I Know the Secret to Surpass Level 100

Chapter 372: Emperor Yamato

The streets were filled with people. It was bustling with crowd and joyous music.

"Yeah, I'm having doubts about all this," Connor whispered to Elliot's ear. "I don't think they're all that bad."

"We can't just judge them by that fact," Elliot whispered back. "We have received accounts of how awful they are. Whatever is happening within their system, we will know soon enough."

"Okay then," Connor said, retreating his low voice. "But can we enjoy our stay here? Shyako looks fun."

"There are many leisuring activities here in Shyako," Sayu suddenly spoke. "Among the eight kingdoms, we are most famous for our hot springs. The water comes from a nearby magical volcano and will relieve any sickness you bear."

"That's amazing," Hope said in awe. "We will surely visit these hotsprings."

"That is good to hear," Sayu said. "We're almost at the castle. Please prepare your words of greetings to the emperor. He doesn't like a pause of silence in a conversation. He doesn't like when people who goes to him without being fully ready to converse with him."

"So, we have to talk and talk?" Elliot asked. 

"That is basically what you have to do," Sayu replied. "Tell him your intentions, your offers, and what your goal is by coming all the way here."

The words of Sayu made the group look at each other, slowly panicking. They weren't prepared for a speech, let alone a full on conversation with a man who doesn't like a moment of pause.

"We're doomed," Connor whispered.

Not long after, Sayu stopped and stepped to the side. She gracefully gestured her hand to show them the large castle in front of them.

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The castle had eight total floors, but the first two were built entirely with stone without any windows, only small holes that could fit arrows. On the third to eighth floor, wood was incorporated into the architecture.

Unlike the castles in Avancia which had towers, the Shyakoans had a single building but was obviously built mainly for defense. The moats on the stone part and the holes for the arrows were the main reasons behind it.

Two men guarded the front gate which were two large wooden doors on the first floor. They wore armor that looked unlike Avancian armor.

It was composed of pieces that covered the crucial parts of their bodies. Made from series of oblong-shaped plates that were connected by leather, the armor were built for movement.

The guards both had a helmet that were made with the same fashion as their armor, and a mask differ from each other. Hope held onto Lance's clothes when he saw the demon-looking masks that reminded them somehow of Irus's head form.

"They're the envoy from Avancia," Sayu spoke in the language the Avancians spoke.

This made the guards turn to one side and slammed their right foot. The wooden door creaked open not long after, revealing the magnificent interiors of the castle.

"The Emperor is in the top floor," Sayu said. "We will take the stairs up to there."

She led the group to the top floor until they were standing in the middle of a large room. In the middle were two wall dividers made of white cloth and wood. It had panels that surrounded someone inside. And judging by the aura the person side exudes, he wasn't much of a threat.

It made Elliot wonder why he felt uneasy after coming all the way to the emperor. No one thus far felt like a threat to them. Their aura and their presence alike weren't strong. They didn't felt powerful at all.

Sayu went down to her knees, making Elliot and his friends follow. She bowed her head and started to speak, "My lord Emperor Yamato, the envoy from the West has arrived."

"So they have," the man inside the wall dividers spoke. He spoke too soon that it sounded like he cut Sayu off. "I saw the airships and I felt their presence. Now, envoy from the West, what do you intend to do here in our small little kingdom?"

"We have come here to establish a treaty with all eight kingdoms in the East," Lance answered, making sure to take note of what Sayu said. "Our goal is to explore your humble kingdoms and understand each other's sides in hopes that we can become united in the future."

"And what will we benefit from this exchange of trust?" Emperor Yamato asked.

"Now that threats had been lurking in corners, we can't provide you goods or armies," Lance said. "But we can provide you friendship and partnership that will last for all lifetimes. We, in the Avancia will do our best to help if you needed it."

"And if we don't want your help?" Yamato challenged.

"Then we will not force you into anything. That is what friendship is all about," Lance answered him, making the emperor go silent for a few seconds.

The wall dividers were closed and the man himself revealed his appearance. A tall thin man with pale skin and rosy lips sat on a small purple pillow.

He wore clothes similar to Sayu, but had more masculine features. His sleeves weren't as long, and the color of his purple wasn't as light.

"By far, you have the best answer in all that visited us," Emperor Yamato said, grinning at Lance. "Spoken like a diplomatic man. I had looked for that, but sadly no one has yet to reach my expectations. Until now."

"What do you mean, sir?" Lance asked. "There were people before us?"

"Of course," Emperor Yamato said. "To be honest with you, the East has been receiving envoys since three years ago. But we only do it once a year, one kingdom every year. We reached out to smaller kingdoms first, fearing that a large kingdom such as Avancia would not understand."

The words of the emperor placed a smile of the group's lips. They were smiling at each other, thanking the heavens that they have reached their first agreement.

"You should explore our humble little kingdom tomorrow," Emperor Yamato said. "You can relax tonight in a hotspring directly in your room. The water is derived from the hotsprings below and we used magic to make it rise."

"That sounds wonderful," Lance smiled. "We are very grateful for your hospitality."

"And I am thankful that finally, we have an allied kingdom in the West," the man grinned. "Sayu, please escort them to their rooms. Make sure they are guarded and has a pleasant stay with us this week."

"I will, my lord," Sayu bowed to the ground before standing. "Everyone, please follow me."

They happily followed the woman which led them to a part of the castle. It was on the seventh floor and they occupied a quarter of it. It was like they have their own house inside the castle.

"The rooms and baths for men and women are separated," Sayu said. "I will be by the emperor's door, but another attendant will stay here for you."

"Thank you, Sayu," Lance smiled at the woman. "You have been a very wonderful host."

"I am only doing my job," Sayu replied. "But you have yet to do yours. I wish you all the luck."

The woman closed the sliding doors and her footsteps vanished outside. They looked at each other, the fear coming back after what Sayu said.

"The emperor is chill," Connor said. "Maybe she was just busy or something."

"I hope she is," Elliot sighed. "I'm feeling odd about how easily they accepted us, especially the emperor. Even offering us baths in their hotsprings."

"And I look forward to that tomorrow," Ed said, yawning and stretching his arm out. "I feel tired. I'll go sleep first."

After his sleepy state, Ed made the others want to take their rests too. They went to their rooms with two sharing each bed. The girls were in a separate room, while the boys were paired. Viper with Hope, Connor with Ed, and Lance with Elliot.

As they slept on to the comfortable beds made for them by the attendants, a whisper echoed in Elliot's ear.

"Wake up."

His eyes instantly opened, his body jolted up and he looked around. He was still in the room, and Lance was still on the other bed. The boy grunted and decided to drink a glass of water.

He got out of the room when he felt a tingling sensation run throughout his body. The entire castle was eerily silent. It maybe because it was nighttime, but something didn't feel right.

Elliot walked to the window and decided to watch the city which the castle overlooks. His eyes widened when he saw nothing but destroyed and barren city. The establishments and buildings were destroyed and no single person was outside.

Thinking he was just sleepy, he rubbed his eyes and took a look at the city again. Seeing the same barren and destroyed city, the boy could only cover his mouth with his hands. He shook his head slowly and take a step back but he bumped into something.

His head slowly turned and the boy saw a skeleton of a man. He couldn't help the gasp to escape his lips after realizing that the clothes were familiar.

It was the clothes the emperor wore earlier.