Four Days After the Lunar Ring Event

In the early hours of dawn, before the light had fully broken in the port city of SophiaOld, a city situated along the Aurelia Bay, the once bustling harbor filled with pleasure boats, warships, and merchant vessels now lay eerily quiet, almost abandoned after the event of the fiery red ring that orbited the moon and the powerful earthquake that disrupted everything. Giant waves had destroyed many ships docked at the port, leaving them broken and piled upon each other, while the townspeople continued to speak of an ominous sign that no one could understand.

Amidst this tense and gloomy atmosphere, Sir Alaric, the loyal knight of Earl Torri, was sent to assess the damage to the port and all the ships. He was a middle-aged man, tall and robust, with dark black hair neatly styled in a warrior's fashion. His deep green eyes reflected strength and determination. He wore a gleaming silver armor, polished to a shine, adorned with the emblem of a fortress, the symbol of House Torri, reflecting his pride in serving the city.

After spending two full days inspecting the damage, he found that several parts of the port required urgent repairs. Many ships had been abandoned, damaged beyond repair, with some sinking beneath the water, leaving only the skeletons of their frames visible above the surface. After completing his assessment, Sir Alaric reported the damage back to Earl Torri and prepared for a journey to the capital, Eternaland, to deliver this critical news.

The marble road connecting SophiaOld and Eternaland is a vital trade route between the two cities. The road is paved with pure white marble, its smooth surface allowing horses to travel effortlessly. This route stretches southwest through vast meadows and winding hills. The beauty of the marble road, which sparkles when it catches the sunlight, adds grandeur and majesty to the journey.

While the marble road makes the journey more convenient and faster, the distance between SophiaOld and Eternaland is still 500 kilometers, requiring up to eight days of hard riding by the fastest horses. The cavalry must travel through fields of grass and spring-blooming flowers, moving as swiftly as their mounts allow.

Sir Alaric led his convoy of soldiers across a marble bridge spanning a small river flowing from the northern mountains. Along the way, they passed through lush forests teeming with diverse trees. The sounds of birds and the wind rustling through the branches added color to their journey. Even though the journey was quicker and smoother, they still had to remain vigilant against bandits and other obstacles that could arise at any moment.

After eight days, the cavalry arrived at Eternaland, the grand capital of the Grandia Empire. The towering city walls, made of massive stone, greeted them. The rhythmic clatter of hooves on the marble road echoed as Sir Alaric and his cavalry approached the gates of Eternaland. The exhaustion from their swift journey did not diminish their dignity and authority. The pristine white marble road, reflecting the late afternoon sun, was wide enough to accommodate several large trade convoys, yet now it lay empty and silent.

As the cavalry approached, they encountered the towering city walls made of strong, white-grey granite. The evening sunlight reflected off the walls, casting long shadows on the ground. The wall, built with the craftsmanship of high-skilled artisans, had each stone carefully cut and laid. Amidst the strong defenses, the city gate was closed with a large iron gate reinforced with thick oak beams. This gate was wide enough for ten wagons or a convoy of soldiers to pass through at once, but upon closer inspection, one could see the scratches and scars left from past wars and defenses.

Sir Alaric halted his horse in front of the city gate, his mount breathing heavily. At that moment, the guards stationed at the gate, clad in full silver armor and dark red cloaks emblazoned with the emblem of the Libertas Empire, swiftly approached with dignity and caution. They stood upright and saluted immediately upon seeing Sir Alaric and his convoy, trained thoroughly in their duties to protect the capital.

"Sir Alaric of SophiaOld!" the chief guard saluted, his voice clear yet respectful. "What brings you here today?"

Sir Alaric straightened up and replied firmly, "I come with an urgent message from Earl Torri of SophiaOld to report directly to Emperor Maximus Libertas. Open the gates and allow me and my men passage to the palace immediately."

The chief guard furrowed his brow slightly before nodding to another guard who quickly ran to deliver the news of Sir Alaric's arrival. Soon, the sound of the city gate's mechanism echoed. The massive iron gate began to lift slowly, creaking as the mechanisms turned, with cables straining. Sunlight began to filter through the widening gap, revealing the grand interior of Eternaland.

Once the gate was open wide enough, the guards lined both sides of the path, standing solemnly. They raised their hands to their chests and shouted in unison, "For the Empire and the Emperor!" demonstrating their loyalty to those who entered.

As the cavalry rode into Eternaland, the capital's grandeur unfolded before their eyes. The buildings, arranged neatly, were constructed of clean white marble. Each structure was adorned with artistic patterns reflecting the splendor of the Grandia Empire. The main road that ran through the city's heart was paved with polished white marble, reflecting the sunlight with every step of the horses and soldiers, like the rhythm of a great and important journey.

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People on the streets looked at the cavalry with interest and concern. Some paused their work to watch the passing soldiers. The city's calm atmosphere was disrupted by the sound of the cavalry, and some citizens gazed at Sir Alaric with questioning eyes, knowing that this was not a routine visit by an envoy or merchant.

Sir Alaric looked straight ahead, his eyes fixed on the end of the road leading to Grandia Palace, the royal castle perched on the city's highest hill. The castle's structure was grand and magnificent, with golden towers and a dome that sparkled in the sunlight. It was built of pure white marble and adorned with intricate designs crafted by master artisans from across the empire. The castle was surrounded by high walls and watchtowers, guarding it against all threats.

