Humanfolks largest city was known as the Imperial Capital of the Galgan Empire, Luos. Its population was said to be around 500,000 people, but Kyle didnt know the actual number. Neither did anybody else, it was hard to count it after all. It was basically a fortress city surrounded by triple gigantic walls, quite peculiar in design, as even the area inside the outer wall rivaled the size of a small country. Besides the average district, you even had a slums district, which had taken its age.
Right now, Kyle and his group of four allies were traveling through this large city with a small horse carriage the Empire prepared. As Kirlen and Orgis were emissaries of Zilgus here for diplomatic relations, they received a free pass during the check at the main gate, but since Kyle and his group were simple participants, they had to fill out so paperwork, which is why they temporarily split up. That being said, as they were treated as important people from Zilgus, they got to enjoy so light sightseeing inside the horse carriages, as they were brought to the palace where the Emperor resided.
The main street was filled to the brim with people, not only humans but also elves and dwarves, and even beastn such as lizardn, who lived in the southern region, in relatively small numbers.
I thought that Malad was crowded with people, this is on an entirely different level.
Where are they all even coming from
As both Lieze and Seran were still relatively used to their small and familiar rural hotown, they were the ones who were the most shocked, their mouths open in disbelief.
This is my first ti coming to Luos as wellbut to think it was such a large city.
Although Urza was sowhat used to traveling like this, even she looked around in admiration. Only Shildonia seed used to this, focusing instantly on the different food stalls at the corners of the street, her eyes sparkling as always.
As much as its the largest city on the continent, it also is bound to end up the most chaotic once calamity hits. Kyle couldnt help but admire it in his own way.
He ca to Luos before in his past life, but that was during the Great Invasion, so he didnt have the ti or leisure to calmly inspect the streets like this. However, reaching that thought, the current state also seed odd for so reason. The people passing them gave off a certain voltage filled with energy and passion, sothing that seed out of the ordinary from what youd expect, and this enveloped the entire city.
Its probably the influence of the festival happening in five days. Their guide must have felt doubts in Kyles group and provided an explanation.
The Empire Foundation FestivalIt is a festival celebrating the founding of the Galgan Empire around three hundred years ago when the war against the demons ended. For the next three hundred years after this event, the Empire had continued to grow. With more and more territory being added to the Empire, the festival continued to grow, almost too large, which is why it was now held every two years instead of yearly.
It really is the worlds largest festival. Youre lucky that you can enjoy the festival here in Luos. The guide said, sounding quite happy themselves.
Following that, they were shown the large plaza, the triumphal arch celebrating the victory of the war, the large cathedral, and the religious building called the obelisk. It seed like this was a typical course offered to foreigners, as the guide spoke with confidence and experience.
I heard from my old hag about this, but the place sure is huge alright.
YeahI heard stories as well.
Both Kyles mother Seraia and Serans foster mother Leyla originally were born in this town, so their children heard various stories from both of them. Especially Leyla, who had been a gladiator here at Luos in the past, known as the undefeated champion. Finally, they saw a circular building in the distance, called the continents largest arena, the arena of Luos.
Even at this current point in ti, there seed to be a match going on, as they heard loud cheers even from this distance away. A row of large stone statues with the size of multiple people stacked atop each other was standing in front of the arena, all of them depicting one of the champions of the arena. One of them stood out in particular, belonging to a female swordsman.
Oh lord
The mont Seran saw that statue, he let out a voice like he wanted to go ho already.
That is the individual seen as historys strongest sword princess, the statue of [Crimson Ogre] Leyla. She reigned supre in this arena as the undefeated champion, but at the pri of her popularity, she suddenly retired ten years ago, which was a severe hit for the arena and its inco. The guide explained as they looked at the statue of Leyla, striking a dignified pose with a greatsword in hand. At the Martial Arts Festival, she was the only one who managed to achieve consecutive victories, and her fighting style, as well as matches, had beco a legend at this point. The guide seed to be a fan of Leyla, as he explained all of that happily.
However, to Kyle, Seran, and Lieze, that was just a statue of a family mber, nothing more.
Feels weird that it oddly looks like her. Kyle looked at the statue with a complicated expression.
It really seems like a perfect replica. To Lieze, Leyla was a familiar existence.
Since the statue had so much resemblance to the individual in reality, she could only show admiration mixed with exhaustion.
Hm, so she is Serans foster mother, as well as your teacher of the sword? She must have been strong.
Ive never been to Rimarze, but Id love to et her soti.
Shildonia and Urza both showed great interest.
Better stop with that thought. Youre not gaining anything from eting her. Still, to think Id et my old hag here. Maybe I should draw so doodles on her statue?
Thats right, you probably shouldnt. Plus, itll just bring us misfortune, so drop it, Seran.
Right, she might curse us.
