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Chapter 43 - Chapter 43: The Distant West Continent

Katherine's narrative was like an ancient scroll, unveiling the long-lost history and secrets of the West Continent. Her voice echoed in the air, each word carrying the weight of history and the storms of generations. Loka listened intently, his eyes reflecting both curiosity about the past and anxiety about the future.

"The West Continent, once called Sordanis, was home to dozens of nations," Katherine began, her voice deep and resonant under the night sky. "Thousands of years ago, the West Continent was a land in turmoil, torn by endless wars and conflicts. But the Golden Family rose up, using their exceptional military prowess and political wisdom to put an end to this unrelenting war. They restored order across the entire continent."

Katherine paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. "The Golden Family not only restored order but also divided the lands among the noble families who had earned their titles through great deeds on the battlefield. The West was ruled by Eryndor, the Northwest by Volrus, the North by Sworya, and the East by Solantis… Many of these families were once celebrated generals and marshals during the glorious age of the Golden Family."

Her gaze seemed to drift as if seeing the ancient battlefields of the West. "But centuries later, these kingdoms failed to maintain the Golden Family's legacy. Eryndor, the mightiest of them all, eventually turned against the Golden Family's traditions. Civil war broke out, and centuries of conflict plunged these kingdoms into chaos. In this turmoil, Eryndor, using its formidable military and mysterious powers, destroyed the Golden Family's capital—Aurelia."

Katherine's eyes grew more serious. "The wizards of Eryndor forged a mysterious pact with the infernal emissaries of the Volcanoes, granting Eryndor the power to control flames. Their armies ravaged the battlefield like wildfire, unstoppable and devastating. In the end, Eryndor destroyed the Golden Family's fortress, turning it into a scorched ruin. The very land of Sordanis itself was burned into molten liquid, and the resulting earthquakes caused the continent to vanish, leaving only a barren desert sea. The southern lands were also turned into a golden sand wasteland."

Loka frowned upon hearing this. "So, this is the history of Eryndor? Their power is so great that they could destroy an entire dynasty?"

Katherine nodded. "Yes, Eryndor's strength comes not only from its military but also from the mysterious powers behind their kings. Every ruler of Eryndor seeks endless conquest, armed with vast national power and the dark forces behind them. Even so, Eryndor was unable to end all the fires of war. In their battles for power, they fought fiercely against Volrus and Sworya for centuries. Even today, while the wars have reached a stalemate, Eryndor still holds the upper hand in both generals and soldiers."

"The two most famous figures in the history of the West Continent include Hest Kane, the first king of the Kane family of Eryndor. Known for his unmatched strength and courage, his fame spread throughout the entire West Continent. People called him 'The Pillar of the West'. In a decisive battle against Eros Talan, the renowned general of Volrus, known as 'The Blade of the Northwest', Hest Kane vanished without a trace. After that, Eryndor's power skyrocketed, but they paid a terrible price."

Her voice grew somber. "Each leader of Eryndor carries immense pressure and responsibility. Behind them, there are always dark, hidden forces supporting their endless expansion."

Maeldor remained silent for a while, processing Katherine's words. "I never imagined there was so much history and such stories in the West. It's fortunate we aren't their enemies."

Katherine continued her tale: "After Eryndor destroyed Sordanis, Solantis broke away from the Golden Family's rule and became the only place to avoid the war. Solantis lies in a unique geographical position, surrounded by natural highland barriers. Since the civil war, Solantis has sealed the pass to the highlands, becoming almost completely isolated from the rest of the world. Few have set foot in that land, and there are hardly any records about what happened in the highlands."

Maeldor's gaze grew deep, as though reflecting on what Katherine had just revealed. "So, Eryndor not only infiltrated Strongson but also wreaked havoc across the West, maintaining a powerful presence? What is their goal?"

Katherine's eyes flashed with determination. "Eryndor's goal is to regain control of the order on the West Continent and establish a world hegemony led by them. Their ambition goes beyond the East Continent; they seek to dominate the entire world. Their expansion in the West is already underway, and now, the East Continent is also facing their threat."

Her voice became low, tinged with a trace of uncontainable pain. "And Leon's war has brought the shadow of Eryndor upon us once again. The devastating fire on the front lines was Eryndor's doing. I have heard countless stories in the West about how they used towering flames to annihilate their enemies. The flames devoured everything in their path, whether it be men or land."

Maeldor listened quietly, his brow furrowed. After a long pause, he slowly nodded. "I understand. This fire isn't just to destroy the enemy, but to burn everything we hold dear." He turned, clenching his fists, a chilling resolve in his eyes. "We cannot let this happen. We must act to stop this spread."

Katherine looked at Maeldor and the others, her heart stirred. She knew they were about to face a war that would decide the fate of the world.