Age of Heroes

1017 SEEDMONTH

ARIAL VERMONT

A year has passed. Winter has ended, and spring comes again. Many things have changed.

Arial have got news from both Silas and Lord Helve. Silas has said in a month, the King of the Dark Lands will come to Acro and Arial is prepared to receive him courteously.

For now, the King of Arakath is still hunting his enemies. And his enemies are many.

With the factions abolished and the demon lords that are involved in the conspiracy executed, now they are hunting this demon called Elkar.

It seems that this Elkar is the one who instigate the rebellion and flame the fire of sentiment among the zealots to invade human continent but Silas has clarified him on the matter.

It is a conspiracy involving an ancient relic of enormous power. Arial when he first read the report don't know whether to believe the story or not.

Searching for the Spear? The Spear of Doom is like a tall tale, story told in campfire.

It seems the end objective was the Spear which this Elkar believe is hidden somewhere in the Human Continent.

And Silas also reported that the King of Arakath is busy organizing the administration in his palace but it is necessary to make sure when he brings back Arianna to Arakath, her life will be safe, never again to be used as pawn in political game.

Hearing this Arial is finally assured by the promise of the Dark Prince. He has read the report of what has transpired in the Holy City.

Then there is Michael.

Michael on the other hand, regularly comes into the castle now.

After all, when Michael heard that his sister is in the Vermont castle he rushed back to Aetherland, abandoning his research and telling Arial of his true identity.

Arial that Michael name is actually Mikael.

Arial was undoubtedly angry of course. At first. But not for long. Arial could never be angry to him for long. Arial affinity with Mikael is one he himself did not expect.

Mikael is a scholar that he highly admires, and Mikael research on the relics of the past generation has greatly helped him and as such he could not punish him.

And Arial do see him as the perfect ambassador of the Dark Lands and it is the reason why King Azrael eagerly bestowed the title to Mikael.

Mikael is after all, King Azrael future brother in law in a couple of months from now, so no wonder he readily agrees.

But this appointment will also make dealing with the Dark Lands Beyond the Sea more comfortable.

The news of Arial contact with the Land Beyond the Sea has taken the Continent by surprise.

The Church at first is furious and threatened to excommunicate his family until Arial sent Lord Oliver again to persuade them otherwise.

They agree but they requested that when the Treaty is signed that they will be present as witness.

Of course, this is the first time of its kind since Levitia sign the Treaty a thousand years ago and as such they wanted to be included

The first time a demon kind comes from the Dark Lands, their arrivals would be from the Wall. Arial agree and so the matter is solved.

While he ironed out many of this matters, Lady Arianna is spending time in one of his mansion guarded with the greatest security he has ever offered to a foreign noble.

She usually spends some time with Lisa and West and sometimes Helia invites her to one of her balls.

Though after so many people tried to seduce her, Arial had no choice but reprimand anyone who would bring her to the ball.

The Lady came a month ago, in disguise, delayed by some assassin attack but thankfully she arrives in Arrandy unharmed.

The moment she sets her foot in Arrandy, no forces in Human Continent would dare to purposefully offend the Vermont family.

Arial saw the face of the lady. It is true what the rumors said. She is truly beautiful. Arial could understand why the Emperor tries to make her fall in love with him.  

He accepted her and protected her and told her all the news about her fiancé.

Meanwhile, in Vern the Chu has managed to charge Chongyang and has occupied the Imperial Palace.

The Chu have declared themselves as Hegemony Ruler of Northern Chu and the other Kings, have bowed to him and Chu Hua Guai won the support of the other states after his victory.

He served as de facto leaders of all the forces. Each of the Kings swear fealty to the House of Chu and each of their region is governed by vassal King.

Arial when he read the reports laughed in happiness.

How long will this peace last? It does seem like peace has dawned in Vern but Arial is not so sure.

Now Zhang Liao Bao task is to capture the Emperor that is still hiding. The Chu gives him every support he will need.

There are many advantages of installing the House of Chu as the king.

It also helps that Vern trade center is filled with Arial men and he send many of his merchants to open trade center there and flooded the market of Vern now called Northern Chu with Arrandy goods.

Before, only Taiyuan region have traded with them but now with the support he has given to the new ruler of Northern Chu, this is an unprecedented opportunity for him to expand his family influence and wealth around the North.

The Emperor capture on the other hand serves another purpose.

Arial knows he need to present the Emperor to the King of the Dark Land. Surely Azrael will be overjoyed.

On the matter of Chu, as Hegemon Ruler of the Kingdom it is not something he have to worry about.

The Northern border is secured and now with a new rule, surely they have to reorganize themselves.

They have no time to plan any invasion else their own border will be attacked, not that they would have succeed even if they tried.

Arial had all the information about the soldiers of the House of Chu. After all, he did help and aid the House of Chu get the throne.

Aetherland is in the best position compared to other Kingdom. And in Vern, Eastian have never had this kind of power before in politics.

And if there is one thing Arial know about power, it's this, it corrupts even the noblest King. How long will the peace last, this he doesn't know

But he knows this.

Rebellion will occur. It is the nature of men to want more than what he is given. All the better for Aetherland.

The more divided they are, the more beneficial it is for Arial. This state of divisiveness is what he has expected and hope.

Now they are divided, Aetherland do not have to worry that they will attack.

Vern, now has crumble, lost all their influence, the MontBlanc dynasty scattered all around the Continent running from persecution.

Mission has been accomplished.

Arial put down Silas report and took another letter. The letter has a pearl embossed seal. It is a letter from Lord Helve of Althea. Then he opened Lord Helve letter.

Duke Helve has agreed with the marriage. The personal desire of his seemed to have coincidentally merged with political strategy.

Lord Helve remarked in his letter that he is very pleased with the proposal. Music to Arial ears. Of course, this marriage would also prove beneficial for Althea.

Arrandy is as useful an ally to him as his own duchy was to Arial. A union with his powerful neighbor would greatly enhance Althea growing status.

Moreover, Lord Helve was particularly in need of support at this time because the Vanguan force is threatening his frontiers, and King Edward of Vangua had assembled an army to help serve against Althea if necessary.

It is ironic but Arial understand that Edward might not have a say in it.

He might be pressured from his people to launch some expeditionary move. But of course he is not going to stand still.

That is for sure.

But Arial also have faith that Edward will try to keep the damage to minimum if he even attacks the South.

Edward will risk a full out war unless he wants to engage with the Vermont army. Arial army is now well rested and in top condition.

Any threat, if exist, will be eradicated.