Chapter 7: Chapter 7 – Envoy

As the sun rose on the seventh day since Zarek's triumphant recapture of Teravil, the once-rebellious city now lay in ruins, a testament to the ferocity with which he had crushed the uprising. The bodies of the fallen rebels littered the streets, a grim reminder of the price of defiance.

But Zarek was not content to rest on his laurels; with two of the rebellion's commanders in his custody and the rest scattered and leaderless, he set his sights on the remaining territories still in the hands of the rebels. Pouncing on them with ruthless efficiency, he methodically reclaimed city after city, using his superior tactics and numbers to overwhelm the disorganized resistance. In the end, only a few of the rebellion's leaders were spared, and the rest met their demise at the hands of Zarek's merciless forces. He would tolerate no half-measures for his complete and total victory.

While serving as the Hand of the King, he not only solidified his position as a noble but also established a distinguished lineage tied to the Fioren kingdom. His reputation for greatness had spread far and wide, reaching beyond the borders of Fioren and earning him invitations to serve as an envoy for trade negotiations, alliance building, and even contracts with foreign companies.

"How is the rebuilding of the cities progressing?" Zarek inquired.

"It's a process, but with Alexa's help, we've been able to finalize the tax policies you suggested," Eliza updated him, "It'll still take a few months to finish everything, but we hope to implement the policies soon. While they may be basic for now, the implementation of more advanced technologies in the future will allow us to further enhance the prosperity of our kingdom."

"What has the Queen been doing in the meantime?" Zarek inquired.

"I have kept her informed of your accomplishments," Eliza replied with a bow, "She has been tending to her ailing husband, but has also been spreading news of your feats through her secret spy network."

"She has a spy network?" Zarek exclaimed in surprise, "Why didn't anyone tell me about it before?"

"It wouldn't be much of a secret network if she were to divulge it to everyone," Eliza pointed out.

"I see..." Zarek said, thoughtful.

After some contemplation, Zarek came to a decision, "As the Hand of the King, I trust that you can oversee the chain of command for our housing, infrastructure, and diplomatic affairs. Feel free to hire new advisors as you see fit, but please make sure to run them by me first. Are you up for this task?"

Eliza's eyes lit up with excitement as if she had been waiting for this moment. Her family had been loyal to the Fioren empire since its inception, and she had always aspired to attain a position befitting her status. "I accept the responsibility," Eliza replied with a bow.

"It is with great pleasure that I name you Grand Vizier of the Fioren Kingdom," Zarek declared, presenting Eliza with a dazzling gold bar and a necklace adorned with sparkling jewels. "These gifts are a small token of appreciation for your invaluable assistance," he said, "The jewels perfectly complement your captivating eyes."

Eliza gratefully accepted the gifts and thanked Zarek for the opportunity to serve.

Zarek knew that he had many pressing issues to attend to, such as the overwhelming stack of paperwork and letters on his desk. One of the most contentious issues on his mind was the subject of slavery. He had considered abolishing it immediately, but he also knew that doing so would cripple the kingdom's rebuilding efforts. 

On the other hand, using rebels as slaves was also out of the question as it would likely incite an internal uprising. Moreover, Zarek had already killed most of the rebels, eliminating that option. Zarek knew that the slavery issue would take time to resolve and that he would have to be the reigning King of Fioren for any real change to occur.

Zarek's attention was immediately drawn to a letter adorned with a golden and white stamp. As he carefully unfolded the missive, he saw that it was from the Kingdom of Aethoria - the closest kingdom to his own and the only one with which they had a trade route. However, due to their kingdom being located in a largely undeveloped region, they had not yet established many trade routes with other city-states.

"Do we have any tax breaks in our policies?" Zarek inquired.

"Currently, we do not," Eliza answered.

"Let's change that," Zarek decided, "I want to offer tax breaks for luxury goods, food, and herbology traders. Make sure this information is widely disseminated. Additionally, I want to raise the toll tax for travelers crossing our lands. And since we are in close proximity to a mountain range, I'd like you to arrange for a mining company to contact me. We need to start extracting cerium, neodymium, and europium as soon as possible."

