Cleopatra remained silent for a few seconds… seconds that dragged into minutes, lost in thought, pacing in circles, staring at the floor. Then she lifted her chin and walked to the balcony, gazing out over the massive metropolis of Feirham, with a population exceeding 73,443 inhabitants.
The architecture of the buildings is modest, beautiful, with rustic elements and warm tones, yet retaining the rigidity of its monuments. On every block, there are bear-shaped sculptures adorned with golden parts and various types of diamonds. It's clear this is a nation that loves bears, to the point that Astorians seem to revere the animal. The alignment of each settlement in this metropolis is {Chaotic Evil}. The castle is built over a lake; the streets are waterways where navigation is challenging, and the buildings float on wooden platforms.
Its defenses consist of black diamond walls on the exterior, equipped with artillery pieces, high-ranking mages, each belonging to a different squadron based on their magical specialties, distinguished by unique emblems.
Several watchtowers are fitted with massive terralite crystals made of blue metal, naturally blue, which serve as storage for offensive spell enhancers. Others, green in hue, function as defensive magical barriers. All act as the final front, backed by a bastion of 3,529 guards from Astoria's Second Division. The most typical buildings include 24,481 residences, forges, shops, a tournament plaza, taverns, inns, barracks, workshops, temples, mansions, and a dry dock that enables the construction of the largest ships and the free passage of heavy cargo.
There's also a plunder hall, a place to store trinkets, jewels, and treasures looted from those now enslaved or dead.
Weapons are banned, and magical artifacts are registered for the vast majority of the population. To access this beautiful city with a flourishing economy, a perfect paradise for any merchant, visitors must contact local authorities upon arrival and obtain a merchant's permit. It's the only way a foreigner can enter this nation; otherwise, illegal entry is extremely difficult.
The use of magic is restricted to sorcerers approved by the kingdom, and all those with sufficient magical talent must either enlist in the kingdom's armed forces or register with a bounty hunters' guild to earn a living, unless they choose to be merchants or simple farmers.
Humans on this continent possess no innate powers or special abilities beyond the study of magic, the practice of swordsmanship, and the refinement of their intellect, training in war tactics, espionage, and survival. They're born without any particular skills, unlike the humans of the Kingdom of Montesis, who, for some reason, mutated… or rather, were the only ones to improve for some reason, the only humans with a fascinating rarity.
This is why many men desire the beautiful, strong women from the other side of the world, longing for children more capable than their talentless parents, something beyond mastering magical powers, which have the disadvantage of requiring verbal incantations.
It's known that the nation of Astoria was forged by plunderers. They were once a kingdom of brutal, greedy raiders until the arrival of Queen Cleopatra Ushnar, who changed everything. Still, the nation retained its culture of dueling, and modest plundering to obtain what they want remains in practice. This society is highly materialistic.
Calenmir noticed Cleopatra's pensive gaze admiring her metropolis's landscape and cautiously approached, standing by her side without saying a word. Their eyes met once more, and Her Majesty Cleopatra asked:
"What do you want from me?"
"My Lord Agarrond, from the southern lands where the border lies between us and the enemy, reported that the Dawn Scouts Team, from the Third Division, just found several damaged Screens. You know what that means, don't you? I need a force of two hundred thousand Keros, your order's finest warriors and mages," Calenmir replied.
"Is that all?" Cleopatra asked.
"I could use something else, like your Grand Knight from the OMEGA Division," Calenmir added.
"You want me to hand over my general, the last line of offense for my kingdom?" Cleopatra said with a confused smile stretching from ear to ear, revealing the irony of her question.
"I want to reclaim my lands, and you want the Lagstone. Sounds like a fair deal to me. Because if my plan fails, the calamity held back by my Screens will end humanity as we know it. Once they rise, rest assured, it'll be the end of the world," Calenmir concluded, turning her back on Cleopatra.
But after a few seconds, Cleopatra stopped her to attempt a negotiation:
"Calenmir믅, I can't give you Moroni, and as a queen, you'll understand, right?"
"True, but if you want that gem, you need to make sacrifices, like I do. In a measly twenty years, I realize that, besides your aging face, you haven't changed a bit, Ushnar," Calenmir retorted.
The queen, though young and beautiful, lost her composure for a moment at Calenmir's insult and replied:
"And you, in the few days of your reign, divided a world at peace for decades, subjugated an entire kingdom, and turned half the continent against you. You deliberately destroyed your Screens to threaten all nearby kingdoms, and worse, your own people. You're crazier than the Mad King… Calenmir, you're playing real dirty, you know? The last time I saw you, you were just a teenager… and, by the Bear's claws, I never thought you'd change so much in so little time, considering your race."
"…But whatever. You'll have Moroni for twenty-four hours, and no one can know about this operation," Cleopatra conceded.
"Don't blame me, dear friend. I have to ensure they do their job; my enemies are too calm. But twenty-four hours is too little; I want him for three days," Calenmir insisted.
"Calenmir, you're a formidable ally, but the most I can offer is two days for you to carry out your plans," Cleopatra responded.
"Alright, we have a deal," Calenmir said, extending her hand and shaking Cleopatra's firmly without breaking eye contact.
"I'll hand over Moroni with a double identity under the code name 'Joshua MO,'" Cleopatra announced.
"MO, huh? Alright! As you wish, dear. I'll let you know when or the day I need him," Calenmir concluded, continuing her march toward the exit of the soundproofed room. But before leaving, she paused at the doorway, glanced back at Cleopatra, who was preoccupied on the balcony, and said:
"I wonder how things are going with your romantic interest? Have you already made the epic love declaration never seen before between kingdoms?"
"Who…? I never told anyone about…" Cleopatra replied, cut off by Calenmir's surprise question.
Cleopatra then asked how she'd found out about it. At that moment, Calenmir's face began to form a long, mocking smile directed at Cleopatra. As she slowly closed the door, Calenmir responded:
"I have eyes and ears everywhere, just like you, dear. Goodbye… and it was a pleasure doing business with you."
Two weeks before Zephyria's invasion…