The Battle for Leyta

Return of the Founder (3)

The next morning when Dromer woke up, he immediately checked on Olpha, who was still fast asleep.

'Alright, good. She's still asleep... I know I can't keep her at my side forever. I'll have to make plans for when we arrive back at Gyera

Dromer slowly left the tent as to not disturb the sleeping Olpha, lit the campfire outside and prepared breakfast for the both of them.

Dromer, seeing the sunrise, suddenly felt a bit nostalgic for some reason, but paid it no mind as to not get his mind clouded by unnecessary thoughts. Then, Olpha came out of the tent.

"Morning, Dorian," she said while yawning, "what will we do now?"

"First, we'll eat and then depart towards Gyera. There's something I need to do."

Olpha nodded and sat next to Dromer.

While the both of them were eating, the silence between them was a bit awkward, so Dromer took it upon himself to break it.

"So... Olpha, could you tell me about your home from before you were made a slave?"

Olpha didn't expect such a question, so she was very surprised.

"W-Well... As you can imagine, I'm not a normal human being. I'm technically a cross-breed of a human and a demi-human, but the human part dominates over the demi-human part. To an untrained eye, I'd be a human, but, I think you knew what I was from the moment you found me. You see, my appearance might be exactly human, my power is far greater than that of humans. But, I'm one of the weaker ones in the demi-human category, so, I don't know what I would be classified as. Anyways, I come from a faraway land that's not even on this continent. Our home was suddenly attacked by huge numbers of humans and all children were either captured and enslaved or killed on the spot, while they didn't give such a choice to the adults. The humans killed each and every one... Including my parents... Right in front of my eyes..."

Dromer looked at Olpha but didn't see tears flowing.

"S-Sorry for asking such a question... Umm... You are one of the strongest beings I've met. Even now, as you told me your sad story, you didn't shed one tear. I admire that."

Olpha looked up at Dromer and said: "Well, there's no use crying about the past, right?"

Dromer was shocked at the question but agreed.

"A-Anyways. We have to continue our journey."

Dromer folded the tent, poured water on the campfire and then departed with Olpha close behind.

'I'll have to be quite a bit careful around her... Something doesn't feel completely right.'

Two weeks later.

Dromer and Olpha were 3 and a half days away from Gyera, and already in the territory of the Lerna Sovereignty.

During these past two weeks, Dromer trained Olpha in basic self-defence so he wouldn't have to defend her while fighting against any monsters and demons that attack both of them.

The sun was about to set and there was a river nearby.

"Let's set up a camp near the river bank," Dromer said, "we'll continue our journey in the morning."

"Alright, let's do just that then." Olpha agreed.

Dromer found a spot that had a small beach right on the riverbank, set up the campsite and went to fill up a water pouch.

"Alright, we should have enough water to last until the end of our journey."

Dromer made a campfire using some wood from an old boat that was nearby. Ten minutes after lighting the campfire, Dromer could hear many footsteps approaching.

"Olpha! Go hide in the tent! People are coming!!!"

In five minutes, a huge group of armoured men appeared on the campsite. Dromer drew his sword ready for a fight.

The leader of the group shouted: "I am the commander of the Sacred Order of Gyera's fifth division, identify yourself, traveller!"

"I am known as Dorian. Dorian of the Sacred Sword, to be exact! I am on my way back to Gyera from Ytrea, the capital city of the Kingdom of Frugr to meet with Freed and tell him that Gyera is now the capital city of the Lerna Sovereignty!"

One of the soldiers instantly spoke up: "Commander, that's the founder of Gyera, Dorian! I recognize that blade! Let's escort him back so he can meet with Freed!"

The commander looked at Dromer and then said: "My apologies, Lord Dorian. My men and I shall escort you back to Gyera together with the person in that tent."

"Olpha, you can come out, these guys aren't gonna attack us," Dromer said.

Olpha left the tent and greeted the soldiers.

The next day, Dromer, Olpha and the Sacred Order left the campsite and headed straight for Gyera.

With the help of the order, Olpha and Dromer reached their destination one day earlier than anticipated. The guards at the gates held a salute for everyone as they entered the city.

"Well, commander, I'll go on without you now. Thank you for escorting me and Olpha."

"That's the least I could do for this city's founder. Stay safe!"

Dromer and Olpha then went on to meet with Freed.

There was a palace built while Dromer was absent and as soon as he and Olpha approached the doors, a guard greeted them:

"Welcome, Founder and his honoured guest, to the home of the ruler of this city!"

After that, the guard opened the door and Dromer entered with Olpha in tow. A maid greeted them inside and lead them up to the throne room.

As Dromer entered the throne room, Freed greeted him while sitting on his throne: "Welcome back, old friend! So. Did you bring any good news?"

"Thank you, Freed. Yes, I did bring good news. The city of Gyera is now the capital of Lerna Sovereignty! But, its ruler is yet to be decided, because I got troubling news from someone as I was travelling to Ytrea. Those news come from Pelo."

Freed's eyes widened, and he asked: "Pelo?! My brother? He's still alive after all these years?! How is he? Tell me everything!"

"Hold your horses, Freed. I just told you I heard troubling news from him. He said that I shouldn't let you rule over this country. That you'd bring it to ruin and many other awful things."

Freed was taken aback by this statement and then said:

"Hah... This is unexpected... But, he's right. You shouldn't. I'm one of the last people you should let rule a country, to be perfectly honest."

Olpha was hiding behind Dromer and only now came out to meet with Freed.

"H-Hello, Lord Freed."

Freed looked at Olpha and said: "Oh! You remind me of my granddaughter! Who is this, Dorian?"

"This is Olpha. I saved her on my way here. She was a slave to a Duke of the Kingdom. That Duke no longer exists along with his dukedom."

"How is that possib--- actually, no. Knowing you, you probably did something crazy and destroyed it on your own. Anyways. I shouldn't take up much more of your time, Your Majesty. I'll be on my way."

"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Dromer asked in confusion.

Freed chuckled and said: "Well, I just told you that you should take my brother's advice and not set me as the ruler of this country. And, seeing as you're the Founder, you should be the ruler."

Dromer didn't say a word. Only nodded. After that, Freed left the throne room and the palace to go back to his home.

The next day, Dromer made a broadcast across the entire Lerna Sovereignty.

"My people! My name is Dorian! From this day onwards, we can call ourselves a sovereign nation! Each and every one of you are citizens of the newfound country Lerna Sovereignty! And I, as the Founder and first ruler of this country, solemnly swear to keep this country out of unnecessary squabbles with the surrounding nations! LONG LIVE LERNA!!!"

And on that day, a new country was born. Lerna Sovereignty. While it is true, that the country was new, it was the most powerful one in the world and will stay as one for many, many long years.