Although the Church of Light did everything it could to cover things up, the news still spread. More than one or two of the slaves had escaped that day, and others who got away also leaked the story.
Rumors that the tomb of the Golden King had been discovered in the Bull Mountains spread across the entire Crete Empire in an instant. Even many neighboring countries heard the news, though more secretive and terrifying rumors were hidden within it.
The Crete Empire's Imperial Capital Nia was also known as Lion City. The royal palace stood in the northern part of the city center. This was the cultural heart of all humanity. Though it was not the wealthiest city on the continent, it was the one with the richest cultural heritage.
This could be seen in the city's architecture, the way its people dressed, its population density, and the bustling trade. Crowds filled the streets wherever one looked. The systems were well-developed, and most people lived above the poverty line. Even so, slums and large areas where slaves lived remained hidden in the darkness.
The royal palace was an imposing structure, built entirely of white marble. It was tall and magnificent, and had taken the Crete Empire's finest craftsmen decades and three generations of emperors to complete, building upon the original palace of the Nia Kingdom.
A young man with a sword at his side strode straight into the palace. He left his sword at the entrance, then made his way deeper inside, passing through ornate corridors and palace gardens before reaching a small courtyard at the back. In a nearby hall, he found a middle-aged man in casual clothes taking a nap and sipping milk tea.
"Your Majesty!"
The young man hurried forward and bowed to the emperor. Iliad VII