The Castle in the middle of nowhere.

Between what happened in Aclium and finding Orina among the freed slaves only added work to my current schedule. The situation in the Ancient Forest had stabilised into an entrenched defence. Neither Vestargo nor I had the means to push or even wage a small-scale skirmish. Galahad reported some Vespid activities but there was nothing that indicated any emerging threats. We switched tactics from aggressively pushing forward to a static defence while actively pushing reconnaissance deep into the woods. Once our scouting parties found a strong point that potentially could be a fortified position, Galahad sent the Legionnaires to try to capture it. It was a tedious and slow process, but we advanced nonetheless. Vestargo, on the other hand, offered minimal resistance and, it seemed, he had retreated with most of his forces. I knew it was a race against time. Whoever managed to reorganise and attack first, would force the other side into a desperate and devastating defence with serious consequences for each lost battle.

"The Ibrevellian envoy asks for permission to enter Arcadia, my Lord." Thor's voice in my head interrupted my thoughts.

"What do they want?" I asked, growling.

"They wish to speak with anyone important enough and explain the grave mistake committed by their people." Thor clarified.

"Ridiculous..." I wanted to order to turn away the envoy but my curiosity won. I looked at Thor's report and smiled. "Cédric is in the town of Trodo preparing to disembark to buy more slaves. Ask him to speak with the envoy."

"As you wish." Thor briefly confirmed and his presence vanished.

•••

Trodo was a small town built to fill the space between the much more populated central regions of the former Verksa and its border. The locals were still confused about the fall of Verksa and it came as a shock to them when the first teams tasked with liberation of slaves made Trodo their base of operation. The primary shock to them was the news that Verksa fell a few months ago and they, not only, had a new Queen but she was, now, the wife of the Emperor of Arcadia. One quick investigation later made it clear that the local garrison hoped to take full control of the town. Cédric was sitting on the balcony of the town hall, sipping his tea and watching the energised town. Since the day they executed the instigator of their insignificant rebellion, the town flourished. Well... Kind of.

"Lord Cédric, the Ibrevellian envoy has arrived in town. He is accompanied by five guards and they have someone with a slave collar around their neck." A young woman who was tasked with being the town mayor interrupted his tea break.

"When they reach the town hall, bring them here. The day is warm and it would be a shame to stay indoors, Mayor Jilla." He smiled at her.

"As you wish, my Lord!" She bowed stiffly and unnaturally but it only earned a chuckle when she left.

Cédric could understand her nervousness since four of her predecessors had been executed for the serious crimes they had committed. The first one, a Verksan noble, falsely believed that his title protected him and embezzled funds from the town. The second one, slightly smarter, was found guilty of helping Ibrevellian spies infiltrate Arcadia. The third and fourth had, shockingly, short terms. The former was a mayor for a whole day before he was caught red-handed when, with his wife, they brazenly tried to steal the funds Cédric brought in the morning of the same day as their election. The fourth committed the worst crime. He tried to sell back freed slaves who awaited transport to deeper parts of the Empire. For that, he was executed on the spot. It didn't help that it was Cédric who appointed every mayor and then executed them. However, the Red Inquisitor, as he was called, wasn't concerned in the slightest. Those people needed to be removed but they, somehow, had managed to pass their interrogations and, in Arcadian law, they were innocent until committing a crime or accused with evidence to sentence people. Cédric suspected they, somehow, managed to avoid being interrogated by the Truthseekers. So far, in the province, the reign of law and order that was expected deeper in Arcadia wasn't consolidated, yet. But, he was one of the Daggers of the Fox Empress and he was going to bring order to these lands.

