4 An Empire's Plan and Descending Hell
The 9 Great Empires and Kingdoms of the world that is named after the Goddess of All Elements, Esa.
These Kingdoms and Empires were strewn across the only three inhabitable continents for life to prosper.
The three continents known as The United Thobar, The Isles of Amesint and Ghala Cairmante named after their respectively most commonly worshipped Gods.
The respective countries of these three continents are as follows:
The Great Southern Continent:
The Southern Continent, Ghala Cairmante, consisting of one continent-sized land mass split in two by the sea-sized river Drawen holds
The Great Slovechtenroc Empire
The Guigam Raniabia Empire
And The Tupor Guyateda Kingdom
The Two Great Eastern Continents:
The Northernmost of the two, The United Thobar, consisting of 6 Large land masses and a few islands holds
The Central Laslands Empire
The Qaroonlyia Kingdom
And The Coliekrein Kingdom
The Southernmost of the two, The Isles of Amesint, consisting of countless smaller islands and 3 greater land masses holds
The Brizviisneaof Empire
The Djimalnti Empire
The Galchelles Neutral Zone
There exist more continents other than these yet they remain mostly uninhabitable to any kingdom.
To the North there exists a massive continent of Ice and birch trees, the Land of Giants, Vampires and Demon Sub-Species.
The place is named Niafin Esrotnia, coming from the old tongue of magic users, meaning Bloodloss and Freezing Sadness.
And then there exists the Great Dragon Continent, the only continent with no name taken from a God, as no God would ever be foolish enough to try and tame the chaotic landscape filled with prideful predators who all reach Demi-God level strength in their later years.
So, Five in Total.
To the North, Ice and Death,
Niafin Esrotnia where countless beasts and monsters hunt between the birch trees.
To The East, Commerce and Adventure,
The United Thobar, where adventurers, mercenaries and merchants roam all possible lands,
and The Isles of Amesint, where commerce is widespread and all deals are made through contract and promise by blood and gold, a land of opportunity for the intelligent. One of the only places with no prejudice against other sentient species.
To the South, Cold Winds and Savage Tribes,
Ghala Cairmante, where soldiers constantly fight against savages as they attempt to claim more land and power for their neverending greed that might force them to turn on each other in the future.
Finally the West, Neverending Battle,
The Great Dragon Continent, Currently ruled over by none, the war for the empty thrown has been waged since ancient times, just as Niafin Esrotnia it has never been fully explored and most likely never will as the dangers there are beyond mortals and threats to even the lives of The Divine.
...
In The United Thobar Continent,
The Central Laslands Empire,
The Capital City,
Royal Castle Meeting Chambers.
The Emperor, his First Born Son, the General of the Empire's military forces, the Head of the Adventurers Union, the Head of the Mage Dungeon and the General of Affairs have gathered behind one table.
"...Silence Room. Block Perception."
The woman, the Head of the Mage Dungeon spoke after a short chant she had cast earlier.
As she finished her spell and the room was bathed with a momentary deafly silence and low glow, the woman with long black hair and black eyes sat down at the table. She was wearing a black one-piece under a dark grey robe and a small floating wizard hat.
"Your Majesty."
The Emperor, a seemingly young man with short brown hair and blue eyes wearing a brown and red tuxedo under a lavish cape turned his gaze towards the voice of the Adventurer Union Head.
A woman with short blond hair and purple eyes with sharp elven ears, seemingly young for her position as she didn't seem past the age of 20.
"What do you see a problem in, Kalarissa?"
The Emperor, with his eyes half closed asked.
"Not necessarily a problem, your Majesty, but we of the Union don't have enough resources to spend on assisting in your... quest."
She continued after a short pause to make sure the Emperor was listening and didn't intend to interrupt.
"We lack Adventurers beyond Rank A and I personally believe the Empire should currently focus more on the internal power struggle of Qaroonlyia."
There was barely a moment of silence before the head of the Mage Dungeon spoke.
