The official Drakensport delegation followed the same path once taken by the first envoy, but this time without Sir Edric Varlen, Sir Roderic, or Father Alric, who remained in Solaira City, immersed in Aurion's culture and history.
Leading the convoy was Lord Alistair Ventross, seated atop a well‑bred destrier, his fine cloak billowing with the wind. At his side rode Marshal Cedric Vaughn, armored head to toe, scanning the tree line with a soldier's wariness.
Behind them came two other prominent nobles—Lord Merrow, leaning lazily in his decorated carriage with a smirk, and Lady Arlenne, who sat upright, her expression calm but watchful. The rest of the delegation consisted of priests, scribes, merchants, and knights sworn to protect them.
"This is where the first envoy traveled?" Lady Arlenne asked, her eyes studying the unfamiliar stretches of wilderness.
Ventross nodded. "Yes. The priest and knights who first made contact followed this same road… though they were likely far more afraid than we are now."
Marshal Vaughn grunted. "Afraid? Perhaps. But they've seen these outsiders' power firsthand. And they told us of their 'steel dragons.'"
Lord Merrow scoffed. "Which makes it all the more clear. If they have such power, we must learn how to take it. These outsiders are not gods—they're men. And men can be conquered."
The caravan pressed forward. As the sun dipped lower, the dirt trail gave way to the strange, black‑paved Aurion road. The knights at the front slowed their horses, staring again at the unnatural smoothness beneath their hooves.
"What sorcery is this?" one knight muttered.
Ventross remained quiet, though his hand tightened on the reins.
Up ahead, the familiar sight of Outpost Sierra‑17 emerged, its structures and watchtowers standing firm against the horizon.
This time, however, the Aurion soldiers were already prepared. Sergeant Ramirez stood at the front of his platoon, waiting for the delegation. As the convoy drew near, the sound of engines rumbled—a strange armored cart, its wheels spinning without horses, pulled up beside the knights.
The vehicle came to a halt, and the rear door swung open. Sergeant Ramirez stepped out, his familiar face instantly recognized by some of the knights who had heard of him through the priest's letters.
The knights' hands instinctively went to their swords as the strange contraption idled, its steady mechanical growl unsettling the horses.
Ramirez raised a hand, speaking calmly through Dr. Voss's translated phrases. "Welcome. You'll be safe here. We'll escort you to the capital."
Though still wary, Lord Ventross gave a curt nod. "Then lead the way. We've come far to understand your people."
The platoon formed up, moving slowly so the Aurion vehicle would not outpace the horse‑drawn carriages.
Hours later, as dusk settled, the convoy reached the forward airfield. The envoys' eyes widened in disbelief as the AWACS—the great "steel dragon" they had seen circling the skies—descended onto the runway with a deafening roar. Moments later, two F‑35s followed, their sleek forms glinting under the setting sun.
The knights tightened their grip on their weapons, awe and fear mixing on their faces.
"This… this is their true power," Lady Arlenne whispered.
Lord Merrow's eyes gleamed, not with fear but with ambition. "And soon, we will learn how to make it ours."
Hours passed as preparations were made for their departure to Solaira City. When the delegation was finally led aboard the Aurion helicopter, many of them froze at the thought of entering what they believed was a living beast.
Ramirez reassured them in his usual calm tone, "This isn't alive. It's a machine. It will carry you to our capital faster than you've ever traveled."
With skepticism and tension heavy in the air, the knights and nobles boarded one by one.
As night fell, the helicopter lifted off the ground, and soon the gleaming skyline of Solaira City emerged from the darkness—a sight unlike anything the medieval envoys had ever imagined.
Inside the helicopter, the delegation exchanged hushed words as the city lights grew brighter beneath them.
Lord Merrow leaned back with a grin. "Look at it… towers taller than castles, lights brighter than any torch or spell. And yet they let us ride freely in their machine. These people are confident—too confident. That will be their undoing."
Marshal Vaughn scowled. "You mistake strength for arrogance, Merrow. What I see is a people so powerful that they do not need to flaunt their might. If they wished, they could destroy us without lifting a sword."
Lady Arlenne glanced between the two men, her voice calm but firm. "Both of you speak as though war is inevitable. But if we can trade with them, if we can learn their ways, we may grow stronger without needless bloodshed."
