Main Meeting Hall

As the late autumn sunshine went through the windows of the meeting hall, Alberto took his seat across Rados, Moros, and their aides. Alberto pulled out his laptop from his suitcase before he opened it up and with Alessio typing on his, the diplomat spoke, "We shall now commence the first diplomatic talks between the Italian Republic, and the Topa Kingdom... starting with an informational video of our nation."

Alberto then flipped the laptop to have it face the Topans as they all huddled closer to get a view of the strange object. With a press of a button, Alberto played the video.

A small montage of the sights of Italy is shown. From Rome to Milan, and the countryside of Tuscany to Aosta Valley, a voice then spoke, "Italy has been the subject of a scientific impossibility. On the 17th of April, 1639 of the Elysian calendar, the Italian peninsula was transported from our world to this one."

A map was then shown of the Philades continent with Italy highlighted, "Italy is located on the southern coast of the Philades continent. With 300,000 square kilometres of land, we are joined by our two micro nation neighbours: San Marino and Vatican City which are both under Italy's protection. We are a nation of 59 million strong, under a cultural umbrella that was the envy of our old world."

There was now a montage of people dining, shopping, and enjoying Italian monuments, "Italy is a country of rich history, culture, and innovation. We were the birthplace of the arts, mathematics, and science that have made a wide impact on society. To this day, Italy is known for our deep culture, luxuries, and influence on the world stage as people of all races traveled from around the globe to get a taste of the Italian experience."

With that, footage of Italian military equipment was now being shown. From parades to war games, and even some footage from Louria, "Of course with science comes innovation. And innovation, powers the machine of war. Italy is a proud producer of our own military equipment. Nations around the world sought after our weapons which we believe is the most advanced here on Elysia. From handguns to artillery, helicopters and jets, destroyers to aircraft carriers, Italy's military strength has since become the pride of our nation."

The Topans could feel a sense of uneasiness run through them. But then the video continued, "Even so, Italy is a nation of diplomacy and friendship. Our strength is focused on defending the lands and the people of our nation. We have opened up to this new world, and all our country asks is the world does the same."

With that, the video finally ended. The Topans muttered amongst themselves before Rados spoke up, "Ambassador, that was a very captivating moving picture. But we have one question... why have you reached out to us? The Topa Kingdom doesn't really offer much compared to other nations on Philades."

"Well we are here for one primary reason, your highness..." Alberto said as he opened the suitcase once more. "We're here to learn more about the War God Emissaries..."

The Topans looked at each other skeptically. Why would they learn about the thousands years old emissaries? Even the people of Topa now see them as stories and not history. But as Alberto then placed down a red cloth, Rados eyed the symbols before he went wide eyed and looked to Alberto, "W-wait, are you-!?"

"Descendants of the War God Emissaries? Likely so," Alberto laid out a vexillum on the table. It looked brand new, a copy made for museums. Four letters stood against the red backdrop of the cloth as the diplomat clasped his hands before he spoke with a more serious look. "What we don't understand is... how? How were our ancestors brought here before us?"

Rados and Moros looked to each other. He then faced another aide as he spoke, "Grab me a copy of the Chronicles of Topa, please."

The aide nodded before he rushed off.

...

The book was then laid open to the Italians. It had obvious signs of age and wear and yet still perfectly preserved for it being thousands of years old. With that, Rados began to explain.

"10,000 years ago, Elysia was on the verge of destruction and defeat under the Lord Demon Nosgorath and his army. They came from the forbidden white north, the Grameus Continent where life is said to be sparse, and harsh... One day, Nosgorath launched an invasion against humans and demihumans alike. No soul was spared from their plundering..."

Alberto eyed the book. On it were runes he did not understand but the ancient illustrations told enough for the Italians. Crude drawings of elves, beastmen, humans, dwarves: every type of person can be seen battling what looked to be ogres, trolls, and demons. With one being giant compared to the rest of the warriors. Rados continued on, "The Alliance of the Races were on the brink of defeat. Nosgorath and his army covered great swathes of land on Philades. If anything, it is said Nosgorath's territory was the biggest empire known in Elysia's history. The alliance retreated to Rodenius to seek protection and rest but even so Nosgorath came for them."

Rados turned the next page, this time showing rows of Roman legionaries battling the demons, "Their grief was answered however. One morning, vasts gates opened up on the land and the sea as thousands and thousands of men in red marched onto the battlefield. Along with hundreds of ships, the War God Emissaries joined the Alliance in the war against Nosgorath. Many died, but what's different is the utter determination of the Emissaries. No matter how injured or broken their soldiers were, they stood back up to battle the enemy."

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With that Rados turned to the last page, "Overwhelmed by the numbers and the determination of the Alliance, Nosgorath retreated back to Grameus and from there, the War God Emissaries returned back to their world to bury their dead... since then it has been the last we saw of them."

Alberto sat there in contemplation, "You said that the Emissaries went home right? They went back through the portal after they defeated the Demon Lord?"

Rados nodded, "Indeed. The banner you brought forth, it is the same as the Emissaries. And when you said that your nation was summoned here then... maybe..."

