Chapter 13

Did you hear? The Empire is on the verge of collapse!" "What nonsense are you spouting Timothy.." "I'm serious dude… you heard about the war in the north right?" "Sure, but the Empire is always fighting wars… over the most insignificant stuff too… last time it was because there was an apple stealer on the loose… "No no no, this time it's different, it is terrifying in fact.. the guardian dragon Alazar perished!" "…!" "mmmh that is quite dire" the peasant nods to himself…

"Well I'll be off.. the wife is cooking a delicious curry tonight!" "Are you even listening dude!?" "Sure I am Timothy.. when you can stop making stuff up and then we can chat seriously." Timothy looks on expressionlessly, he opens his mouth to say something before closing it again. "Then have you at least heard of the recent forest fire..?" The peasant looks at Timothy in surprise.. "Of course I have Timothy, when it's stuff that is actually happening then sure."

A dark look overshadows the peasants face… "In all seriousness that was quite a disaster… whether it was instigated by someone or by some creature nobody knows… however neither of those possibilities are comforting. Luckily we have divine favor… a snow storm abruptly appeared which resolved the crisis.. However, unfortunately we don't have such luck for our ocean voyages" the peasant sighs.

"The empire's warships have attempted to cross the southern ocean countless of times but with those colossal-sized sea creatures roaming about it seems any attempt is futile" the peasant shakes his head. "What lies beyond the ocean can be anyone's guess.. another civilization perhaps? Or maybe just endless ocean…"

Timothy glances around… farmers and peasants pass by as they head to the Imperial City. "What about to the east.... have you heard the rumors?" Timothy whispers to his companion. "Timothy speak up, what rumors do you speak of?" his friend says in a slightly too loud voice.. "…." People glance over curiously… Timothy gazes at his companion speechlessly before sighing.. "I heard that the Kharazal Tribes are showing strange movements.." "Another war perhaps?" his companion ponders. "It doesn't seem like it.. something else… a dark cloud seems to obscure my vision these days.." "Haa when did you become a sage..?" the peasant chuckles… "A sage..? definitely not.. I'm just connecting the dots and using common sense."

His companion looks at Timothy dubiously.. "If you say so.. but in any case, for peasants such as us there's no point in thinking too hard… I'm sure these summoned ones I recently heard about can figure things out.. right?" Timothy gazes solemnly at his companion before glancing up at the sky.. "To put our trust in outsiders.. even I know that… is a foolish choice.." Timothy mutters to himself.

End of Volume I.