The Byssus Empire is located on the other side of the fort from Ramesta in the Gracia territory of the Kingdom of Esfort.
With a population of over ten million people and a vast territory, it is said to be the largest nation on the continent of Grenut. The royal castle is extravagantly built, its King's Chamber is gilded and adorned with lavish ornaments.
And in the sumptuous chair of his office sits the thirty-eighth emperor, Fernandez Van Byssus. He is an emperor who lives a life of luxury, dressed in gleaming clothes and carrying a heavy belly, his brown hair curled in a roll.
'How's the thing going?'
Holding a glass of wine in one hand, Fernandez speaks to the wall in a room that should be empty of other people.
'Time is expected to fill up in a few more years. We already have dozens of troops holed up in the city, living as civilians.
A man in all black appears from somewhere and gets down on one knee and replies, "A few more years.
"A few more years," he says. "A few more years and I will do what all the emperors have failed to do. Then I will do what no emperor has ever been able to do, and I will go down in history as the greatest of all time.
"As you wish.
The man in all black replies, getting down on one knee.
'Continue to ask about the situation. Make your move as soon as the time is right.
"As you wish.
With those words, the man in black disappeared.
Fernandez drank his glass of wine and set it down on his desk. Then he went out to the terrace and looked at the city below.
The Byzantine Empire has become a militarized state, often waging war on other countries, and continues to expand its territory by increasing the number of gentry.
After collecting tax revenues and resources from gentry nations and building up their armies, they repeatedly invade other countries again.
Before Cain was born. More than a decade ago, Fernandez, who had only just taken over as emperor, also waged war on the Esfort Kingdom in the middle of the continent, but he had a painful memory of retreating when he was unable to drop the fort on the border. The man who led the Esfort Kingdom army at that time was Garum, Cain's father.
Since the country was created by a brave man three hundred years ago, Fernandez believes that by ruling the territory of that country under his control, he can call himself the best country on the continent in both name and reality. However, there are only three paths from the Byzantine Empire to the Esfort Kingdom: the fortress city of Ramesta, the Forest of Demons, and the vastness of the mountains. In order to pass through the Forest of Demons, you have to consider the damage caused by a ferocious demon, and the vastness of the forest makes it difficult for armies to march in, which is not common.
The route through the mountains is also lined with cliffs, and although infantry may be able to pass through, it's difficult to transport food and other supplies. Therefore, there is no choice but to go through Ramesta.
"Remember that, those bastards in the Esfort. I'll never forget the humiliation of that time.
Fernandez clasped his hands on the terrace in a strong grip.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
After being called into the royal castle and being squeezed stiffly by the king and vizier, Cain sat on the sofa with a sigh.
''Master Cain, you look quite tired. There's something else going on ....
Coran stands at the entrance to the office and calls out to me.
'I gave both Teres and Silk a gift I created myself, and it seems to be quite rare and valuable, so they called me in for it.
... What in the world did you give him as a gift?
Cain returns it casually to Coran, who asks fearfully.
"A necklace to let me know your location in an emergency. That's all it does.
Corran sighed at Cain's casual words.
''Master Cain, if it has that much functionality, I'm sure the nobles would want it all the more. It could let them know your location in case you're kidnapped, or if you're a prisoner of war, for example. It may not be a national treasure, but we think it's valuable enough.
'Well, well, this time I only gave it to Teres, Silk, and Tijuana's three fiancées, so I only got a light nitpick.
Initially, I tried to build one for the trip between Teres and Silk, but as expected, I thought it would be problematic not to give it to my fiancée Tifana alone, so I gave it to her after a mock battle (date). I remember how cute Tijuana looked at that time, blushing and embarrassed.
'Also, Lula and Laura, I'm going to take you to Drintle this weekend, so be prepared.
'Such a rush. .... No, I understand. I'll go ahead and get you two ready.
The weekend is upon us and Lula and Laura are gathered in the office with their bags packed in addition to Coran and Sylvia.
'From now on, Lula and Lola will be coming to Drintru with me. I'll have them live in Drintru, so take care of them.
Lula and Laura both nodded at Cain's lighthearted words, but they wondered why they had gathered in the office instead of heading to the carriage.
'Master Cain, Lola is still an apprentice, so please take care of her.
Sylvia bows her head. As expected, I'm not going to let Laura, who is still ten years old, do that much work, so Cain nodded.
'Let's go then. I'll be back later in the week.'
Coran and Sylvia nodded at Cain's words.
Coran instructs Lula and Laura to take their baggage and Cain places his hand on their shoulders.
'Transition.'
In an instant, the three of them disappeared from the office in King's Landing.
''Will the two of you be okay in Drintle? ...
'I believe Master Cain has an idea. Let us protect the mansion in this royal city.
Coran answered Sylvia's question and they both left the office.
'What?'
Lula and Laura were both surprised by the change in vision in an instant.
'Welcome to Drintle,'
Cain told them with a smile.
'... Is this transference magic?'
Cain nodded at his sister Lula's question.
'You will both be asked to live in this Drintle mansion. Lula will be my brother's helper and I'd like her to be the internal affairs officer. Laura will continue to be an apprentice maid. I'm sure our butler, Dalmatia, will be here soon, so I hope she will follow my instructions.
Immediately after Cain's words, there is a knock on the door of the office.
'Here it comes. Come in.
After Cain's reply, the door to the office was opened and Dalmatia entered. She looks like a first-generation reluctant adult, but she's an excellent butler. In many ways.
Both Lula and Laura are nervous, but Lula's face is red.
''Cain-sama, you're our guest, aren't you?''
Cain nodded at Dalmatia's words.
'They are the sisters of the White Fox tribe, Lula and Laura. I'm going to ask Lula to help her brother. Lola is an apprentice maid, so you can teach her a lot of things.
At Cain's words, Dalmatia straightens her posture and bows.
''I am Dalmatia, I am Cain-sama's butler in the city of Drintle. I'm looking forward to working with you in the future.
At the graceful and perfect greeting, Lula red-faced and Laura bowed her head.
''Le, le, I'm Lula. Dalmatia-sama, thank you for your continued support.''
'I'm Laura. Nice to meet you.
'I will prepare their rooms for you both and will pick you up later. Please enjoy a cup of tea while you wait.
Dalmatia urges them to sit on the couch and brew a cup of tea in the corner of the room.
They both cleared their throats at the smell of the tea flowing into the room.
'Sorry for the wait,'
I place the cups of tea brewed in order with perfect motions. Cain always has it brewed, so he just sips it.
The two of them sip on their mouths with nervousness.
''--Tasty.''
I'm glad to hear that you've enjoyed it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I would like to leave.
Dalmatia bowed gracefully and left.
Cain looked at Lula, who had been watching Dalmatia leave for a long time.
'Hey, do you like older people, Lula?'
Cain couldn't help but say it.
At that moment, Lula's face turned red and she covered her face with her hands.
'---- I have a weakness for reluctant men like Dalmatia-sama. ...
As expected, Cain could only laugh at Lula's comment about liking Gigi.