The Thousand Year Dynasty
Anthology 11
"I'm really curious about those two people. Are they really in that cave?" Deuxter asked as he was with Loujze and Huebert were around the lips of the Sekai forest in the middle of their journey towards the Eastern Village.
"Eitherway. But when we went there two days ago, we were only allowed to the mouth of the cave" Huebert replied.
"Did you feel them yesterday, Loujze?" Deuxter asked.
"I can't feel it. Perhaps because it was too far from the mouth of the cave," Loujze replied from beside Huebert.
"That's weird. Even Mr. Val and Miss Lily who would never release Mr. Aksa and Mr. Nata from their custody were left with no explanation at all" Deuxter later said.
"But perhaps it was because of Mr. Val and Miss Lily's much more experience that the two of them were able to remain calm. Much different from Mr. Couran and Miss Rafa." Huebert.
"really. They seem very worried. But if it is true what they say that Mr Aksa and Mr Nata are planning something, why do they not seem interested in it? That's a very, very suspicious thing" Loujze added, which was immediately approved by his two colleagues.
Not long after they arrived at the animal breeding area, specifically birds and insects built not far from the rubber and bamboo plantation area. Right at the mouth of Sekai Forest.
And as the trio of hunters approached, the, they immediately knew that Selene was in that place because the Silver Wolf was seen sitting comfortably under a tree in front of a large and spacious wooden house.
Although around the place crowded passing by the Yllgarians, but only the existence of the trio of hunters that attracted the attention of the Silver Wolf earlier. To make the wolf stand while wagging its tail staring at the trio of hunters approaching.
"What's up, Popo?" asked Selene who was not far from the wooden house earlier when she saw her wolf suddenly stand up.
"Good day, Mr. Selene," said Loujze from a distance.
"Oh, you guys back?" Selene looks a little surprised to find a trio of hunters behind her.
"You're doing a check-up on this captive?" This time it was Deuxter who was fighting when the three of them were already quite close to Selene and her Silver Wolf.
"really. While passing through this territory," Selene replied later.
"Are you going to Fla's?" loujze asked as he rubbed Selene's wolf head.
"really. Are you going there too?" Selene is seen starting to tidy up her clothes and clean the dirt on the end of her pants.
"We'll be there too. Then we can go there together" Huebert said later.
"Oh, I happened to come here alone with Popo. And now I have more friends talking on the road" Selene replied with a smile.
"Did you use that iron chariot to come here?" Loujze pointed towards an iron carriage without a roof, with two seats at the front and one long seat in a lined position behind it.
"Yes," Selene answered quickly.
"This iron train is yours? That's great." Loujze looked amazed as he approached and watched the iron chariot closely.
"Yes, that's because this iron chariot is very easy to control." Selene answered. "And it's pretty cheap if I say. No more expensive than a horse carriage in general, but much stronger and durable because it is made of iron and without a towing horse" he continued, walking closer to the iron carriage.
"Just as soon as we arrived here a few days ago, we often find this form of iron train passing through the streets in the Central region. Yeah, maybe not too much on this East side." Deuxter said as he walked after Selene.
"Because it is relatively cheap, so some people can afford it, and the traders must have chosen to buy this carriage instead of ordinary horse carriages" Selene responded. "Yes, perhaps the greatest shortcoming of this iron chariot is, it will not be very useful outside of our territory. Because it uses liquid fuel to move it. Which is only made in this region," he explained.
"Oh, is the building like a shiny iron tube in your place?" asked Loujze who was now sitting in the back seat of the iron chariot, even before Selene invited him.
"really. The gas cooler is also near the East Village there. There are only two liquid fuel producing places in the region." Selene explained as she was already sitting in the steering chair of the iron chariot.
"Oh, I've never seen one in the East Village." Huebert said as he settled down in the back seat with Loujze and Selene's Wolf. Deuxter sat in the front seat next to Selene.
"That place just finished in the wake of these weeks. The place is not far from the Cooling building," Selene replied.
"Oh, that cold building shaped like a drill bit? I know that," Loujze interrupted excitedly.
"Yes that place." Selene started burning the iron chariot. And before long, the iron chariot began to tremble slowly.
"It's amazing that this place is growing so much even though we've only been living for less than a month" said Huebert next to the wolf Selene who seemed to be sitting leaning back in the back seat.
"Even without the interference of Lord Aksa and Lord Nata." Deuxter.
"Yes, I wouldn't say that this development was without their interference either." Selene replied as the iron carriage they were riding on began to walk.
"You mean?" Loujze looked curious.
"That's because Mr. Nata and Mr. Aksa had already completed their ten-year work plan for this region, even before the Kingdom of Rhodes was announced" Selene explained.
"Yes, that sounds like both of them." Deuxter.
"really. But unfortunately the southern region cannot follow the guidance of the work plan," Selene said later. "All my work in the region, no one's on time. Everything's off. Which makes the cost of development so swell," he added as if he was complaining.
"Yes, it is still very chaotic there compared to this region" Loujze said in response.
"Talking about Mr Aksa and Mr Nata, do you know anything, Mr Selene?" Deuxter asked another topic.