"Yes, as the Head of the Mage Dungeon, I too see your point as we don't have many free mages above even B Rank that we can freely provide for the upcoming mission."
The Mage Dungeon Head nodded with closed eyes. A passing moment of silence.
The Mage Dungeon Head then opened her eyes and spoke.
"Yet his Majesty did not ask for highly ranked adventurers or mages. He simply wanted a group of adventurers and mages.
If what I am understanding is correct, your Majesty?"
"Indeed, Mordenna. I believe even some of your C Ranks would be more than enough."
The Adventurers Union Head stood from her seat.
"Your Majesty!? Sending C Ranks to The Great Dragon Continent is absurd! S Ranks could barely survive a week!"
"Now, now, Kalarissa. They will not be sent to fight nor even get close to any of the Apex.
Even I am not willing to send the weak to certain death."
The Emperor attempted to calm the situation, yet the look in his eyes betrayed his thoughts.
Before the Adventurer Union Head could speak any further, the Military Forces General spoke first. His hair short and grey, an appearance of a late 30-year-old with quaint military clothing patterned with medals and not a single scratch visible on his body, which spoke of his skill as a General.
"The Military will further provide support for the mission. The young prince has also contracted a rare Fairy who will bless the team to make sure damage sustained is kept at a minimum even if a scuffle with a young Apex were to happen.
The lives of the scouts, your adventurers, and the backline support, Mage Dungeon Head's chosen Mages, will be prioritised over my provided soldiers, even if I don't like it."
The Adventurer Union Head could only frown at the answer, the team's safety was mostly guaranteed yet the arrival or fight with an Apex would undoubtedly result in casualties no matter the amount of 'protection'.
"With the Adventurers' knowledge of nature, fauna, survival in foreign wilderness' and wildlife along with the magical abilities of the Mages and the strength of a platoon of soldiers whose average strength would be Ranked B at least, the mission is bound to be a success.
Few casualties are expected but few are better than complete elimination."
The Military Forces General spoke with authority and finality.
The Adventurer Union Head, with a worried frown, could find no help from the Mage Dungeon head or Military General.
Looking at the General of Affairs, she immediately got an answer from the young girl.
"We are due for a continent-wide conference in a week. No one will dare make a move during this time nor even for some time After the conference.
The power struggle in Qaroonlyia is being dealt with by Coliekrein's King as we speak due to our request as well."
The little girl had hair of brown and eyes of blue much like her brother and father who sat at the same table. The General of Affairs and 3rd Princess of the Empire aged 12.
"Completing the mission now, when the natural mana density of The Great Dragon Continent is lowest and the Blue Sun shines is definitely a risky gamble but a worthwhile one. We aren't using a noticeable amount of manpower thus no one would think of attacking and due to the route we have planned, no one would even know the mission took place and would simply think of it as a regular patrol around the border.
Right, father?"
"Right, Cassie. As smart as always."
The Emperor replied with a sweet and gentle smile as the Adventurer Union Head had no choice but to sit down and accept the situation.
The Emperor then further spoke.
"What I am asking for is 28 Adventurers at Rank C or above, 9 Mages Ranked C and 1 Ranked B. The calculated dangers are minimal in all regards, the possible losses small and the possible gains beyond measure. Wouldn't everyone here agree?"
Everybody at the table, although some reluctantly, agreed.
"We move out two days after the conference. Until that time, I want everyone to prepare to their best ability.
The payment for all who participate will be sent to you by my secretary within 3 days.
Have the adventurers' monster hunting limits removed for a time and temporarily increase potion provisions and materials sent to the Mage Dungeon while increasing the intensity of training for the soldiers. "
The Emperor said with finality as he stood and left, his son and daughter following suit a second after.
"I'm still worried."
The Adventurer Union head spoke aloud and before anyone could say anything to her, a commotion broke out from the hallway where the Emperor's family had just entered.
