Published at 10th of July 2023 6:46 am

Chapter 411: Side Story 1.1 "Perceptions and Prejudices"

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As the night fell upon them, Captain Amber and her army, belonging to the 5th Division, halted their journey in a city called Serenesta. It had been two days since the Istarin Empire and its allies gathered to engage in a crucial meeting with the Oracle Alliance. The purpose of the meeting was to negotiate a peace treaty and discuss the compensations that the surrendering party would be required to provide to the Istarin Empire and its allies, now known as The Triumvirate Alliance.

The outcome of the meeting took an unexpected turn, leading to the demise of the Echo Nexus Emperor and several other emperors from The Oracle Alliance. Ultimately, a decision was reached to divide the territories of the Echo Nexus Empire, the Queenstown Empire, the Uzacan Empire, the Methia Empire, the Qeyesha Empire, and the Mystic Spring Empire among the three allied powers.

Within a span of two hours, aided by artists, cartographers, and the presence of the three allies, a new map of the Northwestern region was meticulously crafted. The Methia Empire and its territories were assigned to the Hephaestus Kingdom, while the Echo Dominion Empire claimed the Qeyesha Empire and the Mystic Spring Empire as its own. The Echo Nexus Empire was partitioned into three sections, with the Echo Dominion Empire taking control of two eastern parts. The Queenstown Empire, the Uzacan Empire, Obi Island, and the western coastal territories of the Echo Nexus Empire were rightfully handed over to the Istarin Empire, officially becoming part of their dominion.

Naturally, not everyone was content with this arrangement. After all, the members of the Oracle Alliance had already surrendered and attended the meeting in good faith to discuss a peace treaty. The news of their emperors’ deaths during the gathering gave rise to suspicion among the people of the Echo Nexus Empire, the Queenstown Empire, the Uzacan Empire, the Methia Empire, the Qeyesha Empire, and the Mystic Spring Empire. They began to believe that The Triumvirate Alliance had orchestrated the demise of their rulers as a deliberate act, eliminating them under the guise of a peace treaty.

Of course, Lucas’s account of transforming into a monstrous hybrid and single-handedly slaying all the emperors was met with disbelief. Consequently, the families, nobles, and military personnel of the aforementioned empires chose to rise against the Triumvirate Alliance, rebelling in defiance. The nobles joined the rebellion to safeguard their current political influence and territorial possessions, while the military fought to preserve its authority, recognizing that it would lose its power under the new empire’s rule. As for the Royal Family, they were determined not to forfeit their esteemed status, wealth, authority, and the glory associated with their lineage. However, there were also those who comprehended the futility of opposing the Triumvirate Alliance and decided to seize whatever they could and escape from the Northwestern region, seeking refuge on another continent.

After the completion of the new map, multiple copies were disseminated to the general public and the military. At that time, the Istarin Empire boasted a considerable force of over 2,000,000 troops spread throughout the Northwestern region. The Emperor promptly dispatched the updated map to his generals and issued them a commanding order: proceed to their newly assigned territories and establish firm control. In the face of any resistance or rebellion encountered, Aditya, with an unwavering and chilling resolve, commanded his generals to eliminate anyone who dared oppose or challenge the might of the Istarin Empire.

In accordance with the Emperor’s directives, General Amber led her troops towards the west. Their ultimate destination lay in the Western Coastal region, formerly part of the Echo Nexus Empire but now under the dominion of the Istarin Empire.

Of course, the journey was no small undertaking; it stretched across vast distances. Commencing their march from the Glouto Mountain Range, they had to traverse the eastern reaches of the Northwestern region to reach its westernmost edge. With a formidable force of 500,000 soldiers under her command, Amber pushed forward with relentless determination, striving to cover as much ground as possible.

After an arduous and uninterrupted 48-hour journey, Amber and her troops finally arrived at the border of the Istarin Empire, which now encompassed the Western Coastal Region previously belonging to the Echo Nexus Empire.

Serenesta, a modest city situated along the newly formed border of the Istarin Empire, lay in close proximity to the Echo Dominion Empire’s boundaries. As Amber’s troops entered the city, they were met not with a hospitable atmosphere, but rather with a mixture of fear and anger reflected in the eyes of its inhabitants. Amber even suspected that if their numbers were in the thousands instead of hundreds of thousands, the townsfolk may have launched an assault. Given the city’s limited size, Amber’s forces had no choice but to establish encampments outside its limits.

Moreover, Serenesta was a petite city with a population of less than 100,000, encompassing several farming villages. Its primary exports revolved around rice and wheat crops.

In the quaint streets of Serenesta City, a sense of unease hung thick in the air as the news of the Istarin Empire’s takeover spread like wildfire among the citizens. The people huddled together in small groups, whispering anxious thoughts to each other, their faces etched with worry and uncertainty.

Among the crowd, there was: Emma, a young and curious villager; Thomas, an elderly farmer with a heart of gold, and Sarah, a skeptical and outspoken shopkeeper.

Emma, tugging nervously at her shawl, turned to Thomas and asked, “Do you think the Istarin troops will be cruel to us, Thomas? Our previous Emperor always made us believe they were kind and caring.”

