Darius looks around as he walks through the city, following the directions that Jannet had given him to the lord's audience hall. It takes Darius 30 minutes, but he finds himself outside of one of the fanciest looking buildings he has seen. The building is made of marble with gold inlays, with columns holding up an overhang, as well as a statue out front of the lord. The statue is also made of marble, depicting the lord sitting on a throne being held up by humans, elves, orcs, and beastmen.

Darius frowns as he sees the statue, shaking his head as he walks into the building, seeing the lobby is just as fancy as outside. He walks up to the receptionist's desk, saying “Excuse me, I’m sorry to bother you, but I was hoping I could speak with the lord, about getting a country recognized.”

The receptionist raises an eyebrow as she looks over Darius, before she says “Very well, your name and relation to this country?” Darius nods as he says “My name is Darius, and I’m the leader of the country, I’m also an Iron rank adventurer.” The woman nearly snorts when she hears that, looking at his identifier. “Right, well, sir Darius, I’m sure Lord Virzeiros will see you right away, please sit over there.” She says as she points to some chairs in a corner of the lobby.

Darius nods as he says “Thank you.” while he walks over to sit down on one of the chairs, looking around a little as he waits. He sees the receptionist write something on a piece of paper and send it through a door with magic.

After two hours of waiting the receptionist calls Darius’ name, telling him he can go in now. Darius nods, standing up and walking through the door to the hall. He looks around the large hall as he starts to walk through it, towards a pedestal that he can only guess is for those who are petitioning the Lord.

Darius arrives at the pedestal and sees a man sitting on a throne about 10 metres ahead of it. The man has brown hair, bright blue eyes, and is fairly muscular. Lord Virzeiros speaks in a deep voice “So, you are the ruler of some new upstart country? And you think you can ask for me to recognize you? Why should I?”

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Darius looks up at him, frowning slightly as he says “Well Lord Virzeiros, how much do you want to avoid a costly war with your enemy? My country can help with that, after all, having a buffer state between your countries will mean you could avoid any accidents.”

Lord Virzeiros laughs, saying “You want me to not go to war after they sent an army to attack my people? Why would I not retaliate.” “Well sir, the attack on you was purely posturing from a new lord in order to look strong amongst his people, while retaliation makes sense, it’s not worth a full-blown war.”

The Lord immediately looks down at Darius, activating an aura ability as he says “Not worth it? He killed my people, and you say it’s not worth retaliation?” Darius can feel a slight tingling as he looks up at the Lord while he says “That’s not what I mean. Yes the new lord caused deaths, and you can get reparations for that, but is your revenge worth causing a lot more of your people to die?”

Lord Virzeiros squints as he looks down at Darius, increasing the strength of his aura as he sees that Darius is unaffected. “So what, you want me to go and talk to him? After he’s insulted me like this?”

Darius nods as he says “That would be for the best, but I’m not here to convince you to not go to war, getting back to the point I am here to get you to recognize my people as an independent nation, and I’m not leaving until you do. I’ve been recognized as an Iron rank adventurer by the guild.”

Virzeiros laughs as he looks at Darius “You, an Iron rank? At your level.” He continues to laugh before he shakes his head a little, looking down at Darius seriously. “Don’t lie to me boy.” He says as he maxes out his aura, causing Darius to feel a tingling sensation all over his body.

Darius frowns as he shakes his head “I am an Iron rank, I have no reason to lie.” as he turns on mana vision. He frowns as he sees mana filling the air around him, causing the tingling sensation. Darius sighs as he pulses out with his Mana, clearing the space around him and causing Virzeiros to look at him surprised from the strength of it.

“What was that boy?” Virzeiros asks as he looks at Darius. “Hmm? Oh, there was just some irritating mana for some reason, I got rid of it.” Virzeiros starts to pale as he hears this, before he shakes his head, saying “Very well if I am to recognize your nation, what am I to get for it?”

“Well, I know for a fact there are people who are unhappy living here, I can take as many as you want to get rid of, as well as anyone who you generally don’t like or trust. As well as my nation acting as a buffer state.” Darius says as he nods, looking up at Virzeiros.

“That does sound like a good thing to have, a place I can exile those I don’t like to. Very well, I accept, I’ll recognize your nation and you as it’s ruler.” Darius nods as he says “Thank you, Lord Virzeiros, if you have anyone you want to send right away, I’ll be leaving in a few days.” Darius says as he turns to leave the hall, without being stopped.