Naga started walking towards their manor after the guards from the City Lord"s office arrived and escorted Bella back to the mansion.He was surprised when he saw that Old Samuel was waiting for him at the gate of their manor.
"How was it? A fun day with the princess?" Old Samuel asked teasingly and smiled.
"Yeah. It was fun." Naga smiled and answered.
They walked together and went to the manor"s lounge. Old Samuel asked a servant to bring food and drinks.
"The shadow emissary already arrived." Old Samuel said seriously.
"Oh... Earlier than expected." Naga was astonished.
He expected at least another week before the grand visit and inspection. It seems that the council is really eager to get information.
"A young lady. An observant one." Old Samuel commented and smiled.
He informed Naga about what happened earlier.
He told him that the shadow emissary from one of the council seats is at the City Lord"s mansion with Bill. He also recounted how the dragon princess refused to meet the emissary.
Naga chuckled and said, "As expected from a mythical royalty, a royal dragon at that. She has more than enough self-esteem to back it up."
He remembered how the truly powerful kingdom and n.o.bles from his previous life disregarded everyone just because of their lineage and strength. Of course, that was only until he decided to march personally with his legions and destroyed their territory.
"I heard that you will go to the capital?" Old Samuel asked and changed the topic.
Meanwhile two servants arrived and brought food for them.
Naga thanked the servants and looked at the table smiling.
"Yes. In a week"s time." He said aftering drinking a cold gla.s.s of orange juice.
"Anything you need?" Old Samuel asked smiling.
"Not much." He answered while looking at the table again.
He grabbed a sweet bread and took a bite before he continued, "But I asked Cris to get the portal coordinates of the closest city to the capital so not too much time will be consumed just for travelling alone."
It is forbidden to enter the capital using any sort of magic transportation without an approval from the Right Minister. It could take half a year before getting the approval so Naga decided to use a portal to the nearest city instead.
"Alright. That"s good then." Old Samuel commented and smiled.
The old elf stood up and said, "I will handle the preparation. For now, this old man will rest."
Naga smiled and said, "Thank you, Old Samuel."
Old Samuel left but Naga stayed to eat. He asked the servants to join him as well.
"Thank you, young master!" The servants happily agreed and thanked him.
While Naga was eating, Bill was with the shadow emissary at the City Lord"s office.
"I heard that you agreed to give the Eye of the Great Serpent to the cult?" The emissary
looked at the City Lord and asked.
"Yes." She answered with a firm voice.
The shadow emissary looked seriously at the City Lord and asked, "Are you aware of what can happen?"
"I am not aware but we will be prepared for anything." The City Lord responded.
"Then why?" The emissary frowned and asked.
"The House of Iron Crow requested." The City Lord said with a serious tone and looked at Bill.
She continued, "The House is a great help to my city so I comply. A simple payment perhaps."
The emissary glared at Bill and said, "You are acting all high and mighty for a fake n.o.ble, are you not?"
Bill looked at her blankly and asked, "Do you want us to go south and destroy it then became its ruler? With that, I will not be a fake southern n.o.ble anymore."
"Let"s do that. I"m in." Dilan said while glaring back at the shadow emissary.
The proud elf mage didn"t like the haughtiness of the emissary since from the beginning.
"Hmph. Acting like a bandit for an elf mage." Remarked by one of the emissary"s bodyguards.
All the guards of the emissary chuckled because of what their colleague said.
"What?!" Dilan was ultimately enraged. It is one if his taboo topics.
The proud mage casted a spell and the guard floated in the air. "Zzzoomm!"
The shadow emissary was surprised but she quickly waved her left hand and the spell was countered.
"Aaghh!" The bodyguard fell down to the ground and was hurt.
Seeing what happened, the other guards of the emissary decided to draw their weapons.
However, they stopped when they saw tens of domineering golden spears created from magic pointing at them.
"Feel free to continue, gentlemen." Bill said and then took a sip of the tea prepared by the servants.
Dilan chuckled and said, "Yes, feel free. Go try it."
"Ancient Prime!" The emissary and her bodyguards were all aghast.
The guards were frightened and moved backwards.
"So it"s true. It is as pure as the Ancient Prime of the Elder." The emissary thought to herself.
The City Lord and her officials did not react. In some ways, they expected a collision between the two group.
The shadow emissary looked seriously at Bill then gestured to her guards to lower their weapons.
Happening at the same time inside the military base of the capital, Oscar approached Old Drun and gave him a cask of ale.
"That"s what I am waiting for! Hahaha!" Old Drun said excitedly and laughed.
"A shadow emissary is in the Profound Sky City." Oscar said and smiled.
He went to one of the metal chairs and sat down.
"As expected." Old Drun said while getting two large wooden mugs.
After that, the old orc opened the wooden cask and put ale to the mugs. He then gave one to Oscar and continued with a serious tone, "I am not worried about it but our guys should not underestimate the council. There are good reasons why they can run the world while they are in the dark."
Oscar just smiled and did not respond.
He looked at the window blankly and then after drinking a bit, he looked at Old Drun and said, "Naga will be here in a week"s time."
"I heard!" Old Drun emptied his mug and answered smiling.
"It will be fun." Oscar commented and smiled.
"Knowing the kid, definitely! Hahaha!" Old Drun said and laughed.
The following day at the City Lord"s mansion, the City Lord knocked on Bella"s room.
"Thud. Thud. Thud."
"Come in." Bella answered.
Bella was surprised seeing her sister and asked, "Big sister, why are you here?"
The City Lord smiled and said, "I was notified by the House that you will use a portal so you don"t need to prepare that much."
"I see. Thank you, big sister." Bella stood up and said.
"Look at you. You are obviously excited. I remembered how you always have your excuses because you do not want to go." The City Lord commented teasingly and smiled.
"It is different this time." Bella said with a warm smile.
"Really different." The City Lord nodded and answered smiling.