VIIIth Century year 63, Fianary of Norman. Day 12; Capital of the Florenz Kingdom.

A diplomat, for better or worse, has as his main function to accurately convey and achieve the interests of his nation. Put another way, a diplomat requires the resourcefulness to deliver the clear intentions as stated by his superiors, unaltered. When a high-ranking officer like Truz undertakes a mission abroad, it is something different. The autonomy before him is total.

Officer Truz von Hering was in the uncomfortable position of realizing that he had not fully understood this until now. In front of Ashkan, everything seemed confusing.

No matter what he thought, he was in the position to do as he saw fit, in some convenient way, he was also given the autonomy to speak with the tone of voice that will bring the best benefits. However the words he needed to say, were what the republic wanted him to say.

The job could hardly be summed up as just talking. It was a board game that began by touching foreign soil, and each piece lost the more bitter his mouth became.

Ashkan looked at him without saying a single word, it was as if he could see before him, his intentions, desires and ambitions, and this caused a feeling that nothing he said was going to be of any benefit to himself or the republic, that is, everything was going to be of greater benefit to him, Ashkan. This feeling caused a level of discomfort for Truz that he had never felt in any situation before.

Truz then decided to take the initiative, what he was about to say was indeed bold and possessed much determination.

So he spoke with his voice a little shaky.

"Be a protectorate of the Republic!"

To say it like that, directly and try to achieve this is in a way an attitude of not showing weakness, not making enmity, bizarrely.

"Oh? That is the intention of the Republic"

"At first, yes..."

If he had a mirror, he probably would have seen an arrogant imperial official in it. Truz understood that this did not really threaten him, the republic would not mind opening a war with a Kingdom that is on the verge of being destroyed, but not before knowing that there are two unknown beings with unknown power in front of them. It would be a foolish thing to do. That's why he forced his muscles rigid in an expression that approached overconfidence. Which in fact also did not impress Ashkan....

"D-due to... The great territorialist ambitions of the Empire, the republic has initiated Operation Black Needle, based on a policy of freedom, we are using gunpowder, magic and everything we have in reach to suppress the imperial forces..."

"In response to the Federation Army's nonsense about repelling us with force, the home country has invoked Operation Iron Hammer. Based on an existing policy, we are currently refusing imperialist ideas with gunpowder, magic, and anything else we can use against them."

"That's a rather militaristic way of putting it."

Ashkan seemed to have second-hand experience, no matter how Truz tried to play it. It was somewhat natural that he would be ridiculed by an astute person.

"Who recommended you come here?"

"...Anderson a high ranking military officer, he mentioned that there was something strange going on around here."

Truz, that arrogant person with a gigantic ego looked more like a child trying to make the countries look good.

"I hope you understand me. And I would appreciate it if you could ignore that."

Truz had already accepted that his role was that of a clown.

"Do you know the first thing to do about negotiation?"

"...of course"

From the moment they met, it was implied that Ashkan was somehow at an advantage, with the former seeking a deal in his favor and the latter saying, I beg you, help me.

"I was worried that you had forgotten. I hope there is a role for the Republic in financial and industrial aid to play here in Florenz. Very well. For now, we can review the terms of the aid Republic later. I have a few things to do first."

"No room for maneuver? Really? If you could cede us some ground at this point. We could settle things with the Republic almost immediately."

Ashkan had succeeded, the final blow to Truz. But Truz could not give in so easily.

"I am slightly impressed that you have spoken with such courtesy, but even so, I must decline. I hope you will be able to understand me."

"I hope you can understand the good intentions of your ally..."

"I hope you will simply not try to take advantage of us..."

"Yes, of course. Excuse me..." Truz nodded respectfully, but unlike that attitude, he knew that giving in to this was irrational.

How only two beings could end a war that had lasted more than years.

And it would only be a matter of time before it became obvious that he was doing this because he was being told he had to.

And it would only be a matter of time before it became obvious that he was acting like this because he was being sympathetic to Ashkan in some way.

Let's face it, it was hard for Truz to create a logical line of reasoning for what he was accepting.

"With that's it, we can discuss it further."

It was clear to Truz that Ashkan was about to say: there's no way. It wasn't just the dilemma of securing total spares in a negotiation, but the fact that just because one person could sleep peacefully in ideal conditions didn't mean their neighbour could too. For Truz his entire career was going down the drain with this negotiation.

"Wait!!! I'll set up a diplomatic office here, in case you're not against it."

...But public opinion in the Republic thought differently. The public felt that security was the ultimate. Anything less, and the public in the Republic would not accept it. But to go so far as to establish a diplomatic office with a nation of such low protocol?

"You understand the motives behind this request, correct?"

"You think something will change by spending. Is that actually a realistic thing to do? I just agree, and you act without long-term reasoning?"

Truz had understood, but he wasn't going to take a step back, it was like a test.

What the Republic needed was a final structure for peace. That was why Truz had to stubbornly and uncompromisingly maintain the position that they would invest anything to achieve this, and if Anderson deposited a spark of his hope here, having that man as a genius among millions why should I, who am also considered a genius among millions not deposit it? If the Republic manages to win my self-interest too.

So Ashkan agreed and they both respectfully parted.

