Few days after the incident.

At the Aarth Metropolis. Capital City of Aarth Empire.

Claudius Circle. The main attraction of the Aarth Metropolis. Plenty of Amusement Parks, a bustling streets loaded of streetfoods, a merchant area, lots of business establishments, tall skyscrapers and A large 3D hologram created by WEF to announce daily news and happenings of the E-Users within the Aarth Empire’s jurisdiction.

=On the Hologram=

Breaking News

A Sergeant 2nd Grade Rank Guild – Red Blade Crew was annihilated on the Black Forest 3 days ago, 257 day of Glory Calendar, year 8950 M.E. The Captain was found lying dead headless on the Cliff of Undending together with his 41 crewmates with their 2 newly recruit men. According to the investigation, the probable cause of annihilation is the betrayal of the 2 newly recruit, they killed the captain together with the other members of the Red Blade who’s already exhausted from the battle. Though they both died, the WEF have already branded them as a deceased criminal.

Dominick Trevor was strolling in the Claudius circle while trying to but some stuff and on the way to Archduke Charles von Aarth’s mansion (Zion’s Father). Dominick happens to take a glance on the news on the hologram.

“HMM? A 2 newbie? Wiping out a whole guild of 39 people? What a monsters!”

=7 DAYS LATER=

Inside Archduke Charles’ Mansion.

Archduke Charles was talking with Dominick on the mansion’s yard.

One of the Archduke’s personnel was shouting as he was approaching him with worried and scared face.

“MASTER CHARLES!!!! NOT GOOD!!”

“MASTER WE HAVE A BIG PROBLEM!!”

“Hey calm down, tell me, what’s the problem?”

“Eh-, I dare not to say Master, though you can open your E-pod and be enlightened!”

“HM?”

“Shall I take a look at it for you Archduke Charles?” Dominick offers his E-pod to Archduke Charles.

“Not necessary master, I will take a look at it myself. Let’s take a sit first.”

“Yue, please fetch my E-pod at the study.”

Yue Bailey head to the study and get Archduke Charles’ E-pod.

Archduke and Dominick head to the small shelter on the mansion’s garden. While walking Dominick secretly took a glance at his E-pod and seen what horrible disaster awaits them.

“Master, here it is.”

Yue give the E-pod to Archduke Charles.

“Hm, What could have happen-- !?!?!!?!!!!”

“This is not real! How could this be!!!”

Archduke’s expression seems calm but it can be clearly seen that his eyes have looked like they are staring at the void, they are alive but they are lifeless. He keeps on staring at the E-pod mumbling about “This is not possible”, “It’s fake!” and stuff like that.

What we see on the E-pod is something we did not expect, it’s something we did not believe that would be a possibility, for us it’s not something that could be real, or even a small possibility of it occurring.

=On the E-pod=

Red Blade Crew Tragedy Suspects Confirmed. Suspects = Zion Zeal von Aarth & Drake Wolford. Both died at the incident. They are branded now as DECEASED CRIMINALS. Regarding the incident WEF have issued a total lockdown on Black Forest and nearby villages, any mission on the specified places will be abolished and rightful compensation will be given.

Archduke Charles breakdown after seeing the news his eyes are in tears but he does not put any expression, he’s eyes are dead as bush. He’s totally broke that any emotion is pointless.

“I need to cheer this kid, or else he might become crazy and break his core! He might become cripple when this continue! The essence that he harness for so long will be for naught.”

“Archduke Charles, let’s calm for a moment here. I know that this is so sudden, but this is too fishy also. It’s not as simple as it seems.”

Archduke Charles calm for a moment and realized that somethings wrong with the news. He knows Zion for a long time and he know that he would not dare do such thing even though he’s a bastard of a son.

“I’m calm now, thank you master! You are indeed right, something really is wrong here! That bastard son of mine although he’s a pain in the ass sometime, he will not murder a whole guild, and he does not have the capability to, at least for now.”

“He just registered not long ago and already branded as criminal? Master, we need to investigate! We need to get to the bottom of this no matter what! My son is not a criminal, and he would never be!”

While the two continued talking about what happen and what move to proceed next. Some royal guard of the Empire came to fetch Archduke Charles von Aarth.

“Our esteemed Archduke Charles von Aarth, 2nd son of His Majesty Emperor Claudius Nero von Aarth IV, is requested by His Majesty the Emperor to be in his sight immediately.”

“Archduke Charles, should I go as well?

“No need master, Oh, and as of today, please don’t call me Archduke anymore. I might not be one after this anyway”

Archduke Charles just smiled at Dominick as he spoke the word.

“Archduke”

Dominick can do nothing but to respond in worry and distress.

After the conversation, Archduke Charles hurried to the Empire’s Castle in his carriage.

