Chapter 18: The Capital City of Gremory
Year 0003, Month VIII-X: The Imperium
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The Arcane Inquisitors
It was not every day that a letter bearing the seal of one of the pillar houses of the empire would find its way into the hands of the head of the Order of the Arcane Inquisitors. Grand Magus Elder David Herm Elmsvale, the High Archmage of Light and Darkness, was a sibling of the current Grand Advisor to Emperor Janus—Elder Solomon Brand Elmsvale, a High Archmage of Elemental Arts who also held the position as leader of the Order of the Imperial Royal Magic Division. Today, a request from the House of Croco had reached his desk, requesting two of his finest arcane inquisitors to aid in their investigation of the missing Mytherium.
The Mytherium was knowledge held only by the top brass and the well-informed elite of the empire. Even if word had somehow spread to the soldiers, they were bound by oath of death should any information leak beyond the empire's borders. This much David knew with certainty—the leak had not originated from any of their military ranks.
Grand Magus David was already well aware of this incident, as reports had reached his office days prior. A failure in intelligence somewhere had allowed the attack to proceed undetected. It seemed a complete overhaul of their current surveillance system would be necessary, though not until they could ascertain the exact details of what had transpired. It wasn't that they were reluctant to investigate the matter immediately—rather, only the Emperor himself, along with the Dukes and Duchesses, the Pillar Houses of the Imperium, possessed the authority to request their mobilization for investigations involving magical threats that could endanger the empire as a whole.
The loss of the Mytherium already constituted a significant threat, and there were clear indications that magic had been involved in its disappearance. David called to his assistant, "Bonny, summon Rook and Crook to my office, if you would. Thank you."
Bonny bowed respectfully and departed to retrieve the two individuals.
After an hour of contemplative waiting, the two figures appeared in the office tower of the Order of the Arcane Inquisitors. The room itself was imposing—tall windows offered a commanding view of the capital below, while ancient tomes and magical artifacts lined the walls, testament to centuries of accumulated arcane knowledge.
"Yes, sir, we are here. What do you require of us, Master?" answered Rook, an Archmage of the Earth element, accompanied by his disciple, a Mage specializing in water elemental magic. Both wore the distinctive deep blue robes of their order, marked with silver threading that seemed to shimmer with its own inner light.
"You are requested in the allied kingdom of Ogind, specifically within its principality—the territory of Count Gremory. Go and investigate whether magic was involved in the theft of the Mytherium. Use whatever resources necessary, but be discreet. We cannot afford to cause a diplomatic incident while our enemies may already be mobilizing."
Rook responded with practiced formality, "By the Emperor's will, it shall be done."
Now alone in his office, David stood and gazed through the great window, observing the bustling activities of the empire below. Citizens moved through the streets like streams of water, merchants hawking their wares, and the steady rhythm of daily life continued, blissfully unaware of the shadow that had fallen across their security.
"We must preserve this hard-earned peace," he murmured to himself. "A missing Mytherium is something that will cause tremendous upheaval for the empire if it falls into enemy hands—especially with the great evil that has been corrupting the eastern lands. If they are not the ones who orchestrated this theft, then whatever shadowy organization is responsible will be burned to the ground. These rotten elements are beginning to infiltrate even the capital under our supposedly watchful guidance. How audacious of them—they clearly do not comprehend the full wrath of the Emperor, or they would never have dared such a brazen exhibition."
These were the troubled musings of Grand Magus David in the solitude of his tower office, as storm clouds of uncertainty gathered on the horizon.
Only time would tell how long Bo Banal and his Zargos Mercantile, along with his shadowy organization the Corvus Syndicate, could survive if their involvement in this matter ever came to light.
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Day 50.1 Inching Closer Towards The City of Gremory
The traveling party began moving once again after completing their morning meals and joining August in his customary morning routine. Even the children participated, though their exercises were lighter, more educational, and designed to be engaging enough to encourage physical activity. This served as another method of distracting their young minds from the traumatic events of several days past. The shock of losing not only their homes but their mothers, fathers, and siblings in the span of a single devastating night must have been overwhelming for such tender souls.