As Truz retreated about the palace accompanied by his butler and a maid from the Kingdom of Florenz to his dormitory. He pondered what impression his image would make when he returned.

"A military alliance with a nearly decaying Kingdom in exchange for financial and industrial aid. Hahahaha, now yes, my image will go down the drain. And to top it off, I agreed to set up a diplomatic office here..."

However, Truz somehow felt that his decision was not wrong, and that good seas were coming over this war.

"What do you think of him Quebelle?"

Quebelle who was silent just following the whole meeting, spoke what she felt about him and her statement was equal to Ashkan's. "Truz will be useful in the future..."

VIIIth Century year 63, Fianary of Norman. Day 14; Capital of the Florenz Kingdom.

After Truz left all reports in days, the initial demands of Florenz was the construction of two railways, southern axis and eastern axis. One connection to facilitate the flow of manufactured goods and food productions to the interior of Florenz, and the other for a better dynamic of the regions less affected by the invasion of the Kingdom of Austrelia.

There was also a loan of gold coins and the transfer of soldiers and mages to equip the military forces of the Kingdom of Florenz, however Florenz will not be a protectorate of the Republic, nor will it have any obligation other than to request military aid. Indeed, it seemed that Truz was some in the service of Florenz and not the Republic to achieve such an agreement.

But he was in a way glad, he could see who Ashkan was and he had never felt so silly in front of someone, this did not cause a grudge, which was usually common when he felt belittled or with his ego bruised but rather the opposite a certain admiration to Ashkan arose in Truz.

...

Ashkan had set off with Quebelle and Alice on horseback towards the western mountains. There was something urgent Ashkan needed to do, so there was nothing else for Truz to do. Everything was previously organised, so early in the morning after lunch he left, setting off for the Republic, he remained very calm and his butler did not dare disturb his thoughts...

VIIIth Century year 63, Fianary of Norman. Day 14; Trumberg Forest of the Florenz Kingdom.

Almost three hours had passed since they had been riding through the forest. Alice already showed a certain exhaustion. So Ashkan decided to give him a proper rest and make camp in the middle of the forest.

"Your majesty if I may, what are we doing here?"

"I am in search of my Legacy..."

"Legacy?"

"Legacy is an ancient weapon Alice, which is here, guarded..."

Quebelle answered Alice, however she didn't quite understand, by then Alice knew that Ashkan was not the same Ashkan however she didn't know who was this person who was trying to impersonate Ashkan. But this Ashkan, caused her security and comfort so it was all good for her, but who was this Quebelle? She only felt that they were both quite close, so would offending her also offend her majesty?

"I believe so..."

Unwillingly Alice let her thoughts be spoken aloud, however only a slight smile came off Ashkan and Quebelle.

"Why does your majesty treat me so well?"

Alice's innocence was indeed impressive, and her question did not have a need for an answer, not now. But still she did.

"You remind me of someone very important to me..."

Quebelle lowered her head and the mood began to get melancholy, so that even Alice felt it and stopped her questioning, for now she was satisfied.

"It could be worse, I could remember someone he hates and is just savouring an imaginary revenge"

Alice chafed her head, trying to remove these thoughts from her mind.

"It is already late I believe we should sleep Alice"

"But your majest-"

Ashkan touched her forehead and promptly Alice fell into a deep sleep.

Lightly Ashkan placed her on the floor, covering her body with sheets and created a barrier around her to protect her.

"Come on Quebelle..."

Quebelle nodded in agreement and they both form towards the dark valley.

"Your majesty getting Maikahel back is indeed a priority at this time?"

"You still don't sympathize with him Quebelle?"

Quebelle showed shame in her main reason for Disagreement in getting Mikahel back was just jealousy. Her cheeks reddened and her eyes closed a little.

"Hmpf..."

"Hahaha, Maikahel will love to meet you again"

They both walked in a straight line within the forest, until they had finally found an ancient tomb, protected by a very strong barrier.

Ashkan could sense Maikahel's miasma which was the same one they both possessed so sooner or later they would meet and come together again.

"So the barrier is still intact, no one has even come this far..."

"Liatus Imertius..."

Ashkan uttered those words and the barrier slightly began to give way just like water spilling overflowing into a glass.

A black miasma came out of that tomb gate, the miasma resembled that of Ashkan and Quebelle, so they didn't seem to cause any harm to them.

"Argh, apparently Maikahel still likes those ghostly environments..."

"It's been so long and he's still the same as before.... I can't wait to see him again hahahaha"

While Quebelle clearly admitted that she was not happy to see Maikahel, Ashkan was totally the opposite.

The corridor seemed to have no end, but that didn't shock any of them, after all it was just a straight corridor, just go straight ahead and one moment you would find something.

Besides they knew Maikahel didn't like "dirty tricks" as a trap, so probably this long corridor with low visibility was only to discourage someone, after all anyone who tried to enter without knowing the ancient runic language would already be eliminated under those circumstances.

"How long have we been here Quebelle?"

"I count we've been walking for over two hours..."

"I believe that soon the sleep magic in Alice will run out..."

"...does she really resemble your daughter your majesty?..."

Ashkan didn't answer in words but his expression showed that she did.

...