Anielo's fingers gripped the receiver of the Magic Device, unsure whether to loosen or tighten his hold until his knuckles turned white.
His chest felt as though a heavy stone were pressing down on it, making it slightly difficult to breathe.
This bright space, this office that should have brought him comfort, had instantly become a sealed prison, as if he still had not escaped, locking him in even more tightly.
It was clearly supposed to be a communication line connected to the imperial capital.
So why had such a familiar yet strange voice come from the other end?
Thoughts raced through Anielo's mind.
How could the dedicated communication line between Snowfield Province and the imperial capital, Helrom, have been occupied by someone else?
Had the entire imperial capital—the entire front line—already fallen into the enemy's hands?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible!
It had to be an illusion!
A beast-like terror flashed through Anielo's eyes as he struggled to see the truth.
Panic spread through his heart. At last, he spoke, his voice trembling slightly as he tried to remain calm. "May I ask which officer of the Imperial Ministry of Defense you are?"
"We just met. Have you forgotten my voice so quickly?"
The other party remained relaxed, their voice carrying a hint of amusement.
Those confirming words struck Anielo's heart like a heavy hammer.
Anielo had reacted quickly, but he was still a step too slow.
He wanted to leave this sealed space and escape Boen City, which was filled with an eerie atmosphere. But the instant he moved to release the receiver, a violent numbness struck him like a bolt of lightning, spreading throughout his body.
There were traps in the Governor's Office?!
As Anielo panicked and tried to mobilize his mana, another indescribable heaviness and sluggishness enveloped him.