I stepped off of the Queen Rora and onto a paved street below. Surprisingly, the docks weren’t wooden like those of the Azure Kingdom, but rather were made of concrete and lined with steel guard rails.

“Well… it’s certainly much different from what I’d imagined.” Hazeel spoke softly as we walked into the city side by side. Surprisingly, getting into the continent wasn’t difficult at all. The ascension of Bella to Azure Queen had been internationally popular news, so when the guards at the port town of Aogawa heard that we were the first travellers from the continent, we were welcomed with open arms.

The city’s streets looked to be paved with a scarlet red metal that shone brilliantly in the sunlight. The buildings had stone shingles, and the houses were short in stature. This made the only tall building in the area pop out even more, a tower-like construct that was made from the same material as the streets.

“That seems like a good place to start.” Hazeel pointed to the tower and fanned at her face. “That seems like the most important place in town. Might as well see what we can get out of it. Gods it’s so hot.”

The wood elf undid the buckle on her breastplate, drawing the eyes of several nearby sailors. I rolled my eyes and started walking into the town, the wood elf hot on my heels. “Leo, wait! I need to put my armor back on!”

I sighed, stopping at the port entrance. The clamor of the crowd and ambient noise from some sort of stringed instrument were a far departure from the Azure Kingdom, and while waiting for Hazeel, I took another look around. Several people were staring at us, and a quick look around revealed the reason why.

“There’s no humans here?” I breathed out the question. Hazeel looked around as well and shrugged.

“What do you know, it seems to be that way, doesn’t it?” She smiled and stretched her arms to the sky. “Ah, so refreshing! To be persecuted by humans for so long, and not even have any in sight!” A few kind smiles were directed her way, but unfortunately I had to put an end to her celebration.

“Oh yeah? Then how do you explain that?” The music grew louder as a large procession worked its way down the crowded streets of the Aogawa market. Several people scurried to the sides of the road as a litter held aloft by several large human men came towards the docks.

“Stop the kago at the entrance!” A man’s voice yelled, and the servants obliged, coming to a stop in front of Hazeel and I, and setting the vehicle down in front of us.

Looking closer at the servants, they were all dressed in a shining scarlet fabric, similar to the metal in the town. Their intricate robes flowed with grace despite touching the ground as they knelt, and when they turned towards the litter, they looked as regal and dignified as Conrad himself.

“Attention all!” The voice from before resounded through the busy street, and a man stepped out from the back of the procession. “Introducing his highness, first in line to succeed the Empire, Lu Minami!” The curtain obscuring the interior of the kago moved, revealing a gorgeous human man sitting on an ivory cushion. On either one of his arms was a beautiful woman, and they sighed wistfully as he stood up and walked out of his litter.

The man’s almond shaped eyes opened, revealing a set of startlingly blue irises. He had long, black hair that was tied into a long ponytail that ran down the length of his back. His clothes had two pieces to them, an overcoat made of the scarlet fabric, and a white robe underneath. He smirked as he stopped in front of Hazeel and I.

“I see you fancy my hakama. Should I have the tailors make you one of your own?” It took a second before I realized he was talking to me, and I shook my head.

“No, I was just wondering if it was made out of a similar material to everything in the streets here, or even that tower.” He stared at me for a moment, and then started laughing.

“How dare you!” One of the women from the kago yelled, and in response Lu Minami snapped his fingers. It was a clear and violent sound, instantly causing the woman to fall over onto the ivory pillow, unconscious.

“What did I say about respecting imperial guests?” Lu Minami shook his head and pointed to his hakama. “Good eye,” he said, brushing over what had just happened, “It’s a malleable alloy native to the gold continent called, ‘Akalite.’ It’s popular with those of imperial lineage for its high durability. Its been called mobile armor by ancient warriors.”

“Thanks for the history lesson!” Hazeel beamed at him, and Lu Minami cocked his head.

“You’re even more beautiful than she said you were…” he muttered under his breath. Eyeing her up and down, he took a breath and asked, “If you don’t mind me asking, what’s the relationship between the two of you? If it’s nothing significant, I’d like to extend to you the offer of being my concubine.”

Hazeel puffed out her chest and smiled. “Master and slave, of course!”

The heir apparent nodded his head as if that were perfectly natural and said, “I see, then my offer extends to your slave as well.”

Hazeel’s eyes blinked as she stated, “Ah, you misunderstood. I’m his slave.” She pointed to the ring of glyphs around her neck that was the direct result of the slave contract she had performed.

Lu Minami took note of the fact that Hazeel was a head taller than me and sighed. “I guess there are those with that kind of taste as well. My condolences boy.” Despite Hazeel coming to her own defense beside me, he put his hand on my shoulder and I nodded solemnly in agreement.

I shook with a start, realizing how unnatural this all was. Had I been swept up into his pace because I was tired, or did he have an ability to deceive and muddle the thoughts of others? “Thanks for the information, Mr. Minami, but may I know how you know us well enough to offer something so valuable? I’m not so dumb as to think that this was all a coincidence.”

His smirk returned and he pointed to the red tower. “Why don’t you come find out, Leon? I’ll be waiting for you in Scarlet Castle. I’m sure it’ll be worth your while.” Lu Minami walked back into his kago and waved me off as he was taken back in the direction of his castle.

“Well, that was awkward.” Hazeel straightened up, staring at the back of the retreating kago. “So what do you say Leo? Do we head over and find out what’s up from the man himself, or do our own digging?”

I looked at the tower and sighed. “Let’s go hear it from Lu Minami. He’s our only lead after all. Besides,” I started walking in the direction that the kago had went, and Hazeel followed closely behind, “I have my memories back, and a grasp on my powers again. If shit hits the fan, I know I could protect you.