Thomas, with a gentle smile, patted Emma’s shoulder reassuringly. “Now, now, young one. We can’t be too quick to judge. Let’s hope they prove to be benevolent rulers.”

Sarah, who had overheard their conversation, couldn’t contain her skepticism. “Benevolent rulers? Ha! I highly doubt that! They come barging in, taking over our city, and expect us to believe they mean no harm?”

“But what if they misunderstand us, just like we misunderstand them?” Emma suggested, trying to see the situation from both perspectives.

“It’s hard to believe anything good about them after what we’ve heard,” Sarah retorted, crossing her arms.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the fear of the unknown clung to the hearts of Serenesta’s inhabitants. The distant marching of the Istarin troops approaching the city sent shivers down their spines.

Just then, Captain Amber, leading the Istarin troops, rode into the city on her majestic steed. The people couldn’t help but feel a mix of fear and resentment as they gazed at the imposing figures.

Emma whispered to Thomas, “Look, it’s the Istarin troops. They seem so stern and formidable.”

Thomas replied, “Appearances can be deceiving, young one. Let us hope they are here to bring stability and peace, not tyranny.”

Captain Amber noticed the wary looks from the townsfolk and understood their apprehension. She dismounted her horse and approached a group of villagers with a warm smile.

“Good people of Serenesta, fear not. We do not seek to harm you. Our goal is to ensure peace and order in these lands,” she announced with a soothing voice.

Sarah couldn’t help but voice her concerns, “But what about our previous Emperor? He always told us that the Istarin Empire was cruel.”

Amber nodded empathetically, understanding the impact of the former Emperor’s manipulation. “I can understand your doubts, but let us prove through our actions that we are not what you’ve been led to believe.”

As the Istarin troops settled outside Serenesta, they made an effort to interact with the citizens, helping with tasks and offering assistance. Slowly, the misconceptions began to dissipate, replaced by cautious optimism.

In time, through dialogue and understanding, the people of Serenesta City came to realize that not all they believed about the Istarin Empire was true. The city transformed from a place of fear and resentment to one of hope and cooperation, bridging the divide between them and their new rulers.

In the heart of Serenesta City, a sense of unease filled the air as news spread about the Istarin Empire taking control. Captain Amber, a strong and determined leader, understood the challenge ahead. She had learned that the previous Emperor, Lucas, had filled the minds of his people with false tales of kindness and care. Now, as the Istarin Empire stepped in, the citizens were displeased and mistakenly believed them to be cruel and unyielding.

Amber knew it would take time to change their perception. It would require the Istarin Empire to prove itself through actions, not just words. The weight of this task rested on her shoulders, and she was determined to show the people of Serenesta City that they were not what they had been led to believe.

While her troops rested, Amber engaged in conversations with the people, listening to their concerns and addressing them with empathy. She spoke in a calm and gentle manner, assuring them that the Istarin Empire sought not to harm but to bring peace and stability to their lives.

The journey to change minds would not be easy. It would take months, perhaps even years, of consistent actions and genuine care for the well-being of the people. Amber knew that deeds would speak louder than any propaganda spread by Lucas.

After a few grueling hours of engaging with the townsfolk, Captain Amber wearily returned to her tent. She felt the weight of exhaustion pressing upon her. Physically, she remained resilient, but mentally, the toll of the day had taken its toll. The interactions with the people of Serenesta City had left her drained and fatigued.

A heavy sigh escaped Amber’s lips as she contemplated the gravity of the situation. It was far more chaotic and disordered than she had initially anticipated. If the same lamentable scenario were to unfold in every new city they encountered, it would undoubtedly become a colossal headache for the empire.

Determined to convey the severity of the matter to Emperor Aditya, Amber resolved to compose a detailed letter, laying out the dire circumstances that had befallen Serenesta City. She understood the importance of keeping the Emperor well-informed, particularly in light of the challenges that lay ahead. With a heavy heart, she recognized that the current force of 2,000,000 troops might prove insufficient in the face of such widespread disorder. The situation necessitated a reinforcement of their military presence.

Amber retrieved a pen and parchment, her mind focused on articulating the urgency of the matter. She meticulously described the events that had transpired, emphasizing the City Lord’s treacherous abandonment and the subsequent disarray that had engulfed the city. She stressed the need for additional troops to restore order, protect the innocent, and reclaim the trust that had been shattered.

With each stroke of the pen, Amber poured her concerns onto the page, ensuring every detail was expressed with clarity and conviction. She knew the weight her words carried and their potential impact on the course of action that the empire would take.

As the ink dried on the paper, Amber sealed the letter, resolving to dispatch it with haste. She understood the urgency of the situation and the crucial role that Emperor Aditya would play in resolving the mounting crisis.

The challenges that lay ahead were daunting, but Amber’s determination remained unyielding. She knew that the empire needed to act swiftly and decisively. The fate of not only Serenesta City but also the success of their entire mission rested on their ability to rally the necessary support and resources.

With a resolute mindset, Amber prepared to send her missive, hopeful that the gravity of the situation would be realized and that the empire would provide the reinforcements needed to restore order and stability to the beleaguered city and its inhabitants.

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Bonus Chapter – 3

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