Humanity's Hero Of Despair

We slowly approach the gates of Tolpolis.

We all sigh in relief as we reach the gates. It took a few hours to arrive here from Angelpost. The entire way here, we were worried about being followed. Who knows whose footprints those belong to?

We just didn't want to find out soon if they were onto us.

We were stopped at the first checkpoint into the city.

Instead of a few gate guards checking on us like in the capital city of Vexa, we had an entire military squad check on us. It seems like this city is more protected than the capital.

I guess it's because it's bordering the Oriventh Empire?

Quillen speaks to the guards and I flash them with the official seal of the Vexa President. The military guards let us through the first checkpoint. Then we approach the second checkpoint with even more guards. The same thing happened again, and we were let through.

I thought it was going to keep going on forever by the time we got through the third checkpoint. Like I mean, this place is extremely well protected. Hopefully, this means our pursuers can't continue to follow us.

As we enter the main part of the city, I notice magic archers and cannons all over the top of the walls. There looked like enough firepower to take down our entire party fairly quickly if we were taken by surprise.

Thank goodness we made it through.

Our party is guided by a few of the military guards inside the walls to the Governor's Mansion. The mansion itself is pretty large and impressive. It's heavily fortified with magic defenses.

We all get out of our carriages and some of our party gets off horseback. We then all walk up to the steps of the mansion and knock on the door. A butler opens the door and leads us to the Office of the Governor. I hand over the letter to the butler and the butler goes inside the office and hands it to the Governor.

After a few minutes, we hear a powerful voice say, "come in."

Governor Griffith is an older man who has a thing for formal wear. He is in military uniform with his medals being shown proudly on his uniform. He is much older than President Hector, yet seems so much more kind with that look in his eyes.

"I read over the contents of the letter from President Hector. We would be happy to help provide for your travel party, Viscount Lotus. I already sent my messengers word to bring in a few veteran captains I want you to take when you enter the Oriventh Empire."

"Since it is well, a perilous place to enter."

A few minutes go by and several strong, middle-aged men come walking into the room. The Governor turns to face them and introduces them to all of us.

"This is Veteran Captain Darius of our cavalry unit. This is Veteran Captain Erynn of our foot soldier unit. Last, this is Veteran Captain Ronin, of our archer unit. These three captains will lead twenty soldiers of each kind under your command Viscount. How does that sound?"

"That sounds amazing, Governor Griffith. Thank you so much for the support!"

I am surprised at them giving us so much and so high-level military units to take with us. In a way, it worried me slightly.

"How dangerous is the Oriventh Empire?"

"Very dangerous Viscount. The Empire is going through some political turmoil right now. The main political powers are fighting to stay loyal to the Emperor or rebel. There is one major thing you should know before you can have the audience with the emperor."

"The Oriventh Empire is mainly controlled by the three Grand Dukedoms. The Grand Dukedom that is closest to us is the Grand Dukedom of Lancaster. Grand Duke Lancaster is a very rich and powerful young man who is debating whether to support the emperor.

"You need to convince him to side with the emperor, as that will squash down the rebellion."

"The other two Grand Dukedoms cancel each other out as one of them supports the emperor while the other one wants to contest the throne. If you can convince two of the three Grand Dukedoms to side with the emperor, the political tension and rebellion should release."

Quillen makes an interjection.

"So in other words, convince Grand Duke Lancaster why he should support the emperor as well as us to his benefit?"

"Exactly right." Governor Griffith says back to Quillen.

The Governor turns back to face me.

"Be careful with Grand Duke Lancaster. He most likely will make you all party for a few days before getting any work done. From working with him on several issues in the past, he very much enjoys showing off and putting off work. It's the trouble with some of these powerful young folks."

That gets a slight chuckle out of Matteo.

The Governor turns to Matteo.

"You and Leena are crucial to this part of the mission as having both the prince and princess of Tarondar there at his castle will show how important this mission is as well as will make him want to show off more. Indulge in him for a few days, but do not forget to actually talk politics with him."

The Governor turns back to me and hands over his official stamp seal on a small piece of paper.

"Show this, alongside the President's letter and your own letter from King Grey. This will prove, alongside everyone you are bringing to the empire, that you guys are very serious. If the entire Oriventh Empire wanted to, they could destroy both of our countries if all the Grand Dukes agreed."

"Luckily, that almost never happens."

A few of us give a nervous laugh in response. We then talk back and forth with the captain to get to know them more. All the captains are well experienced, but still young enough to fight fairly well. We added sixty soldiers to our travel party, which makes me feel more safe.

Before leaving for the Dukedom, we go to the huge armoury of Tolpolis. The armoury was almost on a par with the armoury in the Tarondar Palace, which was saying a lot. We replaced our swords, shields, helmets and got our wands polished.

"Ready for another vacation before getting serious?"

Ivy elbows me slightly in the shoulder while smiling.

"Yeah right haha". I say, while inspecting my wand and putting it away.

Hopefully, I won't have to use it soon.