Lanqi's Prophecy

Krui Di Empire, central Bulida.

A super-ancient underground city-state lay hidden deep beneath the earth, with only a few spatial nodes connecting it to concealed openings.

On an autumn night, a crimson blood moon hung high above the pitch-black vault. A Magic Device simulated the scene of pure moonlight spilling down, draping this city of dark stone in layers of hazy red gauze.

Along both sides of the empty streets, the towering, massive buildings outlined the eerie gloom of super-ancient Blood Moon art, as if they had frozen the dust of ages into place. Now and then, a breeze passed through the silent alleys.

"The blood moon's color is truly breathtaking."

A man's figure passed by. The buttons of his iron-gray uniform gleamed brightly, reflecting the blood-red sky.

When he had still been aboveground, he had always walked with his head held high, his arrogant gaze sweeping over his surroundings. Yet after coming here, he could not help lowering his posture.

As the captain of the Imperial Special Operations Division's Action Team, no one would easily tail him. Or rather, in an underground city connected only by spatial nodes, neither entering nor leaving would leave a trace.

Colonel Maquire gradually approached the end of the underground city. A towering castle built of natural obsidian stood silently in the darkness.

The castle's outer walls were inlaid with cold, hard silver trim and decorated with red crystal carvings.

Maquire slowly entered the castle, passed through several corridors, and pushed open a massive door covered in carved incantations.

His view suddenly opened up. Before him stood a magnificent palace resembling a Council Hall.

"My lady, I have arrived."

Maquire bowed and bent as though he were facing an emperor. His sturdy body cast a shadow that had shrunk into a ball.

His voice