Asher looked at them, one eyebrow raised.
“What?”
“The most powerful faction in this side of the north isn’t a clan but an empire. The Empire of Cyrenia. They own the land from the borders of El to the Dragon Lair mountains and are ruled by an imperial family of fairies like the Grand Priestess.”
Omar said.
“I heard The Empire of Cyrenia has all races within. From the resourceful humans to the forest living elves, the architectural and blacksmithing dwarves, us beastmen and all are ruled by the fairies.”
Nero frowned when he noticed the frozen expression on Asher’s face. What Asher could remember right now was his conversation with Sapphira in the crimson temple.
She would serve him and he would help search for other fairies out there.
He was the one who proposed it.
He couldn’t let go of Sapphira now.
The very thought of it made him feel… fear.
As unbelievable as it sounded, Asher knew what he felt was fear.
Had he known!
Maybe, he would have rejected her that night but wasn’t it too late to regret?
Asher didn’t need anyone to tell him, Sapphira belonged to the imperial family of the empire. Right from the first time he saw her, he knew she couldn’t be ordinary.
In fact, he thought of her as a royal fairy on first sight.
Curse his knowledge.
His past self knew all along!
Everything seemed as if it was crumbling right before his eyes. His love life once again was about to take the same route.
If Cyrenia were to ask for her back and he refused it would put his domain at risk at the full force of a greater power.
But…
Was he still that weak?
Wasn’t a troop of 8,000 saints great enough for his domain to face any foe?
The Gray Knights and Scarlett Templar Knights had the advantage even against other saints so he could very well choose to face Cyrenia head on.
However, he also had other powerful foes waiting for the right time to strike. It seems like it was time to build more allies.
Adamos and Mormont were strong enough to aid him against Nubis, Intis and prince Nethaneel who would eventually become his enemy once he declared his independence.
Forming an alliance with Clan El was the best plan. Their alliance would make Cyrenia reconsider.
“An empire ruled by fairies.”
He muttered. The urge to grow more powerful roared stronger than ever. And power can also include his allies.
Intis and Wyvern had not officially declared themselves as enemies of his throne and in exchange got to buy evergreen olive oil.
Nubis citizens had to buy from merchants at a higher price and this had caused unsettling in Nubis Dukedom but the Duke had coldly suppressed it.
Asher knew his farm products were too valuable to be ignored. So lords considered twice before declaring him as their enemy. Because of this some small lords had been trooping to Goshen, saying they have nothing to do with Nubis enmity just to get a carriage’s worth of evergreen olive oil and some livestock.
Where else could one get gold ranked meats like the ovok and hexakad chicken?
In fact, he was setting the standard of nobility in the north and beyond. Without these meals, some nobles wouldn’t feel comfortable in their circles.
However this great control also came with greed. Asher knew it.
The moment he revealed weakness, they would devour him.
In the world of nobility, never reveal your weakness, not even to your noble friends.
Asher blinked.
“My Lord. Are you alright?” Nero asked, pulling Asher out of his reverie.
“I am.”
Asher replied after a thought.
…
Unbeknownst to him, countless kilometres away, a white carriage with silver adornments stopped before a grand staircase leading to a massive palace.
The door of the carriage bearing the emblem of a golden trident was pulled open by a servant who quickly bowed his head.
A man featuring well combed black hair, cold blue eyes and anchor beard on his nicely sculpted face descended.
He wore a white trench coat on his black tunic, plain trousers and knee high boots with silver bucklers that matched the brooch attached to the collar of his trench coat.
His dragonfly wings folded at his back. With a measured pace, he ascended the staircase.
As he ascended, the knights on the staircase lowered their heads. This man was the warlord of Cyrenia, the general who had spent his days keeping the abyss force beyond the wall of Cyrenia.
Alexander Marcellon!
Boom!
The huge double doors opened, allowing him to walk into the beautiful interior of the palace hall.
The imposing emperor and his son, seated on their thrones with the other unoccupied three, reflected in his blue eyes.
“Your Majesty.” Alexander lowered his back the moment his right knee touched the marble floor.
Jael, the first son of the emperor, smiled warmly at his friend.
“Rise. Young hero, what makes you leave your beloved battlefield to this peaceful land?”
Geriant, the emperor of Cyrenia spoke as he descended.
He approached Alexander and embraced him warmly.
“I heard Alexandria has been found.” Alexander said softly.
“She has.” Jael’s smile widened causing Alexander’s eyes to brighten.
On the day of her birth, the two moons were crimson. A feat only seen every 200 years, and according to the seers, she was chosen to be the next ruler of Cyrenia.
And so the name Alexandria, meaning defender of the people was given to the baby.
Alexander was also born on the same night and both fathers, the emperor and the duke, joined them.
Growing up, Alexander had been consistently told of his future wife whom he was to protect and aid in ruling the empire.
Hearing that she had been found, he couldn’t stop himself from rushing here after waiting for several months and confirming it was the truth.
In fact, the entire was celebrating the return of their future empress.
“Where is she?”
“Beyond the Mountain walls. We sent Gerald months ago and he sent a reply quite a few days prior that she is with a human lord.”
Geriant’s reply made Alexander’s eyebrows furrow.
“W… what?”
“He wanted to retrieve her but there were imperial-ranked soldiers with dangerous fighting ability. He said he didn’t know how they appeared from nowhere.”
“Imperial-ranked soldiers are what is stopping our strongest knight?!”
Alexander’s frown deepened as he struggled to control his tone.
Geriant looked at Alexander. “That’s why you’re here. I shall send you there to give the human lord my gratitude. Then tell him that my daughter doesn’t belong in such lowly land. He should free her and we shall support his domain.”
Thud!
Alexander’s right knee slammed the tile. “I shall do as you command! Alexandria will be returned to her rightful position!”