Emojis
ForTestingPurposeThe warriors of the Bow Tribe took up arms to resist the invaders.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThough renowned for their bravery, stopping the invaders’ advance was no easy task.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Bow Tribe was a tribal society, usually living quietly scattered across their own territories, making it nearly impossible to oppose a large-scale military force.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe beginning of all these events was when an unidentified plague started to slowly spread across the northern plains.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAt first, everyone thought little of it.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThey believed it was just a new form of illness that caused some mental confusion in the early stages and, in severe cases, led to vomiting blood.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHowever, the situation rapidly escalated.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThose who initially showed mild symptoms began to act erratically, and as the epidemic spread, the northern plains fell into chaos.
EmojisForTestingPurposeInfected individuals suffered from hallucinations in the early stages and gradually became aggressive towards those around them.
EmojisForTestingPurposeLosing their cognitive abilities and moving on instinct, they attacked any living being indiscriminately.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThose bitten by them became similarly infected, spreading the damage further.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBy the time the mainstream tribal society realized the severity of the situation, the Spear Tribe had already been wiped out.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe monstrous infected from the Spear Tribe began to attack other tribes, causing widespread casualties.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe infected from the Spear Tribe, seemingly fearless of death—or rather, having lost their fear of death and driven by a thirst for blood—ruthlessly slaughtered the terrified warriors of the Bow Tribe.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn the aftermath of battles, the fallen warriors of the Bow Tribe were torn apart by the teeth of the Spear Tribe warriors.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Bow Tribe warriors, writhing in pain from being bitten, soon turned into the same beasts that had attacked them, baring their teeth at their former comrades.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was a scene of madness. Watching this horrific spectacle from a distance, a young girl with azure hair fled in terror.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Yah! Haah, haah.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeHer horse galloped at its top speed, spurred on by her desperate urging.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“…Frennila! Rally our Tribe’s village and seek help from the Axe Tribe’s territory!”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Haah, huu… Father.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeHer father, the strongest chieftain and warrior of the Bow Tribe, had immediately sensed the anomaly and rushed to the battlefield.
EmojisForTestingPurposeA hero who could take on a hundred enemies, her father fought valiantly, subduing dozens of invaders, but he couldn’t turn the tide.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was a battle between those who had lost their fear of death and those who couldn’t escape it.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUnless the difference in strength was overwhelming, the outcome was already decided.
EmojisForTestingPurposeTo buy time for his daughter and Tribe members to escape, he stayed behind with his guards, fighting to the end.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven in his final moments, he continued to strike down enemies.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhen Frennila looked back one last time as she fled, she saw her father burning himself to avoid becoming one of those beasts.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFrennila ran.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUntil her horse collapsed from exhaustion.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWhen it fell, she continued on foot across the grasslands.
EmojisForTestingPurposeSurvival was paramount now.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOnly by living could she plan for the future.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAmidst her dazed state, she recalled a strange scene she had witnessed.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAmidst the slaughter, there were those who seemed unaffected by the madness.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn the midst of the battlefield, a group of people cloaked in unique patterned mantles stood as if they were in a separate space.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe infected ignored them completely.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAs if observing the tragic scene, they stood motionless before vanishing without a trace.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThey likely didn’t realize she had seen them.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe Bow Tribe was known for their exceptional eyesight, and Frennila’s was unparalleled.
EmojisForTestingPurposeCarrying this crucial information about the strange beings, Frennila entered the territory of the Axe Tribe, her allies and one of their shared fate communities.
EmojisForTestingPurpose*
EmojisForTestingPurposeHuh, huh.
EmojisForTestingPurposeGasping for breath, the darkness before her eyes cleared, and Frennila awoke from her nightmare.
EmojisForTestingPurposeClutching her throbbing head, she tried to calm her emotions.
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe must have dozed off briefly.
EmojisForTestingPurposeBeside her, her attendant Latia looked at her with concern, wiping away cold sweat.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Miss, are you alright?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Ah, yes. I’m fine. Just tired. The fatigue must have caught up with me.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven while she was unconscious, the carriage continued towards the imperial capital without stopping.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe rough, unpaved road had caused constant jolting and loud noises, but as they entered a well-paved road, the ride became smooth and comfortable.
