Chapter 158 - History of the World

"Calm down, we mean you no harm! We're just here to investigate!"

"Investigate my ass! You idiots could've done that from a distance, it's like you're asking to burn!"

Having just arrived outside, Zeki looks like he's about to go off on a killing spree but I'm not sure on the actual reason why. The people who he seems to be mad at haven't raised any weapons or even seem to be a threat, it could just be he's still pissed about the whole gender thing but still.

As for the small group of people he's currently pissed at, they are dressed in similar robes to the martials artist we just obliterated but the only real difference is that the clothing is dyed black. Oh, and they also wield samurai blades similar to Petra, none are showing the slightest bit of hospitality to us anyways.

"Zeki, calm down for a second, they'd have already attacked if they meant any harm"

"I know that sis but they still shouldn't have been sculking around like rats waiting for us to come out. They could still be plotting an ambush even now"

Petra tries to regain his composure but it's obvious he's just in a foul mood again, best just let him calm down and get over the curse he's currently having to bear.

"Look, all we're trying to do is figure out what's happened. Presumably, at least one of you is responsible for this destruction that's occurred, right? Or did you just happen to come across this camp like this as well?"

The man leading this small group of darkened martial artists seems extremely concerned with the hell around the place, I'm pretty proud of my handiwork if I'm being honest. Sure, it's nasty and all but they were in our way after all, it's not like I really care about justifying my slaughter.

"Yeah, that would be my handiwork. You got a problem with us destroying these bastards?"

Anyways, stepping forward making sure to take responsibility, I'm not sure if these lot can be trusted so might as well act like Billy big boots. Or whatever that old expression was.

"A problem? No no, nothing like that, but please, you must come with us and meet someone. All of you are invited as well"

Our travelling party obviously seem a little unsure on the reasoning for such an abrupt invitation, is this a trap or are we getting a reward? I'd kinda like to see them trap us, rid the jungle of some more artists.

(Petra) "Need a little more to go off than that whoever you are"

(Ikarus) "Yeah, don't even think about trying anything as you've already seen what we can do"

All this does is makes the guy even more uncomfortable but he does seem pretty desperate for us to tag along.

"Our leader. She will be most appreciative of the what you've done today and it will be cause for celebration. Please, there's nothing to worry about, we won't even ask you to disarm! Just follow our group through the jungle for a few days and we'll be at the city..."

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The fourth or forgotten continent, best known as Maladonia has a rich and troubled history throughout the ages but has always been known as the original continent all mortal life came from. The history is impossible to fully track but there are some key stories that have been kept as an attempt to keep history remembered.

Starting from the first ages of humans and everything else, it was heavily rumoured the first descendants of Gods came down and blessed this place as a way to encourage and develop the first remnants of civilization. Things always start off as nice and cosy but mortals will always find something to dislike, in this case it was themselves.

For a time, the Gods were worshipped as such until all the species that lived in perfect harmony had enough of the differences between each other and started neglecting worship in favour of war and power. It didn't take long for the Gods to sense this and in the end, all came to an agreement to give up on another failed project creating a perfect world in their image. The irony is never lost because this world is created exactly in their image, Gods hate each other as much as the racism flows through this world.

As for what the separate groups of mortals did, the dwarfs created gigantic metal ships capable of carrying thousands and set off to a land they could mold for themselves. Those ship later become the mountains that they now reside in... apparently. That's if you decide to believe in every fairytale you're told, they most likely thought the idea of mining in a gigantic mountainous island was too attractive to turn down.

The elves in hatred of everyone, even themselves tried to set up new homes in the gigantic forests of Jötna but quickly realized they struggled to stomach even the most similar of their own kind, further separating into even smaller unorganized tribes till only a handful remained. Ironically, the volcano eruptions that happen every now and then actually caused them to stomach each a little better due to the sheer amount of hardship they've had to endure. That hatred is mostly aimed towards dwarfs now, despite some groups even managing to trade with the enemy species despite that disgust.

The beastkins longing for a world of battle and warmth flocked to the deserts of Krieger in hope of that land they craved. And they found it to an extent, albeit the water situation always proved most difficult even at the best of times. The species eventually got to the point where they would drink anything to stay alive, even blood through the worst of draughts. This reminds me of something us lot did over there when coming across a tainted well ages ago.

