He slowly descended from the dais and reached the entrance to the great hall.
The two guards stationed on either side of the hall dropped to one knee and bowed their heads when they saw Damian.
He stood at the edge of the steps, gazing at the Royal Capital as night approached, melancholy written across his face.
The former king's dying wish had been fulfilled in his generation, but whether the Parambria Kingdom would still exist after him remained unknown.
Given the heretics' strength, however, the Parambria Kingdom would probably cease to exist.
"I wonder whether I shall die on the battlefield or here in the Royal Palace."
Hearing their king's words, the guards kneeling on either side lowered their heads further, forcing themselves to forget what they had just heard.
As the last traces of sunset lingered, two-thirds of the Royal Capital sank into darkness. Only the Royal Palace, the Noble District, and the territory controlled by the Holy Blood Church lit up.
Outside the East City Gate, the heavy iron gates opened, and ranks of warriors clad in red armor streamed into the Royal Capital.
In the Civilian District, countless civilians heard the incessant footsteps and clatter of armor outside. They covered their own mouths and their children's, afraid to make a sound.
Under cover of darkness, an army more than a hundred thousand strong poured into the city. Led by their commanders, they split into dozens of thousand-man units and advanced toward the church's territory.
At the same time, numerous level 8 and level 9 professionals flew out of the Royal Palace and joined the army, helping purge the Holy Blood Church clergy who had been branded "traitors."
Meanwhile, the level 8 and level 9 professionals who had previously maintained close ties with the Holy Blood Church