CHAPTER 149: THE OTHER’S ARRIVAL AND A FINAL TALK

After my talk with Rhema I had officially achieved one of my four initial objectives, which then left me practicality unoccupied with much of anything, as Darius took care of the delegates everyday, strengthening our empire’s diplomatic bases while opening new, untreaded avenues for us to further explore in the future, and Isaac continued his search for her all day, even personally taking it upon himself to slip away in the dead of night to aid his floundering men, who couldn’t seem to make any progress in finding their seemingly non-existent target, meanwhile my brother’s debut would naturally come to pass five from now, on the first official day of the banquet.

So once again I busied myself with training, especially my divine power, as I felt more and more hollow and naked with how little I perceived my current power level at with every passing day, as the increasingly tickling sensation of Nicholas’ nineteenth birthday, and the terrifying threat of the return of his oracle dreams, kept breathing down my neck.

But I couldn’t solely focus on my training during this time sadly, as I occupied myself with two other matters during the next five days, before the official beginning of the Banquet.

The first was endeavouring to discover the various gifts the Gods gave their descendants, which could allow me to possibly find a new diamond in the rough to recruit, and the Banquet just so happened to prove to be the best place to do so, since a majority of these God-blooded men and women were all gathered here for an entire month, allowing me ample opportunity to do so.

Yet it sadly only proved to be a source of great disappointment and tragedy; since nearly half of the ones I managed to stealthily sense were given a higher density of divine blood, which would all undoubtedly go to waste either way, because they would never dare utilize this blessing, since with the more God blood you have coursing through your veins the more agonizing the gates’ trials will be; and even if they did dare to suffer the Gods’ tests, they would never venture into the gruesome gauntlet known as the fifth gate, where the truly worthy of their divine heritage are weeded out from among the rabble.

The other half I sensed, who were not given more potent divine blood, were probably given a sacred item, like that of Valdour’s giant hammer, or a new special resource in their territories, like those miraculous medical caverns that were found four years ago now in the Kusuri Kingdom, the domain of the descendants of the God of Healing and Medicine.

But I couldn’t be sure if they stumbled upon their divine treasures or special resources yet, since I couldn’t easily sense such a thing, even if it were right in font of me, besides I’ve heard no rumours of another nation unearthing another bountiful resource like that of the Kusuri Kingdom in the last four years, which probably meant that it was unlikely for them to have obtained such a thing.

While the second thing that kept me preoccupied from my training, was the grandiose arrival of the other three great powers of the world.

For on the day after I had spoken with Rhema and four days before the Banquet would officially begin, the eastern regents’ delegation arrived with a tidal wave of impetuous spur, loudly proclaiming their might to the world, as their kingly Qilin Knights rode proudly on the clouds above, their deep black and orange flaming armour, matching their mounts’ fearsome hide, as their glaives and horns glinted menacingly by the flashing thunder bolts lighting up the sky.

All the while the prestigious Pearl Guard Knights, wearing armour of polished white and long swords of night black, that shone like they were carved of real polished pearls, advanced arrogantly behind their liege’s emerald and gold chariot.

The day after, the northern masters of the continent, the Boreas Empire’s horde entered the city, with their Howling Wolf Knights at the vanguard, their massive, grey wolfen steeds terrifying everyone who beheld their ferocious appearance, while the Ice Stalker Knights, one of the only bow focused knight regiments in the world, came behind the bone white and sapphire blue carriage, wherein laid the hatesome Nicholas and wretched family.

The Boreas Empire was the only one among the four great powers to not have any form of aerial power, since with the harsh climate of constant blizzards and arctic gales that dominated their homeland’s skies, no beasts large enough to take flight were ever born in their lands, and none from outside it could survive it either, as they would very quickly be forced to land, or risk being ripped apart by a blizzard’s frozen claws and your entrails flung across a mountainside.

Which is why they had the Ice Stalker Knights, as they are the empire’s primary offensive measure against enemy flying forces, since they couldn’t rely on the weather to protect them after they have the safety of their motherland’s frigid embrace.

And finally three days after I had achieved my first objective of acquiring a private audience with the Strategus of Sophentia, the western hegemon, the Luminous Empire’s host appeared on the horizon, with their gleaming golden armour and resplendent appearance that boldly showcased their nation’s affluence and wealth, as they proudly smeared and bedazzled everything they could with solar iconography.

