Bro, I'm not an Undead!

Majestic Territory!

100 Incandescent Stage experts formed a magnificent art that devoured an area of over 30 miles, engulfing everyone present.

Within this Territory, they were free to kill anyone they wanted.

The might of the Majestic Territory crafted by 100 Incandescent Stage experts bore down on everyone like a dreadful tide, crippling their pride and power!

Rarely was it seen for one to exceed the Incandescent Stage as the Tasks grew incredibly difficult, the cumulative mana experience to reach the next level also extremely difficult to acquire as more powerful beasts needed to be hunted.

The Classes and Cores of those present could not do anything against this formidable might either, as it was overbearing and new to them.

No human had ever wielded this power!

Common counters against it were not discovered... YET.

With this, Maqi and Emeradis could only admit defeat.

Somehow...

Somehow, Philemen had achieved the impossible!

They didn't know his methods and were extremely curious to know how a power only known to beasts could be acquired by man.

It was very fortunate that a magical contract had been sighed beforehand, otherwise Philemen could have killed all the opposition on this day!

This was what the two nations thought, but Philemen never intended to do that.

Instead of instigating more war, he preferred a safer path ahead. One that took advantage of what he saw before him.

The greed that was palpable in the eyes of Maqi and Emeradis.

The battle was only half won.

The next step to ensure that his newly claimed land would remain as his, was to divulge the secret to this new power that his experts had learnt!

Naturally, Philemen had learnt this from the beasts of the Sacred Forests.

While in this Age, the Patkmas Yujgi, men learned a variety of powers through beasts but there was seldom any communication, as entry into Sacred Forests was rarely welcomed with care from the more and intelligent of these creatures.

Philemen had only achieved his shocking feat by tracking a certain powerful beast with his men.

The Trueworth Bill.

A powerful bird that ventured from its Sacred Forest many a time to interact with humans.

To his fortune, Philemen had stumbled upon a two men now under his care who had come into contact with this beast while traversing the lands in poor health.

They had claimed that the beast had offered to cure him in exchange for their life in 30 years time, a deal they saw to not be as bad if they could live those years in peace.

In desperation, these men had agreed, to which their disease was cured and lengthy, healthy lives lived ever since.

It had been 21 years since the event when they shared the tale to Philemen and the man had invested his time in searching for this beast before making his crazy proposal to the two nations.

He analysed the intricacies of the Trueworth Bill's desires in this trade it made with these two man and formulated several plans that lined with his goals.

When he eventually found the creature, he made a deal with it.

In exchange for granting 100 of his men power equivalent to that of Incandescent Stage experts as well as an edge to help them win a bout with twice the number of opponents, he offered something only known to his advisory council.

In addition to this, he made another deal with a treacherous offer in return.

The 100 experts he selected were told to make the most of the opportunity. To learn as much as they could and absorb all possible detail when the Trueworth Bill took them away for a year eagerly to accomplish its end of the bargain.

Philemen's anticipation of what Maqi and Emeradis would stipulate when he laid out his proposal worked wonders for him in the end.

The greed of the two nations was quelled as the secrets of producing a Majestic Territory were shared and spread to humanity, a great contribution to man very much worthy of allowing for the birth of another nation.

As for the other deal Philemen made, it was to secure the Royan line for as long the Trueworth Bill lived.

Regardless of the method.

Regardless of the civil wars to come.

The Royan line was to thrive no matter what it became.

The Trueworth Bill obliged as in return for safekeeping Philemen's legacy, the 100 Incandescent Stage experts that had built the foundation for Pelian became the objects of exchange.

***

"My King..." a middle-aged looking man said as he bowed before the figure that sat upon a regal throne made of smooth black stone.

The figure perched upon the royal symbol leaned on the back rest while lazily supporting his head with his hand, his ocean blue eyes which contended against the sunflower blonde bangs falling from the top of his head languidly gazing upon the Knight that bowed before him.

"Rise..." the man on the throne said with a deep voice that contrasted his young looking face.

His demeanour was befitting of royalty despite what many others would say against him.

He was not as grand or as phenomenally renown as the one who came before him, or even before that, but he did carry the Royan blood in him.

The blood of Philemen Royan.

This man was Edricus Royan II, the seventh ruler of Pelian.

"What news have you for me, Rayn?" Edricus inquired.

The man known as Rayn showed a look of discomfort as he proceeded to answer.

His jade green eyes looked up at the King, his golden armour clanking as it responded to his slight movement.

"My King. Our fleet is about to converge with the enemy in the Tattered Serpent's Throat. Are you certain we do not need me to rush to their aid? I alone could go," Rayn asked with determination lighting up in his eyes.

"What for?" Edricus questioned without a shred of urgency or care.

This once again drove Rayn's emotions to flicker like a mask over his face, but he retained his cool.

"My King, Prince Holt is out there, leading a charge against a Union in your stead. Do you not wish to see him come back alive?"

Edricus emitted a short breeze from his nostrils, hints of a smile creeping on his face only to disappear from it.

"Why would I send my most powerful combatant, the Head of my Royal Knights out there to support foolish and overly ambitious spawn? My son chose to go against me and rally a private army for the assault. His Direction is his own," Edricus said with a fierce tone that subtly displayed his anger.

"But My King..." Rayn began when...

"Rayn..." Edricus interrupted him, "... a sword has no need for a mouth. The talent I saw from you when I picked you from the rotten streets was your impressive battle intellect and callous killing intent. I do not care for the relationship you have with my son. What I care for, is your relationship with the nation at large."

The King's words bit at Rayn who was shocked that Edricus would actually be so indifferent to the fate of his son.

Unfortunately, he could do nothing.

He owed the King a huge debt.

A debt of service.

It was fortunate that he was would do more than simply serve, as his actions in the future would be imperative to the survival of Pelian.

As for the battle of fleets about to take place at the Tattered Serpent's Throat however...

---

[Author's Note]

The flashback arc won't last for long. I know most readers don't care much for it but this is a world and it needs its lore.