Thirteen.

The emporer, middle thirties, slightly overweight as his blond hair with slight grey strands sat on his throne, his eyes focused on the woman sitting beside him, on a similar throne too.

"My dear, is the 'slums' incident finally covered?"

Twelve.

The Empress, similar to his age, almost the same weight as him, her brown hair had maybe two grey strands, her skin was almost a pale white at first glance but had a tinge of colour, turned her head back, staring at him lovingly as she smiled.

"Do not worry my love, the intelligence department worked extra hard, it only took ten years, much earlier than the estimated century. Lance, has the order been carried out?"

She turned her head to the knight kneeling infront of them, waiting for their orders in the courtroom.

Eleven.

The knight began to speak as he lifted his head up as he spoke with reverence.

"Yes, the slums have been burned, your highness."

"Call the chancellor."

The king ordered as the knight finished his report.

"Yes."

Bowing, the knight left.

Ten.

The chancellor, an old man with silver white hair and a cane, wearing a formal suit but not too formal, his skin slightly wrinkled but still smooth.

"Is there something you need, your highness?"

"Begin planning for a parade, the ten other countries shall arrive anytime soon."

The emporers voice boomed out as his authoritative aura could be seen without any need for a high understanding of Magic.

"Y-yes."

The chancellor, once prideful and brave, soon fell down as he went on one knee, sweating cold bullets.

"Leave now."

The chancellor immediately nodded as he stood up, his head still low and formal, as he turned around and left.

Now walking along the corridor, the chancellor began to mutter while he seethed in annoyance and a superiority complex he failed to hide for a split second.

"Tch, damn moron, doesnt even know i run half of this empire."

The muttering insults could only be heard by him as any servants knew to block their ears, not wishing to face the wrath of the hidden emporer.

Nine.

"And so i was like 'your baby? I have my own baby too feed!' As i plunged my sword into her! Hahaha!"

A soldier who was patrolling the castle went past the chancellor as he was talking to a servant, a maid who seemed to have hair and eyes as dark as the night sky, seemingly flirting with her.

"Hahaha, wow! And i guess your baby is your sword?"

The servant, laughing along side him had given the chancellor a strange feeling, a feeling that gave him a cold feeling in his chest.

"Damn right!"

Soon, the two walked away leaving him in silence, he continued his walk, reaching the generals office.

Nine.

Opening the door, the chancellor saw the general, a woman with countless scars all over her body.

Her uniform set to perfection as she looked at battle plans for the future.

Her red hair, seemingly stained with blood, remaining still as she lifted her head.

She made a cruel smile as she saw the chancellor, her tan skin gleaming.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"Ah, Rifa. To what do i owe the pleasure?"

The general spoke out, her voice tinged with condescending tone.

Hearing her voice, the chancellor made an expression filled with annoyance.

"Orion, the lazy bastard wishes you prepare the welcome parade."

"Haha! Wow, you never change! Maybe i should tell the emporer what i heard, maybe i might get a new title for stopping a resistance early!"

She bursted out laughing as she stood up from her chair.

"But that would ruin the fun!~ hmm, fine then Rifa. See you~"

She moved beside the chancellor, patting her hand on his shoulder as she did, as she whispered into his ear.

"That is, if i get what i want."

"Ofcourse."

The chancellor nodded calmly as he held back his disgust.

Eight.

The general left as the head maid entered the room herself.

"Chancellor, the prisoners are getting restless, they wish to begin the resistance now."

She had a uniform as formal as the servants but more cleaner and elegant, fitting her title of Head Maid, her red hair cut to a slick clean style, maintaining dignity that made even the best of maids to lower their heads.

"Ah, thank you, Eliza. You will most definitely be a noble after the takeover."

The chancellor smiled wickedly as he turned to leave, the head maid just bowed as she began to clean the room, the excuse she used to inform him.

"Hm... who else is left."

The chancellor went to the undeground prison under the castle as he faced the...

Seven.

The warden, a curt man with a slightly slim body, his skin is white due to the lack of sun he gets but always covered in dirt, his hair a nice blonde.

"Ah, Rifa, what do you need?"

The warden began to speak as the chancellor reach him.

"Tell the prisoners to not blabber on about the plan, Eliza heard the prisoners getting restless."

