Tor Kingdom had once been a mighty Kingdom that stood above all others. Nothing could stop their progress, it was as though each passing generation only got better. Finally, four talents the likes of which were rare throughout history were born. First Prince Amory and his unmatched intelligent. Second Prince Jedrek and his business savvy. Third Prince Cayden and his rare cultivation talent. And, finally, Fourth Prince Ryu and his heaven defying existence.
Seeing such royalty leading them, the citizens of Tor were filled with an unbridled pride. It wasn't rare to see them looking down and snubbing their nose toward the other three Kingdoms. They had a national pride that was hard to find, a pride that was solidified by the Co-Kingdom Coronation Games…
However, everything had seemingly started to go downhill since then.
Just months after Ryu was titled the Crown Prince, causing a wave of excitement, an undercurrent swept through the capital city. Important officials began to be murdered one after another, shaking public confidence in the Royal Clan ability to protect their own.
Soon afterward, rumors began to float wantonly about the Crown Prince. Many began to speak about how it was impossible for him to be a Tor, and many others started to link his appearance to the evil White Devils of years' past.
Why was it that a talent like Ryu was hidden from them for so long? Why was a talent like Ryu whipped in the streets of their capital city? Why was it that Ryu's mother was demoted from First Concubine to third despite having giving birth to such a talent?
Doubt began to permeate the once unblemished Tor Kingdom. However, national pride was strong. After many centuries, it was difficult to shake the loyalists. However, that was when another bomb was dropped upon the citizens.
Everyone knew that King Tor's eldest children weren't his sons, but rather, his two daughters. In their youth, these two women were the flowers of the capital, filling them with life and joy. However, there was a very obvious question everyone seemed to ignore until now… Why was it that Olivia was Queen and not the mother of Princess Isla and Dahlia, Second Concubine Selene?
Many dismissed this. After all, everyone also knew that Second Concubine Selene was bedridden. How could such a sick woman be fit to be Queen? It only made sense that Olivia took up that role. But, there wasn't enough time for this belief to become consensus before rumors of treachery began to surface.
According to the rumors, Second Concubine Selene was meant to become Queen, in fact, King Tor loved her even more than his former favorite concubine, and Ryu's mother, Leilani! However, the Cedar Clan made a move to cripple her, forcing her into an indefinite coma she had yet to awaken from!
Who was Second Concubine Selene one might ask? She was none other than the elder sister of First Concubine Catalina and Jedrek's aunt! That was right, Selene was a member of the Garis Clan!
When this clicked for everyone, they couldn't help but remember back to a matter the Imperial Censors buried more than two decades ago. Back then, the Garis Clan had kicked up a fuss, wanting justice for their eldest mistress, but nothing came out of it… Until now!
And the culprit of all of this? Shocking revelations revealed that it was none other than the first ranked Noble Clan of their Kingdom, the Cedar Clan!
Once these matters were revealed, tensions skyrocketed. The Cedar Clan, who had already been under a lot of pressure after Ryu was named Crown Prince, was forced to take action. Initially, the Tor Clan and King Tor planned the squash the matter as they had before, but the Garis Clan was having none of it. In the end, the Cedar Clan made their move!
This was when the matters of the assassinated officials bore fruit. All who remained among the Ministers were loyalists the Cedar Clan had personally fostered! Imperial Censor Briggs led the charge, proceeding to make multiple public statements denouncing the actions of the Tor Clan in hiding these matters.
The public sympathized with the Censor. He, at risk to his own life, didn't hesitate to continue to fulfill his duty and uphold the moral code of Tor Kingdom. Unfortunately, these matters split the Kingdom in half. Some felt that these matters could still be resolved, while others were calling for King Tor to abdicate and allow Prince Ryu to ascend to the throne. However, no one could have guessed what happened next… Imperial Censor Briggs actually called for Patriarch Cedar to ascend to the throne instead!
An uproar washed over Tor Kingdom. Even if they sympathized with the plight of the Garis Clan, wasn't it the Cedar Clan who was responsible for those matters in the first place? Where was the logic in calling for them to take control of the throne?
Patriarch Cedar had never expected for such long forgotten rumors to suddenly resurface, so he had no choice but to accelerate his plans. With more than ninety percent of the Ministers on his side, he could shape public perception as he saw fit. He had the Ministers correct the rumors floating around. According to the new story, it wasn't the Cedar Clan who made a move on Selene, but Ryu's Agnes Clan!
It was obvious who the public would choose to believe. Why trust randomly started rumors instead of the Ministers they put their lives in the hands of? The Agnes Clan stood not a single chance. Patriarch Agnes and his whole lineage were publicly executed. In the end, the only surviving member was Third Concubine Leilani who was spared due to her position within the Imperial Harem. Though, she was put under house arrest.
By this point, King Tor was completely enraged. The sparks of war were set off and the first Civil War of Tor Kingdom began, splitting the remaining Noble Clans in half. The Kunal and Mena Clans sided with the Tor Clan, while the Remes and Garis Clans sided with Cedar Clan. How could the Garis not want revenge for what the Tor Clan had allowed to happen to them?
However, who would have known that just two months into the battle, the Garis Clan would flip on the Cedar Clan! In what was the decisive battle, the Garis Clan revealed that it knew all along that the Cedar Clan was responsible for their humiliation!
The flip caught Patriarch Cedar completely off guard. What remained of the Dragon Corps were completely routed, and the Cedar Clan and their ambitions were burnt to the ground. Rumors had it that during his final day, a melancholy laugh left Patriarch Cedars lips as he stood on the rooftop of their Clan Hall. Then, he committed suicide, falling into a pit of fire below.
It seemed that everything had come to a conclusion at that point. The Tor Clan reaffirmed their position as ruler, and the Garis Clan became the number one Noble Clan under their rule. But, who could have expected that not even half a month after their battle concluded, that the Lantes, Viri, and Opes Kingdoms would all march on Tor Kingdom?!