Chapter 16 Part 1 of 1 (Patreon)

Have Erik and Rugrat going through training. Have Erik and Rugrat then split up, Erik needs to go to Vuzgal, show his support and then also figure out a way to deal with the traders there. Also plans to expand the special teams. Takes all of Roska’s team with him. Acts as interim commander while Domonos is gone, on the low-down.

***

Lord Salyn rose from his bow as Lord Knight Ikeda addressed Queen Ikku.

“The situation in the Beast Mountain Range is nothing like we predicted. We have heard of reports of everything that is happening there but it is far away and we have paid little attention. For that you have my apologies my queen,” Ikeda bowed again.

“It is done, now we must learn from it. Why is it that I got a message informing me that I will not get slots within this Beast Mountain Range Consortium? What is it?”

“It is the greatest academy in the First Realm,” Ikeda said in a grave voice. Salyn held his tongue, frowning.

“They have teachers that have touched the Journeyman level. People that have tempered their foundations. With the beasts in the area and the small dungeon they located. It has turned into a training paradise. Even the mana in the Beast Mountain Range has increased compared to the surrounding areas. They are the epicenter of trade within the continent now.” Ikeda took in a breath, looking Queen Ikku in the eye.

“My Queen, they are the strongest nation in the First Realm.”

“What?” She frowned, leaning forward slightly.

“On the outside, it is a group of outposts working together to stave off attacks from outsiders. Inside, it is a nation operated by Lord Aditya. King’s Hill is their capital. The outpost leaders have largely retired, giving over management rights to Lord Aditya. They have created a noble class, while some outpost leaders have taken up positions of power within the Beast Mountain Range administration. Using trade and the rough terrain that they inhabit, other nations are not as willing to attack. Add in the trade that they provide and now the consortium that they have built that trains up the younger generation. They have gained position and power without others realizing it.”

“Surely the other nations knew what was happening?” Ikku asked.

“Yes, but the time to attack the Beast Mountain Range has come and gone. A network of well maintained roads complete with watch towers and armed patrols march along the borders and between King’s Hill and the exterior outposts. In hours they can mobilize and move their forces to any outpost, supporting them. The exterior outposts have swelled in size. Mercenaries flocked to the area to seek riches and strength. All of the mercenary groups that reside within the cities have come to agreements with the outpost leaders, which is one and the same as the Beast Mountain Range Nation.”

“A unified front agreement?” Queen Ikku said through her teeth.

“Yes my queen, the mercenaries get favorable prices on what they buy and sell, in return they will defend the outposts if they come under attack. A reserve force for their Army.”

“Army? They have outpost guards.”

“That was when the outposts fought one another. To maintain neutrality and make sure that the outposts wouldn’t attack one another after the battles, guards were sent to King’s Hill and camps within the Beast Mountain Range. They might call themselves guards, but they created an army, neutral within the conflicts of the outpost leaders. A true army as well. One with training, weapons and armor. Not a peasant army thrown together under the command of knights and lords looking to loot one another’s lands.”

“So it was this Lord Aditya that hid and is using the traitors?” Queen Ikku tapped against her armrest, her eyes filled with plans.

“Quite possibly,” Lord Knight Ikeda nodded.

“They are entrenched into rough terrain, they control all the routes in and out. Have an army that should be stronger than most with the beasts that they have to fight. Healers, alchemists, smiths all reside there. Support of other nations through trade and their academy. A thorn with barbs,” Queen Ikku muttered. “If we were to launch a campaign, then we would only open ourselves up for attack. Other nations looking to get on their good side would plot against us. The supply train for our armies would be over extended and vulnerable as the nations closest to them have the most to gain as they can ship goods throughout their nations earning plenty.”

She was silent for a few moments.

“Advisor Vesair, prepare to send another envoy to King’s Hill with gifts and an apology. Ikeda, Salyn, report on everything that you observed.”

Lord Salyn bowed as he inwardly ground his teeth. Even Queen Ikku knows when to bow her head if the odds aren’t in her favor.

***

Darkness blanketed the Shikoshi Kingdom as Lord Knight Ikeda was allowed into the Queen’s private office.

She was sitting in front of the fireplace, holding a drink in one hand as she watched the flames within the hearth.

Ikeda moved to the side and bowed.

“Take a seat,” Ikku said, taking a sip from her cup. Flames danced in her eyes, her mind moving constantly.

Ikeda waited calmly.

“What would happen if we attacked them quietly, found the Earthers and captured or killed them?”

“Their guard leaders were as strong as my knights. Even if we called upon those training demons, I doubt we would be able to complete the mission.”

“And then the different families would know about the Earthers,” Ikku finished the thought.

“Direct war is out of the question. So, it then comes to a question of benefits. Will we gain more playing meekly by the side or by attacking them discreetly?”

“If we do not get the younger generation into the Consortium then their progress will be slowed compared to the other nations. With just one person that does well in the academy it could change the balance in the Kingdom. If we do not control the spots to allow people to join the Consortium the balance of power could shift.”

“If we hold the greatest reward, people will remain loyal. If they can only get it through doing it themselves, then they will. The Consortium secures power, it also creates alliances. As students go through, they will gain a loyalty to the school and their teachers creating a network through the First Realm. What do you think of this Lord Aditya?”

“I think that he plays the part of the lord when he is truly the King. After rising to power he does not act out in any large way. He has others do it for him. It makes it appear that the power is scattered around. He remains in the quiet background, moving the strings. There are rumors that he is the reason the Zetan Confederation collapsed. Certainly the nations that were involved have all pledged their loyalty to him on the surface. He swept up the outposts, created a city in the middle of one of the most inhospitable places in the First Realm, created roads, an army, a consortium, roped in crafters that would be welcomed in the Third Realm.”

“He is not a man to be underestimated. What is the situation with this Healing house?” Ikku’s brows pinched together as she looked at Ikeda.

“They’re powerful, don’t know where they came from. Though Salyn is afraid of them. A few years ago we noticed that he was getting more money from somewhere, we thought that it was bribes. When looking into it, the name Alva came up.”

“A healing house was paying him?”

“He stopped gaining money and I checked the records. A few months later the Alva Healing House appeared.”

“That does little to clarify the situation,” Ikku said, drinking. “Gather more information, lets see what the other nations really think. We need to find those people of Earth. How has the search gone in the First Realm?”

“There was a rush of them over the last couple of years but it appears that no new people from Earth have arrived recently. Even the simplest person from Earth knows more than most of our crafters. They’ve headed to the higher realms, been claimed or killed.” Ikeda reported.

Queen Ikku let out a yell and threw her glass into the fireplace, making the flames roar brighter before they calmed.

“Lord Aditya and the Alva Healing House. I’ll have my people of Earth back!”