Xerte

Xerte led the convoy into imperial lands, summoning their colorful sets of armor. The convoy was now a myriad of colors. The Adventurers' gold and emerald, the merchants in yellow garb, while the staff had been dressed in black and brown. The merchants, while not having the armor, had decided to dress themselves in yellow clothesgarb to distinguish themselves from others.

Xerte was not sure how to feel about all of this, the separation irked him, though he did not know why. But there was no time to think, the Empire awaited them.

The convoy traveled through the woody land, arriving at their first stop in the Empire. The town of Quarestor, heart of the barony of Quarestor and the only settlement within its borders.

A crowd awaited them at the gates, led by a middle-aged man dressed in blue clothing.

“I greet the guests from afar.” the man said. Was this some form of cultural greeting? Xerte was suddenly nervous, he was not aware of any such greetings and did not know how to deal with them.

“And the guests greet back, may I ask who is it that greets us today?” Xerte said, trying his best to imitate the man’s manner of speech.

“I am the Baron of Quarestor, here to greet you. Come, we shall feast before we discuss business.” the man replied.

“So we shall.” Xerte replied as he gestured to the convoy to find somewhere to make camp, this was not going to be an easy meeting. Hopefully, it would not be a disastrous one.

The convoy was led through the town to what must have been the largest building in the area. The buildings were made of wood, and were often decorated with plants and trees. A number of them did not have doors, only spaces for entry that exposed the interior.

The surroundings spoke of poverty and struggle, not the wealth Xerte had expected from the Empire. But it also made sense, the Barony was in the outskirts of the Empire, wealth would not lay here.

“Do you find our buildings interesting?” the Baron asked, his language now more normal and conversational.

“The buildings are quite different from what I am used to. The arch duchy primarily has stone, multistory buildings, not standalone wood ones like this.” Xerte answered.

The baron looked surprised at the answer. “Stone? I did not know that the arch duchy had such a productive mine. Do you have stones among your convoy?” he asked.

“Not quite. The buildings are made using Earth Magic. I can conjure some if you so wish, it is easy.” Xerte said, conjuring a slab of marble to emphasize his point.

“Ah, that is quite a novel manner of working. Do the other cultivators not protest the labor?” The baron asked.

“Protest? Why would we protest something we are paid for?” Xerte asked.

“But building houses is the work of commoners, the cultivators assuredly have better things to do.” The baron said. Why was this man differentiating the cultivators so much?

“Are you trying to imply something, Baron? I cannot help but notice that you differentiate me from other cultivators.” Xerte asked.

“No, no, nothing of that sort. I was merely wondering how the arch duchy was run, I have an innate curiosity towards new cultures but have not had the opportunity to pursue it. And I must admit that the hierarchy is quite confusing to me.” The Baron said. What hierarchy? The Archduchess had never instituted anything of the sort.

“The Arch duchy has no hierarchy, it is run by the Archduchess with the aid of the Organizations.” Xerte replied.

“A non-hierarchical administration? I must admit I have not heard of those before. What exactly are organizations?” the Baron asked. Why was the man being so intrusive? Xerte did not understand why he was so insistent on it.

“The organizations are, well, organizations that run the duchy. The Administrative Wing is responsible for carrying out the Archduchess’ decisions, which usually just involves communicating her intentions to the other organizations. But that is enough about us. What about you, how does the Empire work?” Xerte asked, trying to shift the conversation around.

“I apologize if I sounded intrusive, I was merely trying to satisfy my curiosity and get a handle on who was in command of the convoy and what the positions in the arch duchy were. The envoys from the Vassal Kings and High nobles will be arriving, and they will want to know who they will be meeting with. And how powerful the person was.” The Baron said.

Xerte’s expression softened at that. Releasing his aura, he let it percolate into the surroundings.

“I am leading the convoy, the Adventurer’s Guild has been hired by the merchants to guard it and as the most senior adventurer here I hold command. And for further clarification, my cultivation is Late-Plant. The green uniforms signify the Emerald rank, which requires a Plant cultivation.” Xerte answered. The information was not exactly a secret.

The Baron seemed shocked at that, saying, “Thank you for that information, your honor. The arch duchy has truly been generous in its protection of the convoy. As for the Empire, it is divided among twenty-three Vassal Kingdoms and the imperial Lands governed by the Empress Astria herself.”

“The Vassal Kingdoms are further divided into noble fiefdoms. The noble ranks range from Baron to Duke, though cultivations vary. I myself am a Sapling level cultivator.”

Xerte smiled as they continued conversing on their way to the building, perhaps this meeting could be saved yet.

The Baron (A day later)

The Baron looked at the horde before him with trepidation in his eyes. A horde of greedy, devious, envoys.

“So, Prolectus, what do you have to report.” one of the Vassal King’s envoys asked.

“The convoy is guarded by an Arch Ducal force known as the Adventurer’s Guard. The leader is a Late-Plant and seems to hold a position similar to an imperial Duke.” the Baron answered.

“Interesting. Is this force independent or is it a part of the Arch duchy?” the same envoy asked.

“By all indications, it is a state controlled mercenary organization. The leader supposedly holds a voice in the ruling of the Arch Duchy.” the Baron replied, his voice polite and measured.

“I see. And what route are they taking? And what goods do they have with them? What manpower do they have? I want to know everything you know.” the envoy demanded in quick succession.

“The convoy will be going through the Eastern Empire to the Valley and then returning through the West. I do not have access to a list, and they are reserving certain items for the Capital and the Valley, but they have ample amounts of stone, food, and other common items.”

“The convoy is also guarded by thirty-seven Plants and numerous Plantlings. The convoy largely keeps to itself, so collecting information has been tricky, especially since their leader seems wary of me.” The Baron said, putting on the most convincing act he could.

The truth was that while Emerald Adventurer Xerte was wary of him, they had come to an understanding. The Adventurer had been largely ignorant of the Empire’s inner machinations, and the important cities. The Baron had promised aid, and a guide in the form of his son, if he promised to give his village a makeover.

The rains were always harsh on them, but he hoped they would not be this year. Having completely stone houses would help with that. And his son would be able to get some experience of the world outside his protection, without that woman influencing him.

“Hmm, your answers were satisfactory. I am sure you will make a fine Count, Baron Prolectus, a fine loyal Count.” the envoy said as he handed him a scroll. A scroll bearing the imperial seal.

The Baron looked at the scroll, flabbergasted. After twenty years serving the King in his army and then eleven more as a loyal retainer, he had increased his title for…reporting? Truly, the world was hilarious sometimes.

“I thank the envoy for his kindness, but if I may be so forward, what lands shall I be receiving?” the Baron asked.

“The untamed lands. The maps will now include a part of it shall be included within your new County. The proper ceremony can be conducted in a few days after the convoy leaves.” the envoy said dismissively as he moved out.

The untamed lands! The Baron could not help it, he laughed, it was more like a suppressed snort, but it happened. The envoy turned towards him for a second, but then carried onwards, ignoring his outburst. The untamed lands were useless!

The Baron could scarcely manage them without a military to keep out the nomads. An army he was not allowed to have, even as a Count. The Vassal King had not allowed it.

The other envoys also left, shaking their heads at him.

The Baron was glad that he had decided to strike an agreement with the Adventurer, the high Nobility would sooner die than look at him as an equal. But he would prove them wrong, he would prove once and for all that his was a proper noble house of honor. And nothing would stop him. Not even his idiot of a son.