Chapter 55 (Part II): Pirsa

　　The Limidians witnessed firsthand as the Kingdom of Gurgulays became ensnared by internal strife and external incursions. Hatak, the arrogant Regent, was eventually betrayed by his own guards due to his tyrannical treatment of subordinates. Yet, even as the people cheered in vengeance, believing the removal of this villain would bring stability and clarity to the realm, the power vacuum he left behind ignited a fresh scramble for dominance.　　Pirsa, a descendant of Vichena, used his noble lineage and silver tongue to gather men of like mind or shared interest around him. In the name of the Khton, he issued "Praetorian Decrees," stripping the feudal lords of their duty to provide guards and instead establishing a corps of "Khton Warriors." This move was designed to ensure that the private armies of the nobility could no longer threaten the central throne.　　By this swift maneuver, Pirsa seized control of both the Khton and the capital of Khasa, persuading the ruler to grant him the titles of Regent and Commander-in-Chief. Soon after, his rival, Guldek, was declared a wanted rebel under the Khton's imperial decree.　　In a subsequent preemptive strike, Pirsa captured the defenses of Yersalin. However, the enemy’s alertness turned the raid into a bloody massacre, claiming the lives of many innocent citizens. The unyielding opposition set fire to the city as they retreated, nearly consigning the Western District to the f