Toril Continent

The Day after the event in the merchant plaza, they encounter yet another situation that is related to the beast fighting in the forest. They were summoned by the Ruler of the Fort in his castle.

Palace guest room

Inside a luxurious room waited the five of them when suddenly the door opened and entered a huge scar faced man with military uniform escorted by a knight.

They stood up give their greetings and bowed respectfully. They knew the situation and they knew from the uniform alone who that man is, they are well versed of how the royalty works. And even though Zion was a prince it is customary to respect to high ranking officers and royalty. It is not their place to decide who is high ranking and who is not because they are in a different planet with a different culture.

"Welcome merchants, I am the current monarch of this fort. Archduke Sigmond Rygorn. thank you for accepting my selfish summon." The commander said confidently while gauging them one by one.

"We are the Urza travelling merchant group. I am the leader, Zion and these are my companions Zeeq, Lent, Kumar and Shierra. We are very humbled and honored to be summoned here my lord." With a simple but proper bow, Zion executed perfectly a well mannered citizen.

"Enough with the pleasantries let us sit down and proceed to the concern in hand."

After sitting down the commander started to talk: "As you have heard, the event that occurred in the forest was of very great significance to the fort, it disrupted other beast habitats and also affected the nearby settlements. It is now dangerous for foragers, lumbers and many others jobs related to the forest so in behalf of the castle and the kingdom of Luxor we thankyou for the timely information you provided. We managed to locate and avert any harm to our citizens thanks to you but we can only give you a very small reward." The commander gestured and a soldier from outside entered with a small chest full of coins. "Also you can ask any request from my assistant over here as long as it is in our capabilities." He said smiling as he gestured for Alex.

"We humbly accept the reward, and we also thank the lord for welcoming us in the fort. To have a comfortable stay at the fort is the only thing we could ask for, and even the past few days was a very great stay without any trouble. We could not ask for more." Zion said truthfully as their venture was smooth throughout there stay at the fort, the people are welcoming and proper. and there are no major problems inside the city.

"If that was a compliment I am grateful, these are all thanks to my men who diligently patrol the streets day and night. HAHAHAHAHA" After somewhat boasting a bit the commander again ask in seriousness. From then on the commander and Zion's group conversed comfortably that seems like friends that did not see for a long time. Even with the obvious age gap, neither the commander nor Zion felt awkward.

And before the commander concluded the meeting he asked for the last time. "After your venture here, have you decided already on where to go next?" Before they can answer the commanders question. A soldier barged in hastily.

"Commander Urgent Report: Movements From three of the Five sultans were reported by the spies, and there seems to be gathering over the ridge at Dorsan Village." The sultans are black people that lived in other continent but somehow drifted in this continent, they are most know for their capability of fighting and using strengthening mana abilities.

"What? So they finally moved. Prepare the meeting room. and as for Mr. Zion and group, you can stay whenever you want but I advise you to move out from this fort and travel to the capital. I will also request selfishly that you take as much as you can children and the old." The commander looked at Zion hopeful and it was not in vain. Zion nodded without hesitation and it made the commander very happy.

Snow Fort east gate

"Your highness" "Don't call me that title here" Zion apprehended Zeeq as he forgot to call Zion master as what they have planned. "I mean Master, Our plan was only to gather data and return. Why would we accept the Commanders request?" Zeeq confusingly asked, but he understood that they need to help those who are evacuating.

"The plan to return will proceed but for now we will escort some citizens escaping, but only you and shierra will go to the capital for escort. The three of us will help here and while you are there, you should gather as many information as you can about their politics and the current status quo of the capital, focus around 70% on that and the rest is general knowledge. Do you understand?" He looked at Zeeq who was still confused but accepted the command without question.

Snow Fort Military Affairs Meeting Room

"My Lord, what do you think of the Merchants?" Alex asked as one of their goal was to ascertain the personality and gauge the goals of Zion's group.

"They are not spies, they weirdly have low mana like children but they might have their own circumstances, the area they came from might be low on mana or its normal in their tribe. Even when I purposely emitted my aura, not even a slight reaction. and its impossible for anyone to have no reaction at all, it seems that they are really unaware of mana or don't know how to utilize it properly. But what I'm curious is their confidence, just encountering alone the gold level beast should be enough to instill trauma, but they are handling it like nothing. If I was in their situation, and have no mana to protect myself. I would have fainted on the spot." The commander pondered but could not think of anything.

"My lord, you have a point. What I'm seeing is that they really are ignorant of mana and they were very lucky enough to escape the beast fighting. Nevertheless, the information they gave helped us quite substantially." Alex who was simple minded did not think beyond what his lord is currently thinking.

But as they were about to start their meeting, Zion and his group requested to enter the meeting room. and so the commander agreed thinking there might be something in connection with the request he gave earlier.

"Greetings Commander: The evacuation plan is going smoothly but I have a request." Zion greeted respectfully as there were also other nobles in the room.

"Thank you again for you effort Sir, Zion. You can ask anything of me." The commander purposely spoke his name so that the nobles will know who the person is. Although the nobles did not know they were briefed of the happenings including Zion's group contribution and even the evacuation plans. So they were thankful of the young man who is Zion.

"I request to help your highness defeat the enemies." Zion confidently proposed without batting an eye. The room became awkwardly silent. The other nobles was confused, and although they are indebted to Zion for his help they felt disrespected.

"I would certainly not question Sir Zion's confidence and knowledge but please leave the matters to us. I would have to disrespectfully decline the offer." The Commander was still enduring and understanding of Zion's sentiments. But after conversing with him, the commander was certain that he and his group would have no significance in the coming war. but of course his help in the evacuation was greatly welcomed and honored.

"Commander, I will be honest. I know of the current situation between the Capital and this fort. The supply, reinforcements, your affiliation with the current King and...." Zion was about to say something but was stopped by a loud bang. The commander slapped the table creating a loud bang.

"Sir Zion, Who are you. I would not believe for you to be a spy, but even if you are. What purpose of you helping us? This fort is secluded, and in addition we are very far away from our neighboring cities, the fort is a lost cause. It is such a waste for a person like you to be involve in a situation like this, I would advice you to leave now, and as many as you want." Even after saying that they have no hope, the nobles still did not panicked, it really shows that the commander was a very good man, and respected by his subjects.

"I have no choice" Zion mumbled as he walked towards the table, and grabbed something from his bag. The knights and escort guard are quick to draw their swords and ready to protect their lords. but they saw a sphere in Zions hand. They cautiously stayed away from the table excluding Sigmond who still sitting.

Beep..a single beep resounded at the room...four mechanical feet protruded out from the silver steel sphere halting it from roll and standing and occasionally balancing and moving but standing on the center of the table. "Azraelle, Reveal Planet X" As Zion commanded, a realistic planet was projected in the air. It was coming from the steel ball. As the hologram of the planet slowly rotates hovering over the table. The faces of the nobles and even the commander was that of mixed emotion. Fear, confusion, and amazement. Although they don't understand what was happening they surely was amazed nevertheless.

"Azraelle, Show Toril continent" As Zion spoke the word, the globe rotated, zoomed inn and hovering over the table was Toril continent. while slowly rotating, ,most of them recognized the hologram while others are still in stupor. The nobles looked at each other and looked at Sigmond who was observing the hologram carefully but suddenly comeback to his senses.

"Close the doors" The commander shouted as he was concerned of the implications this unknown event will affect them.