[Chapter Size: 3000 Words.]
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Thrid Person POV
Yi-Ti, 296 AC.
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The capital called Tian-Quo (OC) finally appeared on the horizon before the Artis as they tinued along the main road toward the city.
Jon looked toward the capital from atop Ghost, pausing for a moment, and the others did the same, stopping to observe from a distance. Although they weren't close enough to see much detail, Jon already had his eyes in the sky, gazing at the city below from his eagle. The city seemed well-structed and adorned, with walls rising 20 meters high and the massive castle of the Shogun standing promily at the ter.
The group pressed on. It didn't take long for scouts to appear on the road, apanied by a group of mounted men, most of whom wore samurai armor as they approached.
Jon stayed at the head of the group, fnked by two Yin samurai, while they versed. Arya rode beside him on horseback, followed by a carriage carrying Daenerys and the ministers. The royal guards and the rest of the group trailed closely behind.
As the riders drew closer, they eyed the Artis cautiously and stopped at a safe distance. One of the samurai apanying Jon stepped forward as the Arti king raised his hand, signaling his people to halt. The group waited as the Yin samurai initiated versation with the newers.
"Lord Shiro Nai, it's good to see you here," the Yin samurai said to the man leading the arriving group.
"Lai De Vin? So it was Kin'emon who sent you. And these are the Arti group?" Shiro replied, his greeting measured. He had long hair tied bad a long beard, appearing to be twice Jon's age. His gaze settled cautiously on Jon and his group, scrutinizing them.
Given the events of five days ago, it was clear that rumors had already reached the capital. Many on the road who had withe battle from a distance had rushed to the city seeking prote after what they had seen, fearing what this group of Artis might do or w about their iions.
The news was shog: men of varying sizes—small, medium, and gigantic—had massacred a group of Mongols in the middle of a rice field in the tral provihe battle was described with explosions and the screams of dying men filling the air.
Lai De Vin's cautious gaze lingered on Jon more than anyone else, particurly as he sat astride his giant wolf. The creature, due to its size, had been regarded as a mythical beast since disembarking from the ship. Other wolves also apahe group, though none as rge.
"Yes, that's us," Jon said, breaking the silence, addressing the man directly.
The samurai nodded and asked in a firm voice, "And you are the King of Artica?"
"Yes," Jon firmed, repeating the title. "And are you here to escort us to the Shogun?"
The maated momentarily but eventually nodded. "Yes. The Shogun wishes to meet you, but I will apany you to the city gates. Please, follow me," he said, gesturing with his hand to indicate the path.
"Let's move," was Jon's only order. The group began marg again, with the Yi-Ti samurai closely esc them at the front, speaking quietly among themselves.
As they marched, the Artis were closely observed by the samurai, while the nobles of Yin versed with these men, reting what they had witnessed and expining what this group was capable of. They described how Jon and his forces had destroyed more than 10,000 Mongols while losing almost none of their own, as well as their powerful ons.
The eyes of the Yi-Ti samurai followed them, filled with caution and respect as they studied Jon's giant wolf, the t giants marg with the group, and the arength of the Artis. Their slow pace was due to the rge numbers and Jon's prefere to exhaust the giants.
Thus, they tinued onward for the few hours. The roads were clear, as people avoided the group, keeping their distance for various reasons. Many, however, watched from afar, intrigued by the strange pany traversing the nds of Yi-Ti.
Finally, they arrived at the city gates, where they were greeted by an even rger group of people, likely the guards of the capital. Men in samurai armor remained mounted on warhorses—at least thirty of them—while others in simpler armor, holding spears, bore the symbol of Yin.
But there was one man among them who stood out. He appeared to be the leader, wearing armor far more eborate than anyone else's. Embzoned on his chest was the symbol of the royal family, something Jon immediately reized.
The samurai who had escorted them to the city gates approached the guards and began versing. Soon, the man who seemed to be the leader stepped forward, passing by the others and addressing Jon directly, though his cautious gaze often flicked to the giant wolf Jon was riding.
"I am ander Villon, leader of the Shogun's royal guard. I'm here to wele you before your entry into the city," said the man, as other noble samurai around him watched Jon warily, studying him. This rea was normal, and Jon was already aced to it.
Jon, hearing the man, shifted his gaze from the samurai to the ander in front of him. "Very well, ander Villon. I'm here to iate with your Shogun, so I'd like to ehe city," Jon stated firmly.
The man nodded but seemed hesitant to accept Jon and his entire group. "You will have that right, but I ask that you do n all your men, aside from your personal guard, of course. We've heard rumors about you, and I hope you uand that we're being cautious after what happened..." the ander expined.
"But..." Arya, who was beside Jon, began to respond, but he interrupted her.
"That's not a problem, as long as I bring my royal guard," Jon said calmly, uanding the situation.