"Dont worry, i'll keep them quiet."

The warden gave a vague answer as he turned and walked deeper into the prison.

"Creepy fuck..."

The chancellor mumbled as he turned to leave aswell.

Six.

Five.

Four.

The three siblings, one girl and two boys, the three castle mages walked behind the chancellor as he walked through the coridor, sneakily.

"Hehe..."

The most mischievous one, the eldest brother, accidentally let out a small chuckle as they were about to prank him.

Turning around, however, was the chancellor who jumped back in fright as he saw them.

"Ah!"

Holding his heart as he panted.

"Luke! Den! Pedi!"

Yelling out their names, he stomped close as his face contorted into one of that filled eith annoyance and anger.

"Aww... jeez Luke! You cant hold it it!"

Pedi, the youngest and the sister, began to weakly attack the eldest, Luke.

"Ah! Calm down Pedi! Haha!"

However, Luke did not stop laughing as he continued to get assualted by his sister.

"All three of you!-"

Thunk!—

As he came closer, he bumped into an invisible barrier as he stumbled backwards.

"""Puhahahahaha!"""

The three bursted out into a laughter, one of them even rolled on the ground holding their stomach.

The chancellor could only grumble, they were important to his plan so he couldn't blow up in their faces... yet.

Three.

"Alright, you three, thats enough, stop bullying Rifa."

A gentle lady came from behind, almost as old as the chancellor as she had a cane supporting her, she had a robe on with a large witches hat.

"Archmage... but its funny!"

The archmage could onlt let out a sigh, her three apprentices were a handful.

"Thats enough."

She moved around the three to help the chancellor get up.

"Ah, thank you Mary."

"No problem."

"Tch..."

Knock!—

"Ow!"

The archmage knocked on the middle sibling as he clicked his tounge.

"Go to the crown princess, all three of you."

With that order, the three scurry off.

Two.

The crown princess, having a dirt blonde hair and a mix of her parents skin tones, sat on her bed, she had a simple dress made for relaxing.

Knock!-Knock!-Knock!-

"Ah, come in!"

The three mages entered in order of eldest, youngest then the middle child.

"Oh! You three! How are you."

She greeted them with excitement and joy.

"Nothin much!"

The eldest replied with a nonchalance that rivalled someone we know.

"Im doing great! Hope you are too!"

The youngest shouted with the same level of excitement as the crown princess's greeting.

"Fine."

The middle sibling just answered regularly (i hate this guy.)

"What brings you three here?"

The three came close and found their own spots to sit.

The eldest sat on a chair, the youngest sat beside the crown princess and the middle child just sat on the bedside table.

"We just wanna know your answer!"

The youngest said as she hugged the crown princesses arm cutely.

"...sigh, alright, fine..."

With the question, the crown princess's mood soured as she finally nodded her head.

"Really? Then its settled, once we inform Rifa, we can begin our plan!"

Knock!-Knock!-Knock!-

Soon, another person began to knock of the door.

"Hm? ...who is it."

The crown princess, not expecting anyone else, answered hesitantly.

"It's me. Im here to deliver the water you requested."

"Then come in."

Opening the door, a maid walked in holding a tray with a slick and stylish jug with an empty cup.

"Here you are."

The maid had... hair and eyes as dark as the night sky.

"Thank you."

Bringing the tray closer, the crown princess began to speak again as the tray was placed on her bedside.

"Alright, i'll join."

"Great! Then we can finally begin our plans!"

The eldest spoke with joy as he clapped his hands.

"...your highness, are you not innocent?"

Strangely, the maid asked a question.

"You are planning to... commit murder against your own blood."

"This is not a subject you should worry yourself with."

Hearing the youngests reply, the maids face darkened.

"It seems... no one here deserves peace..."

Ace.

With the words spoken, she snapped her hands as the shadows around every nook and cranny grew like roots and vines.

Soon, darkness consumed the entire palace–no... entire kingdom.

For eight entire hours...

Finally, it dissipated, leaving only the ruins behind as every civilian disappeared, except for one.

A singular maid with hair and eyes as dark as the night sky, skin as pale as snow, stood on the soft green grass of where the grand castle once stood.

That day. A powerful empire was extinguished as if a flame was blown out.