In a hidden room within a nameless castle, a man sat on a single wooden table, the five candles that light the room, cast a light mist to surround them.
The man begins to inhale as he waits, hearing a slight click, he said, ''Well''
Several sheets of paper fall in front of him.
''There are several groups, they distinguish themselves by the emblems on their cloaks or wristbands.'' a man says before pausing and taking a deep breath, as if not believing what he was about to say.
''The entire land has been divided into eight different kingdoms, Albion is currently going thru a massive change. The people are currently getting used to having the Beast Men and Elves now living amongst them.'' He let his words set in.
''Reconquista and its soldiers have all been defeated, any of the remaining nobles have either been brought into the fold and the Commoners within the defending army have been returned to their families or allowed to leave.'' He pauses, as the man pikes up the sheets of paper.
''Silver Sword has taken the Northern region, the coldest area within all of the kingdom. They act as guards, watching for giants and ice creatures, the likes of which we have yet to even categorize.
The castle they hold is an ancient broken down one, remnants from the time the land was first colonized. Thirteen days ago it was little more than a castle with broken worn out walls, fallen because of the lack of maintenance, wildlife, and the sheer cold climate."
''And they have to rebuild nearly all fit again. Their leader is an n Elf, his name has yet to be known..."
'What about the one that leads the assault on Reconquista'' The man seated at the table asked.
''We know little but it was enough, it's a small force twitch roots run deep. Their leader Shiroe a half-elf, is well respected by nearly all of the separate empires, that have been spinning up.
They call him The Villain Behind Glasses and it is said that if he wants you gone, there is nothing that will save you.''
The beast man Nyanta is a wear cat. His sheer speed kept nearly every soldier away from him, while simultaneously striking at several soldiers bodies. We're certain that if he wanted to kill them, then none of those men would have lived.''
''Naotsugue, the group's ties to the leader of the Crescent Moon, another group one that serves as keepers of any unwanted or orphaned children.
The other group is Silver Sword, the woman Tetora. It's said that when she joined Log Horizon, Silver Sword became even more friendly. A political marriage, no doubt. ''
''Akatsuki, is a full grown woman despite her size. An assassin, no one saw her coming or going and if she isn't in combat, then unless she's openly walking no none will see her.''
''There are several younger members'' he continued
''Stop for now, what is the church up to?'' the man asked his informant
''They are searching thru ancient archives and forgotten items for any hint of just who are these strangers. They have yet to find anything.'' was the only thing hs informant answered.
As for the surrounding kingdoms, they are preparing themselves to go or invaded.'' The informant said.
''All we can do is wait.'' the man said, as he looked at the papers and them some raid attempts, made by the new invaders...
In the kingdom of Albion, several guild leaders were seated, looking thru all of the paperwork, dealing with everything from the food-water-housing-population census- animal life in the areas they inhabit and even the amount of death that seemed to rise by in number by the day.
The sheer frustration felt by all of them could be felt, simply by the fact that none of them had a single smile on the.
''Okay so, a lot of the farmlands were lost and now we have a huge food shortage.'' said the first
''We had entire hordes of undead walking around, so our people had to go and reinforce the towns that were left unprotected. Not to mention the bandits and rogue familiars running around.'' said the second as she rubbed her eyes.
'' On a plus side the bridges to the small islands near us are done, the problem is that we built some side views for people to be able to look down or just stop and rest.'' added the third.
''So what's the problem?'' asked the first.
''The problem is that Griffins and some dragons have taken over those resting spots and started making their nests there.
The wind stones are holding up without any problems and they don't bother the people. The thing is for some damn reason those things tend to get really irritated when people don't rub their necks or blow on their stomachs.'' answered the third.
'' Interesting, do you think they might be ex-familiars.'' asked the first.
''Could be, that would explain why they are so friendly.'' answered the third.
''On a different note, the people are still getting used to our more exotic members, so it's an adjustment for them but the beats men - elves- dwarves and so on. Except everyone sees them like potential dangers'' informed the fourth.
''Alright the sewer systems and waterways are going nicely, plus the heating systems for the people's homes is starting to catch on, considering just how naturally cold this place is.'' said the fifth.
''The lack of technology is going to be a problem, but thanks to the hardened magic this place has made things a little easier for us and the people." Said the third.
"Everyone here is a representative of every guild in their area, so what do any of you have to add to this meeting.'' he received no answer.
''I see, then we all agree. We continue with our plan, so after we finish fixing up the town's, well begin to try and help build up the schools. Anything that might happen, we either try to help each other or trust in each other's judgment, until our next meeting. '' With that said, everyone left their seats and left the room.
