The Thousand Year Dynasty
Anthology 8

"So our problem now is security in this southern region. And at the moment we are short of manpower for the problem" said Mateus opened a Cabinet meeting held in the city of Varun a few days later.

The meeting was attended by Orland, as the full responsibility for the entire territory of the kingdom of Rhodesia. Amithy, as the person in charge of development issues in the southern region, which includes the Eastern Province and the Western Province.

Then there was Vossler and Evora who were in charge of the security forces on the borders of the Eastern Province and the Western Province with other interests. Then there was Cedrik who was in charge of the security of the territory covering the entire Western Province, and Margaret who was in charge of the security of the territory covering the entire Eastern Province.

After that there was still Mateus who served as the representative of Amity, who was also the head of the government of the Eastern Province. And Nadir, a noble friend of Mateus who now serves as the head of the government of the Western Province.

The six sat in a circle in front of a round table in one of the rooms in the Varun city government building.

"And unlike two months ago, now the nobles of the head of the Estate who carried out the rebellion seemed to have started to unite. Their movements began to be organized with each other. And it's very bad for our side" Mateus continued. "Now our hope is a plan, a soldier's aid, or weapons that can be used to overcome the rebels" he added.

"For a grand plan that we used to have and also a new weapon, for the near future we cannot expect it first" Orland replied with a slight lethargy.

"How is it that Mr Nata and Mr Aksa who cannot be contacted are correct?" nadir asked, a middle-aged Narva man with a cross-sectional mustache who was sitting next to Mateus.

"That's it, Mr. Nadir. We don't need to talk about it. Now our main goal is to find the most appropriate solution for this problem" replied Orland who tried to avoid the topic.

"But that's also an important thing for us to know, Mr. Orland. At least by knowing it, we can know what we should expect" Nadir said.

"I agree with Mr. Nadir. What's really going on, Mr Orland?" This time Vossler added. "Even Her Majesty the Queen also rarely attends meetings of the Cabinet of the Southern region. Not a few people started talking about it. And it worries not only the workers in this Southern Region, but also the soldiers and the citizens" he said later.

"Such news is indeed very quickly spread," said Amithy lirih.

"Well, for the Queen, she is currently busy dealing with Elbrasta's increasingly complicated problems" Orland replied after taking a deep breath. "Maybe you've heard it, that King Sebastian's first son, Grevier, is alive. And now he is counterattacking to take over the city," he said then searched. "Therefore, he handed over all the problems of the Southern Region to us, while he will focus on overcoming the problems with the Elbrasta kingdom," he continued later.

"Then, regarding Lord Aksa and Lord Nata?" ask Nadir then.

"Actually the two young men did not lock themselves in Mahan Staan. Two young men are missing. They can't be found anywhere in the Central Region or the area around this place" said Orland, who was visibly hesitant.

"REally?!" Almost everyone in the room looked surprised. Only Amithy seems to have known about it other than Orland.

Then it seemed that everyone was just silent. They begin to surmise wildly about the cause and where Aksa and Nata disappeared.

"But don't let this spread. We're still trying to find them at the moment" Orland said, later giving a ban.

"So who knows this, Mr Orland?" asked Mateus who was unable to cover up his shock.

"Only us, then Mr. Couran, Miss Rafa, Caspian, Miss Luna, and the Queen," Orland replied quickly. "As long as it's not needed, I hope you don't share this news with others either" he added.

"It's a big thing, Mr. Orland" said Vossler, who appeared to be thinking about something. His gaze poked through the table.

"really. But that doesn't mean without them, we can't defend our own territory, right?" sahut Orland who tried to raise the spirit of everyone in the room.

"That's right. So it's better now that we use our time to think about solutions to problems that are going on." Mateus added.

"What about Yllgarian soldiers?" Amithy tried to give input.

"We can deploy Yllgarian soldiers to help, but with the rebel movement that cannot be predicted the direction of its destination, it will be home, Mrs Amithy." This time Evora the Yllgarian Buring Ghost replied.

"Right, we can't possibly do a full day's guard in every place even with the help of the Yllgarians, '" Vossler added. Approved by Cedrik and Margaret with a short nod.

"Then what do you think, Mr Vossler?" Nadir asked.

"I think what we need to do now is protect some of the things we think are important and let things go for a while" Vossler replied.

"But until when? Until they run out of resources?" ask Nadir again. "We can't keep going like this. I think we need to get them to their roots as quickly as possible" he continued by giving an opinion.

