Beginning of the Defamation Project

Aria, where are you? 

I'm in prison and about to be tortured. 

Hurry up and save your master.

The brown knight walked towards me, carrying a glowing red-hot iron rod.

"Hiiiiii!! What are you going to do?"

"First, I'll press this against your stomach."

"Stop, you inhuman monster!"

"If you want to stop, then quickly tell me where you are keeping your highness."

"She's in a mansion in the slum district."

"Really?"

The brown knight almost believed me.

"He's lying, of course!"

But the blond knight wasn't convinced. 

"No thief ever admits to being a thief. 

We have to torture him first."

"Stop!!! I'm innocent!! This is slander!!"

"Bark all you want."

The blond knight sneered.

"W-Wait! I am the younger brother of Eira Myrk!

If you harm me, she will definitely kill you."

"Really!? What should we do? 

We can't go against the Eira faction!"

The brown knight asked the blond one.

"Of course he's lying. 

Her brother's name is Rhys Myrk, but he's saying Rhysmyrk. 

It's similar, but not the same."

"I'm not lying! This must be a typo! 

My real name is Rhys Myrk!"

"Criminal, stop your nonsense!"

The brown knight was about to press the hot iron against my stomach.

This is really bad!! 

My true power will be revealed.

"That's enough."

A very melodious and beautiful voice echoed in my ears.

These knights turned around to see the source of the voice. 

But before they could, their heads were already held by angelic white hands. 

They immediately froze, unable to move.

"Aria, you saved me! 

I almost revealed my true power."

"I apologize for making you wait so long, my lord."

Aria bowed her head elegantly.

In this world, the head is a symbol of honor. 

Therefore, lowering one's head to apologize is only natural.

After releasing my bonds, I stood up and walked out of the torture chamber.

The two knights then resumed their movements, torturing the air as if the air was me.

"Did you hypnotize them?"

"Yes, this way, your status remains safe."

"But this is a really bad moment. 

Today is supposed to be the climax of the Defamation Project."

"What should we do, my lord?"

"Do you know where Selena is?"

"Yesterday, a member saw Selena being kidnapped. 

Selena was taken by Alvis to a mansion in the slum district."

"That's good. The Incester family is a puppet created by Olympus. 

I'll use her as a scapegoat."

"Will there be any changes in the project?"

"Yes, I will intervene directly. 

For more details, I'll explain later. 

For now, send a letter to Stella, Freya, and Eve, saying: 'If you want your friend back, come to the mansion in the slum district.' 

They can be useful as witnesses."

"For witnesses, wouldn't it be better to send a letter to Helia?"

"No. In this project, I want to lower her status in the eyes of the public."

"I will do as you command, my lord."

*********************

Freya and Eve gathered in Stella's dorm room after receiving a mysterious letter.

"What should we do?"

Freya asked.

"Of course, we should save Selena. 

After all, she is our friend."

Eve answered.

"We should report to the knights first."

Stella suggested.

"No, we should go ourselves. 

I want to beat them all on my own."

Freya rejected.

"Don't mess around. 

I know you're strong, but this concerns our friend's life."

"I agree with Stella."

"You guys are so boring."

******************************

I stayed in the prison with Aria.

If we leave now, Aria's hypnosis will break.

To pass the time, I ate the burger Aria had made.

"My lord, someone is coming."

An elderly knight came to the underground prison.

He approached the blond and brown knights.

"What's the result?"

"He said a lot of nonsense like the noble is in a mansion in the slum district, a cave in the forest near the capital, or a warehouse on the outskirts of the capital."

The blond knight answered.

"Stop the interrogation now. 

We've already got the information."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, three friends of the princess were sent a letter from the perpetrator.

From the letter, it was written that the location of her highness is now in a mansion in the slum district."

"Then, what should we do with this academy student?"

"Heal him, give him money, and make sure our cruelty doesn't become public."

"Understood."

Finally, I can leave this place.

***********************

When I returned to my penthouse, it was already evening.

Now, there were dozens of Star Force members and some Zodiacs here.

They all wore robes and white masks. 

On the robes was the symbol Ω, representing Olympus. 

This is the Olympus uniform design.

They only wear this uniform when gathering. 

But this time, because the project's goal is to defame them, we are using their uniforms to commit acts of terrorism.

"Lord Darkness has arrived!"

Aria announced my arrival.

Immediately, everyone knelt before me.

I walked on the carpet laid between them, towards my throne.

This is an incredible sensation. 

Dozens of people kneeling before me! 

I'm happy! I'm satisfied! It wasn't in vain that I saved you all!

When I reached my throne, I sat with dignity and arrogance. 

