The Guardians' Throne - The First Magic Swordsman

              When Zaos, Aleni, and Milliendra reached the capital of the Ashiris kingdom, they couldn't help but frown. There were a lot more people leaving the place than entering… it was supposed to be the opposite since it was so early in the morning, but… Zaos already knew why that was happening. Many youths were leaving to join the war, and they were going alongside many merchants and carts that were transporting magic weapons and magic stones. However, there was also a good number of ordinary citizens that didn't have any direct connection to the war but were leaving… they feared what might happen in the next three weeks once the army of the Sairus kingdom kept winning. Everyone was so busy that they crossed the southern gate without any problems.

"I am starting to think that the bandits of this time have no connection with the precious ones…" Zaos muttered.

"Then how do you explain the fact that they have magic weapons?" Aleni asked.

"That is a question that has been bothering me as of late," Zaos replied.

            Not even Aleni managed to gather much Intel about that since the groups of bandits that she heard about operated in different regions. Regardless, just in case they had to show others what they came from to the capital, Zaos had made some magic tools along the way, but it seemed that the people couldn't care less about them.

"Daddy…" Milliendra said with an anxious look in her eyes since she didn't remember seeing so many people before.

"All right… Let's find an inn to stay at," Zaos said. "You don't have to be afraid of anyone, Millie. Daddy will protect you from everything."

"Keep saying that and she will be shy forever," Aleni said. "You don't have any reason to be afraid of the people here, Millie. They are not bad, they are just a bit tired."

              Zaos was used to it, so he didn't notice the air of wariness in the capital. It was because the war lasted for so long, and now apparently, everything was telling them that they were going to lose. In any case, the capital was a pretty neat place. Despite the fact that pretty much everyone was thinking about war and doing things related to it, there was no confusion anywhere, and the place was completely clean. It was unexpected given how much more advanced the capital is as compared to other cities. Pretty much everywhere, Zaos could find someone doing something to keep the city clean with magic weapons. There were even dozens of versions of magic torches spread across the main street. That probably helped to keep the shops open and running even at night.

              Zaos found a few guards patrolling around the capital with magic weapons so powerful that the air around them vibrated. If a normal person gets by that, at the very least, they will have a nasty car for the rest of their lives. No wonder things were so peaceful…

"While I was collecting Intel, I heard that this kingdom has been using magic stones for more than one thousand years," Aleni said. "How can they use so much without running out of them?"

"It is because when mana is used, it isn't destroyed, it only spreads in the air," Zaos replied. "Eventually, the mana began to concentrate in several spots and then they turn into magic stones… or so says one of the books that we got in Meriton house. There is also the fact that humans have mana and we use it in several levels, so we help in propagating and making the cycle of mana work."

          It was one hell of a convenient cycle, and the people of Ashiris kingdom had been more than fortunate in using that to improve their lives. It was quite unexpected that they were losing the war, but it was probably because they didn't try to use everything to win like Dalyor did.

            Regardless, Zaos easily found several inns with many rooms available. Travelers didn't want to stay in the capital anymore, after all. Thanks to that, they got one pretty close to the castle. They could even see it from the window of their room. The castle wasn't bigger than the Sairus castle, but it was more radiant since many parts made use of magic stones. From afar, it seemed like a castle of crystal, but Zaos had eyes good enough to see that it was one heck of a fortress that could withstand a battle for weeks, if not months. As long they have soldiers and supplies, the royal family would be able to hold back the enemy army for quite a while… Unfortunately, the rest of the kingdom wouldn't last for long.

"It is quite the place, right Millie?" Zaos asked. "Do you want to see it from up close?"

          Milliendra shook her head several times to make sure that Zaos would understand the message. Now that was quite worrisome. Was he that shy, or were her instincts telling her that things might get troublesome if something bad happens? Unfortunately, with her powers involved, every single thing could escalate insanely fast.

"Well, don't worry, Millie," Zaos said. "We will only stay here for a few weeks and then we will find somewhere else to live?"

"Why can't we go home?" Milliendra asked.

"Well, you see… we are merchants, we need to travel and live where we can make money," Zaos replied after forcing a smile. "Things are getting complicated here and we won't have the chance to make money or even buy the honey that you like?"

          Naturally, Milliendra didn't get what Zaos told her… aside from the fact that something was happening and that she couldn't have her honey. Apparently, they were traveling to have honey all the time. At least, that was what Zaos thought that she concluded…

"How much do we have?" Aleni asked.

"In the worst-case scenario, a week," Zaos replied.. "We are one hundred kilometers away from the border, and if they win in the next few days, if they hurry up, they will arrive around that time and that is why we are going to do what we came to do in six days."

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