A younger knight spoke up nervously, clutching his sword hilt. "But what if they demand we worship their gods? Or bow to their king? What if this is all a trap?"
Ventross, who had remained silent, finally said, "That is why we are here. To see them, to learn from them, and to decide if they are threat or ally. Judge nothing too quickly—power like this is not gained without reason."
The humming of the rotors filled the silence that followed. Some of the knights looked out the windows in awe, others with unease.
For every noble dreaming of conquest, there was another who felt an unspoken fear settle deep in their chest.
Aurion was not a kingdom to be taken lightly.
As the helicopter descended toward Solaira City, the envoys gazed out at the sprawling metropolis glowing like a sea of stars.
Lord Merrow smirked as he leaned toward Ventross. "Magnificent, yes… but all this wealth, all this power—it makes them soft. They live too comfortably. A blade at their throats, and they'll beg for mercy like any man."
Marshal Vaughn shot him a sharp look. "You think these people are weak because they don't wear armor or carry swords? You saw their 'dragons.' You saw what a single one did to the undead. Do you truly believe they cannot defend themselves?"
Merrow shrugged, his grin unwavering. "Every power falls eventually. We simply have to learn their secrets, then take what is rightfully ours. Their weapons, their dragons—they should belong to Drakensport, not to these outsiders."
Lady Arlenne frowned. "That arrogance will be our ruin, Merrow. We've barely scratched the surface of their strength. If they wanted to destroy us, they could have done so already."
Another noble—Lord Halden, one of Merrow's allies—nodded in agreement with Merrow. "Perhaps they restrain themselves because they fear our gods. Perhaps their strength is great, but their resolve is weak. Men who live in comfort rarely fight as hard as those with something to prove."
Ventross finally turned to them, his tone measured but cold. "Underestimating them will cost us everything. The moment we think we can topple them is the moment we sign our own death warrants."
Still, Merrow and his supporters shared quiet, knowing glances. In their minds, Aurion was not a partner to befriend, but a power to be studied—then taken down once Drakensport was ready.
The helicopter touched down atop the glittering hotel tower, where Aurion staff waited to greet the delegation. As the doors opened, the envoys stepped out into a world far beyond their comprehension—some in awe, some in fear, and others already plotting how this great nation might one day fall.
For the next two days, the Drakensport envoys were guided through Solaira City, shown its bustling markets, towering skyscrapers, universities, and cultural landmarks. Everywhere they went, curious citizens glanced at their armor and robes, whispering among themselves but keeping a respectful distance.
Father Alric marveled at the vast libraries filled with books and devices that glowed with strange light. "Knowledge stored in boxes of glass… no scribe could ever dream of this."
Lady Arlenne walked through a museum, her gaze fixed on artifacts from Aurion's long past—its ancient kingdoms, its unification, its philosophy and art. "So much history… yet so little talk of conquest. They built their power differently."
Lord Merrow, however, paid little attention to culture. His eyes lingered instead on the busy trade districts, the wealth pouring through every street. "All of this… and they give it freely to commoners. A land where peasants live like lords. No wonder they've grown weak."
The Aurion guides carefully avoided any mention of military power or past wars. The envoys were shown inventions, education, and civic achievements—but nothing of fighter jets, artillery, or soldiers.
Ventross, more cautious than the others, took note of the quiet order of the city. "Look around you," he said to Halden as they walked through a spotless transit hub. "Do you see guards with swords? No. They don't need them. Power like this—true power—doesn't need to be flaunted."
As evening fell on the second day, their Aurion hosts informed them that the official delegations from Aurion's government would meet them soon.
The knights and nobles exchanged glances—some eager to push for trade, others already scheming to learn more than what was being shown.
But deep inside, even Merrow—despite his bravado—felt the unease of realizing that Aurion's true strength had yet to be revealed.
---
Two days later, the grand conference hall of the Aurion Ministry of Foreign Affairs was prepared for the historic meeting. The room was elegant but restrained—long glass walls overlooking Solaira City's skyline, a polished wooden table lined with flags of both nations. Cameras and translators were positioned discreetly, but the air was heavy with anticipation.
