Steel Empire
The Search for the Missing Princess

After the loss of Honoria, the Imperial family of the Byzantine Empire was in a state of panic. Especially the Emperor, with the loss of his daughter, it meant his alliance with France was in disarray. The French king held Emperor Vetranis responsible for the loss of his daughter. He stated that if he was not found within a certain time, the de Valois dynasty would assume the engagement was annulled.

Emperor Vetranis was currently sitting on his throne biting his fingernails, a bad habit he picked up during his youth that he used to do when he was anxious. Her daughter is missing, without the slightest clue of her whereabouts. French Prince Aubry had returned home carrying news of the reason for his departure, causing the French Monarchy to make excessive demands on the Emperor as compensation.

If the Emperor is unable to find his daughter soon, the engagement will be broken, and so will the military and economic alliance between the two countries. Therefore, he was in a state of total and total panic. Vetranis vented her frustration by cursing her daughter in the middle of her halfway room.

"Female basis ******! You better be alive and clean, or I swear to God I'll march through the gates of hell to discipline you!"

It was then that Honoria's older brother, Decentius, entered the room. She holds a prostitute from the same brothel where Melissa worked before. The investigation into Honoria's disappearance has led to a brothel, and this woman has seen Melissa go with the girl.

From the looks of it, he had been persecuted by Decentius and his soldiers; there were many bruises on his face and all over his body. Decentius threw the woman on the floor as he started yelling at her.

"Tell the Emperor what you told me!"

Hearing Decenitus's screaming voice, the woman instinctively gasped before stumbling over his words.

"Basilia... The Princess... The princess came to the brothel and then went with Basilia. That's all I know!"

Emperor Vetranis immediately struck his throne armrest before raising his voice towards the woman.

"Who is this, Basilia? Where the hell's he from? Does he have family in town? Where can I find him?"

The woman began to curl in fear. However, he was quickly kicked by Decentius repeatedly until he begged for mercy.

"I don't know! I don't even know if Basilia is her real name. Many girls in brothels use fake names! He never talked about himself or his family. I honestly don't know anything about him other than he works in a brothel. Maybe some of his clients might know the truth, but I don't!"

This basilia was none other than Melissa; melissa was an intelligent young woman, at least in a thoughtful way; she changed her name to work and even wore a wig; so her true appearance was unknown. Now that he had left the city, it was impossible to know about his true identity. 

The emperor and his men had completely returned to the starting point; the intelligence the prostitute had given him was practically useless. All they knew was that Honoria entered the brothel and left with a woman the night. 

Vetranis is furious that her daughter is missing, and she has no decent information about her whereabouts. So he quickly attacked the woman kneeling beneath him. 

"Keep this whore out of my sight!"

With that, the guards dragged the woman out of the room and kicked her out of the palace. As for Decentius, he knelt before his father and swore.

"I promise to find that*****, and bring it back to you!"

Hearing this, Emperor Vetranis threw his cup at his son, who slapped the young prince's face and poured wine all over his body. After doing so, the Emperor quickly punished his son.

"Don't talk about your sister like that! He may have escaped and caused great trouble for us, but he remains your brother and a member of this imperial dynasty!"

While this was going on, Arethas had walked into the room; he was fully dressed in his great armor and kneeling before the Emperor next to Decentius. After doing so, he quickly announced his reason for visiting.

"Your Majesty, I know these are difficult times, and I don't want to add to your concerns, but I have bad news from the city of Alexandria. The Mamluks have retaken the city and driven our forces through Suez. I know your daughter is missing, and you mourn her absence. However, if you do not send help to our troops in Egypt, all our work over these past few years will be in vain!"

Hearing this news, Vetranis almost broke her teeth from the intense grinding she started. After listening to Arethas words, he knew he had no choice.

"Arethas you've been a good friend, and I'm very appreciative of the help you've given in seeking Honoria. I understand your desire to remain in Constantinople and continue the search for my lost daughter.

However, I'm afraid only you and your troops, who are now equipped with weapons that you bought from the West, can turn the tide of the war. Then with a heavy heart I must order you to drive your army south and destroy the Mamluke Sultanate for good!"

Hearing this, Arethas was disappointed; he really wanted to find Honoria as quickly as possible before something terrible happened to him. However, at the same time, he understood the Emperor's reasoning and did not protest. He simply nodded silently before standing up and cupping his hands with a prayer in his heart. After doing so, he began to speak to the Emperor.

"I pray to God in Heaven that you can find the princess before she gets into trouble. I swear by my life and honour that I will do everything in my power to reclaim what has been lost in North Africa and send the Saracens back there. hell where they were born!"

Hearing this, a bitter smile formed on Vetrani's face; without his good friend Arethas to help him during this crisis, he had no idea how he could survive. However, he knew that only Arethas' army was capable of destroying the enemy in Egypt. So with a heavy heart he sent his greatest friend and ally to fight once more.

"I pray for your victory, the good Aretha, leave in haste and reclaim the land of our long lost Empire!"

Upon hearing this, Arethas saluted the Emperor with a grim expression on his face. After doing so, he turned around and walked out of the building. Seeing that his commander had just been ordered to fight, Decentius immediately gave chase; however, he stopped at the entrance, where Arethas placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Decentius, you should stay here with your father!"

Decentius was immediately startled and began to question Arethas' orders.

"What's? Wh why? Am I not your Tourmarch!?!"

Arethas sighed heavily before comforting the young man.

"You are and are by far the greatest officer under my command. However, you are also your father's son, and the Emperor needs you and your help now more than ever. I'm worried what will happen to her if she doesn't find your sister soon. God forbid something terrible happens to that poor girl."

Decentius wanted to protest this decision, but he could see that Arethas had taken the decision, and therefore, was, he removed the mighty hand of Strategos from his shoulder before looking into his eyes with a serious look as he made a solemn vow.

"I promise, whether my sister lives or dies, I'll find her, and I'll take her home!"

Hearing this, Arethas smiled; he knew that under the command of Decentius, Honoria's quest would be under competent leadership; in doing so, the, he was not too worried as he focused on his conquest of North Africa. After hearing this, the man turned around from the second prince and walked towards the harbor. 

He has a long journey ahead and a war to win. It would not be easy, but with the advantages of the arkebuse and combined with the spear and shot strategies he had made, largely due to Berengar's help, he said, he would be able to overcome the overwhelming obstacles before him.

Thus, the search for the missing princess would continue; despite having no clue about her whereabouts, the Byzantine Imperial Family would have spent a great deal of money and effort to search for Honoria. They would never have guessed that he was on his way to a distant country just because he had heard good things about a certain Austrian nobleman.