Plasma Cannon Vision

Although they had encountered a tiny little setback along the way, Evan and his adventure team had nevertheless become the first people of this era to achieve the feat of "reaching the heavens."

This was a small step for them, but a giant leap for humanity!

And, without meaning to, they had witnessed another small part of the world's truth.

Only—

When they had been frightened into fleeing by the terrifying sight in outer space, cursing all the way as they rode the Gemstone River back into the atmosphere—

For most people, the stars and dreams were simply too far away. What mattered most was still the struggle right before their eyes.

Sirius Empire, Saint Cruz, Domed Palace.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The golden Peacock Automaton Clock, freshly repaired by clockmakers, once again chimed on the hour as it had for over a century, yet it somehow carried a trace of sorrow.

Not only because the Empire had lost the Peacock Islands it represented, but also because the master who had appreciated it most was no longer there.

Following the destruction of the Maritime Royal Authority—

His Majesty the Emperor Philip II, who had personally witnessed the Empire's entire journey from its zenith to decline, finally drew his last breath after lingering on his sickbed for half a year.

Having fully borne the backlash of the collapse of national fortune, even the power of a Third-Order Grand Knight had failed to preserve his life.

Furthermore, the adult male members of the royal family from Philip II's generation with Succession Rights—Prince Manolo and Prince Roderick—had also all perished.

Although the Empire's current situation was precarious, Odrich, the Crown Prince not even one year old, was still crowned Emperor without suspense, with the twenty-something Empress Dowager Theresa serving as regent.

This Princess, once