It is early morning in Washington D.C now. People were flowing into the White House for work as per usual. John Stuart, Secretary of State was meeting with the President while also meeting with the Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff. The two sat on two separate couches opposite of each other in the Oval office while the president sat at his desk.

"So, it ended like that then?" He let out a soft sigh with a hint of relief. However, he knew that the situation at hand is not over.

"Yes Mr. President, the carrier strike group was able to safely pull out from the Tillerian port. We lost no men in the altercations."

"That is very good to hear. However, what are the casualties on the Tillerian side?"

"We know that around 20 or so men were shot at the harbor after forcefully attempting to board our destroyer. In addition to those deaths at the harbor, we estimate that a couple hundred sailors on the Tillerian side were killed or injured. Some ten galleons came out to meet us in naval combat Mr. President."

"It is still unbelievable that countries in this world still use such antiquated technology."

"It is a very good thing Mr. President, at least militarily wise."

"You have a fine point there." The President slumped back on his chair while looking up towards the ceiling.

"Will all of our encounters be like this I wonder?" He said out loud.

"Mr. President, I have a proposal to how we should respond. Although it would require your approval." John was the head of state, effectively controlling all foreign policy matters. However, the president has the last say in things.

"I recommend we do nothing Mr. President"

"Nothing?"

"Yes. Getting into an altercation with a country the size of the Tillerian empire will only spell disaster for us. Just think about after the war. Loss of stability and leadership could lead to region instability for years if we do not handle this properly. Furthermore, getting involved in the complex politics in the country will be quite bewildering for us. Especially since they are operating on a feudal system. We have to remember that we are dealing with a territory the size of China."

"Surely we must do something. Chairperson, is there no measured response in this scenario?"

"We believe that the measured response was sinking ten galleons and effectively blocking their main port. Any more will just be unnecessary without fully knowing what the other side intends to do. There are too many unknowns now Mr. President. We could attack they're military instillations, however there is unsettling intelligence that me and John were briefed in recently."

"That is true."

The President was briefed before hand on unsettling civil conflict arising after the US fleet left the Tillerian empire. It seems that the Tillerian empire experiencing instability in the region. The recent US naval battle only hastened the instability. Prominent kings and dukes were becoming powerful in the Tillerian empire, threatening the balance of power in relation to the Imperial family.

"If we conduct any military action, it could actually make the region much more dangerous according to our intelligence right now. Furthermore, the Tillerian empire has swallowed many independent kings in past times. We could only complicate the situation if we launch attacks without full context."

"So the Tillerian empire is like the US in the sense that they have different states, its just that each state is ruled by a king and further managed by lower ranks correct?"

"Yes, but unlike the US, civil war is much more likely to break out if instability is brought about. For now, I recommend just observing the situation. They're ships are antiquated and old, so it will be easy to spot a potential invasion."

"True. Fine, I will take up your advice and do nothing then. Now then, has there been any break outs of disease in the Kingdom of Astra?"

"Right now, there is so far no reported cases of disease due to American presence in the kingdom. As the people in the kingdom manage farm animals, they have a much more developed immune system than expected."

"Can we move forward then with increasing our diplomatic net in the "human realm" as they call it?"

"We are preparing to send out diplomatic missions to set up in some surrounding countries of the Borthern Sea. This includes the Onleng empire as well. With your permission of course."

"Yes, do so as soon as possible. Now then. I read in the intelligence briefing that four refugees were found on one of our destroyers?"

"Yes Mr. President."

"Aside from how they got on, they ultimately answered the question whether or not these errr "demi-humans" existed correct?"

"Yes, they are a completely different species from what we could call homo-sapiens. Many people around the Borthern sea refer them as demi-humans."

"John, could you do something for me and label them as something else please? Demi-human sounds a bit too.... how would you say... inappropriate?"

"What about semi-humans then? Not too different, and it doesn't imply a necessary evil with them."

"That's good! Semi-humans then. Now, you said they arrived at the US embassy?"

***

The four entered the imposing compound known as the US embassy in the dense capital of the Kingdom of Astra. High fencing and guards were visible around the US embassy. The US flag could be seen flying in front of the embassy where not many people were seen leaving. The embassy occupied a large area of land so that it could essentially operate on its own.

Soon, the four were brought to a room where they waited to be processed. There are only four ways to immigrate into the US. Work visa, family, visa lottery, or seeking asylum. The visa lottery has not even been implemented in this world, so that is not possible. So, either be a talented worker, get married to a US citizen, or be in a desperate situation.

The four were waiting in a room with tables and chairs as they waited for US personnel to come and call them.

