Chapter 51 – A Diplomatic Visit

TWELVE HOURS HAD ALREADY PASSED since the group arrived at the safe zone. Brunnhilde overdid herself, managing to complete the runic circle in just half a day.

The runic circle was composed of three concentric circles with runic symbols inside them. It was a powerful Summer Magic, usually created by four to six magic users to heal fatal wounds and cure diseases, which she learned from her mentor.

“She's one powerful mage,” Mirana was bewildered by Brunnhilde's feat.

“And that's why we don't mess with the royal family of Drasgard,” Siegfried added. “They’re magical prowess is just…way far ahead from ordinary people.”

“Remind me not to mess with her,” said Raijin.

“No wonder her father sealed her mana,” said Riku in awe. “Just imagine the things she could do without the seal that prohibits her from using her own mana.”

The outer and middle circles just finished glowing. The runes written on the ground were levitating on the circles, glowing brightly as blue as the sky. The innermost circle was now starting to glow. There were four runes written on it. One by one, the runes started to float as the inner circle completely glow.

A beam of light shoots upward creating a dome of summery sky that covered the entire safe zone.

Brunnhilde fell to her knees, her nose bleeding. Siegfried quickly ran towards her and assisted her. “You did well, Princess Brunnhilde.”

“Yeah, yeah,” said Brunnhilde as she tried to stand up and wiped the blood coming out from her nose. She got so weak after creating the runic circle for hours without eating or drinking. “Tell Daisuke to go to the center of the circle. That's when...the magic will...activa…” Brunnhilde fainted before finishing her sentence.

Siegfried carried her back to the group and slowly laid her on the grass.

“Daisuke! You're up! Just go to the center and the runic circle will do the rest!”

Daisuke nodded. He hoped that he could thank Brunnhilde first, but he figured that it could wait. After all, once he got healed, he would owe Brunnhilde big time.

He went towards the runic circle.

Once he was inside the outer circle, eight bluish floating runes surrounded him. He gazed at Siegfried, gesturing for what he should do. Siegfried simply gestured that he just keeps on walking toward the center.

Daisuke continued to the middle circle where six more floating runes surrounded him. And as he set his foot on the innermost circle, the last four floating runes gravitated towards him.

At the center of the runic circle was the golden spot where the ray of light that created the summery dome erupted. Daisuke stood at the center and everything he saw after that was a blinding white light.

* * * * *

A few hours earlier, Robin and Raghnall just finished preparing for the arrival of Princess Cattleya.

“I think we’re all set,” said Raghnall who finished preparing the meeting room.

“Should we really bring the princess here, Robin? We're risking the safety of our people if we bring them here,” asked Fergal (codename: Toucan).

“Yes. We will have a diplomatic meeting with the princess. She hopes to end this conflict between us and the kingdom. The least we could do is to bring her here.”

“There are literally dozens of safe zones inside Shiromori. It makes more sense to have the meeting there instead of here.”

“I think Fergal is right. What if they come back here with an army? If they want this conflict to end, then they should just stop attacking us! They are the ones who keep on bothering us in the first place and keep on hunting us like some wild game!” Parrin (codename: Pecker) complained furiously.

“I know you all have concerns, but the princess is someone we could trust. Besides, we are not going to take just everyone. Only five people, she and four more people we trust will enter the village. We should make them feel that they are welcome and that we are willing to stop this conflict. Only then we could truly live in peace.”

“Fine. So what do we do now?” asked Fergal.

“We gather thirty men strong. We only take the princess, her aide, and the three knights.”

“I’ll gather our men,” Raghnall volunteered.

“How can we ensure that no others will follow us back here?”

Robin told the three about the plan from taking the delegates until they return to where the delegates came from.

* * * * *

Princess Cattleya was escorted by four Royal Knights and at least a hundred infantry soldiers, fifty archers, and twenty cavalries. She argued with his father that it was too much, but his father insisted that it was just the bare minimum.

Soon, they entered the forest. The soldiers became alert for any wild beasts, insects, and Rogue Archers that could appear out of nowhere.

“We’re here,” the princess went out of the royal carriage.

“Princess Cattleya, why specifically here?” asked Thoras as he followed her.

“This is far enough. No need to go any deeper inside the forest. There should be Rogue Archers nearby already, waiting for any noble or royal carriage.”

True to her words, Rogue Archers appeared in front of them that came down from the blancipresses. The archers are wearing a hooded cloaks and wooden masks.

“People of Shiropolis! I have come here in the name of King Daffodil of the Emergent Kingdom for an official diplomatic visit.”

