In the midst of the bustling Thirtos market, the sounds of commotion turned chilling as news of the assassination of five prominent leaders spread like wildfire. "We have to get out of here!" shouted a pale-faced vegetable vendor, raising his hand towards the exit, while other customers and vendors stood frozen in place, neglecting their unfinished transactions. "What will happen to us?!" asked a trembling mother, her eyes filled with fear, reflecting the panic enveloping every soul in the once vibrant market.
The market, usually filled with colorful aromas of goods, was now steeped in whispers and rumors. "I heard they were killed by the Queen's close allies," whispered a spice seller to his friend, "There might be a power struggle!"
Amidst the crowd, tension escalated as a noble emerged from his building, dressed in fine, impeccably tailored attire. Some commoners lowered their voices, watching him with suspicion. "We don't want to get caught up in your political games!" shouted an old man, displaying hatred in every word, as if voicing the sentiments of all those oppressed by social injustice.
Amid the clamor, a young woman, a servant typically assigned to the palace, added, "That blast, like thunder in the morning, signifies that something greater is on the way." The murmurs of anguish and doubt resonated in the hearts of those caught between two worlds — the serene realm of the nobility and the restless existence of the common people.
Rumors swept through the city, with many claiming that this chaos was a sign of a new power poised to obliterate everything in its path. "Do you know what is happening in Lirtos?" asked a cloth merchant, capturing attention amid the surrounding noise. "Reports suggest that troops from the north are preparing to attack!" This voice added weight to the tension already palpable in the market.
The state of the city of Thirtos now resembles the backdrop of a terrifying nightmare, where every corner is filled with screams and whispers, and the once vibrant crowds have turned hollow under the pressure reflected on the faces of every inhabitant. Unbeknownst to them, the city teeters on the brink of chaos, enveloped in uncertainty, with every soul feeling the chilling air penetrating their bones, as if a dark omen looms menacingly.
The murder of five prominent leaders in Gaia sent shockwaves through the city of Thirtos that morning, igniting chaos among the noble families. It was a recurrence of past events that stirred deep fear. Many of the surviving families sought to escape from Gaia towards the continent of Lirtos, located in the territory of the Earth Kingdom. They flocked to the Sarvagas harbor, hiring luxury ships to expedite their departure.
"What's really happening?" asked a small trader in the Thirtos market, his voice trembling as he heard the news. "They say there's a huge conspiracy!" replied a woman with wide eyes, "Yes, I heard it from a passing noble; they say it's all because of a power struggle!"
The five victims were members of the Mundar Table Syndicate, which was responsible for managing the governance of Gaia; a position wielding significant influence granted by Queen Iris. Initially, the syndicate started with seven members, but two had withdrawn following the events of the Heaven Wars. Those were Elbert Karlheinz and Marquez Vinzenz, who were also found dead, creating a dangerous power vacuum within Gaia's political structure.
The situation in Thirtos was extremely tense. The streets, usually bustling with vendors and shoppers, were now silent, save for the whispering winds flowing through the narrow alleys. The smell of smoke rising from the embers in the marketplace created a frightening atmosphere. "Did you see? They say rumors are spreading; perhaps this conflict among the nobles will lead to war!" a worried man exclaimed, trying to cover his face with a cloth.
"And what about us, the common people?" lamented an elderly woman, her voice laced with anxiety. "If war breaks out, we will be the victims!" In a corner of the market, a group of men and women gathered, exchanging stories of what they had heard. "They say Elbert is using dark magic!" Clutching her shopping basket, a mother added, "I heard rumors that some high-ranking officials have betrayed one another to seize power and want to control that dark magic." Seeing their helplessness, panic began to rise.
The first name among the fallen: Lord Bismarck Lauenbrug.
Lord Bismarck Lauenbrug, aged 63, was one of the most renowned nobles in the eyes of the Gaia nation and was recognized as a tactical genius. His significant role during the war against the Gamma nation cannot be overlooked, as he devised a barrier to thwart the Mammoth forces from invading Thirtos. This wall, crafted from iron (Fe) recently introduced by the Earth nation, was fortified with powerful Gaia magic and quantum spectrum from Earth, making it equivalent to the Shield of Aegis. Named the Thor Gate, the structure stood at the border between Thirtos and Cerva, marking a milestone in his defensive strategy. He was the leader of the Round Table Guild of the Gaia nation.
The second victim was:
Lord Maximilian Hannover, aged 50, was also a member of the Round Table Guild. He was a skilled informant, managing to access secret information from the Earth nation on several occasions. He was aware of hidden projects being conducted by Earth during inspections in Gaia. Quietly, he sabotaged all of these projects and claimed them as his own.
In the Thirtos market, a tense atmosphere enveloped the small vendors who felt panic after hearing the news of the murder of five high-ranking officials. "What will happen to us?" cried Maya, a vegetable seller with a pale face. "We must be cautious. They might target ordinary people next," replied Rudi, the bread vendor, glancing around anxiously as he tried to muster courage amidst the fear that loomed over them. Every corner of the market was filled with whispers of conspiracy theories and suspicions, creating a horrifying atmosphere in their daily activities.
The market, usually bustling with energy, was now filled with tense faces. The fragrant aroma of spices mingled with the scent of sap from the fruits. The vendors' announcements could still be heard, but they lacked their usual strength, as if people were afraid to utter words that might worsen the situation. "They say the nobles are accusing each other," whispered Lila, a fabric seller, in a hushed tone. "And now, we might be the scapegoats!"
