Chapter 8: The Memorial
With the threat of the Abyssal Demon Realm gone, one might have expected peace to settle over Solor. But that was not the case.
The retreating demons left behind vast swaths of land, some belonging to fallen empires (there had been more than one human empire in the past), some to slaughtered tribes, and a significant portion to the Bewildering Forest.
And so, a new war began, a war over these unclaimed territories. But this time, the three remaining powers—the humans, the elves, and the beastkin—were more restrained.
The elves, as always, were content to remain within their forests, only retaliating when attacked. So, there had been few skirmishes with the North Empire, their relationship still relatively friendly.
The Savage Lands, on the other hand, were like a smaller, less powerful version of the Abyssal Demon Realm, their various tribes united only by a shared love of conquest and slaughter. “Restraint” was not a word in their vocabulary.
But this time, they found themselves facing a familiar, unwelcome foe: a resurgent human empire.
With their new, advanced military devices, the North Empire had quickly established a foothold, crushing several beastkin tribes who had attempted to invade their territory.
However, after years of war, the North Empire’s population was depleted, and they lacked the manpower for further expansion.
But… they had found a different path to “expansion.”
“Gentlemen, I assure you, my intentions are sincere,” Alonso said with a smile, but the twenty knights behind him, their pulse cannons raised, told a different story.
—This was a modified version of the Vikarn pulse cannon, less powerful but also less energy-intensive. A single shot could destroy a beastkin’s makeshift fortress.
And with twenty knights firing in unison, they could level the entire area.
This was Alonso’s “sincerity.”
“So, are you ready to talk?” he asked, his smile as sharp as a blade.
“If the North Empire has a better solution, I’m willing to listen,” the burly beastkin said, lowering his weapon, his tone still gruff, but his posture one of submission.
He knew his small force was no match for these heavily armed knights.
“Excellent,” Alonso nodded. “And what should I call you?”
“Rex, of the Sand Crocodile Tribe,” the beastkin grumbled.
“Human, what are your intentions?” Norma asked, her weapon still raised, her gaze fixed on Alonso.
She knew better than to trust appearances. A friendly face could hide a treacherous heart.
“A trade zone,” Alonso said simply. “We propose a trade zone, controlled by all three parties, with designated areas for each, to be managed independently.”
This was the North Empire’s new path to expansion, a policy set by the new empress, Lilia.
The device-cars exported to the Bewildering Forest’s sacred lands had been a trial run, and many of the North Empire’s products were already popular in the Savage Lands.
After all, even the ancient empire, even the Abyssal Demon Realm, had never been able to completely conquer all of Solor. Lilia knew the necessity of military strength, but she also understood its limitations.
So, she had chosen a different path, a path no one had ever considered before.
“Trade zone… I’ve heard that strange term before,” Rex said, a flicker of memory in his eyes. “You’ve convinced several other tribes to join you, haven’t you?”
“We’ve had some very… productive collaborations,” Alonso smiled. “I hope today will be just as productive.”
“I must refuse,” Norma said, surprisingly, before Rex could respond.
“I don’t know what you’re planning, human,” she said, her gaze fixed on Alonso, “but I will not allow anyone to encroach on the lands of the Bewildering Forest. You will have to step over our dead bodies.”
In ancient times, only the Abyssal Demon Realm had ever defeated the elves. The war against them had been one of their most brutal, second only to the war against the ancient empire.
Over seventy percent of the elven population had been wiped out, forcing them to retreat to their sacred lands.
“Lady Norma, no one wants to encroach on your lands. I can assure you of that. A trade zone would be beneficial to all three parties,” Alonso said, his tone sincere. “I saw you fight on the battlefield, Lady Norma. I admire your courage. I trust you will make the right decision for your people.”
“I’m sorry, but I refuse,” Norma said, her stubbornness unyielding.
Alonso sighed, frustrated, trying to think of another way to convince her, when a faint, melancholic melody drifted through the air.
His expression turned serious, and he turned to his knights. “All of you, salute, and a moment of silence.”
He knelt on one knee, his head bowed.
The other knights followed suit, a solemn silence falling over the clearing.
Norma was surprised, but Rex seemed to understand. “Ah, it’s that time again…”
“What time?” she asked, curious.
“A strange human knight ritual. They’ve been doing it for the past five years,” he said, his tone casual, knowing their fight was over for now. “Something about worshiping a god? I don’t know.”
“A god?” Norma frowned. She knew gods existed; they had blessed the Bewildering Forest in ancient times.
But this didn’t feel like a worship ceremony.
A heavy, mournful atmosphere filled the air.
“It’s less a worship ceremony… more a memorial…”
