Prologue 2: Lightning, Conspiracy, and the Borderlands

Alivia, Eastern Region of the Eternal Continent, Human Empire, Imperial Capital

The pure white Tower of Purity stood at the center of the Human Empire. This was the Empire's foremost institution for magical research. On the tower's 100th floor, the Human Empire's Knight and the God of Magic was writing down the results of his latest magical research.

An attendant officer from the Palace Affairs Department stood outside the Study, holding three slips of paper. He did not make a single move. He knew that before he had even reached the 100th floor, the master here had already sensed his arrival.

"What is it?"

"Your Majesty, three matters. The Starry Sky Society has determined the location of this rift. It is in the northwestern part of the Dragon Empire, likely near the Gallop Plains." As he spoke, the attendant officer opened his hand. The three slips of paper rose without wind and slowly floated toward the desk.

"Very good."

"Second, Lord Ben Kaul wishes to travel to the Night-Kirin Ruins."

"Mm, let him go."

"Yes. Third, Chief Charlton of the Palace Front Department has submitted a plan. He hopes to carry it out in the Dragon Kingdom and on the Gallop Plains in cooperation with the Salt and Iron Department."

"Hmph, he really knows how to rope people in for himself!"

"Chief Charlton, he..." The attendant officer caught a hint of displeasure and hurried to explain, only to be cut off.

"Stop making excuses for him. I understand."

"Yes, Your Majesty." As if granted a pardon, the attendant officer quickly turned and left.

Inside a tall tower in the western outskirts of the Imperial Capital, Charlton, Chief of the Empire's Palace Front Department and an Archmage, was reading letter after letter.

"So this is all the progress so far?"

"Yes, Teacher."

"Good. His Majesty will approve my plan today. You may begin putting it into action. Do not worry about those nobles. The Palace Front Department will be your backing."

"Yes, Teacher."

"Remember, we are responsible for the entire Empire. Work hard, and do not disappoint me."

"We will not fail our mission!"

In the Holy City of the Temple Alliance Church, the rear hall of the Supreme Temple connected to Pope's Meditation Room. Guarding His Holiness during meditation was an expert of High Altar Priest rank.

Hurried footsteps approached as a Priest ran over.

"Who dares run through the Temple?"

Upon seeing the guard, the newcomer immediately stopped. "Information has arrived from Star Hall. It must be delivered for His Holiness's immediate review."

"Star Hall?" The guard knew this was what His Holiness cared about most. He quickly took the slip from the newcomer's hand, bowed, and entered His Holiness's Meditation Room.

Viscount Rothe's Territory in the Dragon Kingdom was the northwesternmost viscount territory of the Dragon Kingdom, as well as the westernmost viscount territory of the Human Empire. Further west, beyond Baron Gallop's Territory, lay the Central Great Forest, which extended from the Central Mountains.

Rothe Territory lay at the border between the grasslands and farmland. Several dozen kilometers north of Viscount Rothe's Castle was Korniko Pass.

The east-west Korniko Mountains had a ten-kilometer-long gap here. North of the pass was known as the Gallop Plains, while south of it lay the Northwest Count Territory of the Dragon Kingdom.

Once, the entire Gallop Plains belonged to a single kingdom—the Gallop Kingdom. Its royal family bore the surname Gallop. However, a great upheaval three hundred years ago destroyed the Gallop Kingdom. Today, the lord of Viscount Rothe's Territory and the lord of Baron Gallop's Territory to the west were both descendants of the Gallop Kingdom. In the centuries after their kingdom's fall, they had carved out two territories here, both as vassals of the Northwest Count of the Dragon Kingdom.

At this moment, Viscount Rothe was dining with a young man inside his castle.

"You are sure the plan will work?"

"Of course, Viscount."

"Can those Savages fill their bellies by plundering just one baron territory?"

"An ordinary baron territory certainly would not be enough, but Baron Gallop is a border baron. He has been rolling in money these past few years."

And am I not the same? Viscount Rothe silently added in his heart. "If that is the case, I can stay out of it. But you must make things clear to those Gray Geese. They need to do the job cleanly!"

"Of course, Viscount!"