"I agree that we must eliminate them immediately. But the thing is, we need to deploy a lot of soldiers to carry out the crackdown. Maybe we can wait until our soldiers are ready" Vossler replied.

"And also the rebels will not run out of resources. There must be people funding them from behind" Orland later cut.

"Is it possible that other kingdoms are interfering?" Amithy asked.

"Can be. Although they accept the peace and trade agreements that we have proposed, but I am sure they will still look for loopholes to bring us down" Orland replied later.

"If it were, this would make things worse for us." Nadir spoke up again. "They will be more courageous to act if they find we are not able to reduce this kind of chaos" he added.

"That's right, too" short chirped Mateus.

"Like the sea region, it is also time we do something with the pirates who disrupt our sea lanes with the North." Nadir continued his words.

"The same thing that happens in the sea. We don't have enough power to move more than three iron ships. Only three ships. It's hard to patrol such a large area." Orland answered.

"Didn't Miss Anna take part in securing the sea?" cedrik's question cuts through Orland's explanation.

"No. That's because Miss Anna is concentrating on the construction of the Central Region's West Coast." Orland answered.

"But if this is allowed further, then the views of the citizens in the affected areas will decrease against us. And it can lead to even greater rebellion" Nadir said. "Cities in the region will probably try to break away from our territory" he added.

"Yes, I'm well aware of that. But even so, we should still work on the best thing to prevent it" Orland replied uninspiredly.

-

-

"What I heard from the sailors who patrol today, the sea route from Xin City to the north is often disturbed by pirates" Nikolai said from the seat before Anna, on a second-floor balcony overlooking the sea and the twilight sky.

That place was Anna's new residence. It was built right on the edge of the cliff before an additional pier building jutting over the shallow waters. Not far from the shipyard that looks still half-finished.

"Ironically, now they're doing something that I've done" said Anna, who is still watching the streets above the pier and the construction of the shipyard that has begun to stop for the day. The warm wind from the land started blowing.

"And it seems like all of that was masterminded by Galvin and Arias" Nikolai said.

"Don't you remember how Galvin was caught and taken to Wang City?" This time Anna set her sights on Nikolai.

"It looks like he managed to escape after the rebels attacked an important facility in the city" Nikolai explained.

"Oh, as it turns out." Anna responded. "And did the pirates take a lot of casualties?" continue with the question.

"Not much. Because after that people began to use a circular land route to go to the north," Nikolai replied.

"A moment after our shipyard is completed, we can start to open sea crossing services that will make people feel safe again to travel through the ocean" Anna said.

Nikolai looked at Anna with a small smile. "Didn't you miss sailing again, An?" tanyanya.

"I can do that all my life. But now the most important thing is to build this region first." Anna looked back towards the construction of the shipyard which seemed to have begun to desolate people, along with the growing darkening of the sky. "Our responsibility now is to make sure the people living in this region feel adequate and treated fairly" he added.

"Well, I've noticed you've started to change, An. Since our attack south yesterday." Nikolai began to express what he had been thinking about Anna.

"Yes, I think so." Anna answered calmly. "A lot has happened over the last few months" he added later.

"Have you made peace with yourself?" ask Nikolai again.

"Come, Nik. But obviously I'm not as angry as I used to be with everything" Anna replied later with a faint smile.

"Yes, I see it that way too. Now you look calmer. Look more like a real captain" Nikolai replied jokingly.

"Oh, what are you missing? I am a true captain." Anna pretended to be angry.

"Didn't you want to see the state of Xin City?" ask Nikolai again, in a slower tone.

"Maybe not for this very near future. But I think the city will be fine under the leadership of Mr. Sabil" Anna replied quickly.

"Evening, Miss Anna! Lord Nikolai!" Suddenly a cry came from the street outside Anna's residence.

"Oh, Miss Ende, Mr. Sigurd," Nikolai replied as soon as he stood up from his chair and found Ende standing on the wooden street under the balcony, it was a small wave next to Sigurd.

At the same time the street lights started to light one by one along the road. Dark yellow, trying to compensate for the light in the increasingly bristling sky. There was also a buzzing sound from the light bulb when electrified.

"Yes, Miss Anna. Ende was already impatient to get to him," Sigurd replied later, looking up at Anna and Nikolai.

