To the people of Lottidenty,
I have ridden with the Germans headed towards their capital (Unchean). I leave Lottidenty in the hands of the people, and when I come back, I shall make sure to renew this ruling. And in stead; the Grand Duque's head shall be placed upon a pike, displayed upon the highest peak of Lottidenty. For far too long have these ideals been placed upon us. Ideals we have no want of. And the times will change. I know they will. My people, I promise a safe Lottidenty. I promise... I promise 'Lottidenty.'
The letter won't go anywhere, he was sure of that. Maybe future historians would find the letter upon some random household, perhaps stocked upon a pile of discarded crates in the middle of nowhere. Where this letter will go does not matter, it's sentiment though, does.
He's not had a wink of sleep, the temperature had dropped to an alright twenty-hour degrees in Fachus' quarters. He made himself comfy upon the long gray couch. The huge window was still agape, and white as ever. It may confuse you that it was actually two in the morning and not maybe six in the morning. For the sky was bright white.
This was in fact, because of the high powered lights upon the roof of the train, coupled with the fact that the glass wasn't actually glass. It was a mix of plexishield and some magical element that made it not frost and made it not weak.
Fachus had still not come back. It did not concern Galleheu, it merely intrigued him of the times that superiors sleep. It was common for the lower branches of an army to do most of the heavy lifting, but for even someone as high-leveled as Fachus to still be awake and doing tasks (he thought). Then Germany must be wholly different in terms of military system to Lottidenty.
There was a painting upon the wall opposite the large window. It depicted Hierd Die Grace, blonde hair, pale faced, and beautiful. One can admire a man's beauty, nothing bad about that. He was manly, but his features still looked boy-ish. It's been what? Two, three years since his incursion upon Latessia, and he's yet aged a year.
Just when his heavy eyes were finally succumbing to the wills of a tired and exhausted mind, an alert promptly woke him up.
"ALL. BE CAUTIOUS. HAVE LOST CONNECTION WITH HQ. REMAIN READY FOR IMMEDIATE ORDERS."
The alert abruptly stopped. Outside, Galleheu heard the numerous heavy footsteps of soldiers thumping and running on the metal diamond plates. Along with many shouts, orders, and talking.
Another moment after, the huge window's metal armor started to fan out once more to protect the glass innards.
He's fully awake now. He checked the time from the German Clockpiece upon the wall. 4:07 AM. Should he get out? Should I exit? He thought to himself. Hesitation and second thoughts plagued him, couldn't even get to the door he was that unsure.
A sharp twist, Fachus entered, drenched in sweat. Galleheu wasted no time to question; "what happened? What's happening?" He said again in present tense.
"It's some strange phenomenon: we're cut off from any radio waves within this area of North Blastphere stretching all the way down to this side of the East. This wasn't really factored in when making the rails here, it was just nice flatland, never knew that this place disrupts the radios floating in the air."
"Now what?"
"Now we brace, it's the perfect weak-spot to attack our train." Fachus entered his kitchen once more, took much more longer since apparently he made himself a cold smoothie. "You may know that Germany's still at war with the 'Northern Alliance.'"
A simple easily dismissive 'hmm.' Almost sounding like a hmp. Came from Galleheu, resting and getting comfortable on the couch once more.
"You may sit tight there, it's usually nothing. Get some sleep, at morning we're stationed for three hours refueling, restocking, all the fun stuff at Fort Jackson. New thing in Gresh, Betelion."
Before Galleheu could raise a question, Fachus left without saying another word.
---
Before long, the sun was upon the horizon. The train was still cold. And it's many wheels were making skirtting, grulling sounds as it slowed down to a complete stop. He was called there (in escort by Fachus's officers) towards the control room at the very front of the ship.
It was uncomfortably crowded. Not in people, no no. It was crowded with machinery. Top to bottom! "Claustrophobic should be a great word for this place, but I can still spread out my full arm-span. It's so weird, like an optical illusion!"