Robin gazed at the soldiers behind. “I am Sparrow, leader of the Rogue Archers and a citizen of Shiropolis. That’s a lot of soldiers for a diplomatic visit, don’t you think, princess? It seems you have enough forces to siege a village.”

“How dare you speak to the royal princess like that?!” Rourke angrily said as he tried to unsheathe his sacred weapon.

Thoras grabbed him before he could completely unsheathe his sword, the Cleaver. “That’s enough, Rourke.”

“My apologies,” said the princess. “My father just wanted me safe from the threats of the forest floor.”

“If you don’t mind, we would like to invite you to discuss a bilateral ceasefire,” said Lancea. “Perhaps, you and your associates could come with us back to the kingdom.”

“We will never step inside your kingdom!” Fergal shouted.

Robin gestured for him to stop. “If you want to discuss this ceasefire, then the princess, her aide, and only three knights could come with us. The princess may choose the knights that may come,” she offered, already knowing whom she will take.

“Princess, this could be a trap!” warned Rourke. “We should just go back! This diplomatic visit is a waste of our time!”

“No, Sir Rourke. We are the ones who came for a diplomatic visit. It is only fair that we listen to their demands.” the princess faced the masked Robin. “I’ll take Sir Thoras, Sir Lancea, and Sir Drancei with us.”

“Princess, do I really have to go as well?” asked Kiana. “I really don’t mind staying here.”

“You’re coming as well. And the rest of you, start a camp here. Sir Rourke, you’ll be in charge. Once the diplomatic meeting is over, this is where we will return.”

Rourke and other soldiers tried to protest, but the princess stood her ground and made it her order for the rest to stay.

Using their specialized tool to maneuver the giant trees of Shiromori, more of the Rogue Archers came and took the five delegates of the Emergent Kingdom back to Shiropolis.

To avoid being followed, the group took different paths going back to Shiropolis. Each delegate was accompanied by two archers, while the remaining archers scattered all over the area to patrol the forest.

* * * * *

After a few minutes, the group reached Shiropolis.

“You have got to be kidding me! How can such a place exist?” asked Drancei in awe.

“So this is why the soldiers could never find the people of Shiromori,” said Lancea in awe.

The kingdom’s delegates were amazed. They never knew that a village could exist on top of the forest. Even Kiana who was so afraid earlier seems to forget that they were in the territory of the Rogue Archers whom she fears.

Nonetheless, the people of Shiropolis welcomed the princess and the knights warmly.

“This is our meeting room. Please, come inside.” Robin invited.

Inside the meeting room, freshly brewed tea and fruits were waiting for them.

“Sparrow, since we will be having a meeting, would you be so kind and reveal your face to us?” asked Thoras.

“Fair enough,” said Robin as she began removing her mask.

“But Sparrow…” Parrin tried to stop Robin from revealing her identity, but Raghnall stopped him.

Everyone was looking sternly at Robin. She took off her hood, followed by her mask. As she did, the delegates were stunned.

“Long time no see,” said Robin with a wide smile.

“Ro...Robin?!” said Thoras in disbelief.

“Is that…r-really...?” Lancea stuttered as she started to cry.

“Oh, my gods…” Drancei was speechless, putting his hands over his mouth.

Thoras went to Robin and gave her a big hug. Lancea and Drancei followed.

Princess Cattleya couldn’t help but tear up as well with the knights’ reunion.

The princess chose Lancea and Drancei as the knights to join her because she knew that they were friends with Robin and Thoras for he once served as Robin’s benefactor and mentor.

“But how?” asked Thoras. “We thought you were dead!”

“Yeah, I actually planned all that, Sir Thoras,” Robin revealed. “After learning what has been happening to the people of Shiropolis, I decided that I could simply not leave these people on their own. Most of the people from the slum are helpless. And I did not know whom to trust.”

“Robin, you should have told me! I could have...Oh, Robin,” Thoras hugged her student again. “I’m so glad you are alive and well.”

“I…I don’t know what to say,” said Drancei who was still shocked after learning that his long-time friend was still alive.

“We can catch up later, Sir Thoras. Let’s hear first what the princess has to say.”

* * * * *

The Emergent Kingdom delegates and the Rogue Archers sat down.

Robin and Cattleya were on the opposite ends of the table. The Rogue Archers, except Robin, were still wearing their mask and hood to hide their identity.

“Very well, let’s hear the Emergent Kingdom’s side first.” Robin offered.