Eliza nodded in understanding.

"Our next task is to create a great wonder," Zarek continued, "If we have any architects in our kingdom, contract them to begin work on impressive structures. We need to boost tourism, and a good place to start is by commissioning a statue of the Queen. Afterward, we can move on to larger-scale projects."

"It may be difficult to find architects," Eliza cautioned, "Many of them are based in the Empire of Kalasira."

"I'll have to explore the possibility of recruiting some from there then," Zarek said, "Do we have a port in our kingdom?"

"We had plans to construct one, but our finances didn't allow for it. Plus, there are dangers such as bandits, pirates, and mercenaries to consider when conducting trade across the seas," Eliza explained.

"I understand," Zarek replied, "But I still think it's worth pursuing. I want you to start building a port. And while you're at it, let's improve our roads as well. Switch to stone or concrete surfaces. Ask Alexa for a blueprint and have someone recreate it on paper. I'll need to summon a printer, but I'm all out of juice right now."

As he tore open the envelope, Zarek was surprised to find a letter from the prestigious Duke of Aethoria inviting him to establish new trade routes with their most influential companies. Despite his initial hesitation, as he was unfamiliar with diplomatic relations and the possibility of it being a trap, Zarek knew he couldn't pass up such a valuable opportunity. Still, the thought of possibly being captured by magic, a force he knew little about, made him uneasy.

As Zarek spent time understanding the inner workings of Fioren, Zarek was struck by the fascinating blend of pre-industrialized technology and magical advancement. Everywhere he looked, he saw evidence of this unique fusion, from magic-powered lamp posts to the use of magic crystals for heating. The architecture also reflected the central role of magic in Fioren society, with a blend of Asian and European influences.

"Do we have any grievances with other nations?" he asked Eliza.

She shook her head, indicating that there were no known conflicts.

This was good news, as it meant that Zarek could focus on the potential benefits of expanding Fioren's trade network. He knew that by combining his knowledge of future technologies with the magical expertise of the kingdom, they could create truly groundbreaking inventions. And by patenting these creations, Zarek could bring in a steady stream of royalties that would greatly increase Fioren's wealth. Of course, he could always dip into his own personal fortune, but he knew that it was important to keep inflation in check for the long-term stability of the kingdom.

"Well, I know where I'll be heading," Zarek declared as he tossed the envelope aside, "I trust you can handle things here for a couple of days?"

"Absolutely," Eliza replied confidently.

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"Please arrange for a carriage for me by dawn," Zarek instructed, "And how far away is the Kingdom of Aethoria? How long will it take us to get there?"

"It will be a few days' journey by horseback," Eliza informed him, "I'll gather a traveling party of some of our royal knights to accompany you. Everything will be prepared at your behest."

"Excellent," Zarek nodded, "I've got a promise to keep to a certain person, so I'll catch you later."

*****

Maya had been working tirelessly since the capture of the rebel commanders, keeping a close watch on them as they were held in the dungeon. When it came time to decide on their punishment, she suggested a harsher sentence, but Zarek ultimately decided on exile. He knew that allowing them to stay would only fuel their desire for revenge and potentially increase his infamy among his enemies.

Maya couldn't help but admire Zarek's methodical nature, and the way he was always willing to put himself on the front lines alongside his subjects. She knew that she had no chance with a man like him, but her heart fluttered every time he appeared beside her on the battlefield. She couldn't deny her attraction to his rugged good looks, but she knew that love was a luxury in a world filled with unrest and cruelty.

"It seems you're busy," Zarek said as he appeared behind Maya, causing her to jump in surprise.

"Woah, I didn't even hear you coming," she exclaimed.

"I won't be here for long," Zarek replied, "Just a couple of hours. I'm here to fulfill my promise."

"Promise?" Maya asked, shaking her head in confusion.