The first sat by himself inside the room all rubbing his eyes, the reason why every representative was trusted to watch over their areas and the guilds within them, along with the nobles and the people.
Was simple.
They were surrounded by entire nations that hated them, simply because they existed. Then there were the nobles if people weren't born with magic, then they were considered below human, not as bad as animals or unwanted creatures. But it was still pretty bad.
Then there were the common people.
The adventurers arrived during a slave uprising, unfortunately. It was a full circle uprising, meaning that the new leaders were becoming just as bad as the old ones and some even treated the people even worse.
Needless to say, one look at the less human looking adventurers and both sides were on them, screaming demons.
Sadly for them, it was essentially every single adventurer, dedicated to defeating them and even if it was two armies.
Meaning they didn't stand a chance.
Unfortunately, as the winners, the land now belongs to them and even if at first it sounded nice, the entire kingdom had been sent to hell and now it was a struggle simply keeping things from falling apart.
The number of orphans was high and unfortunately, Crescent Moon had become a huge landholder because of it. They started off taking in orphaned children- whittled pregnant woman or young mothers that were dying or simply couldn't get by.
When word got around that they kept the people well fed, both cloth and protected them. People began to send all of their unwanted children and some of their elderly.
Food had become hard to come by because of all the fighting, so when a search party found the floating islands filled with fruits and some wild animals.
Groups were sent to get the food, unfortunately, regular people couldn't get to them and the flying ships were all going thru repairs.
So bridges supported by magic wind stones that allowed fight were used to keep said bridges floating.
The hope was to allow the farmers to be able to grow the crops with a little more patience, unfortunately collecting the food took time and already signs of famine were beginning to show.
There were a lot of areas where fighting was still going on, so several of the combat guilds were kept busy keeping them at bay or simply putting them down.
The Americans were already at war with some of the kingdoms from the other nations/ of this world. It was thanks to them that they were keeping their newly acquired kingdom safe from outside invaders.
Because of the assassins that acted as spies, the Americans were forced to put their differences aside in the name of survival. The fighting to them was even worse, for they had put down the defending kingdom and the rebellion.
While keeping who knows how many different nations at bay.
They gave the people and the nobles a choice, join us or you can die to each other or be killed by those idiots trying to invade you.
Those that agreed were left alone and defended whenever something bad happened and those that didn't were either dealt with or ignored when one of the enemies found them
It was cruel, but this is what happens in times of war.
People have started to call them Albion's defense military, it was sad but they're right.
Then there was the issue with the taxes and surprise surprise, the entire thing was corrupted like hell. Food didn't arrive in some towns because of some nobles punishment, other villages were overly taxed and so on.
Now there were the trade deals that the entire kingdom had with the neighboring ones, fortunately, or unfortunately, every other kingdom had cut off their ties to them.
That is all of them except one Gallia. But that was something the villain behind glasses would have to deal with.
[ Speech change Michael]
''Do to the lack of understanding of the surrounding lands\Nations\ Kingdoms, we formally ask for your help.'' A man wearing a black armor read a letter that was handed to him, by a messenger that had arrived earlier.
''I've been called to help with a diplomatic mission. Can I trust you guys not to needlessly hurt people, the man said as he smiled at the people around him. Showing that he was joking with them.
Only receiving a chuckle from the knights and beast-men as a response, he turns to a Half-Elf woman sitting on a chair next to him.
''Come with me miss Tiffania, I know of a place that might be able to help you,'' he said to her, as he walked past his men and opened the door to the interrogation room.
She was a young woman with large breast, that made her tight firm fitting dress seem smaller than what it truly was. Her light blue eyes and warm smile made her extremely attractive, her thin figure and well-placed curves certainly helped make her even more pleasing to the eyes.
Her kind personality and truly naive nature made her an almost ideal woman.
The problem was that reports had come in, in particular, part of a forest no one could manage to remember about the area. It came down to a simple wave of overpowering whatever was in there.
The culprit turned out to be this young woman. She was hiding out in there because of how people here treated the Elves and anyone with elven blood.
She fidgeted under his sight and at times she even seemed as if she would try to hide under the large white hat she was currently wearing.
''I can't guarantee that they will take you in, but it's better than staying in an ongoing combat zone.
However, if you want you can stay here and join us, but I recommend you do try and check them out first.'' He said to her.
She didn't say anything, she only hid under her hat as she pulled it down over the head.
''Can, can I please stay in my cottage home,''Tiffania asked, her words were almost a whisper.
