Unlike the Elf and the Dwarf, the Demi-Human didn't live in a hidden place. The Elf lived in the wood, the Dwarf lived underground and the Demi-Human lived in a plain, building an Empire similar to that of the human. Where it was located, however, was unique. The Empire was not big in any way but thanks to its position, four parts of it had four different climates.
The North had the coldest climate. Snow decorated every part of it. The South had the hottest climate. Everyone lived in a desert there but, strangely, water was not an issue. The East rained often. It was decorated with a lot of trees. The West was the warst part of the Empire. Rain rarely fell there but the air was still moist.
That was the beauty of the Demi-Human Empire, Werspien (the 'w' is pronounced like a 'v').
Since their goal was to et the Demi-Human Emperor, Basil and the others were in the East, which ans they were visiting the wettest area of the Empire. They were still outside, yet they were already surrounded by trees and showered by the rain.
"Magic is convenient. Imagine having to carry an umbrella just to prevent the rain from soaking you wet," Xander remarked. He and the others put a layer of wind around their bodies to repel the rain that fell from the sky.
"There is no ti to dilly-dally. We have spent five days just to get here," Basil reminded everyone. "Let's go."
With Deacon on his shoulder, he stord off toward the gate of the Werspien Empire, which was 1 kilotre ahead. Due to their speed, they arrived there in 10 seconds. They had to slow down to show that they were not being hostile. Stopping just 2 tres before the guard, Basil stared at the gorilla-headed guard silently.
Knowing full well that the person before him was not soone he could ever offend, the guard was nervous. Regardless, he kept being stoic and stared at Basil unfazed. He didn't forget his job, fortunately. He asked Basil why he and his company ca to Werspien.
"What is your purpose of visit, sir?"
"An audience with the Emperor."
The guard did a double take. "Sorry? It is considered an offence to casually ntion his Greatness so casually. We don't care who you are. You have to be careful with your speech, sir."
Basil's eyes glead for a mont, causing the guard to gulp nervously. He looked up and then stared deadly at the ceiling of the gateway. His action made everyone puzzled. Xander and Cyrus realized what was going on but kept silent. When soone ca down from the ceiling, only then did everyone know what Basil was looking at.
Dressed in tight black clothing, the woman with cat ears and cat tails looked more like a model in costu than a warrior. The only thing that made her threatening was the look in her eyes. One could tell she had killed a lot by looking into her eyes. Should one ignore the look, one would think of her as an everyday beauty.
"Our Emperor is expecting you," the female Demi-Human said.
"Why didn't you imdiately greet ?" Basil asked.
"I wasn't quite sure if you were the Basil Pacifer whom his Greatness ntioned."
"You just had the order to escort , didn't you?"
The female Demi-Human widened her eyes slightly at Basil's words. She couldn't say anything, so she pulled up the scarf covering her mouth higher.
"I am not very pleased to know that the Demi-Human Emperor sent people to tail but I am not a petty person, so I will let it slide. Had I been born an impatient person, his personally escorting wouldn't even quench my ire."
The female Demi-Human's eyes glead dangerously. She was about to take out her dagger when Basil appeared before her. She instantly froze in shock. When Basil's hand landed on her shoulder, her body tensed up in fear.
Bending down slightly, Basil whispered, "Just do your job and try not to cross the line, kitty."
Had it sounded flirtatious, the female Demi-Human would have shivered for another reason. Basil had said it neutrally but she could feel the hidden killing intent in it. She knew he was dangerous but she didn't think he was this dangerous. She couldn't help gulping nervously as she thought about what their Emperor would do.
Nodding her head slowly, she looked at the hand that was still on her shoulder. Basil wordlessly retracted his hand, prompting her to turn around.
"Follow ," she said before taking off.
Basil was slightly disappointed that the Emperor didn't even prepare them a carriage but didn't complain. The Demi-Human Emperor had refused his offer of alliance once, so it was not out of the norm for him to not treat the one who offered him the alliance he had refused with courtesy when he visited his Empire.
Following the female Demi-Human, they ran to the palace which was fortunately not far from the gate. At least, that was where they were going until it wasn't. They changed direction halfway to the palace. Basil had never been to Werspien before but from asking the Guide, he could tell they were going to the Stage of Adulthood.
Stage of Adulthood was an arena in which young Demi-Humans had to fight the older generation when they ca of age as part of the tradition. Demi-Humans were born warriors. To truly beco one, they had to earn the acknowledgent of their Elders. Entering the Stage of Adulthood was their only way to gain that acknowledgent.
Basil was by no ans a Demi-Human. He also didn't need the Elder's acknowledgent. Therefore, there was only one reason why the female Demi-Human brought him there. The Emperor himself wanted to fight him.
