Chapter 6. Gliocas's Memorandum

My Emperor, I've been visiting the Baroque Cathedral as of late to pray for your continued success and the prosperity of the kingdom. Though as of late I have been leaving mass with a heavy heart and worried thoughts.

I spoke to Nunn Maria Monja and she has told me Cardinal Jose has sensed dark and malevolent rumblings in the Eastern borderlands. I have looked over the military spending for the year and have noticed other than the payments made to clan Heer af Nàdur for regulating the mana beast population and defending the borderlands, the Empire has made little investment in the East.

I fear our current defenses in the east won't suffice. We have not seen a Nàdur in over two decades, only a pigeon sent with their yearly census reminds us of their existence and ever-dwindling population.

I beseech thee my wise lord to send a host three hundred strong to build a fortress to aid them in its defense.

Sincerely your servant, Prime Minister, Jabhat

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Three hundred years ago, when I was just a boy, bearly hitting my first-century king Nas Teotha sent me north to fort Nox so I might prove my leadership and fight off the invading Kaijin. A dark ruddy race of men with blue hair, boars tusks protruding from the lower jaw, and three bloody eyes, the third being between their brows.

Widely were they feared for their explosive strength and leaping ability, having been observed leaping hundreds of feet as if launched from a catapult devastating legions with their impact. walls and barricades did little in slowing them. Little did we know they made treaties with the pygmies in the glacial mountain range, giving them weaponry equal to our own.

Eight-foot-tall red vengeful spirits armed with samurai armor and war axes sat atop giant sabertooth cats. With an ear-shattering howl, they laid siege on fort Nox. Our defense was devastated, forcing a retreat south into the wilderness of the Eastern borderlands. The Kaijin filled with bloodlust and hate left not a mouse alive at the fort, then gave chase into that foggy forest filled with giant redwood trees that pierced the sky, covered in vines as thick as a man's torso.

Amazonian foliage thrived between the trees and a thick mana-rich mist made it impossible to see beyond 2 yards. Even Elfine sight was diminished in the haze. It was a matter of time before the mana beast began picking off our injured. The Kaijin guided by their war beast's superior sense of smell eventually tracked us down and mounted another assault.

When I thought we would enter Valhalla, dark blue and green men fell from the trees raining arrows and water blades at the necks of the brutes. Roots and vines came alive strangling and draining our enemies of their vitality. Within a few short minutes, 20,000 strong armies were reduced to a few hundred fleeing cowards.

The strange race of men stood 6ft5" With a wiry athletic build metallic copper hair and glowing amber eyes was intimidating, to say the least. I thanked their leader named Koel Ziel profusely. He like his brethren looked indistinguishable from an elf, like myself except for stature and color. his gaze was cold and hollow, exerting a suffocating pressure on whomever it landed on. 

"Think not too heavily upon up my lord for we are mere guardians of the borders, repelling invaders is our duty." After that they quickly faded like phantoms into the foggy forest, the only testament to their existence was the bodies of the slain barbarians. When we arrive at the capital I was surprised to receive an award for smiting the Kaijin to the northern mountains, something I never did.

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My dear Jabhat, your zealous love for the kingdom of Urman has not gone unnoticed. Your prayers are much appreciated.

In regards to the Heer af Nàdur defense of the borderlands, I have little doubt In their ability to defend the borderlands as it has been their tradition for the last five thousand years. My friend the Nàdur's might is something to be feared and regarded, even by the crown. The Nàdur are are one of the few defenses I have confidence in.

Alas, a man must constantly test what is true, lest he forgets its validity and takes it for granted.

Your master cannot bear letting such burdensome thoughts deteriorate your old heart. To appease your worries I authorize you to conscript a battalion to give the Nàdur aid and find the reason for the dwindling of their population. The extinction of such a potent would send me to the grave early.

The funding this expedition will not be the duty of the crown, I'll leave the logistics to you.

This I will only warn you this once Jabhat, though the influence of the crown runs deep in Torrach Urman the Eastern borderlands is not such a place. Even I who have been there am ambiguous about the nature of its geography and ecology. Do not disrespect the Nàdur Jabhat, they are like an old friend to me.

Your lord Vlug Gliocas