Viewed from above, the entire city was sunk in silent darkness. In the northern city, shadowy Cave Dwellers were still moving about, but the central district of the old city was utterly still. Farther south, a group was advancing rapidly through the unlit streets and alleys.
"Faster! Don't give them a chance to react!" Medisa led from the front like a streak of silver flame racing through the wind. The flames swept down the long street, and the Cave Dwellers' patrol blocking the road scattered in an instant. Those who failed to dodge were engulfed by the soul-flames raised by the Little Princess of the Silver Elves' spear and burned to ash. A tall, elegant unicorn galloped down the street, its four hooves wreathed in spirit-flames flashing up and down. In the blink of an eye, it vanished into the distance, leaving behind only a trail of twinkling sparks.
Behind her came the White Lion Guard in a charging formation, followed by the Summer Solstice Knights. "Keep up, knights of the Empire!" Bronfield, vice-captain of the Summer Solstice Knights, roared as he followed. "Open a path for our allies, protect both flanks, and don't let those rats from underground take advantage of us!" The Cruz Knights had retrieved their equipment two days earlier. Brando had invited them to fight for the Empire, and as imperial knights, they naturally could not shirk their duty. Although they understood that they were still hostages, the Jorgendigons were the Empire's enemies now. Compared with that, the closeness between the Eluin people and the Cruz people clearly worked in their favor.
As the saying went, only through comparison could one see the difference.
Only after the knights had cleared the way did the bloated envoy party come through. Aside from a few nobles with military