Rome, Italy, 7:49 AM

Kenshi doesn't know how much jaw dropping he could take within a single day. Being assigned as one of the delegates to Italy, the elderly man knew that his home nation of Fenn was far more humble than Parpaldia or even Qua-Toyne. But he did not expect this level of development from Italy.

As he looked out the window, another diplomat gazed the same. Kazan was a close ally of Kenshi being a descendant of red panda beastmen. But whether one was human or a beastman both Kenshi and Kazan had incredulous looks on their faces.

Their trip to Italy had been very memorable. After they established contact with Rome through their manacomms, they were told they can be picked up by the Italians as a courtesy call. That and mechanical ships simply take much less time than wooden ones.

After they got a taste of luxury in a yacht and flying in the sky with a 'helicopter', Kenshi and Kazan immediately knew that they were doing diplomacy with a powerful nation. And yet what shocked them was how friendly Italy has been.

In front of them was a person of curiosity. Diplomat Lorenzo Takahashi, former diplomat to Thailand, was a man of Italian-Japanese descent. And his stories of a nation called Japan being remarkably similar to Fenn and Gahara opened up a whole new discussion. He watched as the diplomat, who was in his 30s and sporting a bit of grey and facial hair, tapped on a curious device known as a tablet.

"Hmm... So I checked the map of your country and the way it looks so much like a droplet has me thinking that it could be an island from Japanese mythology," Lorenzo said. "How did the story go again?"

Kazan pried his eyes away from the window and explained simply, "That our islands were the blessed drops from the gods." The swordsman said.

"Fascinating. It looks to me that it could be the island of Onogoro. In a nutshell it was an island that was created from the droplets of a spear by two gods," Lorenzo said with a smile.

Kenshi then smiled, "That sounds very similar to our history. We must discuss this further when we can."

Lorenzo nodded, "Agreed. But for now..." The car then stopped in front of a grand palace. The two Fennese looked out the window as Lorenzo smiled, "Welcome to the Quirinal Palace, gentlemen." He said as a guard opened the door for them. Compared to the Parpaldian delegation, the press didn't hoard the palace like before. There was still a considerable crowd but Lorenzo was thankful that they weren't hoarded.

As Kazan and Kenshi hopped out, the two men looked around. Some of the crowd murmured in curiosity at Kazan's red panda form but luckily Lorenzo quickly brought the pair inside before any damage could be done, "Follow me."

...

Giovanni sat in a chair as he waited for the incoming delegation. In his hand, a video played as he watched the news regarding parliament officially passing the Ticino Autonomous Region Bill. Being the biggest foreign territory to stray along during the transfer, the last part of Switzerland south of Lugano Lake ultimately decided to join Italy as a highly autonomous region, the smallest in fact.

Giovanni sighed. There was still plenty of work to do. Unstable mountains, foreign stray ski resorts, and new weather had brought mild annoyances during the transfer. However he decided to worry about those some other time as Giovanni looked up now to Ando who approached and spoke, "Sir, the delegation is here."

Giovanni nodded. He stood up from his chair and groaned softly. He stood beside Roberto who chuckled, "To think these delegation meetings were a rare event back on Earth. Now we're having them frequently." The president said.

"Definitely," the prime minister nodded. "We've been having a lot of these meetings the more we looked up north... But it is kind of ironic that we're only now meeting with the islands around us."

"Yeah, why is that?" Roberto asked as he looked down to Giovanni.

"Mostly because of Topa. Now that's over with though we discussed about looking around for any other nations to meet with," He said.

Roberto was about to speak only for the doors to open. Ahead, Lorenzo brought the two men inside. Giovanni smiled widely.

Kenshi and Kazan approached before they both bowed. Giovanni and Roberto did the same before the former offered his hand, "It is very nice to meet you. My name is Giovanni Canessa, prime minister of Italy. Our head of state, president of Italy, Roberto Sotto."

"A pleasure as well," Roberto said to the two men as he shook their hands before Kenshi returned his smile.

"It is an honour to meet you both. My name is Gai Kenshi, representative for the Sword King Shihan. This is my colleague, Toku Kazan."

Giovanni smiled, "Well, follow me. We have quite a few to discuss."

...

"... As you can see," Kenshi explained as he unrolled a scroll. On it was a map of the Fenn Kingdom and its distinct tear drop shape. Both Giovanni and Roberto leaned in to take a good look. "Our nation isn't too big. It is mountainous and lacking many resources. As such we rely heavily on trade with our lumber... But the Parpaldia Empire has made it very clear we are not to trade this resource with anyone."

Giovanni frowned deeply. The more Kenshi and Kazan explained their situation, the more he started to think less of Parpaldia. He then spoke, "How come exactly? What made them think of such a policy?"

