Isekai: The Eight Soul Fragments

The four guys, Serkyrio, Arlesk, Remuel, and Draxus, were preparing themselves for the incoming envoy. They got their clothes cleaned up and were fully set as if they were freshly summoned. While Serkyrio was discussing things and reassuring the others, Remuel, Arlesk, and Draxus were making bets.

"What do you think? I'll put my bet on [Pawns for War]." Draxus clasped and rubbed his hands together while urging the other two to bet. He tried some provocative tactic for the two so that they'll be forced to make bets with him. It was proven to be effective which led to the three of them discussing the upcoming reception to this world. "Would be funny if they branded us as a band of thieves." Remuel laughed as he let out a huge bombshell. Luckily, it wasn't audible to the other members or else that could've gotten them completely worried. Arlesk pondered for some time before giving out a prediction. "Pretty sure they'll think that we're just a group that's establishing something. But I know for sure that we'll be taken to the castle so..." Arlesk continued to ponder but was stopped by Serkyrio's words. "Leave it for later, our visitors are arriving."

The armored cavalry arrived to the mountain peak, one person acting as a diplomat came out from the carriage and shouted as if looking for us. "One who represents your group, we require your presence within five minutes!" The knight cavalry lined up as if they are ready for any situation that could arise. They had their lances and large shields equipped in both hands. One knight was holding a tall metal flag that has a symbol of two swords crossed with each other and a pair of wings surrounding it. The four that planned to represent the entire group fixed themselves and stepped forward. Each one of them showed a different kinds of charm just with their formal clothing and featured item. Serkyrio's necktie, Remuel's glasses, Arlesk's necklace, and Draxus's headphones. The four of them had their handguns holstered in their pockets as they showed themselves to the diplomat.

Serkyrio stepped forward and offered a handshake to the diplomat. "My name is Serkyrio Kaiser, leader of the group behind me." He smiled as he introduced himself with a noble tone. "May I humbly ask the diplomat in front of me for the identity and nature of visit?" The diplomat was surprised as there is a person with high level of education that showed up. He accepted the handshake and stated his business. "I am a diplomat from the Kingdom of Quisterion, Viscount Zeraphim Hermana." Draxus and Remuel looked at each other in shock. In their minds were like [So close!], as they had expectations of a [Seraphim] but it was immediately betrayed. Arlesk was facepalming in between the two while letting out an exasperated sigh. Upon a closer look, the viscount had a formal appearance of a formal nobleman. Serkyrio didn't even bother it and simply waited for Zeraphim to continue. "We've come here today to formally invite you all to our kingdom." As Zeraphim showed his courtesy, Serkyrio noticed something on Zeraphim's smile. In his mind a thought crossed over: "This could be a malicious invitation..." But those words never came out of his mouth. "Before we accept your invitation, how did you find us?" Serkyrio released a little bit of pressure to Zeraphim which caused him to flinch a little.

"Well, you see... Last week, a large pillar of light shone up to the sky coming from this mountain." Serkyrio listened in carefully as any bit of information could be very essential. "Because of that, our kingdom went around to investigate the pillar on the mountain, our espionage group had informed us of everyone's existence over the peak of the Mt. Valtav." Serkyrio looked at the three behind him with scornful eyes, which they instantly shifted away from his gaze while having a cold sweat. Apparently, it seems that their group had been observed for quite a bit during the week. As such, their spars and progression through magic was immediately known to their king.

"Which is why we wish for you to become a part of our kingdo-" Serkyrio interrupted the viscount and looked at him with suspicion. "Do you have plans to use our power?" The viscount who received the interruption and pressure immediately took a step back from the aura that Serkyrio let out. At that point three people came out of the luxurious looking carriage. One had a mature and handsome vibe which could be similar to Arlesk and Harold. Judging by his appearance, they perceived him to be close to their age but not older. He was wearing some formal wear which makes him look like a prince. Arlesk immediately muttered which was only audible to Draxus and Remuel: "Could that be a bona fide prince?" He was looking with interest as there was a large aura of dignity. The second person that came out was a young girl with a dignified appearance like the guy before. They had similar emerald blond hair and jade colored eyes. The girl was wearing an elegant dress despite her age being significantly younger than them. The three people at the back were surprised to the beautiful girl that suddenly appeared. In terms of the body shape, the girl had a slender body with decent curves. Arlesk turned his gaze at Draxus who was flabbergasted and let out an ominous grin. Draxus who felt unpleasant on Arlesk's grin tried to stomp his foot but was dodged easily without showing strange movements to the envoys. However, Remuel who noticed the two also started grinning at Draxus, which caused him to completely avert his gaze altogether.

