Empire and the Queen

Strictly speaking, both men were trusted aides of the Silver Queen. A minor mistake should not have left them so terrified, but two days ago—more precisely, on the night two days ago—the Empire suddenly lost contact with Pasilian Fortress. Anyone who still possessed even a little sense would understand what that meant. Bad omens were often the most accurate. Over the next twenty-four hours, bad news drifted in like snowflakes—

First, Pegasus Knights from the Empire's garrison in Yasa detected the movements of a massive army in the Bear Lake Region. Then another scouting cavalry unit detected a second army in Silver Valley, farther south.

Twenty-seven hours later, Valgas, Iron Fir Town, and Leafy Avenue were confirmed lost.

Twenty-nine hours later, Twin Town Nafir and Taris, north of the Bear Lake Region, sent urgent requests for help, while traces of an unfamiliar army were discovered outside Greystone Town, downstream along the Silver Spring River.

Thirty-four hours later, South Twin Town fell. Two hours after that, the North Town fell.

Thirty-seven hours later, an imperial [***] outpost on the edge of Long Boot Forest received a number of remnants from the south. Among them was Baron Piris of the Cooper Family.

Forty-four hours later, Greystone Town was surrounded.

Half an hour after that, the cavalry from Greenclaw Fortress finally brought back definite news. Pasilian Fortress had fallen, and a massive Jorgendigon army was advancing along the eastern branch of the Broken Sword Mountains toward Aelnor Castle. The Empire's fortress legions were retreating step by step.

Fifteen minutes ago, Ruseff was confirmed lost. Pegasus Knights flew over the city and observed that it appeared to have suffered magical bombardment exceeding the Twelve Rings. Not a single resident of the city had survived.

Jorgendigon had launched an invasion of the Empire. Most of