"Aside from it being for their ships, it is an attempt to starve us," Kazan said. "To weaken our nation and make us reliant on Parpaldia before someday turning us into their vassal. Before we had great trade relations with Qua-Toyne, however after they imposed their ships onto us, they made us cower into submission... As painful it is to say this, Parpaldia is a much stronger nation we couldn't possibly counter."

"I am so sorry to hear that," Roberto said with a frown. "I know geopolitics in this world is different, but a nation has no right to impose its will onto others to threaten them."

"Indeed, sir. But ever since then we've been hearing rumours about your country. Our embassy in Qua-Toyne shared the news. It was your country that managed to defeat Louria. To defeat a country like that isn't an easy job," Kenshi said with a big smile. "That nation has always been one to pretend it was a mighty empire."

"Ah well, it was the right thing to stop them," Giovanni said with a nod, "We were horrified of the atrocities we heard about during the war. Not to mention many Qua-Toynians were fleeing their country to head here."

"You're a noble man, sir... Anyway, back to Parpaldia," Kenshi said. "Our delegation there simply said that they're 'reassessing their trade policy' which is why they haven't contacted us before. Perhaps you have an idea on what they mean?"

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Giovanni cleared his throat, "Well we've imposed sanctions on Parpaldia due to their policy of slavery and oppression. Since then they've promised to commit emancipation of the slaves in the country. Our embassy there said they're in a deep economic crisis now due to the missing manpower."

"Fascinating," Kazan said. "The fact you were able to make Parpaldia kneel over sanctions... It makes them less threatening in our eyes."

"Ah well... It was simply an appropriate response for their practices," Giovanni said.

"Still, sir. This is Parpaldia we are talking about," Kenshi said. "The superpower of Philades for so long now... I don't think that will stay true soon. As such, we want to discuss about a possible new trade relationship with you."

Giovanni looked to Roberto who looked back. The prime minister then looked back to Kenshi with a smile. "Let's do that, then."

Royal Academy of Le Brias, Le Brias, Altaras Kingdom, Five days later

The classroom was filled with chatting students of noble heritage. Many of them wore luxury clothing of Altarasian style that showed off their wealth.

However the door opened to Princess Lumies as she smiled, "Good morning."

The class quickly went quiet and stood to greet the princess, "Good morning your highness!" They all said.

Lumies blushed lightly as she brushed a strand of hair aside, "You guys really don't need to do that, I promise." She said with a shy smile. The class returned to chatting or messing about as the princess gulped and stood in front.

The class went quiet again. They all looked at Lumies curiously as she huffed, "I have an announcement to make, umm... This is my last semester here."

Everyone looked to Lumies in surprise as some gasped and murmured to each other. One student then spoke up as she stood up, "But we still have four years to go, your highness! Are you not completing your education?"

"Ah, well... Not exactly. I am gonna complete my studies else where. In umm... Italy," she said.

The class murmured amongst themselves again, "Italy? They're the ones who defeated Louria, right?"

"My father managed to get some of their chocolate when they came here. They were so good!"

"They even got horseless carriages there. That must be so cool."

Another girl then spoke up as she raised her hand, "Where are you gonna study there, your highness?"

"I'm not quite sure yet," Lumies admitted. "But I do have a few choices. Umm, there's the University of Bologna, Sapienza University, umm... Oh! University of Padua, and some others. I'll make my decision once I explore them some more."

The class murmured again before one boy spoke up, "Those better be great schools. You're already attending the top academy here in Altaras."

"I'm sure they will be," Lumies said with a giggle. "I'm actually really excited. I heard there are already a few students there from Rodenius."

Barrat Airfield, Barrat, Quila Kingdom

A grand celebration was taking place on the runway of the Barrat Airfield. Decorated with royal memorabilia, a patriotic song played as the centre of attention was a small aeroplane.

By the opened door of the private jet, the Royal Family of Quila stood together as they were talking amongst themselves. Despite the grand event, the family was talking as if they weren't being watched.

"Oh dear, I'm so nervous for you," A lioness, Queen Lilque said. "Are you sure you two can handle being alone there?"

"He'll be fine, Lilque," King Qali, a mighty lion with a big mane said as he yawned. "Besides I already told the consulate there in Milan to accommodate them once they arrive."

The crown prince Quili, a lion as well with a developing mane smiled widely, "Don't worry, mum. We'll be fine, I promise. Besides I'll make sure to take care of Qeli."

Qeli meanwhile was the younger prince. He hid behind his brother's leg as he looked around. Despite his royal status and tendency to be in crowds, Qeli has always been a shy kid.

Lilque sighed, "I'll miss you both. I promise we'll try to visit when we can." She said with a smile. She grabbed Quili's face as she kissed him on the cheek.

