Grit's expression also shifted to one of surprise; she was probably contemplating the sa thing as Artur. Clearing her throat, Grit spoke up, "Yes, Your Highness, that's correct. Mana Stone. It's a magical stone capable of storing mana within it."
"A stone that can store mana?" Prince Moku's forehead creased in confusion.
He gestured, and an arion approached the three iron boxes. The arion picked up one of the mana stones and examined it. Then, turning to Prince Moku, he confird, "He's right, Your Highness. This stone indeed contains mana. The mana doesn't seep out; it's like it's confined within the stone."
Surprise rippled through the arion gathered in The Great Hall. Artur glanced at them, wondering what was going on.
"Gupita, is it that there are no mana stones in the Wilwatikta Kingdom?" Robert inquired.
Gupita shook her head. "No, this is the first ti I've seen mana stones too," she added.
Hearing that, Artur was taken aback. Robert's expression mirrored his own shock. They couldn't fathom that Gupita didn't know what mana stones were. How could a mage not know about mana stones?
However, upon reconsideration, they realized Gupita had been a forr slave. Her graceful and refined deanor had led them to assu she was of noble birth.
Thus, it was reasonable that Gupita might not know about mana stones. The use of mana stones was still largely monopolized by mages and nobles. Commoners might have heard rumors, and slaves might never know about them.
If that was the case, the humans residing in the Wilwatikta Kingdom might not have shared this information with the arion. Just as Anna, who was unaware of mana stones, couldn't inform Moku about them.
It seed Grit understood this point too. Artur noticed a brighter expression on Grit's face after he realized Moku was unfamiliar with mana stones. This ant he could raise the value of mana stones in the eyes of the arion. When the trade relationship between the Human Alliance and the Wilwatikta Kingdom was established, they could sell mana stones at a higher price.
Grit began explaining the uses of mana stones to Prince Moku with great enthusiasm. He started with their everyday applications, how to manipulate mana colors within the stones, and even their applications in more advanced devices.
However, while Grit detailed the uses of mana stones to Prince Moku, Artur couldn't help but wonder whether the arion truly needed mana stones or not. He recalled the bright lights on the second floor of The Great Hall. Those lights shone brilliantly without any noticeable use of mana stones.
However, Artur's most significant question at the mont was how it was possible that the arion species hadn't discovered mana stones. After entering the military academy, Artur learned the source of mana stones.
Mana stones are ford from the residual mana found within the bodies of deceased mana species, which is buried in the earth. The remnants of mana seep into the ground and cause changes to the rocks beneath.
After several decades or a certain period depending on how many mana species are buried in that location, mana stones will naturally form. This is why the Human Alliance has a policy of public burial grounds for each of its towns. This way, they can ensure the location of the next mana stone deposit.
Thus, it's peculiar that the Wilwatikta Kingdom doesn't have its own mana stone deposits. Considering their civilization has existed for over a thousand years, there should have been one or two mana stone deposits ford.
"Or perhaps the arion species uses cremation for their burial process?" Artur pondered silently.
However, this seed unlikely. If the arion species dwelled underground, the likelihood was high that their burial process was akin to burial, not cremation. Then why hadn't the arion species ever discovered the existence of mana stones?
Artur was puzzled by this, but he didn't dwell on it for long. The answer wasn't his concern; he would leave the analysis to the Human Alliance higherup to figure out.
At present, Grit had finished explaining the entire use of mana stones to Prince Moku. His breath sounded rushed, his speech too fast, and her enthusiasm palpable.
Prince Moku simply nodded, attentively listening to Grit without interrupting. Occasionally, he posed a question or two, then fell silent to listen.
"Sir Grit, thank you for explaining the use of mana stones. I'm convinced that with the presence of mana stones, technological advancent in the Wilwatikta Kingdom will accelerate. However, I'm sure that you didn't co all the way here just to explain the usefulness of mana stones, did you? Please, tell us what you desire from us."
Finally, their conversation reached the core of the matter. With a wave of Prince Moku's hand, three arion returned and lifted the three iron boxes, carrying them down the stairs. The iron boxes filled with mana stones would be stored in The Great Hall's storage floor.
"Your Highness, before we proceed, there's sothing I'd like to confirm. The arion species has always lived beneath the Bog Forest and rarely interacts with the surface world. Yet, with your construction of West Fortress, it can be interpreted as the arion species beginning to engage with the outside world. May I assu that?" Grit inquired.
Prince Moku nodded and replied, "You can interpret it that way. However, the main purpose of West Fortress is to establish the first line of defense for the Wilwatikta Kingdom."
"Defense? May I ask why and who prompted you to seek to do that?"
"Three years ago, we sensed a massive mana explosion within the Bog Forest. The mana explosion caused all the mana in the forest to surge. Several seers in our kingdom stated that this was a sign of a changing world, and Wilwatikta Kingdom would no longer be safe by hiding beneath the Bog Forest alone. As a result, I was tasked by my father to build a fortress here," Prince Moku explained.
Three years ago was precisely when the demon species was discovered. Artur's brow furrowed, wondering what kind of world-changing events the seers of Wilwatikta Kingdom were referring to.
Upon hearing this, Grit's brow furrowed as well. Looking serious, she said, "Your Highness, I believe I understand what your seers ant."
"Hmm? What do you an?"
"Your Highness, three years ago was the ti when a species from another continent attacked the er Continent. They nad themselves demons..."
Grit began explaining to Prince Moku what the demon species was, their characteristics, and the powers they possessed. When Prince Moku learned that demons could grow stronger by consuming other mana species, his expression turned grave.
Artur understood what Prince Moku was thinking. If demons could beco stronger by consuming other mana species, the relationship between demons and other mana species was nothing but predator and prey.
If humans, elves, warbeasts, and arions still want to survive in this world and avoid extinction, then the only way for them is to eradicate all the demons that exist. If not, they will forever remain prey to the predators that consu them.
"...That's why humans, elves, and warbeasts set aside their grudges and ford an alliance to fight against the demon species. Your Highness, currently, the Human Alliance has established a defensive line at the base of Wolf Slope Mountain. However, the demon species is incredibly strong, and every day we suffer defeats that push our defensive line further back."
Grit finished explaining the current situation at the frontlines of the war against the demon species. Prince Moku didn't imdiately respond and remained silent for a mont as he processed the newly acquired information.
After a short while, he nodded and said, "I understand what you an. Wolf Slope Mountain is the gateway to enter the Bog Forest. If the demons were to control Wolf Slope Mountain, it would an that the Bog Forest would beco an open ground, easily accessible at any ti.
"Even though we live underground, we still consider the Bog Forest as our ho. This is where our species was first born, and it's where our ancestors are buried. Sir Grit, is the purpose of your visit here to invite the arion species to join the battle against the demon species?"
Grit nodded, then, as if not wanting to sugarcoat his words, he spoke candidly, though it might sound like a threat and coercion, "Exactly, Your Highness. Please forgive for being forthright, but if the defensive line we've established at Wolf Slope Mountain were to be destroyed by the demons, it's possible that the human species would suffer significant losses. However, the demon species wouldn't be able to reach our territory without first passing through the Bog Forest."
Prince Moku nodded, "I understand your point, Sir Grit. However, even though I am a prince, I can't compel the arion species with authority greater than mine. If that's translated into human power levels, the troops I can mobilize right now are only Level 4 Constellation Mages and below.
"As for Level 5 Constellation Mages and above, they can only be engaged in battle with the king's permission. Without my father's consent, I cannot order them to fight."
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