Earlier that morning, Martha had briefed both boys and girls on proper behavior when entering the city, hoping to avoid any complications. How much they truly understood the gravity of her words remained entirely in fate's hands.
Their pace remained consistent throughout the journey—neither too slow nor too hurried, but sufficient to cover respectable distances each day. The well-maintained imperial road beneath their wagon wheels spoke to the empire's commitment to infrastructure, even in allied territories.
As they drew closer to their destination, the imperial road became increasingly populated with fellow travelers. Merchant caravans, farmers bringing goods to market, pilgrims, and various other wanderers shared their path. The Empire had been generous in establishing these imperial roads throughout their allied kingdoms' territories, creating vital arteries that connected distant allies to the empire's heart while facilitating trade and communication across the regions under imperial protection.
Within just a few hours, they would finally glimpse the imposing walls of the city. Marcus had already taken the lead position, his excitement palpable at the prospect of entering his hometown after months of absence. He had originally been tasked by his father to deliver an important item, but during his return journey, he had encountered the bandits who ambushed him—most certainly at his siblings' instigation, he now realized. Fortunately for him, he had encountered August and Andy, who had efficiently dispatched his pursuers. Though he had been severely wounded and left unconscious, they had healed and treated his injuries with skill and compassion.
Now Marcus had sworn to himself that he would relinquish all claims to the family inheritance and carry the surname of his mother, Fernando, rather than his father's name. He had endured enough of the family's toxic power structure and the bitter struggle among siblings for the right to become heir apparent.
Meanwhile, Princess Mee-rka and her loyal bodyguards felt their nerves growing taut with anticipation. What if they weren't recognized as legitimate protectors for August and his traveling mercantile company? Would that create complications when they needed to save her younger brother, who had been falsely accused by a nobleman of this very city?
The rest of the crew harbored their own concerns about the roles they would need to play once they reached their destination, but for now, their immediate focus remained on completing the journey and safely reaching the city.
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Day 50.2 The City of Gremory
Just as darkness threatened to fully embrace the land, they finally reached the borders of the city of Gremory. The walls were nothing short of magnificent—towering stone barriers that stretched from the furthest visible point on the left all the way to where they met the edge of the great river's waters. This was clearly a mighty settlement, a highly fortified stronghold originally constructed by the kingdom of Ogind to repel attacks from the dangerous beasts emerging from the great forests, as well as threats from their southern neighboring kingdoms.
Every mouth in their party fell agape at the spectacular sight before them. A lengthy line of caravans from other visiting merchants stretched ahead, much like themselves. The wait promised to be substantial due to both the sheer volume of people seeking entry and the recent implementation of enhanced security measures.
After several hours of patient waiting in the queue, their turn for inspection finally arrived. Marcus naturally handed his identity plaque to the guards, who immediately recognized it since the Meredian Trading Company was a well-established and respected enterprise within the city.
"Welcome back to the city, young master. I trust your travels proceeded without major incident?" inquired the head guard, his tone respectful but professional. "If you don't mind my asking, who might these people behind you be?"
As the guards conducted their thorough inspection of the cargo hold, Marcus explained the situation. They possessed magical equipment capable of scanning the entirety of each wagon, ensuring nothing dangerous or illegal attempted to enter the city.
"Well, this wagon behind me belongs to my saviors," Marcus began. "They own a recently established traveling merchant enterprise, and I have been part of their journey ever since they rescued me. They graciously agreed to transport me since we were heading in the same direction. We also have children with us—orphaned children we discovered on the road during our travels. According to Ms. Martha, their current caretaker, their tragic story involves being attacked by vicious brigands who burned down their entire village. Unfortunately, only three adults and multiple children managed to escape that horrific onslaught. They were rescued by the magnanimous and kindhearted owner of Maya Traveling Mercantile, my savior and friend, Mr. August Finn. Those beastmen you see are also his hired bodyguards, though it's merely a contractual arrangement stating they will guard the caravan until we safely reach my residence."
