Undercurrents from All Sides

Before long, the entire Throne Room had returned to silence.

All the rebels lay dead in pools of blood, including Hermulin, the king himself.

At some point, Rom had stopped screaming in pain. He suddenly rose to his feet, but he seemed to have become a puppet. Not only did he remain completely motionless, but all expression had vanished from his face. Only the whites of his eyes had turned entirely black, making him look both evil and ominous.

"Tap... tap... tap... tap..."

Surrounded by black-robed figures, Sorok approached the throne, kicked Hermulin away, and picked up the Sword of Power that had fallen nearby.

"So this is the Sword of Power that controls the Heavenly Pillar Light?"

The black-robed figure who had ambushed Hermulin and pierced his chest in a single strike came to Sorok's side, looking curiously at the sword.

"That's right. This is the Sword of Power passed down through generations of the Ginas Kingdom Royal Family. Its greatest function is to control the Strategic Class Barrier known as the Heavenly Pillar Light. Other than that, it is merely a symbolic item far sharper and sturdier than ordinary weapons."

Though Sorok spoke disdainfully, his hand gripped the Sword of Power tightly, as though he held the greatest authority in the world itself. He bared his teeth in a grin.

"With this, I am the undisputed king. Within the Heavenly Pillar Light, I will be invincible. No one will be able to do anything to me."

Sorok laughed smugly, then sat upon the throne with an intoxicated expression.

"So this is what it feels like to truly control this country?"

"Not bad. I should have done this sooner."

"How is that arrogant young master of the Corderion Family going to fight me now?"

Sorok seemed to think of