EmojisForTestingPurposeThis likely allowed her to rest despite the grueling journey.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFrennila reopened the imperial language dictionary she had been studying intently before falling asleep.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Grata = diplomat, Haniola = nice to meet you, Dianke = please take care of me…”
EmojisForTestingPurposeHonestly, she was worried.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIrita, the only one in the Tribe who could speak the imperial language, had been killed by the infected. With no one else able to communicate in the imperial tongue, she had to prepare herself, even if belatedly.
EmojisForTestingPurposeTo an outsider, she was clever and a quick learner.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHowever, even for someone as bright as her, mastering a country’s language in just two weeks was impossible.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEspecially relying on an old, outdated dictionary.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAn envoy, or diplomat, was expected to be proficient in the host country’s language, understand its culture, and be well-versed in international affairs.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIn that regard, she was thoroughly unqualified.
EmojisForTestingPurposeNevertheless, she clung to this old dictionary, stumbling through her studies as she pressed on.
EmojisForTestingPurposeEven if her clumsy speech drew laughter, if she could use her rudimentary imperial language to seek help and gain even a little assistance, all her hardships would be worth it.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Decalito = please help, Arastia = thank you. Yes, yes, I remember.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe never let go of the imperial dictionary, whether she was eating or fighting off sleep from exhaustion.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was her duty and the only thing she could do.
EmojisForTestingPurpose*
EmojisForTestingPurpose“…So, Yuria. What is this?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Ah, Your Highness! You’re here? I was preparing for the envoy’s reception as you requested.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“…..”
EmojisForTestingPurpose3A piece of white cloth hung on the inner courtyard wall of the third prince’s palace, boldly proclaiming:
EmojisForTestingPurpose[Welcome] Bow Tribe Envoy’s Visit to the Capital – Third Prince’s Entourage – [Congratulations]
EmojisForTestingPurposeThe banner’s crude quality added to its charm—or rather, its lack thereof. It looked like something from a rural village festival.
EmojisForTestingPurposeMy head throbbed.
EmojisForTestingPurposeUnaware of my internal turmoil, Yuria beamed at me like a puppy seeking praise.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI had no choice but to massage my temples.
EmojisForTestingPurposeYuria was usually sharp but occasionally showed a clumsy side.
EmojisForTestingPurposeNot exactly clumsy, but more… rustic?
EmojisForTestingPurposeShe called it the pure-hearted innocence of a country girl, but I’d rather not comment to avoid hurting anyone’s feelings.
EmojisForTestingPurposeOf course, it was partly my fault for not giving more specific instructions, only telling her to prepare for guests without explaining the situation.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI first heard about the tribal envoy a week ago.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith so much to prepare and so little time, I hadn’t paid enough attention.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Your Highness, are you crying?”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“I’m not crying.”
EmojisForTestingPurposeReally, I wasn’t crying.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt was just sweat.
EmojisForTestingPurposeI mean, it’s not like we’re throwing a party at a funeral.
EmojisForTestingPurposeIt’s a celebration.
EmojisForTestingPurposeYuria, are you trying to send me off for good?
EmojisForTestingPurposeOf course, Yuria didn’t know about the empire’s impending downfall, so she couldn’t have intended that.
EmojisForTestingPurposeStill, I decided to check the preparations thoroughly.
EmojisForTestingPurposeFood, supplies, personnel, etc.
EmojisForTestingPurposeHmm, thankfully, everything else seemed fine.
EmojisForTestingPurposeYuria’s eccentricity was limited to the banner.
EmojisForTestingPurposeWith less than an hour before the envoy’s arrival, it was a relief to have caught it in time.
EmojisForTestingPurpose“First, take down the banner.”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Eh? I worked so hard on it!”
EmojisForTestingPurpose“Eh, What do you mean?”
EmojisForTestingPurposeAfter tearing down the unsightly banner, I could finally leave the palace with a lighter heart.
EmojisForTestingPurposeAll preparations were complete.
EmojisForTestingPurposeNow, all that remained was the encounter with the tribal envoy.