Imperial Annals Chapter XII: The South-West Rebellion
…On the thirty-first year of the Emperor's reign, rebels who had remained hidden in the city made attempt to retake Maranda. In retaliation, the great General Celes, gave orders to set the city alight. The flames, summoned by the newly commissioned Magitek Knights razed the palace of the deposed royal family to the ground and slew remaining former nobles who had facilitated the failed coup.
The fires burned for three days till at last, the city accepted their place within the Empire. Many families evacuated the city unharmed, living in Imperial refugee camps in the outskirts; willingly they ferreted out the cause of the unrest, turning the surviving rebels over to the Imperial Guard. The Ice Maiden then stilled the flames with mighty ice magics, immediately commanding the repair and restoration of the city. The decisions and methods of the peacekeepers were viewed as harsh yet necessary to protect the Empire as a whole.
Free World Annals Chapter XXI: The Torching of Maranda
…A year after the conquering of Maranda, freedom fighters who had hidden in the city attempted to retake the city. The then Imperial General Celes gave orders to the newly commissioned Magitek Knights to torch the city. As a show of their dominance over the annexed nation, they destroyed the palace and slaughtered what remained of the aristocracy.
The fires raged for three full days in the dry heat of summer till the city was completely broken, both in spirit and body. Refugees from the burning ruins were housed in camps in the outskirts under the watchful eye of the Imperial Guard. From within those camps, surviving rebels were given away either through bribery or pain of torture. None of those men or women were ever seen again.
Once satisfied that they had eradicated the threat, the General then used her ice magic to cool the flames. Restoration and repairs were made to the city, with the exception the palace and many of the noble estates. The charred remains of those once majestic buildings would forever be a reminder to the people of the Southern Continent.
News of this incident somehow spread from beyond the shores of the Southern continent and horrified its Northern neighbours. It was at this point that the Kingdom of Doma had resolved to never enter alliance or cooperate with Imperial forces.
Historian's Note: The following is an extract from the private journal of the late General Celes, This historian would like to thank the Museum of Magic History for the opportunity to peruse and translate the original copy that was found within the Kohlingen dig site.
…The lieutenant told me of the insurgence in the city. I'm well aware that every eye is on me during this time of occupation, every doubting eye that wishes to see if I will break on my first assignment as General. They look at me waiting for me to make brutal judgement. I heard them whisper about burning the city, that's all they want me to say, to give the order and sanction the complete eradication of the city's identity. Slaughter them like rats. The words hover on my tongue. My conscience tells me that they are human too, but I hear the voice of his Majesty reminding me of duty and pride, the very reason I was born and raised.
That night I gave the order. I will go down in history for this they said, but I cannot help but wonder… will I be known as the Ice Maiden as the men adulate me in their drunken celebration, or the Ice Demon that those rebels spat at in their dying moments? Either way, it does not matter so long as I have done my duty.