Capital Council Hall.
As the administrative core of the Gullad Empire, it lay directly beneath the capital's imperial palace, where the Hands of Gullad handled state affairs and made decisions.
But now, it had long since become a battlefield.
After initiating the suppression of the Gullad Army, its instigators had seemingly anticipated that the outcome would be chaos. Thus, they had activated the ancient spell restrictions within the council hall at the very first opportunity.
An immensely conspicuous dark-gold barrier cut off everything outside while continuously unleashing chain lightning-like attacks against anyone who attempted to approach, friend and foe alike.
Most of the Golden Masks stood before the council hall, pouring their power into the ancient spell restrictions to sustain them.
Yet among those Golden Masks, the leading Hand of Gullad was supporting his head with one hand, pain flashing in his eyes.
"No—this isn't right—"
"Why—did things end up like this—"
His reason and mind seemed to be locked in battle with something, struggling relentlessly to break free from its influence.
Those capable of becoming Hands of Gullad were all among the empire's finest talents. Yet clearly, even these Saints of Blazing Fire could not resist the force influencing them.
And just as he struggled—
Tangbas, the Gullad's Sword leading the army, had already arrived before the restriction.
He let out a deafening war cry. Warfire blazed across his entire body as he charged straight at the immense dark-gold barrier.
Along the way, a massive guardian colossus roared and reached down to crush him.
But Tangbas did not falter. Roaring, he swung his sword. A terrifying aura of annihilation instantly tore through everything, cleaving the colossus in two. It collapsed with a thunderous crash, kicking up clouds of dust.
The next instant, Tangbas's warhorse leaped fiercely from the colossus's