"To train you in swordsmanship," he reminded her.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, finally remembering. "Shall we get started?"

It only took Zarek a few minutes to set up for their training session, retrieving a sword from nearby. Maya, on the other hand, was feeling quite exhausted, but thanks to some potions provided by Cyrius, she was able to recover quickly. Originally intended for use during the upcoming siege, Maya was grateful to have a couple of extra potions on hand for training purposes.

"Show me your defense," Zarek instructed, eyeing Maya's form as she took a defensive stance. Without warning, he launched into a fierce attack, thrusting and swiping with his sword in a flurry of movements. Despite her best efforts, Maya struggled to keep up with his speed and her techniques faltered under the pressure of his relentless combos.

"Remember to keep your guard up," Zarek advised as they paused to catch their breath. "You're thinking too short term in your defense. Anticipate the enemy's movements. Always think about how you can counterattack or maintain your distance. And again."

Maya gritted her teeth and tried to focus on Zarek's advice, but it was difficult to keep up with his relentless combos. She could feel her energy and speed beginning to flag.

"You're using too much energy," Zarek noted. "You're relying on your magic to compensate for your weaknesses, but you need to focus on your physical attacks first. A strong foundation is essential for building upon it. If your foundation falters, your magic will be built on a house of cards. Again."

Maya nodded determinedly, focused on improving her defenses. The practice bout with Zarek seemed to go on for hours, as he taught her various techniques and strategies for defending herself on the battlefield. By the end, Maya had used up most of her potions and had even had to tap into her magical reserves to keep herself from collapsing.

Zarek, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the prolonged training session. Although his breathing was somewhat labored, he showed no signs of slowing down and seemed capable of continuing for several more hours. Maya was in awe of his endurance and couldn't comprehend how he was able to maintain such high stamina. However, her practice bouts with him had also revealed her own weaknesses, and she knew that she had to work on strengthening her resolve and improving her willpower under pressure. In a real fight, even the slightest mistake could have dire consequences.

"Alright," Zarek replied, "I'll be heading out, now." 

"Thank you for your assistance." 

Zarek received word from an advisor that his carriage was ready, so he quickly gathered his belongings and headed toward the waiting vehicle. To his surprise, the carriage was a relatively plain, minimalistic affair, with only a single, sparkling magical diamond adorning the front. While not particularly flashy, Zarek couldn't help but wonder if the understated design was intentional, meant to avoid drawing too much attention.

"I will be your escort for today," A knight said, "My name is Jonathan."

"What's with these names?" Zarek thought to himself as he met new people in this strange world. Some names seemed to be of English origin, while others were more European in nature. It was as if the naming structure of this place was completely random as if someone had spun a wheel and chosen names at random. It was a bizarre and disorienting experience for Zarek, who was used to a more structured system of naming conventions.

As Zarek settled into the carriage, he was offered a small loaf of bread and some fruits and berries to sustain him during the journey. It wasn't the most appetizing meal, but Zarek was no stranger to eating for sustenance rather than pleasure. Along with the food, he was also given back his military attire, which had been carefully preserved, despite his original capture.

As he donned the golden and black uniform, adorned with his insignia, the three-headed leviathan, representing the three planets he had complete control over, Zarek felt a sense of pride and determination wash over him. The uniform was a symbol of his power and authority, and as he slipped it on, it was as if he was reclaiming a part of himself that had been lost during his captivity.

As the carriage jolted forward, embarking on the journey to the kingdom of Aethoria, Zarek felt a sense of relief wash over him. The recent rebellion had kept him up at night, planning and strategizing, but now that it was quelled, he could finally allow himself a moment of rest.

The intense sparring session with Maya earlier in the day had also taken its toll on his muscles, leaving him feeling tired and drained. He closed his eyes, feeling his fatigue slowly catch up to him as the soothing rocking of the carriage lulled him toward sleep. It was the best time as any to get some much-needed shut-eye.

 

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