For words with <>, you could try the 'List of Terminologies' chapter or search the net. Its there.

Chapter 2: The Fallen Princess

.

The strongest Empire situated along the , the large sea that supported numerous civilizations since the beginning of time. Its banners flow gallantly against the wind, a golden eagle amidst a bloodred background.

The empire was famed for its , hailed as the strongest and most disciplined army to date. Blessed by its gods, it had once dominated all areas surrounding the Mare Nostrum. Feared by its enemies, and revered by its allies, the Roman Imperium was an empire second to none.

The current empire was ruled by the then Emperor Regulus I. Before he assumed position, the empire was in a state of chaos. Northern Territories were overrun by barbarians, while the newly formed empire, the conquered much of its eastern colonies. The internal situation in the empire itself is no better.

But Regulus was quick to take action. His reforms, wise decisions and wit overcame the empire's crisis, allowing it to prosper again and even recover some territories. He was also loved by both the people and the majority of the senate, and was backed by the Legions of the empire. A man with the abilities of a true emperor. Some say he had the backing of the empire's chief god,.

"Long Live the Emperor!!!! Long Live the Imperium!!!!!!"

His people would always shout. But no human, whether he be a lowly slave or an Emperor, could be exempted from death. His passing due to old age was mourned by the whole empire, and even envoys from other kings and emperors of faraway places offered their respect.

Regulus was already satisfied with his life, and if there were any lingering  regrets, that would be to say goodbye to his only granddaughter.

Tishia Venetias.

She was the daughter of the deceased emperor's son, who was appointed governor of Ostia, one of the most prosperous cities of the empire. She was currently the fifth in line of the Emperor's throne.

At a young age she was already loved by the people. Her benevolence won the hearts of the masses. Around the empire, she was already a celebrity. But the truth was not what it seemed. Though she acquired her grandfather's 

She was discriminated among the nobles. For them the legacy of the previous emperor would only hinder them from elevating their status. She was treated as an obstacle by her enemies, and a convenient tool by her so-called allies. All because she was not a normal person.

"All because I am blind"..... she would murmur regretfully.

She was discovered to be blind since birth, and was considered no use in the world of politics except for being a puppet. The citizens of the empire had always frowned upon the ones that had disabilities, claiming they were rejected by the gods themselves.

Some even proposed to dispose of her to spare the Venetias family from shame. Although it was completely rejected. Her parents deeply love her, and the doting Augustus I who was then emperor of that time ordered the fools who suggested such actions to be severely punished.

Tishia was an optimist, and views the world innocently as being beautiful and just, even with the enemies that surround her.

The azure sky. The bright sun. The serene moon. The lush flora and fauna. The deep blue Mare Nostrum and the pristine lakes. Tishia could only imagine what they were, and would always ask her mother stories that would always feed her curiosity.

Tishia education was top notch. She was skilled in housework, and a prodigy in duels, despite the fact that she was blind. Her exceptional talent of knowing distinct presences and detection of movements in her surrounding compensated for her disability. 

She never blamed her blindness to the gods, which in legends were said to be responsible for such disabilities. Instead, she would ask for their blessings  and respected their authority. She would be usually found in the temple praying. She especially favored ,  one of the foreign goddesses that was also celebrated in the empire. 

At an early age of 13. the fame of the 'Blind Princess' even reached the neighboring countries.

That fame unfortunately, also became her downfall.

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"Mother. I have a question."

The 13 year old girl who was currently holding a very thin sword, prompted her mother. She moved her delicate fingers on the slim blade, as if caressing it like a pet.

"Yes, dear?"

Her mother did not removing her gaze from the book she was reading. It seems her mother was deeply engrossed in it, but she never failed to reply to her beloved daughter.

"This sword that you and father gave me."

"Hmm? What about it?"

"I could feel something weird. It feels umm... bright."

Her mother was surprised at her daughter's words. Closing her book, she stared at her daughter.

"Tishia. How could you tell its bright?"

"Umm... when I raise it like this...."

Tishia nimbly raised the thin sword overhead. Being a meter and a half long, it was classified as a short sword, but with the very thin blade, it would be more appropriate to call it a rapier. But this one had a large handle similar to that of a claymore's, reaching almost half of its total length. With no weapon similar in design, it was considered a ceremonial sword by Tishia's parents.

"I could feel radiance coming from it. Isn't this what you call bright?"

Her mother could not say anything back. She knew that this is how Tishia could identify her surroundings while being blind. She could sense a distinct form of aura from any object.

"Where did you find this sword, mother?"

"It was found in an ancient ruin at our northern colonies. Its a gift from your cousin."

"Eh? Clavius did?! That cheapskate, really?!"

