In the late days of January, Space Era Years 102, a scandal shook the entire Centory Kingdom to its core.Reports emerged that Major Aerys Vilozyver, heir apparent to the Centorian throne, had suffered a violent mental breakdown within the prestigious Wenter Academy of the Evening Federation after being cruelly harassed by Ben Karlstanley, the son of Margaret von Thors—elder sister by blood to Lord Aelyzabeth von Thors herself.
The incident occurred on 27th January and ended with Aerys injuring more than a hundred people. News agencies and government councils alike began to question the young heir's mental stability. Some called it a "hereditary madness," others whispered of a "curse of the Vilozyver bloodline," born from the overuse of psychic power beyond mortal limits.
Faith in the royal heir trembled—sending shockwaves throughout the entire structure of power within Centory.
Soon, the left-wing and liberal factions seized upon the chaos, denouncing the hereditary regime as archaic and immoral. They demanded free elections, or the abolition of the Dictator altogether. Protests ignited across major cities, backed by several foreign embassies that saw within the turmoil "a chance for transformation."
Yet Lord Aelyzabeth von Thors remained silent. No speech. No statement. No plea for calm. She simply watched from the high glass of her command chamber—waiting for the storm of hatred to reach its peak… before she would act.
The Fracture Within the Government.
On 4th February, at the Government House, the Cabinet was under immense
The faction loyal to President Rudolf von Escheinsen proposed that the royal succession be altered, citing national security concerns—and that Rudolf himself be declared "Heir of the Nation."
The Central Government under Aelyzabeth rejected the motion with absolute firmness.In a historic address, Walter von Yigzorch, Minister of the National Propaganda Office, proclaimed:
"Democracy is cowardice—the cradle of communism and moral decay.Those who desire freedom more than welfare are traitors to the nation.Those who cherish the ballot more than the banner are enemies of the people,of the state—of us all!"
These words became the spark that ignited a civil war in miniature.
Leftist crowds gathered in Bistach Square demanding liberty,while the right-wing loyalists of the government took up arms in response.Within mere hours, the capital had turned into a battlefield of blood.
The ZHMP(Zentrales Hauptquartier der Militärpolizei),the Central Military Police established to maintain internal order since the reforms of Space Era 100,intervened—but the operation ended in tragedy:over 7,000 civilians dead.
The government then issued Directive CYZ–XIV, authorizing the HSDK(Hauptquartier der Selbstverteidigungskräfte),the Self-Defense Command Forces, to assume full control of the crisis.Peace was restored by 7th February—but history would record the event as "the second greatest massacre of the Space Age, "surpassed only by the global government's suppression of LGBTQ uprisings in Space Era Years 23, which claimed over 40,000 lives.
The Secret Pact of Power.
In the six days that followed, Lord Aelyzabeth von Thors survived twenty-nine assassination attempts. Every bullet, every explosion failed—and with each failure, her enemies' fear only deepened.
Under the watch of the SSA and SSS security divisions, she remained unscathed.And so, the terror grew not from her survival—but from the certainty that she could not be killed.
At last, Aelyzabeth summoned Rudolf for a private meeting.Their conversation lasted forty-seven minutes—forty-seven minutes that would alter the course of the empire forever.
"Rudolf…" she began, her voice calm and cold."We both seek Centory's stability. I can grant you that—but under conditions."
There were three.
Rudolf would obey her every command without exception.
He would ascend the throne only when Aelyzabeth herself decreed the time.
He must cease all covert operations against the Thors and Vilozyver families.
Rudolf was silent for a moment. Then he answered simply:
"I accept. I swear it—by the name of House Escheinsen."
No documents were signed. No witnesses. No proof.
For the oaths of these two titans outweighed all written law within the empire.
Thus began the Blood Covenant of Berlyn—forged not in ink, but in the iron of necessity.
The government returned to an uneasy calm.But no one could say how long that peace would last—for all knew that the next Emperor had already been chosen.Only the hour of his ascension remained… unspoken.
Thus ends Chapter C-XIV.