Even if the Emperor had not decided to, simply, drag everyone before Truthseekers, he was patiently waiting for rumors to help with his job. The news about how criminals were treated reached all ears in the region. The common and, generally, decent people took a deeper breath, knowing that justice was vigilant and usually swiftly delivered. The criminals... Well. It wasn't Cédric's problem what such scum felt. As for the current mayor, Jilla, she was the first person who was truly appropriate for the job. Cédric had his eyes on her from the moment he arrived in Trodo. She was the type of person working in every organisation, criminal or not, who kept their organisation operating smoothly. The quiet and competent Nekomi woman was horrified when she was appointed to be the next mayor but, after she spent a few hours crying in the toilet on hearing her nomination, she was living perfection. Cédric decided he would take her to a bigger city, that needed a true administrator, once everything was done here. However, as long as he needed this town, she would be running it.

"The envoy of the Ibrevell Kingdom, Viscount Ru'el Natal." The Moyar professionally introduced the envoy almost an hour later.

"I would lie if I said it is a pleasure, Lord Cédric, but there are some things that require immediate clarification before an escalation between our nations reaches the boiling point of war." The proud Elf slightly bowed to the still sitting Elf, who nodded in agreement.

"I'm barely a hand executing the will of my Emperor. Please, sit down, Lord Natal." Cédric slightly inclined his head toward the chair on the other side of his small, round tea table. "I was ordered to hear you out and I am authorised to make certain decisions, if necessary." The Red Inquisitor then looked at the nervous Nekomi. "Thank you, Mayor Jilla. You can leave us alone."

"At once, my Lord!" She vanished as quickly as possible without a skill.

The Elven noble was staring holes in Cédric but he just took a sip of his tea. Some very conflicting emotions were fighting under the expressionless face of the young-looking diplomat and Cédric could tell, at first glance, that whatever the envoy had planned to say was being, very carefully, reworded.

"I realise that the action of some misguided souls placed a huge shadow over the relations between our nations but I was sent to mend what's broken, if that's even possible. I'm fully aware that my mission is a fool's errand in the light of more recent events that even raised outrage at the court of my Lord. However, the crime committed by one group of idiots can't become a justification for war." The Elf said with such conviction that Cédric was, almost, willing to believe him. Almost... "That is why my Lord, the Great King Leasamer Shas'fi'hal decided to put all our efforts into capturing those criminals and bringing them to justice."

"And those criminals were...?" Cédric asked with a neutral tone as he expected to hear that the person behind the attack was executed.

"Most of them died, or were captured, during a retaliation strike conducted by your fleet, however, we managed to capture the one who issued the mad order. The King decided to give that man to Arcadia. We brought him shackled in a slave collar to ensure he would be given to you alive. We were sure you would have a few questions for him and my Lord really desires to de-escalate." Viscount Ru'el Natal looked embarrassed but, surprisingly, honest. "The separate matter is the attack on Princess Roannia of Aclium. Those men were... Fanatics. They are part of a very dangerous group who work against the Royal Family of Ibrevell and wants to undermine the reputation of the Kingdom. While Marquis Umelar was questioned and severely punished for losing his temper during negotiations... He... He couldn't defy the Divine Te'saru. The people who used him, and God Te'saru, to infiltrate the Aclium's capital, weren't affiliated with the Ibrevell Kingdom. I... I know it's difficult to believe and I couldn't believe myself, if I were you, Lord Cédric, but this is what I was instructed to say."

"The fact that you brought the criminal alive works in your favour, Lord Natal." Cédric nodded. He wasn't expecting that in the slightest. "However, nothing can take back words spoken during the unplanned meeting of Empress Irene va'Theon and Marquis Umelar. The Empire of Arcadia wishes nothing more than peace. However, it was the Kingdom of Ibrevell who began hostile actions against the Empire of Arcadia. De-escalation? If it is even possible, you made the right initial choice by bringing the man responsible for the attack in Aclium."

"We have wronged the Kingdom of Arcadia and we would like to make amends for it. It was, indeed, the Ibrevell Kingdom's actions that may be seen as provocations and, even, attacks and I can't deny that you have every right to not believe in my words. However, for the sake of the stability of the entirety of Aderon, we would like your Lord to reconsider the actions he plans to take against Ibrevell in retaliation. After all, the countries of South and North must work together to guarantee the prosperity of our people."