Both Seran and Kyle let out a synchronized sigh. To them, she was their teacher, and a symbol of fear their entire youth, so that terror probably would never disappear. The guide was confused about their reactions but continued taking them to the imposing palace.
The palace of the Galgan Empire was built similarly to the royal palace of Zilgus. However, unlike the luxurious palace of Zilgus, the imperial palace of Galgan actually had a much more militaristic look, seeming like it could actually protect itself in the case of an invasion and siege, focusing on usability instead of looks.
In the flashy waiting room where Kyle and the group were brought, Kirlen was already on standby. A bit longer, and the representative of the Empire would arrive. Finally, the door opened, and three individuals entered the room. The first one was a man who seed like a guard with a cold gaze. The man looked kind at first glance, but he wore different armor and had a different sword than the normal knights. Seeing that, Seran let out a faint Huh voice.
The man observed the inside of the room without a single shed of carelessness, and when he confird the appearances of Seran and then Kyle, the glimr in his eyes changed. He probably saw and guessed their strength with a single gaze. He showed a faint smile and then stood guard at the wall.
The next person to enter the room gathered all the attention of the room. He was a tall man with a well-built body, seeming to be in the middle of his thirties. Just from that appearance alone, he gave off the air of deep knowledge in martial arts. What stood out the most was his sharp gaze and the translucent pressure that ca from his eyes. In a different way from Princess Milena, he possessed an aura that made him worthy of standing above others.
Your Highness Eldorand, it has been a while. Orgis stood up, deeply lowering his head towards the man.
Eldorand Oba Galgan. He beca the representative of the current Emperor Benedix, who according to rumors hasnt been feeling well, and is the first prince of the Empire who is taking care of dostic and foreign affairs. Following him was an elderly and quite small woman. She seed to be in the latter stages of her life, and she was walking in a slouched position, leaning forwards, but she used a wand larger than her as support, her face giving off a mild and moderate smile.
She may seem like your average old lady, but she is actually one of the three supre-grade magic users currently existing in the humanfolk, acting as Galgans number one court mage[Great] Beadola. She is one of the individuals whose na will remain in history.
Besides the Emperor, both Eldorand and Beadola are the other two most influential individuals in the Galgan Empire at this point. Seeing those two here, Kyle understood that the Empire was expecting a lot from this eting. There were what looked like chief vassals behind Eldorand, but none of the three mattered at all.
Emissaries from the Kingdom of Zilgus, I welco you. Normally, my father would be eting you for such an important occasion, but he has not been feeling well, which is why I will participate in this discussion in his stead. Eldorand spoke with an indifferent, calm tone.
He made it seem like he was welcoming them, but his expression did not change in the slightest.
Now then, should we start?
Following that, another type of warand diplomatic discussionbegan.
***
First, in regards to the victims and damages of the Empire, I wish to ask in what way Zilgus would offer their apology, and what you can offer us as a token of compensation. Eldorand imdiately jumped into the main topic.
Evidently, he was acting like the entire responsibility of this incident was on Zilgus side.
Apology and compensation, is it? Quite intriguing, as we have reported that this incident was caused by the work of demons and that even we from Zilgus have suffered casualties. Kirlen responded with a resolute tone.
As for the intentions of Zilgus, they wanted to avoid mixing fake information in their report to later receive the bla, and instead explain the situation as it happened, pushing all the bla on the demons, saying that even they suffered casualties.
I cannot hope you believe we would simply stay silent and believe that. If that worked, we could bla everything up to this point on the demons. Adding to that, the involvent of demons, in general, is a questionable tale, and quite frankly hard to believe.
Indeed. It is worth ntioning that demons have not been active inside the humanfolk territory for the past 300 years.
Both Beadola and Eldorand followed up on that comnt. Naturally, it was a fact that demons existed, and they were the common enemy of all of humanfolk, but barely any human being alive had felt any recent threat from the demons. To the average person, demons were nothing but a fairy tale.
To prove this, we have brought a witness with us. He is the one who fought and repelled the demons.
An imdiate entrance, huhKyle thought, stepping forward.
So youre the one who reported it? Eldorands sharp gaze pierced Kyle.
If he was soone with a weak mind and fragile personality, he would have started shaking from just that, but Kyle was perfectly calm.
Yes, my na is Kyle Lenard. As previously stated, there were two demons, one of which we managed to defeat, and the other managed to escape.
More accurately, they let one of them escape, but there was no need to be that honest.
Say whatever you want. You may not be directly related to the royalty of Zilgus, but even if you are a citizen, it does not matter, we cannot believe you. Not without any solid proof of the demons involvent.
Naturally, I expected you to say that. Thus, I have brought proof of defeating one of the demons right here. Kyle took out the sheep horn he cut off Ganias head during their first encounter.
