1. Prologue (The Poisonous Rose of Ruin)
THE citizens of the Kingdom of Heilland overcrowded the roads of Egdiel, the royal capital, that night. Strangely enough, it was the night of the Star Festival, an event held to celebrate the day the first king established Heilland with the blessing of a guardian star. Usually, people would be headed to the Eram River that courses through Egdiel, lanterns in hand, to set them afloat on the water.
Instead, the people wielded hoes and axes, their expressions distorted with hate like demons. Eyes seething with rage and mouths twisted with loathing, they screamed and shouted as they marched through the streets.
“Kill them!!”
“Kill those Erdalian dogs!!”
“Kill the ones who have dishonored Heilland’s pride!!”
Smoke billowed throughout the royal capital. It drifted through the deep blue night sky, floating by the fluttering flags of Heilland. A massive crowd formed in front of the magnificent Egdiel Castle, which towered over the royal capital.