"Stop that, Sig! Don't listen to Sigurd's nonsense, Miss Anna," said Ende, who looked a little upset.

"Why, Miss Ende? Is this West Coast city not as good as the other cities in the kingdom of Rhodes, so you don't want to live in this place?" ask Anna then.

"really so. Don't you see any chance in this town? The city is growing rapidly, En? That shipyard, as well as the area that will be a place of entertainment over those shallow waters, do you not see that as an opportunity for the future?" Siguard deliberately added to Anna's speech.

"Oh, and there is also still a Lighthouse that will be the Guiding Beacon for the world, which will be the pride of this city. Not. but the pride of this kingdom," Sigurd added, pointing to the cliff to the right of Anna's residence. Which stands a building the size of two horse carriages shaped like a guard tower with a height of three times the height of the city fortress in general. And a circular glass room at the top. It emits a bright yellow light from within.

"Have not started, Sig" Ende immediately charged. It was seen that he was starting to get really upset with Sigurd. "That's not what I mean, Miss Anna. I don't want to be a branch manager. Because I don't like the job of taking care of paper and just staying behind the table" he hurriedly tried to explain what he said to Anna, so as not to cause misunderstandings. The others responded with laughter.

"Close here. I'll make you some tea" invite Nikolai later.

"Thank you, Mr. Nikolai. But we're in a hurry. Before the last train left, "" Ende replied, then refused Nikolai's invitation.

"Do you want to go home quickly? It's too late to go home now, what else for a fighter and adventurer like you two" Nikolai replied.

"Hahaha, that's right, Mr. Nikolai. We were planning to head to the Bar in the Central city for drinks. A day in the sea breeze makes me feel bad." Ende answered while laughing.

"What if you two join us at the Bar?" This time replace Sigurd who invited Anna and Nikolai.

"Thank you, Mr. Sigurd. But, we both had too much to drink from earlier," Anna replied, refusing Sigurd's invitation.

"Haha... It is amazing that our captain is this one. Well then, we'll excuse you. We have to catch the train" Sigurd said later.

"Well, be careful." Anna waved the small along with Ende and Sigurd who were walking towards the cliff wall on the east side. The place where the Train Station was built behind it.

.

Ende and Sigurd met with their acquaintances when the train they were riding stopped at a station located not far from Selene's place, to raise and deport passengers.

They were new people in the area. Just a month and a half opened a clothing store around the City Station area, opposite the main headquarters of the Fire Star in the Central city.

Morra's man named Elcid has an eccentric style of dress. Almost like Aksa's style of dress. The typical luxury coat of the nobles he wore had a light brown headscarf. Combined with noble pants that have matching colors, but with ornaments such as short-stitched tassels attached along the outside of the legs.

Her curly hair was allowed to unravel covering half the side of her ear. Seemed though faint, his lips dyed red as is often done by noble women when dressing up.

"Hi, Miss Ende, Mr Sigurd, how are you?" Say hello to Elcid with a slightly gurgling tone. Who then self-assured in the seat in front of Ende and Sigurd sat down. Their seats face each other.

"Okay, Mr. Elcid. Are you looking for materials for your clothes?" answer Sigurd with a question.

"That's right, Mr. Sigurd. Now this scarf from the fox fur of the Cleavage Tail is very much in vogue by the market, you know?" elcid replied with an exaggerated hand gesture.

"And does Mr Selene have the fox fur?" This time it was Ende who asked as Elcid started to busily check something inside his bag.

"There are, but unfortunately there are only two," replied Elcid while taking out a small roll of furry skin, which he then showed to Ende and Sigurd. "But it's not to blame either, because Mr. Selene only uses fur from dead animals in this place" he explained.

"And even though Mr. Selene's breeding place is quite large, but the population of animals in that place is not too much." Sigurd. "Maybe you can look for it in the Northern Mainland region. Because the population is too large, the type of animal is hunted there," he said then provide input.

"Oh, really? But why does the Fire Star not open services for hunting animals? It would be better if I use the services of people I already know his abilities." Elcid replied still with unnecessary hand gestures.

"Hunting service is only opened in the southern branch, Mr. Elcid. Not in this Central area. Because there are no more wild animals to hunt in this region," replied Ende who was seen still observing Elcid's feather scroll earlier.

"I think you're right, how could a place like this have such a beast?" elcid said while showing the view outside the train window.

"A little over a year ago, this place was filled with ferocious beasts, Mr. Elcid." Sigurd.

