The 1.000 year Great Sage ---> COMPLETED STORY

The Representative stopped with his mouth open, unable to think about something that could free him from that trap that he himself dug. He slowly seated and remained in silence.

The Chinese Representative raised his arm again.

- I have one more question… Can I ask, it's through the Gateway Arch in Japan, that Magic is flowing to this World?

- Yes, it is. If I place more Gateways, more Magic will flow, and faster. I suppose you want to ask for a Gateway to be placed in China, correct?

- Yes, I would like to ask for one, as many of my colleagues in here would want to, for sure.

Seya hides a smile.

- I suppose a Gateway Arch can be a touristic spot, for people to visit. And also a good opportunity for your country or another one, to study it and try to find a way to go through it, bypassing the security measures that I put on it, hoping to gain some kind of profit in three other Worlds, full with wealth, gold, natural resources and Magic. Or maybe you think it's just a matter of pride, to also have such an amazing thing like Japan has. I can do that. But instead of any of you thinking in profit, resources or means to become wealthier than another country, why not seize this opportunity and unite every country in this World, to a common goal? To improve this world with our help? Because being greedy is such an ugly flaw that most Humans have…

The Chinese Representative vigorously shook his head.

- No, I was just thinking it would be fair if more countries could have a Gateway Arch and it would also be easier to interact with your World!

Seya nodded.

- Yes, spoke like a true politician. You could have fooled me if I didn't know any better. Unfortunately for you, I was taught since I was ten years old in politics, by a very wise King. Don't worry, I will for sure place more Gateway Arches in some countries, I think one on each continent would be appropriate, as long as the Gateway Arch can be near a Mountain, to help the Magic go to the World. If you want and if you allow it, I can also place Arches in some hidden places, as a security measure, in case an envy person tries to destroy one placed in a country. As for the interaction, anyone can approach a Gateway Arch and send a message by talking to the female Knight on the other side. She will either deliver your message or talk to you with Mind Magic, she is very curious about this World.

The Representative from India raised her hand.

- I want to know, it's possible from one of those Arches, a person to go to another World, or it only connects to your World?

- The Arch in Japan connects to a room in my house. In there, there are three Arches, each of them connects to one World. If someone crosses the Arch in Japan, he will arrive at that room. Upon granted authorization, that same person can cross another Arch and go to the World Myshkasyl or to Legosyl.

- Why that need for authorization?

- Because only in our World, there are Humans. The other two Worlds are not used to a Race like yours. A lot of problems could arise, on both sides. They don't even speak English. In Ariansyl, we use mostly the Common Language. A mix between English, Dwarf ancient language, Elfian and BeastKind language. At home, each Race learns the Common Language and the language of their Race. In school, they can learn other languages. That's why we all speak English, with more or less accent, of course, as you for sure noticed.

The Indian Representative was puzzled.

- Why those Arches connect to your house and not to a Kingdom?

Seya shrugged his shoulders.

- I was the one who made them. If a Kingdom wants to make one, and if they ever managed to achieve that, they can put an Arch wherever they want. But I will advise them to not do that, I prefer being the intermediary, for the time being. You see, we had a lot of problems recently, caused by the fallen Human Empire at the Northside of the Eternal Forest. They tried to expand their borders and invade the Elfian lands. Humans tend to be greedier and more reckless than they should. If by any chance Earth Humans went to one of our Kingdoms and they started to make some kind of problems, it would surely not end well, for the Earth Humans.

The Indian Representative asked again, she was still curious.

- What is the development of your World?

- We are more or less stuck in the European Middle Age. The LizardKind are in Ancient Japan, with Samurais being a strong influence in their culture. On the other Kingdoms, the Templar Great Sage that came 2.000 years before me, influenced the World a lot. Sometimes, not in a good way, unfortunately. Our people have a simple life, together with Nature. There is no need for luxuries, actually. Well, except in the case of Nobility, of course. Those guys like expensive rare things. The rest of the people values more their family and friends.

The German Representative raised his hand.

- I have one question. What kind of laws exists in your World? You talked about wild animals and bandits, is a crime a major issue in your World?

