Another two weeks yet came to pass. Manusya had learned from Gavrin q'Fazquez, his spy and Hydarian ally that the Hydarians had indeed started their march to Osma through the great forbidden forest—a moniker conjured for the lack of a proper name but a testament to its dangers—cutting through the only road made by the colonisers to Osma. Within that period, through the usage of the delivery bots and Osmanian labourers, they had created a secret alternative path to Osma north of the path that the Hydarians were taking. This secret path was the new discrete trading route between Osma and the Fazquez family. Lydia Un'Fazquez had elected to stay longer and observe Osmanian cultures, while the rest of the shadow retainers returned to Hydaria through the new route.
Manusya was so confident they could defend themselves against the Hydarians that he left all the preparations to General Ahmi and his officers. But it was not purely overconfidence, Manusya sincerely believed that this was the first battle of many that the Osma nation must face in the future. The army must be independent of his schemes and planning and capable of strategising themselves. Since the army also received ample training in virtual reality and learned contemporary combat tactics and skills, they must solve the matter of defending the nation themselves.
The Aksha, instead, focused his attention on the establishment of the Fazquez family trading route and learning more things from Lydia Un'Fazquez, Gavrin's shadow retainer. On this particular day, Manusya had finished his daily convocation briefing and was exiting the new Convocation building. This new central government building was grand and majestic. It was not yet finished, but some of the main rooms were already usable for the convocation. The architects, through learning about the designs of old buildings from Earth (that they believe to be the land of the gods) were inspired by the National Diet Building in the former nation of Japan, and thus they constructed the building to be of similar shape but with the colourful twist of Osmanian culture.
As Manusya was leaving the building, Mula, the Seat of Trade in the convocation and their Hydarian guest Lydia un'Fazquez greeted him.
"Good afternoon, ladies, Did you have your lunch yet?" Manusya asked them with a gentle smile.
"We did," Lydia replied and returned that smile. "I...am still getting used to Osmanian food. It's a fair bit too spicy and strong for my tongue. But I am coming around to them. There is a meat dish I am quite fond of. What was it, Lady Mula?" She turned to Mula.
Mula had become Lydia's unofficial guide and first Osmanian friend after she was assigned to be her escort on the first day of her arrival.
"It was Manmang, beef fermented with the milk of the Oua fruit," Mula explained.
"Ah, I also love that one," Manusya interjected.
"Of all the Osmanian cuisine, I believe that one will certainly sell the best in Hydaria," Lydia said.
"I will certainly take note of that." Mula nodded, smelling an opportunity to increase the terms of trade for Osma.
Manusya looked to the sky above, he had noticed more snowfall precipitating. The streets were already piling up snow. He had ordered the construction of new robots capable of shovelling snow from the streets, so the Osmanians could still go about their daily routine.
"I must say, it is rather ill-advised that the Hydarians are proceeding with their invasion in this weather," Manusya noted.
Lydia shook her head. "Normally, yes. It would be foolish to perform all-out warfare in this weather. Even the war with other nations are slowing down, as nations are focusing on making sure their citizens survive the winter first before supplying their troops. But what would they have to fear about Osma? is what they are thinking." She explained.
"Indeed," Mula said her piece. "If it is before the establishment of our nation, during that dark time, I would also cower in fear knowing that a full Hydarian attacking force was coming this way as we speak. But with what the Aksha had achieved and how strong our military is, I do not reserve a space in my mind for the incoming colonizers. I focus on my duties instead."
"Well, don't give all the credit to me," Manusya said as he scratched his head embarrassed.
I do not deserve that. Manusya thought.
Lydia interjected. "But it's certainly not a lie. It is through your help that the Osma nation was established like this. You must not be too humble as a leader, Aksha. There are times when your pride and confidence must shine for the people under you."
Manusya looked at her, trying to hide his frown.
As the steward of humanity, my responsibility in the future will not only lie with the Osma. But that is precisely why it is frightening. He thought.
"And I must have sympathy for my countrymen." Lydia looked around at the busy people of Osma that were living their lives as usual without caring about the approaching Hydarians. "They really do not know what they are heading towards."
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A congregation of red. That was how one could describe this scene with the abundance of that crimson colour in this room. The walls, chairs, table, everything was different shades of red. The people in attendance hid their faces with masks and helmets while also wearing red outfits. Solarius. The anti-monarchists who successfully infiltrated the royal court of Hydaria in their 250th-anniversary celebration a few months ago during Manusya's 'visit' to Hydaria through Gavrin.
"So the nobles have all left the capital and fortified their domains?" The leader of Solarius, a mysterious man named Astra who wore a black helmet with red feathers on its back said to everyone.
"Indeed, our little stunt did its job. Now the nobles fear for their lives and only the capital nobles remain in Insomnai." A female voice replied underneath a mask.
