A couple of days later, the Kingdom of Monstra had made their preparations to the upcoming arrival of the rulers of their newest ally, the United World Government. The Monarch of Monstra, Echidna, found herself busy in supervising the kingdom to arrange an adequate and perhaps excellent assembly for the Authority and the Dragon of Liberation.
Aside from the Monarch of Monstra, allied Daemon Monarchs also joined and assisted Monstra in their preparations. After all, they were the ones that demanded for the meeting, so it was partly their responsibility to ensure the success and the completion of the meeting. Their conclusion brought about a perceivable change throughout the capital city of Monstra.
Echidna gazed upon the busy streets of the city. It had grown far larger than she had anticipated. Alongside the presence of various Daemon Monarchs, the capital city of Monstra had become a hub for neighboring countries. Even though she hadn't asked for taxes from the members of the council, she was becoming richer by the moment.
"Should I be delighted or unhappy by this peculiar circumstance?" The daemoness muttered to herself as she didn't expect the simple visit of Abraham and Laplace to attract so much attention. Merchants seemed to flood inside the city like an endless stream of wealth, which made her feel complicated since she also needed to augment her guards to assure them of their safety.
"My city is attracting a lot of attention. There's a lot of positive news from it, but I'm not ignorant to pretend that there are no negative aspects to the attention." She continued to mumble and glanced at the wilderness outside her capital city. Neighboring countries didn't only include allies. There were also adversaries who considered the growth of her capital city to be too dangerous.
Her military power alone was too strong for the enemy neighboring countries to rival. Following the rise of her economic strength, the threat level of the Kingdom of Monstra had risen to a much larger level compared to before. An economic and military power wasn't to be underestimated. After all, it could give a country the ability to dominate a part of their continental region.
Behind Echidna were the greatest of the Daemon Generals under her command, Negan and Lily. They had been her subordinates since the beginning, even before the establishment of the kingdom. Their loyalty and trust wasn't to be underestimated. She considered them to be a part of her family no matter how small it was. That was how much she trusted them.
"Negan and Lily... I heard about the rising bandit attacks across our borders." Her words resounded with utter calm, but there was significant power inside of it. She continued observing the capital city, while the Daemon Generals kneeled. Negan then responded with a lowered head. "You are correct, Master. There has been an increase in banditry throughout our territory."
"These banditry were caused by tribes of mindless monsters that seemed to have been roused by the increased activity of the capital city." Lily further explained while placing her gaze downward. They had failed their master as the advancing quantity of bandit-related crimes had brought about troublesome issues to the kingdom. It also drew unwanted rumors into the capital city.
"I don't doubt the surge of banditry, but I don't see it as the act of mindless monsters inciting chaos. I believe there is sabotage in this aspect of crimes. The preparation of their arrival has brought attention to my city, and it gives opportunities as well as dangers." Echidna shook her head and explained her reasoning to the Daemon Generals.
"That make sense, Master. But who would try to sabotage the preparation? Are you implying the influence of neighboring nations in the bandit attacks?" Negan questioned, desiring to know more about the thoughts that the daemoness had in mind. "Perhaps our enemies has stirred the pot and sabotaged trade routes to negatively affect the situation within the capital." Lily blankly stated.
"The two of you aren't far from what I had concluded. However, our adversaries simply aren't the neighboring countries that feared our growth. It seems that the members of the council have instigated the mindless tribes of monsters near our trade routes, specifically the ones leading to the capital city of Monstra." Echidna uttered with calm yet the pressure emanating from her was heavy.
"Whether it'd be the lack of taxes or the complete autonomy I give them. I believe I have entertained their delusions, am I wrong?" Finally, the daemoness glanced at the two kneeling figures. Her eyes were cold, lacking the usually sunny and happy-go-lucky exterior. Even the most calmed of monks had limits in their patience, and she wasn't that different from them.
