Imperial Office, First Foreign Affairs Building

One of the many offices included in the First Foreign Affairs was Remille's own personal study. Though in actuality, it was more like a luxury apartment than that of a professional office. Inside indeed was Remille's desk, but to the sides was a couch, manacomm, a few plants and luxury vases, a personalised carpet that was illuminated by the magic crystal chandelier up above and the sunlight pouring in through the window overlooking the city.

Remille sat on the couch in a rather leisurely way as she read a book. However, she was not at all taking the words to heart and instead her mind was preoccupied by the loud booming noise she heard earlier. She was in here while she enjoyed a glass of wine before she nearly dropped it when she heard the noise. It was when she looked out the window that she saw the flying machines that went at such an astonishing speed.

Then her secretary informed her that it was the Italians who put on that show of force. Of course in arrogance she didn't believe her and simply assumed it was the Holy Mirishial Empire that tried to remind Parpaldia its place but then those jets were on an entirely different scale. Unless they made a new type of jet, she could not possibly know from whom it came unless it indeed is Italy.

Remille's train of thought was broken however as a knock came. It was her secretary once more as she bowed and spoke. "Miss Remille, Director Kaios is here to see you. It concerns about the Italians." She said.

The imperial woman almost sneered a bit before she nodded. "Send him in." Remille said as the secretary nodded and left her office. She sighed as she shuts the book and sets it onto the bookshelf before she heard the next knock and a moment later, Kaios entered.

"Hello mistress Remille." The man simply greeted as he had in his arms the gifts given by the Italian ambassadors which immediately intrigued Remille.

"Director Kaios, where did you get those and from whom?" She asked as the packaging itself was already better in craftsmanship compared to any Parpaldian products.

"These... come from the Italians your majesty. It seems the wyvern general's words are correct." He said as he gently set them down onto the coffee table. "The quality of these products seem high. I haven't tasted it at all yet if I were to be honest but just the containers remind me of top Mirishial products."

Remille eyed the two bottles of wine, the box of cheese, and even chocolates whose raw ingredients were hard to come by. She then gently opened the box of chocolate to reveal a wide variety of treats in their own neat designs as she muttered. "I haven't seen chocolate like this in... forever." She simply muttered.

"It truly reminds me of the Holy Mirishial Empire." Kaios said as he reached for a piece but Remille slapped his hand away which made him flinch.

"Let me try it first for these kinds of products are fit for royalty." Remille said with a scoff as Kaios just rolled his eyes in secret before she grabbed a piece and popped it into her mouth. As she chewed, she covered her lips to be as posh as usual but her eyes told a different story as they were wide eyed. "This tastes amazing...!"

"I can only assume it does..." Kaios said somewhat sourly before he spoke. "The Italians say that they are a huge exporter of these foods on their old world. Along with that, they also create much of their own military equipment."

"I don't believe such fairytales..." Remille said as she was very much still in denial about Italy being transferred while she eyed another piece of chocolate.

"Mistress Remille, with all due respect what more proof do you need? Are the manacomm feeds, show of power and these luxuries not enough?" Kaios said as his polite demeanour started to crack at Remille's stubbornness.

"I simply refuse to believe that such a nation is now on the same continent as us. Do you have any idea how much our influence could diminish because of them?" She said with a frown as she quickly ate another piece of chocolate.

"I do, miss Remille. But not to worry, these Italians too have a weakness. You see, they have admitted that their nation is a bit of an importer of food. Aside from that, they seek of the same substances as Mu does for their machines."

"Substance? You mean... what is it again?" Remille asked as she took another piece.

"Oil. They require oil to keep their country running. If you can recall, we have found a vast field of this substance in the central regions however we have found no use for them as we rely more on magic than machinery." Kaios explained. "As such, I believe that we can have Italy under our thumb while using them to raise the empire. Through careful diplomacy that is... We both know conquest is off the table."

Remille grumbled as she shuffled in her seat. As much as she did not want to admit it, her and Ludius's dreams of Parpaldian dominance over the world would be at best, not involve Italy and at worse entirely stopping it due to them. She was about to speak before a knock was heard. The secretary then peeked in as she spoke.

"Lord Kaios, Mistress Remille... His majesty Emperor Ludius is calling for a meeting." She said.

Kaios and Remille looked at each other in surprise. Ludius wasn't one to involve himself much in Foreign Affairs. She then spoke as she stood up. "What for?"

"It concerns about the Italians once more. Please do hurry. Their ambassadors will be part of the meeting as well." She said before she left the room.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Remille sighed as she started to walk out of the office. Once she was out, Kaios then looked at the door for a moment before he grabbed a piece of chocolate and ate it. He stood there for a moment as he took in the taste before he took a deep breath and followed Remille out.

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Grand Conference Room

The Grand Conference Room represented Parpaldia's government and country in many ways. Distinct roman-style columns lined the room which paired nicely with the grand windows and their curtains as a long table was in the centre which had Parpaldia's delegates lined up to face the two Italian diplomats and their guards.

Antonio had a relaxed look while Mario was getting ready to take note of the conference. His laptop was a source of curiosity for the Parpaldian officials as they had almost childlike questioning look which contrasted greatly with the huge flags of the empire behind them.