"Do you feel suspicious?" Instead of answering, Selene asked back. And the question was answered only with a nod by Deuxter.
"I guess I'm not the only one who feels that," said Selene who looks a little relieved while still looking at the street in front of him. "But unfortunately I don't know anything about it as much as you do" he added.
"I only found out from Madame Katarina a week after the two of them locked themselves in the cave." Selene continued. "It's because Miss Katarina and Miss Ellian also just found out from Mr. Couran a few days earlier."
"It's really suspicious" Deuxter responded.
"Moreover, there has never been any discussion or explanation of the matter of the two of them in the Cabinet meeting." Selene added.
"That's even more suspicious." This time it was Huebert who spoke.
"Even Mr. Orland, and the Queen herself, avoided the theme of the conversation" Selene said later as they were just passing through the intersection of the road to the East Village and the Middle City.
"That means it's been decided that we should investigate this, Dex, Hue," Loujze said later, which sounded more like a rule than a conclusion.
"Yes, I agree." Deuxter and Huebert answered almost simultaneously.
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In the afternoon at Khan's residence in East Village, the traditional ceremony for Fla and Livia's wedding was held.
The ceremony consisted of only a few short rituals that did not take long.
Fla and Livia were wearing only their ancestral clothing. The form of white shirt and pants with blue box motifs in several places, coupled with long robes that still have the same color and motif, for Fla.
Livia was wearing a white canal dress with a red flower motif, which was also wrapped in a long robe that had the same color and motif.
The event was only attended by residents who lived or came from the East Village, Sekai Village on the east coast, and some Yllgarian who also lived or came from around the region.
Guests who really come from outside are just a few. One of them is Selene and the Lumire family. While the trio of hunters are not counted as outsiders because all this time their residence was in the settlement of the miners at the foot of Sekai mountain not far from the mouth of Sekai Forest.
It seemed that all the guests greeted each other and chatted after congratulating Fla and Livia. They enjoyed a forced dinner in the backyard, as Khan's residence was not large enough to accommodate about 50 guests.
It seems that the event is also used by some people to greet their friends who have not met for a long time because they have to move places to pursue a better life.
Luke is one of them. He accidentally saw his old friend among the guests in the backyard while enjoying a meal.
"Hey, Maria. How are you doing? I heard you came out of the Forest and settled in the Southern City area?" Luke greeted and approached the girl Yllgarian Tiger Beetle who was sitting on a wooden bench while enjoying a drink in his glass.
"What is Greening?" luke asked after putting himself on the bench next to Maria.
"Easy thing is we're trying to grow plants in that soil." Maria tried to explain what she meant.
"It seems like a tough task" Luke responded.
"Not really. I thought it was a fun task" Maria replied. "You stop by occasionally to the Southern City. Now that place is so crowded? busy. Not inferior to Central City," he continued who looked enthusiastic.
"Is that so?" Luke looks happy for his best friend. "Then how do humans respond in that region?" tanyanya.
"Those who have lived in the region for a long time are much more friendly and open than the migrants" Maria said. "But instead of them being unfriendly, I just felt that they were...."
"Shegan?" cut Luke to guess.
"No. Tapj is more afraid of us, the Yllgarians," Mary replied later.
Luke is seen nodding then putting his right hand back to support his body load. "No wonder either. Yllgarian has a reputation that is not so good with humans since hundreds of years ago, and surely such a view cannot be simply eliminated," he said later. "What else do we look like, which is undeniably scary enough for humans. Another story is that it's Miss Lily. Who wouldn't fall in love with an adorable rabbit like him?"
"Hahaha.be careful when you talk, Luke. You can get charred by White Lightning," said Maria with a laugh. "But by the way I didn't see Miss Lily. Can't he attend? I heard that Mr. Aksa and Mr. Nata were doing something in the cave at the base of the Star Alcove. Did Miss Lily come with the two of them, or did she have to stand guard around the cave?" he asked then with curiosity.
"No, Miss Lily did not come with Mr. Aksa and Mr. Nata. He is now with the Wise in the Sekai Forest." Luke tries to give the information he knows to his best friend.
"Oh, really? I didn't hear from you about it" said Maria, who was completely unaware of it. "I think I've been out of the woods too long. I think I should make an occasional visit into the forest again," he said later.
"Are you comfortable in the human environment now? Until never visiting the forest again" asked Luke in a joking tone.
"Yes, not so. I'm not like you who have been mingling with humans for a long time" Maria said. "Sometimes I still have to adjust to them. Until we in South City have a small community of Yllgarian for shelter and help each other if we have problems that are not possible to solve by human assistance" he continued.
"Yes, maybe you're right. Maybe it feels like that. I did not experience this because I was a slave. I didn't even feel like I had a problem at the time" Luke replied in a joking tone.
"Sorry, Luke. Not that I want to remind you of that bad experience." Mary felt sorry for lifting up what reminded Luke of his dark days.
"It's okay. No need to worry," said Luke quickly. "I've accepted and let go of those memories, so I don't feel sad or angry remembering them. Because today is today. The happy day of my two best friends" he added.
