It took me 2 months to reach the borders of vanguard zone. Just like how it is recorded in the books, the outer defensive walls of Vanguard zone were tall and are running across the entire borders of Blood ocean. The soldiers were in order and patrolling the areas in a systematic manner. The defensive walls were also completely equipped with various siege equipment.
Just as we were in sight of the walls, we noticed all the people lined up at the entrances, started to hurry inside as if experiencing a plague. are we really that scary? I can even clearly notice fear, fury, disdain, battle intent clearly on most of them. Followed by loud bell tolling sounds, red flags with monsters on it were raised along the walls. As soon as the flags were raised all the huge gates were closed shut by giants.
Maybe it is a sign of communication between humanoid races to alert the presence of us monsters. Soon millions of soldiers fully equipped and dressed in silver armor, started to appear on the walls. Few of these soldiers started to point various siege weapons at us. Do they think we are foolish enough to invade them with just 16 of us. Well, if I go all out I can surely break these defences but, my goal is to only pass the invitation, not to cause another war.
"MY NAME IS ZOR, CROWN PRINCE OF MONSTER RACE. WE HAVE NO INTENTIONS OF FIGHTING OR WAGING WAR AGAINST YOU GUYS.
I AM ONLY GOING TO VISIT HUMAN RACE LANDS AS AN AMBASSADOR FROM MY FATHER AND THE ENTIRE RACE. QUICKLY CONTACT SOMEONE, WHO CAN MAKE DECISION FOR YOU GUYS. I DON'T WANT TO SPEND MY TIME STARING AT THESE WALLS OF YOURS."- Zor
After that I arrived on the back of Hydra and sat in a meditation position. I could see a lot of discussions going on the walls and they are still suspicious of us, thinking we are trying to use pincer attacks from both inside and outside the walls. Fools, if we truly wanted to destroy them, it is just a matter of time. Then a man in bright golden armor came out as their representative.
"ZOR SAMA, WE CONTACTED OUR OFFICIALS AND THE EMBASSY OF HUMAN RACE. THEY WILL ARRIVE HERE SHORTLY. SO WE ASK YOU TO WAIT PATIENTLY TILL THEN. ANY AGGRESSION FROM YOU WILL BE TREATED AS A THREAT AND WE WILL START ATTACKING"- General
"ALRIGHT, I WILL BE WAITING"- Zor
Sigh, I just hope these officials are not idiots and cowards. I don't want to waste my energy fighting and killing all of them.
"Hydra, your body seem to be shaking more, as we reached the humanoid lands. Is it excitement or fear?"-Zor
This Hydra is pretty talented for a rogue boss, ruling Blood ocean. He has strong presence and good speed. Not only him, the other bosses were also pretty good themselves. It is a complete waste of their talent, to let them rot in the Blood ocean. After this tour is over, I will talk to them and see, if they are willing to be my subordinates.
"Your Royal highness, I am completely terrified. Initially my heart was stable as It was you, we were following. But the closer we got to the humanoid lands, I started to remember those 2 cultivators face. I don't want to face them again.
Humanoid races cultivators are already dangerous, but humanoid races cultivators with knowledge about monsters physique, are extremely dangerous. The lady cultivator easily suppressed us with her aura alone, she also gave us cultivation and battle techniques that are totally compatible with our physiques. Even though she robbed us of our treasures, the things we received in return, will make up more than our loss.
Also the type 14 black monster, It should have easily reached type 15 monster by now, with the help of that white haired lady. We are totally treading on unknown waters"-Hydra
Now this is news. I never knew there are cultivators out there who can understand monsters physique, better than the monster itself. This Lady's knowledge on monsters itself, will make her a valuable asset to the Humanoid races.
No longer I can consider them as thieves, but as extreme threats to the monster race as a whole and I have to make sure, that she doesn't spread her knowledge.
After that I started to discuss with all of them, on how to identify and capture them as quickly as we can, but me and my soldiers were not able to come up with a proper plan. It is then, that other boss monster Crimson Snake joined our conversation.
"Your Royal Highness, I think we are ignoring the biggest clue here. Even though it is difficult to find the 2 cultivators identity, but we can always start with the type 14 monster. I am sure there are not many powerful monsters in humanoid races clan. If we can gather information on all the known powerful monsters and match it with the one we are looking for, I am sure we will get a good lead on the 2 cultivators identity"- Crimson Snake
Great, absolutely great idea. Damn I am starting to like these fellows. This is not only the best idea, but also easiest idea too.
"Good. after we enter vanguard zone, we will start collecting news, that matches our thieves. Depending on their identity, we will plan our future moves."- Zor
Exactly after 2 hours, we heard an aged voice from the humanoid races clan.