Fachus delighted in that comment, "your words were almost the same as mine when I had assumed command here. Anywho, I wanted to bring you here so you may talk with our HQ body. In other terms... You can say it's a senate. A Military-Government senate."
"Senate!?" Galleheu's soul left his body, this was quite too abrupt, his heart ran stampedes. "I knew I would have to talk to some great people, but I hadn't expected for this to occur this early onto my mission..."
"Lucky you then." Fachus patted him on the shoulder, making his way to the exit. "I'll leave you there, since I'll be busy. My guys here can help you if ever you need it."
"Thank you!" Galleheu yelled before Fachus could have fully closed the bulkhead.
( * )
Fort Jackson was akin to Venit Ille. But less crowded and more structurally sound. It was in the shape of a circle, about the size of a medium-sized hamlet, there was a thousand-size complement for multiple departments. Mainly those of the Railway division.
Under the aid of the Betelions, there were two battleship-sized twin turrets upon the fort wall facing the Gale Sea, painted whole black. Fachus couldn't quite put his mind straight upon this challenge that was thrusted upon him.
Not only did the HQ not like Galleheu's ideals. The HQ also wanted to adjust the campaign to align with the incoming winter and growing impatience. In all actuality, Germany had issued multiple pleas for peace. But all were turned down and met with hostility.
Galleheu's world turned upside down, Fachus didn't even know that this would be the result. But it was the result, and there's no changing that. But that wasn't the main challenge, so-to-speak, the main challenge was Galleheu in the now.
"He's gone, sir."
Those words were among the first to grace his ears just thirty minutes after leaving Galleheu to the Land Ship's control room. He followed this with a, "what do you mean he's gone? He couldn't have possibly escaped the Land Ship!"
"He's... Well... We found one of our soldiers (in the bathroom), knocked unconscious and forced in his underwear."
"Meaning he took a uniform..." Fachus finished, sighing. "I cannot believe it... I thought he was nice and all, but now we've just invited... I've just invited a spy into Germany. I'm gonna be demoted good-sirs! Soon I will have to be the one calling you guys sir." He chuckled nervously, making light of this revelation. "Have you done a search atleast?"
"Yes, however we think that he has escaped Fort Jackson. Probably has hit a ride on one of those supply trucks that were en-route to Foole."
"Then contact Foole," Fachus said with conviction. "Not the trucks. He'll get wind of this, I think he's quite smart, and escape before he gets caught. When those trucks arrive at Foole, I want a full investigation."
"Yes, sir!"
( * )
He didn't hitch a ride to Foole. Fachus would find that out two days later. There was this group from the Adventurer's Commission passing by Fort Jackson at just the right moment. They were from the Unchean branch but were in Betelion as there was a new 'ruin' discovered in some Gresh cave.
"We're approaching Unchean in three days sir," Marie (that Marie from way back Germany's inception) said.
"I'd wanna question," Peter was busying himself with setting up a large tent, "why did a soldier need to hitch a ride with us?"
"Ah, come on, we shouldn't ask: might be top secret!" Marie swirled towards Galleheu, "ri-ght?"
"Y-yes, that is partly the reason."
"Cool!" Marie's eyes sparkled with stars, it looked just like the twinkling ones upon the night sky that the world was veiled upon at that moment.
There were three members, a certain Harold was their group leader it seemed. And they were veterans, seasoned adventurers. Marie was a magic-caster (which impressed Galleheu greatly) and carried a small light wand made of brass. Harold and Peters used service-issued pistols, buckled upon their hips.
"What was that new ruin in Gresh?" Galleheu made out a question.
The bright-eyed Marie was first to answer: "it's a ruin from the old Kerzir duchy back when Kerfeliz had a duchy system; which was eons ago!" She pulled out a polaroid from her pocket. "See that? Looks cool isn't it? It collapsed in the cave and wasn't really built in it, the guys who built that thing didn't really know anything about there being a cave underneath it."
Galleheu reached for the Polaroid. "So even this so called Adventurer's Commission can use the military's stuff. But really, what defines military technology from public-usable technology? Does Germany even make an effort to hide their projects, or do they just give these out since they're already so powerful (or something of that gist)?"
