[Chapter Size: 3400 Words.]

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Thrid Person POV

Yi-Ti, 296 AC.

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Jon proceeded with his men into the castle, designed in the style of Yi-Ti, the greatest empire of all. They passed by several servants who greeted them, including the Shogun himself, bowing deeply.

They advanced into a more spacious room, resembling a council chamber from what Jon could discern, where they began to settle in. Each person sat on tatami mats, with the Shogun and his daughter at the center. A small desk lay before their knees, holding notebooks, quills, and drinks. The provincial leaders were lined up, six on each side, while Jon, his ministers, his family, and the Artican guards occupied the central position, seated equally in front of the Shogun.

The Shogun broke the silence.

“Jon-dono, it was a great surprise to first hear about you through a letter from Lord Kin’emon. Even more so when you closed a deal and supplied food to the city of Tin with 50 ships. And now, you reveal that you have more than 400 ships at sea, seeking to do business with the rest of Yi-Ti.” He paused, picking up a quill to write something.

“When I received the news, I debated with my men and, giving you the benefit of the doubt, summoned you to the capital, where we are now. Still, I would like to hear more about what you have to offer and how you arrived at the Jade Sea before we begin negotiations.”

Jon looked at him calmly before responding.

“Well, to begin, I have no other interest in Yi-Ti initially besides creating a trade network with a large part of the world,” he said.

“A trade network? What do you mean?” the Shogun asked, intrigued. “After all, as far as I know, we are very distant from each other. Even larger ships barely manage to reach here.”

“Yes, you’re right. Ships can hardly make it this far without a long journey. But in Artica, we have a navigation system advanced enough not to lose our way, deal with potential dangers, and resources sufficient for a crew to live years at sea. My goal, upon leaving Artica and my first wife and children behind, was to solidify our trade alliances. We have business with Braavos, Pentos, Myr, Tyrosh, Volantis, or, hopefully, here in Yi-Ti if all goes well.”

He paused briefly before continuing.

“I plan to establish a trade line that will supply all these great cities with Artican goods weekly.”

“How far is your kingdom?” the Shogun asked.

Jon glanced at one of his royal guards before turning his attention back to the Shogun.

“If you allow me, he can show the map I drew since we left Artica,” Jon suggested.

The Shogun nodded, allowing the royal guard to step forward and present the map. The man approached, unfolding a scroll bearing the king of Artica’s handiwork. The map depicted terrains and coasts drawn with precision, thanks to Jon’s observations and the use of eagles in the sky. It clearly demonstrated the distance between Artica and Yi-Ti, something the locals had not fully grasped before, only knowing it was immense. However, with Yi-Ti itself on the map, they could now estimate it to be approximately nine times the length of Yi-Ti by ship.

The Shogun looked at the map with evident admiration and astonishment at the actual distance. Jon, with his skill, had perfectly illustrated the scale of the distances. Yi-Ti appeared as just 1/9th compared to the vast journey undertaken by the Articans.

“Is this map real? Is it really that far?” Princess Hiyori murmured, gazing at the map with equal admiration.

“Yes, this map accurately shows the distance between my kingdom and your empire,” Jon said.

“And why did you risk coming from so far? It’s rather suspicious,” one of the samurai commented.

“As I said, I am establishing my own business across the known world. I intend to take advantage of the many resources that exist only here. Why would I leave a trading partner like you out of this opportunity when it’s clear my people have the best technology to travel the entire world?” Jon replied calmly before continuing.

“However, I did not expect to find your empire at war with invaders.” He maintained his gaze fixed on Oden, who nodded.

“This is still very suspicious,” another samurai spoke, none other than Orochi. He raised his voice, pointing at Jon.

“Why are we conducting business with them? Haven’t we heard rumors that they possess powerful weapons that have burned thousands of people? Why shouldn’t we take those weapons from them and use them in the war?” the man exclaimed, and Jon narrowed his eyes.

