Chapter 33 | Jeromy 3

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The time came to meet the two princes and Jeromy made his way to the palace entrance. Officially, he was coming to the palace to be briefed on the commission about Ventra but he was really here to talk diplomacy. If the Empire were to find out what they were doing, the world would get bloody very quickly.

The road to the enormous structure was made from stone bricks and had fewer plants and dirt covering everything. The oversaturation of the color green made him feel as if he was in one of the stories he heard of as a child.

This side of the city was where the elite resided. With his rough features and dirty clothing, Jeromy stood out more than he would while being the only a human here.

As he was checking his pocket watch, a hooded figure grabbed his sleeve. Jeromy nearly unsheathed his sword until he realized who it was.

“Jeromy. Is this any way to treat an old friend?” Jeromy turned around to see two hooded individuals along with their escort knights disguised in casual clothing a few steps away. The older of the two hoods revealed his face. He had a young fit man with green eyes and short black hair dyed a soft fading blond at the ends.

“Prince Shol.”

Jeromy sheathed his sword. He bowed politely.

“It’s good to see you again, Your Highness.” The Prince stopped him with his palm.

“Do not bow. You will give us away.”

Jeromy laughed at that statement and turned his attention to the child attempting to hide behind the Prince’s body. As his gaze met his eyes, he looked away and went to cling on even more.

“Hey! Hey! Stop pulling on me!” Prince Shol directed to the child pulling on his clothes.

“Who’s this little guy?” Jeromy said softly as he crouched down to the child’s level. The Prince took a long sigh before introducing him.

“You might have already deduced, this is my younger brother, the Second Prince of the Grethenian Kingdom, Lue Quin. Please forgive him, he is a hand full and is very prone to being bashful around strangers.”

“Hey there. I am Sir Jeromy Powle. How old are you?” Jeromy spoke in the elven language for the child’s benefit. He extended his hand and offered it to Lue.

“Five,” Lue said, sweetly. His hood came down as he reached for Jeromy’s hand from behind his brother. Jeromy could see the resemblance between them.

“Nice to meet you, Prince Lue.” Jeromy’s hand was massive compared to Lue’s. Lue quickly broke off from the handshake and went back into hiding, not knowing his hood was down. He’s a cute kid, Jeromy thought.

“I had thought I would meet you in the palace. Why are you guys sneaking around here?” Jeromy asked.

“We came out here because Lue wanted to meet you, and I have some things to discuss with you before meeting with my father and the council.”

“Ha, and here I had thought you might have canceled the plans with the King by yourself without telling anyone,” Jeromy said. The prince was taken aback. He hasn’t seen Sir Jeromy in a while but he was indeed correct about his childish and mischievous behavior in his youth. Some things were better left repressed yet Jeromy still had that impression of him.

The prince blushed slightly and glared daggers at Jeromy, “Really now? I do not believe you have the right to judge me for events years ago. I’m not a child anymore!”

Jeromy smirked as Shol defended himself. Realizing he was being teased, he looked away and recomposed his prince-like demeanor. With some added reluctance, he invited him.

“Come, take a walk with me.”

Prince Shol and Prince Lue guided Jeromy into the palace walls, they were even larger than the city walls. They could fit the entire city population within these walls and probably have room left over. In fact, many of the elite noble houses had some kind of residence in the palace, it was very large. As Jeromy walked past the gate guards, they were giving him a glare.

Prince Shol saw this and flashed a scornful look back at them, they instantly straightened their stance and looked forward. He was guided into the grand hall of the palace. It was large as a cathedral with the light reflected into the room just right it was a sight to behold. Shol pressed a button on the wall by a set of doors with no handles. As they stood in wait for something and Shol spoke up.

“I apologize if any of my soldiers have given you trouble,” he said with eyes down casted but kept his proud royal demeanor.

“No, you shouldn’t apologize for it. Everyone has their own opinions, you shouldn’t shoulder what other people think,” Jeromy responded.

The prince gave a light smiled at that but knew that it was his people who held such prejudices. A single ding sound was heard and the doors slid open to opposite sides of an empty room with glass walls. Shol and Lue entered but Jeromy just stood there, not knowing what to do.

“Come.”

The prince reassured him but that didn’t give him much comfort. He stepped inside the room and Shol pressed another button on the wall. The doors slid closed and then he suddenly felt heavy for a second. Jeromy realized they were being carried up.

“What is this?” Jeromy said cautiously as he looked around. They were high up now as he could see out the glass wall towards the palace and city.

“It’s called an elevator. It transports people and other cargo vertically. Up or down. They say the Old Gods used something similar to this when building towers,” Shol stated

“Is this Old-World Tech?”

“No, this uses magic. Not electricity.” They were on the top floor in no time at all. They were in the central tower, the tallest of the seven towers. Jeromy felt they were nearly touching the clouds. The top of the tower had a huge platform for sightseeing and events.

