Through evaluating this envoy, Gai Kingdom could estimate the approximate military strength of the nation behind it and calculate how many troops would be needed, and how much time it would take, to conquer them entirely.
This was the prevailing mindset in Gai Kingdom. Upon learning of the existence of another nation, their first thought wasn't diplomacy or coexistence but rather, "How much power will it take to subjugate them?" Decades of relentless war and conquest had ingrained this worldview into the hearts of Gai Kingdom's people.
From generals to foot soldiers, everyone shared this belief. To them, relationships between nations boiled down to a simple dichotomy: conquer or be conquered. Naturally, they saw Gai Kingdom as the perpetual conqueror.
Clad in black armor, a Gai Kingdom general rode out on his warhorse, flanked by his personal guard. They exited the fortress that spanned the canyon and ignored the small detachment of knights waiting at the foot of the fortress. Instead, they headed straight for the larger contingent of the foreign envoy, scrutinizing them closely.
As soon as the two sides laid eyes on one another, the expressions of disdain on both leaders' faces vanished, replaced by serious and cautious looks. The change was almost simultaneous.
The general of Gai Kingdom observed the ornate armor of the envoy's soldiers. The primarily white armor, accented with blue, purple, and green, was highly decorative yet seemed solid and functional. The craftsmanship suggested that the nation behind this envoy possessed significant military strength. After all, creating such flamboyant yet practical armor required a nation with both wealth and resources. A small, insignificant state wouldn't have the capability to produce such equipment.
Meanwhile, the leader of the foreign envoy, who had assumed he was venturing into a backwater region, was equally surprised. The Gai Kingdom soldiers surrounding them radiated an unmistakable aura of bloodlust, a testament to countless battles fought and survived. The overwhelming presence of these battle-hardened warriors left him momentarily speechless.
While the Gai Kingdom general analyzed the envoy's equipment, the envoy's leader studied the weapons and gear of the Gai soldiers. To him, these were the clearest indicators of a nation's military capability, resources, and technological development.
After a moment of mutual assessment, the envoy's leader spoke first. "I am an emissary from the Kingdom of Xishan. I seek an audience with your ruler. Would you kindly deliver my request?"
The Gai general considered the request for a moment before nodding. "Very well, but you will wait here until permission is granted. Should you attempt to move without authorization, we will regard you as enemies, and any harm that comes to you will be on your own heads."
"Understood," the envoy leader replied calmly, though the knights behind him looked visibly displeased.
They felt insulted. In their eyes, these black-armored soldiers were nothing more than the inhabitants of a weak, barbaric backwater. How dare they impose such restrictions?
"You'll need to wait a few days," the Gai general added, noticing the sour expressions of the foreign knights. He smiled faintly, unimpressed by their apparent arrogance.
This general had been part of Gai Kingdom's military for years, witnessing its rise from a small, struggling state to the dominant power of the Ymir Plain. He had faced his fair share of disdain from foreign powers in the past, but those who had once looked down on him were now buried under three feet of soil—or worse.
Word of the envoy and the general's assessment of the foreign nation's military potential quickly reached Muria via the kingdom's efficient road network. Soon after, the king's decree came back: Muria agreed to meet with the Xishan delegation.
"Your king has agreed to grant you an audience," a messenger informed the envoy. "However, only three hundred of your people may pass through the fortress to meet him. The rest will remain here."
"What of the remaining members of the envoy?" the leader asked.
"We will provide them with provisions," the messenger replied indifferently.
"Very well," the envoy leader conceded after a brief calculation of their waiting time. He was curious to see firsthand what kind of nation lay beyond this canyon.
"Prepare yourselves for the journey," the messenger warned. "And don't try anything foolish."
"We are diplomats, not soldiers," the envoy leader replied with a polite smile before returning to his camp to select the three hundred who would accompany him.
...
Meanwhile, back at the envoy's camp, one of the knights approached their leader with a scowl. "Commander, these barbarians have insulted us repeatedly. Are we just going to take it?"
"What else can we do? Start a fight?" the leader retorted coldly. "Remember, we're on their land. No matter how small their nation might be, they could easily wipe us out here."
"But we're from Xishan—"
"This isn't Xishan. Our forces aren't here to back us up," the leader interrupted. He fixed the knight with a stern gaze. "Remember why we're here. Don't make trouble."
"...Understood."
Shortly afterward, the leader organized his group. Escorted by three thousand Gai Kingdom soldiers, the Xishan envoy officially entered Gai territory.
As they traveled along the wide, well-paved roads, the envoy leader couldn't help but feel impressed. As a seasoned soldier himself, he knew how critical such infrastructure was for military logistics.
"Are these roads usable even in heavy rain?" he asked their escort after half a day of travel.
"Of course," the Gai officer replied with a hint of pride.
"Building such roads must have been a massive undertaking. How many have you constructed?" the leader inquired further.
"We've built roads wherever they're needed," the officer replied curtly, giving little away.
Realizing that the officer had grown wary of his questions, the envoy leader shifted his focus to the surrounding scenery. He saw stretches of fertile but desolate land and impoverished peasants with gaunt faces.
As he took it all in, a faint smile appeared on his lips. This was precisely what he had hoped to see. A nation struggling with such visible hardships couldn't possibly pose too great a threat to Xishan.
"What are you smiling at?" the Gai officer asked, noticing the leader's expression.
"I was just wondering why your peasants are so malnourished. They look like they can barely feed themselves," the leader said.
"Oh, that's temporary," the officer replied nonchalantly. "This region was only recently conquered. Before we arrived, it was in chaos. The people didn't have time to farm."
The leader's smile froze. As the journey continued, the more he saw, the quieter he became. By the time they reached Gai Kingdom's capital, he had completely reevaluated his assumptions.
"From now on, I am a true envoy of peace," he muttered to himself as he entered the bustling city.
...
"Greetings to the King of Gai Kingdom!"
The three hundred knights of the Xishan delegation bowed deeply in the grand black-and-red throne room. Their demeanor was exceptionally respectful.
"Introduce yourselves," Muria said, his expression unreadable as he observed the foreign knights. While his face betrayed no emotion, a subtle anticipation flickered in his heart.
"We are emissaries from the Kingdom of Xishan..." the envoy leader began, summarizing their mission.
"And what brings you here?" Muria asked after listening to the introduction. "Surely your country didn't send you all this way just for sightseeing."
"Your Majesty, we are here to propose an alliance. We seek to unite all forces to resist the evil Crimson Queen."
"An alliance?" Muria's face remained stoic, but inwardly he scoffed. Who are you trying to fool? You didn't even know Gai Kingdom existed until now.
"Yes, an alliance," the envoy leader confirmed earnestly.
"Oh? Then tell me, who—or what—is this Crimson Queen?" Muria asked, though a strange feeling began to rise in his heart.
"Your Majesty, the Crimson Queen is an immensely powerful and evil being. She..." The envoy leader launched into a vivid account of the queen's bloody rise to power. As the story unfolded, Muria's expression grew increasingly strange.
Deep down, he had a sinking suspicion about who they were describing.
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