Into Kingsmere with sprinting horses was a trio of adventurers, their eyes lighting up.
"We've arrived!"
They jumped off the moment the cart came to a halt.
"Let's go! Let's go!"
Arriving in Kingsmere, they marched to the missionary with haste to get in on the next big thing.
Reaching their destination, they skidded to a halt.
"So many already?"
Hundreds of mercenaries lined up in front of the missionary with royal guards aligned to encase them, to keep the order.
The Emperor's recent recruitment order was the talk of the town.
Niton was commissioning adventurers for the incoming war.
Just the word 'war' raised many heads, connoting opportunity.
The situation was especially different because it was open to adventurers from other continents.
Normally, major war participants were exclusively from one's origin country simply because no one took kindly to another party taking from the bounty.
It was a first for sure, and more importantly, this was NITON-the Empire thought forever certified as an overpopulated region.
Sourcing external forces was the last thing anyone thought they'd do, also connoting how the serious the situation was.
To reduce mishaps and ensuing chaos, all arriving adventurers were to file for the war entry at Kingsmere.
In the same breath, Nitonians were given priority, the parameters of their rewards far outstripped those of foreigners.
For one, the tax rate was higher.
Yes, Tax. The opportunity to participate in the war was provided by the Empire, therefore reparations had to be paid.
Especially since Niton was giving out, better yet, loaning standard armour to all mercenaries with equipment of silver rank.
Foreigners were paid a set amount, of which they could use to buy items.
Any item found on the battlefield was to be turned in, taking any item for oneself was forbidden.
Quite stringent, but to mercenaries previously bored out their minds, it was good enough, because compared to the war torn Lexon, other continents were rather peaceful.
Not that peaceful, but Kingdom, no, continent wide wars was not commonplace.
Enlisting was simple, you were to sign a mana contract and once done, head to the border under the lead of a royal guard.
"Bolton" The Emperor called out.
Bolton raised his head.
"How is Triton's progress?"
"Wonderful sire" he replied. "The boy has been growing exponential pace, he's grown into a fine warrior and soon, a fine leader"
"Hmm" the Emperor nodded. "Good"
"What of Black Jaws? Anything to report?"
Black Jaws was now a behemoth even the Emperor didn't dare ignore.
Bolton flipped the documents in hand, provided by the spies planted in Black Jaws.
"Apparently, they've begun recruiting menial workers, maids, cooks and the likes, beyond that…Nothing noteworthy"
The Emperor stared into space, a deep frowning forming. 'What are you planning now?'
Black Jaws had risen to prominence during wars, with another approaching…
'Leaving them unchecked would be disastrous'
"Have our spies on their toes"
For Nitonian powers, Black Jaws was ten times more of a threat than whatever the demon worshippers were planning.
With their unprecedented growth, increasing range of influence, innovations and most importantly, their appeal to the commoners, it wasn't hard to see why.
Meanwhile…
With his legs hosted on the table, Fredrick looked through a set of documents while sipping on the best of beers, his eyes focused with hair unblemished.
Cabrera's sudden sigh called his attention. "Another war on the horizon, a pity we can't partake"
Cabrera's eyes met his.
"It's better we put it out of our minds, partaking would only cost us"
'Which was why we opted out from the start' Cabrera nodded.
"Thankfully, it's not a total loss" he said, reminiscing.
Thanks to the recruitment order, Black Jaws shipped guild members overseas to participate in the coming war as mercenaries while hidden recruits were allowed into the world, sent to replace the batch of those heading to war.
Additionally, in accordance to the times, prices of armour, potions, and runes skyrocketed.
What would you know, Black Sky had such items in both good quality and great quantity.
Most importantly, it's greatest selling point, it was most easily accessible.
You didn't need to pay anyone other than shop owners, you didn't need to grovel at a noble's feet or need that many 'connections' even.
After the first few months of business, customers were allowed to wear masks to obscure their identity and protect them from harm.
Also, transactions of any item beyond five gold were made in private, away from the gaze of others.
Fredrick was contemplating, his index finger tapping his armrest.
Their tax exemption was a decade long, and in a few months, it would expire and they would have to start paying.