"Can you leave it at that viscount, allow me to handle this." The guy who had an aura of a prince let out a calming voice which made Zeraphim turn around and return back to the side of the carriage. He then stepped forward accompanied by another guy which looked like a seasoned warrior. The man was wearing some light armor and carrying a weapon that has blades on both ends. It's mainly held at the middle which makes the dangers of the weapon large. The shape of the blades seem to be double-edged and some inscribed letters on one end of the weapon. The weapon is called a glaive and it's mainly difficult to use for normal people.

"Greetings Serkyrio Kaiser, I am Prince Oswald Faleo Quisterion. I have come to wholeheartedly welcome you [Other Worlders] to our kingdom." Serkyrio offered a handshake to the prince this time while maintaining the calm voice. "Nice to meet you Prince Oswald, I apologize for making an assumption like your country being suspicious due to the investigations your country has done. But for now, I'll deem it harmless to accept such a lovely invitation by your country." The prince showed a radiant smile for being pleased with grace and humility. "Very well, then-" Another calm voice interrupted them as though interjecting on the two. "Naturally, that invitation extends to us as well right?" The person that interjected them was Begona, who had a radiant smile for some reason. The prince was slightly surprised but he immediately returned his calmness and responded. "Of course, it extends to everyone who was summoned in this mountain." Afterwards, the three parties temporarily left the center which had a lot of spectators. Each side then started the preparation while the kingdom's forces settled down nearby Serkyrio's camp.

Another girl came out of the carriage which also had similar features to the princess. With her hair showing a tinge of golden blond mixed in, she was introduced along with the princess by Oswald. "These girls are Olivia Yuriel Quisterion, and Celestine Vera Ysteria." Celestine seems to be a younger cousin of Oswald and both of them seemed to have a lot of graceful behavior despite being fifteen to sixteen years old. However, they got interested with the otherworldly design of Draxus's headset. Just the headset alone is already a unique feature since they haven't seen anything like it before. "This is, a weirdly shaped helmet. Where did you get this?" They had looks of interest while even gently touching the headset. "It feels very smooth for a helmet too." Draxus was looking a little troubled while explaining it to the two young ladies.

Serkyrio and Remuel are talking with Oswald regarding the world. They gathered as much knowledge regarding the countries, map, magic, and the like while waiting for the others to finish. Arlesk was talking with the seasoned warrior who is named Ulysses Held. He seems to be experience with all kinds of battle after Arlesk talked to him about facing some situations. He gathered information regarding various kinds of monsters that are all over the world and fighting against his own fellow humans. "There was also a time where I ended up fighting one of my own." Which got Arlesk interested. Thirty minutes into the preparation, they started to get bored. It was then suggested by Oswald to do a simple mock battle. Serkyrio accepted the suggestion of a mock battle but he wasn't fairly prepared for that kind of entertainment. So he left the choice of the sparring partner for them. Ulysses was chosen for the envoy's side while they decided to select Draxus as the opponent. Draxus who received the order from Serkyrio to display his best immediately showed a brave smile. He took his headphones and prepared himself without a weapon against a giant glaive. Oswald showed a troubled look to Draxus who decided to fight unarmed.

"Is Draxus going to be alright?" Serkyrio didn't show any doubt to Draxus and reassured Oswald. "Well, his fighting style demands that he starts unarmed." Oswald didn't seem convinced over Serkyrio's reassurance. "He's starting unarmed? It's a little bit risky fighting our country's strongest unarmed early." Serkyrio simply smiled and told him: "Just watch."

"Draxus Heimdal, and you are?" Draxus calmly introduced himself, which Ulysses responded calmly. "Ulysses Held, the two ladies seem to be interested in you. So I might as well check if you have abilities that can protect someone." Draxus formed a standard medium height southpaw stance with open arms. "Understandable, then allow me to entertain you." Ulysses brought out his glaive and formed a stance. "Ulysses Held, Hero of Quisterion, here I come!"