Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 252: Diplomatic plans (2)

Well, it is not that different on the Human Continent when they know his name.

'We did not know we have such an illustrious person is traveling with us. Forgive us of our rudeness, milord' Orc Fera said.

'Yes, we did not know.'

'We hope our conduct did not offend you milord' one Dark Elves said.

'Mikael?'

'As the Mikael, brother of Arianna?' Velamina said not kneeling like the others. Arial notices this.

High Elven never kneels. That is one thing Arial does not understand. Is there something special about them?

Then one Dark Elven asks

'Is your sister is really such a beauty as the rumors?'

'Idiot' his head got hit by one of his friend, fearing his friend got too comfortable with Mikael.

'Hahaha. It is fine' Mikael laughed.

'She is more beautiful than the rumors if I'm to be the judge of her beauty. And your conduct did not offend me; instead it is refreshing to be treated the way I am during the journey' he said without any slight or indication of being angry.

'I am a scholar first, a noble second. So do not be awkward with me and keep your distance. Let us hear the story of my friend.'

And then Arial began telling his story to his troop.

Of how he was engaged in a war of succession between brothers in the Dukedom and how the Dukedom transformed to become a Kingdom and how he was poisoned during one battle.

All his troop listen attentively and paying attention at every word. They almost couldn't believe his story.

If not how Arial proved himself fighting the dragon, they might have accused Arial a charlatan

And Arial told how he got information to search for the dragon heart, all the while, his troop become more and more admiring towards him.

To be engaged in a war at the age of fourteen it is almost unbelievable.

After the story, the Orcs then told their stories why they follow Arial expedition.

Many of them follow him for gold and recognition, some have nothing to offer to their clan so they work hard trying to find gold, and the kobolds, of how they wanted to be remembered and become famous and the Dark Elves told how they wanted some gold to trade in the Capital.

They all share their stories.

Arial knew it during that time. The Dark Lands race is not that different from human. They all have their aspirations, problems, dreams and hope.

Only their appearance is different from human.

Other than that they are the same. As there is evil human there are evil Orcs, Faeries, demon, Kobold.

And as there is good human, there is good Orc, good Kobold, good faeries.

That night Arial learn another thing and aspire to make contact with the Dark Lands making them understand each other.

After all his objective is not only the dragon heart.

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The dwarves today began their journey back. In the morning they have started to move so does the dark Elves and the Orcs.

All of them are going home after they managed to do the impossible.

Arial part with them and give each one of them to choose armor, and one weapon from the many stuff that they took from the dragon lair.

Arial also exchange mithril from his loot. Mithril is very rare and hard to produce unless you are dwarves.

Some stay after he promise them a greater pay but Arial does not need so much troop anymore, not now when they have defeated the dragon.

Arial has fulfilled his primary objective. Now for his second objective. Mikael also knows this.

After all, if Arial only objectives are only to retrieve the dragon heart wouldn't that be wasteful?

Arial is trying to establish diplomatic relations with the many races of the dark lands. That is the only reason his council will let him go from Arrandy.

In Arrandy, Arial is a lord and as such must act like a lord but adventuring and travelling is actually Arial dream in his past timeline and this timeline.

If not for trying to avert the invasion he might even not accept titles from any Kings. So his first destination would be the Great Taigns of Dwarves in Dwarven lands.

Arial is excited.

From what Mikael told him, the taigns are interconnected, complicated tunnels, a world beneath their feet.

As such there is no dwarven settlement on the surface.

Only the exiles or dwarves with special permission like Dwarven representatives go up to the surface.

Even the treaty is not their idea, only listening to the demon lords. They like their underground Kingdom.

There is a passage to enter the Taigns

It is described as a huge temple and in the center of the Temple is the passageway to enter the dwarven land.

Around the dwarven lands entrances is usually sand and dark forest and mostly occupied by some dark elves community.

Arial still do not understand how each of this races depending on each other.

At first he believes that each land corresponds to each race but he found out that is not always the case.

Arial must admit that his knowledge about the Dark Lands inhabitants is minuscule and he believed this is a great opportunity to gain deeper understanding of the Dark Lands politics and social structure.

'Helia' he sighed.

They just got married and he knows he should be going home to Arrandy.

He believes that Arrandy must have grown economically since the trade routes are open but Arial feel this is his responsibility to find out more about the Dark Lands.

Many humans in the Human continent is still wary of the Demon Races. He could be the bridge for understanding.

Arial spotted Velamina and ask her again.

'You're staying?' Arial asked Velamina that morning.

'Yes I will stay.' The Elves many of them have started going home. So does the dwarves. The Orc that's stay is Orc Fera, Orc Sur, and Orc Xer.

Elf that stay are Oelina Sil Sodron, Werchen Sil Dergian and Dwarves that stay are Orgheren and Vigrun.

The first stop would be dwarven land Arial declared. And they all nodded, Orgehren and Vigrun look happy.

It is unfortunate he couldn't go to the capital considering the time and the geographical position he is in.

If he goes now to the capital, he would get in time by Azrael wedding but then he had to go back to the dwarven land and that will cost more than intended.

He of course heard during their journey that Arianna and Azrael is getting married. So Arial give Mikael permission to went back to the Capital and give his blessing to his sister.

Mikael promise he will return back to Arrandy to once again resume his research. Arial agree and begun his journey with Velamina and his small group.

As he was coming out from the land of dragons, he took a long last look before smiling and then continuing his journey