She took a peek from the curtains of the coach to see the beautiful sunrise in the peaceful plains, the Empress had not seen a beautiful gazing view for a while now since she was only locked in the Palace for several years now. She could see the vast prairie in the window, the coach is currently traversing in the vast plains of the central region of the empire. Also known, as the the Pax plains.

The Pax plains stretches from the central areas of the empire until it reaches as far as the south-eastern areas of the Kingdom of Summerwyn. Most of the influential battles in the history of the continent took place in the plains. Primarily, due to the fact that it could support military armies without the pain of thinking the horrible logistical nightmares in the mountain ranges of Gardenia.

Crown-Prince Karl, who is currently 7 years old. Is excited to visit the Duchy, it is only the Crown-Prince's first time to venture outside the Imperial Capital, or the Palace. The Emperor had promised to allow the Crown-Prince to go outside the Palace when he reached the age of 14. But this sudden decision of his mother to go outside really made him excited.

He wasn't even sure why would they suddenly leave the Imperial Palace with his mother in such a time. But, as he would gaze on the lovely sight on the window. He would think to himself that going outside is much better than being confined to the walls of the Palace.

The Empress Ekaterina, really loves her son deeply. She would do anything for the safety of her son. Despite her responsibilities as the Holy Empress, she wants her people to be free from the yoke of the military bureaucrats. And, she wants an everlasting peace and prosperity in the continent.

as the two gazed over the distance, Ekaterina would hug her son and tell him a lot of stories.

"Karl, you can see the sun rising from the fields at the distance right?"

"Yes mom"

"You see, i wanted to make a future where; a world where we will not know suffering. A world where everyone knows how to love and understand each other. I hope that you will know that, violence and spread of fear won't give you happiness. But, giving love to each other will help you achieve true happiness" Ekaterina told to her son,

Ekaterina would hug Karl deeply, as the two are happy together in the coach while seeing the sun rise from the wonderful prairie in the distance.

"Mom i love you, please don't leave me" Karl said to his mother while hugging deeply,

"Of course, i won't leave you my son" Ekaterina replied,

the motherly love the Empress gives to her son knows no boundaries, she would do everything to protect her son.

after leaving the prairie they could see the walls of a city from a distance, the imperial insignia can be seen flying from the flagpoles. But, the crest of the House of Ophiel can also be seen flying as a reminder that the city is under the local control of the Ophiels. The coach had closed it's distance to the gates, as the guard's had to inspect the coach; the coachman opened the doors of the coach and revealed the Empress' presence.

the Empress left the coach and ordered the guards to let them in and close the gates as soon as possible, the guards we're shocked by the Empress' sudden appearance in the city and immediately followed her orders.

The gates of the city of Ophelburg is immediately closed. The inhabitants and local supporters of the Ophiel Dynasty had to celebrate the Empress' sudden visit to the duchy. The coach arrives in the city center to be greeted by the inhabitants waving the flag of Ophiel.

the city of Ophelburg is the Empire's second biggest city, as well the capital of the Duchy of Ophelburg. The dukes of Ophiel are subjects of the Holy Emperor, thereby making the Emperor their liege. The city is known for it's cultural heritage in the empire, the city houses numerous palace and cathedrals, the Ophiels are devout faithful of the church and as such, supported the Grand Bishop's cause. The inhabitants are majorly opposed to the overwhelming different religion of the Imperial Capital, which is the Reformists.

The two major religions of the Empire consists of the Faithful and the Reformists. The Reformists includes 70% of the Empire's subjects, while the Faithful is limited to a mere 30%.

The Empire used to be one united religion until 80 years ago, when the Emperor decided to replace the Church's authority from the empire, allegedly claiming "corruption of the church" as the Emperor's main reason to break away from the church. This caused a wave of unrests in the Empire, as many advocated to convert to the Empire's state church to protect the interests of the Empire, and there we're also those who wanted to remain with the church because they believe going against from the church will lead them more away from G.o.d and be brainwashed by the Empire's agendas.

This caused the Imperial Civil War, it started when the Emperor was a.s.sa.s.sinated by the Duke of Leońe. Causing two factions to battle over the control of the Empire, the newly-crowned Emperor and his Reformist allies, against the Duke of Leońe and his Faithful allies.

The civil war lasted 6 years, and the result was major depopulation in the Empire. Many soldiers died, causing the men in the countryside to contribute in the Imperial Army's ranks as well. Leaving many few people in the countryside to work on the fields. And as such, famines and disease outbreaks we're common. A lot of execution happened as well, with both sides condemning the other to be heretics and executed a lot of people who don't believe their religion.

Much of the Empire was rebuilt after the war, and prosperity return immediately.

the coach after greeting the ma.s.ses in the city, proceeded to go to the Ophiel Palace. The coach stopped in the entrance way and the coachman had come to open the coach doors, the Empress and her son stepped out and we're greeted by the Palace's servants. She immediately ordered the servants to move the belongings she bought outside her room.

