Chapter 104: New Chapter, Exciting Possibilities

Chapter 104: New Chapter, Exciting Possibilities

I flew over the city, it’s been two days since we took Tralis and messages have been sent out by Eissa ordering all remaining Volerian soldiers to surrender. The city has slowly started to return to normal but it is becoming extremely clear that Tralis had a similar idea as the Averlonian Empire. Simply put this war was one that they could not afford. With the Averlonian Empire the problem was gold but for Tralis it was food. They had expended so much food in their campaigns that they were facing famine. Well lucky for them Elysia had one of the most fertile lands in the world. The crops grew strong and tall, the harvest is always good. Feeding this city and the region will definitely help win the people to our side.

As I flew towards this area outside the city I spotted something interesting. I looked down and saw the elf from before heading out the gate. I wanted to talk to her before this but I never got the chance. I know she isn’t leaving but if I want her to not turn all the elves against me I need to start making a good impression.

With that in mind I shifted course and headed straight for her. I saw her look up warily as I landed next to her. By now she knew I wasn’t going to kill anyone for no good reason. I could tell she was just curious as to why I was even seeking her out.

“Hello elfy.” I said with a grin and she just scowled at me.

“What do you want?” the elf asked, her brows furrowed and her eyes narrowed.

“Just wanted to chat, I’m surprised you haven’t gone back to your forest or at least back to Averlon. I heard you were from the adventurer guild in Averlon.” I said and I saw her lip curl into a snarl.

“What adventurer guild? I know you are planning to turn the adventurers into a new military unit. There are no more adventurers in Elysia.” the elf replied with scoff.

“Then why are you still here? This place’s adventurer guild isn’t long for this world you know. My hive makes all of you obsolete.” I said and the elf sighed as she looked away for a moment.

“I know, believe me I do. The only reason I’m still here is because there’s a famine coming. I checked the food stores which were almost empty and the planting season has gone to hell. I can still hunt and do some good here.” the elf replied as her shoulders slumped.

“What is your name elf?” I asked curiously as I gazed at her. She was certainly a strange one, I heard the elves hated humanity. Viewing them as lesser, so why the hell was she even bothering with all this.

“Minuvae of Clan Emeradine.” the elf replied as she ran her hand through her short golden hair in frustration. Her clan looks to be a touchy subject... interesting...

“Not on good terms with your clan? You got exiled or something?” I asked and Minuvae visibly flinched at those words.

“I assume that’s why you are even here in the first place. The elves view humans as lesser and here you are serving as an adventurer, even going out of your way to help them. You and I know the score, human life is too short. Before you know it they will all be dead, so what do their lives matter to you who can live a thousand years.” I said and Minuvae slumped as she rubbed her arm.

“Doesn’t that apply to you too? I hear you and the Empress are close friends. Wouldn’t that be the same for you?” Minuvae asked.

“I have ways around that.” I replied and I saw Minuvae raise an eyebrow at my response.

“Will she have a say in those ways?” Minuvae asked, her voice filled with suspicion.

“Yes she will. So why do you care so much? You aren’t even from around here. You could leave to go somewhere else. Why stay here and fight this famine? What the hell are you going to do? Kill enough random animals to feed the whole city?” I asked and Minuvae scowled in response as her face curled into a snarl.

“None of your business. Why do you even care so much?” Minuvae shot back as she pointed a finger at me.

“Just curious...” I began but Minuvae scoffed as she crossed her arms.

“Then get a hobby, there are better things to do than prying into people’s business.” Minuvae spat as she turned around and started to walk away.

“Like running away?” I stated. She flinched before turning around and glared at me.

“You could use more spatial awareness.” I said dryly. I know I intentionally didn’t try to kick up too much wind so I didn’t shower Cecilia in dust but I couldn’t completely negate it.

“Friend, I thought you would be here sooner.” Cecilia said as she waved her hand at the scribe who bowed and left us alone in response.

“I bumped into the elf I told you about.” I said as I approached and I looked over at the wagons. They were absolutely laden with gold, silver, jewels and other artifacts.

“Everything go well?” Cecilia asked nonchalantly.

“Yep. Quite the haul, is what you found enough?” I asked as I turned back to face her.

“Yes, it is quite sufficient. About a fifth will go to paying the soldiers as a victory reward. Another fifth will go into paying the people of Port Mari for destroyed and stolen property during the initial invasion. Also I plan to do some infrastructure projects in Port Mari, Averlon needs a better port afterall.” Cecilia said as she turned to look at the wagons.

Port Mari was kind of looted clean during the Volerian invasion. I said “kind of” because the city was evacuated and we told the citizens to take their most valuable things with them. So most didn’t lose much, with this reimbursement they actually end up with more. It’s the good old classic strategy of allowing someone to take something away then giving it back to them to earn some free good will.

“I will be spending half on general infrastructure upgrades to the entire Elysian region and the last tenth of the haul will go into upgrading our fleet. We need to improve our naval abilities since we now control such a large coastline. There is much wealth to be earned from eastern Voleria and the Divonia Empire. Perhaps we might even trade with the elves assuming your seed bears fruit.” Cecilia said as she looked at me.

“Perhaps, more allies is always good. Honestly I can’t wait to settle all this crap.” I said as I looked around at the massive baggage train just parked by the side of the road. Tralis really did loot most of the stuff around them.

This giant convoy was just the stuff we were bringing back to Averlon. Cecilia will be sending other convoys to Beralis to give them back most of their treasury. Averlin would be getting some too, Tralis didn’t take anything from them; they were just broke. But considering they were about to get this vast swathe of territory they were going to need some money. Averlin and Beralis were also supposed to be a counteracting force to Tralis which would be the most belligerent state in the Empire.

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So now with the new borders Averlin will need to develop their existing new port which would be quite expensive. I’m honestly questioning if Averlin even deserved this special treatment but then again the strategic thinking behind this new border made sense. Tralis’s capital has now earned the title of most exposed capital city in western Voleria and Elysia. Every other capital had some kind of geographic defense whether it be a river, a choke point or just distance from the border. Now Averlin could in theory just march across the border and be right on top of the Tralis capital.

This should help keep the idiotic Tralis nobles in line. Sarana had already sent Cecilia a list of Tralis nobles that might be better without a head. The process is already beginning in vetting who gets to keep their head.

However, despite all that Eissa looks like she would remain loyal. As long as we can keep the nobles in line the rest will be easy. However, there were now two new pieces on the board. The Wardens were going to be turned into an amphibious strike force while General Montis now had command of the largest Humanoid army in Voleria. His army was only set to grow once we annex the other Volerian states of Veria, Boria, Vororia and Jaria. Whether they will come peacefully or be dragged kicking and screaming into the empire remains to be seen. But we had plans for that, many plans to push them into our waiting arms. With any luck we won’t need any wars to get them in line.

After that well the next question was who was next? The dwarves? The Lizardkin? The Eastern Volerians? The Mugummans? Maybe even the Ostayans? So many choices... What fun...

But before all of that, once we cleaned up the immediate concerns there was something even more important. There were still the Zariman vaults that Mahaila held the key for. She didn’t know what was inside but I was hoping there was something in them... or perhaps someone...

If you think about it if the Eternal Mother was locked up then what else was locked up in a Zariman Vault? From the Eternal Mother’s memories I saw something very interesting...

You know if I had Legiana, wouldn’t the Eternal Mother want her own version of it at some point? Or at least something similar?

Well this ends this particular escapade. At least the exciting bits anyway... the rest is just the boring clean up...

Still provided he exists...

I wonder what this Malegaros guy is like...