>April 6, 2058
Ryuzen Ayane on their way to the Dwarven capital, Durgundar.
Ryuzen: These flying locomotives or rather mana trains are quite handy. They run solely on mana, travel by air, and hit transonic speeds. Honestly, they're the only reason travel is feasible in this new world.
Ayane: How far is the Dwarven capital?
Ryuzen: The distance in nothing to scoff at, the city of Durgundar is about 30,000 kilometers from Japan which wouldn't even be possible on Earth.
Ayane: (arms crossed, annoyed) I still don't understand why I had to tag along with you on this foolish endeavour when there is so much work to do.
Ryuzen: Oh come on, you wouldn't really leave me all alone, would you?
Ayane: I'd love to do that, actually.
Ryuzen: (grinning) Trust me, this is gonna be much more interesting than anything in that lab. Also (leans closer, voice sharpening) I wouldn't do anything without a proper reason—except when it's to annoy you.
Ayane: Yeah whatever.^ Even I know that Dr. Ryuzen wouldn't do meaningless things ^ We should be arriving at the capital soon.
Ryuzen: Ok Ayane remember—everything you see or hear in there is new data. Log it. Mentally, of course. We're not just tourists.
Ayane: Definitely Doctor, I am curious about Durgundar of Thordrim or their new name - The Iron Peak of The Hammerfall Kingdom.
Ryuzen: Well it sure wasn't easy to get invited to the capital, that too by the King himself.
Ayane: (narrowing eyes) I know you won't answer but I still want to know, how did you manage to pull off something so impossible in just a week after the new world meeting?
Ryuzen: You're right... and wrong. It is impossible—for anyone else. But you were wrong thinking I wouldn't answer. (smirking) I love bragging in front of my subordinates.
Ayane: (scoffs) I'm not your subordinate. But wait—you're actually gonna tell me?
Ryuzen: I would but I'm pretty sure that someone is watching us, I don't know if they can hear us or not but I can't take the chance.
Ayane: So you never planned on telling in the first place.
Ryuzen: I can tell this much: I knew this would happen today even before the meeting.
Ayane: (sarcastically) Yeah sure.
Ryuzen: ^ sorry Ayane chan but that wasn't meant for you ^
------
Elsewhere - Elf spy
unknown: ^ how does he know I'm here or is there someone else spying? and how did he plan on visiting Durgundar even before he met the dwarves?^
(telepathically) Your Highness!
Shera: I told you not to contact me when near him, I hate his intellect.
unknown: Well that is the problem, he knows I'm here and it seems like he wanted me to be here.
Shera: (groaning) For the love of God, will he ever stop being such a pain?
unknown: He also says that he planned the invitation even before the meeting.
Shera: What?! No. This could be a trap. I don't care how skilled you are—an elf sneaking into the Dwarven capital? That won't fly well. Get out. Now.
unknown: But your highness I can—
Shera: No! I want you here, this instant.
------
An hour later
Ryuzen: They should be gone by now.^ I know they have telepathic communication because of my interaction between Fil and the princess ^
Ayane: Who should be gone?
Ryuzen: The Elf spy that we had on our tail this whole journey.
Ayane: (shocked) What?! A spy was following us this whole time? I thought you were keeping us out of danger!
Ryuzen: (smirking) And I did. Neither of us are hurt, are we?
Ayane: (annoyed) How did you know it was an elf? And how can you be so sure they left?
Ryuzen: Ayane, them leaving is a good thing, now I can catch you up on the more important things that were happening outside the lab. I will tell you more stuff that is beyond even Kaito.
Ayane: You are gonna give me more information than the President, and why is that? do you trust me that much or did you fall for my beaut?
Ryuzen: Don't get ahead of yourself, it's not trust. Humans are the least trustable, even in this post-convergence world and you are a 7 on a good day.
Ayane: (mock-offended) Ouch. Rude and blind.
Ryuzen: (genuine for once) Ayane, I see talent in you and it would be wasted in that lab, I hope that after listening to this 5D chess I've been playing, you will like the real world more than the books.
Ayane: ^ one moment he flirts with me and then he immediately sees me like a nobody, I don't get him but I will trust in his hope ^ Alright I am all ears Doctor.
Ryuzen: (mock disgust) Ew that would be gross....all ears, and no other parts.....
Ayane: (groans) Just when I thought you were getting serious.
Ryuzen: Don't worry I'm always serious, and you can just call me Ryuzen I've been calling you by your first name all this time so..
Ayane: Okay... Ryuzen. So? Tell me about this "5D chess" you've been playing.
Ryuzen: Not yet, the plan is still in progress and I don't want to give you any spoilers.
Ayane: (glaring) Damn you Ryuzen.
they arrive at the capital
Ayane: (looking out the window) This looks like something out of a fantasy novel, it is big and prosperous but lacks technology. I guess mana slowed down their technological advancement.
Ryuzen: There should be someone to escort us….. Ah, there he is!
Ryuzen and a dwarven man walk toward each other.
Ryuzen: Takuro, right?
Takuro: Ryuzen, right?
(They shake hands.)
Takuro: Well I sure am glad to meet you, my brother has told a lot about you and I am grateful for all you did.
Ryuzen: Ah it's really not a big deal. I keep telling Daigo to not mind it but he keeps going on about being indebted to me.
Takuro: Hahaha well that's just how he is. Let me introduce myself. I am Takuro Gwalin the Infantry General of Thordrim aka Hammerfall Kingdom.
Ayane: ^ Wait... what? How does he know this guy? He knows his brother? And he's a freakin' General?! Why is he escorting us? ^
Ryuzen: As you know I am Ryuzen Tenrai a researcher and this is my subordinate Ayane Sujimoto.
Takuro: A pleasure. Let me escort you to the King's chambers.
They travel by monstercart—Ayane grimacing the entire ride—and eventually arrive in the throne hall.
Shenshi: I have been waiting for you, Mr. Ryuzen Tenrai.
Ayane: ^ that sounded like he knows him or something ^
Ryuzen: It's an honor to be in the presence of The Emperor Supreme, Shenshi Garde.
Shenshi: Are you here to uphold your end of the deal.
Ryuzen: I'm a man of my word, Your Highness. I have honored my end of the bargain and hope the same from you.
Shenshi: You sure are more well-mannered than I imagined but if you did what you said then I don't really have a choice anymore.
I have an important thing to attend but you can rest easy, considering the deal done. We can go through the specifics when I return.
Ryuzen: That's all I could ever ask for. Hope you are return with triumphant.
Ayane: ^ I have a shit ton of questions, you condescending, cryptic prick. ^
*I got busy with something else and couldn't show up much and I hate how even I seemed to have missed all the planning he is talking about. Whatever it is I feel like we are close to seeing the true potential of Ryuzen Tenrai.