Under The Divine Veil 【bxb】

PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE |
                                                                "Many years ago, the Divine Empire was ruled by two major families: the Rhendor Family and the Saer Family. Together, the two coexisted in peace, eliminating threats and fighting by each other's sides. However, after a millennia of  peace, the Rhendor family began to slowly succumb to the most basic human nature: greed. They launched an attack on the Saer family, aiming to completely destroy it."

In the old and dilapidated library, an ancient and wise storyteller began to read a flimsy history textbook. The afternoon sun casted stripes of glowing sunlight on his face, which illuminated golden eyes filled with what seemed to be the meaning of the entire universe.

His facial features seemed to be carved of jade, a pearly white complexion combined with long, sweeping eyelashes. The man looked like an ethereal, other-worldly being.

"The Rhendors were overcome with their greed. Even though they already ruled the entire empire, it just simply wasn't enough for them. In their eyes, there could only be one ruling family— nobody else was allowed to reign."

A soft smile appeared on his lips.

"Shocked by the betrayal, the Saers were completely unprepared— but they didn't go down without a fight," he spoke in an amused tone, recounting the events of old history as if he were retelling not ancient events, but something he had experienced firsthand.

"The empire immediately descended into chaos as war broke out between the two ruling families, dividing the nation in half and launching the empire into a massive economic depression and famine. With all funds exhausted on the war, there were none left to spare for the ordinary citizens," slowly, he flipped the page.

"The war lasted for five grueling years, before finally coming to an end. The Rhendors came out superior, and the Saers had no choice but to surrender and flee to the "Underground" after the war."

Located in the north of the empire, a snowy village had gained an infamous reputation for its bustling black market, and had earned the nickname of the "Underground".

This black market village earned its famed reputation after it became a last resort of the common citizens of the empire. Because of the economic depression, many resorted to selling their own children in the Underground, all their morals forsaken for the sake of survival. Ranging from illegal weapons to even trafficking— the Underground had it all.

"The Saers would've originally never lived in a place as corrupt and dirty as the Underground, but they had no other choice. The Rhendors had spared their lives, but they would never accept them as citizens of the empire."

"The Underground was a lawless place that not even the Rhendors could control, so it was the only place they could've escaped to. Survival of the fittest— that, is the law of the Underground."

His calming, baritone voice seemed to attract even the local wildlife. Several birds perched on the building's windowsills, listening to the man read.

"Of course, even a place as lawless as the Underground was ruled by someone. Many years after the Great War, the economy still hadn't recovered, and the Underground was still as thriving as ever— it wouldn't have collapsed any time soon, even if the economy did eventually recover. Many families competed for power within the Underground, and eventually, three families were deemed superior: the Vind Family, Xu Family, and Saer Family.

It was not long before the empire completely recovered from the Great War, but none of the efforts in helping the empire recover was from the Rhendor Royal Family— instead, it was from the Saintess Faction," he spoke.

His face turned slightly grim at the mention of the organization, but it didn't hinder him from continuing.

"The Saintess Faction was a newly formed gods-only organization at the time, founded by Saintess Calli, a goddess who claimed to have descended from the skies to help lead the empire onto a better path. Her benevolence shone all across the empire, solving the empire's economy and famine.

After the Saintess Faction's timely aid, their power and influence quickly grew by leaps and bounds, and in the span of a couple of decades, their power had grown enough to threaten the Rhendor Royal Family. Compared to the royal family, who had ruled the empire since the beginning of time, the newly formed Saintess Faction was not supposed to have so much influence over the empire."

He gently closed the textbook, placing it off to the side.

Whispering, he continued, "and thus, the cycle of greed began again. Who would emerge victorious between these two major powers? Who would truly rule over the Divine Empire in the end?"

A sickeningly sweet smile spread on his lips, and his originally soft eyes became sharp and cold.

"Or... has the ruler been destined to be neither of these factions?"

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