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"And yet... You imposed prohibitive tariffs and set unreasonable conditions for the slave trade in the entire region. How should we interpret your actions except as hostile?" Cédric asked calmly, taking a long sip of his tea. It was as excellent as such a mediocre tea possibly could be. Whoever brewed it deserved high praise.

"Your..." The Ibrevellian noble hesitated. "Your information might be... No longer accurate, Lord Cédric. There might have been some misunderstanding concerning the intentions of my King among our allies but I believe that everything will be set right the next time your merchants conduct business within the borders of the Ibrevellian Trade Pact."

"Is that so?" Cédric faintly smiled. He was provocative on purpose, but the young noble was an excellent diplomat.

"Indeed, Lord Cédric. The latest transactions were... Shocking. They were perceived by King Leasamer Shas'fi'hal as a gesture of goodwill between our nations and prompted many changes within the Royal Court... I..." He lowered his head as if he realised something very important. "I must not forget to mention that, by Royal Decree, Lady Irene va'Theon of the House Umelar is untouchable. Any attack on her person will be treated as an act of treason against Ibrevell."

Cédric looked at the man in honest disbelief. While the man in front of him reeked of honesty, the Red Inquisitor couldn't shake the feeling that the Elf was deceiving him somehow. He was good. Extremely good.

"And what kind of guarantees will we receive?" Cédric finally asked.

"I was given the Royal Decrees confirming everything I explained. I believe that my words have little to no value to you but, I can assure you, we don't want any conflict between our countries." The Viscount smiled with honesty but his eyes betrayed his nervousness.

"I see." He nodded slowly and looked at the envoy, but the man had nothing more to say. "I will send the documents to Avalon immediately. You will be accommodated in our guest rooms and, as soon as I receive the word from my Lord, you will obtain your answer. Don't be afraid, Vicecount Ru'el Natal. Arcadia respects the immunity of envoys."

"I'm glad you heard me fully, Lord Cédric."

"I was surprised by the extent of your offer. I reckon you will transfer the prisoner immediately?"

"Yes." The Viscount simply nodded as he stood up. "I pray for the peaceful resolution of this unfortunate situation."

"The will of my Lord is absolute and shall be done. I will humbly herald his decision." Cédric stood up as well and offered a shallow bow. He wasn't particularly convinced by the noble but he, certainly, could give him points for appearing surprisingly honest.

Once the guards brought the supposed criminal before the Red Inquisitor, he ordered them to take him, immediately, to Avalon. He was going to use the only destroyer at his command to make sure that the prisoner would reach their destination. He prepared himself to make a report when Mayor Jilla entered the balcony. She looked uncertain and uncomfortable.

"May I ask you a question, my Lord?" She asked meekly.

"Only if I can ask one in return." He flashed his best friendly smile, which he hadn't practised for ages.

She nodded with a slightly surprised expression.

"In that case, I would like to ask you... What is going on here?!" She swallowed.

"Ahhh..." He smiled. "There are a lot of things you are missing, living so far away in the province... Not to mention, because of the relatively low population and mostly good living standards, the province of Hilgvar receives only the basic funding and is, mostly, self-governing by will of the Governor in the Tower of Infinity. I must admit that the former lands of Verksa were, slightly, neglected but not to the point that it would raise an alarm in the capital. That being said... I don't know what your current knowledge is about the Empire of Arcadia in general..."

"To be honest... I know nothing. As you have already noted, we are so far in the province that we are self-sufficient out of necessity rather than choice. There is usually one caravan that arrives in Trodo each year and we get all our news from them. The tax collector usually arrives with them but... They are late. Your arrival, Lord Cédric, is the first such prolonged presence of any significant person in our town... Ever." She lowered her head and nervously put her hands together. "We... We have never heard about the Empire of Arcadia. The last thing we knew was the decree of King Gilmour that doubled our taxes for this next year as he prepared for war."

