When news of the growing conflict within the Normadia Empire reached the ears of the kings—especially the announcement of the emperor's upcoming council to resolve the dispute—the kingdoms quickly began to move.
The first to react was King Sindaril, who immediately summoned the remaining kings to an urgent meeting.
His motives, however, were not purely out of fear of war. King Sindaril was an ambitious ruler who sought to expand his influence and gain greater authority within the empire. To him, this crisis looked like an opportunity that could shift the balance of power.
When the time for the meeting arrived, the King of Falnor, King Sindaril, the King of Aklizar, and the King of Miralion gathered inside the royal palace of Falnor. The four kings sat around a massive stone table, exchanging cautious glances.
The King of Miralion spoke with concern.
"If a war breaks out within Normadia, none of our kingdoms will escape its consequences."
The King of Aklizar replied coldly,
"Wars create opportunities… the real question is: who will benefit from it?"
King Sindaril remained silent, observing everyone with sharp eyes, carefully weighing every word spoken.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the empire, a far more dangerous meeting was taking place inside the Imperial Palace.
Present at the meeting were the King of Salimar, the King of Kastera, the King of Nirafin, along with Trido James and Lawi Krio—the central figures of the growing conflict.
They sat inside the vast council hall, where the silence felt heavy enough to crush the air itself.
Suddenly…
The enormous doors slowly opened.
The Emperor of Normadia entered.
The moment he appeared, complete silence filled the hall. His presence was overwhelming. Even the air seemed to grow heavier around him. Sparks of burning yellow lightning crackled across his shoulders, surrounding him with an intimidating aura.
The nobles instinctively lowered their heads.
The emperor calmly walked forward and took his seat upon the throne.
Then he spoke in a deep, steady voice.
"Let us begin."
His gaze shifted directly to Trido James.
"Tell me… who killed your father?"
Trido clenched his fists tightly.
"They murdered him… treacherously."
Then he pointed directly at the King of Salimar and Lawi Krio.
"Those two!"
Immediately, tension exploded inside the hall.
The King of Salimar slammed his fist against the table.
"This is slander!"
Lawi Krio sneered and said,
"No… the traitor here is you, Trido. You are the one who brought foreign armies into Salimar."
Trido shouted back,
"I did it to uncover the truth!"
The emperor slowly raised his hand.
In an instant, silence returned.
Then he asked calmly,
"What proof do you have?"
Trido froze.
Long seconds passed before he finally answered.
"…I have no proof yet."
The expressions of those present immediately changed.
The emperor spoke coldly.
"Without proof… there can be no judgment."
Then he added,
"Bring me evidence. Only then will you be allowed to fight them."
The emperor then dismissed the meeting, but ordered the King of Kastera and the King of Nirafin to remain.
He looked at them and asked,
"Why have you interfered in the affairs of Salimar?"
The King of Kastera answered,
"The ruling family of Salimar has forbidden trade caravans from passing through their lands."
The King of Nirafin added,
"Because of this, we lost vital trade routes leading to Falnor."
The emperor slowly nodded.
Within the Normadia Empire, each kingdom possessed its own laws and army, so their interference did not technically violate imperial order.
Soon after, the emperor ordered everyone to return to the hall.
He stood slightly from his throne and declared,
"Listen carefully to my decisions."
First Decision:
Trido James is permitted to challenge the King of Salimar and Lawi Krio if he provides proof that they murdered his father.
Second Decision:
The kingdoms of Kastera and Nirafin are permitted to intervene in Salimar due to the restriction of trade caravans.
At that moment, the King of Salimar rose angrily.
"So you stand with them?"
The emperor calmly replied,
"I am not finished."
Then he announced the final decree.
Third Decision:
The King of Salimar is permitted to seek support from any of the four remaining kingdoms.
Silence filled the hall.
Then the emperor spoke his final words.
"The council is over."
The nobles left the palace with grim expressions.
The most anxious among them was Trido James, who was now forced to find real proof… or lose everything.
Meanwhile, the emperor remained seated on his throne with a faint smile.
One of the imperial guards quietly asked,
"Your Majesty… do you believe war will break out?"
The emperor answered calmly.
"The war…"
"…has already begun."
On the other side of the empire, inside the kingdom of Falnor, a secret messenger arrived before King Sindaril, carrying a document.
It contained the emperor's three decisions.
The king read the letter slowly, then raised his head.
Three kingdoms immediately declared,
"We will stand with Salimar if proof appears."
But King Sindaril simply smiled mysteriously and said,
"I… will wait."
Soon, the news spread across the world's newspapers about the growing conflict inside the Normadia Empire.
Bandits, criminal groups, and opportunists celebrated the news. Chaos meant opportunity for them.
But ordinary families—fathers and mothers—were filled with fear, worried for their children who might soon be swallowed by the coming war.
What no one realized…
Was that the emperor's three decisions were not merely political rulings.
They were the first spark…
Of a war that could change the fate of the Normadia Empire forever.