The elevator poked up from the ground and they entered into an indoor area before making it out to the balcony and garden. Despite being high up, the air wasn’t thin. From here, they could see all of the city, from the palace to the city walls and beyond into the forest.

The two princes and Jeromy appreciated the scenery as they went to the edge of the platform. Jeromy leaned on the railing and looked down. He was getting vertigo and he pulled himself up. “This is nice view, is it not?” Shol said to Jeromy. “They say the Old Gods used these very towers to dock their Starsails.”

“This is remarkable. However, I’m sure there are plenty who would disagree with you on that.”

“True, but there is one tale which everyone agrees on. The Old Gods brought the three races together to this world. Of the moons Grevin, Rodan, and Vultis, the Gods gathered the whole of humanity to Theia. Why do you believe that is?” That question seemed to have an obvious answer to Jeromy.

“The Old World died, that was why.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“I don’t believe that. I think they brought us here to help each other,” Prince Shol spoke with conviction. This kind of talk worried him a bit, it was rare for a Prince of anywhere to state their religious interpretation of the Scripture. At least not since the Great War.

“Is that your reason for joining our alliance?” Jeromy cautioned Shol with his tone.

“I apologize if my father was unclear in the letter. But my reason for the alliance is for the three races to come together. The Free Association is making that happen, it would be a shame if the Empire destroyed all this progress towards integration.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m having a hard time believing you. Why would Grethenia change their foreign policy to be so open? It’s like a bear wanting to be your friend after eating your kids.”

“Regarding foreign policy, my opinion is all that matters. My father and council know that war is coming. I think both of us can overcome any Imperial aggression if we cooperate with each other.”

Shol paused and saw Jeromy’s face of further skepticism.

“The world is changing, Jeromy. The elevator, trains, micro-gears… It also came with more monster activity.”

“Yeah. I saw Emered had fortified its defenses. It’s as if you’re already at war.”

“We are. It is also part of the reason I asked you here. Dungeons around the world are stirring and Monster Sightings have become more frequent. I have a suspicion that something is coming, an enemy unknown to us but are a great threat. I bet you have talked to Nolan about this.” Jeromy was surprised to hear that name. For the prince to have even known him, Nolan must have informed him personally.

“Yes, but for Lord Lowell to even consider allying with Grethenia, there have to be certain assurances.”

Prince Shol seemed to have known this conversation would lead to this point. The fate of the alliance and the future of the planet would be decided by the Prince’s words right now. “Then, I want you to take Lue with you back to Seutaria.”

Jeromy didn’t expect that at all and was astonished by the Crown Prince’s proposition. To trade his younger brother as a bargaining chip to secure an alliance for the greater good was something no one would expect.

With the Second Prince in Association custody, the elves won’t dare betray them and the Association’s standing won’t allow a betrayal against the elves. It was a good deal, Shol had far exceeded his expectations. However, Jeromy wasn’t sure that he had the authority to make a prince anyone’s ward. “I’m not sure I can.”

“You know what Nolan said!”

Shol snapped back at Jeromy. Lue was frightened a bit standing behind his older brother and clutched his brother robe tighter.

“The capital is not a safe place anymore. Since my people have long preserved the forest, it left many of the monster nests in the area uncontained. Something is making the monsters act and when this war comes, I want you to protect my brother. With this, our alliance is secured.”

“Is Lue okay with this?” Their attention turned to Lue who was still clung to his brother. Shol brought him forward and messed with his brother’s hair. Lue looked up, not knowing why his brother was looking at him like that.

“We already talked about this. He is simply going to study aboard for three years. Hopefully, the situation would be resolved by then.” They talked for at least half an hour more about the details of the deal before the official meeting with the king.

“You’ve grown a lot over these years.”

“You too. But you were always more mature than me.” They both presented a bittersweet smile for each other, not knowing if this would be their final conversation.

“There’s one more thing I need from you, Shol,” he said.

“What? Anything.”

“Ventra. Is there something you’re not telling me about it?”

Shol was surprised by the question but he expected the unexpected from Jeromy, “There is.”

Nothing of note happened during the meeting with King Nyoug because it was filled with bureaucratic jargon Jeromy knew all too well. While speaking at the round table, Shol’s and Lue’s father had the traditional royal atmosphere around him. Formalities aside, he basically pledged his support for the Free Association and further outlined the details of their subjugation mission.

A Dungeon Master was causing the number of monster dens in the forest around the capital to increase. If the monsters were allowed to continue their actions and to increase their numbers, it could pose a real threat to the city.

The Dungeon Master was a famous one, even to the humans in the Empire. A dragon named Ventra. It was said this Dungeon Master was as old as the Old Gods, in a time where they walked on Theia. Of course, they were only instructed to destroy its dungeon and cripple their mana source. If they were to battle Ventra, there would be many casualties with no guarantee they would survive. Either way, to kill or to weaken, it was an extremely dangerous mission.