With things the way they were, the Empire would make them bleed money, and Fredrick wasn't ready to give up any.
They'd tried to negotiate, but the Empire was adamant on having them pay taxes.
Negotiations on both sides had deteriorated.
Caressing his small moustache, Fredrick's eyes narrowed.
With no answer in sight, he threw it to the back of his mind.
'We'll deal with it when it comes to it'
Then, he thought of Ezra.
He'd wished to set Ezra free, but the fourth empress' whereabouts were still unknown.
Puffing out smoke from his finely tuned smoking pipe, Cabrera inhaled deeply.
"The bliss" he said softly. "Are you sure you don't want any? You're missing out"
Fredrick shook his head, "I told you, I don't smoke"
"A shame" Cabrera puffed another. "I have to ask, why aren't we building anything on the rest of the lands we acquired?"
"Because their purpose lies elsewhere, be patient and you will find out"
Cabrera stared. "Don't you think it gives our enemies a chance to lay claim on it"
"They wouldn't dare"
Cabrera nodded. "Not in their right minds, they wouldn't. But I suggest we be cautious"
"What do you plan?"
"A fence" he said. "Fences demarcating our lands, built with the best materials to ward off invaders"
"A good idea" said Fredrick. "Go ahead with it"
With a nod, Cabrera left.
—----------
Meanwhile…
"Ah!"
Valentine winced, reverting to stance for the subsequent attacks.
"Concentrate!"
Another attack landed.
"Ugh!" Parrying, Valentine grunted, her body quivering holding against the master's force.
Since her last visit to Ezra, the head warden assigned her to the two female squad leaders as a student.
She was in the middle of a class.
"Concentrate!"
A fist caught her square in the abdomen.
"Ugh!"
The momentary lapse in movement had her pinned to the ground in the next two moves.
Valentine tried to clutch back onto her feet, but with her mentor sitting on her, she soon gave up.
"You've been improving nicely, keep it up and you'll be as strong as me in no time"
Standing, her eyes flashed behind her dishevelled hair. "Save the compliments, let's go again"
Her mentor shook her head incredulously, getting into stance.
"Suit yourself"
Valentine attacked.
—----------
In the bare darkness of his cell, Ezra lay dormant, crossed legged with his eyes closed.
His veins voluntary slithering as blood sipped out his pores
Painful, but he'd gotten accustomed to it.
This was a routine procedure to keep the volume of the demonic blood down.
His lack of mobility or otherwise the lack of an outlet to release his power was fatally detrimental, because the rate of recovery was far much faster, making it far more harder to get rid of.
So he began training, finding it multiple times harder than before because of the shattered meridians.
Among other things, his elements were being corrupted by demonic energy.
His ice gained a ruby glaze, his fire gained a deeper shade, lightning seemed the same, while darkness gained a psychic effect.
Long exposure had a chance to provoke mental instability or insanity by radiating demonic energy.
An out of shape white crack of light lay attached to the top of the cell.
A loud hiss called Ezra's attention, looking up to see the white light dislodge itself, stretching to hang right in front of Ezra's face.
A snake with skin halved between pitch black and white light, opening its mouth to reveal the array of small, needle-like teeth, almost transparent.
A rather terrifying sight to behold.
Ezra tapped the head with his knuckle, "What is it, Severus?"
For Ezra though, it was but a pet in need of attention.
Hissing deeply, Ezra could only run his head and exhale a heavy sigh.
"Yes, I know you're bored…fine, I'll play with you later"
Ezra couldn't blame him.
Just moving about a small space for so long wouldn't hold much in terms of excitement.
Without further ado, Ezra sucked Severus into his space ring.
Sighing once again, he eyes grew serious.
Ezra spoke, staring into space. "Why are you here?"
Whether as a gift to uplift his loneliness or a curse to haunt him, Ezra welcomed a new guest a few days ago.
Only, said guest shouldn't even be alive.
Seated facing his Ezra with his legs crossed, the man smiled, his red eyes gleaming and his face as good as new.
An unforgettable visage it was.
Ziltris was back.
"Now now, that's no way to treat a guest"