Seeing that, Beadolas faintly closed eyes shot wide open. She most likely picked up the distinct scent of mana different from humanfolk. With a quivering hand, Beadola accepted the horn, closely inspecting it.
Indeed, this truly is a demons horn overflowing with mana. Not to ntion that it hadnt been preserved for ages, but it surely was cut off just recently. It truly is hard to believe, but now that it is in my hands She said with a reluctant tone.
Imdiately after, the Galgan sides individuals went silent. Now that Beadola admitted this to be a demons, the Empire was forced to give more credibility to Zilgus report.
I see, now we understand that demons have been present. However, how can you prove their involvent with the slaughter at our countrys embassy?
Then, think about it this way. Half of all employees in the embassy, as well as the entire flying dragon knight corps, even the second-ranking court mage Aluzard, had been killed almost instantlyWho but a demon could have done such a thing?
Hm
Hearing that, Eldorand could only go silent. Just as Kyle stated, the survivors of that attack have offered testimony that this attack happened with a small group if at all, and that it happened in a very brief mont. As Galgan was confident in its own strength, it would take an enemy of exceptional caliber to pull off sothing like that.
Hm, but that ans you were strong enough to repel those demons?
Yes, that is correct. We are stronger than the demons who defeated the Empires knights and even one of your court mages.
Eldorand threw about this sarcastic comnt, but Kyle declared this without a mont of hesitation. Seeing Kyle like that, Eldorand showed a sowhat astonished expression.
I seethat is quite the confidenceHowever, I understand that the demons hadnt been acting in solitude this ti. For example, the mass abduction incident of the citizens in Callanthe one who gave the order to that was the mayor of Callan, yes? And as of right now, Callan is under the rule of Zilgus, so how do you explain that?
With that question, Orgis stepped forward, as if his turn had arrived.
Regarding that, we have captured the perpetrators who were following the orders, and heard the details. It appears as if Mayor Bucks was forced to assist the demons to a certain degree.
Hearing that, Kirlen was about to push up her hip with a This is different from what weve discussed gaze, but Orgis glared at her and made her sit back down. He possessed imnse pressure he probably gathered over his long years in service.
Isnt that a conclusion you reached out of the convenience for Zilgus? What if that mayor let the demons inside for his own goal?
According to the perpetrators, we cannot judge that. Nor can we believe their testimoniesAfter all, they were forr soldiers for the Empire. Orgis added like it was nothing.
The mont his words passed, tension filled the room.
I dont rember this fact being part of your previous report though? Eldorand glared at Orgis.
Oh my, really? That must have been a mistake on our end. My deepest apologies. Orgis swiftly lowered his head.
Of course, that was all on purpose so they wouldnt have any way of fighting back.
However, we already did the background check so that we wouldnt bother you. Here are the details in that regard. Orgis dropped the nas of the soldiers, their forr squad, and even drawings of their faces.
One of the officials left the room in order to confirm this information, but looking at Orgis attitude, Eldorand had to accept this to be the truth. It was a well-known fact that the Empires army was strict with their principles and training, which contributed to their strength as one part of it, but there were a lot of soldiers who couldnt bear with this and ran away. Naturally, they would receive the death penalty, but it was generally hard to trace them to where they were. These deserters were quite troubleso, as they were often given special orders, holding confidential information.
Personally, we would love to deepen our relationship with the Empire, handing over such dangerous individuals if you were to wish for thatbut for that, we would need to arrive at a common ground here.
In other words, he wouldnt mind letting them run either, but that would require adequate compensation. At the sa ti as Orgis stated such, the Empire faction looked at him with disdain in their eyes. He probably kept quiet about this towards Kirlen in order to make this his own achievent. Said Kirlen sent him a gaze of anger as well, but Orgis face remained calm.
This discussion continued further after that, but they never reached any common ground. The Kingdom of Zilgus continued to plead their innocence, and that their own country was not to be held responsible as the demons were to bla for everything. At the sa ti, the Galgan Empire was trying to press the responsibility on Zilgus, but with the involvent of demons and their own deserters, they couldnt cut past the final line. However, as there were clear victims, in this case, they needed to arrive at so sort of conclusion.
Accusing them of fabricating proof and requesting compensation, or even threatening war was an option, but as these factors ca all too abrupt for the Empire, they didnt have ti to prepare. Around the ti most participants were ready to close up and continue the discussion the following day, the door swung open, and the entire room turned towards the person who entered. It was a young man slovenly wearing royal clothing, unbefitting of the atmosphere in this crucial eting between countries. The mont the Empire faction saw this individual, half of them showed a bitter smile, and the others were already shaking their heads.
Yo, let bother you for a second, Brother. The young man flashed an invincible smile, calling out to Eldorand with a light tone.
Maizar, huh? What do you want?
The invaders na was Maizar Leng Galgan, the third prince of the Empire, and the forr fiance of Princess Milena.
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