Nowton glanced at Emperor Litain.
‘So you’ve been on a long inspection tour.
Anash Tree.
The exceptionally white birch is an ancient tree that has lived a long time.
It was only a month after Juicy was born that Emperor Litain received a report of thirty-six Anash birches across the Eastern Continent.
At first, it was dismissed as nothing.
But as more and more trees fell ill, Emperor Litain became concerned and went to inspect them himself.
The Emperor was struck by the sight of the diseased and blackened Anasch birch.
He began to investigate the Anash birch in earnest, searching for a place where the Dark Water might be sealed.
While Anash has remained in the form of a birch tree since time immemorial, the identity of the Dark One is not known, nor is the place where it is sealed.
It was only assumed that it was deep and dark.
So he’ve been scouring the area for signs of its awakening.
This final visit was to check out the western Anash birch, which borders the western continent.
When Litain saw the condition of the anash birch over the high mountains and directly in front of the Rossart River, his heart sank.
Rooted to the ground near the rushing waters of the Rossart River, the ancient Anash tree was completely dried up and twisted to death.
It sent a chill down his spine, for the River Rothart was the most likely place for the Dark One to be sealed.
It was then that Litain saw the Anash birch and the pure white Juicy overlap.
Litain clenched his fists tightly as he imagined his beloved child dying as black as the trees.
For the first time, he felt the emotion of fear.
He declared to his subjects with determination.
“So, Jim is planning to co-ordinate with the Western Continent to create a plan against the Dark God Water.”
“The Western Continent, by any chance, is the Lilberg Empire?”
Nowton, who hadn’t said anything up until this point, spoke up.
The Emperor nodded slowly and smiled, thinking that although he had a bad temper, the crown prince was better than the nobles after all.
“Indeed.”
The Duke of Athasix repeated, stunned.
“Your Majesty, why is it the Lilberg Empire out of the blue?”
“Besides, would those proud bastards, who fled to the Western Continent because they hated the gods, really help us?”
The Emperor smirked.
“I’m not saying they’ll help. I’m saying that the Dark God is an idiot, and that the one that appeared on earth would only attack the Eastern Continent.”
“Ah.”
“But……!”
Having made a fool of the nobles who asked, the Emperor spoke again.
“The Western Empire will surely grant our request. According to the intelligence I received while travelling to the western border, the Lilberg Empire’s behaviour has been troubling lately.”
“Is there something going on?”
“They say the Lilberg Emperor has been killed, and a new one has already been crowned.”
The astonished Sioux couldn’t help but gape.
They had heard that the emperor of the Human Empire was the strongest archmage and possessed incredible abilities.
He would never lose a fight.
The news that a neighbouring country’s emperor had been killed was a great shock.
Litain narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth.
“I am not yet certain, but it is clear that there are events in the Lilberg Empire that involve the Dark One.”
“What makes you so certain, Your Majesty?”
“The reverence for the Archmages is high there. They wouldn’t attempt to assassinate each other, and if they did, it would be someone from somewhere other than the Lilberg Empire……. who would be capable of killing the Emperor.”
Litain spoke carefully to the astonished nobles.
“And the timing of the blackening of the Anash birch coincides with the death of the first Emperor, which is too ominous a coincidence.”
“My God. And what kind of human is the current Emperor of the Lilberg Empire?”
Nowton asked impatiently, and Emperor Litain shrugged lightly.
“I’m still investigating. Ever since the last Emperor died, he’s been more closed off lately, giving our intelligence services a hard time.”
“I see.”
“Whoever it is, it doesn’t matter. In any case, their tradition dictates that the strongest archmage becomes emperor. Jim will request a formal exchange.”
The nobles murmured their disapproval of the Emperor’s decision.
The Penterin Empire had not met or travelled formally with the Lilberg Empire for a long time.
The perception was that they were a bunch of bastards who had rejected the Sioux and left to build a world of their own.
Once again, the Duke of Athasix was cautious.
“Your Majesty,” he said, “but I fear a backlash from my people, and I am also concerned about the standing of the Penterin Empire if we are rebuffed after making the first move…………………………………………………………….”
“I do not sit on the throne to protect my ego. I am here to protect the Penterin Empire and its people.”
Despite the calmness of his voice, his golden eyes glowed like a roaring flame.
“I will do anything to fulfil the responsibilities of my position.”
The nobles fell silent at the Emperor’s stern declaration.
“For now, I will send a letter and formally request an exchange.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, we will make arrangements accordingly.”
At the Emperor’s command, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was busy making plans for the future.
At this meeting, Litain also decided to create a body dedicated to finding and hunting down the Dark Gods, making it a body directly under the Emperor.
And Penterin’s army was to further refine its divisions, increase its weapons and troops, and strengthen its training.
Returning to her room after the late-night meeting, Litain pondered.
‘Co-operation with the mages is essential. We must convince the Lilberg Empire to engage with us.
He had always been interested in magic.
The Sioux have no mages.
They would surely play an important role in the future fight against the Dark Gods.
***
“I will see the Emperor.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, please wait.”
The next afternoon.
Nowton sought out Litain.
He was dubious and distrustful to say the least.
He didn’t know how strong the mage was, and he assumed the strength and skill of the Sioux would be enough to deal with the Dark One.
After greeting Litain, he cut to the chase.
“Your Majesty, are you sure you don’t mind interacting with mages?”
Ever since he had been crowned crown prince at the age of eight, Nowton had addressed Litain as His Majesty, not his father.
It was his responsibility as crown prince.
Sitting in his office, Litain glanced at the modest Nowton, who was giving him his opinion, and spoke lightly.
“What are you worried about, this father will take care of everything.”
“I’m just……. worried about a possible dispute.”
“A dispute?”
“The Sioux and humans haven’t spoken to each other in a long time. We could go out of our way to be friendly, and they could ignore us or make unreasonable demands, and then we’d be fighting, because we’re two very different races.”
Litain gave a short laugh, relaxing.
“I am not unaware of your concerns.”
At the sharp point, Litain thought he’d grown up.
“Perhaps you are right.”
“Your Majesty.”
“But I’m willing to consider it and make concessions. For Juicy’s sake.”
“Ah.”
Nowton’s eyes narrowed at the bluntness of the reply, but he nodded in easy acceptance.
“Yes.”
If Juicy was the reincarnation of Anash, they would need to be there to help her when the battle with the Dark One began in earnest.
There was no way in hell he was sending her into battle alone.
“Right. I don’t want to put her in harm’s way, and we’ll finish him off before he does.
It would be much quicker and more beneficial for both the Sioux and humans to join forces.
After talking to his father, Nowton made a stronger resolve.
The next day.
“Kahang, kahang, kahang, kahang, kahang, kahang, kahang, kahang!”
“……What, you’re not using your powers?”
“Kahhhhh!”
I was puzzled as I looked at Juicy, who explained that she couldn’t use her powers with hand gestures and foot gestures.
