Eastern Wall, Anzuri City, Kingdom of Azuria.
May 7th, 1427.
10:45 AM
“Wake up, Joker. Enough shut-eye for today. Come and take a look.” Boris gestured towards the large fortress wall ahead while knocking his hand against Joker's helmet. The vehicles rumbled to a stop and Boris was the first to disembark. The ground was firm underfoot, feeling like asphalt or concrete. Other officers followed, grabbing their weapons and equipment.
“Aw fuck, not again…” Boris rolled his eyes at the alien yet somehow familiar sight.
“What’s happening, Sarge?” Joker asked his officer as he let out a loud yawn, barely awake from the short nap in the truck.
“Paperwork.” Boris answers as he walks to the back of the truck. “The wall guards want to confirm our affiliation and purpose. Making sure we’re not secretly bandits or somethin’.”
Boris looked over the detachment of LT-25s traveling with the convoy, thoughts running throughout his mind as he scanned his surroundings. “I supposed we looked threatening to these fellas, bringing automatic cannons and all.”
The LT-25 and LT-PC are part of the LT series of light tracked vehicle family, the former is armed with a 25mm chain gun inside a partially enclosed turret with only the vehicle commander acting as gunner when engaging target while the latter has an heightened rear, providing enough space for 4 infantry dismounts and a pintle-mounted machine gun on the roof. The LT series has a front-mounted 150hp engine located next to the driver, making more space in the rear for any modification and variant required by the military. Borne from a requirement for a fast reconnaissance role and airborne mobility, the LT series is comparatively tiny in comparison to their older cousins: the MT and the HT family of tracked vehicles. Only about the size of an SUV and weighing around 5 tons, a LT can fit inside even a UH-24 medium utility helicopter with the massive UH-48 quadrotors being able to carry an entire company of four LT of any variants inside its cargo bay.
“I don’t think they know what those cannons even are, Sarge. I’m just guessing.” Joker gives out a chuckle, shaking his head in disbelief in what he just said.
“I’ll get the Ambassador. Sergeant, get back to your vehicle.“ Major Eli orders Boris as he walks towards the Ambassador’s LT-PC, his calm yet authoritative voice heard clearly as Sergeant Boris quickly sprints back to the truck’s cabin after giving a sharp salute and a nod of acknowledgement.
Arriving up to the armored vehicle, Major Eli calls out for the Ambassador, giving the rear doors some good knocks. “Sir, you’re up, they want to confirm your identity with the wall guard and the Royal Wyvern Corp’s Captain will be there with you. I will get the men ready.”
“It seemed like we’re here." Jonah comments, trying to take a peek outside through the infantry periscope.
Anderson stepped out of the LT-PC, taking a deep breath and stretching his arms up in the air. “That wasn’t so bad.” He thought to himself.
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The flapping sounds above the convoy attracted Sam’s attention, and a wyvern touched down next to the convoy. A figure disembarks from his mount and takes off his helmet. “Good evening, Sir Anderson.”
“Group Captain Marius, isn’t it?”
“Yes, indeed. We met early in the morning the day before. I will escort you to the gate. The guards will let the delegation convoy upon confirmation of your presence and purpose.” Marius answered straightforwardly. “Worry not, the guards and the Duke should already be informed of your arrival by our mana messengers.”
As the men walked towards the gate, a young man in a relatively basic yet distinct suit of armor called out for them. “Sir Marius! Is that really you?”
“Indeed, Captain Arlen! These are the esteemed delegation mentioned in the letter delivered by the messengers. Let us show them our hospitality.”
“We’ve been expecting you, Sir Anderson.” The guards bow in respect. “Quickly make way and open the gate!”
The gate’s mechanism slowly cranks open, revealing a wide road inside with people lining up on the sides to take a look at the peculiar newcomers.
“Welcome to Anzuri, Sir Anderson.”
Royal Citadel, Anzuri.
11:25 AM
Duke Kalush walked down the hall, inspecting the foreign men in curiosity. Although their dirty looking uniforms disgusts him as his supremely dressed Royal Guards stood in opposite, one must not judge prematurely by the look. After all, these men have strange weapons and contraptions that baffle him. They have gigantic metal ships, armor-cladded wagons that move without horses and their soldiers have strange equipment attached to their armor that he could not explain, spare for the knives attached to their weapons and the .
“My dear, I cannot detect any mana signature coming off from any of the soldiers or their armored wagons.” First Lady Nadine ad Kalush whispered to her husband, whose expression is clearly worried from the information yet his unwavering attitude stood fast in face of the unknown.
A man in a sharp outfit ascended from the main stairway, accompanied by two others. As they walked, their soldiers each gave out a salute, demonstrating their professionalism. They walked forward and gave a bow of respect to the Duke, showing no signs of hostility nor condescending reaction.
“I am Ambassador Anderson from the United Federation of Elysia.” The man introduces himself, waving his right hand to the man on his left. “This is Major Eli Harrison, who is in charge of my protection and the men under his command.”
As Major Eli gave the Duke a military salute, he waved his hand to the man on his right. ”This is my assistant Sir Jonah Norbert.”
Satisfied with the introduction by the delegation, Kalush gives the men a nod of approval.
“Welcome to my realm, esteemed delegation! I have heard far and few rumors about your people who hailed beyond the Great Sea where no man has ever returned from a voyage. Let it be known that the Kingdom of Azuria treats its guests with utmost hospitality and respect, no matter who they are!” As the Duke finished his sentence, the two hundred strong Royal Guards standing guard slammed their spears into the floor and gave out a chant. “Glory to Azuria!”
Ambassador Anderson gave the guards the nod of approval. “We come in peace, our leaders wish to establish diplomatic relations with your nation.”
“Follow me, esteemed delegation, for we have much to discuss.” The Duke answered.
“We accept your welcome.”