The head guard listened with careful attention, his expression growing concerned upon learning of the numerous children present. However, after hearing Marcus's detailed explanation, his suspicions diminished somewhat. Now he simply needed to ensure that nothing dangerous would enter the city, especially since Lord Gremory had specifically stated that imperial forces were currently operating in the region and required the count's full cooperation.
What proved most shocking to the guard was learning that the owner of this traveling merchant operation was merely twelve years old. This wasn't immediately obvious, since August possessed the build of a young adult—lean yet muscular for his age. His height also served as a significant distraction, as August had experienced another growth spurt, reaching 6.2 feet from his previous 6 feet.
When their inspection revealed nothing amiss and the magical scanners detected no contraband, the guards permitted their entry. For the moment, their entrance fees were waived since they were implied to be guests of the Meredian Company. However, the children who needed to be properly accounted for, along with their guardian Martha who wasn't officially part of the caravan, required separate documentation. In total, they paid one silver coin each for a seven-day stay—a fee that could be waived if they decided to settle permanently. Andy, as their designated fund manager, paid a total of seventeen local silver coins.
They could finally enter the city, though first they needed to locate an inn designated for traveling merchants. Such accommodations would require numerous rooms for their large party, but Marcus insisted they instead proceed to a house that had been built specifically for him. Located outside the Meredian family's main estate and fully owned by him, it served as residence for both himself and his mother. While his father hadn't been overtly cruel, providing them with their own dwelling, it wasn't particularly grand—though it contained sufficient rooms to be comparable to a minor nobleman's estate.
"Please, young master, allow me to welcome you to my home," Marcus offered warmly. "You need not spend a single coin on lodging while you remain here. It has everything we require: proper hitching posts and adequate space for your wagon."
Though August initially hesitated to impose upon their generosity, if Marcus insisted, he would gracefully accept rather than make things difficult for his hosts.
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Day 50.3 Marcus's Estate
As they moved forward, August realized the residence was situated some distance from the bustling city center, located in a quieter outskirt area. To describe Marcus as humble in his depiction of his abode would be a tremendous understatement. The place was, in fact, already a mansion in its own right, causing August to wonder why Marcus had been trying so desperately to compete with his siblings when he could live comfortably like this for the remainder of his life. While August kept these thoughts to himself, Andy certainly didn't hesitate to voice his observations.
"You never mentioned you were this wealthy! No wonder those bandits were pursuing you so relentlessly when we found you!" Andy declared in a humorous tone, his eyes wide as he took in the impressive architecture.
Marcus appeared plainly embarrassed by the attention. Even Sibus found himself impressed by the man's residence, mentally noting that he would need to thoroughly examine its construction later—with Marcus's permission, naturally. Despite his eccentric tendencies, Sibus maintained the proper manners instilled during his refined upbringing.
Michelle was equally amazed. "You're incredibly rich, Mr. Marcus! Your family must wield tremendous influence!" she exclaimed enthusiastically, while Martha chose to remain diplomatically silent since they were merely guests. The children, however, displayed bright, wonder-filled faces, clearly impressed by one of their uncle's wealth on such a magnificent display.
As they proceeded to enter Marcus's estate proper, he was welcomed by a uniformed butler and several well-dressed maids, along with his mother, whose face displayed obvious worry and relief in equal measure.
"Mother! I have returned safely. We have much to discuss, but first, allow me to introduce the people behind me—they will be our honored guests for the duration of their stay."
Marcus cleared his throat formally and began introducing August and the rest of the party to his mother. After these brief introductions, the lady of the house graciously introduced herself.
