The precious daughter of the Vesala Duchy, Carolina, was punished for the crime of plotting against a member of the Imperial family, as well as a royalty to an allied nation, the Rubino Kingdom.
Her punishment was no other than death, or else, it will sow discord between the Empire and Rubino, that may lead to a war.
Everyone shook their heads as they could already see the impending doom of the lady who was once considered as the flower of high society.
However, just a day after the verdict was announced, the Duke of Vesala opted to plead for the lady.
He took the blame for not educating her daughter well. He pleaded that her life was still young while his life would be enough to appease the King of Rubino.
Rubino Kingdom, a mysterious kingdom who had been eyed by almost every nation.
True to its name, the nation is a jewel, proud of its large deposits of mana stones. Thus, no ruler wasn't tempted to subdue and own this kingdom.
Surprisingly they never suffered any loss.
The wise emperor of Seirende Empire opted to engage in an alliance with Rubino through political marriage. This also brought countless benefits to the empire especially on the access of mana stones.
Emperor Idelfonso didn't want to lose a prominent official of the Empire, however the duke insisted. In return, the Emperor will pardon and wipe out Carolina's guilt entirely.
Full of unwillingness and regret, the Emperor had to relent for he had to uphold justice that the Princess of Rubino deserved.
Carolina, on the other hand, announced a week after her father's execution, that she will atone for her guilt by serving in the temple for a year.
Everyone sighed as they saw the pitiful ending of the noblest young lady of the Empire. They just hope that the lady will be able to turn a new leaf during her stay in the temple.
However, little did they know that the act was but a calm in the storm that was about to come in the empire.
On the night of their father's execution, a mournful atmosphere reigned all over the Vesala Estate.
The night was already deep, yet Carolina and Maxim were still wide awake. Their eyes were full of resentment and craving for vengeance.
Holding a letter in her fair hands, Carolina trembled as she read the last letter his father left before his execution.
"To my dearest Maxim and Carolina,
Do not blame yourselves about what has happened to me.
For I have long known that our family was seen as a threat to the Empire. Think of my death as a sacrifice for a greater wave that will cause the weakening of the Imperial Family.
You are my precious children, born and raised by me. I know you have the ability to avenge me and take control of this empire that impedes our family to be known throughout Prasinos!
However, I warn you so with a grave heart, do not haste to take the throne unless the undeniable win is in your hands. It's alright to wait for years and even decades, as long as victory will surely be at our side!
Now read carefully about the truths I will be relaying to the two of you. After reading this, burn the letter and keep these truths until you die.
Our Vesala Family had been blessed with the highest aptitude of caster magicians in the whole empire as everybody knows. However our origin and enmity with the Seirende Empire could be traced back to the great war a thousand years ago.
Our ancestor was an S class caster, sitting at par with the First Seirende Victor. The Vesala and the Seirende Clan had long been fighting against each other for a decade and both parties couldn't beat the other.
Desperate to finally end the decade long war, our ancestor engaged in a contract with an phantom being named Birsha. In exchange for the overwhelming power, we will be the vessels for his consciousness.
With his new found power, our Ancestor finally managed to advance and bring the Seirende forces to the brink of defeat.
But who would have known…
The First Victor had been bestowed by the power of Guardian Ignis. Weilding the guardian's blessings, he immediately marched across the lands of Vesala and the neighboring territories to unify the land. With that, we suffered utter defeat.
In order to preserve our lineage and uphold the contract, our ancestor submitted himself along with our clan, to surrender to the Empire. However, that was after he had passed to his sons the secret of the contract.
One volunteered to pose as the successor for the Vesala Clan. While one had to feign death and continue upholding the treaty for generations to come.
Our Vesala Clan was actually divided into two branches, the main branch, which was the Vesala Duchy you know today. The other one was a mysterious organization known as Spectre.
Our brother's forces were equally patient in waiting for an opportunity to wipe out the Empire. So I task both of you to stealthily prepare our army for the battle to come.