Clavius was the 4th prince of the empire, the fourth son of the current emperor. He was also Tishia's childhood friend, and both of them would both play and bicker before. Now Clavius was the positioned as the 5th Legion general's aide at an early age of 13. The said Legion was currently on an expedition against the barbarians of the North.

"Tishia. Do not badmouth your cousin."

Her mother reprimanded her, and Tishia lowered her head in apology.

"He's a very good child, unlike her brother.."

"...... I agree mother."

The two grimaced at the same time. They were talking about the second prince of the empire, who was antagonistic against the former emperor's family. Many times had the 2nd Prince stirred trouble against the Venetias family, especially to Tishia whom he had bullied for a long time.

" What's his problem, mother?"

"........I really don't know my dear."

The carriage they were riding made a rumbling sound as it hit a rock.

"I really wish we could go home earlier."

"I hope so too. Your father is sad since we had been gone for four months already."

Tishia and her mother came back from a foreign visit to the Hellenic League capital as envoys for peace talks. Since the talks ended smoothly, both of them had been eager to return to the Imperium. They were now at the outskirts of the empire's territory. 

There was no problems during their travel, or supposed to be, since not everything can go smoothly as they want.

'whiiiiiiiiiiiiirr'

The sound of an arrow cutting through the air. Hitting the door of the carriage, Tishia could see the arrow tip that pierced through the carriage door.

"Eh?"

Tishia was dumbfounded. Her mother became alert at the sudden turn of events. She screamed for the royal gaurd.

"!!!!"

"Senator! Princess!" One of the Praetorian guards outside immediately replied. He was wearing red and purple armor, owned by the most elite soldiers of the Legion. His bloodied helmet indicated that heavy fighting had occurred.

"The enemies. We can't identify them. Probably elite assassins."

It was clear that the Praetorian Gaurds were overwhelmed. But for the elites of the strongest army to be pushed back so easily, the assassins were also no normal opponents. A ball of fire traversed the battlefield, almost hitting the carriage. 

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"They also have mages!!!"

Tisha became nervous at the supposedly distant battle that had drawn near enough to be heard so clearly.

"We can't hold them much longer, Senator!! Please escape!!!"

Tishia's mother, Senator Venetias, paused to look at her daughter. Then she ordered the Praetorian in a commanding voice.

"Take Tishia and head for the nearest city immediately."

The praetorian saluted, but worriedly asked.

"What about you senator? The assassins are definitely aiming for your life!!"

"You cannot defeat them. No one here could. I could sense that they were backed by a god."

The soldier was taken aback by the senator's words.

" A- a god you say?! So it was that......"

"Mother, I could also feel it."

Tishia also felt the overwhelming presence of 'someone' watching them. Though the assassins themselves were emitting a very formidable pressure, the one her mother called a god was of a different level altogether. It does not need a skilled person to notice such abnormal presence.

"I will take the front. Take a squad and escort my daughter!! Move!!"

"SENATOR!!!!!!!" "MOTHER!!!!!"

Both the Praetorian and Tisha objected, but Senator Venetias was resolute. Her face told them she would not allow objections.

"Don't underestimate me soldier!! Tishia, you are to seek refuge to the nearest city. Immediately seek assistance from the Legion. If Praetorian Guards are not enough to stop these monsters, probably no one else could. But I can delay them enough for you to escape. Now go!!"

The atmosphere around her mother twisted, and the seemingly frail woman immediately turned like a fear-inspiring veteran. Tishia had almost forgotten the countless stories her mother told her. That her mother had the title of a 'Hero'.

The praetorian grabbed the princess from the carriage. Gathering five of his companions, he left the carriage, carrying the screaming princess with them. Tishia on the other hand screamed as numerous foul presences surround the seemingly formidable presence that could only be her mother. But a sense of dread came all over her body as the other presence that they identified as a god, had drawn near to the carriage. She could only perceive black and red waves emitted by the god that could only be nothing but malice and bloodlust.

"Nooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

She screamed loudly, as her mother's presence waned until it cannot be felt from a distance.

----------------------------------------------------

A few leagues away, the group rested on a clearing inside the forest. Tishia did nothing during this time but cry. She could not accept the event that happened.

"It is all because I'm weak!! I-I....."

Ignoring the pitiful princess, the Praetorian Guards gathered and murmured to each other.

"Should we do it....."

"I- I'm against this!!"

"Fool! This is orders!!"

"You call yourselves Praetorians?! This is not right!!"

"Shut up! You're just newly promoted and now you talk big huh?"

"I stand by the Princess!!"

"Oho... perhaps ulterior motives, huh? Sad to say, but either you follow, or you die!!!"

Tishia had only noticed the commotion between the Guards. An infighting had occurred. She felt foul presence coming from the guards. Only one remained clear, the one her mother ordered.

"Wh-what's happeni-"

"Princess!!! Run!!!!"

One of the Praetorians tried to go between his companions and her as if shielding her, but.....

