Within the Grand Palace, cries of battle rang out in waves.
Foul blood flowed wantonly through the cracks between the floor tiles.
Most of the Greek nobles in their magnificent ballroom attire cowered like quails facing disaster, hiding within the great hall and not daring to step outside. A rare few who had risen through military merit picked up weapons and went out for a look, only to abandon any thought of joining the battle themselves.
"Your Majesty, I saw it with my own eyes. The enemy isn't human—they're a pack of devils!"
"Who released those monsters? Weren't the rebels already imprisoned by us?"
"Why not have the inner palace guard escort us as we fight our way out?"
"Where is His Majesty the Basileus? Why isn't he holding the fort here? Don't tell me he fled ahead of time?"
As they babbled out impractical suggestions, Lageia watched the scene and felt the grand ambition of imperial restoration drifting ever farther from reality. Unable to bear it any longer, she raised her voice and shouted, "Shut up!"
Under the crowd's astonished gazes, she composed herself and said earnestly, "My lords, pillars of the Empire, His Majesty the Basileus has already gone to trace the enemy to its source. His elite troops and the palace guard are working together, relying on the Grand Palace's defenses to resist these vile foes. Two distinguished ladies, whose learning and magical power are no less than the eldest princess's, are guarding this hall. At this moment, there is no safer place in Constantinople."
At that moment, the woman beside her, wearing a peculiar fallow-deer hood with a barbarian air about it and an odd yet aesthetically striking suit of red-and-white battle attire, drew her blade. Blazing flames rose from it.
"Do not worry, everyone. Remain