"really?"

"really. I still remember clearly, having to hunt some Hyena Padas and Antelope Cinder around this region. In a large, dusty area. It was cold and dark at night" Sigurd replied. "But now, lighting is almost always in every corner of the region. There is a road that looks solidly built along this train track. And even some iron chariots were seen crowded passing in the street," he continued, pointing to the view seen from behind the train window.

"That's because there are posts built at every certain distance to guard along this path. So the residents still feel safe walking in areas that are still quiet." Ende cut Sigurd's speech.

"Not to mention the Waterfall," said Elcid suddenly when the hill of the dam began to be seen from the window, set on the moon that had just appeared in the night sky. "And also the rivers that flow around it. That looks like it's filled with diamonds, when it's reflected by the moonlight. All of it is a very grand masterpiece," he added then with full expression.

"Are you okay, Mr Elcid?" ask Ende subconsciously whether the question can offend Elcid or not.

"Yes... Oh, forgive me. A full moon night like this always makes my romantic side turbulent," replied Elcid who then closed his eyes and touched his right hand to the chest with full appreciation.

Ende and Sigurd looked at each other in silence. Ende was seen trying to smile, while Sigurd was seen trying to hold back his laughter.

"It was all built by a young man named Aksa" Ende said trying to shift the situation that felt awkward for him.

"Yes, I've heard about that story. But unfortunately I have never met directly with a maestro who has created such a masterpiece. Where exactly is Lord Aksa?" Elcid is still speaking in an animated style. Which caused Sigurd to be increasingly seen trying harder to continue to hold back his laughter.

"From what I've heard, they're shutting themselves up in a cave at the bottom of the Star Alcove," Sigurd tried to answer to distract him and make him stop for a laugh.

"Bring yourself up in the cave?" elcid looked surprised with an exaggerated expression.

"They are strange people. Their thinking is not like normal people in general" said Ende chimed.

"Clearly, a person who has the ability to create such a masterpiece, would not be at the level of a general human being. I might be able to understand a little why he had to confine himself inside the cave at this moment. It must be because intuition has called and moved it" Elcid said in response to Ende's words.

Hearing the response from Elcid made Sigurd involuntarily laugh short with a voice, which he then hurriedly stopped while closing his hands towards his mouth.

-

Meanwhile, at Anna's residence, it appears that the woman is having dinner alone with her nephew, Gale. Because in the residence now only lived by the two of them alone.

Nikolai and some of the caretakers who were often seen at Anna's residence in the morning, had built their houses around the cliff. So when viewed from the sea, the area looks like buildings that are deliberately attached randomly on the side of a cliff.

"You're home late today, Gale?" anna asked to open a conversation with the 9-year-old boy.

"Yes, because I had stopped by Mr. Selene's place to help her take care of the Mystical Beasts," replied Gale from the seat across the table in front of Anna.

"Oh, are you interested in those animals?" anna asked after sipping water in her glass.

"really. The animals were smart and also great," Gale replied looking excited.

"But still they are wild animals. So don't approach them without Mr. Selene's supervision. Understood?" Anna was heard warning.

"Yes-yes, I understand." Gale answered accordingly.

"Then how are you doing at school?" Anna asked again continuing the topic of conversation.

"Hm. usual," replied Gale who was done with the portion of the meal. "Just a few weeks ago, our class had two princes" he continued, in a tone that again sounded enthusiastic and excited.

"Prince?" asked Anna who looked confused.

"True, according to Herman they were princes of the Elbrasta kingdom," Gale tried to explain.

"Oh, what do you mean Mr Alexander and Mr Eden?" Anna began to understand what her nephew was talking about. "So the two of them attended school with the others in Central City?" her question then was actually aimed at herself.

"Yes, but Alexander always looked sad. It was hard to get him to play. Different from his brother, Eden. We-I mean me, Andele, and Matt, prefer to play with Eden." Gale continued his story. "Only Herman has always accompanied Alexander" he added later.

"But, did you study hard at school?" Anna asked again.

"certainly so. Because I don't want to lose to Andele. He excels in calculations. I excel in Chemistry and Biology," replied Gale who explained in an arrogant tone.

"What is Chemistry and Biology?" Anna again did not understand what the boy before her was talking about.

"Oh, Aunt An. You're so outdated. You should also go to school with us" Gale replied as he shook his head with a resigned expression.

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