Maxius waited patiently for Xi Shi to come to the dinner, where they were going to welcome the Osland delegation. The hero from Osland was to arrive for this banquet, and they still did not know if they were a boy or girl, or who it was from their previous life.
While Maxius had been mildly disappointed with Xi Shi’s attitude, he still felt he could win her over by demonstrating his prowess. This upcoming excursion was going to be a test case for how strong and capable they were, and begin to negotiate land acquisition that the heroes took back from beast nests and repelling beast tides.
Though ultimately, beast tides were not the main problem, it was the so-called mixed blood nations who actively opposed worship of Caphaine, rather worshipped the beast goddess herself, Vasphaine. The Temple found this unacceptable since it was the beasts that drove all of human-kind to the edges of the continent. After nearly three thousand years, they had finally been established long enough to finally start pushing more into the long lost heart of the continent.
Xi Shi entered wearing more traditional formal clothing than what she had worn previously. She looked at him, only giving a brief nod before sitting down. The King had been in hushed tones, discussing with some of his advisors and the other emissaries from Xi Long for a while. It seemed the future trade between the two would be significantly increased.
The last person to arrive was Princess Amelia, who wore a regal green and white dress. Maxius knew Amelia nearly his whole life, and they had mostly grown up together. Like a sister, she had supported him greatly. Maxius didn’t doubt that she would be a great ruler one day; she was always much more of a diplomat than himself, though she was passable with a blade as well. Though she didn’t have the time to dedicate to it all the time like he did.
“Good afternoon, Maxius,” Amelia bowed slightly as she sat in the seat beside her father’s chair.
Maxius smiled brightly, “It is nice to see you, Princess. You've seemed busy the last few days since the Xi Long delegation came.”
“Yes, with Father preoccupied with negotiations, I had to pick up the slack on leading the Kingdom’s internal affairs.”
pffft
Xi Shi scoffed lightly. “I’m sorry, I am just surprised that Myredien wouldn’t include their Princess in important negotiations. Perhaps women are more delicate here. Mere cultural differences, I imagine.”
Maxius pinched his brows immediately. Xi Shi was definitely different from her previous life; the quiet girl he knew then was not nearly as… confident as this woman.
Amelia smiled, showing her teeth as she spoke through them. “Well, you see in Myredien we have a lot of partners who we need to maintain relations with. Lots of big numbers and words from various dialects and languages. Very hard for people so isolated from the rest of humanity.”
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Xi Shi, who had a smug smile, frowned slightly. “Are you suggesting that those from Xi Long are lacking in our cognitive ability?”
“I would never dare to suggest that! Only perhaps explaining why Xi Long is known for the sword and less for its ability with the quill.” Amelia covered his mouth, hiding a small mocking laugh.
Before Xi Shi could counter, Maxius steered the conversation, asking, “Xi Shi, Xi Long is very far from us. What problems do you frequently have to contend with there?”
Leaning back, Xi Shi pondered, “Without too much detail, we have the same usual Vasphaine-worshipping groups to our north and south. Besides that, we have been dealing with rebel factions and wildland incursions to push the beasts past the northern mountain ranges, which has given the ability to deal with beast tides much more easily. Our last campaign allowed us to finish a chain of fortresses on the six passes through the mountains, keeping most of the issues north of us.”
Maxius nodded, whether Amelia liked it or not; Xi Long had done a phenomenal job subduing and securing their lands. Myredien was in a much more volatile situation despite having fewer borders near untamed wilderness.
“I heard Xi Long directly absorbed the Realm of Chi’Velar and the dwarf kingdom of Kaar'jin. Is that true?” Maxius knew that Xi Long was militaristic, but he didn’t think it was true that they had essentially taken over two other nations.
Amelia sat up, perking up upon hearing this. She had heard the rumors also, but didn’t know any details.
Xi Shi looked at both of them silently before nodding. “We directly absorbed Chi’Velar into the Xi Long dynasty, and the King of Kaar’jin submitted himself to the emperor, my father. It was a condition upon receiving our military aid to push back beast tide invasions that nearly wiped them both out.
Maxius raised his eyebrows. Xi Long was far more capable and shrewd than he imagined. King Theran needed to be cautious dealing with such a capable nation. Even Amelia seemed unnerved despite her bluster from earlier.
Just as Maxius was about to follow up, three loud pounds came at the main doors. Walking into the main hall, the guards opened the door and announced the arrival of the Osland delegation.
“Hero Liam… Stormheim and the delegation of Osland has—”
Just as the man was about to finish his sentence, a short, blonde-haired man wearing a brown leather tunic and what appeared to be a plaid blue and black skirt barged past the man.
“I’m FAMISHED! Where’s the food?” the man, who Maxius assumed with Liam, barged in. There was only one person who would be so loud and boisterous. Jae Min, the class clown back in their school.
The entire audience chamber was quiet until King Theran stood up. “It is great to see the hero of Osland so enthusiastic to join us for a meal. Please sit! I assume your delegation is there behind you?”
Liam looked confused and looked behind himself. “Oh those geezers? They were going too slow and I was hungry so I left them behind. I’m guessing they will be here in an hour or two, but we can start now. Nothing they say will be important for us heroes.”
The King’s mouth twitched, but he could only laugh in the end. “Quite right! Let's eat then!” clapping his hands, various servants began to bring out food.