When the cavalry reached the castle gate, the guards at the entrance, clad in gleaming silver armor and deep red cloaks, saluted before opening the gate for Sir Alaric to pass. The sound of metal scraping and the echoes bouncing off the stone walls within the fortress created an atmosphere filled with grandeur and awe.

Sir Alaric was immediately escorted to the grand meeting hall within the palace. The atmosphere in the meeting hall was filled with solemnity and anticipation. The whispers of those present fell silent as Sir Alaric entered the hall with the message from SophiaOld.

As Sir Alaric stepped into the great meeting hall of Grandia Palace, he sensed an air of solemnity and tension. The high walls of the hall were draped with deep red velvet with golden patterns of the Libertas royal family. The red curtains were drawn open slightly to let in the evening light, but the room remained dim with a heavy, somber air.

Emperor Maximus Libertas sat at the head of a long conference table made of dark oak, his gaze focused on Sir Alaric with strength and wisdom. His face bore the lines of experience, his blonde hair now streaked with a hint of white. He wore a deep blue robe adorned with gold and elegant ornaments, a small golden crown on his head signifying the supreme authority of the empire.

Beside him sat Viscount Fidelis Worth, whose youthful face was contrasted by his sharp eyes, reflecting the cunning and intelligence of one well-versed in the political games of the court. His dark blonde hair was neatly combed back, and he wore a deep purple robe with intricate silver embroidery, signifying his high position.

Opposite him was Sanctus, also known as the “Hand of Venia,” the religious leader and chief advisor of the Church of Venia. He was an elderly man with deep green eyes that shone with faith and determination. His face was lined with the wrinkles of age and stress from years of service to the church. He wore a pure white robe embroidered with silver lilies, the symbol of the Goddess Venia, and a necklace with a crescent moon pendant of the goddess on his chest.

Next to him was Viscount Honorus Justic, the royal judge, whose face showed determination and seriousness. He had tanned skin from working outdoors, with hair that gleamed like steel. He wore light silver armor that reflected the flickering candlelight in the room, and his sharp eyes indicated his unwavering commitment to justice.

At the corner of the table, opposite the Emperor, was Duke Theodore Venturis, a senior noble warrior. He had a strong, muscular build, his skin darkened by long exposure to the sun, with a long scar running from his left cheek to his jaw—a mark of his brave battles in the past. His dark brown hair was cut short for practicality, and he wore a deep red cloak trimmed with black fur. His sharp blue eyes reflected his determination and readiness for battle.

Beside him was Knight Aeter from Pietas Abbey, a symbol of faith and justice. He was tall and lean but strong, with a chiseled face and bright green eyes filled with resolve. He wore pure white armor adorned with gold and a deep blue cloak with the symbol of the lily of mercy.

Sir Alaric felt all eyes on him as he stood in the midst of the great council. He wore polished silver armor, simple yet elegant. His horse had been taken to the stables after they arrived. His long black hair was tied back in a soldier's fashion, and his brown eyes were focused on the Emperor with respect and determination.

He bowed slightly and spoke in a firm voice, "Emperor Maximus, I come bearing urgent news from Earl Torri of SophiaOld. This journey is not a mere diplomatic mission; it concerns the earthquake and the damage that has occurred at the port."

“Very well, Sir Alaric,” the Emperor Maximus responded. “Tell us, I want to know everything.”

Sir Alaric took a deep breath and recounted the tale of the violent earthquake that struck SophiaOld and the damage it caused to the port, including the exploratory and supply ships that were wrecked by the giant waves. He described the damage to the port and the state of the ships that were rendered unusable, as all eyes remained fixed on him.

Emperor Maximus listened with a serious expression. “Then we must act quickly and decisively to maintain the stability of our empire,” he said, gripping the edge of the conference table to show his determination.

Viscount Fidelis Worth added, “We need to assess all the resources we have and plan to reorganize our supplies. If we cannot maintain balance, greater problems may arise.”

“We should also increase prayers and invocations for the blessings of the Goddess Venia,” Sanctus softly but firmly suggested, “to provide protection and encouragement to our soldiers on the front lines.”

Emperor Maximus nodded, “Yes, we need a better plan, including negotiations and seeking aid from our allies if necessary.” His gaze shifted to Duke Theodore Venturis, who nodded in agreement.

“And where is Prince Lucius?” Maximus inquired, his eyes turning to the empty seat of his eldest son, Prince Lucius Libertas. “Why has he not shown up at such a crucial time?”

The room fell silent immediately as everyone looked around for answers. Some displayed expressions of displeasure or concern, and the tension in the room continued to rise.

Emperor Maximus sighed deeply before continuing, “Viscount Fidelis, send someone to summon Prince Lucius to meet me immediately. I will not tolerate disorder in such an important time.”

Fidelis Worth quickly stood and bowed slightly. “I will take care of it immediately, Your Majesty,” he replied steadily and left the meeting room. The atmosphere remained filled with pressure and anxiety as the other members watched Emperor Maximus, waiting for further direction from him.