The two most powerful city-states, Frith and Harold, finally came to a compromise and their soldiers joined forces to secure the valley and the tomb of King Auther. The combined forces of Frith and Harold stationed themselves at the entrance of the Sunset Mountains to guard against any potential intruders.

For Lord Acus of Harold, the agreement was a double-edged sword. On one hand, he had to share his potential wealth with the Lord of Frith. On the other hand, with the aid of the skilled artisans from Frith, the excavation of the tomb progressed much more quickly. In just half a month, they had managed to break through the large boulders blocking the entrance and delve deep into the interior of the tomb.

As they made their way through the passage, the reality of the brutal journey ahead hit them. The walls were littered with the bloodied remains of those who had fallen to the traps set to protect the tomb. Hundreds of slaves had lost their lives to clear the path, their blood staining the ground.

The two lords entered a stone chamber filled with crosses and bones, with an estimated count of a thousand bodies. The bones were not a surprise, but what caught their attention were the bodies of nobles, dressed in the once magnificent garments of the Holy Empire.

It was evident that King Auther was not just any ordinary ruler, as evidenced by the sheer number of people buried alongside him. Even Lord Acus and the Lord of Frith couldn't help but feel awed by the magnitude of the sacrifices made for the king. It was clear that only someone with immense power and influence could have commanded such loyalty and devotion from his subjects.

As the journey continued, the two lords found themselves facing more obstacles. The passage ahead was partially blocked by crumbling earth, while another was blocked by a massive boulder. The two lords grew increasingly impatient, urging their artisans to work faster. The boulder, which had once been a source of frustration, was now the target of their hatred.

But with the help of their tools, the boulder was finally broken, and the lords ordered their slaves to explore the newly discovered passage. This time, there were no traps, and the slaves quickly entered the next chamber.

The chamber was filled with paintings and statues, depicting the history of the birth of the Holy Empire and the rise of King Auther. The two lords were left speechless, staring in awe at the forgotten history before them. For them, this was a glimpse into the ancient myth and legendary tales that had been passed down for generations. The thrill of seeing history itself was indescribable, and they couldn't help but be in awe of what they had uncovered.

The second mural depicted a scene of horrific bloodshed and sacrifice. Countless bodies were depicted, stacked one upon another, with blood flowing like a river. The young man from the first mural stood triumphantly atop the pile of bodies, his fire and sword aloft in victory.

The two city masters were struck with horror and awe as they gazed upon these murals. They had never seen anything like it before. The level of detail and emotion conveyed in these depictions was nothing short of breathtaking. The middle-aged knight couldn't help but utter a prayer under his breath, asking for forgiveness for what his ancestors had done.

For the first time, the true extent of King Auther's power and the atrocities committed in his name were laid bare for all to see. The city masters couldn't help but wonder what other secrets lay hidden in this tomb and what else they might discover in the coming days.

The third mural was a depiction of a great war. It showed armies clashing and a massive battlefield filled with fallen soldiers. The attention-grabbing part was the figure of a young man, now depicted as a king, holding a fire and sword, leading the charge and dominating the battlefield.

The two city lords and their knights stood in awe, examining the intricate details of the murals. They couldn't believe what they were seeing, the legends and stories they heard about the rise of King Auther were brought to life right in front of their eyes.

As they continued to gaze at the murals, they couldn't help but feel a sense of shock and reverence. They realized that the wealth and treasures they were seeking were nothing compared to the value of this historical discovery.

"By the grace of the gods, we have stumbled upon the truth behind the rise of the Holy Empire and the legend of King Auther. This is truly a momentous discovery," Lord Altvin declared, his voice echoing through the chamber.

"This is truly an incredible sight," Altvin said, his voice filled with reverence. "To see the king, the chosen one of God, in such a powerful stance, roaring to the heavens. It's truly awe-inspiring."

The scene depicted in the mural was both shocking and breathtaking. The depiction of King Auther standing tall, with the Undying flame in one hand and the God-given sword in the other, was a testament to his might and the favor of God.

But as they took in the scene, they also couldn't shake the feeling of unease and fear. The murals depicted not just the greatness and strength of the kingdom, but also its dark side, the mass sacrifices and wars that marked its foundation. The city lords realized that the legends they had heard of the first empire were not just tall tales, but a true reflection of its brutal and powerful history.

Acus and the rest were horrified as they noticed the first mural. Acus struggled to speak, "Is this...?"

A guard standing nearby suddenly thought of the forbidden legends surrounding King Auther. It was said that anyone who dared to speak of the taboo would face certain death.

But before the guard could utter a word, Altvin's frightened voice boomed across the room, "Stop it! Don't say it! Don't even think about it!"

The guard was immediately silenced, as if a spell had been cast upon him. He regretted ever having been born and felt his legs trembling with fear.

Despite the legends being dismissed by some as mere myth, the mural before them seemed to confirm the truth of King Auther's defiance in his later years.

The guard and the other knights lowered their heads in fear, not daring to look upon the statue any longer. The city lords, too, dared not to gaze upon the depiction, for fear of angering the gods.