*In Arcatra, Before the Reign of Junior Junior**

From a young age, Junior Junior had a deep passion for hunting sea creatures and a profound love for the ocean itself. When he ascended to the throne, he ordered the construction of a powerful nation. He boarded his ship and set sail for the Pearl Sea, leaving behind his kingdom, his wife, and his children. The Grey Sea, the royal ship *Valeria*...

The night was calm and silent. The moonlight shimmered on the surface of the sea, and a cold wind blew from the north. King Junior Ronehard, draped in a velvet blue cloak, stood on the deck, gazing into the depths of the ocean. His eyes searched for the shadow of a giant whale, the hunt of which would showcase his authority to the great families.

But he never imagined that on this night, he himself would become prey for the hunters in the shadows.

Minutes later, the mutiny began.

Everything happened with eerie speed. Sailors, who moments ago had been the most loyal members of the court, drew their swords and with precise, merciless movements, slaughtered the royal soldiers one by one. Blood stained the deck.

Junior, shocked by the sudden betrayal, drew his sword and fought skillfully, but the number of enemies was overwhelming.

The fleet admiral—the one who had always been by his side—stepped forward calmly.

"Your time has come, Your Majesty."

Before Junior could even respond, the admiral's sword pierced his chest from behind.

The king, with wide eyes, staggered back. Blood gushed from his mouth, and moments later, with a look of disbelief still on his face, he fell into the cold sea.

And so, the king who believed himself worthy of the crown disappeared into the depths.

**Nexarium – Betrayal in the Shadows**

In the capital, Selena Torgan sat on the throne. Beside her stood Izhard Valdrin, the leader of the royal army.

As a heavy silence filled the room, the door opened, and one of the sailors who had participated in the mutiny entered.

"It is done. The ship was lost in the storm, and the king... drowned at sea."

Selena, with perfect composure, nodded. "Did anyone survive?"

"No one."

Izhard clenched his fists. "Then no one will know that House Torgan was behind this."

Selena smiled. "An incompetent king is dead... and now, the crown belongs to those who deserve it."

But she did not know that in the darkness, eyes were watching, waiting for their moment... and this fall would mark the beginning of a new battle.

**Crown and Betrayal – The Start of a Civil War**

**The Royal Palace of Nexarium – The Coronation Day of Armin Ronehard**

Stolen novel; please report.

The coronation hall was adorned with unparalleled grandeur. Torch flames danced on the stone walls, and the royal crown, the same crown forged fifteen centuries ago from the skulls and blood of enemies, was placed on the head of the young heir of House Ronehard, Armin Ronehard.

He was only 14 years old.

But as the young king proudly sat on the throne, a shadow of doubt lingered in the eyes of the nobles present. No one was sure if a teenage boy could rule this empire.

And one of them was Izhard Valdrin.

Izhard, a tall man with cold eyes, wearing armor bearing the sigil of House Valdrin, stepped forward and said:

"Boy, you are still green. The crown is heavier than you can bear."

A heavy silence fell over the hall. Glances shifted between the young king, Izhard, and his mother, Queen Selena Torgan.

Selena, enraged, stood up. Her gray eyes shone like a storm of anger.

"How dare you defy tradition and insult the king?!"

Izhard smirked and said in a voice that echoed through the hall:

"No, my queen. But it is my duty to protect this kingdom. And I cannot allow an inexperienced boy to wear the crown."

With a wave of his hand, his soldiers entered the hall. The sound of swords scraping against stone reverberated.

"Take the queen and her children to their chambers and keep them under guard."

Moments later, swords were drawn. But before Izhard's soldiers could act, shadows moved in the hall.

The assassins of House Torgan had arrived.

Men who moved like ghosts in the darkness emerged from the columns, ceiling, and velvet curtains. Swords swung through the air, and before Izhard's soldiers could react, their heads fell one by one.

The hall turned into a slaughterhouse.

Izhard, now standing alone, with his sword still sheathed, looked at Queen Selena.

Selena stepped forward. Her steps were calm and silent, but each step spelled death for her enemies.

"Arrest him for treason."

Izhard gritted his teeth but offered no resistance. He was a warrior and knew that any resistance now would only lead to a futile death.

The soldiers of House Torgan stepped forward, bound his hands with steel chains, and forced him to his knees.

Selena leaned down, stared into his eyes, and said:

"Anyone who stands against House Torgan will face nothing but imprisonment... or death."

**Years After the Fall of Nexarium**

Years had passed since the fall of Nexarium. During this time, Asterios had united the native people of Blastria, transforming them from savage tribes into an organized civilization. He built a city named Novaleria, a symbol of the lost glory of the Faleria. The people called him the "Wise King," but in Lorandis's eyes, he was a coward.

Every night, when the sky turned red, Lorandis would go to the tall tower of their palace and gaze toward the continent of Arcatra. He clutched the dagger left by his father and swore that one day he would avenge his family's blood.

Alorina, however, had a more logical mind. She knew that without a strong army, reclaiming the throne would be impossible. So, for years, she trained the Blastrian army, turning men who were once savages into ironclad warriors. But to launch an attack, Asterios's command was needed, and he remained silent.

**The Fire of Revenge and the Flame of Betrayal**

One night, under a full moon, Lorandis went to see Asterios. He slammed a dagger on the table and said:

"Brother, how long will you hide in this continent? We are the princes of Faleria ; this is not our land! Our parents were massacred, our family destroyed! Is that not enough for you?"

Asterios, still calm, looked at his sister and said:

"I understand your anger, but war only brings destruction. If we attack Nexarium with an army, thousands will die, and even if we win, the cycle of blood and betrayal will continue."

Lorandis narrowed his eyes and shouted:

"Then let me do it in your place!"

But Asterios firmly replied:

"As long as I live, no Faleria will start a war!"

That moment changed fate. Lorandis knew that if he wanted to reclaim the throne, he would have to find another way... perhaps without his brother.

**A Conspiracy in the Darkness**

A few days later, Lorandis secretly met with the army commanders. He knew that many soldiers, unlike Asterios, were eager for war. Among the men who were once savages and had now become loyal warriors to Alorina, he sought allies.

And that night, a new oath was sworn.

Lorandis, along with a group of officers, devised a plan to start a war without Asterios's permission. He knew his brother stood in his way. There was only one path to power: betrayal.

Would he spill his brother's blood to restore the Faleria to their rightful place? Would Alorina join him on this path, or would she protect the king?