"I'm sorry," Galleheu gave the polaroid back: "Can I get a rundown on what the adventurer's commission is?"
The three gasped audible surprise. "You don't know!?"
"I... I do not?"
"It's advertisements are pasted all around Germany! And our infamous uniforms," -she tugged her own to emphasize- "are icons of the adventurer commission! And also, I must tell you: we are ten thousand members strong!"
"I... I lived in a rural area of Kerfeliz all my life, I apologize if I did not know."
"Oh, you are a Kerfelizian conscripted soldier?"
"Yes, indeed I am." Galleheu did not, he had no idea how Germany's army worked.
"Hmm," Peters butted in. "We don't have as much influence over there, perhaps that is why... So I will introduce it to you," -he had just finished setting the tent up (with the help of Harold)- "we're a exploration-escort body. We primarily do expeditions and constantly map out areas (traversed frequently or otherwise). We get paid money for doing these cartography jobs, and get more if it's undiscovered, or that it's commission job.
"We also need to be quite detailed in measuring, drafting, so-on and so forth. So we (us three) once we arrive to Unchean, are gonna refine our drawings to be sent to the guild for... Well... Money."
"That is quite great," Galleheu said. "Is it hard for one to join this commission?"
"Sort-of," this time it was Marie. "There's this test, free of charge, that tests your mathemathical, drafting, and physical attributes. Those are the three core ones. Whether you can use magic, can fight, and so-on are not a necessity, although can be bonuses that make (like I being a Magician) someone be more valued in the commission part of the job."
"What is this commissioning part?"
"People, usually incoming homeowners, architects, rich guys, and people who want a general plot of their lands pay us out to map out the topography, the geography, and so-on.
"We also test the soil if it's okay for building, we see if the ground is soft, we see if the ground is on a incline, we see if the ground can't be built upon."
"And the escorting part?" Galleheu recalled them saying: 'exploration-escort.'
"That's for when Auferstehen starts, we help people when they need to get out of a city. But even if it's not Auferstehen, and someone wants to be protected, we're the people to call since we can act like bodyguards for them."
"What a multi-faceted job, in comparison to the barbaric adventurer's guild I've long knew, this is so widely different!"
Marie chuckled, "isn't it!? I've felt as if I've been doing this job since forever, but the commission is relatively new, I think it was last year that this was a thing. Our Chancellor made this happen, I remember him saying something about; 'the adventurer's guild is nothing blah-blah and can't be useful in the modern world of guns blah-blah.' It's been a nice change of pace, I like the change. And am not any hostile about it."
---
Galleheu was alone upon his own tent. It was midnight, the electric lamp that he was given was the only source of light for him, for it was a very dark night. The tent was reserve, dusty, needed some cleaning before he could have slept in it (and only he could fit inside, no others).
He wrote upon his journal,
"The group I travel with at current are quite weird in their own ways, although such is with friendship. At dawn we are to stop at Port Geo (where their commissioner lays) and then we book a trip to Unchean by sea. I will be plenty delighted by this sea-going fare, I am told that it will take less than a day so the speed is already marvelously undebated."
( * )
[ 6:07 AM - Port Geo / Adventurer's Commission Bldg ]
Brick laddened Port Geo was an amazing sight. The upwards climb of the buildings was intensely beautiful, with it's riveting amounts of stairs, exhausted foreigners, and laughing locals. As told by the adventurers, this was the continent's most busy port, second to Unchean's.
There were ships strewn all across the port, several cargo vessels with their long hulls, small sail boats perfect for leisure fishing, white-hull yachts that perfected the blend of sailing ship and steam ship, and to top all of that were the beautiful black painted hulls of the passenger liners, the white superstructures with the yellow funnels (and red funnels) with a whole bunch of passengers upon it's decks saying adieu to their loved ones as they depart for Unchean.