Jon's guards, who were beginning to uand bits of the loguage, didn't fully grasp the details of the versation but caught on to Jon's iions. They remained silent, allowing him to lead this initial exge.
"Thank you for your uanding, fn king," Villon replied.
"Then it's decided. Let's move. I want one of you to stay and ahe camp while I make my first visit to the leader of these nds," Jon said, turning to one of his royal guards.
Quickly, the group divided. Some samurai guided the royal guard Jon had desigo stay behind, while he issued orders to the Arti men to set up camp in an open area where they could pitch their tents during their time in the capital.
The group naturally attracted attention iy, with the giants drawing the most curiosity, more than anything else. A rge crowd began to gather to see them, but Jon pressed on, leaving the rest behind as he apanied ander Villon through the city gates.
Onside, Jon observed the heart of the Empire. Yin was a rid beautiful capital, but this city surpassed it. It was immense and vishly decorated, one of the jewels of Yi-Ti.
People stared curiously at Jon and his group. Ghost had to be left behind when Jon decided to ehe city, to avoid sg the locals too much. Although the rumor of a warrior riding a giant wolf was something they had anticipated, Jon rode Panis instead—his horse, which he had acquired years ago from a northern farm.
They tinued walking through the city's main streets, and Jon couldn't help but notice the stark difference from Westeros's capital. Uhe horrible stench of feces and open sewers in King's Landing, this pce was surprisingly and fragrant.
This liness was thanks to the sakura trees and etation scattered throughout the city. The streets were and well-anized, with small streams running through the city. Though not as rge as the rivers flowing through Artica, they were picturesque, leading to small ponds set aside as oral kes. These ponds, home to dozens of koi carp of various colors, were maintained as a local hobby. Kin'emon had at least four such kes on his property in Yin, but this city boasted these ponds in public spaces.
Moreover, though their presence wasirely absent, Jon could see very few of them in the crowd surrounding them as they passed—quite different from what he was aced to ieros's capital.
"This people sees us as strangers…" Arya murmured beside him in the on Tongue.
"It's natural... we are far too different from them…" Jon remarked, notig the suspicious and curious gazes the crowd cast their way.
As they were observed, some whispered ents, calling them fners. It was expected; after all, the facial features of the local people were visibly distinct from those of the Artis. The inhabitants of Yi-Ti had snted eyes and strikiures, while the westerners had different facial structures. Even Jon, with his more square-shaped face, stood out.
The group tihrough the streets for a while, moving across the city until the castle, already visible from afar, began to stand out even more. Its 20-meter-high walls surrouhe fortress, serving as a final line of defense in case the city was invaded.
The man leading them had said nothing the entire journey. He stayed ahead, shouting some words at the gate, which slowly opened with effort, revealing a richly maintained courtyard. The man motioned for them to follow, and they began passing through the gate.
In the courtyard, there were scattered ponds, streams, and small artificial waterfalls with bamboo systems that filled and poured water when heavy. Despite the beauty, Jon ighe sery, fog instead on a group of 50 people waiting in front of the castle, a little further back from the courtyard, surrounded by over 100 guards for prote.
At the ter of the group stood a man wearing a richly decorated robe and a long hat. He appeared to be in his forties and was clearly the tral figure. Beside him stood a dark-haired woman dressed in a blue gown adorned with sakura designs. It was evident they were the Shogun and the princess of Yi-Ti.
Among them were guards and nobles, many of whom Jon deduced to be leaders of the Empire's provihe man leading Jon dismounted first and approached the Shogun, bowing as he spoke a few words. Jon observed closely, noting that all eyes were on him—curious and cautious.
Then, surprising everyohe Shogun stepped forward, moving away from the group. With a ge firm tone, he spoke:
"Father…" the princess murmured.
"Do not worry about this, my daughter. I stand before a fn monarch. It would not be right to treat him as a vassal," the great Shogun of Yi-Ti remarked, approag Jon. He moved even further from the nobles and guards apanying him as Jon dismounted his horse, followed by his men.
Jon also stepped forward, moving to the front of his group. He wasn't wearing his armor, seeing no need for it at the moment, but his eyes remained sharp, sing everyone around for potential threats. Though he felt safe—having scouted the area thhly before entering the city—he didn't want to risk a repeat of the events in Vontis.
Meanwhile, the princess followed her father, staying close to him. Jon tinued walking as he gestured for his men to wait, readying himself for his first meeting with the Shogun.
Jon stopped in front of the two, studying them for a moment, just as they were studying him carefully.
"You are Jon Artica, the king of the kingdom I've heard about i days—Artica, from the nds of the setting sun?" the man asked with curiosity.
"You are correct. And you are Kozuki Oden, the Shogun of the Yi-Ti Empire, a pce I have heard of since I was a child in nds far away," Jon replied.
"You are correct," the Shogun aowledged.
They fell silent for a moment, the two groups merely watg, unsure of what to do iillhat settled. The two leaders stared at each other with serious expressions, while the princess, standing beside her father, regarded the Arti king with an analytical gaze.