The Solarius did not know each other's identity, opting instead in using nicknames for each other. They never knew if a spy was in their midst, and while no one questioned each other, there were also rumours that some members were powerful members of the government themselves, some were even thought to be conscious nobles who felt guilty about their oppression of the peasants and wanted reform. The only person to know every member's identity—but not the other way around—was Solarius, the man who handpicked each of them and recruited them.
"The sacrifice of some of our members that day was not in vain. I must say, while it is unnerving to have this spell placed on us, it's a relief that our bodies would burn to an unrecognizable state as soon as we die. It certainly hides our identity even after death." A Solarius member said.
"In any case, continue with the plan. And shake off the investigators, I know the search for us has intensified." Astra said. "Next?"
"Yes, leader." Mantra, Astra's right-hand man who was sitting next to him knocked on the table to indicate that the numerous chatters must cease. "Next on our agenda is the matter of the Serpent Legion and the Naga Squad departing to Osma."
"Isn't that barbarian lands?" A member interjected.
"You fool! They managed to drive away the occupying force there." Another member said.
"But why is this on our agenda? Surely foreign matters should not be our concern at this time. We are busy enough with domestic matters, while the war is slowing down."
Astra knocked on the table to shut them up. "One of our founding beliefs is that no oppression is justified. We are busy with domestic matters, yes, but giving our occupied territories their independence once we are in power is one of our priorities. Also...I think it is not as simple as you all say. The leader, what was his name?" He asked.
"They call him the Aksha, leader," Mantra replied next to him.
"Yes. From the very little information we could gather, the Aksha is part of Osmanian legend as this holy saviour figure. With the arrival of this figure, the Osmanian suddenly declared independence. Strikes me as odd indeed." Astra said.
"Leader, are you suspecting that this 'Aksha' is a foreign spy sent in to sabotage our affairs?"
"Perhaps. But I have a...feeling. Call it an instinct, that it's something more complicated." The Astra leaned his head on his hand while deep in thought. After some silence, he suddenly stood up.
"I am visiting this Osma myself," Astra said.
"Leader!?" A member also stood up in shock.
"But we still need your guidance with the plans!"
Astra shook his head. "Mantra will take over in my stead. He is capable enough to lead all of you, I have trained him for this in the event of my demise."
"But!"
Astra conjured a serpentine flame that travelled across the room. Everyone stopped mid-sentence seeing this.
"Do remember that we despise the monarchy and nobility. Do not start to consider me as your king through your pretence that I seek to replace the king. No, I am trying to create something better. I am your leader, but I am not Solarius. Prove your ability by managing well in my absence. And besides, I believe the visit will be fruitful." Astra replied. His lips which were visible under the helmet curved upwards.
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Soldiers and war beasts carved a path through the snowy road. Despite the extreme weather, they pressed on under the order of their king. But with this hardship, their eyes showed bloodlust and savagery. The infamous Serpent Legion was getting ever so close to Osma.
"I hear Osmanian women are nice this time of year." A Serpent Legion Hydarian soldier said while licking his lips.
"They're warmer I hear, must be their tanned skin!" Another soldier said which provoked laughter among his squad.
The Serpent Legion did not wear the usual red and black of the Hydarian army. Instead, their armour was green and scaly, with designs that invoked the feeling of a venomous snake. Their helmet was also shaped like the head of a serpent. Outside of their ill reputation, their unique armour design was known continent-wide.
From the distance, a carriage pulled by war beasts was carrying the officers of the Naga Squad, the elite force that led the legion. The carriage was spacious with multiple rooms. In the largest room, a war room of sorts filled with officers were gathered.
"General Vaius, we are nearing the Osma Reaches." An officer said to him. "Pardon my treasonous speech, but I want to hang the nobles that sent us here. We have accomplished great deeds recently, why must we be punished with this clean-up task?"
General Vaius was a man of venomous persuasion, handsome yet vicious to the bone. With long dark hair and a tall stature, noble ladies needed to warn themselves not to taste his sweet poison. His red eyes were also uncanny.
"Do you know that snakes need to only feed themselves once in a while?" General Vaius suddenly replied. "They prey on beasts far bigger than them only to lay dormant for an extended period in their nest."
"Y-yes, General." The officer backed off as he knew that he angered the General, despite his calm voice.
General Vaius approached the officer and put his mouth to his ear. He started whispering.
"We are not those snakes. We are the Naga. We do not hunt for sustenance. Killing is our sustenance. Pillaging is our sustenance. We praise the king and his wisdom in allowing us to kill more and more. When soldiers from other legions become too bloodthirsty, they are sent here. If it is through his wisdom that this land of snow should be our next hunting ground, then bountiful flesh awaits us. Do you understand?" General Vaius whispered.
"Y-yes, General!" The officer almost fell to the ground in fear, but he stayed strong to keep his head on his neck.
"Good." General Vaius smiled. "Then let us greet our prey with our fangs."
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ART
General Vaius:
[https://i.imgur.com/QWX80NQ.png]
The Serpent Legion:
[https://i.imgur.com/Kc5wEQp.png]