- Well, crime is very low, but it still exists. Wherever there are intelligent beings, for sure are some not so willing to behave properly, in a society. We have robberies, an occasional murder or assassination, but the percentage is very low. We only have two punishments, work slavery, with the amount of time being accordingly with the damage the criminal did, and for the more violent crimes, death. I know everything about your Human Rights, prisons and courts, and these two types of punishment may seem absurd to you, but they work. Slavery makes the criminal pay with his hard work all the losses or damages made upon their victims, either by working to those victims, or working to a Kingdom and the money they would get paid, is then sent to the victims. As for the death sentence, well, that is done in extreme cases and like that, we don't need to worry about the criminal anymore.

- But… that's barbaric…

- Like I said, you may think it's absurd, but for us, what is more absurd is to spend money on feeding for several years or their entire life on a prison, someone that it's condemned for a homicide. You may think it's more human, more dignified, but try to explain to a wife that saw her husband being killed, that the criminal will be sentenced to 20 years and he will probably get out in 15 or 10 years for good behaviour. And her husband will never come back again.

The German Representative was slowly shaking his head.

- But… still…

- Well, don't judge our ways and I won't judge yours. In Ariansyl, you must obey our laws, in here, I obey yours. For instance, that soldier that shot against me, the Ariansyl law says that an assassination attempt against a High Noble such as myself, must always be punished by death on the spot. I didn't kill the soldier, because the crime was made here. The Japanese Government is the one that can choose the proper punishment, I can only press charges or not. On this particular case, I chose not to, because I understood that the soldier over-reacted because of fear and surprise. It would be different if I was killed. Gaya would for sure send hundreds and hundreds of Magical Knights to kill the soldier as a punishment. Or Ryn, or Lionelia. But on their case, I think they wouldn't stop on that soldier…

The German Representative asked again.

- One more thing, what guarantees do we have that from the Gateway Arch, an army won't come to attack us?

- Do you honestly think that for attacking you and kill every single Human on Earth, an army would be needed? Look at me. Look at the Dragonoid Eridan, look at Queen Titania or Queen Athena. Do you think that if any of us had any ill intention towards Earth, you would be able to stop any of us? I can only guarantee one thing, and the Representative from Japan can perhaps vouch for my words.

Seya kneeled on the ground and placed in front of his chest, his both hands together, fist against palm, in the Samurai way.

- I am a Samurai, follower of the Bushido Code. It would be a dishonour for me, and even committing seppuku wouldn't erase my shame, if I ever attacked any Human on Earth, un-provoked.

The Japanese Representative stood up and made the same hand gesture towards Seya, with a slight bow of his head.

- I believe in you, Great Sage, and I consider a great honour that you have Humanity in such high regards.

Seya slowly got up, before the surprised looks of most Representatives towards the Japanese Representative. The German one blinked a few times, but he still wasn't convinced.

- Either way, I would appreciate a more tangible assurance… We don't know you, how can we trust in your words?

Seya nodded. He went to the Gateway and talked with Gaya.

- Gaya, call Master Inia here, with the utmost urgency, I need to speak with her.

Seya returned to his place and addressed the Representatives.

- Very well, I will explain one very important detail that I didn't mention until now. On our World, 10.000 years ago, the Goddess Aria created the Dragonoids. The first four were assigned by her, to be the Protector of the four major Races. The Dragonoid Elder Eridan in here is the protector of the RabbitKind Race. The other Elders are Elder Narn, the Protector of the Elfian Race, Elder Igneel, the Protector of the Dwarf Race and Elder Inia is the Protector of the Human Race. Recently, I was chosen as the Protector of the LizardKind Race. As a Protector, we have the duty of protecting our designated Race against any kind of danger, to advise and to guide them. If by any chance I tried to harm Humanity, either on Earth or on Ariansyl, Elder Inia would be the first to stop me, killing me, if needed.

A female voice came from the Gateway. When the Representatives looked in that direction, Inia was crossing the Gateway, a woman extremely beautiful, with her long blond hair, a white dress floating as she walked, and a big smile.

- If I couldn't kill you, at least I would make sure that you wouldn't be able to move for a very long time… Oh! So many Humans! Such a big room… Where are we, Seya?

Seya turned to the Representatives again and pointed with his hand towards Inia.

- May I introduce to you, the Elder Dragonoid Inia, Protector of the Human Race. Master Inia, we are on Earth, from where the Humans on Ariansyl came, many, many years ago.