"It is truly a pleasure to have such fine people here," she said with genuine warmth. "My name is Susan Fernando, and I welcome you all to our humble home. Come, all of you must be quite weary from your extensive travels."
After the entire group had entered the mansion, they were escorted to the guest quarters. The residence boasted numerous unused bedrooms, so August, Andy, and Sibus were taken to well-appointed men's quarters, while Michelle was provided her own private accommodation. The orphaned children, along with the two young adults and Martha, were given three separate rooms to comfortably house their entire party.
When all eyes were finally averted from Marcus, he immediately embraced his mother in a heartfelt reunion—a filial duty he took seriously and had deeply missed during his absence.
"My precious boy, I feared I had lost you forever," she whispered, tears gathering in her eyes. "Your father visited me and reported that he had lost all contact with you. What happened during your journey?"
"It's quite a lengthy story, Mother," Marcus replied softly. Their conversation extended nearly two hours, with his mother's eyes growing teary throughout much of it as she learned the full extent of what her child had endured during the months of his absence.
"So this young man August and his companion Andy actually saved you from certain death?" she asked, her voice filled with gratitude and amazement. "Then we absolutely must reciprocate with an appropriate gift or gesture of appreciation."
Marcus quickly informed his mother that she should refrain from such gestures, as August had already rejected similar offers multiple times during their journey. His mother could only sigh in response, though she already harbored plans to personally present August, her son's savior, with something meaningful.
"Are you truly certain about your decision to leave the Meredian Trading Company?" she asked seriously. "You are certainly old enough to make such decisions independently. If you're genuinely sure about this course of action, then you must inform your father directly. I will be here to support you completely—we are already quite well-established financially, even without the Meredians' continued support."
Marcus no longer harbored any second thoughts regarding this matter; the decision had crystallized firmly within his mind during their journey. "Yes, Mother, my decision is absolutely final. Given what happened to me recently, I don't believe such incidents will remain isolated occurrences. I shall visit Father's office tomorrow morning to make my intentions clear."
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Day 50.4 Settling in Comfortably
Meanwhile, August and the others found themselves with ample time for rest and personal activities. The children were gently encouraged to bathe thoroughly, and they were provided fresh, clean clothing to replace their travel-worn garments. The one-year-old baby girl under Martha's care was examined by the family physician, who arrived at the lady of the house's request. The infant was pronounced healthy and developing normally. Similar checkups were conducted for all the children and adults in their party.
After all examinations were completed, the doctor's assessments remained consistent for most of the orphaned children: they were physically sound but carried lingering psychological trauma that would prove difficult to heal and would require considerable time and patience to address properly.
Marcus also arranged for a wagon specialist to visit his home and thoroughly assess the overall structural integrity of their vehicle, determining what repairs might be necessary and providing comprehensive maintenance. All expenses were covered by Marcus's personal funds. Though August attempted to protest this generosity, Mrs. Susan firmly insisted on providing this service, explaining that he was, after all, her son's savior.
Discussions also arose regarding expanding the capacity of their wagon caravan. An additional separate wagon and new draft animals would be acquired to accommodate their growing number of traveling companions. Sibus, naturally, already possessed detailed sketches for an improved wagon design—a genius engineer like himself would certainly have such innovations readily available. He had, in fact, already envisioned vast improvements to their current transportation.
Meanwhile, Michelle had completed most of her commissioned work. Only minor details remained to finish Maya's Traveling Mercantile's first official banner. The design featured a beautiful tree at the center, rendered in golden hues with emerald leaves displaying varying shades of green, red, and yellow. The balancing scales were crafted in silver and gold, symbolizing fair trade and justice. Once completed, August's commission would be finished, though Michelle planned to continue as part of the crew until they reached Maya village, where August had promised to welcome her as a permanent resident.
Princess Mee-rka and her two dedicated bodyguards had departed even before reaching Marcus's mansion, their concern for her imprisoned brother driving them to immediate action. According to their agreement, this represented a temporary farewell, though August felt confident they would reunite sooner rather than later.