"Ria... are we being sold again?" The little sister was scared, but not as much as the first time. Ria shook her head. "No no, we are seeking protection Amelia. They are going to be asking us some questions, so just answer them."

"Alright Ria..."

"Honestly, we don't even know what this "America" even is. Could be a place that treats us even worse than the others.... Delna, you know anything?"

She shook her head. "I am not knowledgeable of this place they call "America", but I can at least guess that they don't use Mana very often."

"Oh right, you can sense Mana. But is there really not that many Mana users here?"

"I could sense that some Astra officials had some Mana blood, however all the people in this building don't have any trace of Mana on them. Furthermore..... I can't sense any Mana in this building at all...."

"What!? Then they must be a weak human nation then!"

The elf had to sigh for a moment before continuing. Unlike the younger wolf girl at around the age of 17 or 18, the elf is err..... quite old. "Have you not seen the lights and felt the cool air coming into this room? Of all the contraptions and artifacts I have seen in my lifetime, this building alone has more interesting elements that beats a lifetimes worth of studying and observation. Although I don't sense mana, like other human settlements, they must also utilize other types of contraptions to make themselves more powerful."

"Fine, I'll believe your explanation for now...." She sighed in defeat.

Soon, footsteps could be heard outside the door and a woman opened the door. Along with her is a translator. Although he looked quite aged, he was only around 60 years old which is quite remarkable for a person living in these times.

The woman introduced herself as Judie and would be taking their case in seeking asylum in the US. First, asylum seekers would need to fill out a form and more importantly indicate that they are indeed people who need to seek asylum. She explained that beside the two sisters, she would take the other two individually in her office.

The woman discussed the race meaning with the translator. She nodded. "So wolf people then."

She proceeded to ask basic questions. Where she is from. And why she essentially could not return to their country.

"My place of birth has been ravaged by the flames of skirmishes and conflict. Our village or settlement was raided and destroyed. Me and some others ran away, however I was the only survivor of that days raid. Furthermore, one I headed further east, I was captured by some human merchants and eventually made it to the Tillerian empire."

"Are your species persecuted by most nations in the human realm?"

"I am certain that those bastards are going to try take me back. Not everyday you can capture a wolf girl after all."

The first interview ended and the second one was with Delna, the elf.

"Yes, you could say I am a war refugee in this case. My home village was attacked by another elven people from the southern region. I do not know the exact cause, but skirmishes or war was probably the reason. Our village was thriving off our trade in Mana stone craft and Mana wielders, but that didn't stop our own kind from shipping us all away to the human realm for war material.

That is how I found myself in the Tillerian empire. And that is why, even if I go back to my home, I will without a doubt be killed."

The final interview conducted was on the two sisters. Ria and Amelia.

"Your human correct?"

Ria paused for a moment. She hesitated enough to catch the attention of the woman questioning them. "Your not human?"

Silence. Ria was too scared to talk. She hesitated.

"You must answer truthfully. If its found that you purposefully lied or fabricated information in your applications, your application will be rejected or you could face prison time."

Ria nodded. "Our people are often called blood suckers by the humans up north in the Malacan Empire."

"Blood suckers? Are you vampires?"

"I don't know what this vampire is, but our people must regularly hunt and consume the blood of anything with mana in it. Without it, our lifespans significantly decrease and we are physically weaker."

The woman paused, but decided prudent to continue. "Is there a reasonable fear that you will be persecuted if you were to return to your country?"

"Yes. We were lucky to be sold as slaves. Especially in the Tillerian empire. At least there was good rumors that we wouldn't be tortured there. But when my sister was being harassed by some of the men at the camp, I decided that I needed to leave."

The interviewing session ended there.

***

The interviewer put down four files on the four refugees in front of the US's lead ambassador to the Astra Kingdom. He picked them up and looked at the applications with pictures attached by paper clip on the top left corner of each one. "So all four are applying for a refugee status then?"

"Yes, I just need you to do the referral process so that the department of Homeland security can start their security check. Right now, we need your referral specifically."

He looked through the four applications briefly.

Normally, refugees never get this type of attention if it was back on Earth. The simple reason being that there were simply too many refugees. Only high profile individuals or well known individuals could do this before. However, since the flow of refugees into the US has stopped completely, the four have a significantly better chance at obtaining a refugee status. However, the ambassador must first refer the four to Homeland security to do a security check on them to classify them as refugees.

"Alright, call up the refugee admissions program. I want an USCIS agent here as soon as possible."

"I believe that there is already a USCIS agent present already."

"Perfect! Get him my referral and start the process."

And so the gears of bureaucracy start turning once more.