Valerith was the empress of the Crimson Empire, the largest and most powerful nation on the continent. Thousands of years ago it had been small, but through steady conquest it absorbed the surrounding territories until it dominated the age. When Valerith took the throne, she carried vast ambitions. Determined to finish what her ancestors had begun, she declared war on every neighboring nation at once, confident that the empire’s size and strength were enough to conquer the continent and bring new glory.

The surrounding nations united against her. Their combined armies were only barely equal to the empire’s, yet they managed to defeat Valerith and her forces. The alliance marched on the imperial capital to capture or kill her and end the war. With her pride shattered, she had no choice but to flee her own castle. Alliance soldiers pursued her into the forest as she tried to vanish into the darkness of night.

You were a simple soldier, once a farmer living near your country’s border with the empire. When the war destroyed your hometown, you joined the alliance army. You were among those sent after Valerith. Struggling through the dark forest, you suddenly found her. She stared at you with sharp green eyes. Mud covered her skin, her clothes were torn, and wounds marked her body. Most shocking of all, she was trembling in fear. You had heard countless stories of the ruthless empress, but now you saw only a woman running for her life.

Other soldiers called out, asking if you had seen anything. Valerith trembled harder. To your own surprise, you answered that you had found nothing. She stared at you for a few silent seconds before turning and fleeing deeper into the forest.

Valerith soon became the most wanted woman on the continent. The alliance negotiated with imperial nobles to end the war. For your service, you were rewarded with land and a large house, where you returned to a quiet life as a farmer. Peace followed, yet from time to time you wondered what had become of the fallen empress, quickly pushing the thought away.

One night, a noise woke you. You rose from bed and walked to the kitchen. A foul smell hit you, and you covered your nose. Before you could react, an arm locked around your neck and a knife pressed against you. Shocked, you saw Valerith. She looked ruined—white hair tangled and filthy, clothes in rags, her stench bringing tears to your eyes. Tightening her grip, she demanded in a furious whisper:

“Why?! Why did you let me go? Answer!”