At the same time, rumors began to circulate about who might be responsible for the murder. "I've heard it's all part of a power play between Lord Bismarck and Lord Maximilian," an old man said to his friends. "They are each trying to eliminate the other for complete control!" At the edge of the market, a group of women spoke animatedly, "What should we do if war breaks out here?" Fear was etched on their faces, and the opportunity to discern right from wrong in this situation felt elusive. Nashir, the owner of the fruit shop, shook his head. "All we can do is hope that no more blood is shed in these streets." The city of Thirtos now stood on the precipice, with uncertainty hanging heavily in the air.
The name of the third victim:
Lord Gustav Stresemann, age 47. The third member of the Round Table guild. He was known for his cunning as well as his genius in negotiation. Once, the Gaia people implemented regulations to limit the influence of foreign powers entering Gaia. These regulations formed the very foundation of the Gaia people. Gaia could not coexist with the external world as any outside influence could threaten the stability of nature in Gaia. However, through his cleverness, he deceived the tribal leaders of the Gaia people with a treaty, aiming to eliminate their primitive mindset and foster rapid development.
Amidst the chaos, the Thirtos market was bustling with anxious crowds. "I've heard five leaders have been killed! What will happen next?" whispered a vegetable vendor to his friend. An atmosphere of dread enveloped the market, as the spicy aroma of the herbs being sold did little to mask the fear spreading among the residents. A woman screamed, "We can't survive like this! The nobility doesn't care about us!"
The agreement known as Liberarte, which means to establish peace throughout the Gaia region, was born out of the bloody conflicts that frequently erupted between tribes, eventually leading to the creation of four territorial blocks: east, west, south, and north. Each block consisted of over ten tribes, all of which implemented an automatic peace system aimed at ending disputes between blocks. However, in reality, this agreement served to limit the movements of tribal leaders, trapping them within a structure that was stifling, akin to placing them in a large cage within each block, rendering them weak and complacent under the illusion of protection. He offered them pleasures such as money, wealth, women, or anything they desired, yet therein lay the corruption of the Gaia populace's spirit, too indulged to remember their essence and behaving like animals.
In a corner of the market, a small trader was trying to explain to his customer, "Tell me, what if they find us? We have no weapons!" "Stay calm," replied the customer, his voice trembling. "We must unite, or we will fall into a deeper darkness." A surge of rumors spread, with everyone whispering to one another, creating a thick web of fear. "Perhaps this is all the work of the nobles," shouted an observer from afar. "They want us to destroy each other!"
It was in this moment that the fourth member of the Round Table guild took action. Lord Ludwig Schwerin, aged 67, was the leader of the paladins. He was the superior of Fitran, who had just become a paladin. Gustav Stresemann had sent Ludwig Schwerin to intervene.
The names of the four who fell:
Ludwig Schwerin, the wise old knight of the Gaia race, is the figure who bestowed the title upon Fitran as the leader in a war that would later be known as "Blood Monday." This relentless battle lasted for 24 hours, resulting in more than 5,000 souls lost on a battlefield that appeared tragic. The vastness of the bright blue sky seemed to veil the darkness that had befallen, while half of the Gaia race was swept away in the storm of conflict. The condition of the Gaia people grew increasingly dire and mournful in the aftermath of that horrific war. With a face full of anger, Ludwig placed the entire responsibility for the deaths of those people upon Fitran.
In the midst of the panic that engulfed Thirtos, a small trader named Rina clutched her heavy basket, her breath coming in gasps. "Did you hear?" she asked her friend, Daro, who was arranging the goods. "Five high-ranking officials were killed right before the eyes of the people. The atmosphere is growing more unsafe!" Rina added, "All of us down here can only hope they don't come here."
The condition of the city of Thirtos had become terrifying, like the long shadows cast by a darkening sunset. The metallic scent of blood lingered in the air, detectable even at the corners of the market. The sound of screams and whispered fears filled the spaces of the shops, mingling with the hurried footsteps of the townsfolk. A window on the second floor trembled as Rina and Daro listened to the rumors of the massacre, painting a chilling picture in the minds of everyone present.
"You know, rumors are circulating that those who were killed were traitors," Daro whispered, glancing around cautiously. "But some also say this is all part of the noble's schemes to take control of Thirtos!" Nearby, several townspeople listened intently, their faces pale. "Are they going to hunt us next?" a woman asked, clutching her young child by her side. The small hand gripped tightly to her embrace, fear etched on their faces.
Amid the crowd, an old man in tattered robes raised his voice, "They are exploiting us! This is all a diversion from a much bigger problem!" His voice trembled, amplifying the atmosphere of panic in the market. Rina felt the fear creeping in and was forced to conceal her merchandise. No one dared to venture far from the market; everyone felt trapped in the suffocating uncertainty.
"Did you hear? Five officials were killed overnight!" shouted a vegetable vendor to his colleague at the market.
"Yes, I saw the crowd in front of the palace this morning. The people were screaming in terror. They say this is just the beginning of something worse," his friend responded, his face pale.
"Moreover, just a few days earlier, the strongest Paladin had resigned," replied another.
"Could he have killed her?" shouted a young man.
The last name to die:
Lady Beatrix Charlotte, the only female member of the Round Table. She utilized the natural wealth in Gaia as a medium for connection. She was the first diplomat and also the boss of Fitran after leaving the Paladin alliance following the end of Blood Monday, making her a crucial figure in this unpredictable political landscape.
"So, Lady Beatrix is also dead. I haven't been able to get news from either the Pastor or Julie," said a woman who wove cloth.
"I should meet with Kael Juno ....