“You can try to take our weapons, but you’ll have to deal with 20,000 men wielding that firepower on your shores. I wonder: I came here as a merchant and a friend, but if I’m treated as an enemy, there’s no reason for me to do business here,” Jon spoke with a dangerous tone. Suddenly, his expression changed completely, becoming cold. Even the atmosphere in the room grew tense as Jon’s guards discreetly prepared their weapons. At the same time, the subtle sound of samurai gripping the hilts of their katanas filled the air, while the princess appeared visibly concerned.

“We can take them hostage. What do you think, Shogun Oden? We could change the war!” Orochi continued, as the other samurai looked at him with a mix of unease and disapproval.

“Then be warned, because you’ll have to deal not only with the Mongols right now but also with the Articans as your enemies. And believe me, we are worse than the Mongols. If you think you can fight us…” Jon continued, his tone now deadly serious, his eyes narrowing further at Orochi.

“Silence, Orochi! Are you mad? How dare you treat a guest in our castle this way, to steal from him and even threaten to hold him hostage? Have you lost your sanity? This is not honorable!” the Shogun exclaimed angrily, his voice cutting through the heavy atmosphere in the room. Even the other samurai looked at Orochi with disappointment. Though they had been ready to fight, they had not expected the situation to spiral into such chaos due to someone’s ambition.

“That’s not what I meant! I only want what’s best for Yi-Ti!” Orochi protested, his voice trying to assert his stance as reasonable.

“Leave this room!” The Shogun’s voice was firm and undeniable.

“What?” Orochi looked stunned.

“You are to leave this room. I cannot allow one of my subjects to speak to a guest this way. You are dismissed immediately,” the Shogun declared, his expression stern. Orochi appeared lost, and no one defended him; everyone knew he had crossed the line. Still, his desperation was evident.

Orochi stood up, his expression marked by frustration, while the rest of the room watched in silence. The news that the Articans had wiped out an entire group of Mongols, despite being outnumbered four to one, was terrifying. Now, with these strange and devastating weapons, Orochi’s plan, concocted alongside the Mongols, seemed to be at risk, and he had hoped to ignite the samurais’ ambition to turn Artica and Yi-Ti into enemies.

But in the end, the man, fists clenched, walked past the Articans, leaving the room. No one looked at him favorably; all bore expressions of displeasure.

“I apologize for this, Jon-dono. I will deal with him later to ensure this does not happen again,” the Shogun said sincerely, while Jon regarded him before responding.

“I do not wish to be an enemy of Yi-Ti. Nor do you have the luxury of gaining another enemy. I am open to negotiating with you. But I will not accept being treated this way. After all, we do not do this in my kingdom when hosting guests,” Jon said, his tone very serious toward the Shogun.

“Father?” the princess exclaimed in surprise as she saw her father lower his forehead to the ground.

“Shogun, there is no need for this…” other samurai said, stunned, as they watched Yi-Ti’s leader bow in such a manner.

“Please, I beg your forgiveness for this… Forgive us for this!” the Shogun spoke, shocking Jon.

“Rise. I see nothing wrong with you, Oden-dono. I only ask not to see that man in any of our future negotiations,” Jon sighed and said in conclusion.

Oden nodded as he stood up, looking at Jon with gratitude. They were in a dire situation and could not afford to lose the opportunity to help Yi-Ti with the massive shipment of food brought by these foreigners, which had compelled him to kneel.

He sighed and addressed the King of Artica.

“We are interested in your proposals, but I cannot confirm anything regarding the trade network you want to establish, as we are in the midst of a war, and the country’s political situation is very unstable. However, we still wish to negotiate the products you brought on your ships,” the Shogun concluded.

“Very well. We can proceed, Oden-dono,” Jon replied, calmer amidst the silence.

“And why don’t we start our business now?” he suggested as his men brought forward an illustrated book showcasing the products they had to offer. This time, Jon had not brought samples as he usually did, but the books contained detailed and clear illustrations of what was available on the ships.

Quickly, a negotiation commenced. They discussed prices, and Jon made concessions for Yi-Ti, considering the war they were facing. He offered more affordable rates to assist the country. By the end, the samurai were quite satisfied with the results, as Jon had begun to alleviate a very dire situation. Due to the war, Yi-Ti could no longer produce or extract resources from the most fertile areas of the country, which had been under Mongol control. In the end, they reached agreements on logistics, pricing, and products.

