Hogg thought it over again and again. The more he considered it, the more he felt that the primary reason for this delegation’s visit was most likely Li Yuan, though he wasn't entirely sure of the specifics.
However, since he couldn't speak of such matters directly, he could only offer a vague response.
"It’s impossible to be certain for now, but with Venus herself coming, we must prepare to receive them with the highest possible protocols."
The Old King sighed and nodded. That was all they could do.
"The delegation will reach the royal capital in only ten days?"
Marz nodded.
"The document says roughly ten days, but we only received it this morning. The border is still waiting for our response, and the Imperial party has already been waiting at the port of entry for two days. Given the speed of an Imperial delegation, they could arrive as early as the ninth day."
The Old King stood up, his tone immediately becoming steady and authoritative.
"I will reply via direct magic communication; sending a letter would be too slow... Notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Department of Protocol, the City Guard Station, and the Commander of the Palace Guard. They are to meet in the council chamber at eight tonight."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Accelerate the repairs on all main streets in the royal capital immediately. Assign more personnel to clear the ruins in the Outer City. Also, notify the academy—it's highly likely the delegation will want to tour the grounds."
Hogg added from the side, "Advance the schedule for repairing the Magic and Martial Arts Academy’s barriers. Have Napa and Angela stop all unnecessary field duties and return to assist with the restoration of the academy’s facilities."
Marz’s recording pen paused for a moment. He looked up at his teacher and asked uncertainly, "Angela is to return as well?"
Hogg was silent for a few seconds before nodding.
"Let her return, but do not put her in charge of the reception."
"Understood. I will arrange for her to handle perimeter patrols as a backup... just in case."
"And one more thing." Hogg looked at the Old King. "Venus is no ordinary envoy. Let me be the one to receive her."
The Old King nodded and sighed. "It seems only you can step forward for that."
The royal palace soon became a hive of activity.
Attendants hurried through the corridors, and court scribes moved in and out of rooms carrying stacks of documents. The Department of Protocol began digging through old archives from the Imperial delegation's visit ten years ago, while the Ministry of Internal Affairs worked through the night to adjust the city’s repair schedule.
The Palace Guard re-evaluated the security routes around the palace perimeter, and the City Guard received orders to increase patrol intensity on the main roads and in the Outer City starting that night, with instructions to strictly investigate all suspicious individuals.
The royal capital entered a state of martial law once again. The general policy could be summarized in two sentences: If they could be arrested, arrest them; if they could be detained, do not release them.
...
On the day the Casnoe Empire's delegation officially stepped onto the territory of the Kingdom of Kajinson, the border guards had long been lined up in formation outside the pass.
The two nations did not share a direct border and had no major conflicts of interest, having lived in peace for centuries. Usually, such visits were mere formalities, but the scale of this delegation was clearly different.
Dozens of carriages formed a long line, each bearing the Black Double-Snake Flag of the Empire. The accompanying guards wore dark, standardized light armor, moving in a formation so disciplined that almost no excess noise could be heard.
At the very front of the delegation was a tall, snow-white steed.
Seated upon the horse was a young woman.
She appeared to be in her early twenties, her waist-length blue hair fluttering slightly in the wind.
She did not wear the long skirts typical of noblewomen; instead, she wore a practical set of dark blue riding gear. A slender knight’s sword hung at her waist, devoid of elaborate decorations and looking remarkably austere.
Her beauty was extraordinary—as graceful as a startled swan, as supple as a swimming dragon. Her radiance outshone the autumn chrysanthemum, and her vitality surpassed the spring pine. She seemed as ethereal as a light cloud veiling the moon, as airy as swirling snow in the wind.
Yet, no one in the party dared to linger on her beauty, for her name was Venus Basal Polivik.
The Great Sage of the Casnoe Empire, a Heroic Spirit-rank Sky Knight—and the grand-aunt of the current Emperor, Kevinlit.
In terms of seniority, she belonged to the generation of the current Emperor’s grand-aunt, but due to the physical state granted by the Heroic Spirit rank, her appearance remained frozen at her absolute prime.
Venus sat on her horse, holding the reins with one hand and resting her chin on the other, her expression filled with boredom.
A border official stepped forward to salute, preparing to recite the welcome speech drafted by the Department of Protocol. Venus merely raised a hand and said lazily, "Skip it. Let’s move."
The official’s mouth hung open, the speech stuck in his throat. In the end, he could only stammer out, "Yes, Excellency."
Thus, the delegation barely stopped at the border pass. Once the supply wagons were registered and the transit documents confirmed, the group continued along the official road toward the royal capital.
The following days proceeded in much the same way.
The towns along the route had been notified by the Kingdom of Kajinson in advance. Supplies, water, and resting areas were all prepared for the Imperial delegation.
But Venus did not like staying anywhere for long.
At every stop, she allowed the group only half an hour to resupply. If it weren't for the fact that the staff and horses needed rest, she would have preferred to fly straight to the royal capital herself.
The problem was that the delegation wasn't just her. With dozens of carriages, over a hundred personnel, and a massive amount of documents and gifts, they had to move one step at a time.
So, she could only ride her horse in boredom, following the main force at a slow crawl.
On the evening of the eighth day, the delegation was only half a day’s journey from the royal capital of Kajinson.
The wide official road was flanked by vast, rolling grasslands, with low hills visible in the distance. The sun was setting, and night was about to fall.
Inquisitor Vina Selen urged her horse forward from the middle of the group to the front, slowing down to ride alongside Venus.
She first looked at the road ahead, then glanced back at the carriages and guards behind them, her expression somewhat troubled.
"Lady Venus."
"Hmm?"
Venus didn't turn her head, giving only a lazy response.
Vina chose her words carefully. "Should we stop nearby to rest and reorganize?"
"No need," Venus replied quickly. "We’re only half a day from the capital. Let’s get this over with sooner."
Vina was silent for a few seconds but pushed on anyway. "The horses are nearing their limit. We’ve been moving too fast these past few days. If we don't rest, I’m afraid they won't make it to the capital..."
Venus finally looked back, her gaze sweeping over the column behind her.
Many of the horses were indeed in a state of extreme exhaustion. Although the guards were maintaining their formation, their expressions weren't relaxed either. The carriages carrying documents and gifts had slowed down significantly.
Venus watched for a moment and gave a soft click of her tongue.
"How troublesome."
Vina didn't respond. She knew this lady’s temperament well and wisely chose to remain silent.
Venus retracted her gaze and pointed toward a spot not far ahead.
"Is there a town over there?"
"Yes," Vina replied immediately. "According to the map, that is Happy Town. The Kingdom has already notified the local officials; they can provide supplies and a place for a temporary rest."
"There, then."
Venus pulled on the reins, and her white horse gave a soft neigh as it slowed down.
"We’ll rest there for the night and set out tomorrow morning."
Vina let out a sigh of relief. "Yes, milady."
The order was quickly passed down the line.
Upon hearing that they wouldn't have to keep pushing through the night, many of the guards' expressions noticeably brightened. The coachmen also breathed a quiet sigh of relief, guiding their carriages as the delegation turned toward the town.
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