**Narrator:**
"The sun rose higher in the sky as Sairen Aelith, now Duke of Zarador, prepared to leave the royal palace. The palace grounds, once bustling with the excitement of the engagement, had quieted. Those who remained whispered about the uncertain future awaiting the young Duke.
The royal knights, a hundred strong and trained for this very purpose, stood tall in their polished armor, ready to accompany Sai on his journey to the cursed land. They were no ordinary soldiers; they were the kingdom's finest, handpicked for their loyalty and skill. A wave of authority emanated from their ranks, but it was Sai who held the reins.
**King Henry:** (standing before Sai, his voice firm)
"Sai, these knights are yours to command. Zarador may be cursed, but with their strength and your leadership, I expect you to restore the land. Bring order, and in time, make it thrive."
**Sai:** (his voice low but confident, eyes glinting with ambition)
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I plan to do more than bring order—I'll make Zarador a force to be reckoned with."
**Narrator:**
As the carriage pulled up before the gathered crowd, Sai glanced back one last time at Princess Yumehime. Her eyes held a silent farewell, emotions swirling beneath her composed facade. The faint blush on her cheeks revealed feelings she had yet to fully comprehend.
**Princess Yumehime:** (softly, almost to herself)
"I'll be waiting for your return."
**Narrator:**
But Sai only nodded, his thoughts racing ahead to Zarador and the mysteries that awaited him. As he stepped into the carriage, the shadow of Hana flickered into view, her presence a reminder that, even in this new role, he wasn't truly alone.
**Hana:** (her voice steady, a hint of amusement dancing at her lips)
"Everything is ready, my Lord."
**Sai:** (grinning)
"Good. Let's get this started."
**Narrator:**
With that, the procession moved out of the palace gates, the heavy clang of metal armor marking the rhythm of their departure. King Henry watched them leave, a solemn expression on his face. He knew Sai's task was monumental, but there was something in the young Duke's demeanor that gave him confidence.
As they passed through the bustling streets of the capital, the people watched in awe. Whispers of "The new Duke of Zarador" echoed through the crowd, rekindling the legend of the cursed land. The journey had begun. Sairen Aelith, now Duke of Zarador, was on his way to a land where no ruler had succeeded in centuries. A cursed land, but one filled with secrets that Sai was ready to unlock. His destiny, intertwined with the dragons of the past, was just beginning to unfold.
As the black carriage rattled down the dirt road toward Zarador, the rhythmic clatter of hooves and wheels was the only sound in the stillness of the morning. Inside, Sai sat across from Hana, his loyal servant who had been with him since the beginning of his strange journey. Her expression remained calm and unreadable, but Sai's curiosity about the world he had been thrust into could no longer be contained.
**Sai:** (leaning back against the plush seat, eyes fixed on Hana)
"Hana, tell me about this continent and its history. I've heard bits and pieces, but I want to know everything."
**Narrator:**
Hana glanced out the window, her eyes reflecting the moving landscape. After a moment of silence, she shifted her gaze to Sai, her voice measured as she began to recount the tales passed down to her.
**Hana:** (calmly, her tone reflective)
"Well, my Lord, I don't know the full extent of the continent's history, but my parents told me stories when I was young. Tales of a time long before the kingdoms we know today—a time when this land was united under one banner."
**Narrator:**
Sai listened intently, his gaze never leaving her. Hana's voice lowered slightly, as if drawing upon ancient memories.
**Hana:** (with a hint of nostalgia)
"A hundred years ago—perhaps longer—this continent was not divided. It was a single, vast kingdom where elves, dwarves, and humans lived in peace. That kingdom was known as 'Eiríni,' a name meaning 'peace' in the old tongue. Eiríni was a place of beauty, where the races coexisted and thrived, each contributing their unique strengths to the land. The Elves, with their magic and wisdom, tended the forests. The Dwarves, master crafters, worked the mountains, creating wonders from stone and metal. And humans... well, with their vast numbers and ambition, we built cities and expanded our influence."
**Sai:** (leaning forward, intrigued)
"Then what happened? What could have torn apart such a place?"
**Hana:** (her voice darkening, a trace of sorrow in her eyes)
"The War of Sundering. No one knows exactly why it began—some say it was greed, others whisper of dark magic. But the war... it was devastating. Cities burned, forests were reduced to ash, and the mountains trembled under the weight of endless battles. Tens of thousands were lost, and the world as they knew it began to crumble."
**Narrator:**
Hana paused, her eyes flickering with an unspoken depth. Sai could sense that there was more to this story than just history—it was personal, a memory buried in her past.
**Hana:** (continuing, her voice quieter)
"The leaders of each race, desperate to stop the bloodshed, came together to forge a contract. They agreed that the only way to end the war was to separate. The Elves retreated into their ancient home, the 'Elven Forests'—a place said to be so deep and magical that no outsider could enter without losing their way. The Dwarves went to the 'Mountain of Giants,' where they could live undisturbed by the surface world, focusing on their craftsmanship. And the humans... well, because of their numbers and the vast lands we occupied, their were granted the largest portion of the continent—what we now call *Thalorias*."
**Sai:** (thoughtfully)
"So, they divided the continent to maintain peace. But that peace didn't last, did it?"
**Hana:** (shaking her head slightly, her expression resolute)
"No. The divisions left wounds. While the war ended, mistrust remained. Each race withdrew into their own territories, and over time, what was once *Eiríni* became fragmented kingdoms, each with its own agendas. Thalorias grew into the largest and most powerful of these human kingdoms, but even here, the echoes of that ancient war remain. There are regions still marked by the scars of the conflict, and deep in the hearts of many, the old hatred simmers."
**Narrator:**
Sai leaned back in his seat, absorbing the weight of Hana's words. A continent divided, once united under a single kingdom, now torn apart by mistrust and ancient enmities. The more he learned about this world, the more he realized just how deeply the threads of fate were entwined around him.
**Sai:** (his voice soft but edged with determination)
"And Zarador? Was it part of this kingdom too?"
**Hana:** (nodding slowly)
"Yes. Zarador was once part of Eiríni, though its true history is shrouded in mystery. Some say it was the heart of the Continent, a place of great power. But now, it's only known for its curse. That's something you'll have to uncover, my Lord."
**Narrator:**
The carriage jolted slightly as they continued their journey toward the cursed land. Sai's mind swirled with questions. What was the true nature of Zarador? How was it connected to the war? And most importantly, how would he rule a land that had defied rulers for generations?
But one thing was certain—whatever lay ahead would change everything.
**Hana:** (continuing, her voice steady)
"I've heard rumors that King Henry is considering a monumental decision to forge new trade contracts with the Elves and Dwarves. It's said he plans to establish a grand magic academy where all races can come together to learn and share knowledge. The hope is that by fostering cooperation, the ancient wounds can begin to heal."
**Sai:** (his mind racing, piecing together the implications)
"So, that's why Princess Yumehime mentioned the academy. It's not just about knowledge—it's a bridge between their peoples."
Narrator:
As the black carriage rattled on, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the landscape. Inside, the young Duke and his elven servant shared a moment of understanding—two souls from different worlds, united in a common goal. The journey ahead was fraught with challenges, but together, they would face the mysteries of Zarador and perhaps, in time, heal the wounds of the past.