DARIA : AKATSUKI HOUSEHOLD
A towering guard dressed entirely in black stood at the iron gates of the Akatsuki estate.
As the visitor approached, he pushed the gates just enough to let her step forward, his imposing frame blocking the path beyond.
"State your business," he said, voice firm and measured. "Who are you here to see? Do you have an appointment with Mrs. Akatsuki?"
The woman did not hesitate.
"Tell her," she replied calmly, "that Lady Marcelline Veyra is here on business."
After a few minutes, the gates swung open wide, and Lady Marcelline was escorted across the meticulously maintained grounds to a house in the garden.
Near a fountain, Mrs Akatsuki sat in the summerhouse, sipping tea.
Her short black hair framed calm brown eyes, and she wore a flowing green gown, soft and elegant, its delicate folds catching the morning light with subtle shimmer...
The estate itself was pristine Ivory stone walls rose high and smooth.
Arched windows reflected sunlight in gentle golden hues, and balconies curved outward with delicate ironwork shaped like blooming lilies.
The dark steel gates, trimmed with gold, bore the Akatsuki crest proudly at their center.
Grass stretched evenly across the courtyard, hedges were trimmed to perfection, and marble fountains sent steady streams of water through circular gardens.
Guards in tailored black suits were stationed at gates and along the perimeter, standing silently, moving only when necessary.
Lady Marcelline approached the summerhouse and greeted Mrs. Akatsuki.
"Good morning, Mrs. Akatsuki. It's been a while," she said as she took a seat opposite her.
Her gray eyes narrowed slightly as she studied the garden.
Mrs. Akatsuki set her cup down and regarded her with measured calm.
"I hear you're here for business," she said.
Lady Marcelline poured herself a cup of tea before replying.
"I know you've been busy managing the company and handling the situation with the villages.
Three villages were affected by an unknown disease,Orienta, Azura, and Vylonia.
By the way, congratulations on joining the King's Board of Advisors," she added with a polite smile. "As they say, there's nowhere money can't get you."
Mrs. Akatsuki's gaze sharpened.
"Could you go straight to the reason you're here, Lady Marcelline?" she asked.
"What's the rush, sweetheart?" Marcelline replied smoothly, lifting her cup. "I'm here on behalf of my daughter, Sakura. She studies at the same school as your daughters, same class, same training.
They're close friends, Moving your daughter from the senior class would break their bond. Don't you think that matters?"
Mrs. Akatsuki's lips pressed together.
"And what does that have to do with me? You cannot dictate my family's arrangements. Your daughter must be a bad influence on Kokoro. If anything, I should transfer her school entirely," she said, taking a slow sip of her tea.
Marcelline's smile faltered slightly, though her voice remained smooth.
"Sigh. I don't want to mix work with personal matters, it goes against the contract I signed.
But it seems you've left me no choice, Mrs. Akatsuki, Besides, this situation started with you, Don't blame me.
On Ferron 12 of Tempra, you reached out to the League of Assassins in Tikka to eliminate someone.
I wonder who that might be.
All related documents and files have been recorded and kept.
I know who runs it all, Asking a favor wouldn't hurt, but imagine the consequences if word got out…"
Before she could continue, Mrs. Akatsuki's eyes narrowed.
"It's fine, You've proven your point."
Marcelline inclined her head slightly. "Things shouldn't have escalated this far.
I did warn you. I trust you will honor your end of the deal."
Mrs. Akatsuki's expression darkened, calm but chilling.
"And about that day… I want it kept secret. Never use it against me again. Should you try, it won't be your leg leaving my estate, it will be your head rolling out ."
Lady Marcelline smiled, " I'll be taking my leave now, thanks for your time, as she stood up and left.
"Derek!" Mrs. Akatsuki called sharply.
A young man dressed in black immediately stepped forward, walking briskly to the summerhouse.
"Get me everything on Lady Marcelline Veyra, her movements, her connections, everything.
And I want all information on her daughter, Sakura.
Trace her if necessary; if it means following her to Tikka, then so be it.
No one comes into my house to threaten me without facing the consequences," she said, her voice calm.
DARIA : PALACE
KING'S COUNCIL
A small, urgent meeting had been convened by King Dorman Dane to address the escalating crisis of Soulrot and its impact on the villages.
Over 14,000 people had been affected, and 3000 still missing.
They were evacuated from their homes and placed under the care of the kingdom's best doctors and researchers, working tirelessly to find a way to bring back The people affected by Soulrot.
Recognizing the complexity of the affliction, the king extended a request to the medical experts of Fulton.
The church in Fulton dispatched some doctors, accepted the invitation without hesitation, humans wasn't the only one affected, but Demi-humans also.
Drawn not only by the severity of the crisis but also because the Soulrot bore a striking resemblance to a phenomenon they had been studying for some time, alongside the ongoing issue of counterfeit diochrome and other precious gems.
Dead deathweavers were brought in to be examine and extensive research began.
Two Months of experiments and careful observation followed.
Slowly, the afflicted began to recover. Their bodies healed first, but their memories returned only gradually, piece by piece.
Meanwhile, the king deployed elite warriors to every state within Daria.
Each state received one top-tier warrior, each with a personal squad, tasked with maintaining stability and easing the people's fears.
Their presence was a visible reassurance: the kingdom was still in control, and no one was left unprotected.
Among the affected, one man remained untouched: Gorrick, a captain that was brought in by the moonveil sisters, unfortunately, they were able to trap the soul responsible for the soulrot before it could leave the body.
The Soulrot had not claimed him.
He was placed under constant observation, after awhile they came to an understanding.
If the soul was to ever leave the victim, Soulrot would be activated, which was the only reason Mr Gorrick haven't been affected by Soulrot.
The kingdom's recovery had begun, but the threat was far from over.
3000 people where still missing, a high scale search and investigation was carried out
Weeks pass.
Azinex Industries, an emerging cogtech company and the only one of its kind on the continent, had just unveiled one of its most ambitious creations: the Ariancam.
Small, hovering orbs no larger than a fist, the Ariancams captured every visual detail and monitored vital statistics in real time.
This was no ordinary surveillance device, it marked the first mass application of what Azinex proudly called Dio-tech, machines powered and enhanced by Dio and Eno.
After rigorous testing, scrutiny, and deliberation, the invention received formal approval from the King himself.
Within weeks, Ariancams were deployed throughout Daria.
Their silent presence drifted through streets, marketplaces, and alleys, recording and relaying information with unerring precision.
The elite forces that had been stationed across the kingdom states were called back, their positions replaced by a combination of standard guards and Ariancams.
At the same time, teleportation hubs began construction in major buildings, linking every state directly to the capital.
This network promised instantaneous transportation in the event of emergencies, ensuring that Daria could respond to any threat with unmatched speed.
This was the birth of Dio- tech