The relationship between the Meredith and the Florentine went downhill after that event.
The two Emperors kept exchanging letters.
On one hand was Florentine who was demanding an explanation for the other party's despicable act. On the other was Meredith who was defending himself and his own reputation.
Not many died from the disease because Lerith's academy immediately found a cure. However, it left a deep impact to the people. Gossip about Meredith feeding them poison spread like wildfire. After that, the trade once again dropped drastically. Thankfully, the crops they planted a few months back were now ready for harvest. The lack of supplies they received from Meredith posed no problems.
Or so they thought.
….
A few months later.
Emperor Florentine heaved a deep sigh of frustration. He had been reading the reports regarding the recent harvests and it was looking really bad. Actually, they had anticipated this to happen long ago, but they thought that with the help of magic, they could help eliminate the problem.
With the assistance of the mages, they were able to plant crops as fast as they could while keeping them under the best living conditions. All of the plants they grew were above the standard, way better than when they were still striving. However, humans were not machines. The mages had their own demands in exchange for labor. Because of that, the flow of resources became a bit skewed, and many people became dissatisfied.
The generosity they had been showing each other was long gone. The people went back to their selfish nature. Some mages were even growing their own crops in private which is illegal during the current state of calamity.
If only they had more food, Emperor Florentine sighed.
Before, there was a certain area where fishermen could still work because magical beasts almost never go to those shallow parts. However, that area didn't exist anymore. The moment a person stepped on the sea, an attack would almost immediately arrive. It was a nightmare for an Empire situated by the sea.
The number of Magical Beast control team that the Emperor sent to the coasts had already exceeded a hundred in more than a year. But all of them couldn't do much. After reaching a certain part of the sea, the attacks would immediately grow stronger. After all, the deeper they went, the more magical beasts they would encounter. The stronger ones were there too. Many soldiers died, forcing the Emperor to accept the magical beasts' presence.
"Emperor, let's push to expand our land area," Fellodu suggested, his face flustered, "let's do it while we still have some resources left. We can always regain them later on."
"It's not that simple," Emperor Florentine replied. "Buying land is one thing. Relocating people who live near that area due to the laws of territory is another."
"But is it really the right time to respect these laws?" Fellodu asked, worried.
"If not for the laws of territory, these seven Empires would not coexist in a single continent," the Emperor answered patiently. "Don't worry, I have a plan. I'll make amends with Emperor Meredith."
"Emperor! You can't do that! Not after what he has done to our people," Fellodu begged.
"We must. I have it all planned out. This time, we will not ask for food. We will seek assistance from their army in purging a certain area," Emperor Florentine said as he spread out a map on his table.
"Area? Which area, Emperor?" Fellodu asked, confused. There were too many territories controlled by the magical beasts at the moment to guess from.
"The area behind Mount Eirene," the Emperor replied, eyeing a certain part of the map.
The area behind Mt. Eirene!
Fellodu was enlightened.
Behind that mountain was a huge area of water surrounded by high walls of earth. By purging that area, they would have access to a pool of water. Moreover, the part where the pool was connected to the sea was extremely narrow. Colossal magical beasts of the sea couldn't get in!
With this in mind, Fellodu was elated. But at the same time, he thought something was wrong. Why would they only move now? Why not earlier? Peeking at the map, he finally understood. The narrow passage that Fellodu was familiar with was now non-existent. It was marked by a big red cross, signifying danger.
"I've sent a team to survey this area more than a year ago," Emperor Florentine said while pointing at the pool. "Although it is quite inaccessible to the common people because they would have to cross an entire mountain, it would surely solve the shortage of food. Unfortunately, it was already swarmed by magical beasts. Moreover, the narrow passage had been destroyed."
Fellodu was about to open his mouth when the Emperor continued to speak.
"If we want to purge this area, we would need Meredith's help."
The room fell silent. It was apparent in the Emperor's tone that he was not pleased with his own solution.
"Can't we do it on our own?" Fellodu asked, failing to hold back his curiosity. "We have a lot of excellent mages on our side!"
