The Great Outbreak

## Summary

The Great Outbreak was a harrowing event that took place towards the end of the war between the Four-Country Alliance and the Highserk Empire. After the Highserk Empire successfully pushed back and defeated the Four-Country Alliance during the Battle at Sarajevo Fortress, largely due to Walm's lone offensive, the Four-Country Alliance came up with a sinister and malevolent plan.

Their plan involved the ruthless firebombing of demon territories with the intention of forcing the demons to surge into the Highserk Empire, annihilating both the empire and its people. This nefarious strategy partially succeeded, resulting in the destruction of both the Highserk Empire and the Kingdom of Ferrius. Amidst the chaos, Walm, along with numerous comrades and allies, made their final stand at Dandurg Castle during the Defense of Dandurg Castle. In a remarkable display of unity, Highserk soldiers, former Myard soldiers, and volunteers joined forces, fighting tooth and nail for their survival.

By the end of the relentless battle, Walm managed to survive. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, he found himself trapped in an unusual location, losing consciousness in the process. Ayane and the few remaining comrades, believing that Walm had passed away, departed from Dandurg Castle before Walm's awakening, unknowingly leaving Walm behind. This explains why Walm held the belief that he alone had survived the catastrophic events that unfolded during the Great Outbreak.

Awakening to a grim reality, Walm confronted the mistaken truth that he was the sole survivor. With a heavy heart, he embarked on a somber journey back to his hometown, only to find that it had been infested with menacing monsters, claiming the lives of all its inhabitants. Overwhelmed by grief, Walm fulfilled his duty to his family and fellow villagers, who had tragically transformed into ghastly ghouls. Honoring their memory, he laid them to rest, offering a final act of solace. Driven by a mix of sorrow and righteous fury, Walm resolved to extinguish any remnants of the village's suffering. Utilizing the full might of Ignus Fatuus, he unleashed its destructive power upon the village, reducing it to ash along with the remains of its once-vibrant community. This cathartic act of purging served as a symbol of closure, a solemn farewell to his home and its people that had been consumed by darkness.

Having resolved the heart-wrenching task of confronting his destroyed home village, Walm set his sights on the capital of the Highserk Empire. Ascending a hill that held significant meaning for past emperors and General Gerard the War God, he reached its summit, gazing upon the once-thriving capital that lay at the heart of the empire. To his dismay, the sight that unfolded before him was one of utter devastation. The hill, which had also attracted other surviving Highserk soldiers, enabled Walm and his few surviving compatriots to view the scars of destruction inflicted by monstrous creatures and the formidable Flame Emperor Dragon. The magnificent structures, the bustling city that once symbolized the citizens' collective achievements and storied history, now lay in ruins, reduced to ashes of their former glory. The profound loss and destruction were a poignant testament to the immense tragedy that had befallen the Highserk Empire.

## Additional Details

* Leethia, the adventurer from Myard, was partially responsible for this event.
* Initially, Dandurg castle held 12,000 Highserk soldiers, 3,000 former Myard soldiers, 7,000 volunteers, and 81,000 refugees. At the end of the Defense of Dandurg Castle, less than 10,000 people remained.
* Al the adventurer and Amy, his girlfriend, both passed away near then end of the Defense of Dandurg Castle.
* Over 100,000 monsters were killed.
* The capital of the Highserk Empire was destroyed by the Flame Emperor Dragon.
* This is the event in which Walm received his golden eyes. During his fight with the Great Ogre Lord, he lost his eyes. Ayane took the eyes from the now-deceased Great Ogre Lord and transplanted them into Walm.