Quick Dispatch - 704

The Imperial Scholar walked with his hands behind his back and his head held high as they entered the restaurant. Skymender and Skybelle followed behind him.

As they entered, everyone inside looked over. When they saw them, they all were shocked. News had already spread that people from another Empire were here, and not just any Empire, but the Faceless Empire. 

In the Natural Empire, the Faceless Empire was considered to be one of the greatest Empires in the world, standing just below the Ancient Empire, while they were barely strong enough to be considered an Empire.

The only reason they could exist unbothered was because the terrain was undesirable to others. 

Otherwise, like the Faceless Empire, the Ancient Empire, and a few other top tier Empires, they would often have skirmishes around their borders with other Empires

Skymender looked around as they walked into the restaurant. The design made it seem like they were going inside of a hollowed out tree. In fact, he wouldn't be surprised even if that were the case, as the Natural Empire had vegetation everywhere.

As they were visiting from another Empire, the people with the highest authority in this restaurant came and greeted them.

"Hello, friends from the Faceless Empire. Assuming you are here to eat, I would love to show you our greatest seats."

The Imperial Scholar spoke. "That sounds fine. Let's go."

All three of them were led by a few people up a set of wooden stairs, and into a room above.

Leaves hung from the ceiling, and a lantern let off a warm light. 

Skymender liked what he had seen of the Natural Empire so far, and this made him like it even more. Of course, this was not referring to the people of the Empire, but to the environment and design.

This room was rather open, and ahead was even an archway that had a bridge going across the street and to another building. The bridge almost seemed naturally formed, though upon closer examination, it wasn't.

All three of them sat down at a table, and those who had guided them took their orders. Their food was ready in just a few minutes, and they ate. It was enjoyable, as this was a high quality restaurant in the entire Natural Empire.

Even Nobles often ate here.

They did not stay in the building for long. As they left, they walked across the bridge to enter the hollowed top of another tree-like structure that may be a tree. 

This seemed more like a central point of bridges, as they saw eight bridges going in each direction. They followed the bridges back to their inn, where they got off. Supposedly, this was the main method of transportation for nobles in the Empire.

An Imperial Servant brought their carriage back from the restaurant, untouched.

They stayed in the inn for the rest of the day, only occasionally walking outside to get some fresh air.

As night fell, Skymender stepped out of the window with a bag on his back. Their room was on the second floor, so he had to stand on the thin roof area of the first floor.

As he stepped outside, he heard a voice. "Where are you going so late?"

Skymender was already a step out of the window, but as he heard the voice, he briefly turned around. "Defense."

Without another word, he jumped onto the roof of the building, sitting there silently. His sister frowned. This reminded her of the fact that her brother was most likely Skygod.

Skymender closed his eyes as he sat on the roof. He honed his senses to the maximum as he probed outwards. He had experienced plenty of sleepless nights, so the lack of sleep did not affect him at all. 

He stayed still for nearly an hour, before his eyes snapped open. "There you are."

He reached into his bag and pulled out a bow, the same one he had used many times. He then pulled out an arrow coated with corrosion poison. He silently nocked it before standing up.

On a nearby tree was a man wearing black robes, staring at the inn. Due to the design of the roof, he had not noticed Skymender, but Skymender had heard him. 

Skymender stepped up and pulled back on his bow. 

In an instant, he locked eyes with the assassin. In that same instant, he released the bowstring, and his eyes were the last things the assassin ever saw. 

An arrow pierced his forehead, not only instantly killing him, but corroding him until his head was unrecognizable. A loud thump was heard as he fell from the tree. Imperial Guards, which had been standing watch, were alerted and moved towards where the man fell.

They saw him and his condition. Shocked, they looked around, but Skymender had already gone back inside.

He went to sleep, waking up a bit late in the morning. 

He had easily thwarted the first assassination attempt. As for whether that person had been sent by the Ancient Empire, another major empire, or the Natural Empire, he did not know.

However, it could be predicted that they would expect resistance the next time, and it would not go so smoothly. 

Skymender was curious to see what the Imperial Scholar had been talking about when he had said the Ancient Empire assassins were special.

On this day, the Imperial Scholar once again led them to the Imperial Palace of the Natural Empire.

Here, they met with the Emperor.

"It is good to see you again. No need to speak in the throne room, let's go elsewhere." The Emperor of the Natural Empire said.

The Imperial Scholar nodded, and they were soon led to a room with a circular table. All of the important members of the Natural Empire were sitting there. It added up to around fifteen.

Once everyone sat down, the Emperor spoke. "It seems that great changes are nearing, and I understand that your faceless Empire is scouting the surrounding Empires and assessing their feelings on the matter."