Beautiful, simply beautiful.

These were the words that flooded the minds of everyone on board. Nelson who has already seen a few images of Lancia still cannot believe his eyes. The massive city walls, the neatly laid out brick houses, and finally the majestic castle in the middle of the city, it certainly feels like a fantasy. They all felt a sense of embarrassment upon remembering the medieval era castles on Earth, though they did comfort themselves by remembering that there was no magic on Earth.

“What a magnificent feat of engineering!” Yamato said obviously complimenting the castle and its builders.

They estimated the castle to be at least 300 meters tall, as tall as the Eiffel tower.

“Were this world’s construction methods that advanced?” Yamato’s mind went into a frenzy as he gawked at the sight outside the window.

“Am I allowed to take a picture?” Yamato asked Nelson

“I’m sure the Civil Engineers and Architects back at the guild would love to see this structure.” Yamato politely asked Nelson

“Do what you want.” Nelson replied, not really paying attention to Yamato’s words

Karl on the other hand thought that it was their mastery over magic that allowed them to construct such a structure of this magnitude. The fire burning in his heart grew even larger, it threatened to consume him now. “This world is amazing!” Karl thought to himself, barely able to stop himself from shouting

Suddenly unknown flyers appeared on Radar and began approaching them. When they flyers came close enough the delegation finally met the welcoming committee so to speak. They saw people riding what looked like a mix between and eagle and a big cat.

“ARE THOSE GRYPHONS?” Steven shouted, obviously unable to control his enthusiasm. For a biologist like him this sight was even more breath taking than the castle.

Normally everyone would roll their eyes at this very “Steven” reaction but they were too busy trying to absorb the scenes happening around them. This scene that once only existed in books, is now happening right in front of them. This isn’t Earth, this is Nelithea.

The knights who rode the Gryphons then guided the Air bus to the place they were supposed to land. As they approached the square they could see the enormous amount of people who have gathered around the square eager to see them. To their surprise it didn’t look like they were afraid of them, but rather they were excited about their arrival. A group of men lined up into two parallel rows that lead towards the castle could also be seen. It looked like they were carrying a sort of wind instrument. And finally the decorations scattered all over the city. It gave Lancia a vibrant and festive aura.

“The King really did pull out all the stops, I’m impressed.” Nelson said with a smile

“Still I can only give you a 7/10, since this welcome is grand, too grand. You really wanted to impress me by putting in so much flair, only makes it look like you’re compensating for something.” Nelson thought to himself.

“I am looking forward to meeting you, your majesty”

The Airbus then landed on in the middle of the square a few meters away from the row. And Nelson gave the rest of them some final instructions.

“Alright ladies and gentlemen, we are have arrived at Lancia. I still expect you to all keep up appearances and not be overwhelmed by the surroundings. Sure this place hits every box in the fantasy genre, but we are here as representatives of Earth! A civilization that has begun its first steps towards the stars, do not lose to them and show your pride!” Nelson exclaimed

“Yes Sir!” Everyone said in unison

“But before that I did add a bit of extra flare to our entrance” Nelson said as he pushed a switch. Then suddenly smoke came gushing out of two small boxes located at side of the door.

“Are these smoke machines?” Karl asked

“Yes, we simply can’t lose to them in terms of presentation.” Nelson said “After all, first impression can affect negotiations” Nelson said with a sly smile

“You’re actually pretty fun aren’t you old man?” Karl exclaimed without thinking

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Nelson then said, shooting him a glare

“N-nothing” Karl weakly replied

The door of the airbus then slowly opened (opened slower than usual for dramatic effect as well), and one by one the ambassadors went out of the vehicle

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The door of the metallic flying vehicle opened up slowly and smoke came trickling out of it.

The King’s mind was running erratic at this point. He was very nervous. After all this is a metal box that came straight from the sky then suddenly smoke came out of it.

“Could the outsiders be demons in disguise? What is happening? Keep calm, keep calm!” Were the thoughts racing through his head. Althought he mentally prepared for this event, he was still a nervous wreck.

Then the people inside started coming out one by one but only one of them caught his attention, a man with grey hair and wonderful beard. This man had an aura of authority radiating from him. His dignified stance, his wide powerful steps, even his hand movements. These were the movements of a man who held great power. Frankly it intimidated the King.

Then the king noticed that the Man was also looking at him from afar. He then realized that he was being observed the moment they landed. The King started to panic.

“Can he see through me? Does he know how nervous I am? Perhaps he thinks my preparations are too grand and is thinking I’m trying to hide something. Calm down, calm down.” The king was now reaching his breaking point when suddenly he felt a soft touch on his left hand.

He glanced to his side only to see his daughter, Princess Alea grip his hand. He could feel her soft delicate hand trembling as she grabbed on to him. The King then found the strength to face the Outsiders and poised himself to look like a King. He straightened up his back, puffed his chest, and raised his chin to a slight angle. The man approaching him was formidable indeed but he didn’t want to lose. After all he was still the King of Aleria.

The man then approached the king and when they were in arms about an arm’s length of each other he stopped and quietly stared at the King. The King knew the man was observing him, but also trying to intimidate him. But with the new found strength he got from his daughter, the King returned an equally intimidating gaze of his own.

The five seconds these men spent staring at each other felt like an eternity. There was a battle happening right now, but only these two men knew about it.

The Grey haired man then stretched out his hand, smiling as he does it.

“Good afternoon I am Nelson Sutherland, Ambassador and representative of the Earth to Nelithea” The grey haired man said.

The king then stretched out his own hand and grabbed the man’s hand giving a very firm hand shake. This caught the grey haired man by surprise, though he did his best to hide it. The King noticed the man’s eyes twitch for a fraction of a second. The King then smiled and finally introduced himself

“Good afternoon to you to Mr. Nelson. I am King Xavier Aleria” the king then paused and looked Nelson in the eye.

“Welcome to Aleria”