193 We are not Equals (1/2)

As the capital of one of the Holy Continent's major secular forces, the Central Water City was a bustling place of more than twenty-five million citizens spread across seven thousand square miles.

The hierarchical structure was the same as the Holy Flame Empire's, with humans at the bottom, beast nobles at the middle, and spirits at the top. However, mermaids, or water spirits as some called them, replaced the Holy Flame Empire's Flame Spirits and took a more active role in politics.

For example, the current queen was a mermaid while most of the imperial consorts at least possessed some mermaid blood.

Upon reaching the city's gate, Konrad's eyes showed no emotion.

Two members of the delegation announced their identity and intent from within their seats, then waved their identification tokens through the carriage windows. Having been alerted of the impending visit of the Holy Flame Empire's delegation, the guards were not startled, one sent a message to the royal palace while the other opened the gate to allow the convoy free passage.

Afterward, a man came to lead them through the city.

State emissaries and delegates always had assigned quarters they were meant to rest in during the first day of arrival. However, considering the urgency of the situation and the relationship he was trying to build with the Holy Flame Empire, the king stipulated to have them directly brought to the palace where he had unique quarters prepared.

Konrad briefly swept the populace and architecture, and from his seat, he could see a towering basilica standing in the distance with a glowing blue orb hovering above.

He identified it as the seat of the Water Temple.

The Water Temple was not only weaker than the Holy Flame Church, but it was also completely decentralized. Each of the fifteen kingdoms comprising the Water Kingdom Alliance possessed its own branch of the Water Temple, with each competing for resources.

This infighting had prevented them from asserting dominance over the royal families, who left on their own devices, ended up suppressing them instead. Here, there was no high and head exarch. Each branch answered to its own conclave of exarchs.

Konrad closed the window and returned to meditation.

”The current Water Kingdom Alliance King, Ernst von Gradl is a petty craven. Outwardly gracious but inwardly narrow-minded. If slighted by a weaker force, he will always seek revenge. But when faced with the mighty, he only knows how to bow and scrape. Not even daring to foster rebellious thoughts.”

Serpent form Yvonne said through a mental message.

”I know. Browsing through the minds of my servants, I already did my homework on the various secular forces. But it matters not. Brave or craven, since he has the misfortune of facing us, he must grovel.”

Were she not in her miniature hekeret cobra form, Yvonne would have nodded in approval. Instead, she just rubbed her head against Konrad's cheek and with a smile, he stroked her flaming scales.

…

”Your majesty, the Holy Flame Empire's delegation has arrived, and is currently on its way.”

The messenger announced to the Water Alliance King, a middle-aged Paragon Spirit Man with a peak-stage Profound Saint cultivation base. Instantaneously, he rose from his throne, excitement shining on his face.

”Quick, quick. Have the second and fourth prince entertain them while we prepare the banquet. This evening, we shall receive them.”

Ernst ordered to one of his royal eunuchs, barely able to contain his excitement.

However, before he could depart, he changed his mind.

”No, add the third princess on the list. After all, she's the best at entertaining guests. Though it's a bit improper, we must show the highest degree of goodwill. Nothing can go wrong…yes.”

”As you command, your majesty!”

The royal eunuch bowed and excused himself before hurriedly informing the princes and princess of the order.

Their reactions wildly differed.

While the third princess merely gave an approving nod, the second prince flew into a rage.

”How could we possibly have royal princes personally welcome a bunch of delegates?! Where does that put our country's dignity?!

Even if we seek an alliance with the Holy Flame Empire, do we really need to stoop so low? We might as well just surrender our cities and become their vassal!”

While the fourth prince agreed with his elder brother's outrage, he didn't dare voice his opinion.

…

As the convoy reached the Royal Palace's gates, a large group awaited. Twelve men clad in the Water Kingdom's official robes stood with a paragon spirit trio leading them.

That trio was naturally composed of the von Gradl royalty. The second prince stood in the middle with his younger brother on his right and his sister on the left.

Although his heart concealed grievances and indignity, he let nothing transpire on his face, ready to complete this task as soon as possible then return to cultivation. However, when the convoys' carriages opened, and the leading member appeared, his face contorted into a frown.

Not only him, but his siblings and even the officials couldn't conceal their surprise. At the group's helm was an effeminate looking young man around the age of seventeen clad in regal robes and ornaments.

However, no matter how lavish his clothes and tokens looked, they couldn't mask the fact that he was human!

What was a human boy doing in this gathering?

That ”human boy” was Krann in disguise. To have more freedom, Konrad had him maintain the camouflage while he adopted the position of one of the delegates.

Quickly, the second prince examined their group, and when his eyes fell upon Konrad who still had his ”cobra” coiling around his torso, furor shone within.

There was not only one, but two humans in this delegation. And clearly, considering their alignment, the one wearing the jeweled crown was the leading member.

What was the meaning of this?

But as he inwardly boiled, he spotted the tenth elder within the crowd, and immediately, his rage subsided.

”Greetings, senior!”