"..."
Emperor Bernhardt of the Reykart Empire was alone on the fortress's highest level, silently watching the distant sky from the pointed tower's balcony.
That was right: he was looking toward the Empire's border.
Or rather, its former border.
Now, wherever the Empire's valiant army went became the Empire's new border!
This world had always belonged to the strong. Might made right, and borders were nothing more than cowardly excuses used by weaklings like Karthus to hold back.
At least, that was what Bernhardt had always believed.
The weather was excellent today. A blazing sun shone in the sky, and there was hardly a cloud in sight.
But even with such a clear view, the Empire's former border was simply too far away. No matter how hard Bernhardt looked, he couldn't catch even the slightest glimpse of the enormous floating island hovering above it.
"..."
It would be a lie to say Bernhardt didn't hate that inexplicable floating island, which had torn itself away from the mountains and drifted up into the sky!
Unfortunately, it sat ten thousand meters above the ground. At that unreachable height, all he and most of his army could do was gaze up at it in frustration.
It was precisely because they had no way to reach it that he was so anxious right now. Otherwise, he would have led his army to flatten the island long ago.
Clop!
Clop! Clop!
Just then, footsteps and the clink of metal sounded behind Bernhardt, drawing closer.
Before long, a knight clad in blue cavalry plate armor climbed the spiral staircase to the pointed tower's balcony with heavy steps. He came onto the cramped platform, snapped to attention, and stood behind Emperor Bernhardt.
"Lyon?"
Bernhardt didn't need to turn around. The rhythmic metallic clink of footsteps against the