Of course, since the Alliance had already arrived, the Empire—which had been there even longer—had no reason not to follow suit.
Burenhilde asked with a smile, "I take it the forces at Myriad Kings Pass can't spare a single soldier?"
"Yes. Marshal Estay certainly thinks so. He's even requested permission to deploy the Regent's Sword to Myriad Kings Pass. In such troubled times, the Empire absolutely can't show weakness—especially not in front of the Alliance." Ostana shrugged. "In a way, the old man does have a point."
"Other than the Imperial Scepter, which is already trapped in Femo, none of the other colossus weapons are to be moved. The three currently under construction should continue at their present pace. Relay my decision to the Privy Council and the Marshal's Office at once," King Sulwika ordered.
That said, the bigwigs of the Privy Council and the Marshal's Office were still working as usual in the Celestial Domain. That was certainly because the Tirero Military Aristocrats were so (arrogantly) proud that they simply couldn't bring themselves to abandon the people of the imperial capital. But one had to admit, their dedication to duty truly made them exemplary figures for the age!
"Lastly, what was that unpredictable piece of news you mentioned?" King Sulwika asked when the chief of staff fell silent again.
She hesitated for a very brief moment before answering. "Duke Bairen's main fleet destroyed a swarm cluster on Champol in the Wanfan system."
That was good news! Burenhilde thought, though only a little.
"Then, during a battlefield inspection, His Grace the Duke was assassinated. The assassin was a senior engineer at the Champol Machinery Works. The weapon used was an explosive bug that could evade inspection."
"...The Champol Machinery Works is an imperial enterprise, isn't it?" Burenhilde frowned. "Don't tell