Especially when the impressive Gryphon Knights screeched overhead, their mighty mounts, the largest and strongest of all flying beasts, eliciting cries of wonder and worship from the local peoples, whether they be young or old, these majestic monsters were able to enrapture them all.

Which nearly made them completely ignore the Scarlet Sun Knights, who marched ominously by their master’s resplendent golden carriage, their twin blades flashing terrifyingly next to the crimson red armour, of these men who never left the Devil’s Eye pass, the only corridor through the Stenna and Serra Mountains that connects the Luminous Empire to their northern rival, the Boreas Empire.

"What are your predictions Darius?" I asked, calmly sipping from my tea, as my brothers, Darius, Leonid and all the rest of us sat in my wing, enjoying what is most likely going to be our last calm afternoon.

"In regards to what exactly, sire?" He asked in return, taking a small bite of a pastry from a nearby tray of sweets, that Cyrus was thoroughly relishing as well.

"In regard to those three of course. It’s impossible that they won’t approach us within this month long event for one reason or another, so what do you expect they will ask for?" I explained, knowing full well that the old fox knew what I meant, and only wanted the others to understand our coming conversation as well.

Smiling, the Master Puppeteer of the empire confidently replied, as if the threads of fate themselves were before his eyes and wrapped around his fingers "They Yue Dynasty will come to us with cooperation and friendship on their lips, with possibly even offers and proposals of marriage to either you or your siblings as well."

Cyrus and Nizam who were paying attention before, were now stunned by his words, as the two were blindsided by his words, having not considered even the possibility of marriage before on the account that even if I, their older brother had not yet wed, then how could they.

But Darius cared not for their shocked and disbelieving expressions, before he continued "The Boreas Empire has been maintaining cordial relations with us for three years now, testing us to see what kind of advantages and risks they would gain from us, and I have no doubt in my mind that they wish to continue it that trend for the duration of this event as well. But before long sire, they will most likely come to us with words of an alliance against the Luminous Empire."

Everyone froze after hearing his words, as they all knew that a second war with the Luminous Empire was practically inevitable, and that it was going to prove to be unimaginably destructive this time around, as both empires having been engaged in an arms race for years now, and more recently in an economic battle as well, especially after the failed rebellion of Zadkiel in the east, and the further strengthening of the Luminous Empire’s hold over the western nations.

"Additionally, I also expect them to offer one of their princesses’ hand in marriage to you, my liege. Or at the very least a marriage alliance between one of their own and one of ours." Again Cyrus and Nizam were surprised by his words, but less so than the first time.

But I just smirked in return, saying "And the Luminous Empire is going to try it’s absolute hardest to make sure that doesn’t happen."

"Indeed sire." Darius nodded. "Marius is not a fool and neither is Octavian. They have likely already realized the threat this potential alliance could cause them, so they are guaranteed to approach each of us, to dissuade us from such an action, by offering us some form of concessions, to by themselves some more time if nothing else. And they will most certainly also speak with the Yue Dynasty of forming a defensive alliance with them as well, to counter balance the threat. I have also heard whisperings among the other delegates that Emperor Octavian is preparing to wed off his oldest daughter, princess Avriel to three potential candidates, you sire, and the other two heirs of the great powers, crown prince Nicholas and crown prince Weixiao."

"What the?! Is everyone going to propose to brother in this event?" Cyrus loudly asked.

A hearty laugh escaped me, as I playfully asked "Jealous?"

"Of course not!" Cyrus instantly said, his cheeks flaring up with a hint of red, as a blush began to creep it’s way across his entire face.

Which compelled another hearty laugh to escape from all our mouths again, before Darius slowly explained "Of course they will, my young prince. Your brother is one of the most eligible bachelors in the world at the moment, and with him still not naming an empress to rule by his side, everyone is anxious to secure that seat."

Leonid then stepped into the conversation, saying "I would even dare say that if it wasn’t for his majesty’s stern decree that he had no interest in marriage for the time being, and their fear of earning his ire, then he would’ve been swarmed daily with marriage and engagement proposals."

"Which, funnily enough served as a defence for the two of you as well." Horus then added.

"How so?" Nizam confusedly asked.

"Since his imperial majesty was not planning to be married any time soon, and wasn’t even betrothed yet, it would have be seen as highly disrespectful to approach the two of you, while they are still eyeing the seat of the empress." Abraham patiently explained.

"Yes, but that is all going to change this time around, since his majesty has already decided on his future empress, so the vultures are going to gather around you two now; and with great numbers." Darius then carefully warned.