Crossing my legs, I rested my head on my left hand. 

I looked at the city with a disdainful gaze.

My remaining right hand lifted a crystal glass, and the beautiful Aria poured wine from heaven.

Wow! What an incredible sensation!! 

I feel like a king!!!

"You can relax for now until night covers the world."

"Thank you for your great kindness, my lord."

**************

The nobles headed to the palace after witnessing the sunset, dressed in their finest attire.

The clothing of the noblemen and women was luxurious and intricate, reflecting their status and wealth.

The men wore long tunics, embroidered doublets, tight-fitting pants, and short breeches adorned with lace, along with long cloaks made of velvet or fur. 

They completed their appearance with feathered hats, leather belts with golden buckles, and leather shoes decorated with gems.

Meanwhile, the women wore long dresses made of silk or velvet with tight corsets, as well as long cloaks embellished with gold and silver embroidery. 

Headpieces such as tiaras or small crowns, along with jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, and rings, added to their luxurious appearance.

They traveled in horse-drawn carriages decorated with gold and silver.

The commoners began to emerge from their homes, celebrating the national anniversary in the square and on the streets.

The bards were already on stage, ready to sing and enliven the atmosphere.

All the taverns and eateries were filled with customers, ready to dine together and drink in joy.

Young or old, male or female, they all shared one thing in common: a cheerful smile on their faces.

From the soldiers' barracks, the gates opened. 

A group of knights on horseback, led by a beautiful and graceful princess, rode through the crowd to the dark side of the capital.

The sun had set.

A man opened the glass wall on the top floor of the Darkflow Tower. 

Behind him, a force was ready to wreak havoc.

Taking the last sip of wine from his crystal glass, he was ready to give the order.

'Smear Olympus' name with filthy ink.' 

He wanted to give such an order, but he changed his mind.

"Tch!" 

He clicked his tongue.

His eyes looked down on everything before him.

He recalled the insults they had thrown at Selena.

"Do it with a bang!"

The order had been given.

"As you wish, my lord!"

His followers responded in unison.

They leaped from the tower. 

Black wings sprouted from their backs. 

They flew in all directions, causing chaos in the capital.

*****************

'Time to party!' That was what everyone thought.

But in reality, it was time for chaos.

A black dome with the symbol of Olympus appeared, trapping the capital.

Everyone was shocked and speechless, overwhelmed by the unexpected event. 

Anxiety that could not be expressed enveloped their hearts.

Everyone in the capital, whether it was the princess and her knights, the nobles in the palace, or the commoners, looked up.

"What is that?"

"I have a bad feeling!"

"This isn't a bad omen, is it?"

Everyone started to feel uneasy and began questioning.

This dome was the result of eight artifacts planted around the outskirts of the capital. 

It served as a cage to prevent any target from escaping.

Ignorance is the source of fear. 

Fear of the future. 

But this was just the beginning.

Aria flew through the sky. 

She used Reversal to gather positive energy.

Positive energy can indeed be used for healing. 

But the true nature of positive energy is creation. 

With positive energy, she created a red mist.

The red mist engulfed the capital like a tsunami from the sky.

Nothing was left untouched, no one was exempt; everything within the dome was covered in red.

Red is the color of blood, inciting fear and panic in every heart.

"What's happening!!"

"Of all times, why does it have to be today?!"

"Damn it! I've been looking forward to this day!!"

"Mom, help me!!"

"Disaster, this must be a disaster!"

Moments of happiness were ruined, replaced by moments of chaos. 

The bards' songs were no longer heard, replaced by panicked screams. 

No one ate, no one drank; the people ran here and there, trying to protect themselves.

The nobles still tried to remain calm, believing they were safe as long as they were inside the palace.

Boom! A deafening explosion was heard.

"What?"

"There was a bomb explosion!"

"But where?"

The explosion just now was at the royal academy. 

It was only the beginning!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! 

Five more explosions echoed, chilling everyone's hearts.

The five places that exploded were the Sorcery Association office, the cathedral, the military barracks, the bridge, and the city square; they exploded and scattered debris throughout the city.

"Take cover! The explosion debris will crush you!!"

"Aaaargh! Help me! My body is trapped under the debris!"

"Damn it! I just bought that horse-drawn carriage!"

"Don't die, dear! Hold on! Tomorrow is our wedding day!"

"No!! Mother!! Please help my mother! She's trapped under the debris!!"

Whether they were good or evil, everyone became victims.

Tonight was a night of bloodshed. 

A night full of tragedy. 

A night where everyone in the capital would weep. 

A night that would be etched in the hearts of everyone in the capital.