"Nerezza Vingar? Who's that?"
"He's the one we need to worry about. The one who orchestrated this entire thing. He must've have been planning for long if its going so well." These were the words of the High Priest of the Holy Kingdom. Probably the most trusted man in the entire continent. Also considered one of the wisest. If only that last part were true.
"How could someone randomly show up out of no where and turn the world upside down in almost an instant?" That was King Andronicus. He's the leader of Nectaris.
Throughout the continent, Nectaris is known for its vast amount of resources as its name might suggest. But it doesn't have many diverse resources. So what is so abundant in the kingdom that earned its name. Only one thing, Scarletite.
An ore second to none other than Euracknium. A metal so strong that it can shield attacks from dragons. What makes it so popular is its blood red color. Soldiers with Scarletite armor are said to have undergone a certain ritual where they're dipped in a sea of blood to represent that of their enemies. When they go on the battlefield, only they come out of it.
Scarletite is mined at such large amounts that a fifth of the kingdom's army is clad in red. Even though its more expensive than Mithril, more soldiers in the kingdom have armor made of Scarletite over Mithril.
The small kingdom is located to the right of the empire and the south of the Holy Kingdom, making it easier to maintain relations with the two most powerful nations. Its only downside is that its landlocked.
"I don't understand. Explain it to us how he's involved." King Ellion of the Gristaigon Dynasty. The last existing dynasty in the continent. It is known for how active it is in trade. Rather than building military power, it focused on creating trade relations with other countries to prevent events that'll lead to conflicts. That way, they amass wealth while not wasting like all of it on military might.
It has a total of six harbors and 158 ships. Although its military power is low, they have some of the most powerful weapons in the continent. Because of the thousands of dwarves they have working in their workshops and smithies, they were able to utilize the full potential of Mithril in weapons.
Their weapons are so good that if a D class soldier used one of their Mithril swords, they'd be able to take down a C class monster. And that's saying something. Usually it takes at least six D class and one C class or higher soldiers to take down a C class monster. The Dynasty is located south of Nectaris and south west of the Lumar Kingdom.
"A few weeks ago," The high Priest started. "The military Kingdom of Crinelis was destroyed by a Heaven's Tower, something that has never fallen on this continent for the last tens of thousands of years... Aside from the Monarch Beast, there's no other known being in this continent with the kind of power that even comes close to enough for summoning the tower."
"Known?" It was king Roshar, the leader of the Lumar Kingdom. The kingdom itself doesn't have much to talk about. It's a pretty normal fantasy kingdom located to the far east of the continent. Its border along the eastern coast seems to stretch inside of the Holy kingdom, if that makes sense.
"You're implying that there's either a being that we never knew about that was stronger than the Monarch Beast who somehow lived right under our noses, or someone really strong appeared out of nowhere." That was King Abrupolis of the Vraris republican. Allow me to explain.
The Vraris Republican is situated directly south of the Holy kingdom. Its borders kind off make up a triangle. Its northern most point comes into contact with the Holy Kingdom. Its middle part is long and gradually widens as you travel south. Its western point hits Gristaigon and 'digs in' a little. Its eastern point hits the south eastern part of Lumar. Even though its northern most point is next to Nectaris, Vraris is not landlocked.
As for the name 'Republican', which seems out of its time, well, it is. The Holy Kingdom summons a lot of heroes, or rather, has summoned a lot of heroes. Most of them come from different timelines and different backgrounds. After summoning and completing their mission, heroes are moved to other kingdoms. They say that a hero is no longer connected to the goddess like the priests are after completing their missions and could therefore 'taint' their holy land.
Most of the deported heroes are sent to Vraris, a potion of land owned by the Holy Kingdom, to make sure they keep an eye on them. Even after completing their missions, heroes still retain their powers until they die.
Around 100 years ago, however, one of the heroes noticed how they were being kept as captives in a land they knew nothing about. All day everyday, they were always watched. He didn't like it of course. Long story short, he led the heroes he was with to fight for freedom and make Vraris its own nation where they do as they please. It was difficult to convince the priests but they eventually agreed for some unknown reasons.
Once this was done, he was hailed as the new ruler of the nation, which he didn't want. He knew that some of the other people living in Vraris were scared of him because of his power and intelligence. He didn't want them to be led by someone they didn't trust. So he chose to make it a republic, where the people vote for the one they want to lead them.
Now, 15% of the population there are descendants of heroes. But it is unknown if they have such abilities as those of true heroes.
"I'm implying the latter." It was the High Priest. "It's utterly impossible for such a strong being to live for so long unnoticed. Which means that someone appeared out of nowhere and is somehow stronger than the hero." His face looked disheartened.
"You're not saying everything, High Priest." That was the Emperor. His story is for another day. "You know something that we don't."
He nervously continued. "I might have a theory of who, or rather, what he is. But, just incase I'm wrong, I don't want to scare you. So I can't tell you yet. First I'll need to confirm it."
"And how will you be doing that?"
"I have an idea. But I need everyone present here to agree they'll work with me."
"How will this 'idea' of yours affect us that we'll need to work with you?" King Andronicus asked.
"Because, it involves fighting back. And I'm positive we'll win... Andronicus, how long will it take to ready your 'Scarlet Knights' and send them to the west?"
"How many?"
"All of them."
He paused to think then replied. "Around three weeks."
"Good. That should be ample time for everyone. Ellion, we need Mithril weapons. The empire, Holy Kingdom and Vraris should support by lending as many soldiers as possible witthin three weeks."
"Where are you going with this? Are you so sure we'll win? They destroyed almost three entire kingdoms and there's someone within them with the power to summon a Heaven's Tower. This will be a loosing battle."
Once he finished saying this, a servant of the High Priest knocked at the door. He apologized for interrupting and was invited in by the priest. He rushed in and ran for him, then he whispered something in his ear. The news seemed to be good since the priest was smiling.
"Your majesties, I believe we'll win. But I must ask you to lend me your aid."
The rulers looked at each other with confused faces. "What's your plan, High Priest?" Ellion asked.
"Does that mean you're willing to cooperate?"
They continued discussing among themselves then the emperor asked. "We'll know our answer once you tell us your plan. Are you sure it'll work?"
"Rest assured, great people... Victory is ours."