Remember, it doesn't matter if it takes years or decades, our ancestors had already waited for centuries, a few years is but a drop in the ocean. Just make sure, that once we move, they are the ones who will be wiped out, not us the Vesalas!
Lastly, the ancestors left an heirloom to his two sons. On our branch of the elder son, the treasure lies in the tomb of our ancestor. Before you move, let one of you get it to ensure that this will be used to your advantage.
With that, I leave to you, my dearest son and daughter, the future of the Vesalas for the generations to come. My death will be the trigger of the waves for the impending storm for the empire!
The siblings shuddered upon reading the letter repeatedly. Their hatred towards the Seirende Empire intensified. However Carolina's heart was still full of desire towards Valentin.
Once they defeat the empire, she will ask his elder brother to give Valentin for her so that they could live and die forever. She couldn't help but feel excited because of that.
It took them a long time before finally deciding to go to the ancestral tomb to get the heirloom their father was talking about.
Morning came, the two eventually set out even before the farmers would awaken. They rode a carriage to go to the forest within the duchy where the ancestral tomb was located.
Soon they arrived in a desolate and eerie location. It was a stone temple, already on the verge of crumbling. The forest vines had already covered the stone pillars, yet amazingly, no creatures could be found hovering in the vicinity.
As soon as they attempted to enter, an array stopped the rest from coming in. Only the siblings were able to go inside, the knights were left outside in confusion.
"Do not bother, just wait for us. This is our ancestor's tomb, no one will harm us in this place." Maxim calmly ordered their escorts to stand down and wait for them.
The two proceeded to descend on a long passageway leading to an underground hall. Their eyes were left wide open in surprise.
In contrast to the old and desolate exterior of the tomb, the hall was magnificent and brightly lit. The pillars stayed sturdy and polished. The floor was made from the finest granite stones, shining so beautifully.
In the center of the hall, there was a platform where a golden coffin rests. The two gave a bow of respect first before moving towards the platform to advance.
They noticed some engraving on the platform.
"To the descendant of Vesala, drop your blood in the coffin if you are vengeful enough."
The two raised their brows in interest. It seems like the heirloom could only be accessed after you qualified.
However, the two didn't worry about whether they qualified or not. In their hearts, the urge for revenge was already crazily running in their blood.
Maxim was the first one who stepped forward. Using his sword he neatly sliced a wound on his hands and let the blood drip in the stone carvings.
The tomb lit up with bright red, however it didn't open. It was followed by a string of words,
"Indeed a vengeful one but not greedy enough for revenge."
Maxim had a deep frown on his head and looked at Carolina worriedly.
"Do not worry brother, it will be ours." Carolina patted his shoulder with assurance.
Nodding in determination, Maxim assisted his younger sister.
He carefully created a light wound on her fingers and let her blood drip slowly in the coffin. He was worried that a big wound would be a scar on his sister's hands.
As soon as the drop of blood touched the surface of the golden tomb. The golden engravings shone with crimson red.
The hall trembled as the engravings appeared slowly on top of the tomb.
"Finally, a descendant who is vengeful enough! Take it and bring your ancestors the revenge we deserve!"
The trembling intensified, as they saw that the coffin slowly opened in a grandiose manner.
The two gulped in nervousness as they were creeped out about the opening of the coffin. They were expecting to see a dead body. Thinking of this, they felt cold shivers run through their backs.
However when the coffin had fully opened, there was no corpse at sight. Only an ancient looking grimoire.
Exchanging looks with each other, Carolina stepped forward and took the grimoire carefully.
Dong!
The grimoire reacted and flew towards her, as if it had recognized its master.
A victorious smile appeared on Maxim and Carolina's faces. Inspecting the book, they opened and read a few pages.
Beautiful amethyst eyes glowed in excitement. A cold and sinister smile appeared on their faces.
"This book contains the curses written by the entity Birsha!"