''I'm sorry, but your forests in a hot spot, we don't mind you living there and the nearby villagers have no issue with you, but the thing is. Several infiltration teams from other kingdoms have used your forest in order to attack whenever possible."
"Miss Tiffania, if we were able to overwhelm you. So could they.''' he answered her question.
They arrived near a carriage one that had red curtains, a red cushioned seats and a black horse with white patches on it, that had been prepared for them earlier.
As he opened the door for them to get in and waited for her to get on, he became almost too aware of Tiffany's thick thighs and just how firm they were.
When she was done getting seated, the driver of the carriage spoke.
''The trip will take two days so please be patient my lord.'
He simply nodded entered and took his seat.
The ride was quiet and uneventful, a curtain dropped on both sides of the carriage, kepping Tiffania hidden from the view of anyone on the outside while allowing them to see him.
The plan was simple, any bandits or anyone targeting him or any other adventurer would take note and most likely attack him now that he was alone.
However, after a few hours, the boredom began to set in.
''Sir it appears that with our current speed we should reach our destination by tomorrow.'' the carriage driver announced.
''Thank you." Was all he said
He turned to look at the young woman and her tired expression and momentarily pondered about a topic they could talk about.
''Would you like to hear a story'' he asked her.
She jumped at the sound of his vice but nonetheless nodded, giving her approval.
'' …. I'll tell you only the part of this story that I know so if you ever want to hear the rest of it, you should try and get it from one of the other Adventurers.''
''Long ago there was a great kingdom, no there was a great world Named Elder Tales and within the world, great heroes lived.
Along with those heroes warriors that could not be permanently killed, fought and protected the people of that world.''
''One day four great monsters rose and unleashed wave after wave against the people, using the people's very souls in order to make even more monsters. So with every person lost a new monster rose.''
''So the warriors joined together and imitated an act that their old enemy used against them. However, they altered it and instead of being limited to a city they would be able to fight on an entire continent.''
''So the plan was a simple strike at the four monsters and hold them off while the heroes and the rest of the warriors took every person away to a safe location. ''
''They fought for days, but it felt like years and died so many times inside the armors that by the end of it. They didn't even know who they were anymore.'' Michael said.
''So what happened'' Tiffania asked him.
''They lost….. So an enchantment was cast, one that took every person and animal away from the world. While leaving the monsters and their allies behind.'' he said before a sad expression took him over.
''How did the story end?'' Tiffani asked him.
''They slept for five days and found themselves in a new world, but the new world was in danger. So the warriors were forced to take up arms once again,'' he answered her.
They sat in silence for a while before Tiffania spoke.
''Mister….. Whats going to happen to me?''
''''Nothing. If Cresent Moon doesn't take you, I'll protect you. But leaving you in the cold would be giving you a death sentence.'' he answered.
''So?'' she began to ask.
''You can stay with me and the rest of the defense force.'' He answered, knowing full well that it wasn't a good answer.
A few hours later they had to stop in order to allow the horse to rest and for them to catch some sleep for the night.
When everyone was asleep, he heard the young woman crying by herself, however, he didn't try to comfort her.
She needed to get stronger, these were hard times and if she couldn't get past this she wouldn't be able to survive the rest of whatever the hell would happen next.
So he just laid there listening to her cry, until she could cry herself to sleep.
[Speech change Tiffania]
She sniffed while she tried to pretend she was asleep. The two-man didn't move, no the driver of the carriage moved once in awhile, only his soft snoring could be heard coming from him.
The other one, the man with the scary eyes and wearing the black armor, however, didn't make a sound. Then Tiffania felt a hand on her mouth, she felt it tighten the moment she was about to let out a scream.
''Shhhhh…...we're being watched'' the man said to her, his hot breath held no kindness in it.
''When I say three, get the horses and head to the next town, I'll catch up. Tell them the Double Hammer sent you.
He slowly took his hand off her mouth Tiffania for her part could only shake her head as she looked around her but it was so dark she couldn't see anything.
Tiffania however soon wished she couldn't see anything again. As a huge face made itself known, it's crimson red eyes glowing like embers that somehow had smoke coming from them.
Tiffania felt her blood run cold, it was a flame dragon.
''Three'' the man that called himself Doble Hammer said and Tiffania felt herself run almost automatically.
The carriage driver was already untying the horse only for the animals frightened form to violently tear the rope from the man's hands. Tiffania soon stopped running when the animal was out of sight, its frightened screams were lost the farther and farther the animal got.