The room then tensed up as everyone had the same thought. Nosgorath was coming back soon. But then Alberto had a more serious look as he spoke, "Then... maybe that's our way back to Earth. Maybe we're here to make sure Nosgorath does not return. Maybe... maybe once we defeat him, we can finally be brought back to our world."

Alessio looked to Alberto as he went wide eyed, "That sounds likely, sir. Hell... Maybe that's why we're here in the first place. Say, you don't happen to know if the Gods know when Nosgorath might come back?"

Rados simply shrugged, "We have not seen any signs that he will indeed come back except for your country's summoning. But if he is, we are ready. Are you?"

Alessio and Alberto looked at each other. With that, Alberto nodded, "We will be ready. All we ask is we station forces in your nation."

"Approved! Your men shall stay by the Doors to the World." Rados said with a bright smile before he had a more nervous look. "Thank you truly... umm... we have been indebted to you, and your ancestors. Is there any way to repay you? Maybe umm... s-slaves? That's all we can offer you..."

Alberto looked up with furrowed eyebrows, "Slaves? Why on earth would we want slaves? That's a cruel and immoral practice."

Rados had a look of surprise. Genuine surprise, "Oh no I agree, ambassador! But..."

Alberto had a more suspicious look, "But what...?"

"Well... we simply assumed you wanted slaves in return. Much like Parpaldia demanded slaves as tribute," The king said hesitantly.

Alberto eyed the king and then looked to Alessio. Both of them had more troubled looks at the revelation. Parpaldia was a nation of slavery.

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Palazzo Chigi, the Next Day, 8:57 AM

Bianca entered the doors of the palace as she held in her arm her purse. With a more stern and nervous look, the sounds of her heels strutting against the floor placed an aura of confidence that hid the troubling news she received.

She reached the prime minister's office and after speaking with Giovanni's secretary, she knocked on the door as she entered, "Prime minister, good morning."

"Good morning to you too, miss Lorenzo. I assume you're here regarding Topa?" Giovanni said with a cheery smile as he drank his coffee, imported from Qua-Toyne. No wonder he seemed so chirpy today. He reached for a TV remote as he lowered the volume of the morning newscaster.

"That and another thing, sir," Bianca said as she sat down on the chair across Giovanni, "Now about the Topa Kingdom, mister Rossi managed to look deeper into the so-called War God Emissaries. Or as you know, Roman soldiers. They say that the Romans were... summoned to this world with a purpose. Their purpose was to defeat a... Demon Lord Nosgorath."

"... Jesus. I can't believe this is a serious meeting right now," Giovanni said, incredulous.

"Me too, sir. But he said that after the Demon Lord was defeated... the Romans were then brought back on Earth!" Bianca said more optimistically.

"Wait, they were?" The man said, wide eyed, "then... that means it's possible we can get home!"

"Exactly sir. If Italy was brought here for the same reason the Romans were to defeat Nosgorath... that could mean one thing. This demon lord is coming back, and very soon," Bianca explained more seriously.

"Right right... what shall we do then?"

"Well, with that information in mind Rossi said that the Topans will allow us to station troops within their territory. As a defensive measure," she said.

"Oh good good... I'll notify Moretti about this. Though I'm sure parliament won't like this." Giovanni said as he rolled his eyes.

"I agree. But for now, speaking of Topa... we have found out something... troubling," Bianca said with a sigh.

"Hm? What is it?"

"The Topans said that in return they were willing to send slaves as payment for protection. Rossi of course rejected this but as it turns out Parpaldia has history of bullying smaller nations for tributes in the form of slaves," Bianca explained, "That was the reason why the Topans were nervous to meet us. News has spread that we are allied to Parpaldia, and now other nations think that our war against Louria was of conquest."

"... oh god that's definitely not true," Giovanni said, dismayed, "God, this is bad. Okay... We should make sure that everyone else knows we're not out for their blood. If we let them keep that assumption they'll surely think we're some sort of warmongering nation."

"I agree. But what about Parpaldia?" Bianca said with a more unsure expression.

"We're still not yet done building the necessary infrastructure in Rodenius. I'm sorry to say this but for now we'll have to keep quiet about Parpaldia. If this leaks out, everyone across all sides of parliament and the people will protest against us to death," Giovanni said hesitantly as Bianca nodded, "as soon as Rodenius's infrastructure is finished, we'll be sanctioning Parpaldia."

"Understood, sir. How about our troops for Topa? After that war in Louria, I don't think the people can be easily convinced that we deploy troops again overseas."

"Hmm..." Giovanni rubbed his chin, "This demon lord's gonna be a problem if we don't let troops stay in Topa. Unless..." The man then looked up to the TV. On it was a live coverage of the Vatican as the pope spoke to a crowd regarding the recent war. Giovanni looked to Bianca, who looked back. With a more hesitant look, he spoke, "We just need to ask for a little help to convince the people."

Bianca eyed the TV and then the prime minister as if he said something ludicrous, which he did, "Sir... I'm not sure if it's the coffee but asking the Vatican to do something on our behalf, that would be very controversial, surely?"

"Maybe, maybe not... But if defeating this Nosgorath is all that requires to let Italy get back to Earth," Giovanni then closed his eyes as he sighed. "I'm willing to pull a few strings behind the scenes, no matter what."