(Before the ships of the Empire arrived)

"Go, make sure you prepare a grand welcome to the people of the empire."

"Move it! Put that there."

On the port of Trade city Ashton. The people of the royal family, is hastily preparing a welcome to their 'guests'.

"Father, at last our kingdom will enter it's true prosperous stage."

"I know that my son, as the king of the Lina kingdom. I only think of the greater good for us."

Two people, one young and old. On the front of preparations. Is standing, waiting for the esteemed 'guests'. Is Michal the king of Lina kingdom and his son, prince Landof.

"For the future of the kingdom my father. With the empire's help, we will finally be able to surpass our rivals."(Prince Landof)

"Except for one."(King Michal)

On the left side of preparations, are the people of Biscot kingdom

"Hahaha, Michal old friend. Good seeing you here."

A person from the left side of the preparations, called Michal. Based on this person's tone, that person seems to be implying that they are good old 'friends' for a very long time.

However Michal on the other hand, seems to reject being called like that.

"Quit your yapping Cronel. When were we friends."(King Michal)

"As the king of the Biscot kingdom. Should I not regard an ally kingdom as a friend?"(King Cronel)

This person with the friendly-aloof tone is the king of Biscot kingdom, King Cronel.

But the said 'tone' then changed into something not very much friendly like.

"To be honest, I think that the Lina kingdom should just back down from this."(King Cronel)

"And why is that." Said King Michal in a flat tone.

"Because the Empire only needs one kingdom to give it's grace with." Said King Cronel with a voice filled with confidence and contempt at Michal.

Michal had no expression on his face but his eyes was filled with fury at his ridicule.

"Father show some manners would you." Said a person to Cronel.

"Ah Crome, hehe sorry for that. Just caught up in a little competition there you see."(King Cronel)

This person that called King Cronel father, is Crome or Prince Crome of the Biscot Kingdom.

"And Landof why don't you get your 'father' to do his own stuff now. There is an important guest coming and your just standing their like a duck. Should you not be getting ready?"

Landof just scoffed at Crome and paid no heed to him like he was nothing. Right after scoffing at him he walk away turning his back at Crome.

Crome knowing that he was being insulted had fury in his eyes but returned to being calm after a few moments.

"Come Father we still have to do our own preparations." (Prince Crome)

King Cronel just shrugged his shoulders and followed his son.

King Michal seeing the backs of the two, turned back to his own side of preparations to welcome the Empire.

.....

(Present time)

At this moment the Empire had finally come to the port and landed.

With the Biscot kingdom on the left and the Lina kingdom on the right. One could say that this was the grandest welcoming in the whole Tridom Republic.

But what questioned this grand welcoming was, were was the people of the Marsus kingdom?

Nevertheless not much people paid attention to it.

And so the welcoming begins.

"Representing the Empire's people, our special guest in importance and graciousness of the Empire for it's blessing to us...."

While the person who spoke at front was introducing and praising the empire, ramps are then lowered and the people of the empire came down from the airship.

At first everyone eyes represented boredom to the 'introductions' of the person at front, but when the empire people came out. The eyes of the people flashed with light and reverence.

The people of the Empire wore glorious clothes not even found in the Republic, even the soldiers wore armors much grander than the royal knights of the Biscot and Lina kingdoms. Those with keen eyes also noticed that the armors the soldiers of the empire were wearing were also top grade magic armors.

Top grade magic armors! Even in the Republic only few had such times, yet the normal soldiers of the empire were wearing such armors.

This showed envy to the people's eyes as such that even a normal soldiers in the empire could were such armors.

Of course to the Empire this was only propaganda.

"Now representing Duchess Veras Mirconi of the Empire."

When this name was heard, all the people that didn't pay that much attention looked at the person that descended at the platform.

This person was a woman. The woman had beautiful face features with voluptuous curves. Her slender body also gave people unimaginable ideas if they could have her coupled with her fiery red eyes and hair. Any man would probably try to subdue her heart.

Of course it was only a 'try' in their own imaginations. Because those who are knowledgeable would recognize her as the very well known Captain lady valkery of the red rose corps of the empire.

When Duke Veras finally came down, the two kings, Cronel and Michal went to her to show their 'greetings'.

Duke Veras just smiled beautifully at there greetings. But in the inside that smile was actually mockery to the faces of the two kingdoms.

"Duke Veras, as for today is a grand welcoming, we could move the talks tommorow and let you and your people enjoy the city as much as you can." Said King Cronel.

Michal glancing at Cronel then looking back Veras then said. "I agree with Cronel. It must have been a tiring travel from here to the empire so we could just move the talks to some other time while you enjoy and relax yourselves at the prosperous city of our republic."

Veras, still smiling said "How nice of your offers King Cronel of Biscot kingdom and King Michal of Lina kingdom. Very well I shall tell my people that we are to relax our time in the 'prosperous' city of the republic."

"Then I shall arrange for your people's carriage and get you and your people the best places in the city."(King Michal)

"And I shall arrange your lodging and make sure you have the best escort always by your side Miss Veras."(King Cronel)

Veras, getting annoyed, knowing a 'competition' is happening before her own face, was still all smiles.

And then while such things was happening, she suddenly thought of something very dirty, a very dirty idea.

"Then King Cronel please do arrange for our lodging, also please manage our ships for the moment."(Veras)

Cronel being called suddenly had a bright face hearing the phrase 'manage our ships'.

With such words being told to him he felt that he was trusted more than Michal and so immediately took his people did what was 'ordered' to him.

Veras then looked at Michal and said "Now then King Michal shall we go and have a bit of a friendly chit chat while having some tea."

Michal hearing that, responded immediately.

"Very well, I shall prepare a private garden for your services Duke Veras."

"Oh please, stop the formalities and just call me Veras." Said Veras with a wink.

Hearing her saying to him to drop the formalities and also seeing her wink at him. King Michal couldn't help but start imagining what sort of happenings would occur in this 'friendly chit chat'.

.....

While the welcoming was currently happening, a normal looking carriage with mercenary looking people were moving eastward from the city.

This carriage consisted of 3 people. One young girl in her mid teens, a woman in her forties, and a middle aged man.

"Father, Mother. Are you sure you don't want to go to the welcoming?" Said the young girl.

"Yes, to us what you decided is more important than some welcoming." Said the middle aged man.

The young girl couldn't help but smile wryly at the reply of the middle aged man.

"To be not blinded by the Empire and with your guide, us as your parents, are giving our full support on your decision Illa." Said the woman.

Yes, this is Princess Illa of the Marsus kingdom, the sole successor to the throne of the kingdom and future queen of it.

The middle aged man is King Braum and the woman is her mother, Queen Alcy.

The mercenaries outside are also the royal guards of the Marsus kingdom.

And now they are moving eastward to were they were supposed to go to meet Driff and Marx.

With the decision of theirs to abandon the welcoming just to meet with the unknown country.

This concludes the beggining of diplomatic connections between the Marsus kingdom and the unknown country known as the Philippines.

(Word count: 1489 words)