the family's huge manor was an underground facility that hosts a slave trade, known by the patrons as the Slave House.
“Well, well, well, well, well…how is it going, Lars? Heard you're finally awake.”
A shackled man on his knees growled. “Let me go, Zeb, so I can—”
“Turn me into a steak? Yeah, yeah, I heard that before,” the man named Zeb started to investigate the same shackle the man named Lars was wearing. “Weird, isn’t it? We, Karma users, use to think that we are invincible...until we get tied with these medieval handcuffs. All thanks to those crafty Drasgardians.” Zeb tossed the shackles to a nearby table.
The shackled man named Lars continued to resist but got hit on the head by one of Zeb's lackeys.
“Woah, Woah. Easy, big guy. That man is worth a fortune. After all, that’s Don Luca's high-priced hitman and an executive.”
“I swear I'll turn you into a well-done steak!”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. And let me borrow these orange glasses of yours. It’s not like you’ll still need it anyway.”
Lars tried to resist again but the other lackey hit him on his head.
“Take him to his cell, boys. And make sure he doesn’t destroy those runic shackles. They ain’t cheap, you know.”
“Yes, Sir Zeb!” the brute lackeys said in unison.
As Lars was about to get dragged, a man came down the stairs, holding a telesponder. The two lackeys stopped, curious as to why the man was in a hurry.
“Sir Zeb…*huff*…There’s a call…*huff*…from Prologia Island. He says he’s…*huff*…Bivon…*huff*…and he…*huff*…wanted to talk to you…*huff*…”
Zeb rolled his eyes. “Ugh, what does he want now? Give me that!” Zeb grabbed the telesponder and talked to the speaker. “What do you want, traitor?”
……….
“Oh, so now you want our help?! Screw you! And don’t you ever call us again you U.A. dog sh—”
………..
“—ay what?”
………..
Zeb gulped. “Can you repeat that? Just wanna make sure I heard that correctly.”
………..
“A HUNDRED MILLION LANIAS?! For a single elf?!”
………..
“Dude!! Are you kidding?! That’s like two hundred million elysene here!! You stupid dumbass! You should’ve started with that!! There is always an elf or two in Mozzarea and Mascarpeia!”
………..
“Yeah, yeah, sure. A dark-skinned elf. Noted. I have tons of people inside Mozzarea who could help me find your elf if they’re there. If they’re coming from the west, then those two regions are the most likely ones they’ll be in.”
………..
“Fine. Fine. I’ll get my men ready.”
………..
“Yeah, yeah. Sure. And give me your deets so I can call you back, you moron.”
………..
Zeb hung up. “Alright, boys! We got a new mission! We’re goin’ to Mozzarea to catch an elf!”
“But Sir Zeb, shouldn’t we prepare for the upcoming attack with the Giova—”
Zeb’s right leg turned into a hoof then kicked his lackey on the stomach which sent the lackey flying back.
“Idiot! I told you to bring this one to his cell but you start spouting nonsense instead?!” Zeb roared furiously.
“W-What attack is he talking about?” asked Lars.
“Oh, you don’t need to know, stupid. It’s not like you can do anything about it anyway,” Zeb faced the other lackey. “You, go ahead, take ‘im away. I've got to go see father and borrow something.”