Chapter 37 – Royal Meeting

Chapter 37 – Royal Meeting

I did what I said I would do and woke up before the sun had a chance to peek above the horizon. After a quick shower, I put on the best dress I had, which was not made out of silk but still gave me the look of a noble. Or more like some kind of governor of a Spanish colony in the eighteenth century. To my surprise, my Father and Uncle were both up and ready, so after a brief breakfast, we stepped out of the mansion and prepared to board a carriage that would take us into the middle of the city.

That was when I heard it. A low, resounding echo of a horn, coming from afar, making my insides vibrate. Looking up, I felt my jaw slowly drop as I saw a giant, flying ship come from the west, heading straight to the inner circle. I couldn't see or hear anything else as I just watched it sail over us, getting bigger and bigger as it descended and made its landing.

From the outside, it looked like a ship from a pirate movie I liked to watch as a kid. The only difference is that it flew through the air, its giant sails billowing above, while its underbelly was surrounded by a faint blue hue. I recognized it... that was the hue of mana. I couldn't see the magic circles, which were probably operating within its body, but I knew what that light meant.

"We are lucky." My Uncle whispered, patting me on the back, making me flinch, returning to reality. "That's Justice."

"I guess that is the ship's name?" I asked, finally getting into the carriage as we began traveling forward.

"Yes."

"Father?" I turned towards him, "Did you ever see it before? I never read about it..."

"I saw it once." He nodded, letting out a nostalgic sigh, "But I was little. The Empire has five such ships, all of which are mobile military bases. The Justice, if I know it right, should be on the eastern front."

"What I gathered," Elliot explained to us, "the east reached an agreement of a 2-year cease-fire. The ship has been called back for resupply and maintenance. Well, that is the official story."

I knew that they wouldn't have any more information about it, not without ranks, so I slowly tuned their talking out. Instead, my eyes were drawn towards the inner city walls that were getting bigger and bigger. I saw as the sun finally rose high, illuminating the land, and I felt goosebumps growing all over my body just thinking about the ship's deep horn once again.

I had to reevaluate some things in my mind. I assumed the world was in a similar state of development in every corner of this Ishillia Empire. Evidently not. Some regions were left behind compared to others. I guess this happens when an empire focuses on gaining new territories instead of developing existing ones. Are they aiming to conquer the world? Sooner or later, they would hit a wall. Ignoring the growing problems and such profound differences within the same Empire would do that. With how things were developing on my end, there was a high chance that I would be that wall.

If that ever happens, I will need to get ready. I must develop measures against mages, a stronger army, and superior magic technology. If they have flying ships that they are happy to show to the public, there must be more hidden weapons, which are only seen on the battlefield. The fact that they even consider mortar to be a state secret and won't divulge it, holding architectural advancement as a weapon, was telling enough.

This way, they could determine which region grows to which size, easily keeping places below a certain level. Divide and conquer. They held the reins firmly and dictated how parts of the Empire grew. Which in turn tells me that our domain is deliberately kept as a 'barbarian' outback. I don't know how other territories are, but I can't go and travel the world. Time is of the essence, and I need to use it to the best of my abilities. From now on, I will have to look at the world as if it is much more advanced than my home and act accordingly.

"Stop!"

"Which one of you is Elliot?"

"It is me, Your Highness!"

I could hear the fear within my Uncle's voice as he stepped forward, keeping in a bow, answering her questions, retelling the story once again. After that, it was my Father's turn to do the same, and I was expecting my name to be called, but that didn't happen.

"The return of the resources was a satisfactory show of your loyalty. It is worthy of being rewarded. First, you will return with my decree! Elliot, you will present your brother's head and everyone working with him to me within two months! Then you will take over as the new baron and ensure this thievery never happens again!"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

"Second, Kalash!"

"Yes!" Father saluted, stepping forward, keeping his head bowed.

"I expected nothing less from one of my guarding beasts. Good job; your reward will be a year's worth of tithes. You won't have to pay it this year."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

"Now..." She continued, not even acknowledging their thanks at all, her voice remaining calm and somewhat bored throughout the conversation. "The other point you presented to me. Leon, step forth and look at me!" Finally... I was waiting for this.

When I was allowed to look up, I was surprised as the Empress was young-looking, maybe in her mid-twenties? She wore a black attire that was more revealing than anything I saw in the city. The best I could describe it was that it was like some kind of modern, black evening dress with deep cutouts that let her sides and legs show, especially the latter, as she crossed one over the other.

Moving my eyes further up, without pausing, I could scan her slim figure and relatively small breasts, quickly jumping over them to not offend her, settling on observing her face. She was beautiful. In my time, she would be a top model with her deep, ruby-red eyes and long, black hair falling onto her bare shoulders. Even though her eyes were like fire, she looked at me with cold indifference, not even considering me worth talking to. At least, that is how I was feeling.

"Disgusting."

Well... Thanks. I did not expect her to say that straight to my face. Was I in trouble?