The Drakensport delegation entered first, led by Lady Arlenne, who had been chosen as the spokesperson for the economic faction. Behind her were Lord Merrow and Lord Halden, both standing tall with barely concealed ambition, while Marshal Vaughn and several knights stood silently as observers.
Moments later, the Aurion officials arrived. Foreign Minister Elena Choi led the delegation, flanked by Defense Minister Takahiro Sato, General Marcos Delos, and a team of advisors and translators.
Formal greetings were exchanged, and then the discussions began.
Elena Choi spoke with practiced diplomacy. "We welcome the Kingdom of Drakensport as honored guests of the Aurion Republic. This meeting is an opportunity to establish mutual understanding—through trade, cultural exchange, and peace."
Lady Arlenne responded calmly, "We thank you for your generosity and hospitality. Your land is… unlike anything we have ever seen. We wish to learn more, and we believe our nations can prosper together."
Talks started with simple matters—trade of grain, fabrics, and medicinal herbs in exchange for tools, textiles, and knowledge in farming techniques. Mineral rights became the next topic, as Drakensport's nobles eagerly discussed the exchange of iron and precious stones for Aurion goods.
But then Lord Merrow leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "And what of your dragons of steel? Surely a nation so great as Aurion does not fear sharing such creatures with its friends?"
The room fell silent for a moment.
Elena Choi's expression remained neutral. "The… 'steel dragons,' as you call them, are tools of defense. They are not for trade. Their use is restricted to Aurion's protection and the safety of its allies."
Lord Halden pressed further, "Yet allies share their strength, do they not? We do not ask for all of them—only the chance to learn. To see how such wonders are made."
Defense Minister Sato finally spoke, his tone polite but firm. "The weapons of Aurion are not commodities to be sold. Mutual growth can be achieved in many ways—but there are lines we will not cross."
Lady Arlenne quickly interjected to ease the tension. "Perhaps we can first focus on trade that benefits both nations equally. Once trust is built, greater cooperation may follow."
Merrow leaned back, hiding his frustration behind a forced smile. "Of course. Trust must be earned… and we intend to earn it."
But behind his composed expression, Merrow's mind was already plotting. If diplomacy could not bring them the steel dragons, then perhaps other means would.
The talks resumed, but every Aurion official at the table could sense the hunger in some of the Drakensport envoys' eyes.
As the trade discussions eased, Lady Arlenne shifted the topic carefully. "There is one more matter we wish to discuss—our faith. You are aware that Father Alric first came to your lands with the goal of sharing the word of our god. We ask now, formally, for the right to continue spreading our gospel among your people."
The room went quiet again. Elena Choi glanced briefly at President Velez's advisors on the far side of the table, then replied calmly, "Aurion is a land of many beliefs. Our constitution guarantees freedom of religion. However, we do not allow forced conversion or coercion in any form. Faith must be a choice, not a demand."
Father Alric, who had been silent until now, leaned forward. "We do not seek to force your people—only to offer them the truth. But… as you know, some who reject the truth may be led astray. It is our duty to guide them back to the light."
Defense Minister Sato's tone hardened slightly. "Father, Aurion does not share that view. If your priests come to preach, they will do so under our laws. Any act of violence or coercion in the name of faith will be treated as a crime."
Lord Merrow raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased. "You would deny the divine will for the sake of… mortal laws?"
General Delos cut in before Elena could respond. "Your god is yours. Our people are ours. If you want to spread your faith peacefully, we will not stop you—but we will not let your church rule our citizens."
Lady Arlenne quickly intervened, her voice steady. "Perhaps a middle ground—your people may choose freely to hear our preachers. We will send only those who understand diplomacy and restraint."
Elena nodded slowly. "That is acceptable. We will draft a formal agreement, ensuring all missionaries abide by Aurion's laws. No exceptions."
Father Alric said nothing, but his expression revealed clear unease. To him, faith without authority was faith that could be ignored.
Lord Merrow leaned back in his chair, forcing a smile. "Then we shall see whose truth shines brighter in the hearts of men."
Several Aurion officials exchanged brief, uneasy glances. It was clear that even as peace was spoken at the table, conflicting worldviews were already sharpening beneath the surface.