I'm going to be very busy at the end of this month. That's why i'm trying to finish up this arc in the next 2 weeks, then take a break and continue my main series.
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The Empire, the largest human country in Fantasia, lie in the Easter corner of Grandia continent. They share the northern border with the Wood Elves live in Valencia Wood, the south east border is the Marshal Swarm, where the wild goblins reside, the south-west is waste land where a small tribe of centaur live. The west share border with the allied country Dorwinion and the east is the Baikan sea.
The Empire is a monarchy country, ruled by the Kaiser dynasty. Kaiser I is the first King of human race who banded all human countries together to fight in the Great War. Even after the Great War end, the Kaiser still continue to rule over the land with the current Emperor known as Kaiser IV. As a human country, they allow citizenship only to humans race, other races can come and work at, but they don’t have the right to own land, unless they have the acceptance of royals.
Heirm is the Empire’s capital city which is located in the eastern part of its territory. The city was famous in the part of being a fortress where Kaiser 1 and a group of 1000 soldiers made their last stance from the goblins invasion from the South, and triumph, completely turn the tide of battle. To commemorate that victory, as well as to remind their children this kingdom was founded by blood and bones, Kaiser I made Heirm the Empire’s new capital. He expanded the fortress, built new wall on the surrounding area to make land for citizen, while renovate the old fortress to become new palace. Nowadays, not only Heirm is famous for being one of the biggest trading center in Grandia continent but also house in the temple of Athena, the main deity of humans. It has two districts, the plain district where normal citizens live and also the place for markets, the cloud district where royals and noble live, also house more important buildings like Athena temple and other country’s Ambassador office. The cloud district is surrounded by the old wall which can be connected to the plain district by 4 Great Gate.
In a government affairs room located in the castle in the center of Heirm, a middle aged man with a Beard was enjoying tea with a calm expression on his face. His mantle-covered body appeared stout, however, because he had wide shoulders, he didn’t look obese. Perhaps below that mantle, he was full of muscle.
*Knock* *Knock*
A sound from the other side of the door interrupted Kaiser IV’s leisure time. His eyebrows slightly frown showing a troubled face. Everyone in the castle know that they are not allowed to disturb Kaiser IV around this time. Only some certain individuals can visit him, and neither of them bring good news everytime they came.
“Come in”
“Sorry to trouble you, your Majesty”
Walking in is a man donning a tuxedo with a hand carrying some sort of documents. His head held straight and every action of his show a bit of elegance, he’s like a walking definition of how noble is. He is Alfred Edmond, the Prime Minister, the Emperor’s left hand man and his most trusted friend.
“Alfred, how many time have I asked you to call me Roland if it is just us”
“Your Majesty, my answer will remain the same. It is an inappropriate behaviour if you display different treatment toward your retainers. A King must be just and fair.”
In each generation, the Emperor always have lots of children and he choose the most talented person, or the one he deemed the most worthy to be the next Emperor. Needless to say, the competition was fierce as Princes fight not only for the throne, but also to protect themselves. Alfred was Roland, the 4th Kaiser, childhood friend and also his first follower. An individual with unmatched talent and extreme loyalty, half of the reason Roland was chosen as successor was due to this man.
“Sigh, very well. What bring you to my door today, Alfred?”
“I have news from our Northern operation, your Majesty. There is a good news and bad news. Which’d you like to hear first?”
“Northern operation? Oh, Chico’s group. The good news please” Kaiser IV composedly back to enjoying his tea, look like nothing can even faze him.
“The good news is, the report that a huge number of monster from Valencia Wood heading to our way two days ago seem to be incorrect”
“That’s good. Tell the army in division 1 to stay put.”
“The other news is, the monsters was a false report made up by the adventurers’s group. Not only they have failed the mission to capture the target, they also burned down the elves’s sacred forest”
“Fugeeh”
A disgusting amount of tea projectile out and splash everywhere. Some headed to the Prime Minister but he evaded it skilfully. The room once again fall in silence as Kaiser IV looking at the Prime minister with a complex feeling on his face.
(This bastard) The Kaiser thought to himself (He chose this time to tell me this).
Only people close to the Prime minister know this hidden side of him. He take amusement from teasing people and watching them struggle with problems. In other word, he is a closet sadist. Even though nothing can be seen from his face, Kaiser IV can notice the strange flash coming from his eyes, hindering that the Prime minister completely enjoying this.
(Oh well, nothing can be done about his personality)
The Emperor brush off this matter as always and focus on more important tasks. They have been together for so long after all.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
“Alfred, give me the detail report”
“Here it is, your Majesty” Slightly disappointment from not seeing the reaction he waiting for, Alfred handed over the document.
