At the tender age of thirteen, she held command over the War Department of Gostreurus, displaying a prowess beyond her years.
By the time she turned fourteen, she had expanded Gostreurus's dominion by a staggering two million square kilometers of new land.
At fifteen, she had established the world's preeminent organization, earning her the resounding chants of "Hail to Ares!" from the multitude of soldiers, numbering in the tens of thousands, who echoed in unison.
She was none other than the fabled and indomitable Ares, the guardian of Xyperia.
Just two years prior, she had single-handedly carried a coffin and defeated a staggering 300,000 enemies across the Far Eastronian.
Three years earlier, she had fearlessly ventured twenty thousand miles west, clad in crimson, and decimated an enemy's unbreakable legions as the Grand Commander of the War Department. No matter how towering their influence, in her presence, they all respectfully uttered, "Lord Ares."
"Everyone, retreat behind the warning line immediately!" commanded Elestria Yarborough, adorned with the medals of the War Department, as she made her stately approach to the battlefront on the deck of the aircraft carrier.
Several high-ranking officers accompanied her, but it was her presence that commanded attention.
With her head held high, she surveyed the unwavering multitude of soldiers standing under the scorching sun. Their eyes ablaze upon Ares' arrival.
As Elestria observed the teeming crowd, a myriad of thoughts engulfed her mind.
After an eight-year absence, she had finally set foot on this familiar terrain once more.
"Hey, comrades! I've returned. How have you been?" she called out, her voice carrying the weight of her renowned influence as the most influential Ares in Gostreurus's history. However, beneath her remarkable achievements, she also carried a tragic past.
Since childhood, Elestria had not known her father and was raised solely by her mother.
At the tender age of three, she witnessed her mother's fatal resistance against her uncle's attempt to assault her. The Yarborough family, deeming her a burden, cruelly abandoned her on a wintry night, leaving her naked on the hay to fend for herself. It was only through the kindness of seven orphaned brothers that she found solace, although the certainty of meals was never guaranteed.
At ten, Elestria sought vengeance for her mother by sneaking into the Yarborough family's residence and striking her sleeping uncle with scissors.
She was caught in the act, and as a result, two of her brothers were imprisoned, and she herself was incarcerated.
Tragedy struck again when her other siblings nearly perished in a fire while sleeping in the hay pile.
The prison became a place of utter darkness, subjecting Elestria to unspeakable humiliation. Later, she was sent to a desolate island where her sheer determination to survive led to countless battles fought.
It was there that a famous anti-war hero noticed her and secretly brought her into Gostreurus's War Department, forever changing the course of her life. Following the hero's demise, Elestria took up his mantle and triumphed over enemy forces on both eastern coasts, reigning over Northiara for eight years.
"Master, I've repaid your kindness. It's time for me to live for myself," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.
As the eight years came to a close, Elestria was filled with a mix of emotions upon setting foot on the familiar yet daunting land.
Fear crept in as she realized the absence of any familiar faces in this world. After much deliberation, she finally mustered the courage to ask the black-uniformed officer, "Have you received any news about my brothers?" Her voice trembled with anticipation.
"We've located information about Ragnar Quillshade," respectfully announced the War Department officer, standing five paces away. To others, he was the unchallengeable Azure Draco Warlord of Gostreurus, Garrick Asborne.
Yet, in the presence of this young woman, he perpetually felt insignificant. "Ragnar?" Elestria turned slightly, surprise flickering on her face. "Where is he? Take me to him."
Garrick, the Azure Draco Warlord, found himself sweating profusely as he bowed and said, "Ares, forgive us. By the time our people reached there, Ragnar had been abducted by the Yarborough family." His voice quivered with unease, fully aware of the magnitude of his words.
Elestria's gaze turned icy, and her face darkened. "Say it again, Yarborough family... Which Yarborough family?" Her voice dripped with disdain, her anger palpable.
"The Yarborough family... Um, it's your..." Garrick stumbled over his words, his expression panicked. He swallowed, unable to continue.
Elestria's eyes turned frosty, and her red lips tightly pressed together. "The Yarborough family... Ha! Since you're seeking death, I'll grant your wish!" Her voice boomed with a righteous fury, promising retribution.
"The Yarborough family is conducting a grand wedding today for Ragnar and Belladonna Yarborough. Ragnar is being coerced, and our intelligence officers are investigating the specifics," Garrick quickly explained, his voice quivering.
Elestria's countenance turned cold as she replied, "How shameless! They took my mother's life years ago and now seek to bully my brother, Ragnar. It's time to settle all scores!"
And with those words, a resolute determination settled in her eyes, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
