The Emperor waited silently in his office as the Grand Duke and Duchess entered with a crash.

  “Jacob!” The Grand Duke stomped, paying no head to pleasantries. “What do you mean ‘it’ was stolen!?”

  “Exactly as I informed you.” The Emperor started wistfully out his window. “I noticed them going that direction and after that ambush I could only hope we had protected it.”

  “There were experienced Royal Guards around that relic!” Joseph, The Grand Duke, yelled angrily. “How could they have possibly stolen it?”

  “My dear Grand Duke, what remains of the guards were simply…abhorrent.” The Emperor's eyes were serious. “While everyone was busy dealing with the soldiers from the Kingdom, a certain someone made his sneaky way into the vault and stole it from under our noses.”

  “What do you mean?” Joseph took a step back and Roselia grabbed his hands as it began to shake.

  “The Captain of the Ambush was not the main figure of this attack. It was none other than White Legion General Freya.” The Emperor's eyes were enraged but his demeanor was calm. “I’m sure you're reminded of her from your chance meeting at Fort Beaurley.”

  Joseph’s face whitened with fear. The woman in white. Whose face was more beautiful than anything he’s ever seen, a fact which he would never admit to his wife.

  He was entranced by her, like he was staring down a goddess in the flesh. He clenched his fists. He panicked.

  It wasn't because he held any romantic or lustful desires over her. In fact, it was the opposite. When he thought of her as a goddess, it would’ve been a perfect way to describe her.

  General Freya was a goddess of death.

  Her Adjudicator ability after all… was given the name containing only three letters.

  Rot.

  Joseph stumbled down. He couldn't get up as Roselia tried desperately to hold him up. The Grand Duke was white as a sheet.

  “Your Majesty! Please tell me about this encounter. I have not yet heard of this.” She grimaced as she saw the horrible face her husband was wearing.

  Jacob sighed and walked out of his seat to lock the door. He then leaned on the door as he began to tell her the story.

  It was when Jacob and Joseph were still young. Jacob was simply just the Crown Prince and Joseph was his pymate and best friend.

  They were on a carriage ride to the west to conduct meetings with some nobles and the newly appointed Duke, Howard Bay.

  “You're Highness, we're almost to the Western Duchy.” A young Joseph smiled. “We should take a break at Fort Beaurley.”

  “Agreed.” Jacob, The Crown Prince at the time, smiled. “I heard they have fresh fruits and amazing desserts at the Fort, something you're quite infatuated with.”

  Joseph crossed his arms and turned his face away. “I’m not that much of a sweet tooth, Your Highness.”

  Jacob leaned forward and squinted his eyes at the Heir of Ramirez. “Liar.”

  Joseph leaned back on his chair and raised his foot to push away the Crown Prince’s head. “Shut up.”

  “Pushing your foot into my face is treason, you know?” Jacob compined with a mouthful of shoe.

  “Go ahead then, prosecute me.” Joseph smirked.

  “Oh you b–”

  “Young Masters! We’ve arrived at Fort Beaurley.” The coachman called, and the two young noblemen immediately fixed themselves in proper positions and postures.

  “Thank you, coachman.” Jacob thanked from inside the carriage as knights came by and opened the door.

  “I’ll be going first.” Joseph stepped out of the carriage and left his hand for Jacob to grab and help himself down with. The two then stared at the giant stone wall in front of them and inside were the merry cheers of the people.

  “This is—”

  “–Cool. Right?” Joseph grinned and tightly held the Crown Prince's hand. “Let's go!”

  “W-wait!” Jacob got dragged along as Joseph took the both of them through the streets. Both boys were ughing and cackling the entire time as the Knights scrambled to follow them.

  The afternoon went by quickly. The two of them looked around the fort as their retainers looked for an inn to stay in. The two boys walked around the marketpce eating and buying street food. Of course, they wore disguises to not make them appear pompous.

  The two ughed and chided each other as they had fun for the first time in a while. The two were now in a small forest inside the fort with a few knights situated around them.

  “Man, Your Highness.” Joseph sat at the branch of a tree, he grinned as he covered his mouth, seemingly pnning something. “Would you like to go see some ghosts?”

  Jacob caught on quickly and did not look amused. “Haah? Father said ghosts aren't real…and you just pn to scare me with some bugs in some abandoned dipidated pce anyways?”

  Joseph frowned and pouted. “Awww…but you look so stupid when you freak out.”

  “I’ll really have to punish you for treason.”

  “Hehehe.” Joseph grinned and plopped down. “C’mon, I won't shove spiders in your face this time.”

  “Tsk.”

  Suddenly, screaming was heard from the Fort. The Knight immediately took guard around the two boys as a group of cloaked assaints suddenly surrounded them.

  “Your Highness and the Young Master, please stay behind us!” The Knights ordered as the cloaked men came and tried to attack the Crown Prince and Heir of Ramirez.

  Jacob drew out his small sword but he didn't really know how to use it, he was still barely a novice. Joseph saw this and supported the prince and grabbed a fallen shield.