"Uhum." Cédric extended his arm toward the empty chair and looked at the woman expectantly. She sat down with visible hesitation while he smiled encouragingly. She was probably only a few years younger but the constant stress and nerves had aged her rapidly. "First of all, you don't have to be afraid to ask. How else will you learn anything if you won't ask when you don't understand something? Let's start with a short recent history lesson, shall we?"

He smiled and poured her a cup of tea while she nervously nodded in agreement.

"I have no idea how loyal you were to the Royal Family of Verksa or the Kingdom of Verksa in general, but they are gone." The Elf started and noticed her surprise. "Your King invaded your neighbour, the Kingdom of Hilgvar, in hopes of forcing its queen, Lady Mia Francesca, into a political marriage. However, he underestimated the Queen. While his army crossed the border, she was already traveling across the lands controlled by the Kingdom of Avalon. My Lord was fighting against the Kingdom of Cridia and, when Queen Mia arrived and asked for his help, he aided her."

It took Cédric another hour to tell her the tale of the rise of Arcadia. Jill's eyes shone with curiosity and awe as he spoke about the victories that shaped Arcadia. About the fall of Cridia and Berna and how the Emperor guided his people to a great and prosperous future. He told her about the beautiful Empresses who reigned over the lands of Arcadia alongside their husband and how their wise decisions helped all the people living within the Empire. Lastly, he told her about the war against Vestargo, the troubles stirred by Ibrevell and the alliance with the nations of NATO.

"I had no idea..." Jilla whispered. Her teacup was empty and the woman looked into the distance. "So now we are Arcadians? Do we have the right to travel wherever we want? Can we travel to the distant lands or even the far Northern Ocean?"

"Indeed." He nodded with a smile.

She looked at him in shock and, for the first time since he became one of the Inquisitor-assassins in the service of Empress Luna, he couldn't tell what someone he spoke with was thinking. Her sparkling eyes finally dimmed as she looked at the huge airships of the Royal Navy hovering over the town, and she finally sighed.

"Thank you, my Lord, for your time and the magnificent story." She slowly stood up and forced a smile.

"No problem, Miss Jilla." Cédric smiled. "Now is my turn to ask you a question."

"Ah, that's right, my Lord." She smiled far more honestly and, for a brief moment, she was relaxed. She was cute when she wasn't nervous.

"Could you tell me who made this tea?" He smiled widely. "It was excellent and I wanted to personally thank the person who brewed it."

"Oh..." She blushed. "That was me, my Lord..."

"In that case, Miss Jilla, what do you think about making another pot in... Let's say… in about an hour so we could discuss a few more things?" He smiled at her and realised that it was a true smile.

"Of course, My Lord!"

•••

"Hmmm... I'm not buying it, Cédric." Lord Theon's voice was calm but slightly worried. "I don't know what the Elves want but this is a deception."

"They are not stupid and they must know they wouldn't stand a chance in any confrontation with our forces." Empress Irene was far more emotional than her husband.

"I believe that this is the case of their de-escalation offer, Your Majesties." Cédric simply stated. He was glad that his input wasn't required.

"I'm going to accept their terms." The Emperor finally decided. "Yes, I could destroy them with the might of my fleet, but that would harm Arcadia in the long run. I need time to develop Arcadia and expand my armies. Until then, I won't be able to do anything about the Elves."

"I learnt enough from you to understand you... All right. We will increase our spy activity in Ibrevell. I want to know what they are preparing as well." Lady Irene sighed and disappeared.

"I want you to escort the prisoner to Avalon once you curtly express to the envoy that we don't trust them but we will give them a chance to prove to us they want peace." The Emperor sighed. "I don't really care if they believe you as long as they stop their hostile actions against Arcadia."

"As you wish, my Lord!" Cédric bowed to the illusion of the Emperor.

His orders were clear so, in the morning, he would summon the Ibrevellian envoy and send him on his merry way back. He would like to have done it immediately but they needed to made sure to pretend that Eagles were carrying their messages. He still had a few moments before his second meeting with Jilla and he hoped that she would join him on a brief trip to Avalon. A visit to the capital might be educational.

Well... As long as she agrees to make him tea.