"Hmph! What a cocky bastard," Xander sneered. "I wonder whose descendant the current Emperor is."
"Indeed. It will be sad to know that our down-to-earth Adjani's descendant is a prick," Cyrus added.
Expecting no response, the two were surprised when the female Demi-Human spoke. "The current Emperor is the descendant of the Second Emperor of the New Era, Dulhanie Afyae. His na is Kurdva Afyae."
"Hoh? That bastard Dulhanie beca an Emperor? I wonder how he managed the Emperor with that hot-headed nature of his," Xander remarked in mild disbelief.
"Who nad your current Emperor Kurdva? I hope this is not the Afyae Family's way to disrespect the Kurdva, the family that initiated the New Era of your Empire," Cyrus remarked in wonder.
Before the female Demi-Human could answer Cyrus, Basil opened his mouth.
"The Kurdva had perished one millennium ago. They got too involved in human matters and beca the victim of human ungratefulness. The Empire almost paid the price for their stupidity but Dulhanie managed to save it. That was why he beca an Emperor."
Stopping for a few seconds, Basil added, "Quite the opposite, the reason why the current Emperor nad himself Kurdva is to honour the family that many people have forgotten about."
Xander and Cyrus clicked their tongue bitterly. They were friends with both Adjani and Dulhanie. They knew well the two Demi-Humans' natures. It wasn't that surprising that Adjani's descendants ended up that way but it was still bitter to hear. Had they been less trusting, they would have survived.
Although Dulhanie's descendant was a prick, at least, they could still rejoice at the fact that his descendants survived. After all, nothing was sadder than having one's friends gone without leaving anything behind to rember them.
Sensing the glum mood, the female Demi-Human was extrely curious about the relationship between Xander, Cyrus and their early Emperors. She wanted to ask but they had already arrived at the Stage of Adulthood, so she kept the question to herself.
Without wasting any more ti, she took Basil and company into the Stage of Adulthood which was a gigantic circular building with an arena in the centre of it which was surrounded by tiers of seats for spectators. Soone was already waiting in the centre of the arena and he was looking at Basil with an excited gleam in his eyes.
The female Demi-Human knelt when she was before the wolf-tailed tall male standing in the centre of the arena. The male Demi-Human quickly dismissed her, prompting her to submissively stand on his side.
"It is a pleasure to finally et the Fated Child," the male Demi-Human said before extending his hand. "My na is Kurdva Afyae. I am the current Emperor of the Demi-Human."
Glancing at the offered hand once, Basil grabbed it. Kurdva instantly smirked, revealing the fangs that his lips hid. His eyes glead as his pupils turned into a slit and killing intent imdiately overwheld the entire arena.
Boom!
Basil's Pacifer Seal was instantly activated. His Mana Pressure descended upon the arena, causing Kurdva's smirk to falter. Kurdva could tell Basil was not being serious but his pressure was already unbearable. As a Demi-Human, Kurdva was both alard and challenged. He also released his Mana Pressure to counter Basil's.
Basil was unfazed. His golden eyes stared into Kurdva's silently without any change in his expression. Kurdva's smirk got wider and more twisted. He was both nervous and irked. His claws were already out but he held himself back in the end. He retracted his pressure, prompting Basil to do the sa, and helped the struggling female Demi-Human beside him.
"Glad to know that 'Fated Child' is not a re fancy title," he remarked as he helped the female Demi-Human up. "You could protect your won while pressuring just fine, anwhile, I struggled to protect my subordinate. What an impressive young man."
"I am here to—"
Kurdva raised his hand, stopping Basil. "I know, Basil Pacifer. I am honestly enticed by your offer and deeply touched by your willingness to co." Looking into Basil's eyes solemnly, he continued, "However, there is a procedure you should follow before I can accept your offer."
"Can I assu you agree to the idea?"
"It depends on what will happen next." Ignoring Basil imdiately, Kurdva shouted, "Oseya!"
"Yes!" a stern female voice responded.
Having a strong mory, hearing the na he had heard once in the past made Basil recall the mont when he heard it. A light frown imdiately decorated his face and it didn't go unnoticed by Kurdva.
Soon enough, a beautiful woman with lioness ears entered the scene. She rushed at Kurdva and then knelt before him. Expecting Basil to be interested in the maid he just called, Kurdva was slightly bemused that Basil was still looking in the direction where she ca. He also turned in that direction and beca even more confused when he saw who was coming.
"Mommy, wait for !"
A human lass who was no older than nine was running at them. Kurdva knew who she was. She was the child Oseya had adopted. What he didn't know was what made Basil interested in the lass.
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