"You have entertained them in their fantasies, Master. Would you like me to take care of the problematic ones?" Negan didn't hesitate to suggest as he was ready to do whatever it took for Echidna and the greater kingdom of Monstra. These leaches was better off exterminated than kept alive. Otherwise, they could kill the country from the inside.
"No need to do so, Negan. I just think its time to change the policy of Monstra. Its time for power to be centered." Echidna stood up, tapping dust off her clothing. "I believe that Monstra could become a proper and peaceful country. But it must be under my authority. Do you disapprove of this thought process, my friends?" She questioned her two Daemon Generals.
Lily was the first one to shake her head and replied with fierce determination. "I shall follow you to the ends of the primordial world, Master. I believe that they should be honored to have you as their true Monarch." Her words were resounding in full agreement to the daemoness. Times of change have reached the kingdom, and she was delighted to be at the side of her master.
On the other hand, Negan also shook his head in agreement to the thought process of the daemoness. "I am in agreement of Lily's words, Master. The centralization of our government will ensure that we remain knowledgeable about the country's true form. I believe that they must accept who their true Monarch is and pay the necessary price to stand behind the master."
"Thank you, I appreciate your words." Echidna smiled as she really was willing to hear out any oppositions from her Daemon Generals. Their opinions was of great importance to her, even if it might not sound so different than the others. Looking at them, she stepped forward and remarked. "Those two should be arriving now. Am I wrong, Mercedes?"
The Daemon Generals felt chills in their spine as the bushes rustled. The diplomat of the United World Government escaped the embrace of nature and stood before the daemoness. A proud smirk was plastered on the face of the silver wolf as she responded. "Abraham and Laplace are arriving. But it might more chaos inducing than one would think."
Negan and Lily were astounded as they never noticed the silver wolf hiding nearby. They previously thought of her as a well-respected diplomat of the World Government. Nothing more, nothing less. She wasn't extremely powerful, nor was she a reputable powerhouse. Her strength didn't rival theirs even by a tiny silver. The fact that she could be covertly near them was dumbfounding, to say the least.
"More chaos inducing?" Echidna tilted her head, confused as to what Mercedes meant. Moreover, eavesdropping didn't feel a bit respectful so she wasn't even slightly delighted by the news. Mercedes, noticing her reaction, lightly bowed and apologized. "Apologies for eavesdropping to our private conversation, Echidna. But I believe that I have already made myself apparent in this spot."
It was then that Echidna realized. This was the location where Mercedes spent most of her time within the capital city. Its scenery was the best of the best, so it wasn't surprising for the silver wolf diplomat to be nearby. Understanding this fact, the daemoness shook her head and replied. "No need to give an apology. It was my fault for intruding your spot."
"No problem, Echidna. Besides, I understand why you picked this place. It does bring forth the beauty of Monstra." Mercedes glanced at the capital city below them. It was the best place to observe what the capital city really was. Changing the subject, the silver wolf decided to answer the question of the daemoness. "The arrival of Abraham and Laplace will not be concealed."
"Just like you, the United World Government considers this assembly and their visit a pivotal part in history. This will be the first for the World Government to partake in a conference alongside other foreign countries. Because of the importance of this meeting, the resources invested would rival that of a major deployment into war." Mercedes expounded to the Monarch of Monstra.
Echidna raised her eyebrows, but before she could utter a single word. The skies above rippled, making her instinctively frown. Moments later, a piercing radiance enveloped the entirety of the heavens above the capital city. Those below it were also blinded by the brilliance that rivalled a thousand suns. The Daemon Generals instinctively squint while the daemoness kept gazing onward.
"I see... So this is what you mean about not concealing, huh? I guess this should be expected from Abraham." The Monarch of Monstra sighed as her eyes landed upon a fleet of metallic vessels hanging from the blue skies. These strategic ships drifted alongside the white fluffy clouds and awaited for Mercedes's contact and confirmation.
What dwelled above them was the newest addition of the United Navy, officially designated as the Combined-Offensive Fleet, Spear of Longinus.