Thirty minutes remained until the execution.
Suddenly, a deafening boom erupted in the distance. Every resident on the northwest side of Montreal Mountain heard it.
Countless residents were jolted awake. They stumbled to their windows, bewildered, and saw only the Knights' Order galloping past.
"What happened?"
The Deputy Chief Judge looked toward the sound. The thin mist there had been blasted aside, leaving a clear gap.
A Church Guard soon arrived. "A team of clergy met fierce resistance while searching the Blackwatch Legion commander's mansion. The Heretics just destroyed the place. The Chief Inquisitor is sending people over and told us not to get involved. The execution goes ahead."
"Understood."
But that was only the beginning. More explosions sounded from every direction—some magic, others the all-too-familiar gunpowder.
The Chaos Cult really had stirred up serious trouble in the Imperial Capital.
Clatter, clatter, clatter—
Hooves suddenly thundered along the street, heading straight for Ring Plaza.
The State Religion's soldiers raised their long muskets and stood firm. The rider hauled on his reins, stopping his warhorse less than a meter from the leveled weapons.
Turning his warhorse sideways, the rider shouted, "The Chaos Cult is attacking Grand Duke Zakaria's Manor! The Grand Duke orders you to send men to his aid at once!"
"We're conducting an execution. We can't leave," the Deputy Chief Judge refused.
"No! The Grand Duke demands that you rescue him immediately!"
The Deputy Chief Judge did not budge. "Sorry, but the Judgment Hall takes orders only from the emperor."
"You..." The rider bristled. "Grand Duke Zakaria is under attack, and you of the Imperial State Religion are just standing by? What are you playing at?"
"You don't think today's unrest is a coincidence, do you?" The Deputy Chief Judge regarded him calmly. "If Albeck and the others escape,