The President of Esteria returned to the country, his face bearing the weight of fear and humiliation—as if he carried a disaster he had never prepared for. The moment he arrived, he called for an emergency meeting, gathering all pillars of the state: ministers, military leaders, and heads of the royal families.

  He entered the grand hall with slow steps, and a heavy silence filled the room. Standing before them, he took a deep breath and began to speak in a shaky voice:

  "I ask you all… to remain calm. What I’m about to say… will change everything."

  Murmurs and anxious glances spread across the room, but they all fell silent to listen.

  "Esteria… is now officially… under the rule of the Vandor Empire."

  The words struck like lightning. One minister gasped, another nearly fell from his seat, and shock spread across every face in the room.

  The President continued, his hand trembling slightly:

  "The military leadership has been completely replaced… it’s no longer under our control.

  The Minister of Economy and the Minister of Foreign Affairs… have both been dismissed and replaced by officials assigned by the empire.

  As for the royal families… they will no longer have the freedom to act as they please. Strict oversight will be placed on their every move, and any decision must be approved by the Emperor himself."

  Stolen story; please report.

  He paused for a moment, then looked up at them with weary eyes:

  "I… had no choice. It was either this… or we lose everything."

  Silence filled the hall once more—but it wasn’t understanding. It was fear… shock… and the painful realization that the Esteria they once knew—was gone.

  In the village, as Raven sat quietly inside his home, an official entered swiftly, his expression seRyous and his voice carrying a hint of concern.

  Official (calm but firm):

  "Raven… I have important news. Esteria has now fallen under the rule of the Vanor Empire."

  Raven slowly raised his gaze, responding in a calm tone with a hint of surprise:

  Raven:

  "An empire? There are still empires in this era?"

  Official:

  "Yes… The Vanor Empire is one of the few remaining. It consists of five nations under its banner. Their decisions are swift, and their army is terrifyingly well-organized. Esteria is now fully under their control."

  A brief silence followed before the official continued:

  Official:

  "I know you've taken your revenge. The head of Everin, who was responsible for your imprisonment and the death of your friend… he's gone. But now, I ask you to stop attacking the remaining royal families."

  Raven looked at him, as if waiting for a deeper explanation.

  Official:

  "Any attack now will be considered a direct threat to a state under Vanor's protection… and this is no ordinary country. You can't compare Esteria’s power to Vanor’s. Facing an empire like that would be disastrous."

  Raven remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, as if his mind had started to think in a new way.

  Raven (calmly):

  "I understand… things have changed."