“Well, this was an excellent initial negotiation. We can continue discussing this tomorrow,” the Shogun suggested, as there was hope that the business could be concluded quickly in the coming days.

“Very well. We can proceed,” Jon agreed.

“Then please accept my hospitality and stay in my castle. I heard that you have been staying on your ship, but I would like to offer a proper room for you and your family,” the Shogun proposed.

Jon considered it for a moment. There was no reason to refuse since, during the conversation, he had already quickly assessed the castle with his keen perception and felt it was safe. He just needed to keep an eye on the samurai named Orochi.

“Very well, I will accept your proposal,” he replied at last.

“I will ask my daughter to accompany you then. I would also like to have dinner with your family. I will send a servant to inform you at the appropriate time,” the Shogun added, and Jon nodded.

With the meeting concluded, the royal guards escorted Jon and his entourage, while Princess Hiyori led them to the upper floors. Along the way, the young woman glanced at Jon and began to speak.

“I know my father’s men may have been harsh, but they still have Yi-Ti’s best interests at heart,” she commented, as Jon gave a faintly forced smile.

“Robbing your guests and creating a new enemy is not thinking about the future of your empire…” Jon mocked.

“…” She had no response to this. Jon wanted to laugh at her naivety in trying to justify Orochi’s actions, the traitor, but chose not to intervene at that moment.

“I apologize on behalf of my father. You’ve brought hope to Yi-Ti. I think you’re right… For that alone, we should be grateful and treat you with respect,” she continued. Her words were sincere, but there seemed to be more she wanted to say. However, with all eyes on her and Jon, Hiyori limited herself to these phrases.

Upon reaching the upper floors, each person was shown to their respective quarters. Jon received an exclusive room, while his ministers, family, and royal guards were accommodated nearby, organizing shifts for vigilance.

Jon sighed as he found himself alone there. Being without any of his wives felt somewhat strange to him, but he set the thought aside, approaching the window to observe the city below, keeping his eyes vigilant over the area and the fortress.

No one there was aware of his powers, so he discreetly scanned the entire castle in real time. Quickly, he stumbled upon some interesting scenes: he saw the princess discussing him with her father. She had been sincere, while they were reaching the conclusion that they should treat him with respect and seemed very favorable toward Jon’s proposals.

He also observed Orochi, visibly frustrated, smashing wine cups in his room while drinking and cursing, clearly agitated and wondering what he should do next. Jon, however, paid little attention to this, resolving to deal with him before he could take any action.

Leaving the balcony, Jon noticed some books left nearby. He picked one up and began reading it in the language of Yi-Ti. He read for a while until Daenerys knocked on the door and asked to come in. He invited her in, and the two spoke about the city and the country, sharing their impressions since their arrival, as she wanted to spend some time with her nephew.

As night fell, Daenerys returned to her room to prepare, dressing in an elegant outfit she had brought along, a result of some shopping in the city of Yin. Jon also changed into a more formal local attire, waiting for the summons to dinner.

Soon, his guards knocked on the door, informing him that Oden had requested his presence. Jon proceeded to another room with his family, where he found a table prepared. He, Arya, and Daenerys were seated with the Shogun and the princess, sharing the meal.

The dinner passed without significant issues. They talked about basic topics, keeping the atmosphere light. At the end, Oden asked Jon to stay after the women had left. Jon agreed, and once everyone had withdrawn, the Shogun led him to a balcony high in the castle. There, they sat while Oden poured sake into small cups.

“You know, Jon-dono, I was very surprised when I first heard about a young king coming from such distant lands. But I must say, seeing you in person is impressive. That’s why I’d like to have a private conversation and learn more about you and Artica, the kingdom you come from,” Oden remarked in a friendly tone.

Jon responded calmly:

“I understand, Oden-dono. That’s not a problem. I’m open to sharing things about my kingdom.”

He had no issue discussing Artica, as they were on the other side of the world, and exchanging information wouldn’t harm him or his kingdom. Thus, they had a long conversation. The Shogun, highly curious, asked various questions about the kingdom, its people, and even the origins of the giants. He also inquired about how it was possible for such small and large beings to coexist, surprised by the knowledge that dwarves, men, and giants were different races.

