And so the Rulers decided on accepting the Merchants into the Empire and into the heart of the capital city of Millis.
The Merchant's group were treated as envoys of a foreign nation and led through the city in a grand fashion.
This was done to show the Merchants the state of the Empire: New, Peaceful and Still growing. And hopefully, help improve the sentiment of the other races towards the monsters.
*
As George, Nina, Ronnie, and other executive members of the Merchant Guild rolled down the colourfully tiled and sparkling road of the obviously newly-built city, they stared in surprise at the beautiful scenes that were before them.
The Guildmaster and two Master Merchants stayed in one carriage, while the executives and hired guards stayed in the second larger carriage.
They saw new stone and metal houses built to house almost a hundred people, beautifully tilled roads, large market places filled with different rare goods, many advanced technological infrastructures around
And most of all the amazing monsters of all clans living peacefully.
"We always assumed the Monsters lived simply and do not know much of the world." George thought. "But this... This is too advanced. Their capital is as advanced as Novaland. I wonder what else is different."
"Ronnie!" George called out. "Why didn't you ever tell us the monsters were like this. Wh—"
"I didn't know." Ronnie said before George could finish. "I did deliver some goods months ago but. I never came this far in. I always met Klaus at the outermost town of the city. The town didn't have that much residents and seemed more like a warehousing district. I am also as surprised to see all this. They are not what we expected at all."
"I see." George said and rubbed his chin.
"I am glad we decided to do this." Nina mentioned. "It would be better if we were to ally ourselves with them than to just remain neutral. The nation's of Mavis are known for two things. Their wealth and their military strength. We can conclude that their wealth is no less than the major nation's."
"True." Ronnie added. "To be able to achieve this in only three months."
"Three months!" George and Nina shouted.
Ronnie began to scratch her hair and chuckle lightly. "Yes. This all began about three months ago." She said.
"Wow. I am really at a loss for words. I know here is untapped wealth in the north, but to think they have the wealth to do this in three months. Then we mustn't underestimate the north at all."
"Yes." Nina nodded in agreement. "Now that we know how deep their pockets are, we must know how strong they are."
*
The two carriages were led to Manor of the Grey Lord. A huge manor comprised of three buildings. The Main house, Left house and Right house. They carriages stopped in the massive courtyard at the middle of the three houses.
As George pushed open the door and came out of the carriage, he was greeted by Aisha and Arianne.
"Welcome to Millis." They said in unison. "This way please." They said gesturing towards a pavilion sitting in the middle of the courtyard.
The Master Merchants and the three Guild Executives, as well as the nine guards the Merchant Guild hired form the Adventures Guild to protect them (Three B ranked, and six C ranked adventurers), all followed Aisha and Arianne to the pavilion.
George, leading the party, could see the six figures sitting on the other side of a long table in the pavilion. Six people representing them. All from different clans. Hmmm. These guys,... are strong. Especially this young grey haired young man. George thought.
He who was a powerful warrior of the Final Demon Realm, could tell that the six people were strong warriors, even though their Realms were still low. He had the years of experience behind him to know that Realms alone, were not the absolute measure of strength for mortals.
When he, the Master Merchants and the Executives got to the pavilion, the six people representing the monsters stood up and greeted them.
"Welcome to the city of Millis." Ash started. "My name is Ash, and I am the Regent of the Northern Empire."
"The Northern Empire?" George said slowly.
"Yes! Please sit." Ash said. Then the six envoys and the six Rulers present rook their seats. "To my right, is Lord Lisa, Lord Roger and Lord Lucy. To my left is Duke Klaus and Lord Anne."
"Greetings!" George replied. "My name is George Blackthorn, and I am the Guildmaster of the Merchant Guild. One of the Five Guilds. To my left is Master Merchant of Glavis, Nina, and two executives of the Guild. To my right, as you may already know, is Master Merchant of the North, Ronnie. Let me first begin by saying, thank you, for accepting our offer."
"Of course. We also would like to thank you, for giving us, the north as you said, a chance to clear this misunderstanding. I would like to start from the beginning if you would allow."
"Please, go ahead." George said.
"About three months ago, the north decided to unify. And we were able to do so successful. But upon the completion of the renovation of our Empire, we heard some rumours. One of war."
Ash paused as he stared straight into George's eyes. "We heard that the other races were scared that the reason we came together in the first place was to declare war on the rest of Mavis."
"But the Northern Empire has no wish for war. Only the continued betterment of our race. Since the Great wars thousands of years ago, since our ancestors created the veil, we have been scattered and have only just reunited. Why would we wish for war?!"
"That is why we are happy that the five guilds have decided to help bridge the north and the rest of Mavis. To help ensured the continued peace. Help us clear the air and dispel these suspicious rumours."
George grunted and began. "It is true that the rumours spread around the continent rather fast. But, among the six nations of Mavis, there is said to be an unwritten rule. One that helps maintain the power balance between all the nations."
"There is such a rule." Klaus added. "But no nation would have upheld that rule of they were in the same situation as we were."
"It is as Klaus says." Ash joined in. "Unfortunately I cannot tell you what situation that is, but I can tell you that it was dire. That is why after thousands of years, the north was united."
"I see. So, the north did not come together to wage war or anything like that?" George said.
"Of course not. Why would a new and inexperienced nation just suddenly decide to wage war?
"You know," George started. "for many years, the world thought that the northern region was just a thick and desolate forest where monsters dwell with less civilization than the fairies. But,... seeing this city, and the city we passed on our way. I know now that that is false. And look. Here we are. Sitting on opposite sides of a table conversing. So, I would like to make a proposal on behalf of the Merchant Guild of the Five Guilds. The most powerful independent power on this continent. Let us help you put an end to this war before it even begins, and we how to assist the north to become an officially accepted nation of Mavis. And also make the north an ally of the Guilds."
"Oh! You presume you know what we want." Ash said.
"Yes, I do. You all may not want this war, but you are not really against it. Because you believe it will help you get what you want either way... Recognition. Recognition from all the other nations and races."
"Hahahaha..." Roger burst into laughter. "I like you. You are really smart."
"You are right." Ash said. "We may not want war, but we will fight if provoked . And not only will we fight. We. Will. Win."
Oh. What an interesting young man. Those eyes of his really lit up. He's not joking. They are confident they will defeat Margrave. Hmm. All the more reason to be on their good side. Now I am really starting to wonder who their King really is.
"But if this war can be stopped," Ash continued. "Then we shall try. Especially since the Guilds have come to us with such an enticing proposal. You can go ahead and set a meeting with Margrave Empire. Whether they stop the war or not, you will have to keep your side of the proposal. Do you accept?" Ash stretched his hand forward towards George.
"I do!" George answered and took Ash's hand.
"Good. Then we will meet at the Green Pass along the North-Margrave border in three days time. I assume that should be enough time?"
"It is."
*
And with that, the officially meeting ended. But they continued to discuss some minor details later into the day. The Merchants were thrown a little feast that night and were given housing in the Grey Lord's Castle for the night.
Early the following morning, the Merchants left for Glavis. Rather than for them to head to Margrave which was a longer way, they went to Glavis to make use of the Guild's Teleportation gate to go directly to Margrave and convince the Emperor of the West to agree to a parlay.