Walking back to the Association district in the city was annoying. It wasn’t a long walk and he quite enjoyed the sights of Emered. But he couldn’t help but notice the constant stares. A number of the citizens probably wanted to have a word with him but his coat marking his rank told them to restrain themselves. As he said before, it was a pain in the ass.

***

There was another reason Jeromy came to the Elven Capital besides the commission and the alliance negotiations. Nolan needed him to bring a certain piece of Old-World Tech back with him. Electronics naturally didn’t work on Theia. Looking up at the three moons, which the moon Grevin was up presently, had green patterns inscribed on their surfaces.

Those patterns weren’t naturally-occurring but evidence of the intervention of the Old Gods and the advanced society they led. Humanity came to Theia with the help of the Old Gods and across the planet, their technological relics could still be found if one knew where to look.

The bell rung as Jeromy entered a small shop near the marketplace. Hamei’s family owned this shop of portable machines and clockwork. It looked only a bit disordered as all types of machines and magic tools lined the tables and walls for display. To elves, this shop was high-tech because of their reliance on magic in place of machines.

In comparison, Jeromy’s pocket watch was operated on microgears, not magic. This meant no mana would be expended, it couldn’t be disrupted, and it was extremely accurate as long as he wound it. Microgears were just starting a new revolution in technological advancement in Theia.

Jeromy approached Hamei as he manned the front desk. Seeing Jeromy, Hamei immediately took off his glasses and put his book down. They both headed towards a back room which was locked. Hamei turned his key in the lock and walked in along with Jeromy.

There were magic circles drawn on walls and the door itself to ward off magic attempting to observe what was inside. There was also defensive magic in place. The circle on the door was designed to seal people and hold them in place in case anyone other than Hamei attempted to enter the room without him.

This room was Hamei’s workshop. Many of the machines were magic in nature or microgears. There were also some electronic relics. Hamei was reading a note Jeromy passed him. His face grimaced and nearly lost his footing at the contents of the message.

“Is this true, Jeromy?” Hamei was in disbelief as Jeromy took the piece of paper from him and burnt it with a spell.

“I’m afraid it is. If Prince Adrian continues his course of actions, there’s no telling what might happen with the Guardians,” Jeromy was cautious as he continued. Hamei felt like he was sick and needed to sit down with a complex face. It was a face with a mixture of determination but also of worry and hopelessness. “I need a working electronic motherboard.”

The increase in monster activity and the Guardian’s appearance to aid the Empire’s First Prince was correlated. Nolan came to the knowledge of how the Guardians were planning to help Prince Adrian obtain a powerful weapon. The monsters were just the beginning. Prince Adrian’s hatred for the Association was well known. The Phoenix and everyone connected was extremely worried about what might happen if their plans succeed.

“Nolan is asking a lot. Do you believe anyone keeps a motherboard in working condition? They would not even know what was considered such. Most relics are beyond repair. We were lucky to find even a holo-display.” Hamei sighed. “Why does Nolan not use a microgear adaptor for his assembly?”

“I don’t know,” Jeromy admitted. “But he wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”

A silence fell as Hamei contemplated his options. “Alright… But this is the last time. Help me with the computer.”

To use electricity on Theia, a special continuous spell needed to be activated. This spell blocked external electromagnetic waves of certain wavelengths. Whatever that meant. But according to Nolan, the planet itself seemed to be producing these interfering waves.

A loud sound made Hamei and Jeromy stop what they were doing. Hamei quickly shut down the computer and covered the display with a tarp. The woman and the child who attempted to open the door and peek inside were none other than Prince Lue and his caretaker.

How much did they see?

How much did they hear?

The seal was activated when they touched the door and trapped them within the circle on the floor. Prince Lue must’ve been following him for a while. Jeromy spotted them while he was eating with Patrick but didn’t make the connection. The two sat on the ground awkwardly. They were trapped with limited space on within the circle and Lue had to huddle close to the woman.

Jeromy casted a spell and disabled the seal. The invisible wall around them disappeared and allowed them to stand up. “Prince Lue, what are you doing here?” He said so in the most casual and gentle manner as to not frighten the Prince further.

The woman next to Lue answered for him, “His Highness was merely searching for Sir Jeromy. You are him, are you not?”

“Excuse me, who are you?”

“Nerea Sow, stewardess to His Highness Prince Lue Quin,” she said formally.

“Captain Jeromy Powle of the Free Association’s mercenary guild,” Jeromy introduced himself and bowed to Nerea as Lue clung onto her. Jeromy crouched down to Lue and looked at him sincerely, “Lue, I’m not upset. Can you tell me what you want?”

Realizing who was at his door, Hamei stayed still and waited for a signal from Jeromy on what to do. He had his rifle on the counter.

Lue loosened his grip on Nerea and took a step forward. He faced Jeromy meekly, knowing he did something bad. “Sir Jeromy… C…Can we play?”

Jeromy didn’t know how to respond and neither did Hamei. They were both stunned as Lue looked at Jeromy with his innocent eyes.