The journey took 3 days and Empress was tired, she immediately went to her bed and slept. While her son was already asleep in his room.

Morning had came, and it was quiet in the Palace. The Empress woke up and checked the Crown Prince's room. Only to see Karl still sleeping, she went downstairs to go to the dining room. She ate her favorite dishes made only in Ophelburg, she was delighted to eat her favorite food again. After eating breakfast, she immediately remembered her father's instructions and walked to her father's room.

But while she was walking, a servant had immediately came rus.h.i.+ng over to her. Apparently bringing with him a bad news.

"Yes, why are you so tired?" The Empress asked to the servant,

"I have bad news you're majesty"

"What is it?" the Empress asked,

"His Highness, the Duke of Ophiel. Has been executed on the grounds of treason against the state" he replied,

The Empress was reeled from the shock, her feet collapsed to the floor whilst tears began to fall from her eyelids.

She cried while looking to her father's portrait hanging in the walls.

"Father.... why .. why did you leave me..." she said to herself whilst crying from the shock she received

she cries in the corner, while her servant left her in the hallway to be just alone crying.

The crying Ekaterina was saw by her son, Karl immediately rushed over to his mother. Hearing what the servant had said, he comforted his mother while crying for the loss of their loved one.

The House of Ophiel was mourning that day, the entire city of Ophelburg mourned and everyone was deeply saddened by the Duke's execution.

The execution of the Duke only increased the inhabitant's animosity against Imperial rule.

Meanwhile, the soldiers on top the city walls are seeing movements far across the distance, and hours later. The Imperial Army can be seen marching in front of them, since the Empress' orders we're not to let in any outsiders, the guards sent a message to the Empress to inform her about the imperial advance.

"You're majesty, the imperial army is marching onto us. Should we let them in?" The Palace Guard asked,

Ekaterina, who was filled with sorrow and anger. Firmly told the guard to still close the gates against the imperial army forcefully.

The 15,000 Imperial Army led by none other than, the Duke of Ostburg, Zachary. He was sent by the Emperor to capture the Empress and rescue the Crown Prince. Zachary was amused by the current turn of events, as the escape of the Empress and the execution of the former duke allowed the House of Ostburg to become the dominant house in the Empire.

"Wow, the current turn of events had been in favor of me recently, now it is time to capitalize it and take the Empress head myself" Zachary thought to himself,

The Imperial Army had reached the outskirts of the city, Zachary sent an ultimatum to the city of an order to surrender and they will be rewarded handsomely.

But the garrison guards humbly refused, they would rather die at the service of the Empress rather than serving their most-hated Emperor.

As a sign of independence and insult against the Emperor and the military bureaucrats, the Empress ordered the lowering of the Imperial Insignia in the city. In which, the Imperial Insignia was burned by the angry inhabitants of the city and thrown across the wall into the Imperial Army.

In turn, the Flag of the House of Ophiel was raised. The people began to rally and placed outside their homes roses, which symbolizes the House of Ophiel's insignia. Which is a rose in the background. The rallying support for the Empress cause' are echoing across the city gates which shocked the Imperial Army.

"Is the Duchy seceding?"

"Has the Empress betrayed the Empire?"

"Look, they're literally burning our flag..."

The Empress then met the crowds of the city in front of her palace, she stood up and immediately announced to her subjects that they are going to overthrow the current regime.

"It is time! It is the time to finally remove those corrupt bureaucrats in the Imperial Capital! We must overthrow the current regime for the better of the people! The military bureaucrats had been controlling and wasting the Empire's resources for their benefit for a long time now, and many people fell victim to their crimes. And, my family is also one of their victims. WE MUST STOP THIS INJUSTICE AND LEAD THE REVOLT AGAINST THE EMPEROR!"

The Empress shouted with anger in the crowds, supporting the Empress' revolt against the Emperor and his ministers.

"We are not alone, the Grand Bishop stands with us. Let us call his call to arms against the heretics of the capital! it is time we lead the struggle of the faithful against the reformists!"

With the events inside the city going on, Zachary ultimately decided that this was a clear sign of revolt against the Emperor. So, he officially ordered the attack against the city.

He estimated that the local garrison amounts to at least at its best, 5,000.

Since he lacked any siege weapons with him, he directly reported to the Emperor using his magic telegram that the Empress had finally revolted against him. And Ophelburg had clearly revolted against the Empire.

He also requested more reinforcements including siege weapons to commence the siege on the city, in which was approved. Reinforcements will arrive 4 days later.

Meanwhile, in the Ophelburg Palace. The Empress turned and decided to go to the former duke's room. She walked and went to the room, after opening the door. She walked to the cabinet, and there. She saw a letter written by her father,

This begins the Great Revolt against the Empire.