Chapter 577: Invasion

'Oh shit,' quoted from Queen Gallienne's realization of the events. A normal dinner turned asunder. Ignore were those living off in peace outside Arda. Forest of Reona, named after a witch who perished trying to save a village fell in mere hours. A solid stronghold built within minutes, the mages of Iqeavea were proficient. Nobody knew the horrors until the third day after the invasion, the 13th of March, a village of demi-humans, South-west of Mont Blanc – a three-week voyage, in respect to the other settlements. The village of Reona wasn't much to be desired. Not until one considered the abandoned fort used as a shrine to the forest's guardian. 

The day was joyful, crops and harvest were satisfaction this year around. The drought which had previously plagued the land was nowhere to be found. The kids played, the adults worked the farms and brewery, as for the village chief, he prayed in the company of the shrine maiden. A youthful representative and adventurer. 

"Big sis Melti," said a boy conquering the battlements.

"What is it?" asked she in a warm tone, "-get down, you'll get tired," the dirtied yard cleaned bit by bit. 

"Why is it the people hate us?" he wondered about with arms stretched, the bountiful flushed forest looked like an insurmountable wall. 

"People don't hate us," she said in a tame tone, "-we're different. We, demi-humans, are proud children of the great one. We might be weak, but, we get stronger faster than anyone else. Don't worry, Henny, the day will come soon, I'll take you to the adventuring guild. I promised, didn't I?"

"Thanks, big sis," elbows against the rocky fortification. Chores complete, the gracious lady climbed on up to keep the boy company. "-Big sis, why is it you fight?"

"To avenge the fallen," her long lashes peered onto a distant land, he could stare up at her confidence, "-I was shown the way of battle. The world is a cruel place, either live or die. Monsters aren't the only threat to us. I'm a shrine maiden, my duty lies in helping others… yet, I can't help looking on what lies ahead." Just then, bells twinkled, she faced away in shock. "GET DOWN!" in a flash, a whistling sound shot past. "B-b-big sis," blood splattered. The glimmering strong visage side-glanced with a timid grin. The body tripped over the edge to crash onto the stables below. 

"BIG SIS MELTI!" 

The first shot fired in what would be a gruesome conflict. Men dressed in uniform captured the village without resistance. All of them watched in disgust, the sight of demi-humans made it blasphemous to the belief. The Order of White Knights, a generic name for a generic Division of 3 brigades consisting of 5 thousand soldiers under the command of Major General Lockeen Vansolda, an arch-bishop for the holy church. The crest of Kreston's god displayed on their shoulders. For the attack on Reona a Company of 200 was split into 4 squads of 50. Sudden as it was, and despite the relatively peaceful surrender, some villagers didn't agree, and in their midst, unknown to the invaders, were adventurers tasked to safeguard from monsters. A massacre soon followed; villagers were shot indiscriminately. Women and children were taken hostage, the men who resisted died, and those who complied were taken to a makeshift camp. Spells were summoned; the garrison soon fell under siege by an adventuring party. 

"Second Lieutenant Mei, we're under attack!" reported an officer. 

"Is that so," she wiped her cheeks in blood, "-send someone to clean up this mess," out the house, the remainder was a disfigured demi-human with ears chopped, and face cut to fit what was 'normal'. 

"Good job kid," said one of the adventurers, "-head on back, we've already informed the guild. I promise will get the village back." Sadly, what was said never came to pass, the boy who saw a caring individual shot in cold blood, heard and witnessed the cruelty of the holy ones, escaped into the forest. Pillars of smoke rose; anarchy befell the village. Those who surrendered were given quick deaths. 

Borders were shut, any audience to Arda ended in dismissal. They refused to accept help – the Federation's hands were tied. Queen Gallienne sat in despair, what Igna predicted came to pass. Thus, a week went by, the invasion of Arda continued – people were slaughtered without even being acknowledged. 

"Majesty," cried the roundtable, "-what is to happen to us," they wept.

"Arda's being invaded, there's unrest among the people as well as the nobles. Some have defected to Noctis's Hallow!"

"We'll surrender," said Lucifer after much consideration, "-we're not ready to lead a war. Levying troops will only bring about more death. It's better we negotiate for a solemn agreement."

Thus, as predicted, the proud kingdom of Arda revoked its freedom to be placed under the protection of the Wracia Empire. "Lady Mother!" whispered Eira, "-what are we supposed to do?" 

"My daughter," she sat desperately under the moon, "-it all happened because of me. We're a lost cause, I sought refuge in a man of charm forsaking the future of the people. If only he were here," she prayed.

"Mother," stood at her side, "-the kingdoms fallen. Demi-humans are being shipped off as slaves for the pleasures of the nobles of the Wracia empire. Arda's no longer fierce. The Capital's the only safe haven. King Lucifer made it clear in the agreement for surrender."

In a matter of months, the whole of the world's leadership changed. The conquest of Arda became public on Thursday the 1st of April. The potential of war forced many other factions to be at ease. King Lucifer became ruler of Arda under the direct order of the Emperor as well as blessed by the Saint of Rondo. The economy wasn't much to talk about, the kingdom was ransacked and left nothing but change. Unnecessary villages were burnt, races and tribes neared extinction. Hate harbored the people, famine and plague ravaged the land; the capital became a holy-capital devoid of demi-humans. Anyone remotely different was ousted. Scholars usurped knowledge from the many magical universities. The royal castle burnt to be replaced by a cathedral for the church. Any nonbeliever was tried and burnt. Goddess Syhton, state religion for Hidros, was seen as demons of the foolish. 

