We are soon on the road and it is a fairly boring trip with just a short stop for lunch. It is late evening when we reach the capital and I am surprised by how different it looks. Gremshow’s capital was what I would call a typical medieval city with basic architecture.

  This city, despite only being two days away, is completely different, both in style and color. It is made from mostly white stone and there are a lot of domes throughout the city. It reminds me of how Arabian cities tend to be depicted in movies, not that I ever saw one myself.

  However, the clothing doesn’t match, I don’t see any flowing robes or anything like that. The people are the same as those I saw in Gremshow’s city, both in looks and clothing. It strikes me as odd that the people don’t match the city, it makes me think that they didn’t build it.

  The area around the city is green fields for the most part, which makes the city seem even more out of place. If you took the city and dropped it into a desert, it would fit in perfectly. Another odd thing is that while the buildings are made of white stone, the city’s walls are gray.

  Shiro says “Is the city confusing you?”

  “Yes. Several things don’t match.”

  Shiro says “True. The original city wasn’t built by these people, they found it. The walls and the newer buildings were built by them.”

  “That’s why everything looks so mismatched! Did this area used to be a desert?”

  Shiro says “Not that I know of. Why?”

  “In my old world we had cities similar to this, but they were in desert regions.”

  Emperor Amn says “I seem to recall one of my teachers when I was a kid saying that this area changed a lot when the living desert appeared. I can’t remember how it changed, but it could have been a desert before that.”

  Shiro says “There is the desert to the east of here, it could have been larger in the past. I never paid much attention to the topography of the area.”

  “Are we going to be crossing this desert? Is there a civilization there that makes similar buildings?”

  Shiro says “We will have to cross the desert, but there is no civilization there. Only monsters and bandits.”

  Emperor Amn says “That’s not entirely true. There are small tribes of nomads that roam the desert, but they are a dying breed.”

  “Sounds like they could be the last remnants of the civilization that built this place.”

  Shiro says “It’s possible I suppose, but why does it matter?”

  “Because every building we have passed that is made from the white stone is enchanted. What’s more, the enchantments are complex. They are more advanced than what was on your carriage.”

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Emperor Amn says “That carriage was purchased from the Magic Kingdom. It was not cheap, but it wasn’t the best available. Still, it means that whatever civilization built this place was really advanced.”

  “Exactly. I am wondering what might have been left behind, but if there was anything I would think it had been found by now. Then again, I would expect more advanced magic if they had found anything.”

  Emperor Amn says “I have never heard of them having found anything like that. This kingdom’s magic isn’t even as advanced as my empire’s. We can always ask Queen Mavel, we will be meeting her in a few minutes.”

  “Maybe. We will see how things go. Chances are that either nothing was left behind, or it was hidden so well that no one ever found it.”

  Shiro says “If it’s the second option, then you can find it, can’t you?”

  “Possibly, but I doubt it would be fast. We certainly don’t have time for that kind of search right now.”

  Emperor Amn says “True. We will be moving on in the morning.”

  “It is probably better not to ask. If I don’t know, then my curiosity won’t get any stronger. Right now, I can probably satisfy it just by examining the enchantments on the palace.”

  Luckily, no one is able to dispute my comment as we arrive at the palace and are greeted by guards. As we are led straight into the throne room, I step up to walk beside Emperor Amn. King Gremshow falls in behind me and Shiro follows behind her father, but a step back from Gremshow.

  Queen Mavel looks like a warm, matronly mother, like your childhood best friend’s mom. Except she is the type who loves you and yet your best friend tells you terrifying stories about her. She looks to be in her mid to late forties, she is slightly overweight and her blonde hair is now mostly gray.

  However, she has an amazing structure to her face, I bet she was drop dead gorgeous when she was younger. If her daughters take after her in looks and have a brain, then it might be worth introducing one of them to Lin. Not that I really want to look for another wife, but sometimes it is fun to think about.

  She is alone right now, sitting on her throne staring at the three of us, mainly at me. Either she doesn’t like beastmen, or she has already been told that I am an emperor. A new emperor from an empire she has never heard of, that would certainly peak her curiosity.

  Queen Mavel says “Oh, my! What a handsome kitty you have brought me, Amn! Oh, if only I were a few years younger!”

  Emperor Amn coughs and says “Queen Mavel, this is my new ally, Emperor Ash.”

  Queen Mavel says “What? When did the beastmen get organized enough to form an empire?”

  Luckily, during the time it takes for Amn to explain who I am, I manage to revolver from my surprise. Mavel flirting outrageously instead of being curious really threw me off. It isn’t the flirting that got to me, it was the fact that I was expecting something different.

  Queen Mavel says “Welcome, Emperor Ash. I apologize for jumping to the wrong conclusion. Welcome to my kingdom.”

  “It’s alright, you just caught me by surprise. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Queen Mavel says “It is a pleasure to meet you as well. I look forward to introducing you to my daughters!”

  “I am sorry to disappoint you, but I already have four wives. While I’m sure your daughters are beautiful, I am already quite outnumbered.”

  Queen Mavel laughs and says “That is the first valid reason to turn down my daughters that I have ever heard!”

  “I am very lucky in the fact that my wives all get along and I don’t plan to risk that harmony. The only way I could possibly accept another wife would be if all my current wives agreed. Considering that they are back running my empire for me, that would be quite the task.”