Scarlet Fate

00: Legend of Ikinawa

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A continent secluded from the rest of the world, the Ashka continent was known as the Land of Prosperity—a fitting title for a land untouched by large-scale conflict for over a millennium. However, this peaceful era came to an end with the rise of the Aldalian Empire.

Five nations ruled the Land of Ashka: Ashwell in the north, Drakohelm in the south, Forgeborn in the west, Liden in the east, and at the heart of the continent, Aldalia. While the four nations maintained peaceful relations, Aldalia, with its growing military power, secretly prepared for war.

The Aldalian king, a man driven by an insatiable thirst for wealth and influence, was no stranger to ruthlessness. He had ascended to the throne after a bloody act of fratricide, slaying his elder brother, the rightful heir to the throne, to seize power.

Aldalia, rich in mineral resources and home to many skilled blacksmiths, artisans, and armourers, possessed the capability to forge vast quantities of weapons and armour with remarkable speed. With the support of numerous noble houses in Aldalia who shared his ambitions, the king amassed an army, equipped for conquest.

After three years of meticulous preparation, the Aldalian royal army, bolstered by a coalition of noble houses, set its sights on Ashwell's northern borders. Though Ashwell endured a harsh climate, scarce fertile lands, and dangerous monsters, they thrived through trade—valuables such as gold and precious gems exchanged with neighboring nations.

Forgeborn and Liden provided aid to Ashwell—war materials, provisions, equipment, and battalions of troops to bolster their forces. With this, the kingdom was able to keep their land secured for half a decade.

However, the relentless assault of Aldalia forced the troops from Forgeborn and Liden to withdraw, having already suffered immense casualties fighting on foreign land. The citizens of both kingdoms were clearly dissatisfied with the losses their kingdoms had suffered, resulting in the border being overrun.

As the war progressed, Ashwell's military began to dwindle in number, and hope was lost. In the tenth year of the war, Elfion, the capital of Ashwell, fell. Ashwell's military forces were scattered, and the remaining military leaders led their forces further north, to the unexplored regions north of Ashwell.

Without an army to defend its lands, the kingdom of Ashwell quickly fell under Aldalian rule.

After their victory at Elfion, war was waged with nearby smaller nations surrounding Ashwell. Their invasion was met with strong resistance; citizens of each country fought viciously, yet all their efforts were in vain. After three years of war on the northern lands, Aldalia subdued all smaller nations within its vicinity, solidifying its control over the north and central region of Ashka. The country was reorganized and now referred to as the Aldalia Empire.

With an iron fist, the empire ruled. While the territories near the capital’s vicinity flourished, those within the northern frontiers lived a life of poverty. However, the people were happy, as the empire kept them well-fed. The demand for rare valuables and goods opened up more jobs for the people.

However, as time passed, taxes were raised, wages decreased, and market prices increased. The imperial soldiers, magistrates, nobility, and the viceroy began to abuse their power. After three suppressive months, a rebellion ensued.

Many of Ashwell's citizens took up arms in the hope of liberating themselves. Though it was futile and they knew it in their hearts, they believed that dying fighting was better than living oppressed. In response to this rebellion, a punitive force was quickly mustered to put an end to it.