  Thankfully, they didn't need to use the weapons as the cloaked assassins were disposed of without trouble.

  “Phew.” A Knight wiped away his sweat. “Are you alright, Your Majesty?”

  The screaming inside the Fort didn't stop.

  “I’m fine.” Jacob exhaled. “You should go help the others.”

  “I will go ahead and—” The Knight's words did not continue as he horrifically melted and rotted into a flimsy corpse in a split instant. The other knights immediately resumed their stance as they stared at the monster who just did that.

  It was an unassuming woman in a white robe. She didn't speak nor move, in fact she didn't even have a presence.

  When did she get there?

  How did she get there?

  Did she just walk into view and touch the Knight who shriveled up like a raisin.

  The other knights charged towards her but they were all painfully sughtered as something stabbed them and caused their insides to rot from within.

  “A—aer-aeuughh!” They all fell one by one as their bodies turned into nothing more than a horrific unrecognizable carcass.

  The woman was covered in a white cloak, her skin was white, and her hair was white. Everything about her white. She didn't speak nor did she carry any murderous intent. She just existed…but at the same time held no presence.

  She looked delicate, as if she was about to fall over at the slightest blow of wind.

  She was an enigma.

  “Kids.” She said one word and turned to face the two boys who were shivering in their spots. Her eyes weren't open, they were closed. Her hands grasped each other and never separated as if she was perpetually locked into a prayer. The two boys blushed at her beautiful face and the alluring smile she put on but it was Joseph who first regained his senses.

  “Get away from him!” Joseph stepped forward with his shield and defended the Crown Prince.

  The white woman simply turned her back on them and walked away.

  It was ter on that they realized that the entirety of Fort Beaurley was destroyed, at the cause of an attack from the White Legion.

  And it's General, the mysterious and terrifying, Freya.

  “That's….” Roselia’s face turned sour upon hearing the story.

  “Are you certain it was her?” The Grand Duke regained his footing and stood on his own once more. “It's been many years since that incident.”

  “Adjudicator magic is unique, Joseph. There is only one of each kind.” The Emperor reasoned. “The corpses they've shown me by the vault…It could only be her.”

  “Wait—a moment…” Roselia squeezed her forehead trying to keep all the details straight. “You said she was from the Kingdom right? Why didn't she kill both of you then?”

  The two men looked at each other and turned their eyes towards the Grand Duchess with combined confusion. “We don't know.”

  “She may have simply spared us on a whim.” Joseph shrugged.

  “Or she held some personal creed.” Jacob threw a suggestion. “In any sense, she still arrived in secret and stole the relic.”

  “It makes sense. Her ck of presence would probably allow her to sneak in during the commotion.” Joseph rubs his chin and gnces back towards the Emperor. “Have you made any movements to address that?”

  “You know who I am, my Dear Duke.” The Emperor smiled. “I have several contingencies pnned long before this incident.”

  “Figured.” The Grand Duke smiled back. “Shall I make my own actions as well? I have a few pieces left up my sleeve. If you—”

  “W-wait! Hold on again!” Roselia butted in between the two once more. “I’m lost here, what exactly did they steal and what are these pns you're talking about?!”

  The two men stared at each other again then towards the Grand Duchess.

  “The Demon King’s heart.” Jacob dropped casually. “That's what they stole.”

  “What!?” Roselia panicked immediately. “What are we doing here then? This is a national crisis! What if they do something with it!?”

  Joseph sighed and calmed his wife down. “My dearest, it's fine. We know not why they stole it, but the demon king's heart is but a relic.” He expined. “It's more akin to a mere rock than any of the evil things you're imagining.”

  “It was handed to my Grandfather by the Hero, Arunn.” Jacob shrugged. “Our family has kept it since. Knowing my lineage, the past Emperors and Empresses likely tried to experiment with the heart, and as far as I know…nothing came about.”

  “Still…” Roselia clenched her fists. How could these two men be so rexed? When such a thing had just happened.

  Were they stupid or what?

  “I’ve already made certain advancements to intercept the White General at her destination.” The Emperor sighed and looked fondly towards a direction. “It appears, I’m gonna be busy for a while.”

  “Her Highness will understand.” Joseph immediately reassured him.

  “She always does. It pains me to think that she may get used to me spending my nights in my office instead of beside her.” Jacob's expression carried such longing.

  “How is Her Majesty's health? If I may boldly ask.” Roselia’s eyes were worried.

  “She's doing fine, Grand Duchess.” The Emperor walked forward and back to his seat. “But I’m afraid we must shift the topic to a far more disagreeable conversation.”

  “What do you mean?” Roselia tightened her fists. She had a feeling she knew what was next.

  “I had asked your Daughter to come visit me ter, but I still would like the two of you to be informed first.” He slid over a letter on the table. “It appears I won't be able to help you with matters regarding this.”

