The Thousand Year Dynasty
02.5. Joan Story: Infiltrating

Joan returned to a luxurious seat in Xiggaz's room two weeks later. After he returned from the city in the area of dead land.

"So what did you find in that place, Jo? It took you two weeks to get back here to report" Xiggaz asked, opening the conversation.

"Yes, you said right. This city is no ordinary city. You won't believe what I found in that place" looks like Joan still can't believe what she saw. Even though he had been in town for two weeks.

"Start telling the story" Xiggaz said, crossing his arms and leaning back.

Joan seemed to fix her sitting position before starting to tell stories. "I entered the city as a merchant. And after staying for a week at a hotel in a city called Central City, I began to realize that it took me longer to find out about the area" he said later.

"Does the city have very strict guard?" Xiggaz.

"The city barely has any soldiers to stand guard. And it seems that they are relying on the combat union to secure the inner territory" Joan replied.

"Then, why did it take you so long to figure that out?"

"Oh, you can't imagine not seeing it in person. The city has dozens of things I've never seen before. And dozens of things in the city, which seemed very strange to apply" Joan seemed earnest in her storytelling.

"Although for you, who often travel to many places though?" Xiggaz heard no believe.

"Yes. I was really shocked by the city"

"Alright, continue your story" Xiggaz crossed his arms again and leaned back.

"So to be able to continue to be in that place and investigate even deeper without suspicion, I then rented a place to set up a shop. Glassware store. I won't tell you any details about the store. But surprisingly, the management of the place is so easy and not long-winded. I don't even need to meet the head of the nobility in charge of the matter. Everything is done by the workers" Joan goes back to telling stories.

"So you didn't have time to talk to the nobles in the city?" Xiggaz looked back to cut.

"They are very difficult to find. Even the people who live in the region, can not answer when I ask who the nobles who are in power or at least respected in the region"

"That's very strange" Xiggaz narrowed his eyes and touched his hand to his chin.

"Obviously very strange. And that's not all" Joan looks to wet her throat. Then start to tell stories again. "So, my shop is in an area called City Station. It was a place where the dead land, could survive and even take half the users of the ship crossing Xin city.

"They had a special line that stretched from the western region, turning to the southern region, for an iron carriage with at least ten carriages attached snaked behind it. They walk without anything pulling or pushing.

"Reuters...What do you mean that the train runs by itself?" Xiggaz couldn't bear to cut Joan off with questions.

"Yes like that" replied Joan briefly.

"Is that magic?" Xiggaz seemed to be making sure.

"I don't really know how it works either. But the train was running non-stop. And mostly only Morra runs it. I don't really understand the flow of the Soul either. But what is possible, if done by the Morras? Even Narva?" Joan seemed doubtful if the train was run by magic.

"So that's their secret you're finding hard to figure out?"

"Oh, open just that. Here's a list of things I need to find out. A list of things that support how the city could survive and its potential as an ancama of our kingdom" Joan gave a wide paper containing her hand notes to Xiggaz.

"Everything in that place has incredible quality. They have a very high size and size limit. Like paper, for example. Compare color, material, thickness, and strength with the paper we have" said Joan who had returned to her seat.

Xiggaz looked and felt at the paper containing Joan's notes. Comparing it to a more yellow roll of paper on his desk.

"really. This paper is thinner and more pliable. The fiber is more visible and the color is brighter" Xiggaz mentioned his observations. And then began to read the contents of Joan's notes.

"They made iron bridges across the Great Ravine, the Star Dove, and even through hills and cliffs" Xiggaz repeated reading Joan's notes in a voice. Because the young man wanted to make sure that Joan did not write wrong.

"They also have a strange kind of food, but it is very delicious. Some foods have cooking methods and tools that I've never met before" Joan later said.

"They have quality paper. Alcoholic drinks that look very different. The quality of fabric and leather for their clothes was above the average that existed in the kingdom. Wall and road building materials that looked solid and quality" Xiggaz continued to read the contents of Joan's notes.

"In the meantime, does this list not exaggerate? Does this make any sense? Where did all that stuff come from?" Xiggaz eventually stopped because he couldn't stand it. He hoped Joan would cut him off, and said it was wrong. But it seems that everything he read was true according to Joan.

"Well, tell me about your senseless adventure" said Xiggaz, putting a paper containing Joan's notes on the table. Then fold his hands and lean his body back.

"So when one day I took the path to the west, I saw on the cliff side of the north side, they had a waterfall" said Joan with a face that looks dramatic.

"Waterfall? Up the cliff?"

"really. Complete with a waterwheel where the water fell. It's very interesting even if you look at it from afar" Joan added.

"Where did the water come from?" Xiggaz was increasingly clueless with the city in the dead land.

"Eitherway. Oh, and also it looks like I've seen people who have been fugitives in that place" Joan added.

"Who?"

"The pirate lady"

"What do you mean Anna? Didn't you see wrong?" Looks Xiggaz make sure.

"No. I remember meeting that woman before. While he was still a ferryman in Xin City" Joan made sure that he didn't see it wrong.

"What's he doing there?"

"See, but it seems he is taking care of the construction on the west side of the beach. I can't get into that place"

"Then, did you see any strange-looking weapons?" Xiggaz asked me a new topic.

"No. During this time the strange tools were more for facilities and daily purposes. But they might be hiding it. Because the area of the dead land was vast and filled with valleys and cliffs, so there were enough places to be used as hiding places"

"Well, if that's the case, do what you think is necessary. But if possible, do not take too long" said Xiggaz later.

"Well I understand" Joan nodded in understanding.

"Oh, and I have some good news for you" Xiggaz said, looking to make a dramatic impression. "The day ago, we managed to occupy the Holy Land" Xiggaz's mood seemed to turn bright.

"really? That's the best news I've ever heard in my entire life. Then how's the story?" Xiggaz's mood rubbed off on Joan.

"The direct raid two days ago successfully brought down the defense of the Holy Land. And a day later, we managed to take control of the city of Nezarad. The Aurga and Joren forces did not expect that we would have the strength we have today" Xiggaz explained enthusiastically.

"What exactly is the secret weapon that you and Mr. Tyrion prepared?"

"We have thirteen mystic weapons for twelve generals, and eight Arcane stones for some of our combat witches" Xiggaz explained.

"Well, and where did you get so many mystical weapons? What is it from the Eight Guards?" Joan was amazed. Now his kingdom has great fighting power. What else after coupled with the support of the Holy Girl.

"really. The Eight Guards traveled for the past six months, all over the world to collect these mystical weapons" Xiggaz explained.

"I didn't expect them to be able to gather that many mystical weapons in just six months' time"

"Indeed, their abilities are sometimes hard to believe"

"Then, what will the kingdom do after this?" Ask Joan later.

"It seems, right now they are having a meeting with the Holy Land's clergy and the Holy Girl herself" Xiggaz replied briefly.

"Hopefully her decision will not trigger a new war" Joan looks really hopeful.

"Let's hope for the best"

-