''Get out of here!'' Double Hammer screamed at them as he stared into the dragon's eyes. The sounds of chains falling son followed the man's voice, as Tiffania and the carriage driver were rendered helpless the moment the dragon roared.
The sound of woosh was heard followed by a cool blue light, that was ignited by a pair of chains held by the man.
And in a moment that would be burned into her memory, Tiffania saw the man whip a pair of battle hammers held at the end of the chains and slam them straight onto the fame dragons head.
The sound of the impact of the hammers hitting scaled shook Tiffa from her petrified form and she immediately felt herself being pulled away by the carriage drivers hands.
They ran the entire night, not caring about bandits or any other kind of wild animal, they only cared about getting away from the dragon's roars or the flames that seemed to rain down after them.
They did this until they couldn't move anymore and it wasn't until the sound of heavy footsteps caught their attention
That the both of them realized that somewhere around their escape attempt they both fell completely unconscious, out of sheer exhaustion and fear.
''Can you walk?'' the man asked her.
But she was so tired, that her own feet could barely hold her own weight, so the moment she tried to get up she immediately fell under the weight of her own body.
''I'll take that as a no." He said as he began to pick her up and carry her like a princess.
The next thing Tiffania knew, was she was the feeling a comfortable bed, a light feather pillow, and a warm blanket.
It took her a moment realize that she wasn't in her cottage and only jumped from her bed when she heard the voices of men.
''So what you're saying, is that even if the coin has more silver or the purity is higher, depending on the emblem of which kingdom is placed on it the coin will increase or decrease in value.''she heard a man say, it sounded like the man that called himself Doble Hammer.
''That is correct, but it's not just the emblem or the purity. Depending on the region, gold can, in fact, be worth less than silver, simply because of just how abundant gold is in the region.
For example, its said that iron can be found in a dessert, that for locals it's practically free compared to anywhere else.'' a woman answered him.
''I see, so depending on the region- the amount- the purity and the emblem of who or what it represents the value decreases or increases. Not to mention, that the amount of faith people have in it, also factors in."
"Ahhh…...This is so unnecessarily complicated,'' he said
A slight chuckle was the immediate answer he received ''Don't worry man you'll get it'' a man said.
''Eventually, in maybe ten or five years added another man before a brief pause and the room was filled with laughter.
''So can you take the girl in?'' Double Hammer asked someone.
''I'm sorry, but we don't have any room for her at the moment'' a woman answered him.
''...I see…..Can I at least count on you to keep an eye on her until I come back'' he added
''That we can do'' another woman answered him.
''So what was so important that you need me to away from the border. Couldn't Silver Sword or the Black Dragons deal with it?'' he asked.
''No, both of them are caught up in some things, plus we simply need someone to watch out for whatever we can't'' another man answered.
''So what's the mission?''Double Hammer asked.
''We are going to ensure our one and only external trade partner that we are going to continue exporting the wind stones they buy from us.'' the man answered Double Hammer.
''I get it, you want me in case things go south….Well, might as well get going'' Double Hammer said, his voice stopping as the sound of chair moving alerted Tiffania that he had gotten up from wherever he was seated.
Tiffania for her part simply stared at the ceiling, wondering what was going to happen to her.
[Speech change Gallia]
''So he defeated a flame dragon single-handedly and is now in possession of a young elf girl.'' Joseph King of Gallia said as he read the most recent report from one of his less than favorable spies.
''It seems he wanted to keep the girl safe, perhaps she's his lover. If the description of her appearance is true then she could be nothing more than his personal toy.''said his familiar.
''True… but I just had an idea. We need both information on the true capacities of the new defense military of Albion and what new toys and skills these people have or are making.
So why not have a willing pawn do it for us and give us a tiny bit of it'' Joseph said as he began to walk the long corridors of his castle.
''So what do you have in mind?'' Sheffield Joseph's familiar asked.
''Simple, we get a pawn that would obey us simply so she could see her daughter."
"One that would do exactly as we say after all the church is already preparing itself to invade, so if Albion falls, the likelihood of her surviving is small,'' Joseph said he opened the door to the room where his ex-sisterrnaw, his deceased brother's wife laid on a bead.
The woman had exhausted itself, her drugged infused madness drove her to unconsciousness once again.
He made his way towards her side and poured a red liquid from a bottle he had inside his coat.
''A trade agreement between kingdoms, sealed by one taking a woman of royal blood for a knight or a king. Who in turn can do whatever he wants with her.'' Joseph said as he watched the antidote, take immediate effect.
The woman's breath slowed until it was perfectly calm.