Screams of terror and flames became visible from the windows through the open door of the meeting room.
...
Shards of red fell from the sky like fireballs, an omen and a disaster.
The flames on the stones of red were purely black.
Not only in the Central Laslands Empire or only in The United Thobar Continent but across the globe like alien spaceships.
Flaming red stone shards bigger than most houses fell from the sky.
Their source was the Red Devil Moon. The widely accepted birthplace of all Demon Kind.
The shards landed on the land and in the sea with impacts strong enough to leave large craters.
Their black flames spread through organic matter as it charred everything to ash and dust.
From the black flames and scarlet red stone shards demons are naturally born.
One of said shards which birth demons landed in the Capital of the Central Laslands Empire, shattering the barrier and brick wall that acted as the shield of the capital.
Part of it was erased along with most buildings and all the lives near the impact zone. The flames spread to a distance of 10 square metres around the scarlet stone shard as demons rose from the corpses of the ground, their instincts screaming in rage.
Hunt. Kill. Devour. Grow. Hunt. Kill. Devour. Evolve.
A primal and low grade of demons as they only had the mindless desire to grow, not having full access to the System due to lack of sentience.
Nevertheless, the danger they pose is real.
And now, instead of being naturally banished from their home on the Red Devil Moon and being sent to Esa, they invade.
...
On the Great Dragon Continent.
A single shard landed near the edge of the continent, a small shard compared to the others but still, it birthed demons from its black flame and scarlet stone.
A lone Adult Dragon was near the location where the stone shard landed.
...
At the centre of the Great Dragon Continent, Junko, our Apex Dragon woke up and pushed herself up into a sitting posture.
'Did Junko sleep? Junko tired.'
She thought while remembering what happened.
'Ah. Junko used strong mana. Mmm... Magic! Yezs.'
She thought giddily while wiping her brow and eyes that felt slightly moist.
Her hands were now traced with slight amounts of blood and void water.
Looking at her hands in interest, she saw how her blood and the void mixed strangely and was captivated.
'Red stuff and water mixing!'
She thought with interest before biting her hand, trying to eat the fuzing blood and void.
"Ah. Ow."
'Junko can't eat Junko.'
Licking the small wound where a trace amount of blood was spilling out, she didn't notice a small portion of the void water entering her body as she licked both her hands clean.
Learning of the concept of 'Bleeding', Junko looked at the lake of cosmic water.
'It is... empty? Clear?'
She thought as she could barely see any more glowing stars or galaxies or even anything pretty in the lake except for a few sparks and specks.
'Where did them go?'
She thought simply as she was about to stand but noticed something different.
'Ah. Found.'
She was wearing a small one-piece dress made of black thread covered in cosmic stars and planets etched onto it. From top to bottom, the colour changed from empty void black to a lighter purple near the edges of the dress.
Patting the dress, she could barely see some of the stars and planets move.
'Pretty! Junko like!'
She thought as she took another look at the smaller lake of void water and cosmic sparks. Still patting her dress.
'Thank you, water!'
She reached her hand out and clenched it twice as her sign of showing 'thanks'.
Looking around the place, she made the decision to move somewhere where she could see more things like the lake of cosmic water.
Turning away from the lake she slowly started to walk as she got used to holding her balance and walking on two feet, trying not to step and trip on her hair or the smooth crystal floor.
She adapted fast and soon she didn't need to even look down or hold her hands to her sides to keep balance.
Walking at a calm pace, she soon reached the edge of the smooth crystal ground and the beginning of a rocky and sandy plane that stretched as far as her short stature could see.
Carefully crouching down, she pats the sandy and rocky ground with her hand.
'Ah. Fun!'
She decided it was fun in her head as small specks of sand temporarily stuck to her hand.
Looking at them closer, she chose not to bite herself this time and licked her hand.
Crunching on the sand, she swallowed it down only to furrow her brows for a second, before smiling at her victory.
'Junko tastes better!'
