The Varians

Froilan and his troop finally entered Varia's capital. The city was bustling with life.

"I hope we can find some useful information here," Ragnar said.

"I won't give up until I find my brother," Froilan replied, determination in his voice.

As they walked through the streets, people began to take notice of them. Their expressions shifted, and murmurs spread through the crowd upon seeing the barbarians accompanying Froilan.

Koko scanned their surroundings, staying vigilant in case of an unexpected attack. The once-lively streets grew eerily silent, all eyes fixed on them.

"This is exactly why I don't like leaving our territory," Ragnar muttered, scratching his head.

They came to a halt when they noticed a group of royal guards approaching. Behind them, a carriage adorned with the royal crest rolled to a stop.

One of the heralds stepped forward and announced, "His Majesty, the King, has arrived!"

At once, the people knelt in reverence. A man clad in regal attire stepped down from the carriage. Koko observed him closely as he approached. The king's garments resembled those of ancient Greek nobility—flowing and elegant. He carried himself with an air of authority and refinement.

With a warm smile, he greeted them. "Welcome to the Varian Kingdom!"

Koko and the barbarians bowed in respect, while Froilan simply nodded.

"I am Iskandar, King of Varia. I was informed that a group had entered the capital bearing the royal insignia of Firenzan. Naturally, I came to see for myself if the rumors were true—that the King of Firenzan had come to my land."

"Forgive our sudden arrival, Your Majesty," Froilan said. "I sent a letter two days ago regarding our journey. We mean no harm. We are here only to seek information about my missing brother."

"Oh… the letter," Iskandar muttered, scratching the back of his neck. He had forgotten to open it. "Well, since you're already here, why don't you join me at the palace? We can discuss your brother there, Your Majesty." He beamed at them.

"Thank you for your warm welcome," Froilan said.

They boarded the royal carriage and accompanied the king back to his palace. As they traveled, Koko gazed out the window, taking in the sights. This was his first time in a foreign kingdom, and despite himself, he couldn't help but be impressed by the prosperity and vibrance of Varian life.

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At the Magic Tower...

Beatrice forcibly pushed open Hajee's door, her temper barely contained. Inside, she found him lounging in his chair, sipping tea while gazing leisurely out the window.

Her fists clenched in irritation.

"Do you need something, Your Highness?" Hajee asked, his tone laced with amusement.

"You said you would help me protect the empire—that you had a way to defeat the enemy. Then what the hell are you doing?!" she snapped. "Don't you realize the border has been attacked? Countless soldiers lost their lives in the last battle!"

Hajee remained unfazed. "Relax. I heard about it," he said casually. "But don't worry." He stood up and poured her a cup of tea. "I have good news." A smirk played on his lips.

"Tch. What is it?" she asked, snatching the cup from him.

Without a word, Hajee pulled open a drawer and retrieved a set of documents. With a triumphant grin, he held them up.

"The Varian Kingdom has agreed to form an alliance with us," he announced, waving the papers in front of her.

Beatrice's eyes widened in surprise.

The Varian Kingdom was renowned for its breathtaking lands, rich natural resources, and exceptional craftsmanship in weapon-making. Their army, though not the largest, was among the strongest. Despite not being as vast as some other kingdoms, Varia was notoriously selective when it came to alliances. They rarely accepted treaties, choosing only the most formidable nations as their allies.

"Varian is unmatched in weapon manufacturing and possesses a formidable military force. Their support will be invaluable to our empire," Hajee stated confidently.

Beatrice narrowed her eyes. "And how did you manage to get them to agree?" she asked, suspicion creeping into her voice.

Hajee smirked. "Simple… I happen to know someone very important to the king right now."

Beatrice furrowed her brows. What did he mean by that?