The Ahornblatt Province to the northwest of Cyart has always been quite poor, but within the Ahornblatt Province, there is a relatively wealthy and populous city called "Black Gold City," which is also where the "Wrathful Angel" Jones family resides.
It is called Black Gold City, not because the city has black-colored gold, but because there is an extraordinary material known as "black gold" in the ore veins surrounding the city.
When alchemists create most alchemy weapons, they need to add a portion of black gold, which can significantly improve the stability and overall success rate of alchemy.
"Is there going to be a war? Mom, I'm scared."
In the dim room, the confused little girl looked up at her mother, whose brows were deeply furrowed, and then she was held tightly in the arms of her tearful mother.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen, nothing will."
But how easy is it for ordinary people to avoid danger? During the Rhea civil war, the Ahornblatt Province had become the frontline, and her sister was taken away by the Rhea People in the war, never to return.
Rumors about the civil war had gradually spread across the country, even ordinary citizens were aware of it.
After a while, the husband of the family returned home, pushing open the door with bread and sausages in his arms. The man was an old, experienced foreman in the Jones factory, and his wages were fairly decent.
The woman immediately asked, "How is it? Do you know what they are saying? Will the Jones family join the war?"
The husband sighed, shook his head and said, "Our factory is an armory, and we're already working overtime. It won't be long before I have to go back and continue working. This food is for you all, but it's best to eat less at each meal. There might be a shortage of food in the future, and we need to prepare in advance."
"Wait for me to come back."
After the husband left the house again, the wife sighed, held her hungry daughter, and handed her a piece of the hard, dry bread.
"Have some bread, but let's save the sausage and cheese at home until your father comes back to eat together."
The daughter nodded, holding the bread.
"Okay! We'll wait for father to come back before we eat the sausage and cheese!"
On the eve of the Cyart civil war, the mood of the citizens was like a sky engulfed by dark clouds, oppressive and heavy, with a hard-to-describe anxiety and unease pervading the air, even the wind carried a tense breath.
The pedestrians on the streets were very sparse, as everyone's steps seemed heavy and slow, each one laden with endless worries.
Most had faces full of concern and unease, their eyes betraying confusion and fear about the future.
Some people held their loved ones' hands tightly, trying to draw a semblance of comfort from their warmth; others walked with their heads down, silently, as though trying to escape the looming disaster.
In over a hundred years, Cyart had never experienced a civil war.
The hustle and bustle of the city was also swallowed up by the repressive atmosphere at this moment, making it difficult for people to remain calm.
"Why are we going to war? And Cyart people fighting against Cyart people? It's such an unreasonable thing. Why do we have to fight against our own people?"
"I heard it's the Fischer family and the Romann family, they conspired with heretics, even attempted to assassinate His Majesty the King..."
"No, I heard that His Majesty the King has been held hostage by evil cultists, and the Romann and Fischer families want to save the Royal Capital!"
"Who is telling the truth in what you all say?"
"The Church hasn't given a specific statement. Who knows which is true and which is false..."
In a corner of the city, some citizens gathered together, whispering. The voices were filled with fear and unease.
Others chose to stay alone at home, with doors and windows tightly sealed, trying to isolate themselves from the outside world.
However, no matter how much people tried to hide away and pray, the shadow of war was still inevitably hanging over the city. As to what the future held, the citizens could only silently pray through the long nights, hoping for peace to arrive soon.
The young man with white hair walked calmly on the dim path.
He came to the classical manor of the Jones family and was stopped by a few guards who politely inquired about his business.
"I'm sorry, Lord Noble, it's too late today, our family does not wish to meet any outsiders."
The people from the four viscount families of Ahornblatt Province they recognized, but they did not recognize this person, who they assumed to be from the many baronial families or even the knight clans trying to attach themselves to the Jones family.
The young man narrowed his eyes, smiling as he introduced himself:
"My name is Karno Fischer. I wonder if this surname entitles me to meet with the head of the Jones family?"
The guard at the door was startled, nodded repeatedly, and indicated that he would go and report.
It wasn't long before an elderly elf butler walked out of the manor. Stay tuned to empire
"Lord Karno Fischer of the Fischer family, please follow me."
Karno gave a small smile at the sight of the elderly elf butler.
Although the prevailing belief about the Jones family was that they had only two Monarch Extraordinary Exponents, Karno could clearly sense that this old elf butler too possessed a hidden depth of power.
Every great family has secrets.
Maybe this was the Jones family's secret!
Before long, he arrived at the reception room of the Jones family and met with the head of the Jones family, the "Mighty Angel" Bern Jones!