Hearing this, the Emperor shook his head. "We do. But you forgot that our Generals are all Fire Mages. A battle against magical beasts of the sea with Fire Mages at the forefront… I wouldn't be able to ensure the outcome. Especially now that the enemies have the terrain advantage."
"Generals, Sire? Why would we need our…"
Realization dawned on Fellodu. His gaze wandered.
Was Hecate really playing with them?
At that moment, the huge door to the palace swung wide open. A man dressed in a messenger's clothes and a feathered hat walked in then bowed. "Emperor!"
Hearing a familiar voice, Fellodu woke up from his stupor and turned towards the door. Seeing the person, his eyebrows creased. "Ferrow, what are you doing here?"
The man named Ferrow didn't even look up, "Father, I heard that the Emperor is in need of a well-trusted messenger! Here I am!"
The pieces inside Fellodu's head immediately clicked together and he turned towards the Emperor with worried eyes.
The Emperor stared at the man named Ferrow. Then, he spoke flatly, "Get me the Chief Messenger. We need someone in a higher position. You're not yet qualified."
Fellodu was about to heave a sigh of relief when his son spoke once more, "Emperor! As your Chief Adviser's son, I believe that I am more qualified than him in this case!"
All of these he said while bowing. Although it was rude of him to answer back to the Emperor, his words did carry some sense.
However, Fellodu shook his head. The task was too dangerous. The relationship between their Emperor and Meredith had sunk deep, so there might be some aggression. They needed to send a valued messenger so that the people of Meredith would have second thoughts in using force.
"Also, the chief messenger fell ill and has delegated all his tasks unto me," Ferrow added.
…
The Emperor and Fellodu couldn't find the words to retort.
Politics had always been complicated. Not many talked in a straightforward fashion. Most of them conveyed their messages through small gestures. And a small gesture such as sending their Chief Messenger was really important. Send some of their officials? It wasn't formal. Messages were communicated by messengers, not government officials.
The Emperor turned towards the helpless Fellodu. As his Chief Adviser, he really valued his opinion. He was gifted with knowledge, but there were still times where he was wrong.
Fellodu responded to the Emperor's gaze by nodding in resignation.
"Don't worry, we'll double his guards," Emperor Florentine comforted Fellodu. Then, he called over Ferrow and briefed him about his task. He did it personally, emphasizing the weight of the task.
….
Two days later, Ferrow left with fifty-some men, his own messenger bird, and a General from a small city.
Fellodu inwardly nodded at the arrangement. By sending a General who was not as popular meant that the Empire was not displaying their power against the Meredith. But because it was a General whom they sent, it also meant that they would not so easily concede. Small gestures. His mind felt at ease. The Emperor was indeed wise.
Now, it was time for him to do his task.
"Melbark, remember my words," Fellodu told the mage dressed in fine clothing beside him.
"Che, keeping some magical beasts at bay, who could do it better than me?" Prestin Melbark, the General of Lerith, replied.
Fellodu could never get used to the man's arrogance. However, he still decided to warn him as a form of goodwill. "Those Lesser Demonic Beasts are not to be underestimated. Especially because they are underwater."
General Melbark harrumphed, but he did not reply. Then, he also left.
….
Six days later, the Emperor received a letter from Ferrow. They had been received by Meredith hospitably.
….
The next day, he received another letter. Emperor Meredith's messenger would accompany Ferrow back to the Florentine Empire to discuss the terms. They would be leaving immediately and that they are expected to arrive after five days.
At that point, Emperor Florentine and Fellodu who were on the edge of their seats were finally able to ease themselves. Things had gone more smoothly than they expected. Now, they only needed to wait for Ferrow's return. Without hesitation, the Emperor immediately ordered the palace staff to prepare for a grand banquet.
….
Four days before the expected time of arrival, they received an unexpected letter carried by a messenger bird they were unfamiliar with. But, based on the insignia it was carrying on its leg, they found out that it came from Florentine Empire's border city, Kristen.
Reading the contents of the message, the Emperor's hands began to shake uncontrollably.
The border city had been attacked by Meredith's men. There were more than 200 casualties. Most of them... they couldn't identify due to the nature of their deaths.
Ferrow never returned after that.
….