However the Parpaldian officials straightened up as the door opened to Remille and Kaios, more on the former. As she walked, the young woman eyed the two Italians on their side as Antonio looked up and looked right back at her. She had her sharp look but the diplomat did not react much at all as she sat down. Kaios meanwhile took his seat as well as he straightened himself up while he ignored Elto's somewhat judgemental look.

Antonio eyed the officials in front of him. The only one that stood out somewhat was a man who wore more of a traditional suit like them. He had a moustache and a pair of glasses as he had a flag pin that he didn't recognise.

Remille meanwhile gazed at the device Mario was typing on. The clickity clack of it somehow pulled her curiosity in. However that thought was now ceased as the door opened to reveal Ludius entering in. Every official except Remille then straightened up even further to the point that it was nigh uncomfortable as the man sat down.

"His majesty, Emperor Ludius of the Parpaldian Empire!" One of the guards announced as all the officials except for the other one stood up and bowed to him before they sat back down.

Antonio eyes Ludius. His little almost sly smirk contrasted with the emperor's somewhat relaxed eyes as he had an expression that only villains could have. If that was true, Antonio was determined to not be intimidated.

Finally, Ludius spoke. "Hm... It is a pleasure to finally meet the diplomats of this so called Republic of Italy...." He began.

Antonio spoke as he clasped his hands. "We're honoured to be welcome to your wonderful capital city, your majesty. I believe we can start by giving a rundown of our nation." He said as he pulled out the same maps and images he showed to Kaios.

Antonio gave the same facts and information to the officials. Ludius stayed quiet, Remille had a skeptical look, Kaios simply listened while so did the rest. The one with the mysterious flag pin had a look of what seemed to be surprise.

Once Antonio finished, Ludius clasped his hands as he hummed. "Hmph... Let me begin that we accept your apology for taking away our territory."

Everyone in the room including Remille looked at Ludius in surprise as she spoke. "Ludius? Are you really-"

"I did not believe it at first, Remille. But the evidence was there to see. I can also tell that these Italians do not possess magic at all so they could not have possibly done this on purpose. Besides those regions have been a bit of a thorn on our side but I do not appreciate your peninsula blocking much of our waters." The man said. "For now however, intrigue takes over because your machines greatly resembles Muan ones..." Ludius's sights then settled on the Muan diplomat who tensed up at his gaze.

Antonio also eyed him as Remille caught on Ludius's idea as she furrowed her eyebrows. "Sir Mugei, if this is a blatant attempt at threatening the empire through giving lesser nations your machines, you and Mu will receive severe consequences." She said as her cold gaze pierced at the Muan diplomat.

Mugei then shook his head as he did his best to remain calm. "M-Mistress Remille I assure you that Mu does not have any involvement or even knowledge of this incident. I am the highest official of Mu to know this and as much as I don't want to admit it, my country does not possess the knowledge to these machines."

"Then who could it be then? It certainly is not the Holy Mirishial Empire. We do not detect magic coming from the engines." Another official chimed in accusing Mu of intimidation.

Antonio then cleared his throat as he spoke. "Excuse me. With all due respect to you all... That show of force was completely done by the nation of Italy. While I am not aware of Mu and the Holy Mirishial Empire as of now, I can assure you that our military is on a different level." He said as Mario simply nodded along while he typed.

Remille then scoffed. "No region in the Third Civilization Area has the need of such machines since our wyverns are the best on Elysia." She said, pride still high. "And even if you do, the regions around Esthirant are barbaric. I doubt that your claim of these machines being made by your country is authentic." She said as she crossed her arms while some of the officials except Kaios muttered in agreement.

Antonio simply brushed off Remille's superior attitude as he spoke. "Then I invite an envoy from your nation to see Italy in person." He said with a smile but behind it was a smug feeling. "We will arrange everything. Transportation, sleeping quarters, even a visit with our leader to further legitimise our claims."

The officials murmured among themselves. Kaios was extremely curious about Italy and he had every intention to try and visit it. However Remille spoke up. "Parpaldia has no intention to waste its time with-"

"I say we accept." Ludius said. Remille then looked back at the emperor with a dumbfounded look. It was rare or even never that Ludius himself said yes to a visit to a neighbouring country so quickly much less with a barbarian one.

"Ludius? Are- Are you certain? I don't think we should waste resources with these barbarians-"

"And I believe that you should see this nation for yourself, Remille." Ludius said with an innocent smile as he looked to Remille who was shocked at that.

"Y-you can't be serious!" She said as she turned to face the emperor. The thought of visiting a barbarian nation before conquering it was something she does not want to experience. "Even if we do accept, this should be under the Third Foreign Affairs Department, shouldn't it?"

"I would usually agree... But think of it, Remille. I do not accept these Italians's claims and I'd only be skeptical on anything Kaios here may report. I believe that you should go. If they are a barbarian nation, then at least your worries could be dissipated... And if they're not, well... At least you'd have your first vacation abroad." Ludius said as he clasped his hands together.

Remille was speechless. She couldn't believe that Ludius would make her visit a possibly backwards nation but he did have a point. At best she'd have firsthand information about the country for conquest and at worst it'd be a bad vacation. She then simply sat back down. "Very well then..."

Ludius then spoke further. "You will be going with Director Kaios along with some of his staff to oversee this delegation. I have high expectations for you all." He said.

Antonio then sat up as he smiled. "It's decided then. I shall make preparations."

As they sat in their seats, Remille and Kaios looked at each other in contempt as they were very much not looking forward to going on the trip together.