Chapter 77: Audience With Antiquity

Chapter 77 -077: Audience With Antiquity

“Oh, please, Prince Maxwell, it is our honor,” King Edward replied. “And how is your father, the Emperor?”

“In the best of shape and health, Your Majesties. On behalf of the Romanian Empire, thank you for receiving us, King Edward, Queen Khiva.”

“As courtesy demands, Prince Maxwell, you have traveled far. We trust the journey was without much difficulty,” the Queen spoke this time.

“Of course. Without taking up much of your valuable time, we shall get down to the crux of our visit, if you’ll permit us.”

“I am told you come seeking an alliance. Against the Khyronians.”

“A precautionary alliance, Your Majesty,” Maxwell said, maintaining the disposition of one correcting a small misunderstanding. He knew how condescending behavior had become part of Elyria’s nature, so he had studied and adopted attitudes that resisted it. He continued.

“We believe that we can handle Khyron. We have beaten them. Not once, not even three times. And in all those times, we prevailed in—”

“With losses, Prince Maxwell. The last time I sent my kin into your war, we lost some of them,” King Edward noted, but his face remained ever so composed, like one who was unaffected and was simply stating facts.

“An unfortunate tragedy, Your Majesty. But what we seek this time is more of a partnership—an understanding between two great powers that, if the situation were to unexpectedly escalate beyond our anticipation, the response of the other would be coordinated and swift.”

Duke Alan stood at Maxwell’s right and had said nothing. The name of the Diamond Prison preceded even his title as Duke, so his presence here was meant to throw the weight of that heavy title around. Meanwhile, on Maxwell’s left, Duke Antony of House Salem was watching the elders. Maxwell had noticed him doing so ever since they had entered the hall. It was common knowledge among the upper echelons that Antony was quite gifted at reading rooms, and so the Second Prince believed that whatever he read or saw in these ancient faces still set in flesh would be worth learning later.

“Though I must say, it would seem that of late, they have become active, attacking Beastmen territories as well as the eastern borders of the Dwarven lands.” Edward paused. “The Empire is aware of these things, I presume.”

“We are.”

“And the Empire’s supposed assessment accounts for these in its calculations, no?”

“It does, King Edward. While we do dismiss the possibility of escalation, we also do not govern and dictate to ourselves by leaving fate to possibilities…”

King Edward put his hands together, a gesture that meant a point had been contemplated and filed away.

“The Nation of Elyria has, without doubt, tried to maintain its position of neutrality through most conflicts over the past four centuries,” he said.

“We do not isolate ourselves from the world—we trade, we receive delegations, and we hold international meetings.

“But in our understanding, developed over the centuries, conflicts among shorter-lived peoples always begin for the most selfish and stupid of reasons. We’ve also come to understand that resolving these conflicts takes time and does not necessarily require our direct involvement.”

And there it was, delivered without contempt.

The purest, most patient viewpoint of a man whose grandparents had probably watched countless civilizations rise and fall long before the current ones even existed.

Maxwell sighed, letting the silence indicate that the statement had indeed hit home, before he spoke.

“The longevity of Elyria is its own counsel. We can’t argue with centuries, millennia even, worth of knowledge. We simply cannot presume to.

“The Khyronians, however, are not a new problem. They are a recurring one, and recurring problems tend to return larger and more troublesome than before. Like I have previously stated, we have managed them before, and we expect to do so again. We simply hope to do so with the knowledge that our neighbours share our interest in the outcome and that they will have our backs. That’s all.”

“The runic and magic defense systems of Elyria,” Elder Gozaty’s voice, slow and tranquil, was heard for the first time, causing everyone else to listen to him. “They have held against every force this world has produced for over five hundred years. The demon race is no exception to that record.”

“A fact duly noted even in the annals of history,” Maxwell replied. “Which is precisely why we came to you and not the other way around. An alliance with a power that has never needed one—that is the strongest kind!”

Inwardly, Maxwell sighed. He had spoken so much that he was now feeling a bit lightheaded.

Edward was quiet for a while.

Not from uncertainty; that feeling had long been forgotten. He was simply quiet, pondering. The Prince was certainly wise. His last statement had made a point, one that had landed well in a room that had not expected to find it reasonable.

After quiet deliberations, he said at last, “We will consider the matter the Empire has brought before us. You may not be aware, but we, in Elyria, do not make commitments in a single audience.” He paused, awaiting the prince’s response.

“That is a given, Your Majesty.”

“Good. You will be our guests for five more days. At the end of that time, we will speak again.”

It was not a yes, and it was not a refusal. From the accounts of past delegates, this was probably the most that had ever been offered to a ‘short-lived’ race.

“The Romanian Empire is grateful for your consideration, as well as for your care and hospitality in the coming days, Your Majesties.” He inclined his head at the same angle as at the start.

“Five days in the heart of Elyria is a luxury many a man won’t see, even in three lifetimes.”

The humor was appreciated, and the hall resonated with light laughter.

The audience concluded with the formal courtesies, empty words that meant nothing beyond the acknowledgement that both parties would meet again.

Just as the delegation proceeded out of the hall with their escorts, the Queen spoke out.

“Alan of Limnor. My dearest student and child. How is she these days?” She smiled.

Duke Alan smiled in return. “Fiery as the dragon you know her to be, Your Majesty.”

“It has truly been ages since we last met face to face. One of these days, when the matters of your realm settle, I shall send you an invitation. Have you any children as of now?”

“Four of them, indeed, Your Majesty.”

“Oh my. It has truly been that long.”

“Is that Selena’s partner?” King Edward asked.

“Yes, dear. The man who stole our daughter.”

The laughter this time was a bit more genuine.

“We won’t hold you back. Do go on and rest, Alan. Our son-in-law is always welcome to speak to us anytime.”

“Thank you, Father, Mother.”

See y’all tomorrow.

Don’t forget to send gifts (^^)