Princess Cattleya started. “For years, nobles, royal carriages, and caravans containing goods that pass through here in Shiromori are frequently ambushed by the Rogue Archers. We ask that these raids come to a halt.”

“But that's—”

“Silence, Toucan!” said Raghnall. “We only speak if we are asked.”

“My apologies, Albatross,” said Fergal as he lowered his head.

“Princess, those attacks are retaliatory. It is your kingdom's soldiers, probably the ones under Prince Rafflesia, who kept on attacking the people of Shiropolis and keeps on trying to hunt them down.”

“Robin, if no one knows how to get here, then how soldiers could still hunt these people?” Drancei asked. “There shouldn’t be any abductions if those soldiers can’t come here. There are reports that the kingdom's soldiers are being ambushed by archers.”

“Those who leave the kingdom have known just how dangerous this place is but still take the gamble just to leave the kingdom. However, they do not know where to go. That's when the soldiers of the kingdom make their move. The skirmishes happen when we are too late, the soldiers already have them, and we try to save the people.”

“Do you have any evidence that our soldiers come here to hunt people?”

Robin paused for a moment. “Unfortunately, we do not have. But I can assure you all that it is Prince Rafflesia who has been ordering your soldiers without the king’s permission.”

“How about evidence that the first prince is the one responsible for the attacks?”

“I fought Prince Rafflesia once when he tried to personally lead the hunt of the defectors. I managed to hit him with my arrow. Should have left a scar on his right arm and left leg.”

“The First Prince stated that the wounds were from the time they were ambushed,” said Thoras. “It doesn’t prove that they were hunting defectors.”

“It is a serious allegation. To say that the First Prince is ordering the hunting of people without the knowledge of the king. It is a crime to misuse the kingdom’s resources,” said the princess.

“The Rogue Archers attack noble-owned carriages to hinder their finances. And as long as the kingdom’s soldiers are entering the forest to hunt us, we will not stop ambushing them and we will continue to steal from the nobles,” Robin declared.

“What do you think we should do, Sir Thoras?” asked the princess.

“We should commence an investigation of our own regarding this matter. Check whether there are mission orders for Shiromori, and find out where the people are being taken. And if only we could provide concrete evidence.”

“Doesn't U.A. have those small orbs that could record events that can be viewed for later? Maybe we can borrow those from them,” suggested Lancea.

Drancei snapped his finger. “There is a U.A. Navy in our harbor right now. Maybe we could ask them for one.”

“For now, could we ask that the Rogue Archers leave our nobles and royal carriages alone at the very least? Especially when hundreds of delegates are coming from different nations for this year’s Zentolian Accords Auction.” asked the princess. “In exchange, we can make a temporary order to stop the soldiers from entering the forest without any mission order for diplomatic affairs.”

Thoras looked at the princess, wondering if that could actually be pulled off.

Robin looked at Raghnall who simply nodded.

“We can agree to that. I can ask my men to stop attacking and stealing from the nobles and royal carriages. In return, we do not want any Emergent soldiers to be inside Shiromori,” said Robin.

“To be honest, I'm not sure if that can be done,” Thoras scratched his chin. “Shiromori is a neutral ground after all. Anyone can enter the forest, including other soldiers from other kingdoms.”

“I’ll try to ask for that one to the king and inform the knights of Emergent Table, ministers, and the princes,” the princess assured. “That way, we could monitor the movement of our soldiers. We will come back here the day after tomorrow so that we could at least sign an agreement for this one.”

The meeting continued as they talk more about the things Robin learned inside the kingdom—the hunting, the unjustified arrests, the missing Sandersonians, and the possibility that nobles, ministers, and even knights were behind those events.

“Robin, you keep on telling us that people are being taken, yet you are not telling us where,” said Thoras.

Robin paused for a second and took a deep breath. She has been keeping the true reason she left, but she must tell it in order to stop the skirmishes once and for all. “Below the castle, there is a secret mine. That is where the people are being taken.”

Cattleya was astonished. “A-Are you sure it was a mining ground?”

“They were excavating some kind of black ores. If only I was strong enough, I would have saved them. But I wasn’t sure whom to trust. Not even the royal family.”

“You think that anyone could be behind the secret mining operation, including me and the princess, even the king and the queen themselves,” Thoras guessed.

“Unfortunately, yes. It was beneath the castle after all,” Robin said as she looked at the princess. “And I heard people talking, about a prince and a minister who were behind all of it, nobles funding the operation, royal knights keeping the tight security, and that the ores are the secret of the royal family.”

Thoras sighed. “Whatever's happening, I assure you, Robin. We will get to the bottom of it all.”