“I’ve also heard that you possess dragons. Is that true?” Oden asked, his eyes filled with curiosity. It was clear that some of his men had already reported sightings of these creatures from the ships docked at Yin’s harbor.

“Yes, but they are still small. The largest ones are in Artica,” Jon replied calmly.

“Indeed, you are like those dragon lords from the land of fire…” Oden commented, referring to Valyria, with a tone of admiration.

“Yes, I have a young dragon, though very large, in Artica. We are bonded, and I am his rider. He and Ghost, my white wolf, are my closest companions,” Jon responded.

“So you can bond with animals? I’ve never heard of such a thing,” Oden remarked, surprised. He didn’t fully grasp the significance of Jon’s abilities, though he had noticed that the animals in Jon’s group obeyed him impressively, assuming they were simply well-trained.

“Speaking of which, your wolf has become quite famous. I’ve heard rumors about him even before you arrived here. I call him the mythical legend, a protector from folklore, Ōkuchi no Makami. Do you know of him?” he asked.

“Not much, perhaps because of Ghost’s size and his white fur,” Jon said.

“Yes… your wolf greatly resembles the mythical figure. Ōkuchi no Makami is known as the great protector, one who defends the lands of Yi-Ti. There are rumors in the city that you are here to save the empire, but don’t pay much attention to those…” Oden said with a small apologetic smile and continued.

“But I must admit… You truly seem like you’ve stepped out of a fairy tale,” he added with a small laugh.

“Well, many people say that when they see us for the first time. I consider my people to be among the strongest in the world, and no one can challenge us. I believe I hold the right position to lead them,” Jon replied with a slight smile while sipping his sake.

“No offense, of course,” he added for the Shogun.

“No, no. No offense,” Oden replied, shaking his head. “I can understand your reasons for such statements. Unfortunately, I wish you could see Yi-Ti at its peak, but we are in the midst of a war,” he remarked with a slightly somber tone.

“I understand. I heard that your son was captured,” Jon commented, observing the Shogun lose the color in his face and adopt an expression of sadness and concern.

“Yes, he was taken… I wonder if he is well,” Oden murmured.

“Perhaps this will help. I came to bring you a gift,” Jon said, pulling something from his pocket as the Shogun looked up, curious and wary.

Jon produced a scroll and handed it to the man, who opened it cautiously. His eyes widened as he examined its contents.

“What is this?” Oden asked.

“This is a strategic map with the locations of the enemy and their routes. It could ease your war efforts. But if you don’t trust me, that’s fine. You can verify the information through your scouts,” Jon explained calmly.

Oden, still in disbelief, studied the map, immediately recognizing some strategic points that he knew had been lost to the Mongols. The accuracy of the map was undeniable, but he cast a suspicious glance at Jon, wondering how he knew all of this. Jon answered before he could even voice his doubt.

“As I said, you can have someone confirm the information. If it proves true, it will be useful in the war. Yi-Ti’s problems have nothing to do with Artica, and I do not intend to involve myself in this conflict. However, I believe this could be of help,” Jon concluded as he began to stand.

“I’ll be going. We’ll begin tomorrow. Perhaps we can spar in the courtyard, as you suggested,” Jon said while the man simply nodded, still frozen before the map. In the end, Jon left the place with his guards.

Back in his room, where the guards remained vigilant by the door, Jon lay on the bed and sighed, gazing at the moonlit sky through the window overlooking the city. Then, he closed his eyes, attempting to rest.

Hours passed as he slept until a knock at the door roused him. He sighed, already knowing who it was, thanks to the shared vision with one of his animals outside. In a calm tone, he said,

“Let her in.”

Seconds later, the door began to open as Jon rose from the bed. A woman entered his room, wearing a hood to conceal her face. It was the middle of the night, and it wouldn’t be well-received for the princess of Yi-Ti to be out of her quarters. Jon watched her with some suspicion as the door closed and the princess lowered her hood.

“Tell me, how could I possibly assist the princess, coming to my room in the middle of the night?” Jon asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

“I…” She seemed a bit nervous, trying to maintain eye contact with him.

“I need your help,” she murmured.

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