The humans wanting a fertile land ripe from crops travelled all the way to the northeast in search of Sierra, originally the home of the dragons. The all-powerful lizards welcomed the mortal company with open arms until they were forced to reconsider their options when the first empire came to fruition. They just so decided dragons were better off serving the humans and no longer wanted to share the bountiful lands shielded by the occasional mountain range.

Obviously, the dragons would never agree to such a disgusting deal so the endless wars and the destruction of the species no longer became a matter of if but when. The humans may have never held as much strength as the flying creatures but they always had their own methods using such tricks as mind control even forcing the dragons to fight for the mortals at times.

This would be the first time in thousands of years dragons haven't been relentlessly hunted, but the empire were the weakest they've ever been making it much harder to do so. Then, Desmond came along and that was history...

And finally, the few groups of different species left remaining on this forgotten land decided to put all differences aside and love each like they were family regardless of ears, stature or anything that could be interpreted as racism. It still lingers even now especially with the martial artists that only recruit men and humans but the rest of the continent lost that species hatred hundreds of years ago.

Or, that's what the story I'm being told tells. The seven countries that now dwell within this continent still fight and war but as least it's no longer down to race, which I guess is good? War is still war at the end of the day, it matters little who's doing it and we know that first hand...

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"So... how did you two like hearing about the history of these lands?"

"Heh, it was interesting, but you may have put someone to sleep"

"I'm only resting my eyes Petra! It was alright I suppose... not really sure why you even brought it up. We still don't know what the point of this invitation is for"

Sitting cross-legged on the floor around a small table in an Asian styled room, me and Petra have just heard this tale of history from a grey-haired woman wearing darkened robes similar to the other people we've came across. Pretty sure she's the leader of this settlement, maybe even country but we haven't actually discussed all that much yet.

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https://i.ibb.co/zQ54cSv/Dara.jpg

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As for that never ending tale about everything regarding the entire world, there's definitely some issues with some of it. The main thing is a glaring lack on information when you go back after a certain point so it's hard to fact check things, any written records start fading more and more the further back you go. The effects of multiple volcano eruptions that set back the world every now and then don't help as well.

Sure, you could talk to a being who lived way back then but all dragons seem to either forget a load or they just simply don't wish to discuss it. By that logic alone, I'm guessing the history about Sierra is spot on but the rest of the lands are slightly more difficult to record.

Oh, getting here just under a week of travelling on foot to get here and this city is pretty spectacular if I'm being honest. It's still got that red Asian building design but seems to be mixed with a medieval castle structure as well, the location is also right on the edges of the swamp.

As for why it's just us two, this woman already knows who we are as apparently, the two queens have making waves all around the world. Not sure what to make of our reputation becoming worldwide but eh, I guess it matters little. The rest of our party are around this castle somewhere doing God knows what.

Anyways, finally moving on from that massive info dump that was just given, this woman definitely got carried away with all that.

"Ah, I really love history so I'm sorry if I went a little too heavy. How are you enjoying our city anyways? We know it's not as fancy as the human lands to the northeast but it should still provide comfort"

"Please, just get to your point already"

I say that in a slightly grumpy manner while sipping the tea we've been given, I listened through all of that and even paid attention so the least you can do is get to your point already!

"Sorry sorry, I'll stop that then. Other than to thank you for taking out the evil martial artists that reside in this jungle, we've got to crown you queen of the jungle for such an accomplishment!"

...

(Ikarus) "Eh!? What?"

"You did a deed of great value and as such you need to be treated like a legend in this place. Taking care of such a large camp single handedly is truly an accomplishment needing such a title"

Erm, what the hell is she on about? I get that we took out a foe they've been struggling with but to crown me queen of the jungle for such a reason? Just give me something monetary and we can be our ways. Petra seems to be into this more than I though.

"Heh, Ikarus, queen of the jungle. I'm liking that title for you"

"Of course you freaking would! Why am I only one getting celebrated though? We're travelling in a party of six after all"

"Heh, that was all your handiwork I'm afraid Ikarus. You're the rightful heir to becoming queen"

Sighhh, I sometimes forget we still do this. It's about bigging the other partner up and helping with self-confidence, it just becomes annoying because both of believe the other is perfect in our own special way. It pisses me off, alright!? Petra is perfect, I am not!