Animosity grew on the borders, few skirmishes happened here and there. They were probably toys sent for the viewing pleasures of the soldiers. The Federation was forced to take up arms and guard. Hidden under the blemish of battle, the Queen and Princess of Arda were gone. King Lucifer made no attempts at recovery for he vowed to purify the land. 

6th of April, a nonaggression pact sealed by the emperor reached Queen Gallienne's side. "HOW DARE THEY!" she screamed to break multiple vases, "-ARROGANT FUCKS, they take land from us without so much as a battle and send a pact after claiming their fill." Anger wouldn't do much, and so, the Wracia Empire and Hidros signed said treaty of which was a year.

Two days later, '-damn idiots,' thought Igna in the shower. 

"Igna, are you done yet?" cried Alicia.

"In a minute," said he stepping onto the cold floor, '-Alicia's acting more like my wife than a manager. Arda's gone, the demi-humans are back to slavery and oppression. Phantom was forced to stay on the sidelines. The Federation decided to play into the Empire's hand and hold fast. The nonaggression pact is for both sides to gather forces. They began the war, captured the kingdom, forced Hidros's hands, and left without any loss. Luckily, the Guild Leaders escaped to Noctis's Hallow. Try as they might, fighting off immortal beings immune to the blessing of the vile god is a pointless affair. The once alienated race of nightwalkers, shunned by the king and his roundtable, was now licking the very ground the vampires walked. How shameless.' Out the shower and into the living room, the three pillars of Rotherham stood over yonder. They relocated to Hidros as duty called for Igna. Alicia found herself helping Apexi and Julius. 

"I've made breakfast and lunch," said she wrapping the meals, "-be sure to eat," dressed formally, she slipped into her heels, "-I'll see you later tonight."

"Alright," they kissed, "-have a good day," said he.

"You too, darling." The lock clicked and she left. The apartment sure was spacious and screaming of rich. The clean decorations, slick furniture, and view over the growing town were much to be desired. Sat on a stool facing the view, '-Lucifer played a long game, plotting and waiting for many years until the final piece fit. Xula and Eira were meant to an end. What of the alliance between him and Zeus. Regardless,' a sip later, '-Queen Gallienne didn't stand down either. She took her demands to the Emperor and ordered compensation for the belligerent conduct. The intervention of the Pope sure made it a hard-fought battle. What to do and what to say really, we were given money and they were graced with a peace treaty. Lucifer…' he gritted; '-my legacy is slowly being tarnished. As it stands now, the Empire's back to being the powerhouse of a nation, followed by Alphia and lastly, the Federation. Technologically speaking, we have the upper hand. Waging war on us is a bad idea. Still, the conflict sure brought a lot of profits to Phantom. We supplied them with guns, any other arms maker fails to compare, even the Cobalt-Unit's given up. I guess that's the reason for the discourse between Arda and the Federation. Putting a wedge to separate and undermine the Federation's military support in times of war. A well-executed plan. If only the Federation was united, the war would have been a whole other story. Auic escaped to Avon's side, help from the Assassination sect. The Empire's too virtuous to have an underground organization, them and their clouded judgment. I can see it clearly now; the peace treaty wasn't the intent at first. Pressure came from Elon's Dynasty; their wealth is beyond what the Empire can muster. Since Elendor controls one-third of the land and is backed by the Dynasty, there's no fighting against them. Old Cray's battles are worthless, to say the least. Politics,' gulping the last morsel, '-standing in the side-line isn't too bad. I would have jumped into battle and ordered the people to take up arms.' 

*Knock, knock.* 

'Who could it be?' dressed in a sleeping gown, "-coming."

*Click,* "-good morning cousin," said Julius in a rather complex mood.

"Good morning," returned he on guard, "-is something the matter?" 

"Well," after a brief moment of silence, "-I'm sorry to do this, cousin." Two figures spawned out the shadows, white and green hair dressed and covered in a hood. Heads lifted, the piercing gaze of Eira and Xula watched.

"Cousin," he glared, "-what's the meaning of this?"

"Igna!" said the Queen holding his hands, "-Julius told me everything, your him, aren't you," she pulled closer, "-Staxius…"

"Enough," breaking her grip, "-how dare you," said he, "-how dare you presume I'm the husband you traitorously abandoned and killed."

"Igna," glared Eira, "-that would be enough disrespect to my mother."

"Princess Eira," he frowned, "-still stuck up as I remember."

"Cousin, please," said Julius stepping in the middle, "-they've come for a good reason."

"I guess. Come on in, guests of my cousin." The well-lit interior gave a semblance of comfort. 

"Cousin Julius," loud and clear, "-follow me." Up the stairs and into another makeshift study, a better version than the one in Alphia. The door closed; a spell toggled to conjure a soundproof barrier. 

"Cousin Igna, did you mechanize the activation of spells?"

"It's commonplace, don't worry about it," sat at the desk, "-now, tell me why those two are here."

"I'm sorry," said he, "-I couldn't give up on my mother and big sister. They ran away, the king made no attempts at their search or rescue. As far as the continent is concerned, the royal family of Arda's being held captive." 

"You have five minutes to formulate a good argument. I don't need to repeat myself, do I now?" a manifestation of evil stood behind as a giant howling visage.