[Bang!]
[Bang!]
[Bang!]
Just as the ninjas launched a surprise attack on Rondel Magic City.
Inside the Imperial Capital's palace.
The current emperor, Molt, sat upon his throne.
His expression tense as he listened to the repeated thunderous booms coming from outside.
Below the steps before him.
Led by Prime Minister Max, who also served as Minister of Internal Affairs, the dozen or so ministers responsible for various state affairs wore expressions no different from their emperor's.
This filled the great hall with a suffocatingly oppressive atmosphere.
And since it was the middle of the night, with nothing but candles hanging from the pillars to provide light.
Though those candles were long and thick.
Candles were still candles, leaving the hall somewhat dim.
It was strange.
Rondel Magic City had already begun using magic devices no less advanced than modern civilian technology.
At least when it came to lighting, there was not much difference.
It showed just how resistant the Empire was to magic.
Of course, that had nothing to do with the current situation.
[Tap tap tap]
Just as everyone trembled in fear, hurried footsteps rang into the hall.
The emperor abruptly looked up at the guardsman striding inside.
[Bang!]
The guardsman came before the platform, swiftly dropped to one knee, and cried urgently:
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Second Imperial Guard Legion has been completely wiped out outside the city. The Dragon Rider Corps has now taken over the battle!"
"What?!"
Before the emperor could speak, Minister Kaciro, standing beside the guardsman, let out a furious roar.
"That was a full six thousand men, an elite legion made up of citizens and nobles! It has not even been an hour!"
He was the representative of the Empire's Martius Family and an earl in his own right, a man