Quili chuckled as the queen crouched to do the same to Qeli. The boy hugged his mother tightly as he whimpered, "Mama why can't you come with us?"

Lilque smiled, "I have to stay here honey, to help your father with the kingdom. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll love it in Italy."

Qali nodded. He ruffled his younger's son head as he spoke, "You two be good, okay? You two represent not just Quila, but the future of our country, and our family. Study well, alright?"

Qeli nodded shyly. The king then stepped back as so did the queen who pulled out a small handkerchief to wipe her eyes. Quili waved to the cheering crowd as his brother simply stood there quietly, "Goodbye everyone! I will miss you all!"

The crowd cheered back as Qeli held his brother's hand before they entered the jet together. With that, the attendant closed the door for the two as she smiled, "Welcome, your highnesses. Please, make yourselves comfortable."

The two princes sat down as they were assisted with the seatbelts. The younger prince looked out the window as he watched the plane start to move. He did feel sad that he won't be seeing his mother everyday anymore but if she said that his new school would be great, Qeli could only be hesitantly excited.

Quili looked out the window and waved. As the plane continued to taxi down the runway, he pulled out a pamphlet. It was a university pamphlet in the common tongue. Polytechnic University of Milan, he read.

The prince sighed deeply. This was gonna be a big change for him and his brother.

Ludius's Study, Imperial Palace

Ludius leaned against his desk silently, hands clasped together. He stared at Kaios grimly who shuffled in his seat. Kaios cleared his throat as he continued to read the file, "As it turns out, Fenn has started to disregard our orders for their trade. They since have chosen to continue trade with Italy's protection..."

Remille frowned at this. She sat to the side on the emperor's sofa. She sighed deeply, "The nerve of them... Did we not make it clear of the consequences if they break our treaty with them?"

"We did, miss Remille. But just... They chose to ignore it in favour of Italy," Kaios said as he gulped. "I also received word that they made contact with Altaras as well... I'd assume the same for every other barbarian nation in the seas. Sios, Gahara, Awan... It's only a matter of time until they make contact with Italy."

Ludius rubbed his eyes as he sighed deeply, "All that hundreds of thousands of parlipos, wasted. We just finished building our newest fleet for the invasion of Altaras."

"It is regrettable, your majesty. Not to mention Italy has since also made contact with almost every northern nation after they meddled in Topa... I don't think there's any other place for us to expand without the threat of further Italian sanction. Or worse, retaliation."

"Hmph... You're dismissed, Kaios. Thank you," Ludius said. Kaios nodded before he stood up and bowed to the emperor. With that he walked out. Once the man left, Ludius seemed to deflate, "We can't even take over the continent now..."

Remille sighed as she sat down across Ludius, "They got to them first before we did. And our workforce problem with the freed slaves isn't helping."

"... Father would be so disappointed," Ludius said quietly. He looked to the portrait of his late father, who stood proudly in his royal garments as he stared and posed with his sword.

Remille frowned as she looked back to the late first emperor. She then simply grabbed Ludius's hand to comfort him.

Western Esthirant Gentleman's Club

Despite the vibrant atmosphere of the club with men lounging about and drinking, Arde sat alone in a corner booth as he continued to write. This Gentleman's Club has always been one of the few places he takes comfort in. Aside from his office, the drinks served to him and the music in the background proved an ample experience for his scheming.

On the stage, a Parpaldian music group played local music. One of the few compromises in regards of the Elysian Common Language Spell enacted centuries ago was that the spell wouldn't affect songs and poetry to preserve local culture.

Arde knew Parpaldian, but like many native languages in Elysia it has since slowly died down in favour of the common tongue. But the music was comforting to his ears as he was one of those who insist on speaking in Parpaldian.

As the music came to an end, the various men in the club clapped at their performance. The lead vocalist smiled before he spoke into the mic, imported from Italy of course, "Thank you so much for your applause. Now, this next song is a new and rare one for us... But me and the boys worked and practiced real hard on it and I'm sure you will enjoy it! Gentlemen, a popular song from Italy; Italodisco!"

The gentlemen clapped, some even cheered. Arde looked up from his papers as he furrowed his eyebrows. And with accompanying music from the speaker, the band started singing and playing in Italian.

Everything seemed to go quiet for Arde. He ignored the cheers, the music, and the laughs as he gazed at his paper in anger. Not even here can he enjoy a purely Parpaldian experience now. He gripped his pen tight before he looked to the band again.

"... presto che non resisto, Italodisco! Scusa se insisto. Ma questa notte, quello che preferisco..."

As the music rose and the cheers got louder, Arde sneered in anger. He quickly got his papers and stuffed them into his bag. Soon enough he then walked out without another word.