"Damn it Petra, just shut up one second! We've already got three islands to deal with and we neglect them enough already, you can't expect me accept taking control of an entire jungle!"

"Heh, I'll zip it then"

That's my main problem, there's no way we're sticking around a shitty jungle and dealing with the politics down here. I'm not sure why I dislike the area all of a sudden but I'm also unsure why anyone would want to live in a place like this, the same thing applies to the swamp as well. I'd be flying around every second as it's just a pain in the arse to get around in these sorts of places, it's not like we do that all the time already...

"Well... being queen of the jungle is less work than you'd think. Actually, there's none since it's more of an honorary title than an actual royal one"

(Ikarus) "What's the entire point of it then?"

"To show our appreciation of course! There's nothing else really to it other than having a little ceremony, crowning and celebration."

So, this crowing of the jungle queen is basically just an excuse for a party? That sounds way more appealing than expanding our area of rulership, three neglected islands is big enough. If it just ends up being a big party, that sort of thing doesn't sound too bad...

I still feel like we should know a little more about this area before we start anything like that though. For example, we barely even know anything about those martial artists yet, the ones we killed for example.

"Okay... Other than the celebration, can you tell a little more about those martial artists me and Petra just killed? They got in our way so we're not even sure what they're after"

"You're not sure on the group you practically wiped out? Other than what I've told you about them hiring only male humans, there's not much to tell other than the fact they're basically just bandits and inhabit a lot of the jungle. Sure, they don't really kill people but they are a right nuisance we've been struggling with for ages. We hired the adventures guild for help but obviously that wasn't needed"

"They don't kill?"

Petra asks that looking a little concerned about killing people who didn't deserve it. Sure, she's not fussed about doing it if it must be done but she still has a sense of morality compared to me. Whether they were killers or not is meaningless, it's kinda cool to know these lot are the reason for meeting Melinda and the adventurers earlier on though.

"Well, that's not completely true as some of the injuries they inflict can lead to death, but there's no real need to worry about it all. They have been the scourge of the jungle for decades now, you've done everyone around here a huge favour"

At least that's a little relief for Petra but like I just said, I couldn't care less if they killed or not. All weak and unworthy scum not worth discussing really...

"What about this country in particular though? You said there was seven in total earlier on?"

Maladonia seems to have seven countries similar to how the elven lands of Jötna also has a seven-tribe thing going on as well. Those lands don't have borders and we've barely visited other places, can't be exploring everywhere I guess. Still though, it's good to learn a little bit about how other places handle not being in the shadow of a gigantic never-ending empire and dragons, lots of lots of strange dragons.

"Yes, but it's more like six since our country has an alliance with the other country within the jungle, setting up borders is practically impossible around here after. Actually, if I'm being pedantic about it all, you could make a case for there only being two countries"

(Ikarus) "What do you mean by that?"

"We're part of a four-country union and the three countries to the southwest also share a different union of sorts. We're not really on the best of terms with them in the south though..."

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---Blue crystal is current location within Maladonia, it kinda makes sense to have looksee right now (WIP).

https://i.ibb.co/t23V7rD/Maladonia-SP1.jpg

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So, I guess you could kinda compare it to an early version of the empire, just two competing sides? It doesn't sound like they're at war right now but this woman didn't sound too happy to bring them up.

"...Enough about boring politics though! Will you stay with us to celebrate? A warning if you do though, we'll all be filling our livers full of dwarven alcohol. As focus of the celebration, you'll may end up drinking too much when everyone offers a tribute"

...

Another night to potentially forget, we've done this hangover thing enough times already, but it would be rude to turn them down, right? As if I'm even considering saying no to this, of course we're up for getting hammered!

"I guess we'll be happy to stay... just for a night or two"

"Heh, me and Ikarus won't turn down this offer"

"Excellent! I'll get the preparations sorted..."

'Let's see what sort of shenanigans we get up to this time, dwarven alcohol is known for causing memory loss...'