“Sootinite Ores. I believe that’s what they’re after,” said Cattleya, much to everyone’s confusion.

“A sooty-what?” asked Drancei.

“Sootinites. Indeed, I am aware of the ores, but I didn’t know that they are being mined. Our grandmother knew about it, who told my parents, who told me,” Cattleya explained. “It is available beneath the kingdom, but far more abundant beneath Shiromori.”

“And these ores are, what, valuable like gold?” asked Lancea.

“Valuable, yes. But not like gold. Sootinite Ores were used in an ancient practice of bestowing Karma from one person to another. However, it was a very dangerous practice that could be fatal. To bestow Karma, sootinites have to be reduced into powder, then dissolved in water to make an ink-like substance, added with the Karma-user’s blood and mana, then inked to a person’s skin.”

“So, you really knew about all of this, Cattleya? After all this time, you knew about the ores and you never said anything to me? To us?”

“Robin, I didn’t know they were being mined. And these ores are not common knowledge. They are being kept a secret for a reason. If what you’re saying is true, then finding this secret mining ground is enough evidence. Look, I’m sorry, Robin, but I—”

“No! You knew about the ores and the danger they possessed, and yet you chose to stay silent! Didn’t it ever occur to you that the people could have discovered it sooner or later? You could have prevented all of this, Cattleya. The royal family could have prevented all of this!” Robin angrily said. “You could have told the truth to the people and banned it from being mined! Or mine the ores then destroy them! There are more concrete solutions than just keeping the ores a secret!”

“Robin, it’s unfair to blame the royal family. The kingdom’s sewer system is already way far below for sanitary purposes and the kingdom itself was built on top of the old Emergent, and we have no written records about mining in Emergent in the past,” defended Thoras. “No one would have thought that there were mineable ores beneath the kingdom. This is not their fault.”

“This is news to me as well,” claimed Lancea.

“Likewise,” Drancei added.

“Whatever. I’ll agree to the bilateral ceasefire,” Robin said as she signed the agreement. “So please, once you get back to the kingdom, find the mining ground immediately and free all the forced laborers. Our meeting concludes here.”

Robin wrote an instruction and drew a map to the mining ground as well, assuming it was still the same entrance from before and handed it over to Thoras.

“Robin, I give you my word. We will end this,” Thoras said as he accepted the documents.

Cattleya once again tried to talk to Robin. “Robin, I—”

“Just go, Princess. Our meeting has concluded,” Robin said as she tried to leave the treehouse immediately.

However, before she could leave, Cattleya managed to catch up to her. She forced Robin to face her and slapped her face out of frustration, much to everyone’s shock.

“I know I hid important information from you, but I never talked about it to anyone as instructed by my grandmother, including to my brothers and to the royal knights loyal to me because we knew how dangerous the ores were, so you don’t get the right to be mad at me!” said Cattleya furiously. “Robin, I was your friend! I even told you many secrets that only I should know! We had something special! But what did you do? You left it all behind, pretended that you were dead, and joined the defectors all because you thought you couldn’t trust anyone in the kingdom, including me!

“And then one day you finally revealed to me that you live, even though I was included on your list of people you didn’t trust. I accepted you again, continued whatever we had, kept your secret from everyone, and did everything within my power to keep you and your people safe, even if I had to use my position.

“So, help me understand, Robin. You left because you thought you couldn’t trust anyone, even my mom, yet you let her here in Shiropolis days before she died and still failed to tell her that you found a secret mining ground? You didn’t trust me and yet you tell me that you love me? You’re mad at me that I didn’t tell you about the ores but you didn’t tell me the true reason you left; that you already discovered a secret mine where the abducted people were being sent?

“Didn’t it ever occur to you that you could have ended all of this if you just told someone? Robin, relationships are built on trust. Apparently, it’s something you don’t have. You do not get to be mad at me for keeping an important secret if you are doing the same,” Cattleya took off the ring that Robin gave her and handed it back. “We will find this hidden mining ground beneath the castle and we will save all the forced laborers. But you and I, we’re done.”

Kiana, the Royal Knights, and the Rogue Archers weren’t sure what just happened. They just all agreed—silently—to not talk about it.

The delegates were then escorted back by the Rogue Archers to the part of Shiromori where the princess’s soldiers are awaiting their return.

* * * * *

Meanwhile, inside a certain room, Prince Rafflesia and three other people were observing the map of the kingdom, and Shiromori was shown on a monitor where a yellow dot was pinging somewhere inside the forest.