Richard knelt before Queen Alicia. "I, Richard, will never forget Your Majesty's great kindness! A grave crisis is now brewing in Liberl. Please allow me to atone for my sins through service and do my part for the country!"
Queen Alicia smiled and gently touched Richard's shoulder. "Mr. Richard, thank you. In the name of the queen, I ask you to serve our country. Will you?"
Richard answered solemnly, "Yes!"
By then, all the fires throughout the royal capital had been extinguished, and the panic in the hearts of the people had also been soothed.
Although this crisis had claimed many lives, it had ultimately not led to the worst possible outcome. The backbone of the nation had not fallen. The queen and princess were still alive, still leading the entire country in its fight against the evil Ouroboros!
However...
Julia suddenly arrived with a report. "Your Majesty! Numerous steam-powered tanks have suddenly appeared north of Haken Gate! General Morgan is negotiating with them, while Lieutenant General Sykes Vandell of the Erebonian Empire is leading the vanguard with the apparent intention of entering Liberl territory!"
"What?" Queen Alicia's face went pale. Her nation had only just dealt with one crisis, and now another enormous crisis had struck immediately afterward!
What were they to do? The Empire's attack at this time was naturally an open violation of the peace treaty they had signed not long ago. But Liberl was currently suffering from the effects of the shutdown of orbal energy; the entire country was unable to use orbments. How could they possibly stand against the Erebonian Empire's "steam tanks" now?!
Just then, Kloe suddenly said, "Grandmother, please let me go!"
Kloe had only just become the Crown princess, the next queen. At this critical moment for the nation, as the royal