( Yuuki's POV )
After the fiasco at the altar portal, I returned to the castle and there I ran into Seig, the leader of this place, the young man with short ash-colored hair.
Seig: Yuuki, do you have time to talk?
Yuuki: Yes, I have time. My stay has just been extended, but luckily there are rooms available in the castle.
Seig: Well, I welcome you. I'm asking around what everyone thinks about the alliance with the Magedome, and I wanted to know what you think.
Yuuki: You want my opinion? I haven't even been here a day.
Seig: It's clear you have a lot of experience, and you've already shown that you're trustworthy.
Yuuki: Well, if you put it that way, what I think is; that it depends on what the Magedome wants from the alliance, If they want submission or to absorb you directly into their forces, I'll say the alliance isn't worth it, If they want to coordinate joint operations and exchange information and protection, then that's a good deal, but the most important thing is to assess the character of the Magedome leader, Asad and Chrodechild are good people, but that doesn't guarantee that whoever is above them is a great leader.
Seig: I understand, after talking to everyone I also thought that meeting the leader of the Magedome directly came first.
Yuuki: Good instincts, you'll be an experienced leader in no time.
Seig: Thanks for the vote of confidence. I'll give Asad my answer. Do you want to come?
Yuuki: sure.
We returned to the great hall where Seig gave his answer to Asad, and he too agreed to escort the leader of the castle to the capital of the Magedome, El-Qaral, Asad then mentioned that there was another false chronicle in the city, another reason to visit that place, but when I expressed my interest in traveling there, a small problem arose.
Seig: I don't want to leave this castle too empty in case of an attack, I was hoping you would stay, Yuuki.
Yuuki: If you're worried about a future attack, don't be. The phone I gave Erin, besides detecting enemies, can also be used to communicate over long distances, with one call, I can be back at the castle in a matter of minutes.
Marica: Can that little thing really do all that?
Yuuki: Convenient, right? Where I come from, almost everyone carries one similar to this.
With that small problem, we began our journey; the group returning the group to Janam consisted of only five people: the two leaders who had to return there, Asad and Chrodechild, the representatives of the castle, Seig and Marica, and finally, me.
To reach El-Qaral we first had to pass through an area called the Mislato River. Along the way we encountered creatures that I would consider monsters, but the others only saw them as normal animals, dangerous animals that we had to fight off on our way, those weren't a major threat, but they were useful; the hides, bones, and minerals they left behind when defeated could be sold in a market for potch, which was the currency of this world.
Yuuki: By the way, what's the deal with those fake chronicles, which are so precious to the order?
Marica: What we do know is that these are not just simple books; we found them in some ruins, and when we touched them, we saw a vision and at the same time gained mysterious power and abilities.
It sounds as if information and energy were being downloaded into their bodies when they touched that book; they were using borrowed power.
Yuuki: Can I see that book?
Seig: Sure.
Seig took a red book out of his bag with a strange mark on the cover, nothing I recognized. I put a hand on the book but I didn't have any vision and I didn't feel any power entering my body.
Yuuki: Is there a waiting period before it works?
Marica: Not everyone receives powers; in our entire village, it only worked for four people, but don't be discouraged, I don't think you need more power.
Yuuki: You know what they say, there will always be someone stronger than you, it doesn't do me any good to be complacent with my own abilities.
Chrodechild: You have the makings of a true warrior, Yuuki. I feel a bit like a fresh recruit listening to you.
Yuuki: You flatter me to much.
We continued talking and after defeating many monsters, we saw in the distance a large and vibrant city, with buildings floating above it; they have good taste, I was expecting a little more from a place called the Magedom, but what's here is impressive.
Asad: Welcome to El-Qaral, what do you think?
Marica: Amazing, this place is even bigger than Cynas, and definitely livelier.
Seig: Yes, although Cynas has that giant building in the middle of the city, I personally like this place better.
Yuuki: Impressive, but there's no place like home, although those floating structures do remind me a bit of home.
After giving our opinions about the city, Chrodechild walked in front of us.
Chrodechild: I'll be heading back to my quarters; the Blades of the night didn't do enough to warrant an audience with his lordship.
Asad: Chrodechild, you know that's not true.
Chrodechild: Leave it at that, Asad, that's best for everyone.
Chrodechild was set on her decision and I had several theories about her reservations about seeing the Emperor of Janam; she walked away from us and I quietly began to follow her, She didn't object to that, but when the others were out of sight, she questioned me.
Chrodechild: Aren't you going to the audience? An opportunity to meet the emperor doesn't come around every day.
Yuuki: I try to avoid those formal events unless it's absolutely necessary; I'm more interested in that spar we talked about earlier.
Chrodechild: hehe I see, my people will benefit from seeing someone like you fight.
The base of the Night Blades was similar to a dojo or training hall, but the construction was made of stone and of course there was a ring for practice, Chrodechild introduced me to the rest of his group and shortly afterwards I was standing in front of Meruvis, the one Chrodechild claimed was the best swordsman among them.
Yuuki: Thank you for granting my request.
Meruvis: With someone as skilled like you, I'm the one who should be thanking you.
Yuuki: Well, how about we save the compliments for later?
I borrowed one of the black swords characteristic of these swordsmen used and I prepared to fight.