With immediate concerns addressed, they now faced the question of how to handle the orphaned children's long-term welfare. August realized he had significantly underestimated both the scale of the continent and the time required for meaningful exploration. According to Marcus and the comprehensive maps he had shown him, the three major continents possessed a combined area of 210 million square kilometers, divided roughly equally among them. Considering the time required just to reach this city, his original time frame had been woefully inadequate.
Perhaps traveling by river would allow him to reach the northernmost regions of the central-north subcontinent more quickly, but such a route would defeat his purpose in leaving the forest. Water travel would provide far fewer learning opportunities compared to overland journeys. The kingdom of Ogind alone encompassed 1.5 million square kilometers, while the principality-county, though relatively small, still covered 150,000 square kilometers. The time required just to reach this regional capital had been substantial. Traveling across the continent's many diverse regions would require years, not months—a realization that now seemed almost laughable given his initial ambitious plans.
He wondered why Uncle Andy hadn't pointed out his unrealistic expectations earlier. In truth, Andy had wanted August to discover these realities independently. He hadn't wished to discourage the young man before their journey even began, especially given August's emotional state following Christopher's recent death. When Andy had mentioned covering only ten percent of the continent, he meant he had spent the better part of his adult life as both mercenary and merchant to achieve even that limited coverage.
They concluded their day with a magnificent feast prepared by Susan for her guests. August and Sibus naturally joined the cooking efforts, along with other adults who possessed culinary skills, as they had overwhelmed the single chef employed by the household with their numbers.
After the delightful dinner concluded, everyone retired to their respective quarters to finally rest their bodies on genuinely comfortable beds—a luxury that August, Andy, Sibus, and Michelle hadn't experienced for two weeks since departing the town of Greenvale. As night deepened, the city settled into peaceful slumber.
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Information Panel: Ranks of the Magic Order
**High Archmage**
- Comparable to Grandmasters of other disciplines. The most powerful and renowned practitioners in their magical fields, capable of leading Archmages into battle. They are classified as Category V entities among Humans/Humanoids/Demi-Humans.
**Archmage**
- Equivalent to masters from other professional disciplines. They have thoroughly learned the fundamental ways of magic and are progressing toward becoming High Archmages. They serve as leaders of multiple mages and hold significant responsibility within magical hierarchies. They are classified as Category IV entities among Humans/Humanoids/Demi-Humans.
**Mage**
- Expert practitioners of magic who utilize their powers within their chosen professional fields. They have significantly advanced their positions within the magical community and are classified as Category III entities among Humans/Humanoids/Demi-Humans.
**Acolytes or Disciples**
- Newly accepted magic practitioners within specific disciplines, often studying under large schools of magic. Alternatively, they may serve as direct disciples to individual Mages, Archmages, or High Archmages. They are comparable to Category II entities among Humans/Humanoids/Demi-Humans.
**Apprentice/Initiate**
- The entry-level tier of magical practitioners, considered comparable to educated commoners. Apprentices are personally selected by established Mages, Archmages, or High Archmages, while Initiates typically enroll in formal magical institutions. They are classified as Category I entities among Humans/Humanoids/Demi-Humans.
**Special Classifications:**
**Hedge-Mages**
- Individuals who demonstrate magical abilities from early childhood, capable of conjuring their elemental affinities without formal instruction. As they mature, using magic becomes as natural as breathing. They are typically solitary and often arrogant due to their enhanced intellect and intuitive understanding of magical principles.
**Sorcerers/Sorceresses**
- Practitioners who have mastered multiple types of magic individually and maintain independence from formal groups or schools of magic. The most accomplished among them earn the title of Grand Sorcerer or Sorceress.
**Wizards**
- Practitioners whose mastery focuses intensively on a single magical element, achieving extraordinary depth in their chosen specialization.