Inia was puzzled. She looked at the Gateway from where she came and one of Gaya's Knights was on the other side. Inia looked around with her eyes wide open and smiled in happiness.

- For real? I asked so many times for the Goddess to bring me here so that I could visit Earth! You managed to create a Gateway that connects here? How?

Seya shrugged his shoulders.

- I asked Aria for her help after the Council allowed me.

Inia went near him and gave him a light punch on his head.

- Sometimes, I hate you so much! I asked her so many times, and she never brought me here!

Inia looked around to the Representatives, she was all smiles.

- So many different Humans! They are all so pretty!

Inia walked in the direction of the edge of the Light Shield and stopped there. She turned her head back and asked.

- Do you mind opening this? I want to see them up close!

Seya frowned.

- Do you mind asking them first if you can approach? They might get scared…

- Scared of me? Oh, come on, open this already!

Seya made a gesture and a passage opened in front of Inia. She walked outside of the Light Dome Shield and looked around, smiling. She saw the Representative from India and while all the Representatives blinked one time, she flew at light speed and stopped right in front of her.

- Such a beautiful brown skin colour you have… Do your parents look like you? Where are you from? We don't have Humans with your skin colour!

- I am from India. It's a country…

- Really? And… that one…

Inia flew to the Chinese Representative.

- You have such beautiful eyes! They are so closed! And your skin, so white… You are not from India… on this paper, it says… China? Where is this? Are there more like you? With those beautiful eyes?

The Chinese Representative spoke, a little embarrassed because such a beautiful woman was looking at him with the most beautiful smile that he had ever seen.

- It's a country on the Asian Continent. There are more like me, many more. On that side, there's the Japanese representative, with the same type of eyes…

Inia looked to where he was pointing.

- Oh, I see… and… what is…

Inia flew at high speed again and she stopped in front of a black woman.

- No way… curly dark hair… dark eyes… dark skin colour… you are extremely beautiful, my dear. We don't have Humans with your skin colour! Where are you from?

Inia caressed the right cheek of the Representative while still smiling.

- So, so beautiful…

Inia took one step back and looked around, smiling. She then flew to the front of the passage of the Light Dome and landed slowly. She looked at Seya.

- Are these for me, to take care off? They are all so pretty…

Seya nodded.

- Yes, but only the ones that choose to live on Ariansyl. And I don't know if even like that, they want you.

Inia frowned, turned to the Representatives and greeted them.

- Hello, everyone. I am the Elder Dragonoid Inia, Protector of the Human Race of the Ariansyl World. It's indeed a pleasure to visit your World, after so many years! I waited for 10.000 years, to come here. I have so many questions for you! But judging by the bored look that Seya is showing, seems that I am a distraction. I shall go near my mate, Eridan. Feel free to talk to me anytime you want, ok?

Inia rushed at light speed towards Eridan and stopped near him. The German Representative raised his arm and asked for attention.

- Excuse me… Elder Dragonoid Inia… The Great Sage was telling us that you, as the Dragonoid Protector of the Human Race, could prevent an army from coming from that Gateway to attack us. Forgive me for saying this, but you look rather harmless to achieve something like that.

Inia immediately increased her Magic at such extent, that the Light Dome trembled and blinked in strong light, to contain the pressure of her Magic. She spoke with so much Magic in her voice, that the entire room trembled.

- I am the Elder Dragonoid Inia! My mate Eridan may be strong, but his power is like of a small child, compared to my own! Only a handful of beings in Ariansyl can face me, head-on. If needed, I would kill anyone that dared to threaten you, either Dragonoid, Fairy or a Half-Breed Great Sage! That is the duty that Goddess Aria bestowed upon me, to Protect the Humans, from anyone or anything!

She slowly dispersed her Magic, but she was still breathing deeply, with an angry look on her face. Seya slowly shook his head and addressed the German Representative that was still shaking, after that outburst of Inia's power.

- You for sure have a death wish… Not even me would ever dare to say to Master Inia that she looked harmless… Maybe it's better if you all think very well before talking to her like that. My Light Dome Shield had to work overtime to contain the pressure of her Magic, and she didn't even throw an attack… So, if there are no more questions…