The most mighty nation of the Aesis world was not a certain kingdom or nation but one mighty empire that had risen up hundred years ago thanks to one man. The king of the Heian kingdom Ala Phokas had conquered all the nations and kingdoms in the Sudern continent and had formed his kingdom into an empire with himself as the emperor.

He ruled with the help of his five children that were called the children in purple. These five children were all strong with strong divine powers but they all were weak compared to the emperor himself. The emperor had many titles but one title was very unique and brought fear into his enemies. He was called emperor Ala, the strongest man in Aesis.

~ ~

At the royal capital of Nicea, a Guiscard ship docked at the harbor. It had been traveling for a long time to reach its destination. From the ship, three individuals came forth. One woman with broken chainmail armor and half her face burnt. A man with a large hammer that he was carrying on his shoulder. And a very normal-looking, handsome man who stared at the royal capital as a predator stared at its prey.

"So, you are finally going to tell us why we are here my prince," August asked.

"The cannons at duke Mihalh's warehouse in Sofia. Where do you think they came from? They of course came from here," the prince explained while looking at the magnificent city.

"Why would they be interested in aiding a duke in a country far from their own?"

"For the emperor, no country in the Aesis world is too far away. I was too blind to realize this at first but the Heian empire hasn't stopped expanding just because it couldn't. It was waiting for an opportune time to strike.

"For that to happen they had to make sure that the other countries would be either in a sorry state or would have a person willing to fight for them if it ever came to that. They knew they couldn't make everyone their enemy. So they waited and put the water to boil waiting until it would pour over."

"So do you mean the duke was working for the emperor all this time?"

"The duke had always been a greedy man but not stupid. Why else would some of his policies and actions be purposely done to weaken the Jacob kingdom with him having no benefits? He most likely believed he could earn himself a high-status position if the Heian empire would succeed in their master plan."

Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

"But how do we being here in any way help your cause?"

"Because the water is just about to hit the boiling spot and I am sure it can be useful to us to be part of an invasion as a large scale that has a goal of world domination," Markus said and walked toward the imperial palace.

~ ~

The city of Nicea was the second-largest city in the Aesis world. It had around six hundred thousand inhabitants and was located in the largest lake in the entire Aesis world. A river flowed from the lake that flowed into the Sumerfell sea which enabled a large harbor to be located in the city.

Its buildings were all built from red brick with black tiles on top. This gave it its nickname, the red power, for its large influence and its prestige.

The city's roads were clean and well kept and it almost looked like entering another world when comparing it to the capital of the Fairfax kingdom.

Its imperial palace was many times larger and grander than the royal palace where the royal Jacobs used to live. Many columns lined the red-brick palace with a large dome built in the center.

"Halt!" a royal guard said and lowered his spear.

Markus, August and Mona had just thought they could waltz into the imperial palace and talk to the emperor.

"I am the prince of the Jacob kingdom. I am here to talk with the emperor," Markus explained.

"The kingdom of Jacob is no more. It is now called the Fairfax kingdom with the king and so-called Raja ruling it." a man said coming from inside the palace.

Markus didn't recognize this young man. He had an extremely expensive-looking robe that was colored in purple and red. He had long and curly black hair with expensive emerald rings on his fingers.

"And that is why I am here. I am here in the hopes that I would be able to reclaim my throne," Markus explained lying about his intentions.

"How can I believe you are this so-called prince. Anyone can march here and claim such a thing. Anyways It seems you haven't heard the news yet?" the man said and smiled.

"What news?"

"That queen Sasha Chezia was defeated and then saved by Rufus Fairfax when she tried to invade his kingdom. The battle was a massacre with half of the nation of Sparv's soldiers being able to escape the carnage. You honestly think you can wrestle your kingdom back from such a monster?" the man asked.

"I believe anything is possible with the right backer. Especially if the backer is the mighty Heian empire. I do believe also that you also had your plans for to Eastica continent and it could be for your empire's benefit to have a royal in your back pocket," Markus said confidently.

The man looked amused.

"And I just came here since I sensed a strong divine aura from you but it seems you also have a brain in your head. No average person can have such a divine aura around him. Guard, let him pass. He will meet with the emperor," the man said.

The guard stepped out of the way and bowed at the man.

"And may I ask who you are?" Markus inquired.

"I am Segeric Phokas. The second son of the emperor."