78th Street, bustling with activity and was where the Adventurer's Commission's building was located. The street number was succint to the amount of streets that lay before it. It was quite a good thing that the German Government installed a tram system that ran from first to 88th street, would you believe that it was also free of charge?
It was a beautiful picturesque brick-laddened building with it's pale red bricks harmonizing with the white concrete ground line and roof that jutted out like those old New York skyscrapers, all that was missing was a gargoyle on it.
In nice big letters: "ADVENTURER'S COMMISSION," and below it was a good window look of the inside. Peters opened the door for them and Galleheu was hit with this cold breeze, an unexplainable cold breeze he thought.
"Refreshing!" Marie turned limp from the pleasure of the cold air seeping into their sweaty uniforms. "All that I'm missing is a bath."
Galleheu took note of his surroundings, there was a board posted on a wall with a numerous amount of papers attatched to it. Meaning to know, he looked at one of them;
[ 3 GOLD PAY ]
CHECKING THE GROUND OF THE SWAIN RESIDENCE
Five gold will be received at the immediate accepting of this request and another five upon completion.
DANTE CITY, GHOER 13th STREET LOT 5
- Conditions -
1. Must be written in the Germanic-Measurement.
2. Draft of topography as well as ground is needed.
3. Must be accomplished within a week's worth of time after accepting this request.
Signed,
Upham, Swain II
"Are you taking it?" An adventurer, with his hands already on the top of paper, questioned.
"No, no, I'm not even an adventurer, just wanted to look."
"Ah sorry, sir," -he changed his tone when he looked at his uniform- "I thought you were one, thank you for your service."
Galleheu smiled.
Marie bumped into Galleheu, pushing him away from the board. "We're done, and we wanna book a room in Alexandre's Inn, do you want to come with, or are you going to the military outpost just down the pier?"
"N-no no," -he swayed his head- "I need to come with you, a part of the mission."
Marie smiled, and in a whisper-like voice; "to continue the mission, yes?"
"Yes..."
Time passed and it was 5:03 PM in the afternoon. Harold booked for the four of them a five-person room (almost like a penthouse) at the very top of this so-called Alexandre's Inn. It wasn't really an inn, it should have been called (in the German way) hotel, but the name didn't stick with the original owners.
It was ten stories up and had grand and big windows, just like any other building he's seen in Germany and Betelion, it was just as suprising. How the Germans could build such fantastic buildings, so tall and so beautiful at the same time... Was impossible for the mind of Galleheu.
He's long known of the caves of Lottidenty. And little care was given for the cave-highways that wasn't part of the Duque's path. So they were soul-less and cold. Not to mention, buildings in Lottidenty were short and stout, not exceeding two floors and had very very bland architecture.
It was inconcievable. And yet this wasn't Unchean. This was Port Geo, if what he's seen in Port Geo is much better than Unchean (with Unchean's highrises and skyscrapers) then he'll faint in shock. He's already hidden most of his shock at the entrance of Port Geo. But anymore and he'd be misdiagnosed as a drug overdosed victim.
Marie and Peters had went out to buy the tickets for tommorow's cruise. So left in the room was Galleheu and Harold. Although Galleheu was upon his room, of which he knew he closed his door, imagine his surprise when he saw Harold upon the doorway. Looking at him with intrigue.
"That uniform you're wearing," -Galleheu's heart dropped- "that isn't the army. Isn't the navy's either. It's the railroad's. We picked you up at Fort Jackson, I know for a fact that that place is basically owned by the railroad. So... Who are you? Mr. Galleheu? Are you a desserter?"
Galleheu gulped, standing (although devastatingly shook) straight. "I am no desserter. Although in other terms... In other terms you may call me that."
"Are you really from the railroad branch? Or are you some stowaway looking to get to the capital, hitching a ride from us to do so then hi-tail it away from us when you got there? Stealing a uniform is stealing. And stealing is a crime. It's obvious that from the way you hold yourself, that you are no soldier of the military. Who. Are. You?"