The silence was brokehe Shogun offered a small smile, and Jon responded in kind. As they stood there smiling at each other, the onlookers seemed a bit fused.
"Well, I probably shouldn't be smiling in such a grim situation, but I'm gd there's clearly a ce to ge the state of this try standing before me, King of Artica. I'm pleased to see you here," the Shogun said, while Jon became more serious and nodded.
"Know your enemies, Shogun. I entered quite a few on my way here," Jon remarked.
"Yes, I've heard. I wonder if what I've been told is true. They say you rode a giant wolf as you passed through the enemy ranks, leading yiants aating swathes of Mongols with every move," the Shogun replied.
"Rumors tend to exaggerate, Shogun Oden. But you could say we hahings in a manner simir to that," Jon responded.
"Please, call me Oden and use the suffix 'dono,' as in Oden-dono. We are here as equals, and even though you hail from fn nds, I will treat you with the respect you deserve," the Shogun said. Jon nodded as the Shogun tinued. "In any case, I would very much like to see your wolf, if we get the ce. But we'll have plenty of time for that. For now… wele to Tian-Quo, the capital of Yi-Ti, Jon-dono, if I may call you that," he said.
Jon maintained a calm expression before responding. "That's fine. You may call me that, Oden-dono," Jon replied in kind.
The Shogun nodded in approval, and Jon tinued. "Thank you for your hospitality. I must say, the city is very beautiful. It's the seost beautiful I've seen in my life. After my kingdom, Artica, of course," Jon said, prompting the Shogun to smile.
"Ah, Artica, your kingdom oher side of the world… I'd very much like to hear it described by you. But for now, let us tih introdus," Oden said, pg a hand on his daughter's back. "Let me introduce my daughter, Kozuki Hiyori, the princess of Yi-Ti," he said, gesturing to the young woman.
Jon turned his attention to her. "It's an honor to meet you, Princess Hiyori," Joed, as the princess stepped forward.
With a graceful gesture, Princess Hiyori offered a slight bow to King Jon. Her gaze fixed on him, her thoughts almost esg her lips as she studied the King of Artica, though her demeanor was respectful. Clearly, she was analyzing him as she spoke.
"It's an honor to meet you, Jon-dono. We've heard much about the Artis and their deeds before your arrival," said Kozuki Hiyori, her voice delicate yet full of fidence befitting her position.
"I appreciate your words. Now, it's time for me to introduce my family," Jon said as Arya stepped forward, with Daenerys already approag from the carriage.
"This is Arya Stark and Daenerys Targaryen, princesses of Artica," Jon announced, and both greeted the Shogun and his daughter.
"It's an honor to meet you both. Truly, you are Jade Flowers," Oden remarked, plimenting their beauty before turning back to Jon. "I've heard you have two wives and a son who stayed behind on the ships in Yin. I'm sorry to have taken you away from your family, Jon-dono," he said.
"It's all right. I'm here for business. I actually have three wives—oayed in Artica, g for my first two children, while two are in Yin, each carrying one of my children. But that's not important right now; they are safe and well," Jon replied fidently, assured that his animals were keeping watch over them. He could eveer the mind of one of the younger dragons, though their youth limited what he could do.
"I see. Then e with me. Let's meet everyone who is eager to hear your proposals for Yi-Ti. When I heard yht a signifit amount of food and oods to Yin, even from beyond the ice, we became very ied," Oden said.
"Yes... don't worry, ice is one of our main odities, so we are ready to iate it as well," Jon said, signaling for his men to follow them.
The Shoguhem toward the roup.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Arya suddenly asked in the on Tongue, speaking to Daenerys, who turo look at her. "That princess is looking at Jon in a suspicious way... I don't like it," Arya murmured. Indeed, Princess Hiyori maintained a posed expression, but if one paid attention, her eyes were fixed on Jon.
Jon, however, paid no attention to this as he followed the Shogun to the group. The Shogun began introdug his men, one by oo Jon—the provincial leaders—each of whom Joed in turn. He also introduced his ministers, who would participate in the iations.
Finally, the Shogun introduced the st man to Jon.
"This is Lord Kurozumi Orochi, the samurai leader of the Northern Province. He has been instrumental iing a strong barrier to prevent the enemies from advang in that region," the Shogun said fidently.
Orochi stepped forward and spoke in the loguage. "It is an honor to meet you, King of Artica. You certainly live up to the aura the rumors describe."
He praised Jon, who nodded calmly.
But uhe other provincial leaders—most of whom Jarded as i in the face of the war raging in Yi-Ti—this particur man caught his attention. Orochi was the traitor, the one who had leaked critical information to the enemy, greatly aiding their efforts.
The fall of the prind other tragic events had been the result of Orochi's sabotage. He had been spiring against the Yi-Ti Empire sihe invasion began.
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