"You're right. Today is today. A day full of happiness." Maria looks as excited and enthusiastic as ever. "You should really come to South City, Luke. In that place was a Tribal Cluster that had the ability to concoct an extremely delicious herbal tea. You have to try it" he said, then tried to invite Luke.
"Well, I'll visit you next weekend" Luke replied later.
"All right, I'll wait." Maria seemed to be smiling happily.
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A day later at the South Gate. A Morra woman and man were walking through a trading area located at the southern end of the region.
There was a wooden magic wand along the arm of an adult man with a green gem on the top hanging from the waist of each of the two men. It depends on the way a fighter hangs a sword.
And although their clothes were both not uniform, yet one would easily recognize them as a Healer. Two Healers from the Fire Star Fighter Guild. Diana and Thomas.
They were both quite famous in the South City region ever since the Star Fire group opened a branch headquarters in the city.
That's because they are both a good and deft Healer. For the first month in the region, they have saved the lives of people living in the region several times.
Then, due to the rarity of a Healer in the whole kingdom of Rhodesia, their reputation increased. Until now there was no one who did not know the Southern City Healer Pair.
"I think we need to discuss this with Mrs Amithy." Diana, a Morra woman with a beautiful face and long brown hair that was bunched up said in the middle of their journey out of the busy trading area.
"Is this still some nonsense not received about the Bar problem yesterday?" Thomas, a tyrannical-faced Morra man, with a flap haircut retorted with a lazy-looking face.
"really. Wh why? Don't you accept that I don't?" Diana responded with a tone and a cynical look towards Thomas.
Now they had already exited the Trade area and were walking towards the town square.
"You're not drunk, it's weird. I don't think it's a good idea to ask Lady Amithy to open a bar in this town" Thomas said, ignoring Diana's cynical remarks.
"Why didn't Mr Pietro open a branch in this Southern City? I miss drinking at his bar." It was Diana's turn to ignore Thomas.
"There's no need to be that dramatic" Thomas said. "Aren't you still able to drink alcoholic beverages in the region? Like alcohol is not sold at all in this region" he continued in a slightly irritated tone.
"Drinking alcohol in a bar is clearly different from drinking at home" Diana said.
"I don't understand where the difference is? Still you'll get drunk if you drink too much." Thomas seemed to be looking for a way out of a strange problem.
"Yes, for those of you who like herbal tea, obviously will not understand the pleasure of drinking in a Bar. The sensation is different from when you drink at home alone," Diana replied trying to give an explanation and reason.
"What's wrong with Herbal Tea? Equally warm the body, herbal tea is clearly much healthier than alcohol" said Thomas who felt a little unacceptable. "And much more suited to a Healer like us, right?" added later.
"What matches a Healer? Herbal Tea? You think healers are people with healthy lifestyles?" Diana shook her head slowly. "It is precisely because I am Healer that I need not worry about what I eat or drink. I'll just heal," he continued.
Thomas just fell silent while turning his head to shake the words of Diana.
.
After arriving at the town square, the two stopped at a tavern selling typical Southern tribal food, for lunch. This Southern city is indeed filled with types of food, types of crafts, and cultures from various tribes from the south.
That is because, now South City is a residence for 5 tribes from the South Mainland. Tribes that had previously dwelt in the territory of southern kingdoms that were not recognized or had experienced oppression and were driven out by their previous rulers. And ended up asking for protection and a place to live in the South City area.
And after many displaced tribes from the south, just after the Kingdom of Rhodes was officially established, five tribes also officially became part of the Southern City.
The five tribes were the Tempest tribe, the Rufaga tribe, the Erupcio tribe, the Terratrem tribe, and the Ciclo tribe.
And because it was built with a diverse cultural foundation, the area within the South City became unlike the city area in general. Especially in the position of building a residence. Where each tribe chose to build their residence in groups which then made a kind of small village in the City. Which is finally called the Group.
In total there are 7 Groups in total within the city. The first five were clearly the Clusters of the five tribes. Then there was the Cluster for the Yllgarians, and the last was the Cluster filled by the military men. Although there were still people who built their residences outside the Clusters, the numbers were very small. And usually only government buildings and public facilities such as stations, markets, and squares are built outside the Group.
.
And soon a young Morra dressed as a hunter came to Diana and Thomas as they were both finished with their lunch.
"The two of you are here as it turns out, I'm looking for you everywhere." The young Morra spoke with a little breath. Which indicates he just ran.
"Why, Hall? Is there a problem going on?" Thomas asked looking curious.
"No, no problem. But there was a string of Lady Amithy who came to invite you to a meeting at her residence this afternoon" replied the young man who was called Hall later.
"Oh, this afternoon?" Thomas looks lazy.
"What else do you want him to talk about now?" Diana looked quite curious.
"And do not think to really propose the idea of opening a Bar in this place to Mrs Amithy, during the meeting later, Di," Thomas said.
"Yes, yeah, I know. Don't worry, I won't present such a ridiculous opinion to Madame Amithy" Diana said with her lazy face.
"That's you realize that your idea is ridiculous" chirped Thomas, who was only replied by Diana with a cynical look.
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