Atropa Belladonna

~~~零~~~

~~~种下种子~~~

The battlefield went silent as a young man donning golden armor and a young man dressed in all black stood atop the large stone wall of the fortress, both holding the red and golden flag bearing a dragon.

After seven long years of treacherous battle and devastating deaths, they had finally done it, the war was finally over and they had won.

As soon as their soldiers had seen the flag flying with the rising sun, they burst into cheers while the opposing army threw down their weapons and admitted defeat.

Six months passed with the Mogolla Empire building itself back up from the ruins of war before many gathered in her capital city to celebrate her rebirth.

The emperor, once suited in golden armor, now wore red robes made of fine silk from the western part of his country and was seated at the head of the banquet with his empress to his right and his highest ranking general to his left.

"Bai Wang, a toast to you, my friend!" he called with a bright grin while holding up a small chalice made of gold, "Without your knowledge and vigor on the battlefield we would not have won this battle! You will be rewarded greatly!"

"I have done nothing, Your Majesty, I have no want of such rewards," the male in blue robes chuckled despite holding up his own chalice, "Our victory was thanks to the effort of everyone in the army and those who worked to keep the empire running as we faced the enemy."

"Bai Wang, you are now a hero of our great empire," the empress retorted with a small smile of her own, "Surely there must be something in this world you must want."

"That's right, ask for anything under these heavens and I can grant it to you!" the emperor pressed, earning a small chuckle from the male dressed in all black.

"Your Majesties the only thing I want," he started while looking up at the couple with an earnest expression, "Is to live happily with my clan, continuing to carry out what we have been doing since the days of our birth."

"That's right, have you had a chance to go back and visit your family yet?" the woman asked as she brought her own chalice up to her crimson tinted lips, "Your daughter, Diān Qié, turns seven this year, doesn't she?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, she turns seven, but I've yet to see her since her birth," the male replied with a somber smile, "From letters that I've received from Xiu Ying, I know that she has already begun to excell in her training."

"If you want to guarantee a good life for her, how about we agree to have her marry Zhang-er when they both come of age?" she suggested while placing a hand on her husband's arm.

"Yes, that's a great idea!" he cheered, "As a part of the royal family she will gain immense power and will be graced by the heavens! It is the ultimate honor."

"What do you think, Bai Wang?" the man questioned, smile never leaving his face as he turned back to the other who was taking another sip of the alcohol in front of him.

Letting out a long sigh, the man bowed in respect before saying, "As long as the Crown Prince grows up to be an honorable man like his father, then I have no objections."

"That's great! That's great!" the 'son of heaven' exclaimed before he called for his servants to bring forth more wine in celebration for the two great successes.

~~~Fin. Prologue~~~