Upon arriving at the Castle’s Throne Room he spotted the Emperor sitting on his throne with furious look. The majority of the nobility also is present, and so is his brothers and sisters.

“Father! The empire’s embarrassment has come!”

Archduke Edward Frederick von Aarth 3rd son of the Emperor. 3rd Prince.

“WHO TOLD YOU TO SPEAK BEFORE ME?! ARE YOU DEFYING ME?!!”

The Emperor said furiously. As the emperor speak the room filled with silence in fear of the emperor fool mood. Everyone knows that the Emperor can kill them all with ease.

“EVERYONE GO OUT!! ARCHDUKE CHARLES! STAY HERE!”

Upon hearing the Emperor’s order Archduke Charles felt chill down his spine. He feels like the hair on his skin have risen with a mere statement from the emperor.

With the emperor’s order everyone except Archduke Charles exit the throne room.

When all left, the room felt really silent. Archduke Charles is extremely nervous and not enlightened of what will happen next.

“Ahhhhh now I can relax a bit, those pesky nobles are all eyes on me. Now son, what happened?”

“Ehhh—ehh?”

“WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED? I’ve never seen my father being this so happy go lucky and not to care about anything!”

“Ahrm! Father, it’s just like the news said! Forgive me and my son.”

“Hmm?”

*Nervous

*Badump

*Sweating really hard

“Do you really think so my son?”

“!!!!”, “Frankly Father, me neither is not convinced of what the news have dictated, there seems more to this than meets the eye.”

“Hmm! I know my grandson more than you son, I know he will not dare to do that, though he might be able to kill, he don’t have the guts to kill just anyone without a reason.”

“It’s just as you said Father!”

“The Fuck? Did this old man just said that he knows my son better than me? It’s good that they are close, closer than we are back in the day, but why do I feel like I am not a good father?”

“Son, you know that what happen will greatly affect the Empire’s status. I would like you to stay in the castle and in the capital, but the other nobilities and royalties will not be satisfied.”

“Father don’t burden yourself, I Charles von Aarth 2nd son of Emperor Claudius Nero von Aarth IV will bare the consequence befitting of my son’s mistake.”

“Hayss why did it have to be like this, fate really is funny sometime. Anyway, just for the time being I will strip you of your royal status and you will be no more than a commoner. I will give you the land that I intend to give to Zion when he come back of this mission it—.”

“Father! My son is not dead!”

“!!!!!!!”, “How can you say so?”

“I trust myself! I will find Zion! And reveal the truth! My son is not a criminal!”

“If you really think so then I will do my part as well, and if I prove that my grandson is innocent, THOSE WEF BASTARDS WILL THE PRICE!!!”

“Father, if nothing else, I will take my leave. We still need to prepare to leave the capital.”

“Okay son, be careful. I will have someone visit you once in a while.”

“Thank you Father.”

After the conversation. Charles informed everyone in his mansion of what happened and told them to leave his mansion and they are no longer his personnel, they can either choose to work at the Empire’s Castle or live their own life freely. Charles compensate them handsomely and befitting their job. But some choose to stay and serve the former Archduke, some of them are the head butler or the Aarth household Wadsworth Aphelion, Zion’s personal maid Yue Bailey, Charles’ personal guard Carter Hutton, and the household’s messenger Tony Spinster.

“Father where are we going?” Sylvester asked. (Zion’s little brother)

“Son, we will leave the capital and we are no longer royalties!”

“Why?!”

“Something happened to your brother, that’s why”

“!!!!!!”, “WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BROTHER!!!!”

“!!!!!!!!”

Charles felt threaten with Sylvester act. He thought for a second that this kid is dangerous.

“What was that? Is that a murderous impulse? From this kid? Really? If so, should I tell him what happened? Maybe I’m just tired, or it’s just a coincidence.”

“Um-hmm”

“FATHER! TELL ME!”

“!!!!!”, “That! That’s no coincidence this time! This kid!”

“Hmm, your brother is dead my son!”

“WHAT! TELL ME YOU’RE KIDDING FATHER.”

“I do hope that I am son.”

“WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

“NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!”

“BIG BROTHEEERRRR!!!!”

“NOOOOO!!!!”

“AARRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!”

Sylvester has thrown a tantrum, shouting, swearing furiously Charles had no choice but to make him sleep.

=5 HOURS LATER=

=INSIDE THE NEW HOUSE=

=SYLVESTER’S ROOM=

Sylvester wakes up with a little bit of tears in his eyes. He looks calm but his eyes tell that he’s suffering deeply with the loss of his dear brother that he looks up as a hero, a savior and a great warrior.

“Father! I’ve decided!”

“Hmm? You’re awake son?”

“Father! I will become an E-User! I will become strong! So that my brother will be proud of me!”

“AND I WILL KILL THOSE PIECE OF SHITS THAT KILL MY BROTHER!”