The room fell into silence, the royal guards next to the queen put their hands on their weapons and eyed him with distrust. He couldn't blame them, he had basically just told him that he used to be a soldier for the enemy emperor. He barely noticed the hostile behaviour however and stared at the captain in confusion.
Collin stared at him and Jace saw the same confusion mirrored back at him. The emperor cleared his throat, "So uuhhhh, how you been Jace."
Jace shrugged, "All in all pretty good I guess."
The queen looked over at Jace and folded her arms, "I shall need an explanation for this, Jace. I am not in the habit of employing former enemies."
Jace looked over at her and nodded, "Well as you may know I'm not from this world."
The queen nodded, "I have been informed of this." While the elven queen and dwarven king looked slightly surprised at the revelation they didn't appear too shocked. Trishla had once told him that people from other worlds, while rare, were not unheard of.
Jace continued, "In my old world I was part of a military unit of some skill. Collin was the leader of our unit, I had heard he perished on the field of battle some time ago. Half of the unit had disappeared after a…. large spell went off."
Collin nodded, "One moment I thought we were dead the next me and half the troops appeared in a wasteland. The following days were confusing and unpleasant as we learned to adapt."
Jace frowned, "Yet now you're an emperor."
The man laughed, "Yes things escalated a bit, one moment you're saving slaves and aiding the poor, the next you're the head of a revolution and taking over a country. You know how things go."
Jace chuckled softly, "Wouldn't be the first country we overthrew."
Collin laughed, "I suppose that is true."
The elven queen looked from one to the other, "So does this make you our enemy now?"
Jace frowned, "It does not, I made my choice and I will abide by it."
The emperor shrugged, "He always has been a man of his word, as annoying as it could be sometimes." Ilmccstandard
Jace turned to him with and arched eyebrow, "Why are we even at war in the first place."
The emperor looked around the room and folded his arms, "I'm trying to stomp out slavery, some countries refused to change their ways so they made it onto my shitlist."
Jace furrowed his brows, "Slavery isn't allowed in any of our lands. No one here approves of slavery and it is highly illegal in all three of our countries." Jace turned to the rulers, "Is it not?"
They all nodded, the queen of elves sneered. An expression that seemed highly out of place on her face. "My people are often targeted by slavers, the punishment for slavery or the aid of slavery is harsh in my lands. Those who make and attempt do not die quickly. I will be as cruel as I must to spare my people such a fate."
The dwarven king nodded, "Slavers come to enslave dwarves to use as labourers. I react just as harshly to any of their attempts."
Collin frowned, "Then why do you stand against me?"
"You attack our allies and declared that you would unify the continent, which makes you and enemy for all of us." Lilianna declared.
The emperor blinked, "Who said I want to unify the continent?"
The whole room froze, "You, do not…?" The elven queen asked, hesitant.
Collin shook his head and laughed, "It's already a hassle to run and empire of this size, any larger and I'll go insane."
Jace frowned, "It is unlikely for all of our countries to be misinformed, unless it was done intentionally."
The rulers pondered the information, Jace had a point. They had vast and well trained information networks, yet all of them were misinformed and led into war against the empire. Which meant that someone was flaming the fans of war, as for what purpose. None of them knew.
Lilianna exhaled softly, "This would mean there is no reason for us nor our allies to go to war with you. Only the Sandwalkers still use slavery amongst our alliance and even then their slavery is mild and acceptable. They have a work contract that must be abided to and agreed upon by both sides."
Collin nodded, "I have heard of these Sandwalkers, their slavery is and important part of their economy and surprisingly effective. The people there have no issue with the 'slavery'. Although I would not go so far as to call them slaves, the contracts last no longer than 5 years. The slaves are treated well and have to go through questioning at the end of their term, to make sure they were not mistreated. I have no issues with the sandwalkers."
Jace folded his arms and chuckled, "So does this mean we aren't at war?"
The rulers looked at each other and Collin shrugged, "No reason for us to be at war then, but we will need to investigate who or what is behind the misinformation."
Jace suddenly started laughing, the queen looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "What is so amusing."
Jace smiled, "Well I just prevented a war and the emperor is and old friend. It was not what I expected from this meeting." He looked over at Collin, "You and I have a lot of catching up to do, by the way I got married."
"Mazzeltov."
"Thank you."
The rest of the people in the room looked between the pair before rolling their eyes and trying to bring the conversation back to the catastrophe at hand. The dravu remained a threat and the forces they had at hand might not be enough to suppress them. Especially if they had to force their way into enemy territory.
The rest of the allies arrived over the course of the day. The Sandwalkers were represented by a man covered in cloth called Aqudabi, he wore a well maintained scimitar on his belt. The republic was represented by a woman in white cloth who resembled a holy maiden called Umni and the alliance of states was represented by three knights with splendid mustaches.
The discussion soon evolved into a war of details, they all agreed that the dravu must be pursued and killed before they attacked somewhere less defended and multiplied. Requests went up in all adventurer guild's in the vicinity. All of the S ranked adventurer's were sent letters and all those of silver rank and above were asked for aid.
Participation in the raid would pay well for any adventurer's willing to help. Dravu parts were worth a surprising amount, their way of reproduction was well studied and the parts could be used in a wide variety of alchemical and magical research and production. The assault would be lucrative, but it would be just as dangerous.
By the time night fell and Collin needed a place to stay, Jace offered to introduce him to his wife. Collin nodded and his attendant, a woman called Miya followed them. Once he came home alive and well Aziva rushed over and dove into his arms. Jace picked her up twirled around with her a little bit and ruffled her fizzy hair.
Aziva looked at the two people Jace brought with him with questioning eyes, "Who are they?"
Jace smiled, "The old guy over there is my former captain and a good friend of mine Collin Mclavery and this is his attendant, Miya."
Aziva grinned at the pair of them, "Hi!"
Collin smiled, "Why hello there, You are definitely your father's daughter. Quick question if I attacked your dad what would you do."
Aziva's eyes narrowed and a brief wisp of bloodthirst hung in the air before it disappeared. Everyone present noticed and Collin burst into laughter, "Good answer, definitely your daughter." He told Jace while furiously patting his shoulder.
Miya bowed slightly, "Young lady you seem to have more sense than him, would you mind replacing him as emperor."
Collin froze and stared at his attendant, "OI!"
Jace chuckled, "So when are the two of you getting married."
"Never." Collin said with a frown.
"Next week." The attendant said with a straight face.
Jace nodded in understanding and turned to Miya, "Be sure to give me and invite, I'd like to be there for the event."
Miya nodded seriously, "Be sure to bring felines, they make for good wedding presents."
Collin groaned, "No cats, you know I'm allergic!"
The woman ignored him but Jace saw the corner of her mouth twitch. A door opened and the butler stepped out in his immaculate clothing. "It seems to be quite noisy for people who are here as guests."
He pushed Sarai in her magic wheelchair that was somehow floating, that was definitely new. Sarai smiled as she watched the banter, "It is what my husband does with anyone he respects dear Charles, please do not mind him."
Charles bowed slightly, "Of course my lady."