Under the moonlight.
On a small cobblestone path.
Two guests were making their way through the tree-lined trail.
One wore a ballroom gown, dressed like a lady of high society, with a feathered mask covering half her face.
The other gentleman wore a tall hat, and his splendid suit carried a touch of overly flamboyant color, like a Magician in a circus.
"I never expected... the location for such a high-end gathering to be within the Tisago Empire."
Aaron, the Magician in a silver mask, spoke slowly.
"There has long been no Tisago... The Tisago cavalry that once boasted of whipping the entire continent was annihilated by the Invis army in a single battle. The empire fell with them, and even the title of emperor was stripped away..."
In a voice as calm as spring water, Dairis recounted that ancient, bloody history. "Because the Tisago people resisted so fiercely, they continued their stubborn resistance even after the nation's defeat, forming guerrilla forces across the land... Invis responded with an iron-fisted policy of suppression. The security war lasted a full thirty years, and Tisago's population fell to thirty percent of its prewar level..."
"So many sacrifices... War truly is the finest offering of all." Aaron let out an inexplicable sigh. "Perhaps... this was required for some colossal ritual?"
"I don't know, but I know one thing: the Tisago people will never submit!" Dairis said. "Come to think of it... my ancestors were nobles of the Tisago Empire as well."
"So that's how it is."
Aaron emerged from the woods and saw an abandoned manor.
Under the moonlight, all sorts of emerald-green vines crawled across its iron railings, making it seem both tranquil and eerie.
"Mm, we've drifted off topic without realizing it... It was probably chosen as the gathering place precisely