Evillious: Chronicles of the Eternal Sun

Royal Palace of Lucifenia | February 1, 500 CE | 09:12

It had all started three days earlier, when some fishermen on the western coast spotted a column of smoke over the horizon.

At first, no one paid much attention. The sea brought strange things from time to time, and men accustomed to sailing knew that not all rumors deserved to reach the ears of the authorities. However, as the morning wore on, the smoke was accompanied by something none of those fishermen remembered seeing.

They were ships. Enormous vessels with dark hulls, so different from any known ships that some even hesitated to call them. They had no sails unfurled, and yet they moved across the water, leaving long wakes in their wake. From a distance, their funnels could be distinguished, along with the silhouettes of metal structures whose purpose no one understood.

The foreigners did not attempt to land by force. They sent a small boat with several uniformed men, documents written in an unknown language, and a banner adorned with a golden sun.

The port authorities spent much of the following days trying to understand their intentions. The conversation proved difficult, but one thing eventually became clear: these men claimed to come from an empire located across the ocean.

And now, after traversing the administrative channels of the kingdom, the news had finally reached the Royal Palace.

In the throne room, the morning light streamed through the windows and fell upon the polished floor. Riliane examined the report that had just been handed to her. She had listened to the official's explanation without interrupting him too much, although her expression betrayed a curiosity that was beginning to overcome the usual tedium of audiences.

Riliane: An empire across the ocean? She lifts the document slightly, examining it with renewed interest. And you say their ships are bigger than Marlon's?

The official, who had already repeated that story to several superiors since his arrival, tries to maintain his composure.

Official: That's what the witnesses say, Your Highness. They remain anchored far from the port. Their commander has requested an audience to explain the reasons for the expedition.

Riliane: And he still hasn't shown up? Leave the report on the throne arm. Let him come! Though I hope he knows how to behave. I already have enough trouble with the manners of our own nobles.

Allen, who was standing by the throne with a tray in his hands, glances briefly at the official before speaking.

Allen: Perhaps it would be wise to first hear why you have come, Your Highness. If you have truly crossed an ocean unknown to us, you must have some important reason.

Riliane: That's exactly what I intend to do, Allen! She turns her face toward him, somewhat offended by the suggestion. I don't need you to remind me how to receive a visitor.

Allen discreetly bows his head. He knows the princess well enough to understand that insisting at that moment would only prolong the argument.

Riliane: Although... Her eyes return to the report. I want someone to find out how much it costs to build one of those ships. I don't see why an empire no one's ever heard of would have better vessels than ours.

The official opens his mouth slightly, but seems to decide that the matter would be more appropriate for another time.

From the antechamber comes the sound of footsteps and the muffled voices of several people. A foreign envoy waits, accompanied by the officials tasked with receiving him. His uniform, of an unknown style, contrasts sharply with the usual attire of the Lucifenian court.

His credentials allow him to explain the expedition's mission, request supplies, and initiate preliminary talks. He does not possess the authority to bind his emperor to treaties.

The chamberlain approaches the entrance to the room and announces the arrival.

Chamberlain: Your Highness, the representative of the Empire of Metzaria awaits your permission to present himself!

Riliane settles onto the throne. For a moment, her curiosity seems to overcome even her concern for protocol.

Riliane: Then let him in. And make sure he doesn't waste my whole morning.

The guards step aside and the large doors begin to open.

---

Imperial Palace of Metzaria, Aurevia | February 1, 500 CE | 10:05

Thousands of kilometers away from that room, beyond an ocean that still separated two worlds practically unknown to each other, the morning passed with a very different normality.

In the capital of Metzaria, trains had begun their journeys hours earlier. The movement of carriages, automobiles, and pedestrians mingled with the usual bustle of a city that had learned to coexist with machines. Imperial banners waved atop some buildings, while businesses and government offices resumed their activities.

Peace had been a part of daily life on the continent for approximately fifteen years. This was enough time for a new generation to begin growing accustomed to it, though not enough for previous generations to have forgotten the hardships of the Great War.

The Imperial Palace was no exception to this routine. Officials strolled through its corridors with folders and correspondence; some discussed administrative matters in hushed tones, while others hurried to fulfill commitments made the previous day.

In the office reserved for {{user}} , several folders awaited review. Among them were reports on railway works, provincial budgets, and requests related to the maintenance of the Imperial Navy. Important matters, certainly, although none seemed to herald an extraordinary change in the history of the Empire.

The expedition sent into uncharted waters still occupied a place on the Admiralty's calendars. Its absence was expected: traversing such a distance required time, and no one could demand immediate news from a squadron sailing far beyond its usual routes.

Therefore, while in Lucifenia a princess was preparing to receive the representative of an unknown civilization, in Metzaria there was still no report about that discovery.

A few discreet knocks can be heard on the office door.

Imperial Secretary: Your Majesty, with your permission.

The imperial secretary enters carrying a sealed folder. He carefully places it on the table, setting aside the less urgent correspondence.

Imperial Secretary: The Council of Ministers has referred the outstanding matters from this morning. The Treasury is requesting a budget review, and the Ministry of Public Works is awaiting a response regarding several railway projects.

He pauses briefly while consulting his notes.

Imperial Secretary: The usual report from the Admiralty has also arrived. There are no new communications from the ocean expedition at this time. Its leaders believe we are still within the planned timeframe.

The official closes his folder, ready to expand on any of the reports if necessary.

Beyond the windows, the capital continues its daily routine. Trains arrive at their stations, shopkeepers open their businesses, and somewhere in the grand ministerial buildings, various officials discuss problems that will likely still exist the next day.

For now, no one in Aurevia knows the name of Lucifenia.

The secretary waits respectfully in front of the imperial office.