In a place far from Erteria—
beyond the sea to the east—
there was a vast and mighty nation.
This nation was the Nation of the Atlases, which took control of the entire continent that lay beyond the sea and named it the Atlassian Continent.
It was a great unified nation under the rule of the Great Atlas, and every state the Atlases entered had the Principles of Atlas established within it.
These principles stated and decreed that every small developing nation lacking sovereignty and unified structure would return to be under Atlas rule.
Its people would be re-educated to live within Atlassian society and the motherland of the Atlases, where those who wished to learn would leave their homelands to study in Atlas territory for the sake of serving the empire and learning Atlassian principles—so they may return as thinkers who benefit their small nations.
As for the great nations, a tremendous clash arose regarding their status.
At their core, the Principles of Atlas were a grand constitutional law granting sovereignty to the Atlassian State with the aim of helping smaller nations—it appeared almost like absolute monarchy.
But in the matter of nations like the continent of Erteria, the state of Arshia, and the lands beyond the Erterian desert, great conflicts erupted over whether these nations deserved sovereignty or were simply rebels resisting the Atlases and their principles.
Now, the true subject of our tale begins.
"Today I have come to settle this dispute myself, my brothers.
In Erteria, I saw knowledge that we Atlases know little about.
Honestly, I truly want to change the situation.
I despise what the Great Atlas is doing in Arsia.
And I despise what the corrupt ones in the Bourbon are doing as well.
Not that I am some kind-hearted man, but I know well that we committed a grave sin and a terrible crime in Erteria.
I want to atone for my sin—and my father's.
Prepare for the Third Sacrifice."
The Atlas folded the letter and handed it to his advisor as he finally saw the shores of the Atlassian Continent.
The city of Vuelortia.
Here, where a civilization had existed even before Erteria itself—
it was occupied by the Atlases, who built their nation upon it, just as they had done in Erteria.
The Atlas marched through that towering sight in the city.
From inside his carriage, he saw the grand wooden buildings and palaces, designed in an ancient, primitive style, unlike what he had seen in Erteria.
Erteria was vast, mountainous, and far higher than Atlas lands.
There, everything was built from stone, brick, and cement—roads modern long before their time.
The palaces were magnificent, shining, and golden, as if emerging from a painting.
But here—
his eyes humbled themselves at the sight.
The trees fluttered around him, and celebrations of his arrival filled every corner.
Pink petals fell around his carriage.
Only then did he smile.
He truly missed his homeland, despite all the wonders he had seen in Erteria.
The Atlas convoy reached the imperial palace.
It was tall—immensely tall—built on the highest hill in the Atlassian State.
He entered the grand hall and saw before him the scene of his elderly father, the Great Atlas, seated with his white beard.
The Great Atlas:
"Welcome, my eldest son. We have awaited you for so long. Tell us what you accomplished in Erteria and your great achievement there."
Atlas Rhine:
"My father and lord, forgive my delay.
I have succeeded in taking control of Artia as you commanded, and Arcia as well.
And I saw wonders there.
With utmost clarity and honesty, as my men bring artifacts from there into this humble palace, I have seen that they are far ahead of us."
Rhine's brothers saw the stones from Erterian buildings that Rhine's men had brought into the palace.
They saw artifacts, paintings, books, binding techniques, weapons, military tools, gold, silver, and jewels.
The Great Atlas:
"And why, my son, have you brought these here?"
Rhine bowed respectfully to his father.
Rhine:
"With all respect, thank you for supporting me during my war with Erteria.
But I offer my deepest apologies.
Erteria did not deserve what we did to it in the name of Atlassian principles and governance.
We are men who rule for the better—not to drag nations backward."
His brothers drew their swords and advanced toward the Great Atlas.
Some tried to flee, but the doors were locked.
Rhine:
"I know well, after reading the recorded history in Erteria, that you are the third Atlas of your dynasty, Father.
And through the books from Arshia, the truth has become clear to me."
The Great Atlas was shocked.
The old man rose from his grand chair, trying to escape.
Rhine kicked him hard in the stomach, forcing him back onto his throne.
Rhine:
"After the Second Atlas violated the Principles of the Atlases in the first millennium of Atlassian history, he was executed in his lair in the old Atlassian State.
That day was named the Second Sacrifice—
because he broke the Principles of Atlas.
The First Sacrifice symbolized the way the Great Atlas rose to power."
Rhine unsheathed his sword, his voice now deep and thunderous.
Rhine:
"By the Principles of Atlas—
and by the grave sin committed against Erteria—
I, Atlas Rhine, declare the beginning of the Third Sacrifice."
He beheaded the old man.
At that moment, the massacre between the brothers began.
Rhine smashed the ground beneath his father's corpse, and in the chaos escaped into the underlying foundation of the high palace.
When he emerged, his clothes were soaked in his father's blood.
He signaled to his soldiers, who ignited the tunnel.
The flames quickly took to the wood, spread into the chaotic palace, and before anyone could escape the same way—
one of the artifacts containing gunpowder exploded.
Then multiple explosions followed, for Rhine had already ordered his soldiers, before the meeting began, to rig the palace's empty foundations with gunpowder and explosives.
None of his brothers or kin survived.
He remained alone, staring at the ruined palace and what he had done.
He stood in silence for a brief moment.
Then a soldier approached from behind.
"Sir!!! Erteria!
Erteria has fallen, sir!
A revolution erupted in Arcia, and Erteria fell immediately after!"
Rhine smiled calmly for a moment, then looked at the soldier with pride in his eyes.
"Let's head to Erteria, men!"
The Atlas soldiers shouted with fervor behind him as his convoy moved toward the port.
To be continued.