From the shadows, Hazara emerged, the head archbishop of the Holy Order. His presence was commanding, cloaked in a sleek black armor that, at first glance, seemed like ordinary attire. However, Leo's sharp eyes recognized the faint glow of advanced enchantments coursing through the suit. This was no ordinary armor—it was cutting-edge technology fused with ancient magic.
"Ah, Hazara," Charlotte snarled, stepping forward. "We always knew you despised Emperor Leo, but to betray him so openly? Such audacity! How dare you, Hazara!"
Hazara chuckled, his laughter low and menacing. "Despise? Oh, Charlotte, don't flatter your Emperor too much. My actions are far beyond personal disdain. You see, I've lived far longer than anyone here could imagine. You, Charlotte, at 94 years old, still cling to your strength admirably. But I—" he paused, his grin widening—"I have lived for far longer than the lifespans of your combined generations."
Abuld Pegasus narrowed his eyes. "How long are we talking, Hazara?"
Hazara tilted his head mockingly. "Oh, I stopped counting. But if you insist, I last recall reaching around 869 years of life."
Charlotte's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's impossible! No human can live that long!"
"Ah, the naïveté of youth," Hazara said with an exaggerated sigh, his tone dripping with condescension. Then, his gaze shifted to Leo. "But what truly surprises me is that Leo hasn't spoken a word about this revelation. Aren't you curious, Emperor?"
Leo's voice cut through the tension like steel. "You aren't worth my curiosity, Hazara. An insect like you doesn't deserve the privilege of my words."
Hazara's smile faltered for a split second before returning with a venomous edge. "Oh my, how rude. But no matter. Since your end is nigh, allow me the courtesy of enlightening you with some... history. It might be the last thing you learn before your demise."
Leo scoffed, his tone sharp. "Spare me your theatrics. I could get more reliable knowledge from a history book than from a thief like you."
Hazara's eyes flickered with fury at the insult, and he gestured sharply. "Attack!"
The shadows came alive as Hazara's forces moved in. Assassins and soldiers lunged from the darkness, weapons gleaming with intent to kill. Leo's group immediately fell into formation, blades meeting steel in a clash of sparks.
As Leo struck down one of the attackers with a swift, precise swing of his sword, Hazara continued to speak, his voice rising above the chaos.
"You see, Leo," Hazara began, his tone almost conversational despite the battle raging around them. "The Ausha Empire you so proudly rule did not exist before the Demon War 2000 years ago. In fact, this very castle, your so-called royal stronghold, had a far more sinister purpose. It was once known as the Death Sentence Grounds."
Leo slashed through another attacker, his voice cold and dismissive. "Who cares?"
Hazara ignored him, a wicked grin on his face. "Do you know why, Emperor? Because humans, in their endless greed and bloodlust, made this a place where countless innocents were slaughtered. Their only crime was being different or inconvenient to the powers that be."
"You're really going to bore me to death with a history lesson?" Leo retorted, his blade flashing again as another assailant fell.
"Ah, but it's important to know what you fight for, Emperor!" Hazara's laughter echoed ominously. "After all, history has a way of repeating itself."
Charlotte growled as he cut down two attackers at once. "Save your breath, Hazara. You won't live long enough to finish your story!"
"Brave words," Hazara mused. "But bravery won't save you from the truth—or your inevitable defeat."
The battle raged on, but Hazara's voice carried over the sound of clashing steel, weaving a dark tale of humanity's brutality, its flaws, and its hypocrisy. His words were meant to sow doubt, but Leo's resolve burned brighter.
The atmosphere in the throne room turned colder with each passing second. Hazara stood at the center, smirking with a confidence born from years of manipulation and deceit. His dark armor reflected the dim light, making him look almost demonic as he unraveled the dark history of the Ausha Empire.
Hazara's voice cut through the room. "It was all so perfect at first, wasn't it? Everyone fell in line. But then, Theodore Cleisthenes had to ruin everything. The ex-war minister of the Ausha Empire discovered our secrets, our true purpose. He tried everything in his power to expose the church, to stop us. But politics, luck... none of it favored him."
Leo clenched his fists, his glare sharp enough to cut through steel. "You twisted everything," he growled.
Hazara ignored him, continuing with a sinister grin. "And then there was Rowan Sun—or Sun Rowan, depending on which history book you read. He opposed the empire's colonial system and sought to break free. Theodore created the Rance Republic, and Rowan gave birth to the United People's State. Together, they became a problem for us—and for our divine worship."
"You mean your manipulations," Charlotte spat, his hand on his sword.
Hazara chuckled. "Call it what you will. They made alliances with the Red Moon Empire, with demons. Humans fighting alongside demons—how amusing! But it couldn't last. We, the church, saw to that. We whispered in the ears of monarchists, stoked their fears, and let them declare war on the democratic and socialist states. And humanity tore itself apart once more."
Charlotte's voice was filled with contempt. "You caused all this suffering for your twisted agenda!"
