Azeba

The Eastern Sea Coast was now completely different from what it had been three hundred years ago.

Nine passes had been built on the mainland near the Eastern Sea Coast.

Not only were the Nine Great Passes garrisoned by the Winged People, but Winged People also patrolled the skies along the lines connecting them, day and night.

Upon arriving here,

Lionheart was soon spotted and intercepted by the Winged People.

He had to present proof of his identity before he was allowed to enter.

When he had left all those years ago, Jiang You had given him a pair of Winged Jade tokens. He had kept them ever since, and today they finally came in useful.

Flying over Rosendas on his Griffin, Lionheart saw large numbers of Winged People living peaceful lives along the Eastern Sea Coast and on the surrounding lands.

There were villages, fields, and seven cities that seemed to serve as regional centers.

Everything had changed enormously. It was nothing like what he had seen when he first came to Paradise Mountain.

If this place had been a tribe during his last visit, then now it was already a kingdom.

He envied them. He hoped that one day, the human race could establish a kingdom of its own on the lands of Ferland.

At that thought, he suddenly made up his mind. Whether Jiang You took part in this turmoil or not, whether he advised him to join or wait, he would get involved.

For no other reason than to find his people a land that truly belonged to them!

As he flew onward, Lionheart riding his Griffin was quite a curious sight in a realm whose skies were filled with Winged People.

However, the human race was still a tribe on relatively friendly terms with the Winged People, so most merely glanced at him before paying him no further attention.

A few hours later, Lionheart arrived at Paradise Mountain.

Once again, he first let his Griffin play nearby, then presented his tokens and walked from the foot of the mountain all the way to the White Stone Fortress.

The sun shone brightly, and the mountain scenery was beautiful.

Jiang You was not inside the White Stone Fortress. Instead, he waited for him on the broad lawn outside.

Nearly three hundred years had passed. Although they had kept in touch by letter, the circumstances of Amigel's reign meant that Jiang You and Lionheart had met only a handful of times.

Their last meeting had been thirty years ago.

He looked at the son before him.

The blond boy of old had become a middle-aged tribal leader with the beginnings of a commanding presence.

The blond hair he had inherited from Fiona grew thick upon his head, like the mane of a lion king.

Jiang You had no feelings for Fiona, but he did care for the son who shared his blood.

Lionheart had traveled thousands of miles to the Eastern Sea Coast in person. Surely there was something he needed his help with.

Sure enough.

The moment Lionheart saw Jiang You, he spoke without preamble.

"Father, I need your help!"

"It's about the recent rebellion of the Goblin Kings, isn't it?"

"Yes, Father. That Nineteenth Prince sent me a letter asking me to send troops to support him. The rewards he offered were generous, but I haven't been able to make up my mind, so I came to ask your advice."

"Lionheart, remember this: you are no longer merely my son. You are also the leader of the human race! Getting dragged into the struggle between the kings is far too dangerous for your people at this stage. If anything goes wrong, it could mean utter ruin!"

"Take me, for example. Even with how far the Winged People have come, I still tread on thin ice! Ultimately, it is because we are still too weak."

Although Jiang You did not say it outright, he was effectively advising Lionheart not to take the risk.

Fierce reluctance flared in Lionheart's eyes, but he knew Jiang You was right.

The gulf between reality and his ideals left him struggling to breathe.

"Let me see that letter!"

"All right."

Jiang You took the letter and read it carefully. When he reached the name of Milo Azeba, Grand Duke of the Southern Border, his gaze sharpened.

"Lionheart, what is the relationship between this Nineteenth Prince and Milo Azeba, Grand Duke of the Southern Border? Can Milo's support be relied upon?"

"Father, all I know is that the Nineteenth Prince grew up with Milo. They're like brothers. Grand Duke Milo has an excellent reputation for keeping his word, so it should be true."

"Good. Lionheart, I take back what I just said. You may give the Nineteenth Prince your full support!"

"Father, you agree?!"

Lionheart exclaimed in delighted surprise.

"Yes. Also, whenever you run into difficulties, you can seek help from the Winged People. If your opponent is too powerful, I will intervene myself!"

Jiang You said with a smile.

Oh, my foolish son. You probably have no idea just how much weight the name Azeba carries.

Throughout the Goblin Empire's three thousand years, Azeba was there from beginning to end.

That very day.

Lionheart rode his Griffin back to the Rhine Fief on the edge of the Proadas Plains and wrote a reply to the Nineteenth Prince.

September, year 300 of the Goblin Empire Calendar.

Autumn was in full swing, its winds carrying a deadly chill.

Asa Amigel, the former Goblin emperor's nineteenth son, raised an army in the Southern Border, and Grand Duke Milo Azeba led his troops in support.