  Roselia picked up the letter and her heart sank. She noticed the stamp used in it. It was a stamp she had forgotten and had never seen ever since she married the Grand Duke.

  It was the official stamp of the Head of the Azarol Family.

  Amelia.

  “The Northern Duchess seems to have heard of your Daughter's Spirit awakening.” The Emperor leaned on his chair.

  “No.” Roselia pced down the letter immediately without even reading it. “I will not send Alejandra to the North.”

  Jacob closed his eyes and turned his face away from the Grand Duchess. “The House of Wolves are quite adamant about training your child there.”

  “It's far too cold and barren, Your Majesty!” Roselia eagerly compined. “She's far too young to experience the harshness of the North!”

  “Roselia…” Joseph pulled her back as the Duchess smmed the table.

  “She carries Azarol blood, does she not?” The Emperor turned back towards the Duchess, his eyes even more serious than before and his demeanor having changed completely to which even the Grand Duke is taken aback by. “I’m afraid the Duchess has made her stance clear on the matter. Alejandra Ramirez will be sent North to train her blessing.”

  “It's not a blessing, Your Majesty!” Roselia angrily compined once more. “Dare say it's more like a curse than anything.”

  “She is much too dangerous to be unchecked, Grand Duchess.” The Emperor spoke harshly. “The Azaroln Spirit is not to be trifled with. You, yourself, would know it more than I do. Shall it go untrained, who knows what could happen?”

  “But—”

  “Your Majesty!” A servant called from the other side of the door.

  “Come in.”

  The servant opened the doors and was a bit surprised by the presence of the Grand Ducal Family. “L-Lady Alejandra's spirit has lost control for a moment in the infirmary, it seemed she had destroyed the floor in her anger.” The servant took gnces towards the Duchess, afraid she might take his life.

  Roselia winced at that report. The Emperor was right. Without proper training in her Spirit, Alejandra won't be able to control the monstrous urges inside her blood.

  She might lose herself and hurt innocent people.

  Or worse, hurt the people she cares about.

  The Duke squeezed her shoulders. “Roselia, I think it's—”

  “I know.” She bit her lip. “She has to.”

  “Fret not, Duchess Amelia swore to accommodate her properly, so you need not worry in that regard.” Jacob waved his hands. “You.” He referred to the servant. “Call the Lady here now.”

  “Lady Alejandra, Your Majesty?”

  “No, Lady Wessenburg– Of course Lady Alejandra!” He sassed the servant, who scampered away like a mouse from a cat.

  “Your Majesty, If I may make one request?” Roselia stepped forward.

  “I’ll oblige. What is it?”

  The Grand Duchess gnced towards the Grand Duke, who smiled back at her. She then expined her request towards the Emperor who simply ughed heartily.

  “Of course!” He grinned. “See to it that it will be done!”

  The two then left the office as the Emperor was left to his own devices once more. He seemed a bit forlorn, his breaths carried heavy weights far more than anyone could imagine.

  “It appears… This Empire is in quite some trouble. You passed on too quickly, Bellius. I’m afraid your successor is far too ambitious.” He gnced out his window and offered a whistle that resembled an ode to the deceased. “Then again, I suppose this world could use some more ambitiousness.” He smiled to himself for a few moments, reminiscing about the past.

  “Your Majesty!” The servant called from the other side again. “Lady Alejandra has arrived.”,

  “Tell her to come in!” Jacob turned his face towards the Lady who had entered his office. He could only hope for her continued survival.

  Somewhere else…in a cold distant nd.

  “How close is she?” A raspy non-human voice spoke.

  “They have stated that she’ll arrive in a month or two, Sir.” A Kingdom knight bowed.

  “I thought Leilo was with her?” The raspy voice spoke once more, hidden in the shadows.

  “The Commander is with the General.” He confirmed. “They have retrieved the relic and are on their way.”

  “Tsk.” The creature behind the voice finally showed itself. It was a disgustingly tall and nky figure, with a sharp chin and an egg shaped head. Its skin was maroon in color, like that of burned rotten flesh. It had a single eye pced on its head and a rge curved mouth that traced the edges of its jaw. Horns also line the side of its head and protrude outwards to the back before bending to the center.

  Its hands were thin and bony, in fact, its whole rib cage was showing.

  “Sssssss-” It hissed with malice towards the Kingdom knight who gave the report. “If they don't arrive sooner, I will fy every soldier in this pce myself!”

  “Rex…Fames.” A young woman’s voice chastised the creature as she sat on a golden throne, standing out extremely fmboyantly in the white snow. “Freya will arrive in her own time. She is quite aloof in that regard.”

  “Ssssssss–” The horrible creature, Fames, lumbered its way to her direction. “If you say so, Crown Princess Maddison.” The rotten creature cackled.

  The young woman with short red hair, a pompous attitude, and a short stature stood up and gave the demonic being a pat in its fleshy head. “Simply wait a little bit more…Then we can destroy the Empire!” She giggled.

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  MAP OF THE CRUSZ EMPIRE