The world of Orynthia is vast and immense, with a land-to-ocean ratio of 40:60, making it a place where many different races and creatures can thrive.
To the east, vast forests stretch for millions of miles, home to the Elven race, known for their intelligence and longevity.
Far to the west, a range of towering mountains seems endless, marking the territory of the powerful dragon race.
To the north lies an area plagued by eternal winter, the coldest region on the continent. It is the homeland of a war-loving race—the demon race.
And to the south, the most fertile land on the continent is found, where the human race—one of the most intelligent and populous races—resides.
Each race had its own territory, but that didn't mean there were no conflicts between them.
Naturally, most of these conflicts were not fought openly—except for the long-standing war between the dragon race and humanity, which has lasted over a thousand years.
…
On the southern continent, humanity was divided into three main powers: the Holy See, the Magic Empire of Celestria, and the Eastern Kingdom of Izanagi.
These powers led humanity's fight against the dragon race in the west. Nonetheless, the three powers were far from harmonious. Their frequent clashes often led to internal conflicts.
…
The capital of the Holy See, Thymeris...
Thymeris was the most prosperous city in the Holy See, and it was only natural, given its status as the capital.
As the heart of both government and commerce, Thymeris boasted an unusually large population—reaching one hundred million.
With such a massive population, it was no surprise that the city was buzzing with economic activity.
Merchants from various regions, even from the Celestria Magic Empire and the Eastern Kingdom of Izanagi, flocked here to trade, filling the streets with the sounds of lively bargaining. But right now, the entire city was abuzz with a shocking piece of news.
"Have you heard? The Black Dragon Empress has been killed by Arthur Crown, the most talented mage in human history!"
"Yes! My cousin, who works as a soldier in the Holy See Palace, told me about it! But I still find it hard to believe. After all, the Dragon Empress was one of the five rulers of the dragon race. She couldn't have just died out of nowhere, right?"
"Your point is valid, but don't forget who Arthur Crown is. He's the only mage to ever reach the Sovereign Lord realm at the age of twenty-three! It's only natural that he could have killed the Black Dragon Empress."
"You're right... Becoming a Sovereign Lord mage—a realm that was once only a legend—at such a young age is truly insane. Even the five sages of mankind, who have lived for hundreds of years, could never reach that level. I don't know if he's a genius or a monster... hahaha!"
Arthur Crown's victory over the Black Dragon Empress was the talk of the town, echoing in every corner of the city.
Whether they were the poor, the rich, children, teenagers, or adults, everyone seemed to be talking about it.
It might have seemed excessive, but it was understandable. The war between humanity and the dragon race had raged on for a thousand years, with humanity always on the losing side.
Though they had gained a slight upper hand in the past five hundred years, the losses had still been immense. That's why so many felt elated upon hearing the news—the victory felt like something worth celebrating!
…
In a spacious, luxurious meeting room, three figures—two middle-aged men and a middle-aged woman—sat facing each other.
Before them stood a round table, made of gold and adorned with exquisite ornaments along its edges.
Each of them exuded a majestic presence and a calm aura that only a few could possess.
"What are your thoughts on the news? What should our next steps be?" the middle-aged woman on the left asked, her tone calm.
Upon hearing the question, the two middle-aged men showed no sign of emotional turmoil. Their expressions remained indifferent and calm.
"Isn't it clear?" The man on the right responded indifferently. "The death of the Black Dragon Empress at the hands of Arthur Crown is good news for all of us. Naturally, we welcome it."
"Yes, Julius is correct. It's a victory worth celebrating," the man at the front added.
The woman gave them a meaningful glance before nodding slightly. "You're right. We should celebrate this victory and honor Arthur Crown for it."
After a brief pause, a faint, cold smile appeared on her lips as she continued, "But I know you won't be so gracious, will you?"
Her words made the two middle-aged men frown slightly, casting displeased looks at her.
"What do you mean by that, Sylvia? Are you mocking us?" Julius asked, his voice tinged with anger.
The other man, Lucas, remained silent, but the gloom on his face was unmistakable.
Sylvia rolled her eyes at their feigned innocence and quickly said, "The news of Arthur Crown's victory over the Dragon Empress is a cause for celebration, but I'm sure the two of you feel threatened, don't you? Like... the loss of your power?"
Their expressions shifted instantly, as though Sylvia had read their innermost thoughts.
Lucas suppressed his unease and stared intently at Sylvia. "Since you guessed it, does that mean you share the same concerns?"
"Yes, I do," Sylvia replied calmly, not bothering to deny it. "Arthur Crown's rise has been too rapid, and he's a genuine threat to us. If we don't eliminate him, our survival will be at risk. There will surely be growing dissent, and it will undoubtedly shake our standing as the Three Holy Messengers."
The two men were silent, but the agreement in their eyes was clear.
"In that case, what should we do? Kill him?" Lucas asked, his tone mocking.
Arthur Crown was the only human to reach the Sovereign Lord realm, and his mastery of magic was beyond anything they had ever seen.
Killing him seemed impossible. Moreover, he was the hero who had delivered a monumental victory for mankind.
If he were to die, the entire population of Thymeris, along with those in the Celestria Magic Empire and the Eastern Kingdom of Izanagi, would hold them accountable.
It could even spark an uprising that would threaten the very foundation of the Holy See.
What they didn't expect, however, was for Sylvia to nod with a cold smile.
"How did you guess my thoughts? Could this be the result of a hundred years of friendship?" Sylvia asked with a soft laugh.
Julius and Lucas froze, a chill creeping down their spines.
"Sylvia, are you serious? You…" Lucas began but was cut off by Sylvia's interruption.
"You don't need to worry. I already have a well-thought-out plan. Just leave it to me."
"This..." Both hesitated, uncertainty flickering across their faces.
On one hand, they saw Arthur Crown as a threat; on the other, he was humanity's greatest hero.
His arrival was a blessing, a chance for mankind to rise against a thousand years of oppression by the dragon race.
For five minutes, they sat in deep thought. Then, as if reaching the same unspoken conclusion, their expressions hardened with resolve.
Given the choice between power and humanity's future, they chose power.
It was a cruel decision, but for those who had long been intoxicated by authority, relinquishing it was unthinkable.
Fixing their gazes on Sylvia, they spoke in unison, "We will follow your plan."
Sylvia gave a slight nod, her voice calm. "Leave everything to me."
What they failed to notice, however, was the faint, knowing smile playing at her lips.