“Let’s see. Day 1 … circular around… surround the location … kill more than 200 animals. Huh? 3 groups completely vanquish, more than 15 deaths”
It took a while for the Emperor to believe what he is seeing. After all, 15 deaths in 1 day is more like the casualty from a disaster than from hunting.
“What do you think about this, Alfred”
“It look like … the opponent was more than a match for normal adventurers”
“Damn, I knew it was shady when the temple requested our cooperation for a mere monster. They should have called the elves, it’s their forest after all.”
“It look like hero Perseus is the key for this mission. As you know, Perseus’s relationship with elves is … undesirable.”
“That boy tried to get laid with Elves Queen the first time they met. It’s a wonder he can live till now. Being the bastard son of a God really help sometimes.”
“Shhhh, your Majesty. There are things that better left unsaid. Gods are, as you know, quite moody”
“Ah yeah, just some mumbling of an old man, nothing too serious. Let’s see, day 2, continue to surround … change tactics… prepare a bait. What is this? The bait failed, trace of killing an elf and another elf survived”
This time, it took longer for Kaiser IV to believe what he’s reading. After that, he tossed the documents to the other side of table.
“Damn, I feel sorry for Chico, having to command those imbeciles”
“Indeed, your Majesty. You don’t read the rest of the reports?”
“No need. After went through that, even I will burn the whole forest just to end that mission. The old me, that is”
“Ho ho, indeed. The old you would certainly do that. What’d the new you do in that situation, your Majesty?”
“Continue to block, kill all the animals, drain the water. It will have to come out sooner or later. Too bad the youngling didn’t have much patience like we are. And I had thought he is a good seed to grow”
“It still too soon to decide, your Majesty. A good seed need to go through storms before becoming an ancient tree. Perhaps, we can give him another chance?”
“Hmm, very well. Is there any reports from the Hound that we dispatched?”
“Still no news, your Majesty. I’m afraid he has been found out”
“Ho oh, running from a Hound without any training? Now I’m more interested in you, Chico. Wait a minute, what is this thing?”
The Emperor’s eye focus on an image in the end of the reports, showing a big tree attacking people.
“That’s why I told you many times do not judge things so hastily, your Majesty. You can miss important detail” The Prime minister don’t miss this chance to scold Kaiser IV.
“Okay, okay, I get it. Shessh, you scold me more than my mother. But this thing, don’t tell me it’s what I am thinking about”
“What you are thinking is correct, your Majesty. This is a Treant, a living legend from the Great War. Look like our small skirmish has, unfortunately, woke them up”
The relaxed expression on Kaiser’s face has been completely wipe off. His eye completely center on the Treant’s image, with a grim look on his face.
“Is there, any chance they will be used in a war”
“Hardly. They seem to be much slower and fewer than what we know from stories in Great War. However, that come from our limited information. There is chance the elves still hold more of them”
“Sigh. Look like we can’t fight them without knowing this. Tell the Hound to find more information on Treant, especially their number and weak points. Another matter is the Elves’s ambassador, we have to …”
“Daddddddddddy”
A small figure charged to the government room. Her golden hair was spread out on the white sheets. Her skin was white and smooth like marble, but was not unhealthy like a sick person. She is Amelia, third princess of the Empire, and also, Kaiser IV’s treasure.
“Daddy, you promised you will bring me outside today”
“Is it, Dear? Let me check the time” Kaiser IV look at his magic watch on the right hand, the analog pointed to number 5 “You are right, my cutie pie. It is the time I promised. But I’m kind of busy right now”
Everyone seeing Kaiser IV right now couldn’t relate him to the cold-blooded Emperor, he look like a doting father from every angle.
“Daddy, not again. I’m going to get angry, you know” The little angel buffed up her chest, doesn’t know that it just made her look cuter.
“Oh no, my daughter is angry with me. What should I do, Alfred?” The Emperor half-jokingly said
“Perhaps, we can find a husband for her Highness”
“Daddy, what is a husband”
“It’s someone who always follow your order, who always protect you and put your life above his”
“Your Majesty, that’s a servant’s definition. A husband is someone you like to being together with.”
“Alfred, nobody can disobey my Amelia. My whole army is waiting for that insolence’s head”
“That… maybe so. But don’t you think teaching her to command her husband is a bit too early? She need to learn about love first”
“Bak.Who need love when you have a nation behind”
And the two old man continue arguing, disregard the presence of Amelia as she keep continue to listen.