66. Underlying Currents

When Mo Fei awoke early the next morning, he gazed indulgently at the lovely faces of Viviann and Eileen lying by his side. In the coming days, he would likely need to meet with the people of the Dragonfly Empire. Hadn't the great dragon said that once his wounds healed, the Dragonfly Empire would become his? Surely the emperor of the Dragonfly Empire would be very interested in those words.

Mo Fei still didn't know how many allies that dragon had, but from the confidence in his words, there must be quite a few within the Dragonfly Empire itself. Otherwise, how could he be so certain?

Pulling both women into his embrace, Mo Fei roused Viviann and Eileen from their slumber. The three lingered together, wrapped in each other's arms, until the sun rose high in the sky.

Getting out of bed, Mo Fei addressed the two women, “Today, let’s visit the imperial palace and pay our respects to their emperor. Afterwards, we must return to the Death Empire. Their power is surely considerable; we cannot afford to be careless. Any loss is more than we can bear!”

They hurried through breakfast, asking directions to the palace and its location. Only when they went to check out did they realize those others had already left and settled their accounts.

“Brother, let's visit the docks first, then head to the palace. The palace is only a city away, and if our ship is there, we can ask them to wait for us. Then we could sail home,” Eileen suggested.

“Eileen, we can find them and send news back, but I want to return by land, passing through the Dragonstone Empire. That way, we can notify them, and then go to the Elven Kingdom to warn your mother as well.”

“Alright,” the two women agreed, seeing Mo Fei’s intentions. They no longer insisted on returning by sea, for the matter concerned their families too. The sooner they warned them, the better prepared they would be.

When they reached the docks, ships lay at anchor, but none bore the insignia of the Death Empire. Mo Fei sighed and led them away.

“Mo Fei, Elder Off and the others will be fine. Didn’t you say they’re all old foxes? As long as they don’t provoke anyone, who would dare trouble them?” Viviann reassured Mo Fei when she saw worry in his eyes.

“You’re right. With those old foxes around, the Death Empire has nothing to fear!” Mo Fei cheered up. “Come, let’s head to the imperial city.”

The Dragonfly Empire's imperial city was called Dragonfly City. Standing before its gates, Mo Fei’s first impression was—simplicity. The city wall, barely eight meters high, merely encircled the city, offering little defense. Few soldiers patrolled the walls; only a handful guarded the gate. After a cursory glance at Mo Fei, they waved him through.

“I wonder if their national strength is formidable, or if they’ve simply declined after so many years,” Mo Fei mused.

“Perhaps their true power lies elsewhere,” Viviann replied with a smile.

Each lost in their own thoughts, the three entered the city. “Let’s head straight to the palace. Once business is done, we’ll leave at once. There’s nothing much to amuse us here,” Mo Fei said.

“Mm,” the two women responded, understanding Mo Fei’s urgency.

“Stop! This is the palace grounds. Leave immediately!” They had not been questioned upon entering the city, but on the road toward the palace, they were halted.

“This is the Princess of the Elven Kingdom, requesting an audience with your emperor,” Mo Fei introduced Eileen to the guards.

“Do you have any token of identity?” The guards of the Dragonfly Empire hesitated to drive them away after Mo Fei’s explanation.

“Take this to your emperor; he will know.” Eileen removed a bracelet, symbolizing her royal lineage, and handed it to the palace guard.

“Please wait here; I will report at once.” The guard had never seen a princess travel without an escort and request an audience with the emperor. He was skeptical, but dared not refuse. It was safer to report and leave responsibility to others.

Shortly after the guard departed, the remaining guards were startled by the sudden firing of ceremonial cannons inside the palace—honoring the arrival of a sovereign. The palace gates swung open, and honor guards marched out in formation. The guards were dumbfounded; such ceremony was reserved for welcoming an emperor, not a princess.

They were unaware that as the guard entered with the princess’s bracelet, the emperor and his ministers were in council. When the bracelet was presented, someone recognized it. A minister who had attended the founding ceremony of the Death Empire asked a few questions and learned that the princess was accompanied by a young mage. The minister immediately deduced that the emperor of the Death Empire had arrived.

Throughout the continent, all empires knew that the Princess of the Elven Kingdom’s beloved was the ruler of the Death Empire; it was said they had never been separated. By contrast, Viviann, also a princess of the Dragonstone Empire, was less widely known.

The council was abandoned. Preparations for the reception took precedence. On this continent, one could slight anyone, but never the Death Empire.

The guards, still dazed, suddenly comprehended that the mage-like youth must be a sovereign traveling incognito. Such things had happened before, though seldom after rulers grew older. This one was remarkably young, and they wondered which kingdom he ruled.

Understanding dawned, and the guards knelt on one knee, saluted the three, and withdrew.

“Please forgive us for not recognizing your arrival. Our emperor awaits you at the palace. Your Majesty, Princess, please!” The minister who had met Mo Fei before recognized him instantly and hurried forward.

“No need for formality. We are merely traveling and passing through your country. There’s no need for such ceremony,” Mo Fei said, feeling somewhat awkward at the grand reception.

“Welcome, young emperor!” The Dragonfly Empire’s sovereign was surprised at Mo Fei’s youth.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty,” Mo Fei replied, bowing with Viviann and Eileen.

Once everyone was seated, a minister asked, “May I ask if Your Majesty’s visit in plain attire is for any particular purpose…?”

“Let’s discuss matters later. Arrange a banquet for our distinguished guests first!” The emperor was a hearty, straightforward old man.

“Your Majesty, there’s no need for a feast. We truly are traveling and did not intend to trouble your kingdom. However, I have heard something that compelled me to visit. We must depart soon and cannot stay long,” Mo Fei said urgently.

“You must leave soon? Is it an emergency?” A minister sensed something amiss. Either the Death Empire faced a crisis, or the continent itself was threatened. Otherwise, with the Death Empire’s power, why would the emperor be so anxious?

“It is indeed a grave matter,” Mo Fei replied. “If word does not swiftly reach all the empires, the continent may soon be engulfed in war.”

“This…”

“I’m sorry, but I must speak privately with your emperor, Your Majesty…”

“Everyone, please leave. We will continue our discussions later.” Sensing the gravity in Mo Fei’s expression, the emperor knew it must be of great significance, warranting a private audience.

When the ministers had left, Mo Fei quickly recounted the events of that night to the emperor, sharing his suspicions as well.

The old king listened intently, deep in thought, making no immediate reply. Mo Fei realized he needed time to piece together the threads before responding.

Indeed, before long, the old king spoke. “The dragon you mention is likely my royal uncle. Over a hundred years ago, during a war on this continent, the Dragonfly Empire sought strict neutrality, but my uncle drew us into the conflict. In a chaotic battle, he suffered a devastating blow from the combined forces of dozens of mages. At that time, we withdrew from the war and declared neutrality.

“My uncle vanished during the retreat, and we believed him dead. Yet now it seems he has been secretly manipulating his former followers, stirring up trouble and inciting wars among the empires.”

“Now that you know his whereabouts, Your Majesty…”

“We must either apprehend him and keep him under strict guard, or he will perish in the attempt,” the old king declared resolutely.