The Kulu Capital City was one of the grandest magical city in the realm, stretching across thousands of miles, a true testament to the might and legacy of the empire.
At its heart lay the Empire City, a magnificent center of power where the emperor and the noble families resided, surrounded by towering golden palaces, intricate jade-paved roads, and vast ceremonial squares where grand events were held.
The Empire City itself was surrounded by eight minister towns, each under the rule of influential ministers, their borders marked by towering stone gates and protected by elite guards.
Beyond the towns, thirty-three villages stretched toward the horizon, housing the common folk, merchants, and those deemed lesser in status.
At the easternmost edge of this sprawling city stood the Royal Academy, a beacon of knowledge and power, often referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Crown’ of Kulu Capital.
The academy shimmered under the sunlight, its grand domes reflecting golden hues, its towering pagodas stretching towards the heavens. Here, powerful mages and warriors gathered from all corners of the realm, teaching disciples the deadliest and most mystical arts. It was said that just one graduate from the academy could command a thousand soldiers on the battlefield.
The streets of Kulu Capital were alive with an unending buzz of activity. Merchants shouted their wares in grand bazaars, their stalls filled with exotic silks, rare herbs, and powerful talismans. Processions of nobles in jewel-encrusted carriages moved leisurely through the boulevards, while humble villagers and laborers bustled about, carrying sacks of grains or leading their livestock.
Towering statues of past emperors lined the central road, their gazes stern and unyielding, reminding all who walked below of the might and authority that ruled over them.
It would take a full month for an ordinary traveler to explore every hidden alley, every grand avenue, and every secret enclave of the capital city. But within this marvel of civilization, not all places were built for grandeur. Some were built for suffering.
—
Within the shadow of this magnificent city, in a quiet, neglected part of the capital, lay the slave village. Here, the air was thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant clang of metal chains. The buildings were nothing more than large, rocky homes—sturdy, yet lifeless, serving as shelters for those who had no place among the nobles.
Inside one such home, Princess Ai Ping sat at a simple wooden dining table, her face shadowed with sorrow. The light from the lone candle flickered, casting long shadows on the walls. Born to the emperor and a mere servant, Ai Ping had always been the outcast among her royal kin. Though she had been granted control over a single village, it was more of a burden than a privilege.
With a sudden rush of air, a parrot flapped into the room, its wings bursting with a soft golden glow as it landed beside her. Within moments, its body shimmered and shifted, transforming into a woman with keen eyes and feathered patterns along her arms—an evolved beast who had taken human form.
“My lady,” the parrot-woman spoke, bowing slightly. “The soldiers sent by Princess Gu Ping have yet to return. It seems the firefly, Koya, is safe somewhere within the green desert.”
Ai Ping let out a breath of relief. It had taken every ounce of her effort to help Koya escape from the cruel hands of the Royal Academy disciples. At least, for now, her efforts had not gone to waste.
“That is good news,” Ai Ping murmured. But before she could celebrate, the parrot-woman continued.
“However, my lady, this peace will not last. Due to the Academy tests, most of the disciples are currently preoccupied. But once the trials end in a month’s time, they will return with even greater arrogance and cruelty. If we do not act soon, the atrocities against the beast-women under your care will only increase. Many still hold hope that you will protect them, but if this continues… they will lose their faith in you.”
Ai Ping clenched her fists. It had always been the same cycle—no matter how hard she tried to shelter them, the powerful figures of the Royal Academy and the noble families found new ways to torment them. Even the beast-women who looked up to her with hope would soon come to realize the painful truth: she held no real power.
As Ai Ping sat in silence, contemplating her next move, the door to the chamber creaked open. A soft yet weary voice spoke.
“My child…”
Ai Ping turned to see her mother entering, her worn hands trembling slightly as she placed a gentle hand on her daughter’s shoulder. The older woman’s eyes, once filled with youthful warmth, were now tired and misted with regret.
“I am sorry, my daughter,” she whispered, her voice heavy with sorrow. “I am sorry for giving birth to you. If not for me, you would not have to suffer this cruel fate. I thought… I thought your struggles would end once you gained control of this village. But it seems I was wrong. This village has only brought you more pain, more humiliation. Please… forgive this mother of yours.”
Tears welled in Ai Ping’s eyes as she shook her head. “No, Mother. Never say such words. You gave me life, and for that, I am grateful. Yes, my life is filled with hardship, but I will endure. I will overcome all of this. One day, I will ensure that no beast-woman suffers under the hands of these tyrants.”
Her mother wiped a tear from her cheek and sighed. “You are strong, my child. But strength alone is not enough. Perhaps… you should consider marrying a capable man. Someone who can protect you and lead your village with power and authority.”
Ai Ping’s expression hardened. “No, Mother. I cannot entrust my village to any man. I cannot trust anyone else to protect the ones under my care.”
Her mother looked at her with deep sadness, knowing that Ai Ping’s life would only grow harder. But in her daughter’s eyes, she saw unwavering determination—a fire that no amount of suffering could extinguish.
As the candlelight flickered, casting shadows upon the walls, Ai Ping silently vowed that one day, she would rise above her fate. She would protect those who depended on her. And she would prove to the world that a daughter of a servant was just as worthy as any royal-born.