"Fool."

The sound flesh being pierced was heard. Four silver spears had embedded themselves to the Praetorian Guard who tried to defend Tishia. Tishia's blind eyes could only shudder as the presence in front of her waned and vanished. Someone had died in front of her. Some liquid splashed to her face. It smelled of iron.

"So now Princess. Let us face the hard truth. Though its gonna be too hard for such a young girl, huh?"

One of the Praetorians who reek of unpleasant presence spoke in a taunting manner.

"By the decree of the Emperor, as approved by the , you are judged to be a traitor to the empire. And the punishment is a good execution from us old men."

"...........eh?"

She though she was hearing wrong. Is this an illusion due to despair? was on her thoughts. She was frozen in shock and fear.

"Secretly giving the enemy empire extremely confidential information. What scum royalty we have here?"

The Praetorian continued sneering at Tishia while spouting false accusations.

"What are you talking about?!!!"

"Well, the senate actually had not heard of this. This came from someone in the Legion"

"I.... I don't understand at all!!!!!!!"

"Shut up kid!!!! Our Platoon lost a significant amount against those assassins!!! What the heck were they aiming at??!!"

The Praetorian's bellow only made the blind princess shudder. The ornamental sword that she held could do nothing against the hardened veterans of the Legion. 

"Thankfully, they took care of the Senator. Heck how could a few of us deal with a Hero?"

Tishia's chest hardened at the man's words. her mind was starting to break out of despair. She was going to be killed. On top of that, the executioners were also the very guards that took care of her when she was still very young. Some other presences drew near, but she could not feel them anymore.

"So~ so~ what do we have here? Give us your valuables and the girl and we may 'spare' you lot.  If we feel generous that is!! Ahahaha!!!!!"

A ragtag group of humans appeared. About twenty of them surrounded Tishia and the Praetorians. The one who spoke drew near the Praetorians, mistaking them for normal guards since they left their armors to emphasize speed for escaping. The guards observed the bandits, then whispered to each other.

"Hey... to kill a princess is...."

"Yeah... how about we earn some gold?"

"Hmm... that may be better..... but them?"

"We have no choice... the city is near!"

"And... we might get to see a show... ehehehe"

The bandit who spoke before was annoyed at the whispering guards. He was about to hit one of them, but saw the insignia on their shield.

"Hiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P-praetorians!!!!!!!! H-how??! Wh-"

The bandit started fearing for his life. Who would think royal guards of the empire would wander these parts.

"Oi scum!!! Give me gold and we'll give you this girl."

The guard said mercilessly.

"Wh-what did you say?!"

The bandit protested, but he knew too well he was in no position to even negotiate. The thieves were the ones who were robbed instead. His companions also became aware of their predicament.

"This is a princess, scum. Consider it your lucky day!! Now hand over your gold!!!!"

"Thirty gold!!! We only have 30 gold!!!! Spare us!!!!"

"You have more!! Your lives and a princess for such measly amount?! We'd rather grill you with our spears instead."

The Praetorian's skill at extortion and intimidation had forced the bandits all their fortune. The Praetorian shoved the princess who was now unresponding, as if her gears had stopped. The nobles, the people, even the very guards she thought were her allies. She was betrayed. And they had judged her to be condemned here... to live and die as a bandit's flesh toy..... her mind seemed breaking at the thoughts.

"Ehehe. A blind princess as a plaything is more exciting than it sounds."

Some of the bandits forgot about the Praetorians and gazed at Tishia  with lewd eyes. A particular nasty-looking one started reaching for her.

"Miss... Guheheh!!!!  Let me get a feel on those tits o' yours."

".........dare touch me....

"Huuuhh?! Whad' you say??"

"DONT YOU DARE TOUCH ME!!!!"

The surrounding around Tishia distorted. Her blind eyes shone brightly, staring at the despicable beings in front. Anger. Resentment. Revenge. They were all useless. These sinners needed to be judged. They needed to feel the weight of their actions. Tishia won't be judged anymore. This time, she will be the one who will do judgement.

"ALL OF YOU!!"

A symbol of a weighing scale formed above her head. The scale deeply tipped to the left. Her ornamental sword glowed, and the thin blade emitted blue like energy that coated it, forming the appearance of a huge sword. It buzzed as if cutting through the air. The shocked bandits, including the Praetorians, cowered before the being that was emitting a terrifying aura, and holding a great sword of light.

" I CONDEMN!!!!!!!!!!"

A great burst of light had scattered everywhere, as if an explosion of white. Only traces of burning earth, and a deep cut to the ground surrounding that being who once known as the Blind Princess. There were no traces of the bandits and the Praetorians left.

"For Justice......"

Tishia murmured as she left the vicinity and was never seen again.

A goddess of Justice had just been born.

-Chapter End-