Galleheu was stunned. His guise was seen from day one, and he didn't even pick up that fact in their traveling. To think he's been found out right when Unchean was just upon his grasps... He couldn't accept that. He would not. And will not.
"I am Lottidenty."
"A spy!?" Harold's right hand was upon the Luger upon his left holster. "Surrender yourself to me directly, I will take you to the MP. Put your hands up!
Galleheu made no sudden movement, calming himself down and raising his hands slowly. "Listen to me, you must call Lieutenant General Fachusmuch of the railways. He shall tell you my identity and who I am. I am sure you will trust his word more than mine, but may I speak my own?"
Harold hesistated a little, his hands upon his luger (that was still upon his holster) making distance between them, ensuring that if Galleheu had a hidden blade, that he couldn't attack without throwing the blade towards him.
"Speak."
"I am a diplomat of Lottidenty. I snuck out of Lottidenty and found myself upon the hands of the German soldiers upon Cresent Town and was taken in by Lieutenant General Fachusmuch in the Land Ship. What you call the HQ, had rejected my idea for a peaceful end to the war. But that is the HQ... That is just the HQ, Harold.
"Why I wanted to go the Unchean is that I wanted to talk to your chancellor. I wanted to talk to him directly. I want to express my want of a future free from war. The Grand Duque caused this Harold. I know this. The Grand Duque is at fault, but he holds his advisors by the throat! We can't stop this war without you. And all I need is a little German support to be able to kill the Grand Duque (and only the Grand Duque)!
"Nothing more, and nothing less..."
A playful knocking rocked the front door of the room, then a muffled voice; "open up! We're back!"
"Yeah, yeah, just wait a minute! I'm in the kitchen!" Harold yelled loud enough for his voice to reach outside, then he looked at Galleheu. "I will excuse this, only because I think I will benefit from it. You do not have permission to meet the chancellor, whether you are a diplomat or not. I will make my calls, and you will have an audience with someone else." Harold's hand let go of his Luger and assumed a quick stride towards the front door.
Warmly, almost to tears: "thank you."
( * )
The tickets was for the SS Grace. Unlike the passenger ships that Galleheu had seen yesterday, this was an ocean liner, and it was simply "huge." It featured two red funnels stripped in black, with a fully white hull and superstructure.
Unlike the other passenger ships that had clipper-sterns. Her's went straight and down to the water just like the Kerfelizian Heavy Cruisers, or a better example should be those German warships on the prowl and blocking Lottidenty's trade.
There were so many hundreds of people boarding the elegant white ship with similarly elegant clothing. The women wore comfortable yet extravagant white dresses with floral patterns, the men wore navy blue suits and pants fitted neat with a navy blue tie.
The children found themselves wearing a sailor's outfit, the girls sometimes wore dresses as if they were dolls. The atmosphere was lively, loud, and full. This was what Galleheu wanted. A lively world. And it was happening in Germany, Port Geo. Not in Lottidenty. No one is lively in Lottidenty.
They were first class passengers, it took twenty gold per head to get it. So Galleheu was expressed his thankfullness for the luxury that was given to him without sparing even a single gold himself.
"That's alright," Peters said while the four of them were moving along with the light crowd towards the restaurant situated amidship, "we're rich anyway."
The elaborate wooden walls, the many windows bringing in the warm outside light, coupled with the artificial warm lanterns situated along the way made the place so much more sparkly and inviting. As would the other first class passengers'd say.
Then the Grand Staircase.
The frosted window dome at the top, the ornamental wooden decorations, the pillars of white marble, the warm lanterns, the bright white light from outside shining through from the window-ed dome... It was the most awe-shocking experience that Galleheu had ever seen.
Walking up those stairs made him feel like he was a king. And that this was his castle, but he wasn't in a castle, he wasn't even on land. The fact that so much of this was fitted on a ship, without it sinking from the amount of weight it carries...
Galleheu couldn't grasp this concept. It made the careful history of Lottidenty... The long winded history of Lottidenty... Feel so miniscule, as if his country was slowed down from any progress of this making. And that was true, it was slowed down because of the Duque.