By comparison, those emerging city-states farther away seemed to receive no attention at all. No one knew exactly how many small cities less than 100 years old were scattered across the Eastern Lands, and quite a few didn't even have a temple dedicated to the Deity, nor had any Divine Practitioner ever visited them.
This was quite normal, after all, the church was developing rapidly, but Humans were evolving even faster. Those remote locations were thus naturally neglected. Eryxis was one such kingdom, established for only two generations.
Its founder had passed away, not from old age, but from the pain brought about by constant fighting. As the son of City Founder Elyxinos, Clytius naturally succeeded him as king, becoming the ruler of a place called a kingdom but in reality, it consisted of just one city and a few towns as his territory.
In the first twenty years of his succession, everything went smoothly, and the nation's population, initially only in the hundreds of thousands, grew stronger under Clytius's rule. However, over the past year, the king had been constantly furrowed with worry.
The climate change was too abrupt, including not just the drop in temperature, but even the crops stopped growing.
The land became barren, the sources of food dwindled, and wild beasts began attacking Humans, heedless of danger. The kingdom of Eryxis, which had never encountered such a predicament, had no strategy to cope, and the little food reserves wouldn't last for several years. A famine loomed on the horizon, but as the king, Clytius was helpless.
Until this day, while the king, still pondering over solutions, received news that his daughters had brought him an unimaginably distinguished guest.
...
"Ms. Moira, this is our home now, and it is the only palace in this city."
Walking on the compacted dirt road, four girls of average appearance, but dressed in an uncommonly fine manner, were clustering around an elderly woman.
They supported the old lady, introducing various aspects of the city to her, as well as their home—the Eryxis Palace at the end of the road.
The atmosphere chilled slightly, and even though the young women tried to say things to lighten the mood, it did not change much. Until they entered the palace, the atmosphere remained subdued.
"I am tired."
Stepping into the palace, Moira casually stated her sentiments.
She had no intention of acting as a guest should, or perhaps, this was as courteous as she got in her dealings with mortals.
Consequently, the daughters of King Clytius exchanged glances, and their eldest sister stepped forward once again.
"Please follow me, I will take you to my room to stay."
"Then lead the way."
Nodding, Moira accepted the offer as if it were her due.
Behind her, the other three girls did not follow but hurriedly left after watching their oldest sister and the elderly woman depart. They did not know who this old woman they had encountered outside the city was, appearing to be 'begging' yet unable to conceal her arrogance; traveling alone across the vast wilderness was something even their father could not accomplish.
Inviting her into the palace, they tried to convey their goodwill as much as possible. As for the rest, it would be up to the king to decide.