Hazara's smirk deepened. "Of course. At first, I thought the monarchists would lose. The Rance Republic and the U.P.S. were strong, their ideas infectious. But then, Leo..." Hazara turned his gaze to the emperor, "...you changed everything. I didn't want you to become emperor. You were a wild card, unpredictable. But luck favored you, and you united humanity by crushing your enemies one by one."
Leo's eyes narrowed. "You talk too much, Hazara."
"Ah, but you need to hear this, Leo," Hazara taunted. "You crushed the U.P.S. and the Rance Republic, ended the human world war, and united the races. If we hadn't intervened, you would have turned your blade on us. You would have destroyed the church. And we couldn't let that happen."
Charlotte's patience snapped. "You're a monster!"
"Oh, no, dear Charlotte," Hazara replied with mock humility. "I'm no monster. I'm a villain. And I've manipulated you all like the pawns you are."
"Hazara!" Leo roared, surging forward with his blade aimed at the archbishop's throat. But the strike was intercepted.
A resounding clash echoed through the room as another sword met Leo's. The wielder stepped into view, smirking. "What a shame, Leo. Without your full strength, you're no match for us." It was Thomas, his blade locked against Leo's.
"You underestimate me," Leo growled, shoving Thomas back with sheer force.
Hazara's voice rang out again, smug and cruel. "Leo, did you know? Your teacher, Emperor Logan Cleisthenes, was killed by my hand. And Vaeloria... the experiments we conducted on her were all my doing."
"You vile wretch!" Abuld Pegasus roared, his rage barely contained.
Hazara chuckled darkly. "Oh, Abuld, such a fool. I'm surprised you only figured it out now."
Before anyone could react, a sudden strike shattered the tension. A golden gleam flashed, and Charlotte stumbled back, his golden armor split open. Standing before him, sword drawn, was Aristide Stain—the junior minister of the Ausha Empire.
"You... betrayed us!" Charlotte screamed, his voice filled with disbelief and anger.
The entire group turned their attention to Aristide, but another cry drew their focus. Jack, one of their own, fell to the ground with an arrow lodged deep in his back.
"Andro..." Jack gasped, his voice weak as his life slipped away. "Why? My friend... all this time, you were deceiving me..."
Andro stood a few feet away, bow in hand, his expression cold. "It's for the gods' sake," he replied, his tone devoid of emotion.
Another figure stepped forward from the shadows, spear in hand. It was Mathew. His weapon gleamed with a deadly intent as he joined Hazara's side.
The room erupted in chaos as betrayal struck from all sides. Leo's heart burned with fury, but his voice remained steady. "You dare betray your emperor, your people? I'll make sure you all pay for this."
Hazara's laughter echoed through the throne room as his forces prepared to strike. "Come, Leo. Show me the strength that united humanity. Let's see if it's enough to save you now."
While Leo, Charlotte, and Abuld were uncovering the truth about the traitor, in the Baja Ausha region, 5,000 knights were making their way toward the Mao region. They were eager to return to their families after fighting bravely in the war.
The knights were under the command of Xander Gemini, a young noble from the renowned Gemini family. His silver and black armor gleamed even under the faint light of the stars, covering his entire body without leaving a single gap. His face, concealed beneath the helm, exuded a quiet authority. Despite his stoic exterior, Xander's thoughts were elsewhere, drifting toward his family in the Repor Region—a wife, Lona, and their precious twins, a son and a daughter.
Sitting alone in his tent, Xander couldn't find peace. The anticipation of reuniting with his loved ones weighed heavily on him. "Just a few more days," he whispered, gripping the hilt of his sword. "I'll sleep soundly with my kids and Lona when I return."
The restlessness pushed him outside, into the cool night air. The camp was quiet, the knights deep in much-needed slumber after countless day-and-night battles. As he walked among the tents, Xander allowed himself a rare moment of hope. But his hope was short-lived.
A flicker in the distance caught his eye—a flash too unnatural for the night sky. His instincts screamed danger. Narrowing his gaze, Xander's heart froze as the truth became clear. Hundreds of cannons fired in unison, their glowing arcs painting a deadly picture in the sky.
"NO!" Xander's voice tore through the stillness, raw and desperate. "WAKE UP! ENEMY ATTACK!"
The sleeping knights stirred, but exhaustion clung to their bodies like chains. Many couldn't even rise before the first wave of cannon fire hit, engulfing the camp in explosions of fire and debris. Screams erupted amidst the chaos as tents were incinerated and the ground shook violently.
Xander's chest tightened as he watched his comrades fall, many unable to escape the onslaught. His mind raced. "I have to save them. I can't let it end like this."
Spotting the second volley of cannon fire preparing to descend, Xander summoned his strength and raised a shimmering barrier, the air around him crackling with energy. The barrier held for a brief moment before shattering under the sheer force of the bombardment.
"RUN! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!" Xander shouted, his voice breaking with desperation. The knights who could still move scrambled for cover, chaos erupting as the second wave struck with even greater ferocity.
Smoke and fire consumed the camp, but Xander refused to falter. He gritted his teeth, rallying the surviving knights. "Follow me! We can't fall here!"
But in the pit of his stomach, a cold fear settled. Would he live to see his family again?
