Gallic Empire, Berely Victory Palace.
Inside the Golden Hall, Holy Light I, his face haggard, was discussing strategies for resisting the enemy with his ministers when an attendant officer suddenly rushed in from outside the hall. The attendant seemed too shocked; his foot caught, and he fell to the ground in a miserable heap.
But he swiftly scrambled forward a few steps, sprang nimbly to his feet, and stood panting before Holy Light I's throne.
Holy Light I watched the attendant with a dark expression, lightly tapping his scepter against the floor. "The bearing of a nobleman. Remember at all times that you are a nobleman. No matter what happens—even if an orc army reaches the walls of Berely City—you must remain calm, composed, and steady!"
After lecturing the flushed attendant for a while, Holy Light I finally asked coldly, "What has you in such a panic?"
The attendant took a deep breath, then pulled out a crimson document edged in gold and handed it to Huali, who stood beside Holy Light I. Lowering his head, he reported solemnly, "The Vias Commercial Federation no longer exists. The Dragon Mountain Empire established by the Longshan Family has gained the support of every noble and commoner in the entire nation!"
Holy Light I, who had just been lecturing the attendant about composure and steadiness, suddenly leaped up. He cried out in astonishment, "What? The Longshan Family has replaced that damned Vias Commercial Federation? The Dragon Mountain Empire? Praise the great and supreme Lord of Dawn—Your glory is destined to shine upon the entire world!"
Slapping his chest hard, Holy Light I shouted at the ministers, "Did you hear that? Did you hear that? The Longshan Family, which signed a military alliance with our Gallic Empire, has established its own empire!"
With a