A scorching blast of air struck Seld in the face. The burning heat made his cheeks sting and threatened to stop his breathing altogether.
What happened?
Seld widened his eyes, trying to see what was happening.
But the heat and blinding glare of the Demon Flame left him unable to see a thing.
All he could hear was the roar of burning flames.
Flames?
Right, flames!
Seld finally recalled what had just happened.
Then, knowing full well what it meant, he began trembling all over.
How was this possible?
How was this possible?
2567 had barely held off the Steppe King and only defeated him through luck. How could he have so easily crushed that lord's preparations?
Impossible!
Something must have gone wrong!
Seld roared inwardly, over and over.
But reality would not change to suit anyone's wishes.
After retreating several steps and escaping the scorching heat of the Demon Flame, Seld watched through dry, blurred eyes as a ball of crimson fire shot upward like a meteor and slammed into the "sky" overhead!
Boom!
Another explosion rang out.
Unlike the sudden blast before, this time everyone could clearly see how effortlessly the Demon Flame tore through the Ominous Aura.
Then everyone distinctly heard a piercing scream.
The scream sent chills down their spines.
Every one of the southern dignitaries who had come to welcome Mary shuddered.
They knew exactly what the old count had arranged, and so they understood all too well what the scene before them meant.
They had lost!
Before it had even begun, they had lost utterly and completely!
The powerful figure they had relied upon, who had filled them with boundless confidence, now offered nothing but wails-and fear.
The most primal, purest fear, born of the disparity in strength.
And, quite naturally, a question arose