In around a month the army had arrived at the lands of the Etna city-states.

As they marched, the mellow and pleasant climate was a shock to everyone. Large sways of cultivated fields, farms and vineyards. On the hill slopes, olive trees were grown in neat lines with goats and sheeps being grazed by happy and chummy farmers.

"I guess this is what it is like to live in a land that rarely sees war," Edward said while looking around.

"These city-states don't war each other?" Rufus asked.

"Oh they do, but their wars are more of an act. They hire mercenary bands and companies to do the fighting for them. When war erupts these mercenaries fight each other wearing colorful uniforms and ornamental armor. These fights are more of a display and most city-states only do it to get the population focused on something else rather than the internal problems of the country," Doreen explained.

"Wouldn't mind living like this myself. The city-states are together strong and since forming this alliance have agreed to raise a force of over sixty thousand men. Half of them are mercenaries, some from Etna, some from Guiscard, some even from different worlds I bet," Edward said.

"Yes, but the people are weak. That is why they have to make sure other people come and save their asses in such situations," Joan muttered.

"C'moon Joan, wouldn't you rather just get fat, watch the grain grow and get drunk on good Etnian wine rather than be marching into war?" Edward asked.

Joan looked around.

"Maybe, but fate gave me a sword rather than a plow."

~ ~

The army arrived at Melba, with them being the first army to arrive.

The city walls were at least two times as tall as the walls of their capital. The old royal palace of the mighty Rey dynasty could be seen far as it was maybe one of the most impressive buildings in the entire Aesis world.

"Let us leave our men here and go forward ourselves. The senate of the city wishes to meet us," Doreen said.

~ ~

As they entered the mighty city they saw streets bustling with people. Many artisan and mercenary guilds lined the streets with statues and great tools being moved out of them.

Markets had people and different races from all over the universe more than Sofia by far. Three great towers where multiple gravity ships docked could be seen from anywhere from the city.

The people were shocked and terrified of the Ghersengs that accompanied Rufus and the rest of them as they made their way to the old royal palace, now known as the senate building. They whispered and pointed at the golden armored guards that were way taller than your average man. People also stared at Amala and Pema who were probably the first grey skins they had seen.

"Why aren't they staring and pointing at you?" Amala asked Yosef.

"I guess the Eichi have come here before. W do travel a lot."

"Must be nice not feeling like an animal on display," Amala said while glaring back at the people.

"Yeah, well I guess being an outcast race with no homeland does come with some good."

They arrived at the large senatorial palace had twelve large pillars with a dome at the center. Republic guards, the very few professional soldiers of the city-state, lined and guarded the building.

As they walked inside to the senatorial hall they saw around three hundred people waiting for them with a young woman at the center looking impatient.

"Can we get this started? My men would like to see me return as soon as possible," the woman said to everyone present.

She had two swords on her waist with light leather armor around her. She held a morion helmet that had a large colorful feather on it. The rest of her clothes were also colorful besides her big and shiny boots.

"It seems that everyone is present here. Let us then begin," a senator said and showed a small bench where Rufus could sit upon.

As Rufus sat down the meeting and discussion started at once.

"We thank the king Rufus Fairfax to have come here personally. You are truly a great and wise king since you came here knowing it was the best decision," the senator spoke out.

The woman then coughed getting everyone's attention.

"I am also thankful to this king, but I would like to receive my pay now. My men don't fight for free you know," the woman explained.

A senator waved his hand with a couple of republican guards bringing three chests to the hall. The woman then opened them all and they were all full of golden and silver coins.

"This is all I need. I will send my men to take these back. Thank you, all good senators and king. I will be then going," the woman said and left the hall.

When the woman left one of the senators apologized to Rufus, because of the woman's behavior.

"I am sorry for her behavior. She is Ximena Toroblanco, a skilled mercenary leader who commands the diamond conquistadores company. We hired her as our army to fight against the empire," the senator explained.

"That is no issue. I would like to also get this over as fast as possible. I would like to help my men get ready," Rufus explained.

"Of course. We will meet the other states' armies at the city-state of Pesamo. We are not sure where the empire will land, but wherever they will come we will face them and drive them back for sure. We are lucky enough that their full might is not targeted at us though."

"What do you mean?" Doreen asked.

"The empire is invading into three directions. One army led by the emperor himself is invading the Westica continent fighting against the nation of Elva, Cassian kingdom and Tessian republic. The second army is being led by the second and third sons of the emperor who are known as the children in purple. We must then believe we are facing the first son and the daughter of the emperor himself. We are lucky that the emperor himself is not coming here. We believe that even you wouldn't be able to take the emperor on in battle."

Rufus clenched his fist and felt relieved when he heard the emperor was not coming. He had never heard of him but he somehow felt happy knowing he would not face him.