"CROWN PRINCE ZOR, MY NAME IS JEAN SILVERSTONE. I AM THE EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER OF THE HUMAN RACE LANDS. IT CAME TO MY NOTICE, THAT YOU WANT TO VISIT EDEN? CAN YOU STATE YOUR PURPOSE IN ADVANCE?"- Jean
This old is not weak at all. His voice also doesn't carry any fear towards us.
"Mr.JEAN, I AM VISITING EDEN, ON THE ORDERS FROM MY FATHER TO PASS AN INVITATION TO THE CULTIVATOR, WHO RECENTLY MADE A BREAKTHROUGH, SUPPRESSING ALL OF US WITH AURA ALONE. I AM SURE, YOU KNOW WHO I AM TALKING ABOUT, AS YOU ARE FROM HUMAN LANDS TOO."- Zor
The old man Jean started to discuss with all those around him, before the huge gates started to open again, inviting us in. Me and my party were greeted by the old man at the gates.
"Crown Prince Zor, the person you want to meet is our Empress Ichika Uchiha. I don't know why your father wanted to invite her majesty, but I have to warn you and your party in advance to follow the rules of our Empire and not resort to any forms of violence.
We will also personally look after you safety, so we expect complete cooperation from you too."- Jean
Empress Ichika Uchiha? No wonder this old man is not afraid of us, because they have a powerful sovereign too. Well since he is an important minister in the human race lands, I am sure he would know something about those 2 thieves.
Me and my party started following Jean inside the walls of vanguard zone. I have to say, this place is completely filled up with a strong positive energy and the citizens and cultivators also live a very good life.
12 human soldiers joined us at the teleportation circle leading to Avalon city. That night we stayed in Faith Palace as guests enjoying the delicious food and drinks. I requested old man Jean, to sell me few of these drinks and he accepted my request.
The next 2 days, I spent my time visiting various places in Avalon city. Old man Jean acted as my guide, while the 12 human soldiers acted as the guards. I visited various places, tried all kinds of famous dishes in the restaurants, purchased tons of clothing for my family members and brought beauty products for my mother and aunts.
In the evening I enjoyed watching shows on the recording crystals. I particularly like this program called Tom and Jerry. It's really funny show, on how the cat gets beaten by mouse. It defies common sense, but it's a good way to forget about your daily problems and relax your mind. No wonder the humanoid races are always filled with energy every morning. I decided to buy all the copies of this program, when going back home.
During the second night, me and Jean had a lot of drinks and I took the initiation and passed the copies of the 3 portraits to him.
"Mr. Jean, do you know anything about the ones in the portraits?"- Zor
Mr.jean drunk face became sober within an instant after taking a look at the 3 portraits, as expected he surely knows about them. He started to stare at me with his old eyes, as if trying to see through my soul.
"Crown Prince Zor, how are they related to you?"- Jean
Clever bastard. Hmm should I tell him the truth? Nope, he quickly became sober after watching those pics, that means they must be pretty influential people in the capital. I must not let go of this lead.
"Mr. Jean, they are my friends who I met in monster lands. I never expected to one day reach humanoid race lands. But since I am already here, I want to visit their home and surprise them."- Zor
Please fall for that trick old man. This is the best lie i could come up with. Luckily he relaxed his guard, took 2 more cups of drink and started to pat my shoulders.
"No wonder, so you were friends with her majesty. Her face is always covered with a veil. If she was willing to show you her face, you must be pretty close friends with her.But this is the first portrait of her, without her veil. But let me warn you, never ever bring this portrait out or show it to anyone. If news leaked out that you carry full picture of her majesty, you will be hunted down by all fields of people. Huge bounty was offered to anyone, who captures her true face.
Cough, Cough Ahem, can I keep these portraits to myself?"- Jean
*Boom* what the hell did he just say? Her majesty? Since he is a minister of human race, then that means he is referring to Empress Ichika uchiha. The same Empress, whom I was supposed to invite. Also old man you are completely shameless. Just now you said, not to share these portraits with anyone and there is a huge bounty on them. But you yourselves want to keep them.
Well they are just copies. I have more copies with me. Since I can't do anything to the Empress, let me sell these pictures at a huge cost and recover as much amount as I can.
"Mr.Jean, what about the man and the monster?"- Zor
"Eh. The green haired man is Zetsu, prince of the Empire. While the monster is Lord Kuro, who is a type 15 monster. It's weird you don't know their names, when you have their portraits"- Jean
What kind of ******* royalty acts as thieves? Argh I am gonna lose my mind.
"Mr. Jean, I am not asking about their names, I want to know where I can find them in the capital"- Zor
Phew, that was a close call
"You can meet all of them in the royal palace, I am sure her majesty will definitely be surprised to see her friend"- Jean
She doesn't even know me, but she will definitely be surprised when she sees the boss monsters.
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Author's Note: I didn't get enough time to edit the chapters. so feel free to point out the mistakes, It will make my work easier to correct them tomorrow.