Meanwhile, far from the Ausha Empire, Kaylor's carriage rolled through the dark wilderness. The journey had been uneventful until now, but suddenly, the horses neighed nervously and halted. Kaylor stepped out, his sharp eyes scanning the road ahead. A group of holy knights emerged from the shadows, their gleaming armor reflecting the moonlight.
Kaylor's hand instinctively went to his weapon as tension filled the air.
The battlefield was chaos, a maelstrom of betrayal and blood. Leo, Charlotte, Abuld, and Min Joon faced an overwhelming army. Leo, the once-mighty Emperor, now found himself at his weakest. His qi was depleted, his strength waning, but his resolve remained unbroken.
With a powerful kick, he sent Thomas flying, his body crashing into a distant wall with a sickening thud. Leo's blade sang as it tore through enemies, and with a single, ferocious swing, he cleaved Williams Gray, the royal minister, in half.
But even amidst the carnage, Leo's eyes sought Miasha. When he saw her struggling, his heart clenched. "Miasha!" he shouted, cutting his way toward her.
Enemy soldiers surged between them, and Leo fought desperately, each swing of his blade a symphony of defiance. Suddenly, Priest Harry appeared, his beast weapon cleaving through foes with brutal efficiency.
"Harry, you traitorous brat! How dare you go against the church? Do you call yourself a priest?!" Hazara's voice thundered across the battlefield.
Harry's reply was resolute. "I am a priest, and my duty is to my people and the Empire. This treachery—this was never part of the plan!" With each word, Harry struck down another attacker, his weapon moving like a hurricane.
With Harry's help, Miasha broke free and ran toward Leo. "Leo! I'm fine! I came to help you. I can take care of myself," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos.
Leo, bloodied but unyielding, turned to her. "You idiot! Why are you here? Why didn't you just run away?"
"Run? And leave you here, like this?" Miasha retorted, her back pressed against his, forming a defensive stance. "You're injured, Leo. I can see you can barely fight. How could I abandon you?"
Her strange dagger gleamed in the dim light, its aura unsettling. But Leo had no time to question it.
Then he saw him. Abird Japson. Once a loyal knight, a pillar of trust. Now, he stood among the enemy. Leo's voice broke as he asked, "Why, Abird? Why?"
There was no reply, only the clash of steel as Abird attacked. The duel was fierce, every strike a conversation of anguish. Leo eventually disarmed him, but the victory was hollow.
"I gave you everything," Leo whispered, his voice trembling. "I trusted you…"
Abird's silence was deafening.
The battlefield continued to roar around them. Abuld Pegasus clashed with his own family's head, blood staining the ground. Charlotte fought valiantly against the nobles who had turned traitor.
And then it happened. A sharp, searing pain exploded through Leo's chest. He staggered, his breath hitching as he looked down. A dagger, its blade gleaming with malevolent energy, jutted from his chest.
He turned, disbelief etched into his face. Standing behind him was Miasha. Her eyes, once so warm, now burned with cold disdain.
"It didn't work, Father," she said flatly.
Hazara's laughter rang out. "Don't worry, my child. Lola said it will work. Just be patient."
Charlotte's scream shattered the air. "Miasha! Why? After everything, why would you do this?"
Hazara sneered. "Oh, she's not my child. She's an orphan, the daughter of machinists. I just gave her a purpose."
Leo's voice cracked as he looked at her. "Miasha… was it all a lie? Our childhood? Our friendship?"
Miasha said nothing, stepping back, her expression unreadable.
Something inside Leo broke. His sword swung with reckless abandon, carving through the enemy ranks. His voice, raw and broken, echoed over the battlefield.
"WHY?! I gave you everything! I stopped the Red Moon Empire! I stopped the Rance Republic! I united us! And this is how you repay me?!"
Blood poured from his wounds, and his body screamed in agony. Charlotte rushed to his side, yanking the dagger from his chest. "Your Majesty, stop! Your regeneration isn't working. Something is draining you!"
But Leo didn't stop. His vision blurred, his strength fading. Then, he saw it—a flash of silver as the head of the Pegasus family raised his blade to strike Abuld.
"NO!" Leo shouted, but Min Joon was faster, intercepting the strike. Abuld, clutching his severed arm, grabbed a sword from a fallen soldier and pressed on.
The battle raged, and then Leo's world slowed. His eyes locked onto Charlotte, standing firm amidst the chaos. Time seemed to freeze as an arrow pierced Charlotte's chest.
"CHARLOTTE!" Leo's scream tore through the battlefield.
Charlotte staggered, blood blossoming across his armor. Yet, he stood tall, his eyes blazing with determination. "Your Majesty… I won't fall… not yet…"
But as he spoke, his knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground.
Leo's heart shattered. His hands trembled as he gripped his sword. Rage, grief, and betrayal coursed through him. The world blurred, but he refused to fall.
"I can't… not yet…" Leo whispered, his voice barely audible. With every ounce of strength he had left, he rose, his sword ready.
Even in his weakest moment, Leo remained unbroken.