Chapter two

It has been several weeks since Librom had met the princess of the Kou Empire. During the time he had been travelling with her, Librom had learned their goal and culture: "The Kou Empire is an empire that wishes to unite the entire east under its rule. Everyone that opposes the empire's culture, social status and laws will be subjugated or completely annihilated by the imperial army." The Kou Empire's primary goal was to create an empire with a military power that would unify the warlords that ruled the different provinces, and from there create a stepping stone to unite the entire continent. Such a path of conquest could always lead to a country's destruction or a complete unification. However, Kingdoms that existed from Librom's own world was a perfect example for how wrong the path could turn for people of greed, as the kings ended up turning into monsters that would destroy their own country. Of course, he kept his scepticism to himself.

"Hm? Mr Librom do you have something in mind?" (Hakuei)

Princess Hakuei had turned her head towards Librom as he was in his own thoughts.

"No… I was just thinking of our destination your highness."

He tried to sound as quiet as possible; since the princess's advisors had shown nothing but disdain towards him. Ever since he accepted travelling with the princess, her advisors had been doing nothing but taking the princess attention away whenever he was nearby. One in particular was the officer and advisor with the name Ryosai who had the eyes of a wild beast waiting for its prey. Ryosai had done nothing but making Librom's stay to be miserable. And when it was brought up, Ryosai would argument about Librom being a danger to the mission.

Princess Hakuei's mission was to make an alliance with a tribe called the Kouga Clan. If she could make an alliance with them, The Empire would be able to secure the big plains that surrounded the area to get closer to the west, opening new trade routes and secure the empire's name in the land. The reason Librom was coming along with them was because that besides their high priest who lived in the capital. He was the second person to show magical abilities that could overthrow and frighten the imperial soldiers without something called a vessel, which could prove to be a turning for the Kouga negotiations. In return, he would gain resources and maps to the towns and cities in the world.

In other words, he was kept as a display of strength for no cost.

"Your highness, general Ryosai wishes to have an audience."

A guard announced Ryosai who were behind him stood with concerned faces towards the princess. From the stares they gave at Librom, it was obvious what their intention was.

"Your highness, I will leave your side for a moment."

But after Librom had gone outside the tent, he turned around to the corner, putted the invisible spell "nightlife finery" into a socket, and walked inside the tent again.

"This is rare… normally you never wish to talk to me, unless it is about the mission. Is something wrong Ryosai?"

The princess looked at Ryosai with a mistrusting look, it was obvious that whatever bound them was only their mission.

"Your highness, as you are aware some of the officers including me have been wondering over why you brought this stranger into our mists. He is a person who incapacitated one of our scouts while transforming into a hideous creature that scared all the soldiers who surrounded him, yet here we are inviting him to travel with us. It has created some restlessness in our troop morale with demands that this "man" should be treated as a criminal or the two scouts should be compensated."

"It is awfully noble of you Ryosai to stand up to how the soldiers feel, and while I do agree that the scout should be compensated. I will not order Librom to be chained like a criminal for his actions as his powers could be a potential asset to negotiate with the Kouga clan."

"… As you wish your highness"

After Ryosai had walked away from the princess Hakuei. Librom walked out from the spell that made him invisible.

"That was dangerous move your highness."

"Mr. Librom?! I see… so you heard everything."

"I understand that with my powers I could be seen as an asset with great war potential. But in doing this you are risking your own position as the general who is able to lead an army and earn its trust."

"It is not like I did not know what consequences this would bring me, but in order to be a good leader, one will know when to make a sacrifice by necessity. Nevertheless, it is not as if I have lost the position with that single sacrifice, besides I expect you to return the favour someday.

"…"

Librom hid his face with his hood, and began taking out the Cotton Maid's wings.

"Your highness, how long is it to our destination?"

"We should arrive between the morning and midday."

"Then I will be moving ahead, I will see you there."

"Huh? Wait Librom!"

Before she could grab his arm, Librom turned into a flashing light. Annoyed by her last sentence, he decided that it would be best to finish the Kou Empire's mission as soon as possible.

An hour later in a small village…

"mhm… Morning Ugo."

Aladdin had just woken up inside the tent.

Even though there had been a party yesterday, for some reason there was a huge commotion outside the main tent of the village.

"Are you sure of what you saw?"

"I am not joking! Some strange light is coming directly to the village!"

Outside his tent, he could hear Dorji questioning some of his clansmen. They had been out scouting the plains until they saw a flashing light in the far distance.

"Dorji it may be the Empire. Please give us permission to prepare for combat."

'What is going on?'

Aladdin was flustered as he heard the request. Combat? Blood? Death? The words began to fill inside his head.

"Everyone I give you permission to defend the village"

"Elder Baba?!"

Before everyone stood elder Baba.

"Before the three of you arrived in the village, I saw the rukh being drawn towards the area you came from. Whatever it is, it is capable of using magic that can the world."

'Affect the world? Like a magi?! This is bad!'

Hearing this, Aladdin quickly stormed out and yelled:

"PLEASE WAIT!"

"Eh? Aladdin?!"

"Grandma please let me seek out the light before anyone rides out for it."

"Aladdin are you sure? We have the advantage to defend against it if we all stay together"

"It's alright. Ugo will protect me if something happens."

"…"

A silence came into the village.

"Hah… okay… but promise me that if it becomes too dangerous, you will immediately return here."

"Huh?! Elder Baba you can't be serious to send Aladdin out alone!"

"Thanks grandma!"

"Wait! Aladdin!"

As soon as Aladdin had said thanks, he used his turban and flew away from the village to meet the light.

"Grandma was right. The rukh around the area is drawn towards the horizon. I wonder if they are a magi like me."

With an uneasy smile, Aladdin flew off straight towards the flashing light.

It had been about an hour since Librom had left the princess. During his run, he saw some horsemen ride towards where he was headed. He assumed that the Kouga Clan couldn't be far off. But while he was in his thought, he suddenly saw a huge blue body in the distance.

'What in the world?'

Normally Librom wouldn't be surprised about what he saw. Except this time, he saw a blue body with no head standing as if it wanted to stop him. And as he got closer, the blue body began to swing a fist towards him.

'Tch'

Because of his increased speed, Librom narrowly dodged the fist and stopped his movement.

"It is dangerous to swing a fist toward someone. If it wasn't me, someone else could have gotten hurt."

"Ah I'm sorry. You didn't stop, so Ugo acted on his own."

"Eh…"

Before Librom, stood a giant with a small child's head.

The proportions were way off for Librom.

"My name is Aladdin, and this is Ugo. What is your name mister?"

"My name is Librom."

"Nice to meet you mister Librom!"

With a smiling face, the child greeted the stern man.